DARK CRISIS #3 DC COMICS
For the past few months, all I have heard about is the return of the Justice Society! But I’ve heard that before. I believe DC has promised me the return of the Justice Society at least three other times and failed to deliver. Cameos and flashbacks do not count. In fact, the only real DC comic that has managed to deliver on a portion of that process has been the recent Flash storylines because either the current Flash creative teams don’t care (and God love them for it!) or the fact that Jesse Quick, Jay Garrick, and Max Mercury are part of the Flash family and this overrides the no golden age character rules. So I didn’t lose my *bleep* over the latest announcement of their return. And I’m glad I didn’t. 1 page! 1 flipping page that I swear was put in so that they could use it as an alternate overpriced cover. No explinations, no sorry we’re late, nothing! And what a continuity free gathering we have floating in. A version of Doctor Fate wearing what appears to be a onesie? Wildcat II and the Beth Chapel Doctor Mid-Nite (weren’t they killed by Eclipso quite a while back?) Oh wait, these might be the WB Stargirl versions! (How does that work?) And yet no Stargirl or Stripe? Some versions of Hawkman and Hawkgirl that are to far in the backround to properly guess at? And what’s worse is the inane dialog here. “We’d love to help.” “…should have come to us from the start…” The Justice League is “dead”, the Teen Titans have been destroyed (although I can’t help but notice that Beast Boy didn’t die) and the world is in chaos after the villainous attacks continue. You’re implying that the memebers of the original super-team has been just sitting around the house waiting for a call? Please! Did DC come to writer Joshua Williamson when he was 3/4 of the way done with the script and say, “Hey, can you wedge an appearance of the Justice Society in the book to get the old crybaby fanboy to shut up for a while?” Hate to say it but that what it looks like to me. And now that my old fanboy rant is over with. I am interested in what just happened to Hal Jordan. Which is the one saving grace here. Thanks to that, it gets a 4 out of 10 Grahams. 
NEW CHAMPION OF SHAZAM #1 DC COMICS
The Fawcett Family of comic characters have always been a hit or miss since the days of their initial creation. In the beginning, under the wise and practiced hands of such legendary figures as CC Beck, Marcus D. Swayze, Pete Costanza, and so many more, the heroes of such titles as Wow, Master, Whiz Comics, and of course, Captain Marvel Adventures struck a cord with readers. To this day that lightning in a bottle is the subject of college theses and books. Only twice since those early days, has that lightning been close to being recaptured. Once in the 1970’s when DC “took on the characters” and was able to recreate the charm by freezing the entire city in suspended animation only to have it revive in the modern world. And once in the mid 1990’s when under the title Power of Shazam and the masterful hands of Jerry Ordway. In-between these moments, many have tried to retell and update the classic tale of a poor boy who is given super powers with lackluster results. With Shazam movies in the mix now, I gave up hope of seeing the return of the good old days. However, I was unable to ignore Joshua Middleton’s jaw dropping rendition of Mary Marvel. And initially, Josie Campbell’s story shows early signs of recapturing that charm. Having Mary removed from the movie family dynamic and on her own at college is a wonderful way to restart the story. And it also reminds me stories of another “super” girl who went off to college in the 1970’s. Add in Hoppy, the Marvel Bunny and we are off to a good start. I hope this can keep up the good work. I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
SURVIVAL STREET #1 DARK HORSE
More than just a little disturbing! This is even more eerie than the “lost” episode of Sesame Street featuring the Wicked Witch of the West! But not how you would think. The images of beloved puppets (or the more politically correct, Felt-Americans!) planning out act of insurrection and chaos are not as mind-blowing as James Asmus and Jim Festante’s storyline (that is not that far off base) of a corporation run America. And no where is that more apparent than in the initial timeline presented to us on page one. This still shows us that children’s shows can teach even hardened adults lessons. This one is pure genius even though it bummed me out for the rest of the day. 10 out of 10 Grahams.
