Showcase Presents: DC Comics Presents: The Superman Team-Ups, Volume 1

   The team-up comic is one of those things that polarize fans. Some reminisce fondly at the thrill of seeing their favorite heroes and villains team-up together for the very first time. But there are those that recall how the plots were hokey, the art was rough, and that the climaxes were premature. I'm one of those readers whose in the dead center and the first volume of Superman team-ups was a prime example why.

   I learned recently that in order to maintain the copyrights or licensing rights of a character, both DC and Marvel would hastily publish a team-up story in order to renew the franchising rights. That's a prime example of the issue involving Firestorm. His title lasted only 5 issues and once co-creator Al Milgrom went to Marvel, the clock on started to countdown to a time where the artist could have claimed ownership of  an unused character and made the Nuclear Man an Avenger instead of a Justice Leaguer. So, to prevent a lawsuit and a transfer of property to their main competition, DC rushed to put out a Superman/ Firestorm team-up in order to maintain the claim on the Firestorm character.

   But in that issue, the art was haphazard. Superman looked too top heavy and the ghostly visage of Dr. Stein looked like someone stuck the face of a 1950s pastor in the top corner. The story itself was so rushed that the ending happens in 3 panels with only a small closing box to announce that Superman was nominating the hero for membership in the League.

   Another problem with this title that I had was that some story lines would cut off after an issue or tow and be left unresolved until months later. I understand that things happen: a writer leaves a project, an editor gets fired, or an artist gets sick and thus an idea gets shelved. But to not include a little thought balloon to let us know that Superman is still on the case of a missing boy, for instance, makes for some shoddy plotting.

   But enough bashing the Man of Steel. This series started in the late 70s right before the live-action Superman movie. As a little guy seeing the Man of Tomorrow in living color on the big screen- I feel in love with the character. (He's my #2 all-time favorite hero and I groom my hair in a curly-q and wear Clark Kent glasses because he's such an important character to me.) This collection of team-ups brought back some fond memories. Not only that, there were some great stories, awesome covers, and dynamic art that makes up for any shortcomings in this series. So much that I cannot wait to get my hands on volume 2.

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.