James Gunn Hired By Warner Bros./DC After Being Fired By Disney/Marvel

Indiewire.com is just one website reporting that James Gunn has been hired by Warner Bros. to write - and possibly direct! - Suicide Squad 2. There's word that the film will be a reboot of Suicide Squad. ScreenRant.com's Stephen M. Colbert shares a reason why DC might be okay with Gunn following his firing by Disney over old, offensive tweets that Gunn was sorry for and apologized for. Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy cast stood by him, fans signed petitions and encouraged Disney to reverse its decision. Disney opted not to. Now the Distinguished Competition has scored a major coup.

There's even word around the interwebs that Dave Bautista is eager to follow Gunn. There's even an image of the character Bautista could play in the new Suicide Squad film.

(Am I the only one that remembers the character development that James Robinson did with this character in Starman?)

This could very well be just what the Doctor Fate ordered for the DC Cinematic Universe.

I remember a few years ago, a top-notch director (Bryan Singer) moved on from a Marvel franchise (The X-Men) at 20th Century Fox to reboot a prominent DC Character (Superman). He got Richard Donner's blessing and the film, Superman Returns, was supposed to be a sequel to Superman II. It was supposed to have bypassed both Superman III and IV which were somewhat lackluster. Not an easy task since Christopher Reeve - and Richard Donner - is a hard act to follow. Although it may seem dated now, Reeve's Superman was very much like what Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman was. Hope. Optimism. Wonder. Joy. Fun. Those five words aren't used much to describe DC films. Usually, Mature; or, Grown-Up are words that are used.

Maybe you're like me. What I'd like to see Gunn bring to DC is that sense of Wonder. Joy. Hope. Optimism. I want DC super-hero films to be Fun. Wonder Woman was a fun film. I don't want my DC Comics characters to be dark, brooding and angst-filled. I don't want them to be mature or grown up. I want to feel like a little kid watching cartoons with a big bowl of cereal in my lap.

That's a tall order and maybe too much pressure to put on Gunn's or anyone man's shoulders. Donner did it in '78 with Superman. Patty Jenkins did it in 2017 with Wonder Woman, and will attempt it again with the upcoming sequel. 

Maybe James Gunn can lead DC out of it's navel.

I've got my fingers crossed.

Batman '66 on Gilligan's Island

I'm a believer. No doubt in my mind.

I took Adam West seriously as Batman. It wasn't until the late '70's, mid '80's that I began to understand that Batman '66 was campy; and the word "campy" was meant as an insult. I read the old Batman comics collected in the hardcover Batman: From the '30's to the '70's. At first, he was The Batman. The Darknight Detective. Then the '50's rolled around and Batman changed. Maybe it was due to Wertham, and his Seduction of the Innocent. I've never read it, but from what I have read about it, it had a huge impact on how comic books were produced in the Silver Age. The contemporary comic books of the '50's and early '60's were what Batman '66 were based on. Just look at the stories collected in Batman: The TV Stories. Very few of them come from Batman's early days. Remember, the live action television series was meant to make the most of color and the visual medium. Every thing was over-the-top. Just like the comics that inspired the series episodes.

As a kid, watching the show in reruns, I loved it!

I loved it that DC Comics produced the Batman '66 comic book series!

Even more, Kevin Smith, Ralph Garman, Alex Ross and Ty Templeton collaborated on reuniting The Bright Knight and The Green Hornet!

Other team-ups soon followed: Batman '66 Meets The Man From UNCLE; Batman '66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel; Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77; Batman '66 Meets the Legion of Super-Heroes.

And now, Archie Meets Batman '66!

Jeff Parker has shown he knows Gotham City! He wrote the majority of the stories for the Batman '66 series, Batman '66 Meets The Man From UNCLE and Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77. 

And now, Archie Meets Batman '66, with Michael Moreci. 

Y'know what I would LOVE to see? Batman '66 on Gilligan's Island.

The first thing is, Batman and Robin can not actually be on the island. They would rescue The Castaways - game over.

I would start an imaginary Season Four of Batman with The Penguin operating The Iceberg Lounge.

Yes, it is a retcon. A modern contrivance. The Penguin would become the underworld information hub. The Iceberg Lounge would also open up a ton of story possibility and cameo opportunities.

Secondly, like Parker, I would introduce a few more modern characters. Legend has it that Madge Blake was going to be let go from the series. Mr. West went to Bat for her, and stood up for keeping her on as Aunt Harriet. He found a homemade cake from her in his dressing room after. No disrespect to Mr. West, but I would eliminate or reduce her role as Aunt Harriet, and introduce Julie Madison as Bruce Wayne's fiance - lifted straight from the Classic, Golden Age Comics. I would keep the character on for half a season or maybe a whole season. The end of the arc would be just like the comics: she would move on to a career defining role and leave Bruce. This would open up introducing Kathy Kane; and, later, Silver St. Cloud. I could also see expanding and fleshing out Catwoman's role by introducing her as the first character with a dual identity - Selina Kyle. Selina and Bruce could start seeing one another; and then, "Biff", "Bam" -

He would learn her true identity!

I would also introduce Lucius Fox as Vice-Chairman of Wayne Foundation, and Dr. Leslie Thompson.

Getting back to Madge Blake's Aunt Harriet. I would send her off in style and class. I would have her head off on Bruce Wayne's yacht on a cruise around the world. Her first stop would be on Gilligan's Island.

I would have The Penguin team-up with Dr. Boris Balinkoff to marry Aunt Harriet to have access to the Wayne Fortune and the class of High Society. Yes, this would be the THIRD time Penguin's tried the marriage scheme. Third time's the charm right? He would use Balinkoff's ring as a wedding band to mind-control Harriet for his scheme. Since she's on a cruise near Hawaii, why not a private island wedding? 

Of course, Mrs. Howell can't stand that "dreadful" woman Harriet Cooper. Thurston Howell and Thomas Wayne were business rivals. A corporate takeover of Wayne Enterprises is on his bucket list.

There's got to be a way to get the Castaways back to Balinkoff's castle where Gilligan and The Skipper mind-swap with Batman and Robin. There's also gotta be a cool deathtrap for both The Dynamic Duo and Gilligan and The Skipper.

But, at no time can Batman and Robin be on the island. Rescue = game over.

The way the Castaways do NOT get rescued is that Howell let's slip that he plans to take over Wayne Enterprises and Foundation first thing he gets back, and - 

Aunt Harriet puts the "ki-bosh" on any rescue. She "forgets". And she sails off into the sunset, continuing her cruise.

I have no idea what plans DC has for Batman '66 after the Archie crossover. The DC series ended in July 2017 with the Legion of Super-Heroes one-shot by the Allreds.

I'm probably the only one that thinks it would be cool to see Batman '66 on Gilligan's Island.

But it would be cool to see.

A Sign of Weakness?

I've been reading Archie Meets Batman '66. It's billed as "two iconic comic book characters meet up for the first time in this historic crossover!"

Last year, on my birthday, August 17 (my birthday, in case you were wondering) Senior VP/Executive Editor and DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio was quoted on ScreenRant.com as to why there won't be (m)any intercompany crossovers between DC Comics and Marvel.

He said, "It's not that we're mortal enemies - it is competition, if you want the truth. It has to be. As we say, 'the more we compete, the better off you are.' It means that we're trying harder to make our books better so you come to our books rather than Marvel books. That's what the competition is all about. Between the two companies, we still are the industry leaders."

Last March 18th, lrmonline picked up the thread, with a quote from Joe Quesada.

I get it. I can down a whole Roma pizza in one sitting. Those things aren't that big. They're like eight slices. So, what he's saying, I think, unless I have my analogies wrong, is an intercompany crossover is like slicing a Roma pizza and sharing it with my three kids. Rather than having the whole pie myself.

I'm a Bronze Age comic book fan. The Bronze Age started in April 1970, when Dennis O'Neal and Neil Adams brought together Green Lantern and Green Arrow in Green Lantern 85.

Didio's comments, and Quesada's response were in response to the much-hyped DC Versus Marvel series from April and May of 1996. The four-issue series match characters like Aquaman and Namor; The Flash and Quicksilver; Batman and Captain America - characters that seemed similar, with similar powers. The match-up were decided by fan votes. The outcome was that Quesada's Marvel beat Didio's DC. Out of eleven match-ups, Marvel won six:  Elektra over Catwoman, Silver Surfer beat Green Lantern Kyle Raynor, Thor outmatched Captain Marvel, Spider-Man defeated Superboy, Wolverine amazingly beat Lobo and Storm overpowered Wonder Woman. By fan votes.

Nobody wants to come out a loser. Especially when the fans voted Marvel over DC. That's not just a loss, that's the sound of one hand clapping.        

The Marvel Versus DC/DC Versus Marvel Amalgam Comics came at a time when both companies needed one another and needed an intercompany crossover. It wasn't like bringing Superman and Spider-Man together; or, Batman and The Incredible Hulk; or, The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans. Amalgam wasn't for story, or characters or fans. It was about revenue, and monetizing. The industry was down, and the whole Amalgam thing was a gimmick, like variant covers or foil covers to bolster lagging sales and revenue.

I think this is where my pizza analogy comes in.

I'm enjoying Archie Meets Batman '66. I've read a few other crossovers that were pretty good, too. I'm sure you have, too.

Growing up in the Bronze Age, I enjoyed comic book titles like The Brave and the Bold; DC Comics Presents and Marvel Team-Up. I never read Marvel Two-In-One with The Thing, but I've heard it was a pretty cool title. That book came back this year to lead into the return of the Fantastic Four.

The idea of those team-up books was to take strong characters, like Batman, Superman, Spider-Man and The Thing, and use them to lend a little spotlight to lesser known characters. Characters that fans liked but didn't get to see much of. They weren't strong enough to carry their own comic book title.

Right now, outside of team books - which are basically the same concept, just with a larger number of characters - the only thing resembling a team-up is DC's Super Sons. The offspring of Superman and Batman.

 It's kind of a bummer that a crossover can't be seen as bringing strengths together to make an even bigger strength.

I guess when you see a crossover as a need or a weakness, that's how you're going to see them.

Which is a shame.

This is what I like to see.

CBS And Super-Heroes

Variety us reporting that CBS is developing DC Comics' The Secret Six for live action. (You can click Secret Six to learn more about the origin and history of the team.)

That's awesome!

The first thing that popped up into mind was, Remember that one time CBS aired Supergirl before it went over to the CW? Ha!

There's two things I like about this story. First is that it's a DC Comics property. Let's set aside as painfully obvious that Warner Bros./DC Comics have absolutely no blueprint, map or plan in bringing their characters to live action. Their stated plan is to do the exact opposite of whatever Marvel is doing. This goes back to 2008, when Marvel rolled out the first Iron Man film; and, as time went on, released information that everything was connecting and connected in a larger Cinematic Universe. Your mileage may vary; but, it has been brilliant, and enjoyable. Each film over the last ten years has built to the next to where we are now on the precipice of Captain Marvel and Avengers 4! DC, doing the exact opposite could work. Unfortunately, DC has seperated most of their properties into television and film universes. Now there's possibly an even bigger splinter between the CW's Arrowverse, the streaming Titans, and now CBS' Secret Six. Grant Gustin should have been The Flash in the Justice League film. #CyborgIsATitan. Instead of the Justice League film we got, we should have gotten Starro as a villain or an adaptation of JLA: Liberty and Justice.

But, like I said, let's set that aside. We could argue all day. Let's just agree to disagree.

The second thing I find interesting is that CBS is developing a DC Comics live action super-hero series.

Being a geezer, I remember when The Amazing Spider-Man, starring Nicholas Hammond from The Sound of Music was on CBS. There were only three major networks at the time. The series looked nothing like the late '60's cartoon or the comic book. It lasted thirteen episodes over two seasons. Take as long as you need with that. Most series have a season of twenty-two episodes. CBS aired thirteen episodes from '77 to '79. CBS aired two Captain America television films and a Dr. Strange television film. The network picked up Wonder Woman for two seasons after ABC cancelled the series. To be fair, Wonder Woman, a DC character, was set during World War II; and, like most of the super-hero shows on at the time not named Batman, looked nothing like the comic book inspiration. Even contemporized on CBS, it still looked nothing like the comic book. And it was still a DC Comics character (rimshot! "Hiyo!")

The most successful super-hero series on CBS was The Incredible Hulk, starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. Like The Amazing Spider-Man, The Hulk looked nothing like the comic book or cartoon series before it. Kenneth Johnson said on The Incredible Hulk Season One box set that he had just finished reading Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, and based the series on the chase between Javert and Veljean. It looked more like an updating of David Janssen's The Fugitive, with Gerard chasing Dr. Richard Kimble. The Hulk lasted eighty-two episodes across five seasons. NBC aired the three reunion television films in the early '90's.

So, it will be interesting to see what becomes of Secret Six. Will it look like the comic book? Which iteration will it be?

The ultimate question is this: How long will it last on CBS before it A) Goes to the DC streaming service; or, 2) merges with the CW Arrowverse.

Honestly, since Supergirl started on CBS and then moved to the CW, I am surprised that CBS is developing another comic book series.

Comics That Could Have Been

Bob Denver was born on January 9th, 1935. It's been eleven years since he passed away. He is best remembered as Maynard G. Krebs from The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis; He was "Dud" Wash, Charlene Darling's husband on The Andy Griffith Show; cab driver Rufus Butterworth on the short-lived The Good Guys; Dusty on the equally short-lived series Dusty's Trail; and Junior, a NASA maintenance man lost in space on the Sid & Marty Kroft series Far Out Space Nuts. His greatest and most-identifiable role is as the title character on Gilligan's Island. After three seasons, he joined the original cast, except for Tina Louise for two cartoon series - The New Adventures of Gilligan and Gilligan's Planet - three live action reunion films - Rescue From Gilligan's Island, The Castaways of Gilligan's Island and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island - as well as a behind the scenes documentary about the series Surviving Gilligan's Island.

So, here's what I'm thinkin': legend has it that Sherwood Schwartz, Gilligan's Island creator took a roll of butcher paper and filled it with story ideas for the series. Pause, if you're not familiar with what "butcher paper" is, it's the white paper that meat is wrapped in at the meat counter at the store. Take as long as you need to figure out how a television comedy writer got his hands on a roll of butcher paper. Schwartz did, filled it with story ideas. The show lasted only three seasons. There still had to be more ideas on that butcher paper, 'cos there were 24 cartoon episodes of The New Adventures of Gilligan from 1974 to 1975 and 12 episodes of Gilligan's Planet from 1982 to 1983. The concept was recycled on Dusty's Trail for another 26 episodes.

So, here's my question: Sherwood Schwartz wrote jokes for Bob Hope.

The Adventures of Bob Hope #109
Final Issue
Cover by Neal Adams

The Adventures of Bob Hope ran from 1950 to 1968 and produced 109 issues at DC Comics. 

Schwartz also wrote for The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was another DC Comic that produced five issues from 1949 to 1950.

Schwartz was also a writer for My Favorite Martian.

Gold Key produced nine issues for My Favorite Martian between 1964 and 1966.

Okay, here's my actual question: why wasn't there ever a Gilligan's Island comic book? Sherwood Schwartz worked with at least three television properties that were developed for comic books. Bob Hope led the pack. DC Comics produced a very successful Jerry Lewis comic book that started out as Martin and Lewis before the comedy team broke up. Red Skelton was another comedian that Schwartz wrote for. Skelton was featured in a comic book started in 1936 called Hullaballo; later it was called 1000 Jokes. In all, there were 109 issues between 1936 and 1969. Schwartz seems to be literally surrounded by comic books. With a property that would definitely have benefited from a comic book audience. If we're looking at it from a modern perspective.

While it would have been awesome to have a Gilligan's Island comic book, or a tie-in comic book to either of the cartoons, I would hazard a few guesses why. As entrenched in pop culture as Gilligan's Island is now, the show itself was a laughing stock while it aired. It struggled in the rating for three seasons. Network executives didn't want it on the air. Critics panned it. Modern audiences don't so much laugh at the jokes, but laugh at the concept. And yet, audiences are treated to homages to the show. The series Lost is basically a re-working of the concept.

Who knows what kind of audience the comic book would have drawn. Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and the comedians of 1000 Jokes were lucky to hit over a hundred issues. Most sitcom comic book tie-in comic books didn't last very long. Most television series comic books don't last very long. There were a number in the 1960's. Not very many in the '70's. The concept of a TV series tie-in didn't come back around until the 1990's and the 2000's with CSI and 24.

Science fiction seems to work better in comic books than comedy. Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica have all fared well over the years in the super-hero market. Espionage and action adventure does equally well; like James Bond.

The old saying goes, Comedy is not easy. 

I would imagine that Mr. Schwartz spent so much effort working to keep the series on the air, that he might never have thought of a tie-in comic book. Which is a shame. It's also a missed opportunity. 

Word is Josh Gad is writing and starring in a new Gilligan's Island movie. Hopefully, it won't be terrible, like other updated properties have been. Maybe with renewed interest there might be a comic book tie-in. I'm not sure I would read a comic book for an all-new, all-different Gilligan's Island. Unless, Gad proved that he had the concept of seven stranded castaways that represented the seven deadly virtues the way Schwartz did. And he had the comedy down.

I'm thinkin' that Gilligan's Island would have been, and probably still could be, a pretty decent comic book. There have been a lot worse ideas for a comic book. Most comic book publishers sometimes just throw books on the stands and see how well they do.

Batman '66 lasted 30 issues. Ralph Garman, Kevin Smith, Ty Templeton and Alex Ross teamed up for a sequel to second season The Green Hornet guest appearance. Batman '66 Meets The Man From UNCLE by Jeff Parker is currently on the stands.

DC is also publishing comics based on the '70's Wonder Woman television series.

Bob Gale, who was involved in the original Back to the Future is actually going back to fill in some blanks with an ongoing comic book series.

Marvel has reclaimed the license for Star Wars. Star Wars and Darth Vader comics are among the top selling titles. Marvel has also published comics for Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca - among other characters - with comics for Obi-Wan and Anakin and C-3PO coming.

So, why not a Gilligan's Island comic book?

I'd read a Gilligan's Island comic book. Would you?

        

Six Degrees of Wade Wilson

Deadpool is in theaters Friday, February 12th, 2016. So, maybe it's Valentine's Day with Ryan Reynolds. Something tells me that his Deadpool is going to be much more successful than his Green Lantern was.

There were a number of things wrong with Green Lantern. Very few of them were Ryan Reynolds' fault. I think he did his best to make lemonade. I have not seen him in Blade III yet, but I do believe that he delivers. I've enjoyed every movie I've seen him in.

Deadpool was created by Teen Titans fan Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza. When Nicieza saw the character design, his reaction was, This is Deathstroke from The New Teen Titans. 

"Slade" Joseph Wilson made his debut in The New Teen Titans #2. Created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. His full name and title was Deathstroke, The Terminator. He was contracted by The H.I.V.E. to eliminate The New Teen Titans. He took the contract when his son, Grant, who took on the identity of The Ravager could not complete the task. Grant attempted to enhance himself in the same way his father had, but the affects burnt - or ravaged him - and he died prematurely. 

Deathstroke was behind Tara Markov infiltrating The New Teen Titans as the elemental "hero" Terra. Tara is the somewhat estranged sister of Markovian monarch Brian Markov, also known as Geo-Force from Batman and The Outsiders. The legendary "The Judas Contract" had Terra take down the Titans and together they delivered them to The H.I.V.E. During The Judas Contract story line, Dick Grayson outgrew his Robin identity and became Nightwing - an homage to Superman's Kandor identity, which was a one-off of Batman. Wilson had another son, Joseph, who had the meta-human ability to "leap" into others; kind of like Deadman. When possessing others, Joseph took control of their motor skills as the hero Jericho.

Before relaunching The New Teen Titans with Wolfman, Perez worked with writer David Michelinie to create a villain in the pages of The Avengers.

The Taskmaster was a consummate athlete, hand-to-hand combatant and weapons master. He had photographic abilities. Any move he saw, he could copy without practice. He was like an updating of the classic Avengers adversary, The Super-Adaptoid. The Super Adaptoid was like the android created by T. O. Morrow, Amazo. Morrow had also created The Red Tornado; much like Hank Pym had created Ulton, who in turn created The Vision and Jocasta. In some ways, The Taskmaster was also like the ill-fated X-Man, Mimic.

The Taskmaster has been both an adversary and an unwilling ally of - wait for it - Deadpool.

Comics are full of one-off characters,

Superman is easily the most copied character. Captain (Shazam!) Marvel is a one-off.

Ultraman, part of Earth-3's Crime Syndicate is a one-off. So is Hyperion of Marvel's Squadron Supreme.

  

Even Bizarro is kind of a one-off, being that he's a mirror cracked, evil opposite version of Superman.

We'll get into more Six Degrees of Wade Wilson in the days between now and February 12th. Feel free to share your suggestions in the comments below.

      

Making 2016 Super!

First, there was Christopher Reeve.

From 1966 to 1978, Adam West defined the super-hero genre. Three seasons in Prime Time on ABC, and as here and there on Saturday morning cartoons, his version of Batman was how super-heroes were seen. Then Christopher Reeve came along as a then modern day Man of Steel and there was a burst of super-hero activity. Wonder Woman had been tried. Spider-Man mad an attempt. So did Captain America and Dr. Strange. Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno came along with The Incredible Hulk. That did pretty well for awhile.

Christopher Reeve's Superman redefined the super-hero genre.

After the failure of Superman III and Superman IV, the franchise went in another direction. Bringing Superboy to the small screen. This wasn't easy. Following the 1985 DC Comics line-wide event Crisis on Infinite Earths, The Man of Steel returned to his roots as The Last Son of Krypton. He didn't have adventures as a Boy of Steel. There was no Superboy, Krypto or Supergirl. There was no Bottle City of Kandor, either. The world of Krypton was left behind, and Kal-El was the lone survivor of a dead and forgotten world. His tie to the Legion of Super-Heroes was severed.

This is where Superboy came in. The television series was the first weekly series produced outside of Hollywood, at Disney/MGM Studios, and later Universal Studios, in Florida. It was also a comic book television series written by comic book writers, which was pretty unique.

Most television series tie-in comic books had a certain style about them. Alex Toth, Ric Estrada and Ramona Fradon kept the look of the Super Friends cartoon in the tie-in comic book. That wasn't the case with the first issue of Superboy: The Comic Book. Clark Kent didn't look like either John Haymes Newton, who played him in the First Season, or Gerard Christopher, who played him from Season Two on. Lana resembled Stacy Haiduk... a little. The characters didn't look like the Superboy comics that had come before, either. 

The story is interesting.

The night before leaving for Florida and Shuster University - named for co-creator Joe Shuster - Clark and Lana are at a going away bonfire where Pete Ross and a girl named Becky argue over who's the better driver. They agree to a drag race on the dangerous Lakeshore Road. Pete loses control of his car and Clark rescues him. Lana points out that almost everyone has had a mysterious Guardian Angel save them. Huh, imagine that! Next she's creeped out by the motor oil on Clark's hand.

Heading back home, Clark finds Pa waiting up for him. Jonathan gives Clark a rousing "with great power comes great responsibility" talk. It's pretty similar to the "destined for great things" talk Glenn Ford's Jonathan gave a Young Clark in Superman: The Movie.

The next morning Ma and Pa Kent see Clark and Lana off at the bus station.

Shuster becomes the Great Wide Open World for Clark and Lana. To mark the occasion, she lets down her hair. They have an unfortunate first meeting with TJ White. He's the son of Daily Planet editor Perry White. His father wants him to become a photo-journalist, but his heart, Rock music and stand-up comedy. In case you were wondering, TJ White is the series' comic relief. Ironically, he's Clark roommate.

On their way to the bonfire at the start of the issue, Clark and Lana saw a meteor shower. One of the meteors is now being tested at Shuster University. The tests go awry and there's a blackout, spreading from the university into town. Clark races to help over at the local hospital. When things get serious at the University Research building, he soars into action as Superboy.

What is interesting about this meteor is it's just a meteor. It's not Kryptonite. An alien life form has attached itself to the meteor. The alien recognizes Clark as a fellow alien, too. Maybe that's the whole point. A way to establish Superboy as otherworldly. But wouldn't he already know if Pa kept the remains of the rocket? Unless that little detail is not part Superboy's background. Superboy promotes that instead of Pa Kent dying from a heart attack, and Clark heading to the North Pole to build the Fortress of Solitude and getting his education there, Kal-El became the Boy of Steel and had college adventures. Oh, and Pa's still alive.

It's an interesting direction to go in pre-Smallville. It's a pretty solid comic book story by writer John Moore, pencilled by Jim Mooney, inked by Ty Templeton - who would go on to make a huge name for himself - edited by Jonathan Peterson and Mike Carlin. Carlin, incidentally, would later be immortalized as the villain Mastermind in The Batman Adventures.

It's an interesting direction to go in for "Superman's adventures when he was a boy". Superboy filled a lot of comic book pages in Smallville; maybe they were thinking to go where no one had gone before. There's an Afterward that explains the premise of the companion comic as continuing the adventures from the syndicated television series. Filling in the blanks and missing pieces that are not shown in live action. It should be interesting to see where this series goes.