Pop Culture Chronicles

Reviews: Navigating the Multiverse

Here are some reviews of Final Crisis tie-ins that I've read recently:

DC Universe: Last Will and Testament

This one-shot was a bit disappointing. The cover featured all the big guns, but we only got a page or two devoted to each. At least half the page count was the story of Geo-Force's vendetta against Deadshot. As with Countdown we get big guns on the cover and mainly C-listers inside. Is that bait and switch? 

The story was passable, but overly violent. The book also disproves the assumption that one can read Final Crisis without reading all the mini-series & tie-ins and still know what's going on. I've been reading Final Crisis by itself and I have no clue what big cosmic event the heroes are preparing for in Last Will and Testament. 

Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds 1

This is the only Final Crisis mini-series tie-in that I'm reading. I love it! My favorite current writer (Geoff Johns) and the greatest comic book artist of all time (George Perez) on the same book! 

And you don't necessarily have to be reading all the other Final Crisis books to get this one. Although some background information about Superboy Prime, Crisis on Infinite Earths, and Infinite Crisis might be extremely helpful. This story should help us navigate the future of the multiverse with three legions of superheroes from three different earths. And those unfamiliar with the Legion will find the introductions and power summaries of each member to be most helpful.

The tour through the Superman museum was refreshingly retro. If the story has a moral, then its assessment of human nature is definitely higher than mine, but Superman's proposed solution for dealing with the Superboy Prime threat is so classic! Why didn't I think of that? 

Final Crisis: Superman Beyond

The 3-D action sequences are an added bonus and you don't have to tear up the comic to remove the glasses. I like the combination of 3-D and non-3-D. But what I like best about this two-issue series is its attention to the multiverse. We're led on a journey through the space between the universes. 

We're also introduced to Superman's counterparts of several different earths. There is Ultra-man from an anti-matter copy of the earth. We also meet the Captain Marvel of Earth-5, described as a "simpler, kinder universe." Will this be a retro version of Captain Marvel, restoring him somewhat to his Fawcett roots? Then there is Overman, the super powered Nazi, now guilt ridden for having helped the Third Reich win World War II on Earth 10. Would he have fought the Freedom Fighters of that earth? And finally, there is Captain Allen Adam of Earth-4. 

We also get a glimpse of the Dr. Fate and Lady Blackhawk of Earth-20. I hear that the Dr. Fate of this world is like a combination of Kent Nelson and Doc Savage. Grant Morrison has reportedly created a lot of back story for this earth. I'm interested. 

Justice Society of America 18

The JSA fights well against the bad guys. A downside to Dr. Mid-nite's cure is exposed. So what can Gog do for Citizen Steel? I just hope Damage can keep his face. So there is a Michael Holt of Earth-2. How can he help Power Girl? Will he become Mr. Terrific? Will he become a widower like his New Earth counterpart? Is the Terry Sloane of this earth still alive? Next issue we get the JSA vs. Justice Society Infinity of Earth-2. Cool!             

My Top Ten Comic Characters

Some bloggers have recently posted their top ten lists, so here is my contribution of both male and female comic characters. Ladies first:

Top Ten Female Comic Characters 

1) Huntress (Especially Helena Wayne)

2) Power Girl 

3) Mary Marvel 

4) Lyta Trevor (Earth-2 Fury)

5) Jonni Thunder (Earth-2 female private eye)

6) Phantom Lady (the original)

7) Barbara Gordon

8) Poison Ivy

9) Lois Lane

10) Aunt May Parker

Top Ten Male Comic Characters  

1) Batman

2) Spiderman

3) Superman

4) Captain America

5) Dick Grayson (any earth, any incarnation)

6) Jay Garrick (Golden Age Flash)

7) Ironman

8) Tim Drake 

9) Captain Marvel

10) Human Torch    

                                                          

Collected Reprint Editions

Throughout the modern age of comics thus far, collected reprint editions have been popular. A collected edition might be in trade paperback format or it might be a hardcover archives edition.

Collected editions are basically comic book reprints in book form that bring together stories consisting of a particular series, character, or theme. Just as it doesn't take long for movies to get to DVD these days, nor does it take long for comics to be reprinted as collected editions. Once a title completes a story arc of several issues, those issues are soon reprinted either in paperback or hardcover. It's also common for Golden, Silver, and Bronze Age series to be reprinted in collections.

The good thing about all this is that it can make comics more affordable and easier to collect. Reprints of Golden Age material is far more affordable than the original comics. And the reprint editions are usually restored to pristine quality. And if a reader doesn't want to collect every issue in a current story arc, reading the story in small bits over several months, one can just wait for the run to be reprinted. Reprint editions can also be found in public libraries, providing access to the stories without having to buy them, or allowing readers to preview prior to purchase. So this is great news for comic fans.  

If there is a down side, it is the potential poor health of the back issue market. Who wants to do all the leg work of collecting back issues of a recent limited series when it's easier, and sometimes less expensive, to simply buy the trade? This could be bad news for dealers and collectors trying to move back issue stock--especially comics that are only several months old. 

I still buy an occasional back issue though. I recently cataloged my entire comic collection, discovering gaps in several runs--an issue or two missing here and there. Since I have some almost complete runs in comic book format it makes since to fill in the gaps with standard comics. On the other hand, I wanted to collect every JLA/JSA team-up. As opposed to hunting down all the back issues and spending hundreds of dollars, I'm collecting the trade series that reprints these stories--Crisis on Multiple Earths. Volume five is rumored to be in the works. 

That being said, I've recently noticed how the Dark Horse company is outdoing itself in regard to retro reprints. Here are some of the nostalgic reprint collections I am personally glad to see, all from Dark Horse: 

Golden Age Archives

Roy Rogers Archives reprints the King of the Cowboys first comic appearances, from Dell's Four Color series published in the 40s. Coming soon. The issues reprinted in this collection would cost thousands of dollars if one collected the back issues. Archive editions usually run around 50 bucks--or about $32 on Amazon.    

Green Lama Archives dedicates two volumes to this forgotten 40s hero who has recently made a comeback in Dynamite's Project Superpowers.

Shmoo Archives A character originating in Al Capp's Li'l Abner. This volume reprints all the Shmoo's comic book appearances from the 40s and 50s.

Harvey Collections

Remember when Disco Queen, Donna Summer, sang "Lookin' for some hot stuff, baby this evenin'. I want some hot stuff, baby tonight"? This may not be exactly what Ms. Summer meant, but now everyone can have Hot Stuff the Little Devil in a paperback collection in the Harvey Classics series. Now this is the original Hell Boy! Not really. More like Hell Baby. A devil in a diaper. How intimidating.

As a child, I recall reading many of the Harvey comics, but especially Hot Stuff and Richie Rich. Reprint volumes thus far include: Casper, Richie Rich, and Hot Stuff. Forthcoming volumes include Baby Huey and Harvey Girls (featuring Little Dot, Little Audrey, and Little Lotta). All for just around $20 each. 

Silver Age "Gold Key" Reprints

I still have fond memories of the now defunct Gold Key Comics. Most of those I read as a kid (and still own) consist of TV, movie, and cartoon characters. But Dark Horse is now reprinting the original material first published by Gold Key. 

Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom was Gold Key's first original hero (1962-69). Four volumes of his Archives have now been published.

Magnus, Robot Fighter, 4000 A.D. has now seen three Archive editions. Dark Horse has also revived this character in some recent comics.

M.A.R.S Patrol Total War Archives with art by the legendary Wally Wood, reprints stories from 1966-69. 

Boris Karloff, Tales of Mystery will be archived in 2009 complete with a forward by Sara Karloff, daughter of Boris.

Silver Age "American Comics" Reprints

MagicMan Archives reprints the adventures of this Vietnam War era sorcerer. His adventures ran in Forbidden Worlds 125-141. While the Archive edition is $60, a back issue would range from $40 to $100. Coming Soon.         

Nemesis Archives reprints the exploits of this hero from Adventures into the Unknown 154-170 (1965-67). An expensive Archive running about $60, but even one issue of the originals in near mint condition would cost you at least that much. Coming soon. 

I, for one, am happy to see the Golden and Silver Age comics being reprinted. This provides more all ages alternatives. The problem is that today's kids can't afford these, but there is always the library and retro parents who will buy and perhaps share them.     

I hope more Gold Key and Dell series will be archived but since so many of their characters were licensed to them by other companies (such as Disney and Hanna Barbera) it might require some legal red tape. 

I love reprint collections because I'm so retro. Of course the stories weren't usually too sophisticated by today's standards (a bit juvenile as opposed to being truly for "all" ages). But I love this stuff for the nostalgic flavor. I like them because of the retro appeal.