DC's T'was the 'Mite Before Christmas #1

This year's annual holiday release from DC Comics is representative of the complaints many of the fans of the publisher have been grousing about all year. The story telling is pretty darn good; but could be better. The artwork has devolved collectively. And the DCU is just too full of lame characters in an attempt to diversify it's lineup in order to appease every demographic.

As with 80-page giants of year's past, there are 8 stories inside. Batwoman outsources some help when the Riddler terrorizes Gotham over the 8 nights of Hanukkah. Superman gives a dose of his signature hope and optimism to a young man in crisis on a lonely Christmas Eve. Batmite makes a holiday visit to the Batcave where he encounters Damian Wayne for the very first time to disastrous effects. Lex Luthor is visited by a trio of spirits while the Raven is left home alone at Titans Tower during an attack by members of the Fearsome Five. Harley Quinn and Princess Amethyst switch roles for the holidays as a techno-virus turns Booster Gold into a clone of Santa Claus. And then there's a D-level former member of the Teen Titans who feels sorry for himself and receives a dose of It's a Wonderful Life. 

All of the stories except for that last one were of a quality ranking for a 6 or higher. The Superman, Lex Luthor and Raven stories were 9s or better. Booster's tale, the Harley switcheroo and Batmite stories were decent. The Batwoman story could have been better. Yes, it is very heavy on LGBTQ+ themes. But that's not why I ranked it low. The solutions for the Riddler's puzzles were really confusing and that art of the last page looked like it was drawn by somebody else. It just didn't look right from the rest of the story.

The one story that stunk was indeed a part of DC's Pride line-up. But again, that's not why I gave that story a 2 out of 10. It was a lame story about an even lamer superhero named Bunker, who I've never heard of in 40 plus years of reading comic books. That being said, I refuse to believe that someone as virtually unknown as Bunker would really be the catalyst to saving the DC Universe from Dominators. I could think of dozens of low-level characters who would have more of a direct impact over the DC Universe if they weren't born than Bunker. Ragman. Obsidian. Crazy Quilt. CALENDAR MAN!

I'm also shocked that of these 8 stories there's not 1 tale starring a black or Asian character. 

Another thing missing has to do with something I applaud DC for at least making a small effort to include. As I mentioned, the Superman story involves a young man who is about to commit suicide on Christmas Eve until the Man of Steel stops him. Inside the back cover of this book there are a couple of phone numbers and other contacts for suicide prevention including the Jed Foundation for teens and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). As one who experienced a best friend killing themselves (and was a huge DC fan), I appreciate DC Comics including those contacts. But why didn't they include 988, the new, easier to remember phone number of the National Suicide and Crisis hotline??? I asked my wife about this omission and her being a social worker was appalled at 988's absence. 

I liked a majority of this book. The Ben Caldwell cover and the clever pun to A Visit From St. Nicolas with the book's title were awesome. It's just that there was too much focus on characters that aren't big names in DC Comics. I can't believe I am gonna say this but I think it would be best if DC killed off 50% of it's cast of characters. And not for a brief snap like with The Infinity Gauntlet. Kill off all of the C and D list characters. Get rid of all of the legacy characters. Keep it to one Flash, one Robin, one Superman for 5 years. (Multiple Green Lanterns would be allowed. Just not as many as usual.) Write good stories that focus on quality instead of quantity. You can still have black, Asian, gay/queer, and Latino characters. Just make the field of players smaller for a little while in order to appeal to readers who want to be entertained. I understand that people need to feel represented in the media they enjoy. But just because I have a pair of adopted goats, I don't need DC to create a superhero who has a Nigerian Dwarf for a sidekick to feel like I have a place in this world. 

T'was the Bat Mite Before Christmas had good storytelling. Now DC should get back to great storytelling instead of trying to check boxes to make everyone happy. And while you're at it, recruit some new art talent. This holiday special was definitely NOT a feast for the eyes. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Small Miracles

The Cartoon Network series Baman: The Brave and the Bold was the perfect comic book series. Many hated the show for being too silly and as a superhero cartoon, it probably was a little too hokey. But it was a flawless show for comic book fans, especially those of Golden and Silver Age DC Comics. Just like the classic Silver Age Comic 'The Brave and the Bold' each episode had Batman teaming up with another hero or team for a fun caper. Actually, he'd team-up twice per episode, first during the opening teaser scene and then for the rest of the show with different character. So it was like getting two episodes in one.

The comic book followed the formula exactly and this collection of issues was a shining example of the exceptional work being done at DC to bring the animated series to as much life as the print medium can. Here, the Caped Crusader races with the Flash, practices escape artistry with Mister Miracle, and learns the true meaning of Hanukah with Ragman.

    There were three notable issues in this collection. Here's a rundown of my favorite tales in descending order:

3: A typical week in Batman's life has the Dark Knight fighting a different menace daily while teaming with a vast array of heroes throughout the DCU.

2: With Batman in a coma, the Phantom Stranger assembles a collection of Robins past and present in hopes of saving the heroes life.

1:  In the final issue, Batmite falls in love with Batgirl and along with Batman, the trio takes a historic look at the history of DC romance.

   It's very fitting that Batmite appeared in the final issue of the series as he was the last character to team up with Batman in the final episode of the series. Though I just loved that episode and this issue in question was such a treat- it's very bittersweet seeing the end of Brave and the Bold. I really enjoyed both series and think it was a travesty for it to end. (Hopefully it will one day make a revival like Teen Titans Go! has done recently.)

    Lastly, I want to speak about the books in general. I said that this volume was a collection of issues of the series. Actually, it's a collection of two series. DC published 'Batman: the Brave and the Bold' and then for some reason they cancelled it and published 'The All-New Batman: the Brave and the Bold.' 'Small Miracles' collects issues from both volumes. I have no idea why DC decided to cancel the first title and then replace it with another. But it does make for some confusion when you are trying to collect all of the issues related to this classic series.

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

"Batman: Mitefall"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

I’m not really sure that this tale qualifies as an Elseworld. It doesn’t carry the imprint, but it is a spin-off of the “Legends of the Dark Knight” series that’s comprised of Elseworld-like adventures. The only reason I read this book, much less added it to my collection is that it was included on Wikipedia’s list of Elseworlds titles.

The art doesn’t work. It’s too raw and childish. Although O’Neil’s art is a perfect fit in his work on “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” series. But here, it’s much too jumbled.

Also, the storyline is a complete mess. Now in all fairness, this problem may stem from the fact that I did not know that this was a sequel to a story arc in the “Legends of the Dark Knight” series. Yet, while I am inclined to collect that series in the future, I’m not in dire need to read the prequels any time soon.

Superman and Batman: World's Funnest by Evan Dorkin and Friends

WORTH CONSUMING!

This is one of my (new) all-time favorites. Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite destroys every possible world in the DC Universe (Pre-Crisis, Post-Crisis, and even the Crisis itself). And it boasts an all-star cast of illustrators. This is very much in the realm of “Matt Hembeck Destroys the Marvel Universe”, only funnier.

Essential for DC fans, even if you don’t like Elseworlds.

Once I finish with all the Elseworlds, I may re-read this tale to bring the whole series full circle.