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.

The L.A.W. (Living Assault Weapons) #1 of 6

 

    When an ancient Hindu god banishes the JLA into another dimension and then uses his demon hordes to wipe out the combined military forces and remaining superheroes of the world, there’s very little hope for planet earth. Thus begins a new mini-series epic from DC Comics 1999. The twist is that what little hope for planet earth is in the form of 6 c-listers from the old Charlton Comics super hero line. Blue Beetle, Judo-Master, Captain Atom, the Question, Peacemaker, and Nightshade.

 Does this list of super-heroes seem a little strangely familiar to you? Well, they should because essentially the L.A.W. is what Alan Moore’s legendary macro-series Watchmen could’ve become if DC allowed him to use the Charlton characters as he originally wanted. Owlman was based on Blue Beetle. Doctor Manhattan was to have been Captain Atom. Silk Spectre was based on Nightshade and the Question and Peacemaker were the respective templates for Rorschach and the Comedian. (I’m not sure who Judo-master was supposed to be as the character that inspired Ozymandias isn’t supposed to be in this mini-series.)

   I am excited about the prospects of this series. I love the old Charlton super heroes as I remember reading some of their exploits in my dad’s comic book collection as a kid. I also like the fact that some of the original artists and writers from those Charlton books, such as Dick Giordano and Bob Layton have been recruited for this mini-series. Already, the art is great and the introductions of the characters is very good. In fact, I am now interested in reading more about the character Fate, who is used in a minor role to introduce Nightshade. To make a minor character that much more interesting and they’re just there to move a certain aspect of the plot forward speaks volumes of the talent of this book’s writers and artists.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.