Rotten Ink is a place to talk comic books, and like I have stated before, Malibu Comics is a company that sadly went under way too quickly and was bought out by a company that had zero clue about what to do with the characters they now owned. One of the characters that I was a fan of was the creature known as Sludge, who, thanks to toxic chemicals, was created to stop crime as well as be misunderstood by those who came in contact with him. And because he is a creature, a monster if you will, he is perfect to cover for one of our Ultraverse update as he is big and scary and is one of the Ultraverse characters that I have been looking forward to covering since I started these updates covering Malibu Comics. So if you are ready, let’s head to the dark and spooky swears and try to stay clear of Sludge!

Frank Hoag is a cop who was dirty and was on the take of a crime boss named John Paul Marcello, but he finds himself a target of a hit when he refuses to kill another dirty cop that is on his boss’ payroll. Frank is killed by being shot several times and then blown up with a bomb, but something happened to Frank. As the bomb exploded, it also hit some nearby chemical drums that came in contact with Frank and cause him to become an oozing creature when his contaminated body is tossed near sewage. Now as this creature known as Sludge, he has many powers including being strong, able to shrug off many attacks and poisons, does not need air to break, can grow back his own limbs and even has a deadly touch that melts human skin. Sludge is a superhero, but also walks that line as his grotesque appearance and messed up speech seems to scare people that he is trying to save. It’s clear that Sludge was Malibu Comics’ version of Incredible Hulk and Man-Thing and was one of the first characters that drew me into the Ultraverse.

So we all know that Marvel Comics became the parent company of Malibu when they bought them back in 1994. Over the following years after the purchase, they phased out the Malibu Ultraverse heroes, and as of this posting many decades have passed and these characters seem to be in limbo as none of them have seen the light of day in comics as well as other media projects. Now if I worked for Marvel Comics as a writer this is what I would have done with Sludge: first I would have him be hiding and lurking in the sewers of New York and after scaring some homeless people that are seeking shelter from a bitter cold night they alert the police who do not listen to their tale of a creature in the sewer but a person that does listen is Bruce Banner and this leads to him thinking that The Glob is back and as The Hulk he looks into this and we get an epic clash between The Hulk and Sludge as the two do not communicate and The Hulk thinks Sludge is a new look for his old foe! After the two work out this misunderstanding, I would keep Sludge in The Hulk universe but would also have him cameo in other Marvel titles set in New York like Spider-Man, Daredevil, The Avengers and Fantastic Four as you know as well as I do, comic readers would love to see him battle The Thing. And while in The Hulk universe, Sludge would be a friend and help him fight against the likes of The Abomination, Rhino, Absorbing Man and The Leader to name a few, but I would also do a mini series that would have Sludge finding himself in Florida and testing his death touch against the burning touch of Man-Thing!  It’s a shame that Marvel Comics is not using Sludge as he could have been a very interesting character in the Marvel Universe and could have all types of possibilities in both comics and in film and could have stayed a good guy or even turned into a villain to be a thorn in the side of any hero he faced. Shame on you, Marvel Comics and Disney for allowing these character to fade away with time.

Sadly Sludge did not get the same treatment when it came to merchandise as besides the comic series, he got very few other items. Trading cards, promo posters and POGS are all I can really think of. He never even made it to the Galoob Ultraverse toy series as his figure was rumored but cancelled before release, but some really cool fan figures have been made of Sludge as well as a few other forms of items. It’s crazy that Sludge never did get his fair share of that merchandise bubble as his monstrous look was made for toys.

When Malibu Comics started their Ultraverse line many of the heroes caught my attention with one of them of course being Sludge as at this time monster hero comics were some of my favorite things to read when it came to superhero titles as new issues of Incredible Hulk, Toxic Avenger and even somewhat Pitt were comics you could find in my hands sitting around the house. When I saw Sludge what came to mind was that Malibu was mixing Swamp Thing, Man-Thing and The Hulk together to make a superhero that blends in a touch of horror, and that is why I knew I had to read this comic series. Sadly growing up where I did, it was hard to find indie comics and Malibu comics were not stocked at the grocery stores that I would have to get most of my currant comics from. But when I finally was able to discover the Ultraverse, I truly became a fan of many of their characters, and Sludge was one of those as the monster characters in comics always caught my attention. And after reading the Sludge issues for the first time I really enjoyed them as I felt they were a great mix of the 90’s style superhero comics that was going at the time of their release, and yet they also had that 70’s feel of classic horror comics that were being released by DC and Marvel at that time like Swamp Thing, Tomb Of Dracula and Man-Thing. And from that moment on I was a fan of Sludge. And over the years when I found myself buying back all the Malibu Comics I used to have, Sludge was at the top of the list of ones I must get back and cover on Rotten Ink, and now here we find ourselves at that update that is long overdue. Really I did poor Sludge wrong as he was slated to be the first “Malibu Comics Ultraverse Memories” updates but when the time came I covered the team The Exiles with Prototype and Hardcase to follow, and Sludge kept getting pushed back. While Prototype is one of my favorites as well from Malibu I should have covered Sludge at the start of these themed updates. I am very much looking forward as well to sitting back and re-reading these issues as it has been a very long time since I have read them and I am hoping they hold up! To sum it up, I am a Sludge fan and if you like horror themed superhero comics make sure to check him out as his issues can be found pretty cheap at your local comic shops or even online. Also I want to thank the gone but not forgotten Bookie Parlor and its owner Hal for introducing me to Malibu Comics.

As you can see, Sludge was one of the Malibu Comics that made me become a fan all those years back as I do find his look and backstory interesting! But growing up I never read the full series and only had spot issues in my collection so this will be a fun time reading them from start to finish. I want to thank both Bell Book And Comic as well as Game Swap Kettering for having all these issues in stock and making this update possible. I want to also remind you all that I grade these comics on a star scale of 1 to 4 and am looking for how well the comics stay to the source material, their entertainment value and their art and story. So if you are ready, let’s head to the sewers and see what Sludge has in store for us.

Sludge # 1  ***
Released in 1993.   Cover Price $2.50     Malibu Comics     # 1 of 12

Radio DJ Chase Naylor is talking about the case of missing NYPD Detective Frank Hoag, who has gone missing after responding to a break-in where lots of blood and bullets are found. The DJ is saying that the city should be sick of all the deaths, and as he is broadcasting a gang of thugs shoot at a rival and end up also killing innocent people in the gunfire. As the gang members get away, they run into the monster hero known as Sludge who destroys their car and takes many of their bullets and even a sword stab without being hurt. One by one Sludge kills the punks with some dying painfully as if he touches you new lumpy tumor like skin grows, and Sludge has no sympathy for those he is killing. Sludge also finds that thinking and speaking hurts and that while he is a muck monster, he does still bleed red blood. Sludge thinks back to the night he went missing as he is Detective Hoag and that crime lord John Paul Marcello is the one who gave the orders for him to be killed when Hoag refused to kill a fellow officer. And when the crime lord’s goons shot Hoag, a toxic chemical spilled all over his body and caused him to turn into this monster when it mixed with the sewer water they dumped his body in. When the gang’s bodies are found the police are happy that someone took care of them for good as Sludge is seen by the homeless that are living in the sewer.

The first issue of Sludge holds up for me as it is a great and entertaining read that showcases a monster hero who deals death to a handful of punks who deserve to meet their maker after killing innocent people during a hit. The plot is mostly about Sludge and his former life as a regular human that was a police detective that was involved in some shady stuff with the local crime lords that mostly was allowing drug deals to happen on beats he was on, but once he refuses to kill for them, he finds himself the victim of homicide and only because of a toxic chemical split on him is how he is still “alive” if you want to call being a bright blue muck monster living. Sludge is a confused mess of a hero as his brain is on fire, his thoughts are a mess, his body misshapen and his own speech hurts him…but while a mess, he is very much doing the right thing as he is going after criminals and dealing death to those who a doing truly evil things in the streets of New York. And his powers of creating flesh on his victims looks like a painful and terrible way to go. John Paul Marcello is a crime lord that gets what he wants and does not like being told no, and if you cross him, you will find yourself swimming with the fishes or is that sewer rats? The comic is pretty violent and showcases lots of blood an killings and that is kind of what sets it a part from the Marvel and DC Comics at that time. The cover for this issue is pretty cool and shows Sludge’s face and lets the reader get a real good look at him. The interior art done for this issue was by Aaron Lopresti and is really great stuff, and I like the way he draws Sludge to look very goopy and gross. I have to also point out that when Frank Hoag is covered in the toxic waste his transformation makes you flashback to the Troma film The Toxic Avenger, or at least it made me do that. The comic also features a backup story that is all about that vampire character Rune so you get a little more bang for your buck here. What a cool read, and I know remember why I was a fan of this comic series when I was younger as you cannot go wrong with a massive creature hero killing punks on the New York streets. Let’s see what issue two has in store for us and if it as well holds up.

Sludge # 2  ***
Released in 1993    Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 2 of 12

Bloodstorm is a paid assassin and his latest job is killing a man’s father so that he can collect the family fortune, and killing does not bother Bloodstorm as he is good at his job and nothing is going to stand in his way. Meanwhile Sludge stumbles on some of Mr. Marcello’s men who are beating up a guy who owes money, and they are going to take a body part as payment…but instead they all meet a bloody and painful fate. Detective Quinn is looking into these vigilante style killings, and he and the doctor are confused over the rapid skin growths that appear on many of the victims, and they come up with nothing. Meanwhile Bloodstorm once more is performing a hit and this time kills a woman as well as some security guards that works the apartment she lives in, and like before he takes joy in his deeds. Detective Quinn is working for Mr. Marcello and they are all trying to figure out who is killing the criminals on the street, and they end up calling in the services of Bloodstorm who costs them lots of money but they think he is worth it and will find the vigilante who is taking down crime. Days pass and many shakedowns take place all the while Bloodstorm is watching and waiting for his target, and it finally appears as Sludge shows up on a pier and attacks more of Marcello’s goons. Sludge and Bloodstorm fight with Bloodstorm getting the upper hand and using an exploding arrow that takes Sludge down. This is all witnessed by Detective Quinn who was part of the shakedown of the man who owned the crime boss money, truly showing he is a corrupt cop.

The second issue of Sludge has our goopy hero still on the prowl and killing off the goons of the crime boss Mr. Marcello who is now very much annoyed by the killing of his men and that is why he hires the assassin Bloodstorm to take care of his “issues”. And speaking of Bloodstorm he is one scary villain as he kills with ease and very brutally and gets joy watching people die, all because he was a bullied child who was laughed at and mocked. Bloodstorm also gets joy in hiring woman to come to his house were he will beat them almost to death with his bare hands…he is one sick psycho! Mr. Marcello and his men are you typical crime family who do bad things but they look tame compared to Bloodstorm. Detective Quinn is another corrupt cop who is on Marcello’s payroll and is the cop that was slated to be killed by Hoag, and this is unknown to him and he is still on the crime lords payroll. Sludge meanwhile is still killing the baddies and wondering around the streets even bonding with the cities homeless. We also see that Sludge has to eat as well to survive and he gets his food from dumpsters! It’s crazy that Bloodstorm is able to use his explosive arrow to take Sludge down at least for a little bit, but while the issue ends with Sludge hurt we all know that he will recover to continue his crusade to bring down the crime in New York. And it is nice to see that Sludge, while un-killable, does have some weakness and that can be challenged by skilled fighters like Bloodstorm who is also known as Unknown! The second issue as well really holds up and is way more bloody than most superhero comics going at this time, and truly Sludge was one of the best characters Malibu Comics made for their Ultraverse series. The cover is cool and has Sludge and Bloodstorm fighting with Aaron Lopresti returning to do the interior art that of course is really good! And with that, let’s head to issue three as I want to see how Sludge makes his comeback in this fight against a trained killer like Bloodstorm.

Sludge # 3  ***
Released in 1993    Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 3 of 12

Sludge is hurt on the ground as a group of crazed people appear and pick him up and toss his body into the ocean and then start attacking Bloodstorm who holds them off before retreating out of this crazed mobs attack. Detective Quinn as well finds himself being chased by the crazed people and he dives into the ocean to get away from them. At the bottom of the ocean Sludge wants to just die and end his weird life as a hero, while above ground a young mobster named Pistol working for Lord Pumpkin has his men wait around the dock to take down Sludge if he appears again as they have interest in this creature that has killed many of Mr. Marcello’s men, and he heads to Pumpkin to fill him in on what he has found out. While Mr. Marcello and his men are hiding out in a skyskraper, and the crazed mob are running wild in the streets and even climbing the building talking crazy. At the bottom of the ocean Sludge is forced to fight with a race of sea creature monster people called The Rivermen who end up taking him down and as their prisoner and to Lord Pumpkin who promises Sludge death if he helps him in his war with Marcello. Meanwhile Mr. Marcello sends a massive tank to New Jersey to go after Lord Pumpkin who is pushing into New York and his territory, and after taking down the tank that attacks his base Lord Pumpkins offer to Sludge is also shot down as the mucky hero wonders into the streets that is still filled with crazy people.

For those wondering, the crazed mob of people are explained in the Malibu Mini Series called “Break Thru” and the events carried over into Sludge. They do a very poor job of explaining them to the readers who just read Sludge and not the other million crossover and events that Malibu constantly had going on. The plot of this issue has the streets being filled with people who are like a mindless mob just wandering around the streets causing chaos, while Bloodstorm returns to his home, waiting to be paid for the job he got done and that was “killing” Sludge who in turn is not dead but wants to die. And throw in now a turf war between Mr. Marcello’s gang and the gang of the evil demon Lord Pumpkin and you have a showdown in hell. In this issue Sludge is a creature that really just wants to find peace in death, as he feels he has gotten his revenge and frightened those who double-crossed him when he was a human. But even when he finds a way to truly die he does not take as it would mean that he would have to work alongside another crime boss that this time is also a demon. Speaking of Lord Pumpkin, he is a supernatural crime boss who is making his way into New York and seems to get more joy in the upcoming gang war than actually gaining any real power. He also seems to employ some very odd henchman as one is a young kid who is good with guns that is called Pistol, and with this youngster he also seems to be calling the shots in the streets and is Pumpkin’s right hand man. The action in this comic is really fun and Sludge’s fight with the Rivermen is great and showcases monster vs. monsters and at one point the Rivermen are called Creature From The Black Lagoon’s…so brownie points there. The cover for this issue is really cool and has Sludge in the water being attacked by the fish creature Rivermen and like with the other two issues the interior art by Aaron Lopresti is great stuff and his style for Sludge’s look would be hard to beat for any other artist at Malibu at the time. Over all another great issue that makes me look forward to rereading the next issue.

Sludge # 4  ***
Released in 1994    Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 4 of 12

Two brothers are messing around in the New York sewers when they find Sludge and run away in fear, but only one makes it out alive as the other is killed by an alligator creature that rips the youngster apart, leaving the younger brother shaken and hiding in some bushes in the park covered in blood. The local newspaper get the scoop on the story and reporter Shelley Rogers wants to cover the case, and she gets a report that two city workers were also attacked in the sewer. Meanwhile Sludge finds the bloody coat of the murdered kid and starts wandering around looking to find him, and even comes above ground to get a newspaper to read. Meanwhile Shelley is getting no help from the police nor any photographer as she wants to head into the sewers and find what is causing these deaths. Shelley heads alone into the sewer and soon runs into Veffir Voon Iyax, the alligator man who also goes by “He Of Cold Blood And Boundless Appetites” and before he can attack and kill Shelley the wall shatters and Sludge comes to her aid an ends up killing Veffir Voon Iyax with some big hits to his skull! In the end Sludge crushes the camera of Shelley and tells her he does not want his picture in the paper nor does he want people to know who he is. Sludge then picks up the body of his fallen foe and heads into the sewer.

What a fun read as this issue has monster vs. monster as Sludge takes on Veffir Voon Iyax, a weird alligator man who can talk and loves to kill and eat humans. We also now have Shelley Rogers, a reporter who has seen Sludge and knows that he lives in the sewers. And while the fight between the two monsters could have been more epic, it does show that Sludge is very powerful as he is able to kill his foe with his bare hands and does so very easily. The character of Veffir Voon Iyax is pretty interesting as it makes you wonder where he came from and is he a God like he tried to pretend to be, plus why can he talk and is pretty smart with his words. Sludge shows that while he truly was a crooked cop he makes for a pretty great hero now that he is a muck monster who does what he can to protect people from those who are doing very bad things. And we all know that Shelley Rogers will more than likely become a pain in the side for Sludge as she will try and report about this monster hero from New York’s sewers. The issue has blood spilt as Veffir Voon Iyax murders many and even keeps body parts around his sewer home. Lord Pumpkin and Mr. Marcello and their crime family war is not spoken about in this issue, as this seems like Sludge who is very confused in his mind might have forgotten that the two crime lords even exist. This is such a great read as the plot being the build and final battle between two monsters was a great break from our story of Sludge hunting down and killing hoods. The cover for this issue is also very cool as it’s a showdown between Sludge and Veffir Voon Iyax and the interior art is done still by Lopresti who does a great job and his splash pages in this issue is really cool. Over all, this is once more a great issue in the series and like the others before it, I enjoyed revisiting this one as it held up really well.

Sludge # 5  ***
Released in 1994    Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 5 of 12

A couple are walking home when they are attacked by a zombie looking creature that kills them and starts to eat them. The victims’ screams are heard by Sludge who busts from the sewer but he is too late to save the couple as the zombie creature runs off the police arrive and catch a look at Sludge standing over two dead bodies. Sludge is able to escape but the police blame him for the deaths and now he is wanted for murder! Shelley Rogers, the reporter who was saved by Sludge, is upset by the report as she is on the side of Sludge and says he is a hero and not a cannibal! Garrett Whale is a professor who is dealing with lung cancer and was fired many years back from the Aladdin Company due to his experiments dealing with the dead, as the cannibal zombie was his friend that died in an explosion and he brought back to life! And when hearing about Sludge and his touch that builds tumors on his victims he thinks that he can maybe use Sludge to find a cure for cancer and hires some thugs to get the creature for him. They are able to trick Sludge in the sewer and use a dart to knock the muck hero out and get him back to Whale’s lab. Meanwhile the Zombie is hanging out in the alleys with the homeless who take him in as one of their own, and it remembers back to the day it was created and how Whale buried it back in the ground when he thought it was a failure…the zombie ends up killing and eating the homeless man who took him in. Meanwhile Shelley Rogers gets the news and heads out to the location of these cannibal attacks, while back at Whale’s Lab, Sludge is about to be experimented on when the Zombie busts in and kills not only Whale but also his thugs! Sludge breaks free and the two monsters fight with Sludge ending the Zombies life again with his touch as tumors grow all over the undead monster as it once more slips into the abyss. In the end Sludge buries the Zombie in a cemetery and shuffles off to head back to his sewer home, as Lord Pumpkin watches his every move.

The fifth issue in Sludge is another monster fight as this time around our sewer muck monster hero fights with a cannibalistic zombie who is running around the city eating people, and worse of all Sludge is getting the blame for the crimes! And let us also not forget that a Professor who is dying from cancer is also on the hunt for Sludge as he thinks he might hold the key to cure him. Sludge in this issue is more confused than before as words do not come out right, his memories are jumbled and he still really just wants to die. But while he is dealing with his mind issues Sludge still is a hero and rushes to the aid of those screaming for help. Professor Garrett Whale is a very smart man who has turned bad when he finds out that he has lung cancer and this leads him into bringing the dead back to life, creating and spreading a new street drug and also taking Sludge prisoner in order to experiment on him! But of course Whale ends up paying for his crimes as the undead creature he created comes for him. The Zombie was once a very brilliant Doctor that might have found a cure for cancer but a lab accident leaves him dead and his cure gone with him, and due to desperation Whale brings him back from the dead…but the man he was is no longer and in his place is a flesh eating zombie. News reporter Shelley Rogers, who was saved by Sludge from being killed by the alligator man Veffir Voon Iyax, does not believe that her hero is the one eating people around the city and wants to help prove his innocence, and this shows that Sludge has some friends in the city with Shelley being one and the homeless being the others. The fight between Sludge and the Zombie is really cool as the undead human eater wanted to find peace, and thanks to the cancerous touch of Sludge, he finds just that. The cover for this issue is really cool and has a true indie horror comic look to it, with yet again Lopresti being the interior artist. And with them hinting that that war between Lord Pumpkin and Mr. Marcello is far from over, you know a crime land war is in our future, so with that let’s see what issue six has in store for us.

Sludge # 6  ***
Released in 1994    Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 6 of 12

Tabitha works for Lord Pumpkin and delivers his drugs to very big clients all who do what is asked of them in order to get the drugs, but on her way to deliver she is attacked and killed with her body dumped at the base of Pumpkin and her drugs taken. Lord Pumpkin is angered as he was in love with Tabitha and sends Pistol and his men out on the streets to find out who did this hit, and while upset and saddened by the loss of his love Lord Pumpkin feeds her body to his plant that produces the drug he sells. We find out that business man and secret crime lord Wong Ten Yu is the one who placed the hit to get the Zuke drug to see what it is made of, meanwhile near the dock one of Yu’s ships explodes almost killing everyone on board with the only survivor being saved by Sluge who by accident tumors up her arm. This explosions sparks a talk between Yu and Mr. Marcello as they seem to both have a common enemy in Lord Pumpkin, and for the meeting each bring their top assassins and henchmen with Marcello even hiring Bloodstorm to watch his back. Lord Pumpkin gets the word of the meeting and gets a surprise guest as Sludge appears wanting to talk to the demon, as he will help him now if he grants him death. The meeting takes place at a cemetery and unknown to Yu and Mr. Marcello in the shadows watching is Lord Pumpkin along with Pistol and Sludge…and after a few moments Sludge goes on the attack! And then Lord Pumpkin shows himself to his two enemies and they are in shock of his appearance as he really does have a Pumpkin for a head and is a demonic looking creature. Lord Pumpkin lets them know that the war is truly on as he disappears with Pistol and Sludge as another fight with the crime lords is in the works.

In this issue the war between three different crime families is about to go down as each have made big mistakes that is causing lots of heat and New York is becoming a pressure cooker! It is clear that New York is not big enough for Lord Pumpkin, Wong Ten Yu and Mr. Marcello as all three want to corner the drug market as well as want the others dead or at least out of town…but I think death on one another is truly what is in their hearts. While Mr. Marcello and Mr. Yu are normal men, Lord Pumpkin is a true evil demon who while has love in his sinister heart for some does seem to be enjoying all the death, misery and abuse that this is causing. Sludge in this issue is really suffering mentally as his brain is truly turning into mush and he is having a real hard time dealing with it, while he tries to be a hero saving a woman from drowning his touch causes her pain and he even tries to kill himself but fails, and now he finds himself in a team up with the very evil Lord Pumpkin to try and end his life. Bloodstorm being added back into the series was a wise choice as he is the one villain who has really be able to hurt Sludge, as this far all others who have crossed him have meet a quick death. The other great part of this issue is showing that while Lord Pumpkin is a demon, he still has emotions as he was in love with Tabitha a woman he had working for him, and with her death now we understand why this crime war is going to turn deadly very fast. And if the killings in the graveyard is a preview of what is to come during this war many people are going to die. The cover is cool and once more has a very indie Horror Comic look to it and yep like we have seen many issues before this one Lopresti did the interior artwork. Over all another great issue that helps push this series story along as with each issue showcases the mental breakdown of Sludge and builds to the baddies of the city getting ready for a showdown.

Sludge # 7  ***
Released in 1994     Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 6 of 12

Sludge is having a nightmare about Edna, the woman he was in love with when he was human, and in his dream he touches her and her skin turns to tumors and she dies as the evil Lord Pumpkin mocks him…but this time even when he awakes he sees the twisted face of Edna as his denigrating mind is playing tricks on him. At the cemetery reporter Shelley Rogers arrives as the cops are removing the bodies and meets Detective Quinn who refuses to answer any questions but she also meets Agnes who works for the Medical Examiners office and says after the autopsies she might be able to help Sheeley with her questions and story, this does not make Quinn happy. Meanwhile Lord Pumpkin has sent Pistol out to hire a lawyer, while Mr. Marcello is very much stressed over the cemetery attack and the sight of Lord Pumpkin himself and is skittish and thinks his own men are out to backstab him. While Lord Pumpkin is in a great mood and even gives Pistol a bigger cut on the sale of Zuke the drug they are offering, while Mr. Yu’s men are looking at how to duplicate Zuke so they can sell it themselves and later team with Mr. Marcello’s men to crack the code. Lord Pumpkin has created a new version of Zuke from the plant and is selling it cheap on the streets and this new drug is turning some of those who take it into psychos who feel no pain, and Sludge has to deal with one after the crazy kid kills a police officer. Later Bloodstorm gets hired by Mr. Marcello’s right hand man to kill Lord Pumpkin as Sludge is given the order to kill Mr. Marcello…and Sludge does just that as he touches the crime lords face causing it to be covered in tumors, and then the crime boss falls out of a window from his high rise building.

Well it looks like Mr. Marcello is no longer the leader of his crime family as he has splatted on the sidewalk below his penthouse home, and it looks like it will be Vittorio that takes over the operation as he is already setting in motion to try and work with his rivals, kill Lord Pumpkin and learn the secrets of the street drug Zuke. While on the other side it appears that Mr. Yu was injured in the cemetery attack and is also willing to work alongside his enemies to bring down the bigger threat to them both. While Lord Pumpkin is creating more drugs that appear make some people go crazy, is building up the trust of young Pistol, is getting legal eagles on his payroll and orders for the death of Mr. Marcello that is carried out by Sludge who finally gets his revenge on the man who gave the orders to end his human life and turn him into the muck monster he is. Sludge is really starting to lose it as his mind is playing tricks on him and he is even forgetting words now more often, it’s sad that he has to take orders from Lord Pumpkin in order to truly try and end his life. And with Bloodstorm now being called in to kill Lord Pumpkin you know that the action is going to heat up, as this hired assassin will not stop until his target is dead. Pistol, who is very young, is getting his mind warped by Lord Pumpkin as the youngster is starting to crave violence and power. I am going to say yet again that the interior art is done by Lopresti and is well done, and the cover for this issue is really cool and has Sludge going on a rampage. So with Sludge now truly being a henchman for the demon Lord Pumpkin truly shows just how confused our hero is as he is stopping criminals while working for one! So with that, let’s see what issue eight brings to our story.

Sludge # 8  ***
Released in 1994     Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 8 of 12

The New York local TV News is covering the drug wars that is happing in the streets. They cover the death of Mr. Marcello as well as Zuke being sold in a cheap version on the streets that is turning some users into killers. Sludge is watching the news and has a weird vision of he and his ex-lover Edna eating dinner over a trash barrel, and when he snaps out of it he finds that he is just in a janitor room watching a TV and escapes back into the sewer as the worker returns. While at the cemetery during the funeral of Mr. Marcello, Vittorio learns that the others in the crime family want him to step up and take over, but he needs to bring down both Lord Pumpkin and Sludge! And Vittorio makes the call and hires Bloodstorm to kill them both, while Lord Pumpkin has a spy that over hears the hit and warns the demon who in turn calls on Sludge to help in the coming battle. While at the hospital Mr. Yu’s men take the survivor from the boat explosion out of there as they don’t want her to squeal on them. And while all this is going on Shelley Rogers is looking deeper into these drug killings, Zuke rages and the disfiguring deaths and Detective Quinn is now being asked by Mr. Yu’s group to spy on Vittorio’s group as they do not want to be double crossed. Bloodstorm has arrived and takes out some thugs and Rivermen along his way of getting to Lord Pumpkin, but the assassin is no match as he is blasted by Pumpkin’s demonic blast, shot in the hand by Pistol and then force to eat a ton of Zuke as Sludge makes his mouth cover over with tumors. As Bloodstorm is in pain and drugged up something odd happens as the Zuke that Sludge touched has made his hand human again! And during all this some of Yu’s doctors on staff are operating on the young woman who survived the boat explosion and they took from the hospital.

All Hell is breaking loose in New York as this crime war is getting out of hand and all three crime families are jockeying for that top position and each have their own slimy ways to try and achieve it. Mr. Yu and his men are playing it more quite and sending spies to watch what the others are doing, while they themselves are trying to crack the secrets of Zuke as well as are clearly doing something very bad to the young woman they took from the hospital. Vittorio finds himself in charge now that his boss is dead and buried and must do what he can to get the respect of the men who are shook by the death of their leader as well as the number of losses they have suffered on their side. Lord Pumpkin is kind of a sick puppet master during all this as he knows what each of his opposing sides are up to and almost loves the lack of a challenge they truly are to his power. Pistol is young and so willing to kill for Pumpkin who clearly is controlling the youngsters mind, and while I think Pumpkin likes him he would send him to die if it would further his game for power. Bloodstorm, who is a master assassin, soon finds that he was not ready to fight a demon and by the end of the issue is near death’s door! While Detective Quinn is playing all sides minus that of Pumpkin and reporter Shelley Rogers is getting so close to figuring out what is going on in the biggest story of her life. Sludge once more is just taking orders as he wants to die, but now that he sees that Zuke might be able to turn him human again…his wish for death just might change as being cured of this mucky curse might be the new agenda for him. This gang war story is lots of fun and reminds me of the Spider-Man story arch called “Gang War” that feature Kingpin, Hammerhead, The Rose and other super baddies at war with each other in New York…if you have not read this story, you should do so it’s a fun read. I am shocked just how easy Bloodstorm was defeated, but to be fair, the odds were very much against him. And the shocking cliffhanger ending of Sludge’s hand turning human adds even more drama to his sad story and makes you really want to read the next issue to find out how this plays out! Oh before we do move onto issue nine, I should say this cover is really cool as is shows both Sludge and Bloodstorm.

Sludge # 9  ***
Released in 1994     Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 9 of 12

Lord Pumpkin has cleared the tumors away from Bloodstorm’s mouth and pumps him full of Zuke, and as the assassin starts to rage Pumpkin puts him to sleep. As a confused Sludge and Pistol look on Lord Pumpkin says that Bloodstorm has a use and must do a job for him that is why he did not let them kill him. Sludge takes Bloodstorm to the base of Vittorio and lets him loose as the madman now on Zuke opens fire and kills many more of that crime family, but finally Bloodstorm is gunned down and from his body Zuke gas escapes the bullet holes and chokes everyone in the room with its foul smell. Detective Quinn witnessed that massacre and runs from the scene to look for protection from Mr. Yu, but unknown to him, Shelley Rogers has hidden in his back seat and knows the officer’s dirty little secrets. While she’s listening to Mr. Yu telling Quinn they are working on a weapon that will help in this war, a Riverman appears and takes Shelley away to Lord Pumpkin’s hideout. Meanwhile Mr. Yu and his crime network unload an attack on Pumpkins pushers, sellers, customers and fiends. Lord Pumpkin’s operation is weakened and he once more calls of Sludge to help he and Pistol against the coming weapon that is being sent by Mr. Yu, with the promise being this is the final favor and he will be granted death or more Zuke to turn him normal again! Back at the lab the young woman has been turned into a cyborg and is a killing machine, Mr. Yu has her kill Detective Quinn before heading to the hideout of Lord Pumpkin were she makes short work of some of his men. Once inside she fights off both Pistol and Sludge and ends up “killing” Lord Pumpkin, with her mission complete the Cyborg sets herself to self-destruct, Sludge frees Shelley, and she and Pistol who is holding the head of Lord Pumpkin escape while Sludge grabs some Zuke before making his exit. After the explosion and the dust is settle several days later Pistol is holding and protecting the rotten head of Lord Pumpkin, before finally given up on his bosses return and placing the head into a trashcan.

The Gang War is finally over and so much has happened and changed and only one crime family is still standing tall after all the blood is spilt and the dust has settled and that is Mr. Yu’s who played a smart game and is able to create a Cyborg that brings an end to Lord Pumpkin for now. Mr. Yu seen weakness and took his shot and it paid off big time as he was able to give the orders that lead to him being the biggest crime lord in New York. While on the other side Vittorio and his family come off weak as their original boss is dead and he allows an attack at one of their own bases to happen that leaves many of his higher ups dead! Vittorio has lost the respect and fear that would have allowed his crime family to stay at the top of the crime food chain in New York. Meanwhile Lord Pumpkin’s own ego leads to his defeat as he thinking is was to powerful and bragging about it is what lead to his candle being snuffed out and his life for now ending, he leaves Pistol without a boss and lost on the streets as his own head rots in a nasty trashcan. Detective Quinn who is a no good cop meets his end by playing both sides as he was a narc for both Yu and Vittorio. Plus he was a trying to play a good cop on TV to save face. Poor Shelley Rogers gets abducted and forced to take Zuke for trying to crack the story of the crime war, but in the end she at least escapes with her life. Sludge who got a quick taste of the cure is now seeing a ghost version of his ex-girlfriend, is questioning if he wants death or life and finds himself used as a pawn in this gang war with his best interest never being taken to heart. This Gang War or Zuke War was such a great story arch in these Sludge Comics and some many characters played a part in this story with many of them meeting their fates by the conclusion, and so far can’t you readers see why Sludge was one of my favorites from the Ultraverse? The stories are very fun and the issues have monster fights, crime drama and even a hero that has issues that go very deep. The cover for this issue is cool and has Sludge fighting Lord Pumpkin as the cover reminds me of something you would have seen on an issue of The Incredible Hulk! And the interior artwork this time around is done by Robb Phipps, and his style is good and very fitting for the Ultraverse at this time. Over all another great issue that has held up to the sands of time for this blogger.

Sludge # 10  ***
Released in 1994     Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 10 of 12

Sludge is in the sewer and takes the Zuke and it has no effect on him, his dreams of being back human are shattered. Meanwhile on the streets of New York weirdo Vinaigrette and her weird bird creature Organism 0.9B are running wild and causing issues for the cops, and when Sludge comes out of the sewer to try and help he is shot by an officer and this cause Zuke fumes to leak from his body and make our muck hero dizzy and as he returns to his sewer home he passes out. When he wakes up the next morning he is more human than before, can speak clearly and his head and thoughts are not mush! He heads up to the streets and gets some clothes and starts walking among the normal people again, and he heads to his apartment home only to find that a new couple lives their and the male armed with a baseball bat attacks Sludge to protect his home and lady! Sludge ends up getting away and finds the home of Shelley Rogers and fills her in on the whole story for a place to sleep and some food to eat, Shelley meanwhile hits the streets and starts to uncover the trail that will lead to finding out what the toxic waste was that turned Hoag into Sludge. The lead takes Shelley and Sludge to Pennsylvania to meet Dr. Ferdinand LaLama who worked at the lab and created a chemical that would re-grow damaged skin…the waste that was split on Hoag when he was shot and killed. At the clinic of Dr. LaLama they find it rundown, and after forcing his way in Sludge is attacked by Vinaigrette and her giant weird ride able bird friend Organism 0.9B who think Sludge is a threat for breaking down the door, and worse moments later Sludge finds that two hulking freaks called The Bash Brothers are joining the fight.

In this issue Sludge thanks to the power of the street drug Zuke has turned some what back to human and wants to find a full cure for his mucky curse, and is able to blend in with the right clothes and seeks out the help of reporter Shelley Rogers to find out what toxic chemical spilled on him and turned him into a monster and the person that created it! And of course nothing can be easy for Sludge as he finds himself being attacked by other strange powered and looking people that appear to be connected to the same man who might have indirectly been responsible for his own creation. Sludge while more human like still is super strong and seems to not be able to be fully hurt, while he does have aches and some pain now when it comes to combat. His mind and voice are clear and his one goal is to find a way to make himself back into just normal old Detective Hoag. Shelley Rogers is getting the story of a lifetime and it’s clear at this point that she has a friendship with Sludge and is willing to help him in his quest for answers. Vinaigrette and Organism 0.9B are very strange as Vinaigrette seems to sweating a slick oil like substance that makes her hard to grab onto while Organism 0.9B is a big silly looking bird who uses it’s head like a battling ram, while they were causing issues in New York I do not think they are baddies, and the same goes for The Bash Brothers who we do not get to see in action in this issue. Dr. Ferdinand LaLama is the man behind the toxic chemical and by the looks of it is also the keeper of the “freaks” it has created. While I am a fan of the classic muck monster Sludge, this more quick thinking version is a fun change of pace and is making for a good story of who and why he was created. And for some reason when reading this issue again I was getting Basket Case 2 vibes, if you have not seen the film its about a house of odd, strange and freaks living together in a home being cared for by a doctor. The cover for this issue is odd and yet catches your attention and for this issues interiors, Robb Phipps returns and does a great job, as clearly he likes to draw the ladies. With that let’s see what issue eleven has in store for us and if Sludge will get what he seeks from the mysterious Dr. LaLama.

Sludge # 11  **1/2
Released in 1994     Cover Price $1.95     Malibu Comics     # 11 of 12

The Bash Brothers end up beating up on Sludge and knock him out for a brief moment, and that attack stops when Shelley informs them that they can to seek help, and once the Brothers take a look at Sludge’s face that is now starting to burn drippy and gooey again they see that they were wrong to attack and inform the two that Dr. LaLama is away and has been for some days now and none of them have heard from him for a week! So The Bash Brothers, Organism 0.9B and Vinaigrette join Sludge and Shelley on their hunt for the now considered missing Doctor, and the ride back to New York Vinaigrette tells them all about a Dr. Gross who is the one that made her the way she is, and how he is a very bad man. Once in the city Vinaigrette and Organism 0.9B break away from the group to get money, while the rest find a portal opened in the city land of Dr. LaLama and when they all enter it they find themselves in a weird world, but they do find Dr. LaLama! To return home The Bash Brothers and Sludge must stand on each others shoulders so Shelley can climb up them and get back through the portal to drop down a rope, and when she makes it up, weird water creatures bellow attack our heroes! They are able to fight off the water creatures and climb the rope and return to the lab where Sludge is starting to turn back into the muck monster so he quickly asks Dr. LaLama about the chemical he made that turned him into this monster. Dr. LaLama informs him that the chemical was created to heal damaged skin, and when he was shot an dumped in the sewer the chemical bonded his flesh and bone with that of the sewage, and he informs him that without the Zuke samples he can not help him…Sludge who is turning back into the creature leaves the lab to return to the sewers a defeated man.

In this issue Sludge who is starting to turn back into the muck monster goes to another world to find the missing scientist Dr. LaLama who is the one person who might be able to help cure him or at least give him the answers he seeks…but instead all he finds in disappointment and a one way ticket into turning fully back into Sludge! While the issue is fun and the plot moves the story along as we find out that the chemical was not toxic, but was a way to help injured people that just went wrong for Detective Hoag when his body was dumped in the sewer, I also feel that it was the one this far that kind of dragged and that was mostly do to the uninteresting characters called The Bash Brothers who ramble on with their smart talk and just kind of are dorks. The Bash Brothers are around way to much of this comic an take away from Sludge and his story, plus I just think that once Sludge left the home of Dr. LaLama to find him in the lab back in New York the only person with him should have been Shelley Rogers and not the rest of the weirdoes. I think with the Gang War being over and no appearances of other monster for Sludge to fight the pace of the comic just kind of stalls as his fights in this issue or so brief. While this issue for me is a little slow, we at least do get a little look into what the chemical was that made him as well as now see that he is turning back into the monster hero we all love. The cover for this issue is great and has Sludge’s face being it on both sides by the fists of The Bash Brothers and the interior artwork is once more done by artist Robb Phipps and is solid great work. Not much to say about this issue besides it’s the weakest issue in the series that does help give a little look into the sad life of Sludge who just wants to be normal again or at least find peace in death.

Sludge # 12  ***
Released in 1994     Cover Price $3.50     Malibu Comics     # 12 of 12

A witch and her demon friend Phleeb have casted a spell and have Sludge under hero command, and as this event happens teenager Michael Green wakes up from a bad dream that was about Sludge’s cursed possession and this causes him to turn into the Ultra Hero Prime to go and investigate. The Witch orders Sludge to go to the museum and steal a stone tablet as if he joins that half they have with the half he has a smell can be done that will free the Witch’s son from another dimension and together they will take over the world. And with orders given the entranced Sludge makes his way to his mission and breaks in and gets the tablet, but Prime arrives on the scene and starts a fist fight with Sludge and for a brief moment Sludge snaps out of the mind control but quickly falls back under as the Witch uses her powers to do so as well as weaken Prime! The fight ends as Prime is getting weaker and Sludge makes it back to the Witch and she starts working on the spell to bring back her son as Prime recovers after many hours and goes back on the hunt for Sludge to finish their fight. Prime goes to the sewer and once Sludge appears the two start fighting with Prime being the one kicking butt, the Witch is bale to bring her son back who turns out to be a giant and he by accident crushes his own mom to death and this breaks the spell she had on Sludge who tries to stop the fight but is punched really hard and knocked out by Prime who gets out of the sewer and finds the city is being attacked by Demons! As Prime is fighting demons above ground Sludge wakes up and starts fighting them in the sewers before finding the witches body and then breaking apart the stone tablet sending all the demons back into their dimension. Prime and Sludge meet again in the witch’s lab and part ways once they figure out that neither have the answers on what just happened and why Prime is drawn to Sludge who wanders off back into the dark sewer tunnels.

And with this issue so ends Sludge is his own solo series and while this issue kind of just ends and the character just gets no breaks as this time around and old witch mind controls him to steal a tablet from a museum in order to bring her son and his demonic friends back from another dimension, but all this causes is for the witch to be crushed to death and for Sludge to get into a big fist fight with Prime, who is the strongest of the UltraHeroes. So the quest to be cured must be over for Sludge as he seems to not like it but has came to terms with the fact that he will be a muck monster from here on, but most of the issue he finds himself under mind control and only in the last few pages is he able to talk to Prime and clear his name. Speaking of Prime he was a nice guest star as he is able to slug it out with Sludge as well as the freed demons, plus his skin does not grow tumors when touching Sludge making him the hardest opponent that our muck hero has ever fought. And the side story of Prime for some reason being drawn to Sludge and as well kind of loosing control of turning form normal teenager Michael Green to the massive hero, and sadly in this series we are left on that cliffhanger and we never do get any answers. Sludge throughout this series goes from being a human cop named Hoag, to being murdered and covered in a toxic chemical, to having his body dumped in a sewer, to turning into a muck monster called Sludge, is in involved in a gang war, wants to die to wanting to be cured, fights monsters and so much more in-between! While this issue is a fun read I do also have to say that it is kind of a letdown when it comes to being a final issue as it seems like its more of a set up from a Prime story than a finish for the Sludge story. The cover for this issue is cool and has Sludge and Prime fighting it out, the interior artist on this final issue was done by Aaron Lopresti and it is nice to see him return to finish the series. I should also say that for the final villain for Sludge to fight with in his series being The Old Witch is also kind of a letdown as she is creepy and powerful and all, but is also very silly and dies at the feet of her own large demon child…I would have rather seen him tangle with Mr. Yu and his men or even a crazed madman on Zuke! But while this was the final issue in the Sludge main series we have one Christmas Special still to go, so our look at Sludge is not over yet!

Sludge Red X-Mas # 1  ***
Released in 1994    Cover Price $2.50     Malibu Comics     # 1 of 1

It’s Thanksgiving and Sludge is in the sewer with a muddled mind and is annoyed that heroes like Hardcase have floats in the parade, while people just fear him. While on the street Pistol stops a purse thief Shifty and almost gets a reword from the woman as he returns it, as Shifty gets arrested Pistol heads to a strip club to try and get work from it’s owner Cornwell to do collections…but no jobs are going on during the holidays. Sludge stops a criminal from beating a woman to death with a crowbar as the woman he saves is the lawyer that Lord Pumpkin hired when he was alive and running the streets of New York. While Pistol is watching after some of the homeless people who are being bullied as well as running small jobs to get cash for them all to eat. Meanwhile Shifty has placed a hit on the officer that arrested him for the purse theft, and Pistol ends up talking to Sludge and tells him that Zuke was from the same place Lord Pumpkin was from and then stops Shifty from shooting the police officer! Pistol makes it in the newspaper for being a hero but will not give his real name, but his father Mack a man leading a city wide strike is a scum bag who use to beat Pistol and his mother and now he wants his son dead before he can talk and tell his dirty secrets. Pistol gets kidnapped and the officer as well as the female lawyer get shot and hurt during the abduction. Sludge stops the attackers and even roughs up Pistol’s dad who was going to kill his own son, later Pistol along with his crazy homeless friends, the cop and the lawyer lady are all hanging out in a ally opening gifts as Pistol to himself sends a silent thank you to Sludge for saving his life.

For me this is the better way to end Sludge and should have been the final issue in the main series instead of a special issue as I feel we get a slightly better ending for Sludge as he is a hero and even helps turn a criminal onto a path of doing the right thing. The plot has young Pistol wondering the streets looking for work from the loan sharks, but he is also stopping others from doing petty crimes like purse snatching and bulling. But he becomes a hero when he stops an assassination attempt on a police officer, but this new fame brings Pistol’s abusive father out of the dark who is trying to lead a government strike and who wants his son’s life taken so that his past does not leak out, but thanks to Sludge this does not happen and Pistol finds himself on a good path and friends with the officer he saved. It is really cool to see the character of Pistol grow as he turns from a lackey of Lord Pumpkin who would steal and kill on his boss’s orders, but once away from the demonic pumpkin he finds the hold broken and him choosing to do the right thing. Sludge is back in the sewer with visions of his ex-girlfriend in his muddled head, and still helping the innocent from those trying to cause them harm. The sad thing for Sludge is that during the holidays he himself spends alone in the sewers, as it would have been nice to see him spending time with Shelley Rogers or even his homeless friends. Christmas Comics are lots of fun and I am glad to see Sludge get involved and have one as growing up I remember reading Holiday issues of Hulk, Spider-Man, Batman and Superman. And I am shocked on just how well the whole Sludge comic series held up for me as I still find the character interesting as well as his issues being entertaining and keeping the story moving along, and a major plus being that it barely had the crossover annoyance that plagued so many of the UltraVerse titles were they would force you to buy other characters issues in order to finish a story arch. The cover for this issue is a lot of fun as it has Pistol and Sludge who has a wreath around his neck standing in the snow. The interior artwork this time around is done by Mike Ploog and is great stuff as Ploog does a great job of drawing Sludge. Over all this X-Mas Special and the whole series is a very great Indie Superhero Comic reads and I feel Sludge just like Rune was Malibu Comics way of bringing in Horror themed characters to their UltraVerse universe. And have to say that if you have not read Sludge you should check it out! Take a look at the artwork below to see the style used throughout this comic series.

Sludge is such a cool indie superhero and is one that I wish was still around, as I really do not understand why Marvel Comics have never did anything with him or any other Ultraverse character they own. As I truly think Sludge would make a great character in the Incredible Hulk series as well as it would have been cool to see him battle with the likes of Man-Thing! But we all know that the Disney owned Marvel Comics at this point will never bring the characters back as they are so lazy even with their creative stories for their own big heroes and characters, let alone they lack the creative minds to bring the characters into the Marvel Universe or even bring the UltraVerse back in general…or maybe it’s Disney to blame…who knows. But our time with Sludge has come to an end and our next update will take us to the world of Sci-Fi Horror as we talking about the film “The Man From Planet X” and the comic book adaptation of it! So until next time, read a comic or three, watch a film or two and as always support your local Horror Host. I hope The Man From Planet X comes in peace!