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Wayne Markley

by Wayne Markley

For well over two years now I have complained about DC’s new 52, however to be fair, they are doing some fantastic reprints of their past material that I have not discussed. DC has an continuous series of huge paperback reprints under the showcase provides banner. For fans of the pre-New 52 DC, like myself, these showcase collections are fantastic trips down memory lane to a time seemingly forgotten however still liked by a few of us. The showcase provides are trade paperback collections with over 500 pages (in a lot of cases) as well as they reprint big pieces of DC Comics from their huge vault. These are a fantastic method to sample DC’s past as a lot of all of them are less than $20 as well as for the page count, these are a bargain. The only unfavorable is they are in black as well as white instead of color. DC is still doing their traditional material in color in the Archive series, however that has slowed down to four books a year as well as the cost has boosted to $75 a volume making them for a choose few, whereas these showcase volumes are for everyone.

First, a short history of the title showcase as well as DC Comics. Originally, showcase was a comic from the mid-1950s and, like the title suggests, it was a showcase for new characters as well as titles. There were many one-shot stories that cause continuous series later on, such as Hawk as well as the Dove, Creeper, opponent Ace, Bat Lash, Angel as well as the Ape, Phantom Stranger, as well as lots of more. however a lot more frequently there would be several problem runs, generally three issues, with one character and, if sales justified it, the character would get their own book. Within these miniseries with in a series (before there were miniseries) were the introducing pad for such popular characters as Flash, eco-friendly Lantern, Adam Strange, Atom, metal Men, area Ranger, as well as lots of others. The series was revived at one point in the 1980s as well as continued with the premise of showcasing new characters, such as the all-new Doom Patrol, Power Girl, as well as others. then in the 1990s it was revived once again as a showcase for new talent, a few of who went on to ended up being rather famous. In the last few years, DC has when once again revived the title as a series of “phone book” reprints that spotlight the rich DC history. I am going to go over just a handful of these books although there are almost 100 different volumes so far.

Showcase provides Bat Lash

Bat Lash is an example of a handful of showcase provides DC did that were shorter than the other collections as well as therefore cheaper. This volume runs 240 pages as well as collects all the Bat Lash material from his very first in appearance in 1968 with 1982. It is of note since in the collection there is Bat Lash’s very first appearance in showcase in addition to all seven problems of his own title, plus different other appearances. Bat Lash was based rather loosely on the old TV show Maverick, as well as told the story of a great looking young gambler who would rather like than fight (although that seldom worked) as well as features fantastic art by the late Nick Cardy. While Bat Lash has only a cult following, these stories are a few of my favorites that DC has ever published. Well worth inspecting out.

Showcase provides Doc Savage

Showcase provides Doc savage sticks out as a collection for a couple of reasons. The very first is it reprints the Marvel’s Doc savage magazine from the 1970s, total with pin-ups, articles as well as whatever else. Secondly, considering that these stories were originally in black as well as white this reprint looks fantastic as well as you do not lose anything in the shift (that is the loss of the color). Plus, these are a few of the very best Doc savage stories ever done.

Showcase provides Ghosts

Ghosts was a long-running DC Comic starting in the 1970s and, as the titles suggests, each comic is full of ghost stories. The stories are similar to what Gold crucial was doing with Boris Karloff provides as well as The Twilight zone comic, in these are short horror stories created to tingle your spine. The stories variety from traditional ghost stories to metropolitan legends, however each tale is a extremely great read. As the title went on, it ended up being a lot more as well as a lot more dependent on Filipino as well as European artists (like its sibling titles home of secret as well as home of Secrets) as well as handled a generic look, however these early problems function some exceptional work by Mike Kaluta as well as others. This very first trade is well over 500 pages as well as collects the very first 18 problems of the original comic.

Showcase provides The Haunted Tank

Haunted storage tank was a long running function in the pages of GI Combat.It told the story of four soldiers that were “helped” by a civil war general (who was a ghost) who guided these soldiers with all kind of adventures. The stories were written by Robert Kanigher, however the art was by the fantastic Russ Heath for many, lots of years, as well as Sam Glanzman after that. These are war stories with a supernatural tint, however the storytelling as well as the art is a few of the very best ever done.

Showcase provides Jonah Hex

Jonah Hex debuted in All-Star Western #10 as well as a legend was born. Jonah was a Civil war vet with horrible scars as well as made his living as a bounty hunter. These early stories, originally by John Albano as well as later Michael Fleisher (who defined the character) are the extremely finest of the spaghetti western mixed with gritty art. The stories ranged from unfortunate tales of Jonah’s past to ultra-violent gunfights with poor guys, poor girls, as well as whatever in-between. Jonah Hex was the Punisher before there was a Punisher. I like these original stories, because of their over-the-top storytelling to the ever altering artists who always seemed to catch the filth of the world Jonah lived in. If you have never checked out these tales, do yourself a favor as well as try the very first volume as well as a second volume is coming in the spring. As a quick aside, please do not be put off of Jonah Hex by the motion picture of the exact same name, they have next to nothing in common.

Showcase provides The Losers

The Losers comprises a group of DC war heroes that never seemed to be able to support their own books. Gunner as well as Sarge (and Pooch), Capt. Storm, as well as Johnny Cloud were thought about to be out of luck as well as they might not catch a break. Yet these stories tell tales that are both full of experience as well as heart break. when once again the stories are written by Robert Kanigher as well as the art is by Ross Andru as well as then for lots of years by the extremely underrated John Severin. like the Haunted storage tank above (and Sgt. rock as well as opponent Ace), these are war stories absolutely unlike Marvel’s Sgt. Fury, as these people feel the impacts of war as well as it is not pretty.

Showcase provides The Phantom Stranger

The Phantom complete stranger originally was a comic from the mid-1950s, however in the late 1960s DC revived it with the horror trend going on at the time. They added physician 13, the Ghost Breaker, as well as together the Phantom complete stranger as well as Dr. 13 would play feline as well as mouse in an continuous series of stories that were both suspense as well as horror. like the Sea Devils below, the genuine reason to get this book is the art. The very first few problems were drawn by Neal Adams as well as he was replaced by the likewise extremely underrated Jim Aparo. For my money, this was a few of Aparo’s finest work. His art came to life off the pages as well as his covers were just amazing. The stories at times were a bit corny or difficult to accept, however the art was great. Aparo was a fantastic draftsman who never got the acclaim I believe he deserves. Every month he cracked out innovative stories with directly ahead storytelling as well as innovative designs. He was a genuinely special artist who should have much wider appeal. together with Tales of the Batman: Jim Aparo (two hardcover volumes collecting his work on the take on as well as the Bold), I believe every fan of fantastic art of must have the very first showcase provides The Phantom complete stranger on their shelf.

Showcase provides Sea Devils

Sea Devils is the story of four underwater adventurers. To be fair, the stories are not all that great, however the art by Russ Heath makes this book a need to have for any type of comic fan. This volume collects the showcase problem of Sea Devils (1960s) in addition to the very first sixteen problems of their own title. I am not going to go into detail as these stories do not should have a great deal of attention, outside of the breathtaking art by Heath. It likewise serves to keep in mind these stories were done at the time when TV shows such as Sea search as well as Voyage to the bottom of the Sea were prominent so it is understandable why DC did a comic about undersea adventures.

Showcase provides The war That Time Forgot

The war That Time failed to remember collects all of the classics army vs. Dinosaur stories from the pages of star Spangled war Stories. These stories stick out to me as fond memories, as exactly how can any type of youngster withstand army soldiers battling dinosaurs? While the idea seems to be limited, the team of writer Robert Kanigher as well as artists Ross Andru as well as Mike Esposito were able to somehow make each problem feel new as well as original. A traditional DC war book unlike any type of other.

For decades DC did a number of romance comics. The only one they have collected to this point is young Love. This very first volume reprints problems #39-56. Within the 544 pages are tales of heartbreak as well as like lost (and at times found) by a few of the biggest creators from the 1950s including John Romita, Don Heck, gene Colan, as well as lots of others. It is interesting to checked out these stories (that were aimed at teen girls) as well as to see exactly how different a world it was then. Plus, nearly every story ends with a delighted ending.

In addition to these volumes I have provided here, there are many volumes reprinting in buy stories featuring Superman, Batman, question Woman, Robin, Justice league of America, the legion of Super-Heroes, trial of the Flash, Blackhawks, Doom Patrol, home of Mystery, home of Secrets, tricks of the Sinister home (which I extremely suggest since it likewise reprints the early problems which were gothic romance stories with great art by Jeff Jones), Sgt. Rock, showcase (the original title), Tales of the Unexpected, as well as many, lots of more. any type of of these volumes, whether provided right here or spotlighted above are well worth your money as well as are a bargain at the cost as well as page counts.

Everything written in this blog is my viewpoint as well as does not show the thoughts of Westfield or their employees. I want to take a moment as well as desire everybody a delighted holiday season as well as a delighted new Year. Comments, positive as well as negative, are welcome at MFBWAY@AOL.COM.

Thank you.