A
wee bit of history for ya, kids: Back in the early 1970s, DC Comics published
100-page super-spectaculars, which were a gold mine for the avid comics reader.
For only 60¢, they featured a brand new story, and a handful of associated
reprints. A Justice League might contain a Silver Age JLA story, as well as
Golden Age Justice Society tale. For many readers of my generation, it was the
best exposure to Golden Age stories.
Now DC has
resurrected the format, exclusively to WalMart. I applaud the move, as it
reaches new readers who may not have easy access to a comic book store, and
presents stories in a robust format – $100 pages with a price point of only
$4.99. I say “only” because it’s more than four times the number of pages for
less than twice the price.
DC provided
the Bin with advance copies of this week’s offerings featuring the lead stories
of each, but not the entire 100 pages. As before, I am guessing the balance of
the book is reprints. Not a bad idea, as many of the stories from late 1980s
and ‘90s aren’t too far removed (continuity-wise) from what’s being published
today. DC editorial can choose stand-alone stories that casual readers can
enjoy.
In this
week’s Superman lead, Batman enlists the Man of Steel’s help in what appears to
be an extra-terrestrial kidnapping. But Superman becomes emotionally involved, believing
no one else on Earth is capable of getting to the bottom of the crime. It’s a
bit more than the usual super-hero slugfest we often see. It emphasizes the MAN
over the SUPER.
But I am
curious as to what else is in this issue. I may have to start visiting WalMart
on a weekly basis. Pray for me.
Rating:8/10