While I'm typically a DC reader, I think that the best comic out there right now is Marvel's "The Twelve." This twelve part limited series brings twelve obscure Golden Age heroes out of retirement and teams them up.
These heroes are so obscure that not one of them had over five Golden Age adventures each. The Black Widow leads the way with five appearances. The Phantom Reporter, the Laughing Mask, Mr. E., and the Blue Blade share in common only one Golden Age appearance each. The remaining heroes appeared two or three times each. None of these heroes had ever been revived until now.
The first issue of "The Twelve" reveals that in the last hours of World War II these heroes were captured by Nazis who put them in a cryogenic slumber in an underground bunker. The heroes slept until being discovered and revived in the present.
Imagine the emotional and and psychological effects of going to sleep for over sixty years. Your friends, family, and the life you knew are all gone. Imagine the culture shock of waking up to a very different world. Such themes are explored quite well.
Under government supervision, the Twelve are not to be told immediately that they have awakened in a new century. Their indoor surroundings are made to look like a 1940s army hospital. How the Phantom Reporter puts the clues together and learns the truth is just plain good storytelling.
The culture shock is also explored. In the second issue, Dynamic Man thinks he is truly a man of the future (as he was billed in his first Golden Age appearance). But his foray into a very different society proves that in some sense he is still very much a man of the past.
A common trait of most of these heroes in their Golden Age appearances was their overt and unquestioning patriotism. Today's military intends to exploit this.
As lover of most things retro, I love the nostalgic flavor of this book. As the first issue began in 1940s Germany, I felt like a kid again--reading All Star Squadron or The Invaders. But as great as those comics were, The Twelve is even more sophisticated. I cannot recall being drawn any deeper into a comic story in recent years, if ever.
Reading The Twelve is like watching a movie, but with an extra depth that is only acquired through literature. The writing of Straczynski and the art of Weston is an unbeatable combination for realism. The character development is unsurpassed in comics.
I love how the look of several heroes is based on 1940s movie stars, adding to the nostalgic flavor. As Weston explains in the series prequel, The Twelve # 0, the Black Widow is unashamedly Veronica Lake, the Witness is James Cagney, and the Blue Blade is "Errol Flynn turned up to eleven." Nostalgia buffs should love this comic. But so should everyone.
I hear that The Twelve is doing well. It's great to see these formerly second string heroes get a second chance. And to think that some of their creators might have gone to their graves thinking their creations were failures. But sixty years later, these heroes get a new lease on life. You just never know.
this book is one of my current faves. dynamic man is so cool and comes off as so complex. and you're heart wrenches in issue two when cap stands at his wife and sons graves. i hope they keep these guys around. i can totally see them becoming marvel's analog to the jsa or something.
Posted by: stephen | March 01, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Stephen,
I also hope The Twelve can stay around beyond the intitial twelve issue run. In addition to Dynamic Man, the Black Widow is also complex. I think we're in for some surprises as both these characters are developed and their secrets revealed.
If the JLA and Avengers can meet in a DC/ Marvel crossover--who knows? Maybe The Twelve and the JSA could team up. It's okay to dream!
The Captain Wonder scene was indeed moving. Like I said--the character development here is unsurpassed.
Posted by: Dr. Retro | March 01, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Dyanimite is doing a strangely similar series called Superpowers. It even includes the Dynamic Man.
Posted by: Tim | March 01, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Tim,
My next post will be about Project Superpowers as part 2 of "Revival from Obscurity." Reviving obscure Golden Age heroes seems to be popular right now and I'm loving it!
Posted by: Dr. Retro | March 01, 2008 at 11:11 PM
I haven't tried the Twelve (mainly because I'm not generally a big fan of JMS), and I've been picking up the Superpowers stuff instead. I haven't been blown away by Superpowers, so maybe I'll give The Twelve a shot (since it's still early in the run). Thanks for the info, Doc!
Posted by: Mark Engblom | March 07, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Mark,
If you try it let me know what you think. My personal opinion is that it blows Superpowers out of the water.
Posted by: Dr. Retro | March 07, 2008 at 04:28 PM
i agree. superpowers so far, doesn't hold a candle to the twelve
Posted by: stephen | March 09, 2008 at 12:37 PM