Back Issue #148 December 2023 (magazine review).
This issue of ‘Back Issue’ delves into ‘DC Super Stars of Space’, with an intriguing opener by writer Dan Hogan on ‘From Beyond the Unknown’, a space anthology that repurposed tales from DC’s earlier titles like ‘Strange Adventures’. The article captivates with its side-by-side comparison of the evolving covers.
Front and centre on the cover is Adam Strange, whose saga is meticulously recounted by John Wells. I admit to ambivalence regarding a hero reliant on zeta-rays for interstellar jaunts — it’s puzzling why these cosmic hitches aren’t more common. Yet, the narrative adjusts my perspective slightly, noting other DC stalwarts like Hawkman and Batman have also harnessed zeta-rays. The enduring appeal of the series, it seems, is rooted in the fond memories of its myriad writer-fans.
Phillip Schweier’s piece on ‘The Fabulous World of Krypton’ offers a deep dive into the lore of Superman’s natal orb, typically tucked away in his main strip’s appendices. Despite my reservations about its disconnected past, the series intrigues, especially highlighting Krypton’s lack of a Green Lantern candidate and pondering if Kryptonians knew of their potential superpowers under a yellow sun.
Alissa Marmol-Cernat tackles the formidable Mogul, arguably Superman’s superior in might, a pioneer among beings like Darkseid and Doomsday. Mogul’s inception by Jim Starlin aimed to furnish DC with a Thanos-like nemesis — a goal audaciously achieved.
Brian Martin traces the lineage of the Omega Men, perceived by some as the Titans’ kin, given their proximity to Starfire’s Tamaran. The expansive roster, peaking at over a thousand members, includes Lobo, introducing a ‘gentle’ irony to the fierce bounty hunter’s debut.
Robert Greenberger’s conversation with Richard Bruning sheds light on the crafting of ‘Adam Strange: A Man of Two Worlds’ (1990), now a graphic novel. Securing artists for the trilogy proved challenging, but it culminated in the Kuberts’ pioneering artistry — Andy on sketches and Adam on hues, with Adam sharing insights in a separate chat.
Echoing a sentiment from their correspondence section, I find myself among those scouring for early TwoMorrows releases. Far from mere retrospectives, these publications offer a dynamic chronicle of comic lore, enriched by years of dialogues and a dash of wistfulness. A treasure trove not to be overlooked.
GF Willmetts
February 2024
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 82 page illustrated magazine. Price: $10.95 (US). ISSN: 1932-6904. Direct from them, you can get it for $10.95 (US))
check out websites: www.TwoMorrows.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_54&products_id=1761
