"DC Retroactive" One-Shots

[Jeff of Earth-J]

1970s BATMAN: Of the three that shipped last week, I think the Batman one was the best (my favorite, anyway). I won’t say that the main story (by Len Wein and tom Mandrake) really convinced me it was a “lost comic book from the ‘70s,” but it did remind me very much of a comic from the ‘80s. The villains were the Terrible Trio (i.e., the Fox, the Shark and the Vulture), who I remember from a Batman coloring book I had in my childhood. I don’t know if they ever appeared in comic books, but this trio “bought the franchise” from the originals. The story is open-ended and seems to be setting something up (perhaps to be resolved in the “’80s” or “’90s” issues?). I can’t say I really mind paying five bucks for a reprint along with the new story, because I likely won’t have any of the originals in the first place (at least not from the ‘70s when I read strictly Marvel, man). This issue’s reprint is Batman #307.

1970s FLASH: Again, the main story (by Cary Bates and Benito Gallego) didn’t necessarily seem very “1970s” to me, but it is told with a story-telling sensibility seldom seen in today’s comics, so I’ll happily accept it for what it is. One problem is that the ending tried to foreshadow the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, which a true 1970s story could never have done. The indicia indicates that this issue’s reprint is Flash #210, but (although I have never read it) it is clearly DC Comics Presents #2. It’s the conclusion of a two-part story, but with enough exposition that it’s not necessary to have read the first part of the story to follow the second. It may even read better that way.

1970s WONDER WOMAN: The least ‘70s-like of the three (especially art-wise), 1970s Wonder Woman (by Denny O’Niel and J. Bone) doesn’t even have a proper ending at all, thus reinforcing my guess that these one-shots are going to be continued, at least thematically, into the other decades showcased in these specials. I do own this issue’s reprint (Wonder Woman #201, in the fourth and final tpb reprinting Diana’s “powerless” period), that’s all right.

[ClarkKent_DC]

The Fox, the Shark and the Vulture originally were Batman foes from the 1950s.

[The Baron]

Wow, Jeff, you read alot more comics than I do.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Thanks, Kelvin. I thought they might have been, but I wasn't sure. (Chances are I even have the story in my collection somewhere, but have forgotten.) I also wanted to mention earlier that these one-shots make a good complement to the Silver Age series of one-shots from a couple of years ago. I keep both series filed in the same box as the Julius Schwartz tribute series and "Stan Lee Meets..." series of one-shots.

[Border Mutt]

Were the stories supposed to feel like they were written in that decade?  I went in under the impression they were just reuniting teams from each era to tell another story with a character they were associated with.  I just assumed that the creative teams that have been less active recently would have an older feel to their stories.  I guess it would make sense though if they were supposed to specifically synch up to the same type of story they told back in the day.

 

I didn't pick up the WW one but I agree, the Batman issue was stronger than the Flash issue.  The Flash stories keyed into nostalgia but if more were published, wouldn't be something I'd read nowadays.  The Batman stories had a different sensibility from modern comics but would be something I could see buying on a regular basis in this day and age.

 

Since I started collecting in the early 80s, I figured (other than JLA) I wouldn't be very likely to own the 70s reprints but yeah, I do own the original DC Comics Presents # 2.  Even still, I kind of like the format and am looking forward to the rest of the DC Retroactives.

 

 

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Were the stories supposed to feel like they were written in that decade? I went in under the impression they were just reuniting teams from each era to tell another story with a character they were associated with.

Oh! I thought so (but that may have been just an assumption on my part). You may be right. But that still wouldn't explain some of the creative choices, particularly J. Bone. In any case, they're titled "DC Retroactive," so they are obviously intended to be so in some manner, in theme if not style. I, too, like the format and am also looking forward to the rest.

[ClarkKent_DC]

The stories were marketed as being untold stories from the era; yes, they are supposed to read like, look like, and seem like '70s, '80s or '90s comics.

[Travis Herrick (Modular Mod)]

Clark Johnson is right!

[Emerkeith Davyjack]

...I liked the idea of them going back to/acknowledginging the Diana Rigg Wonder Woman period yes you're right , the art was kinda like those attempt to do a H. G. Peter-style Wondy during the 80s .

[Emerkeith Davyjack]

...(Spoiler)...the Batman story introduced " contemporary " versions of the 50s villians and made one of the 3 modern FSV the son of Luicus Fox !

(1) Does every black hero's friend/assistant have to have a gone-wrong son ???

(2) Was this ever referred to before ???

(3) The reprint seems to me to have come from the era - That is , a little before the concept of " homeless person " as it has been used in the last 30-some years came to be generally used , as that is what the prey/victims/secondary characters in the story were - They weren't called " street people " either . ( Or the more insulting " bums " . ) 

[Philip Portelli]

I'm looking forward to these but I'm hoping the reprint isn't better than the new story!