Last weekend while I was at the In Stock Trades shop, I saw both of these books on the shelf, and they look beautiful from the outside. They were, however, shrink wrapped, and thus I was unable to thumb through them. I've heard about both of them, and I knew that at least the Viking Prince one would have some pretty Joe Kubert art in it, but didn't want to buy either of them sight unseen.
The only reason I even considered either of them is that they were so sharply discounted, being at this store. But still, I was wondering if anyone could lend any insight into either of these hardback books. I've really enjoyed reading through the Jack Kirby Omnibus editions as well as the Steve Ditko ones. I've gotten into the old artist editions as well (like the Don Newton, Jim Aparo, Gene Colan volumes with their Batman work).
Any help would be appreciated!
Replies
I don't know how discounted they are but I would urge you to buy them. Both are great volumes to own, as I have them both! The Viking Prince by Kanigher and Kubert ranks as one of their best works, worthy of being on the same shelf as Sgt. Rock and Enemy Ace. If you're a Kubert fan, you won't be disappointed!
The Atomic Knights might have some iffy science behind it and the plots may be both overly complex and far-fetched but again there's Murphy Anderson art! It's probably DC's second best sci-fi series of the Silver Age, behind Adam Strange, natch! You really can't go wrong with either!
Thanks, Phil! I will buy them both on my next trip. I believe they were both discounted by 40%, which makes that decision an easy one.
Philip Portelli said:
I've only read a few Atomic Knights stories, but the feature has always been a favourite of mine. The post-WWIII world of the strip was depicted as devastated and reduced to local communities, but the stories weren't downbeat. Typically the Knights would go on a trip somewhere in response to a disturbing report or some need of their home of Durvale, encounter a fantastic menace or local tyrant, face it/him bravely, and find a rational way to overcome it/him.
I only recall reading one "Viking Prince" story, and his "Sgt. Rock" two-parter from Our Army at War (which is apparently in the volume). I don't remember the former very well; I think it was about the Prince trying to prove himself by facing a danger which he interpreted in supernatural terms but we wouldn't. The Our Army at War story was more fantastic, involving the supernatural.