Pop Culture Chronicles

Legends

When Executive Editor, Dick Giordano first pitched the idea for the Legends mini-series to Editor, Mike Gold, the series was pitched as "Crisis 2." It was a follow-up, but not a true sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths. With the outcome of Crisis having been a merging together of the multiverse into a single universe, heroes who once inhabited different earths could now have their first major crossover without it requiring inter-dimensional travel.

The series is notable for several reasons, including the first appearance of the post-crisis Captain Marvel (Shazam). It also includes the first appearance of Amanda Waller and the modern origin of the Suicide Squad before Harley Quinn was even a thought. Even President Ronald Reagan plays a prominent role. The story also introduces a new Justice League line-up, transitioning from the Gypsy/Vibe/Vixen version to a roster including heroes who prior to Crisis inhabited a number of different earths. There was Dr. Fate (earth-two), Blue Beetle (earth-four), Batman (earth-one), Captain Marvel (earth-S), and others, but now all inhabiting a single universe. 

The series had a fantastic creative team consisting of John Ostrander (plot), Len Wein (script), John Byrne (pencils), and Karl Kesel (inks). So the story is not shabby by any stretch and the art is even better. The story is a bit juvenile by today's standards, but still held my attention. The whole G. Gordon Godfrey thing was a bit lame IMO, with the now tired plot of a public figure trying to turn the populace against super-heroes and the government finally intervening. Not being a fan of Darkseid or the Fourth World, I prefer a crisis without his involvement. His discussions with the Phantom Stranger as they observe the human (and meta-human) responses to Darkseid's machinations, with Darkseid's low view of humanity and the Stranger's confidence in the heroic ideal, was reminiscent of the wager between God and Satan in the biblical Book of Job. This shouldn't be surprising considering Ostrander's background in theology and it was a welcome addition to the plot.

While the series was published in 1988, and I collected the series new, it took me until this month to finally read it. Only thirty years. But when it came out I was busy going to college and getting engaged. The start of a new vocation and an out-of-state move meant my comics hobby would go on hiatus for a while. I've been back into comics since around 1999, but just never got into Legends until now as I'm planning to read, or re-read, all of DC's major crossovers. Perhaps my reflections will be presented here. 

Phantom Lady Returns

After the short-lived Ajax-Farrell series, Phantom Lady disappeared from comics except for some Matt Baker reprints in I. W. Publications' Great Action Comics and Daring Adventures. But there were no new Phantom Lady stories from 1955 until 1973. DC Comics had bought the rights to the Quality Comics characters in 1956 which included Phantom Lady.

Her first DC appearance was in Justice League of America # 107-108 during an annual JLA/JSA crossover event. The heroes of Earth's One and Two traveled to Earth-X, home of the Quality characters on a world where the Nazis had won World War II. The super-hero team of this earth included the Quality characters Uncle Sam, Black Condor, Doll Man, Phantom Lady, The Ray, and the Human Bomb. They were known as the Freedom Fighters who were aided by the JLA and JSA in finding the mind-controlling devices that kept the world in submission to the Third Reich. It's kind of corny and if the same premise of a parallel world where the Nazis won WW II were used today, the story would be undoubtedly more sophisticated.

DC took Phantom Lady back to her original yellow and green colors, but retained something of the plunging neckline contributed by Matt Baker (although not as extreme). The Freedom Fighters received their own title in 1976, America's bi-centennial. What better time to return Uncle Sam to the pages of comics as a super-hero? In the Freedom Fighters series the team had relocated to Earth-One. The final issue (#15, 1978) included an origin of Phantom Lady, for the first time.

By 1981 she was a recurring member of Roy Thomas' All-Star Squadron, which took place on Earth-Two during the war years, coinciding with Phantom Lady's original stories in Police Comics. Her past was retconned to make her a cousin of Ted Knight (a.k.a., Starman). It was during this era that the Freedom Fighters relocated to Earth-X where they were later met by the JLA/JSA in 1973. 

When all the Earths of the Multiverse were merged into one during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Earth-X was retconned out of existence. An older, post-crisis Phantom Lady appeared in Damage (1994) in which it was revealed that Sandra Knight had married Iron Munro, whose character was an analogue to the Golden Age Superman in the post-crisis 1940s. Knight served as a government spy during the Cold War and later became head mistress of a school for female spies.

Her students included Dee Tyler who became the new Phantom Lady whose adventures were chronicled in Action Comics Weekly # 639-641. Tyler joined a new version of the Freedom Fighters and died a violent death in Infinite Crisis # 1 (2005).

In the Post-52 multiverse a new version of Freedom Fighters, including Phantom Lady, resided on Earth-10 as a one-panel cameo in the final issue of 52 made clear. To my knowledge we never got to see this team in action. There was, however, another version of Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters which resided on New Earth, appeared in two mini-series, and included a new Phantom Lady, Stormy Knight (not a relative of the original).

The last appearance of Sandra Knight, of which I'm aware, was in the final issues of Birds of Prey, vol.2, #14-15. Here an elderly Sandra appears with Black Canary and Lady Blackhawk in a modern adventure which parallels an earlier, but yet untold, adventure told in flashbacks. The flashback story took place in 1950 as Phantom Lady, the original Black Canary, and Lady Blackhawk battle a Nazi war criminal. Manhunter, Kate Spencer, also appears in this issue. She was revealed to be Phantom Lady's granddaughter in Manhunter # 23 (2006).

Since the latest DC reboot, Flashpoint, we now have the new 52 multiverse. Time will tell whether Sandra Knight ever even existed in this new reality. 

Now we have a new Phantom Lady, Jennifer Knight, who currently appears in her own mini-series along with Doll Man. Knight is a freelance writer, daughter of investigative reporter Harry Knight who was murdered to keep him from exposing a prominent crime family. Jennifer becomes Phantom Lady to avenge her father's death.

She is aided by Doll Man, Dane Maxwell (the original was Darrell Dane), a techno-whiz, who provides her with a costume and special technology. In addition to being able to cast black light via special gloves, she can also take on a phantom state, project hard light objects, and trap victims in an eerie blacklight nothingness.

The new series is well written by the team of Gray and Palmiotti with very good art by Cat Staggs and an awesome first issue cover by Amanda Conner. The dialogue is good and sometimes hilarious, the story as believable as possible for a super hero comic.

In this series it's revealed that Dane and Jennifer have had something of an intimate relationship that is taken more seriously by Dane, but Jennifer is gradually coming around. The series takes place in Metropolis (like they need another super hero), so it will be interesting to see how all this fits in to the larger DC universe. There is also hope for a revisioned Freedom Fighters since Uncle Sam and the Ray have made a cameo in this series. I've always been a Phantom Lady fan and aside from some of the modernisms I dislike in today's comics, this series is not a disappointment and perhaps the most interesting that I'm currently reading.    

The New 52 Review

The rebooting of the DC universe has so far been a huge success. DC Comics released 52 new first issues in a massive relaunch last September. In a prior post I had mentioned my reservations along with some enthusiasm for the new direction.  Now that we're five months into the new 52, here are my reflections:

Superman - I've always thought of George Perez as an artist and he is one of the best. But this book proves that he can also be an awesome writer. I like the fact that there is a lot of dialog. It takes me longer to read this title than any other, so I feel I'm getting more than just a picture book. It's deep and not fluffy. With the Daily Planet being purchased by Morgan Edge and the Planet staff adjusting to the mass media market, including Lois' promotion, it strikes a chord of reality with so many that have to constantly change with the times in the workplace. Characters, like Lois, must make hard ethical decisions in this book. The Clark and Lois relationship is back to its traditional formula. Clark likes Lois, but he doesn't seem to be on her radar, except as a co-worker. The exceptional art also makes this book worthwhile.

Action Comics - While relaunching Superman, in some respects Grant Morrison actually returns the Man of Steel to his roots. A younger and less experienced Superman whose alter ego, Clark Kent, is working for the rival publisher of the Daily Planet while getting to know Lois and Jimmy. I'll keep the Superman titles.

Supergirl- They haven't ruined Kara after all. The stories are great and you can sympathize with the character. I do wish she had a more modest costume though, especially in light of this character being a minor.     

Batman - With at least four relaunched Bat books and at least that many more Batman-family titles, I had to be financially responsible about which titles made my pull list. I began with Batman, Batman and Robin, Detective Comics, and Batgirl. I have so far dropped Batman and Robin and Detective Comics. I found both titles too gratuitously violent. I dropped All-Star Western for the same reason after just one issue. I don't mind some action in my comics, but with people being hanged, skinned alive, and knifed in the first couple of issues I'd had enough. I felt that this was gore for the sake of gore. Agreeing with several online reviewers, I don't think it was just me. If more of us simply stop purchasing when the product isn't doing it for us, maybe DC will get the message. Comics are too expensive for us readers to purchase anything that is short of awesome. 

As for the Batman title, I have been enjoying it up to the fifth issue which I did not feel moved the plot forward at all. It was good, however, to see Robin show up at the end and find out that maybe the little cuss has a heart in there after all and is concerned with his senior partner. The different format for the panels on several pages was also a nice touch, helping us to experience Bruce's surrealism along with him. 

Batgirl - I still think that if they were going to take Barbara out of the wheel chair that they should have done a hard reboot of the entire universe, wiping the slate totally clean. But so far the stories have been really good. I look forward to each issue because I wonder what's going to happen. I actually care about the character. This is how comics should be written. I'd heard about the great writing Gail Simone does and I am convinced. The art by Ardian Syaf is very good. And Barbara Gordon actually has a personal life. I like that.

Justice League - I love almost everything about this book--especially the team of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. The witty dialog, the humor, the way characters are drawn and introduced, the plot itself. This book has everything going for it. If I could only read one DC comic a month, this would be it. 

DCU Relaunch or DCU Deconstruction?

Everybody is talking about it so I'm finally going to weigh in with my thoughts regarding the DC Universe relaunch set to take off in September. In case you've been in Limbo or some alternate universe, DC is relaunching its entire line in September with fifty-two new first issues. Even the old staples like Action Comics, Detective, Superman, and Batman will start the numbering over with issue number one.

As more information is released some of my initial assumptions have been proved innaccurate. I thought maybe the whole universe was going to be rebooted like after Crisis on Infinite Earths, but not so. I thought maybe the whole DC Universe history would start over again from the very beginnning with new origins and the whole bit. That was also incorrect. 

But some things are definately going to change. In addition to the relaunch of some titles, others will be cancelled, and some new ones will start. There will be changes to a number of characters. I'm thinking these changes might result from alterations in the timestream brought about by events in the Flashpoint limited series, which I have not been reading, but now wish I had been. After Final Crisis I was sick to death of universe-altering cross-over events. But now my curiosity has got the best of me thanks to yet another DC marketing ploy.

In regard to the changes occurring, Supergirl is described as an unpredictable teenager who does not share Superman's love for the people of earth. It sounds to me like they are ruining the Kara we all know and love. She was recently rebooted in a Superman/Batman story arc which returned her to her roots. I hate to see her messed up again.

Dick Grayson will be going back to being Nightwing with a new issue number 1. He made such a good Batman that I thought the new Batman, Inc. series would allow him to retain the cowl. Too bad that doesn't seem to be the case. Was this Bruce's idea and is Dick happy about it? Bruce will be the only Batman and Damian will remain Robin in a relaunched Batman And Robin # 1. This has some potential.

I hear that Barbara Gordon will return to her role as Batgirl with a new first issue. I'm not sure I like that since as Oracle she was DC's only disabled hero and a strong one at that. If they must do this, I almost hope the time-stream is altered so that she was never shot by the Joker as opposed to some miraculous healing or technology that allows her to swing above the streets of Gotham. I do wonder if the avatar design Bruce Wayne handed her in the one-shot Batman: The Return is some kind of clue. As to where this might leave Stephanie Brown, Bruce assigned her to finishing school in England, which makes me wonder if she might be the U.K. Batgirl when Batman, Inc. begins next year.

The Birds of Prey roster will undergo drastic revision including the absence of Oracle. A new number one issue is in store here as well. So it is with Catwoman who returns to her roots as a jewel thief with another new number one. I hate that. I'd rather see a progression of the Bruce/Selina relationship similar to the Elseworlds story, Justice League: The Nail.

As with Oracle, I wonder if the changes to Catwoman will result from an alteration to the universe or an alteration to her life in the current continuity. If an alteration to the universe, I would love to see a reboot of several other characters in which a lot of the tragedy never occured. I'd like to see a Hal Jordan who never became a killer and a Roy Harper who still has his arm. If DC really rebooted, why not a Barbara Gordon who was never shot, or a Selina who never reformed as opposed to some lame explanations for their changing back to how they were?       

Many of the heroes will have new or altered costumes, including Superman, Black Canary, Mr. Terrific, and Supergirl. I typically love Jim Lee's art, which I enjoyed in Batman: Hush and All-Star Batman and Robin. But as far as the new costume designs go, I'm debating as to which term more adequately describes my feelings: hate, despise, or loathe. It reminds me of those horrible redesigns of the 80s which now look so stupid and dated. But if it doesn't work, DC can always change things back.

A couple of other things make the relaunch less exciting. So many of these titles were just recently relaunched or re-relaunched, including Wonder Woman, Flash, Supergirl, Green Lantern, Justice League, Legion of Super-Heroes, Blue Beetle, Birds of Prey, and others. How many relaunches do we have to endure? 

Well, the debate with me is now about which new number ones to pick up. I've occasionally picked up the first issue of relaunches in the past just to check things out. But I cannot afford to buy fifty-two issues at once! I think DC is making a huge mistake releasing them all at once since so many fans are on limited budgets in this ailing economy, not to mention the fact that comics are already woefully overpriced. So which books do I want to check out? Here are my first through third tier options: 

First tier:

Justice League - The team of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee make this appealing. They are first tier creators even if the new costume designs stink. 

Batman; Detective Comics; Batman and Robin - Since Batman is my favorite fictional character and the one who got me into comics, I may be checking into these just to see where the character is going. I'll stick only to the titles that really grab me.

Batgirl - I'd like to see how they explain Barbara's return to this role and if it's too stupid I can drop it.  

Superman; Action Comics - I'd be crazy to pass up a first issue of Action Comics even though it will never be worth anything. With Grant Morrison writing one book and George Perez the other, I'm interested. I'm usually not a Morrison fan, but he did a great job with All-Star Superman. So I'd like to see how the Man of Tomorrow is relaunched. I'm curious to see if the marriage of Clark and Lois ever happened in this altered reality.

Second Tier:

Supergirl- Just how big a brat will she be, anyway?

All-Star Western - Jonah Hex lead story with other western back-up stories. The 3.99 price gives me pause, but the first issue has Hex in Gotham City, which I thought was on the Eastern Seaboard.

DC Universe Presents - Sounds like a relaunch of the latest Brave and the Bold.

Third Tier: 

Legion of Super Heroes - Another relaunch? How much more confusing could it be?   

Animal Man - I learned to love this character in 52 and Countdown to Adventure.

I won't be buying all of these, not even all the number ones. But these are my thoughts today. I do wonder if the Justice Society, Power Girl, or the multiverse will have any future in this altered universe.                    

Pull List and Reviews (June 2010)

Here is a list of my current subscriptions and what I thought of some newer issues:

DC

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne This book picks up where the concluding issue of Final Crisis left off, with Bruce Wayne stranded in the caveman days. Now he makes his way forward through time toward the 21st century in this six-parter. In issue two he stopped off for an adventure involving some witch hunting Puritans, and he is moving on to a pirate's life for one issue, and then to the old west. It's interesting to see the bat-guy in all these different historical settings. History is retro.

Interestingly, Bruce has amnesia, yet his resourceful instincts aren't lacking. He is being pursued through time by Superman, Rip Hunter, Green Lantern, and Booster Gold. They have to somehow intercept Bruce before he unknowingly serves as Darkseid's weapon to destroy the 21st century, whatever all that means. I'm still not clear what Bruce was doing near the end of time unless maybe he was trying to pinpoint a position in time in order to return there and save an accused witch from hanging. Who knows? I don't totally get it, but I think I'm supposed to buy a zillion cross-overs before I do, including the forthcoming Time Masters: Vanishing Point mini-series, and several issues of Batman and Robin. It's all about marketing, but I'm not taking the bait.   

On the positive side, the cover art by Andy Kubert is exceptional. The Sprouse and Story art team did a great job on the first issue, but the Frazer Irving interior on the second didn't do much for me. I don't care for what I call the "sketchy" look, but I suppose it works well for the 17th century mood. For super heroes though, Iriving is not my favorite. In all, I would grade this series a B- but it does have potential.

JSA All-Stars The Johnny Sorrow story arc finally concluded and with some very interesting plot twists. Now we know why he appeared to be in love with Stargirl. It's great to see Atom-Smasher back with a JSA-related team. It will be interesting to see Al and Courtney's relationship develop, assuming it will. Romantic tension is good for a series. We need more of a human element in today's comics.  

I won't be missing Magog or Damage at all. I'm not sure why some characters with no JSA links to their origin are even on this team (i.e, Lightning, King Chimera, Judo-master). I wouldn't mind if they took a hike and Power Girl, Cyclone, Hour-Man, Sand, and Stargirl were returned to the mainline team. But these characters are why I keep reading. I don't care for the art though. While I don't know the lingo to be a good art critic, the lines just seem jagged and choppy to me. My grade: B-

Justice Society of America It's twenty years into the future and the neo-Nazi fourth reich has taken over America. All super heroes have been stripped of their powers. It's the day of Batman's execution in a prison camp where several heroes are incarcerated and Mr. Terrific, Clark Kent, and others are plotting their great escape. 

I LOVE this book! But what's going on? Is this someone's dream, the future of an alternate reality or parallel earth, or a failure that the JSA will travel back in time to "fix"? The next issue (#39) should be concluding this arc since the JSA-JLA crossover is coming up. So I'll be buying both titles for a while. 

This series has made Bill Willingham one of my favorite writers. The art team of Jesus Merino and Jesse Delperdang is outstanding. My grade: A 

DCU: Legacies This ten-part series which retells the history of the DC Universe is off to a great start. What could be better than a Len Wein story with the art team of Kubert and Kubert? Paul Lincoln narrates the start of the Golden Age with an appearance by Crimson Avenger and an exciting team-up of Sandman and the Atom who prove themselves to be heroic in character as well as in braun. A backup story features the Spectre and Dr. Fate with art by J. G. Jones. I like the way Inza was incorporated into the story and the art has a definite retro feel. My grade: A 

Marvel

The Torch This series concludes with its final issue in early June. Will the Torch survive and why does Thomas Raymond have the Horton cells? One of the highlights of this series for me was to see the original Torch and Toro team up with the Johnny Storm Human Torch for one issue (# 5). I can't wait for the conclusion. My grade: A+ 

Captain America: 1940s Newspaper Strip. This forthcoming 3-part series by Karl Kesel explores the newspaper strip that never was. With a story reflective of a 40s newspaper strip, I'm hoping for an age appropriate story that I can share with my kids. I'm also hoping for a fun read. 

Dynamite

Project Superpowers, Chapter Two I continue to read this, but I'm a little behind. My grade: B+  

Books with Retro Appeal

Here is a listing of some books I'd like to eventually check out, especially if I could find them in a public library:

1000 Comic Books You Must Read by Tony Isabella

Should be interesting to see what makes his list and why. Amazon has it for 19.79.  

Alex Toth in Hollywood (Pure Imagination Publishing)

This late great 20th century artist spent some years working for Western Publishing (Dell & Gold Key) drawing comics based on TV series and movies. This volume includes stories from Roy Rogers, Sea Hunt, The Lennon Sisters, Disney's Zorro and Sugarfoot. Also included is an adaptation of the John Wayne film, The Wings of Eagles and James Stewart's film The F.B.I. Story.

Batman: Earth One by J. Michael Straczynski and Superman: Earth One by Geoff Johns

Two of the greatest writers take on two of DC's greatest heroes. These graphic novels retell the origins of these heroes outside the context of regular DC continuity. Anything can happen as we see yet another universe's version of these heroes. I'm thinking these should be out in the Spring.  

Casper the Friendly Ghost 60th Anniversary (hardcover).

I would look this one over for the sheer nostalgia, although I'm not a huge Casper fan. But these kind of old kid-friendly stories and art take me back to my childhood and celebrate the Golden Age (which I'n not old enough to remember, but only enjoy through reprints and back issues).

This one, published by Dark Horse, reprints Casper #1 from St.John Publishing (1949) and Casper # 61 from Harvey (1952). Amazon has it for only ten bucks. Back issue reprint collections are a great way to share a comic hobby with your kids without exposing them to all the graphic violence and language in some of today's comics. 

Crisis on Multiple Earths, vol. 5 (trade paperback) 

I've waited a very long time for the next volume in this series that reprints the annual JLA and JSA crossovers. This one should cover the late 70s and early 80s. It is scheduled for late April release. 

Jonah Hex: No Way Back (DC Comics)

An original graphic novel, scheduled for May release, just in time for the live action movie starring Josh Brolin.

Last Days of Animal Man (DC Comics)

This early March release collects the six issue mini-series of the character I grew to love in the 52 series. I'll read this one after I check out Countdown to Adventure which I believe to be a bridge from 52 to this series.  

Supermen: The First Wave of Heroes 1936-1941(Fantagraphics, paperback, 192 pages)

Reprints of early and rarely seen heroes drawn by the likes of Kirby, Wolverton, and others. Amazon has it for $23.07.  

Tarzan Archives. vol. 5, The Jesse Marsh Years (Dark Horse, hardcover)

Reprints Dell's rare issues 23-27. 

Was Superman a Spy? by Brian Cronin 

This one is dirt cheap on Amazon right now, listed as a bargain. Written by the author of the popular Comics Should be Good blog, this book deals with the urban myths and legends of the comic book industry. Divided into three sections; Marvel, DC, and other publishers, this volume either confirms or dispels many rumors. 

It purports to answr such burning questions as "Why did Ditko leave Spiderman?"; Why did a robot replace the Human Torch on the 70s Fantastic Four cartoon series?"; and "Was Elvis Presley's trademark hairstyle based on a comic character?" Sounds like some amusing light reading.  

Comic Collection Essentials, Part Four

I continue my posts on what I consider essential for a serious comic collection:

17) A few comics in which a Celebrity Appears as Him or Her Self. One of my favorites is Action Comics # 345 from 1967 in which Allen Funt catches Clark Kent on candid camera changing into his Superman attire. Another issue of interest is Avengers # 239 from 1984 in which the super-hero team appears on Late Night with David Letterman. These two are just too funny. 

18) Holiday Comics. While Christmas issues  have been plentiful in the past, the Justice Society actually celebrated Thanksgiving with the Justice League in JSA # 54. 

19) A good sampling of issues from some Favorite Writers and Artists. Some of my favorite writers include Stan Lee (of course), Denny O'Neil, Roy Thomas, and Geoff Johns. My favorite artists include George Perez, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. 

20) Marvel and DC Crossovers. As a child I recall the tabloid-sized one-shots of Superman vs. Spiderman and Batman vs. the Incredible Hulk (DC Special Series # 27). DC and Marvel together was a dream come true that up until then I could only experience by teaming up my Mego Men. Since these two milestones, the X-Men has met the Teen Titans, Superman has teamed up with the Fantastic Four, and Batman has appeared in one-shots with Spiderman, Daredevil, the Punisher, and Captain America. The real dream come true was the four part series from 2003 in which the JLA met the Avengers. Now if we could just have the Golden Age JSA team-up with the Invaders. Or how about Two-Gun Kid and Jonah Hex? The possibilities are endless. 

21) Some hardcover Archive or Masterworks editions. Experience the history of your favorite DC and Marvel characters. 

22) Collect some Action Figures of your favorite comic book heroes. Nowadays you can get just about anybody. While not comics, these items are comic-related. 

23) Other Comic-Related Collectibles include games, toys, movies, statues, and the list is never-ending. My comic-related items mainly consist of Batman items. Limiting myself to one character makes the collecting a bit more manageable--although I have a few other items I could not resist. 

24) Sports-Related Comics. My personal collection includes the series in which Sports Illustrated teamed up with Kellogg's cereal and DC Comics to produce the biographies of Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Ozzie Smith, and Nolan Ryan.  

25) Some Black-and-White comics. My collection includes Batman Black and White--of course. And these days a lot of Golden and Silver Age runs have been reprinted in black-and-white trades like DC's Showcase and Marvel's Essentials. It's a relatively inexpensive way to research your comic book history. AC Comics has also reprinted some Golden Age super heroes and westerns. 

So there you have it. My top 25 essentials to a comic collection in no particular order.                                      

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.           

Why the Multiverse Fascinates Me

I've always been fascinated by the concept of parallel universes and multiple earths. What if such places exist? What if there were another earth somewhere in which we all had counterparts who lived parallel lives with subtle differences? 

1) This enables us to ponder the "what if" questions. What if you had chosen to travel the road not taken? What if you had a doppleganger somewhere who married the counterpart of the high school sweetheart you rejected? What if your doppleganger chose another career path? Is there another version of you somewhere who is living the dreams you abandoned? Or perhaps your doppleganger is not as successful or as happy. 

2) What if you were born in another time? Maybe your doppleganger is older than you--born a generation or so earlier. The era of costumed heroes on Earth-Two began earlier than on Earth-One. So the Batman and Superman of Earth-Two had lived through the second World War, whereas their Earth-One counterparts had not yet been born. 

Had the first crisis not ended the original multiverse, would the Earth-One Batman's life had followed the same script as his Earth-Two counterpart who did everything first? Might the Earth-One Batman eventually have married Selina Kyle? Would he have become Gotham Commissioner? Would he have had a grown daughter who fought crime as the Huntress? Might the Earth-One Batman, like his Earth-Two counterpart, have died at the hands of a criminal? 

Might the Earth-One Superman have married Lois, as the post-crisis Superman did? A history of your older doppleganger's life may, or may not, be a prediction of your own future. An older doppleganger's history might also indicate how you would have fared if you had lived in an earlier era. 

3) What if all fiction is real? In the multiverse this is possible. In the Flash of Two Worlds story it was explained that on Earth-One Jay Garrick was a comic book character and the inspiration of Barry Allen who called himself The Flash. The DC comics writers were in touch with Earth-Two through their dreams, meaning the stories they wrote really happened in another universe. 

What if all fictional writer's imaginations were tuned in, unbeknownst to them, to parallel universes where their stories actually happened in reality? So while Wyatt Earp was Marshal of Dodge City in our old west, maybe there really was a Marshal Dillon on some other earth. And maybe there really is a Batman, a Tarzan, a Gomer Pyle, and a Cartwright family who lived on the Ponderosa. Cool!

4) What if you were born in another place? In the Elseworld's story, Red Son, Kal-El's spaceship landed on Soviet soil. Superman is an adopted Russian in this reality. In another universe, might your doppleganger be living in Germany, China, or Australia? 

5) What if we gave in to our darker side? Johnny Thunder's Earth-One counterpart was a bad guy in Justice League of America # 37-38 (Recently reprinted in the trade Crisis on Multiple Earths, volume 1). On Earth-Three, the Justice League's dopplegangers are criminals. I'm glad DC brought the multiverse back. The possibilities are endless.               

Earth-Two Batman

I just had to buy the Earth-Two Batman a few weeks ago at my local comic shop. He is from DC Direct's All Star Comics with the Super Squad line---the fourth Reactivated series. I've actually had the Earth-Two Robin since 2005. I bought him at a comic shop while vacationing in Colorado. He is part of the Crisis on Infinite Earths action figures series, released on the 20th anniversary of the comic book series. Although from two different sets, these guys do look great together.   

While this is the "Golden Age" Dynamic Duo, these figures actually reflect the "Bronze Age" look of these characters. This is how they looked in the 70s. During these years, Robin fought alongside the JSA in their annual team-ups with the JLA. This version of Robin also appeared with the JSA in All Star Comics and Adventure Comics. He remained active into the early modern age in the original Infinity Inc. and with the Huntress in the back pages of Wonder Woman.

But how often did this version of Batman and Robin actually pair up during the Bronze Age? I can think of only one adventure they shared during that era. They appeared in Justice League of America 135-137.

For that matter, how often did the Earth-Two Batman appear during that era? His rare appearances include the following:

• There was a one panel cameo in Justice League of America 82 (1970), recently reprinted in the trade, Crisis on Multiple Earths, Volume 2.

• The above mentioned appearance with Robin in Justice League of America 135-137 (1976), recently reprinted in the trade, Crisis on Multiple Earths, Volume 4. 

• In 1977 Batman appeared in All Star Comics 66-68.

• Also in 1977, readers learned that the Earth-Two Batman and Catwoman had married, raising a daughter who grew up to be the crime fighting Huntress. These stories were told in All Star Comics 69 (Huntress' first appearance) and DC Super Stars 17 (telling of the Catwoman's death which inspired her daughter's crime fighting career). The DC Super Stars story was recently reprinted in the trade, The Huntress: Dark Knight Daughter.    

• The year 1979 saw the story of this Batman's death in Adventure Comics 461-463.

The Earth-Two Batman also made various "retroactive" appearances during the Bronze and Modern Age. Most of these were stories set in the 1940s during World War II.

- DC Special 29 - Origin of the JSA (1977)

-The Brave and the Bold 146 (1979) {Batman and the Unknown Soldier during WW II}

- Justice League of America 193 (1981)

- All Star Squadron 1-4, 24-26, 31-37, 41, 54, 59-60 (1981-1986)

- All Star Squadron Annual 2 (1983) and 3 (1984)

- The Brave and the Bold 182 (1982) {Dick Grayson's short stint as Batman}

- The Brave and the Bold 197 (1983) {Retroactive telling of events in 1950s leading to Batman & Catwoman's marriage} Reprinted in the trade, Greatest Stories, Volume 2: The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told.

- America vs. The Justice Society of America (1985) Four part limited series in which Batman plays a vital role through flashbacks.

- Secret Origins 6 (1986) Retelling of Batman's origin.

- JSA 82 (2006) Retroactive tale of Earth-Two's Batman and Superman.

- JSA 85 (2006) Batman appears as a ghost.

It's possible I could have missed something, but these are the appearances I came up with in my comic and internet research. If you have anything to add, or any questions, feel free. 

I love Batman and especially the Golden Age Batman. Since his recent appearances in the pages of JSA and the announcement of a new Earth-2 in August, I'm hoping this guy will make a comeback. I've always liked the idea of Batman and Catwoman having a daughter who fights crime. It would be awesome if her parents could still be living on the rebooted Earth-2, perhaps serving as mentors. I'm not holding my breath, but with the return of the Earth-2 Robin and Huntress at least an Earth-Two Batman's legacy might continue.