Launching The Silver Age with Barry Allen! The Showcase 4 Facsimile Reprint Review!

Welcome to The Silver Age!

Barry Allen as the re-imagined The Flash - The Fastest Man Alive! Literally bursting onto the scene. Classic cover and classic story. Okay, so Turtle Man and Mazdan aren't exactly Classic villains. Not quite as Classic as Captain Cold and Abra Kadabra. What is Classic is Barry Allen's origin. Somewhat similar to Jay Garrick's - without the "hard water". (If you're familiar with Barry, you will know that years later, during the seminal Crisis on Infinite Earths, Barry became the lightning bolt that transformed him into The Flash, creating a loop.) What's cool here is that it takes some convincing for Barry to believe he has become "the fastest man alive"! And then, boom, he's got a costume miniaturized inside a ring! He's rescuing Iris from a murder attempt and facing Turtle Man! Even though he may be slow, Turtle Man is methodical and smart. And then, there's Mazdan. A Criminal sentenced to a dark and dismal future that's gone a little "ca-ca" by sending him into the past! His weapon - a gun that fires heat rings! Oh... if only the gun fired onion rings... One can dream. Barry figures out that simply by using super-speed he can break the time barrier travel through time into the future! This is brilliant science fiction!

What's enjoyable about Barry Allen is that he is THE most Peter Parker character of DC Comics. He's the Everyman. Not an orphaned millionaire-philanthropist; an adoptee from a dead planet with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men; or, even made of clay. Just a regular guy, with regular problems and issues, who just happens to be endowed with super-powers.

This is such a cool... "jumping on point".

The facsimile reprint of Showcase 4 earns five stars.   

Quick! Think Fast! The Batman: Gotham Adventures 25 Review

The Flash makes a guest appearance this issue. 

Although it's not stated, it appears that Wally West is The Flash that visits Gotham City. It seems somewhat unfair that Wally is presented as somewhat cocky, rash and impulsive. Relying heavily on super-speed rather than calm, cool quick-thinking. Of course, Batman is going to come off smarter. The Dark Knight faces adversaries such as The Riddler and The Joker. The Flash faces off against adversaries such as The Trickster. Most of The Scarlet Speedster's adversaries test his speed, not his intelligence.

Here, The Flash is in Gotham City following computer-related crimes that moved from Central City to Gotham. Batman appreciates the head's-up, however, as usual prefers to tackle things in Gotham himself. What follows is a tutorial for The Flash in clear thinking, rather than simple swift action.

Tim Drake solves the puzzling mystery with a visit to the Gotham Post Office.

Batman actually does provide the final solution. He does credit The Flash with making an effort. His final advice is to think of the consequences.

Peterson's script here is, once again enjoyable. It's interesting that Peterson chose not to feature Dick Grayson or Barbara Gordon in this story. Dick and Wally have a history as Teen Titans. It's curious... perhaps there's an undercurrent of bitterness and grief in Batman seeing Wally in Barry Allen's costume. Although presenting an immature Flash, Wally is presented more light-hearted as comic relief. There's a scene where he races up into the sky to greet an airplane that has changed course. Levins, Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins are all spot-on this issue.

It would be nice to see Wally not played for laughs or as the fool.

Batman: Gotham Adventures 25 earns three stars. 

For Those That Follow... JSA: All Stars 1 "Legacy" Review

 

David Goyer and Geoff Johns present the Justice Society of America facing Legacy!

The Spectre pulls back the curtain. Sand is escorting The Icicle on a military transport to prison in Florida. Solomon Grundy rips open a side of the plane. Freed, The Icicle cushions the planes crash landing. The rest of the Injustice Gang is on hand, greeted by the Justice Society. The battle engages! It's all very dramatic and somewhat posing and posturing. Very quickly The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman and Wildcat are transported out of the battle by the bad guys. Sand is immobilized! Returning to their Manhattan headquarters, they try to deduce what the device is that paralyzed Sand and kidnapped four of their members.

The cover is awesome.

Sal Velluto's art, with Bob Almond inks and John Kalisz colors is just the very definition of eye-candy. Ken Lopez's lettering has each character's voice down and dialogue, roll call and effects are unique.

Legacy himself is pretty much a mystery and cypher at this point. Somewhat hollow and shallow. The cliffhanger sets up the master plan that will undoubtedly unfold as the story progresses.

JSA: All Stars 1, "Legacy" earns four stars.

A Veritable Treasure Trove of Invaluable Information! The All-Star Comics Illustrated Index Review!

Murray R. Ward's All-Star Comics Illustrated Index spotlighting the Justice Society of America was definitely one ambitious undertaking! A few words of his own, followed by a few words from Roy Thomas, then headlong into a veritable definitive Who's Who of the Justice Society. Secret Origins, notable adventures and appearances. All of this is a post-Crisis on Infinite Earths wrap to the Golden-Age era, Earth-2 and the classic Justice Society. Crisis on Infinite Earths erased the Golden-Age era Superman family, Batman family, Wonder Woman family and Aquaman. The sliding timeline meant that the Justice Society had already formed without these heroes. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman were now part of the Justice League. And Wonder Woman wasn't even a founding member of the Justice League! Black Canary was a founding member of the League, and Diana joined later.

So gone were Superman, Batman and Robin, Helena Wayne as The Huntress and Wonder Woman. 

Starting with DC Special 29, from August-September of 1977, which featured the Secret Origin of the team, this illustrated index features a breakdown of the first four issues of All-Star Comics. The highlight being All Star Comics 3 from Winter 1940, the very first appearance of the classic line-up of the Justice Society.

It's incredibly detailed and researched. Very informative. Unfortunately, it also seemed to be short-lived and cancelled.

For what it is, a first issue and launch of a series it earns five stars.  

Beware The Power of the Darkest Night! JLA: Age of Wonder 2 Review!

Years pass in "The Age of Wonder". Ambition grows. Barry Allen and Ted Knight, now joined by Ray Palmer as The Atom and the enigmatic Plastic Man investigate the explosion at a munitions warehouse that killed Oliver Queen, The Green Arrow. Diana, Princess of the Amazons of Themyscira, was seen escaping the blast. Urban legend The Batman advises that the League should have paid closer attention to an eyewitness. He tells them to find the woman.

As Bruce Wayne, he does. Lex Luthor now is President Wilson's secretary of defense. Diana, an emissary from a Paradise Island, is also Luthor's protege. Luthor is manipulating world events toward world war! Hal Jordan advises the British Army against the Kaiser's forces. He discovers Luthor's treason. In attempting to stop Luthor and Diana, Hal is murdered. 

What comes next is the unimaginable. The Kaiser unleashes an atomic bomb on London, leaving more than 200,000 dead, the city in ruins and uninhabitable.

The one hope is the dying General Jordan send his ring to find Clark Kent. The Super Man returns and unites the League to crush the Prussians. Batman and Diana defeat Luthor. As Luthor is executed for treason, Clark Kent forms the Justice League of Nations.

Adisakdi Tantimedh's story is truly the darkest before the dawn. Luthor's naked ambition to leave a mark and be remembered as greater than The Super Man brings a hellish world tomorrow. P. Craig Russell, Galen Showman and Dave McCaig ignite the explosive fury of Luthor's devilish machinations. It is tragic that Hal and Diana are casualties of Luthor's madness. The hope is that a brighter day rises like a phoenix from the ashes.

JLA: Age of Wonder 2 earns five stars
 

The Man of Tomorrow Can't Catch a Break! "JLA: The Age of Wonder" 1 Review

Jonathan and Martha Wayne are in Philadelphia for the 1876 Exposition. Lois Lane is there, interviewing one of Thomas Edison's top men, Lex Luthor. "The Age of Wonder" opens with Clark Kent making his debut as "The Super Man" at the Exhibition. He selflessly and generously offers his services to Edison. While most men work toward advancement for financial gain. Kent is a humanitarian and philanthropist. Persuaded by Lex Luthor, Kent, Nikola Tesla, Barry Allen and Ted Knight decide to branch off from Edison. Knight develops a power rod, becoming The Starman. Following a freak accident, Barry Allen becomes The Human Flash. With Luthor and Thomas Wayne funding, they become The Justice League of Science. When an alien wielding a Green Lantern power ring arrives on Earth and dies, Hal Jordan joins the group as The Green Lantern. 

Kent maintains his firm stance as a generous humanitarian, even when the public's greed turns noble efforts to failure. Luthor tires to make his mark with unique and singular discoveries, which bring him into direct conflict with Kent. 

Luthor manipulates Jordan to an extreme effort against The Man of Tomorrow.

Adisakdi Tantimedh's story is quite riveting, an ideal Elseworlds "What if..." tale. Unfortunately, the utopian future crumbles under human nature, ambition, avarice and greed. 

P. Craig Russell, Galen Showman and Dave McCaig capture the Industrial Revolution quite vividly and enjoyably. Bob Lappan's lettering enhances the period piece.

JLA: Age of Wonder 1 earns five stars.     

The Heroes Creed

Variety is reporting that production on The Flash, starring Ezra Miller, has been pushed back to late 2019. That means the film will not be in theaters until 2021 at the earliest.

In releasing that information, Variety also hinted that Warner Bros./DC Comics may be moving forward without Henry Cavill as Superman and Ben Affleck as Batman. I'm not sure whether Cavill's schedule is conflicting with him suiting up as The Man of Steel again, or what. Affleck is currently undergoing rehab. There's not been any word on a sequel to the 2013 Man of Steel film, or any further on Cavill as Superman. Affleck's solo film as Batman has been in development for some time now.

Here's what concerns me about this whole thing. Warner Bros./DC Comics has been trying to "Marvelize" these icons. Make them more relatable by giving them angst, and maybe, real-world problems. It works for Peter Parker to have issues, complications and stress that are either compounded or lifted by The Amazing Spider-Man. What about a carefree millionaire-philanthropist-playboy? King of Atlantis? Amazon Princess?

Smallville imagined Clark Kent growing up trying to define himself. We got to see what made him a Man of Steel. My problem with that show was that in addition to the mistakes he made, He somehow landed a job as a crack, star reporter at The Daily Planet without a college education. There seemed a number of fumbles along the way. I say that with fervent passion: I loved watching that show with my boys after bringing them home forever from Ukraine.

I get that it makes sense to be real, and human and show how a person picks themselves up and moves on after making a mistake. We're not really doing that very well in real life, though, are we? Just look at James Gunn. Fired, and seemingly unforgiven, by Disney for a mistake he made years ago that he admitted, regretted and apologized for.

My concern is more for Affleck, and then, Batman.

I remember once hearing Clayton Moore talk about how they acted in public, off screen of The Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger had a creed that the actors themselves followed.

"Kids nowadays aren't so quick to worship heroes. The world is a lot more complicated; we don't seem to believe in absolute good and evil - white hats and black hats - anymore. It's fashionable to think of virtue and honor and bravery as naive, outmoded emotions. Deep down, I believe that people still cling to those ideals. When I first appeared on television as the Lone Ranger, Jay Silverheels (Tonto) and I used to do a lot of public appearances. Years earlier, when George W. Trendle created the Lone Ranger for the radio, he gave his writers a code of behavior that the Lone Ranger and Tonto must live by. Jay and I were heroes to millions of kids, and to avoid disappointing them, we lived by Trendle's original rules."

- Clayton Moore

There is a story that the late Jay Thomas told on The Late Show with David Letterman. Every Christmas, Letterman would have a decorated tree with a giant meatball on top. He would invite Thomas on the show to knock the meatball off with a football. Thomas would throw the football to knock the meatball off. Then he would tell the story of working in radio and doing a life broadcast, or remote, at a car dealer with Clayton Moore. After the live broadcast, Thomas was Moore's chauffeur to the airport. Thomas' car was cut off in traffic by another motorist. Thomas chased him down and confronted him. The driver scoffed, asking Thomas who they would believe. 

I get chill bumps when Thomas relates how Clayton Moore, in full The Lone Ranger costume rises out of the backseat of Thomas' beat-up Volvo and tells the motorist in his deep, rich baritone, "They'll believe ME, citizen."

I want my superheroes and my actors who play my superheroes to be more like THAT.

Let's expect more, and stop settling for less.