Mother Pearl!

 

 

Originally published in Critters #27

Published: August 1988

Written and drawn by Stan Sakai

In Brief: Our heroes are drawn into the dangerous world of religion and environmentalism

Summary:

A priest from the Oyster Cult enters the Avenue of Mercenaaries. He walks past hoards of hardened killers, before finding Nilson and Hermy who’ll be perfect for the suicide mission he has planned.

 

As they walk through town, the priest explains their mission. He wants them to transport the holy (and massive) Mother Peal to their newly finished temple, which has been built next to the sacred oyster beds. Meanwhile the members of the Oyster Liberation Front prepare an ambush to save the captive pearl and release it back into the sea!

With the pearl loaded into a cart our heroes begin their journey to the coast. At a fork in the road, Hermy tells Nilson to take the right path. It’s only when they’re halfway through the treacherous mountain pass does Hermy realize he had the map upside down.

An  O.L.F scout reports that Mother Pearl’s guards outwitted them by taking the other road. Their leader orders them to the second ambush point.

It’s a hot summer day made worse by Mother Pearl reflecting the sun’s back on to them, so Hermy suggests they cover the pearl in hay. From the top of the canyon the O.L.F plans to block the pass with a landslide, but delays their plan when they see what he thinks is just a farmer with a cartful of hay. Then a gust of wind blows the hay off revealing the pearl beneath, and the O.L.F leader realizes he missed his chance.

Nilson and Hermy near the temple, when a band of O.L.F warriors on horseback charge at them. Our heroes have no choice but to go through them, Nilson gives Hermy his sword so he can try to fend the attackers off while he drives the cart.  Sadly Hermy is too enthusiastic and accidentally cuts the ropes securing the pearl.  

Mother Pearl rolls down the hill and straight through the O.L.F forces.

 

Inside the temple the high priest hears that Mother Pearl is approaching. He rushes outside to thank the mercenaries, promising to shower them in gold….then Mother Pearl flattens him.  The pearl crashes through the temple, destroying it and then rolls into the sea.

Nilson suspects they won’t be getting paid….

 Notes

• The story is continued from Criters #16. The story continues in Usagi Yojimbo #19
  
  
• According to the back cover of the trade, the Nilson & Hermy stories take place in Medieval Europe. I'll leave it up to you to work out how the Oyster Cult fits into the Catholic church.
  
• This issue contains the "Name That Critter" contest asking fans what kind of animal they though Hermy was. The winning answer published in Critters #30, revealing to the world that Hermy was a Guinea pig. The winner revived an original picture of Hermy and Nilson
  

Review:

This is probably my favourite Nilson and Hermy story,

It manages to fit a decent amount of plot into ten pages, sure it repeats the joke of our heroes accidentally escaping danger though dumb luck but it's funny and the stories over long before it's worn out its welcome.

Still there's no way the high priest wasn't crushed to death. So congratulations Hermy your a murderer!

The Return of the Wizard

 

Originally published in Critters #16

Published: September 1987

Written and drawn by Stan Sakai

In Brief: What do you think happens?

Summary

The Return of the Wizard

Nilson sends Hermy to gather mushrooms, while he picks some canterberries. The former wizard is able to use the magical residue in the campfire's ash to turn himself back into a human.

Senogara uses the last of his magic to turn Nilson into a monstrous brute then sends him to kill Hermy. Hermy thinks his friend is play acting and tells him how to do it properly. Once he's taught him to jump up and down chanting 'KILL.KILL.KILL" he happily sends Nilson on his way.

 

Meanwhile Senogara hears Nilson return and is eager to see Hermy's pulped remains. Then Nilson arrives....

Hermy returns to camp finding a dazed looking Nilson and no canterberries. Nilson apologises for blacking out....he just hasn't been feeling himself lately.

 

Notes:

• The story continues from Critters #5. The story will continue in Critters #27.
• I don't know if he was originally meant to die here, but Senogara will return for an epic final battle in The Re-Return of the Wizard, published many years later in Dark Horse Presents #30

Review:

Another amusing little story. Man I can see why no-one else has ever made a Nilson Groundthumper blog.

The Magic Stick

 

Originally published in: Critters #5

Published: November 1986

In Brief: Hermy versus the dark powers of Satan!

Summary:

The Magic Wand

Nilson and Hemry have found a good place to set up camp next to a canterberry tree in the Forest of Eldwood. Hermy tries to knock one of the fruits down with a stick, but after it lands on his head, Nilson sends him off to get some firewood.

While gathering sticks Hermy absentmindedly picks up a wand. It's owner the wizard Senogara angrily demands it back. Hermy ignores his insults.

 

Senogara declares he'll use his powers to turn Hermy into a toad. Sadly for him the spell bounces off the wand and the wizard is turned into an amphibian.

That night the former wizard watches as our heroes use their firewood to roast mushrooms....

Notes:

• The story continues from Critters Special #1. OR DOES IT? This story takes place in the Forest of Eldwood, the setting of the first story. Perhaps it's actually set BEFORE the pair journeyed to the City of a Thousand Toads meaning it's a PREQUEL! (Or maybe they just returned to the forest) Whichever it is the story continues in Critters #16.
• As you've no doubt realized Nilbog is Sénogara spelled backwards. Stan Sakai has worked with Sergio Aragonés for years as the letterer of Groo The Wanderer. Because Sakai is a writer, artist AND letterer!

Review:

Again this was a fun little story that got a few laughs out of me. 

Still if you read this right after 'Game of Death' (which you will since you'll be reading these stories from the trade) you'll notice that Nilson is kind of a jerk to Hermy, especially considering how just five pages ago he was crying about how he'd die for Hermy. 

It highlights how Nilson was slightly more amoral in the first few stories, which would make his later Generic Nice Guy personality character development. Expect for here. Ah well I guess we all have our off days....

Plus the exciting introduction of the series only recurring villain!