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KC Carlson by Keith Wilson

A KC COLUMN by KC Carlson

Crisis on infinite Earths #1

Most comic book fans of a specific age keep in mind dilemma on infinite Earths. This 12-issue 1985-1986 series from DC Comics was written by Marv Wolfman as well as pencilled by George Pérez with inks by Dick Giordano, Jerry Ordway, as well as Mike DeCarlo. Originally, it served DC Comics as a business to both attempt to simplify their fictional universe, in addition to define it more consistently by much better organizing their out-of-control alternating or parallel universes. however you understand what they state about the best-laid plans…

Even if fans weren’t old sufficient to check out the series then, they most likely caught up with it at some point. dilemma (and its buddy publication Who’s Who: The conclusive directory of the DC Universe) assisted get DC Comics more interest after lagging behind marvel for many years, as well as it provided an interesting sense of enabling creators to try new things.

Legends #1

Something that’s worth a second look is DC Comics’ Legends miniseries from 1987 — the follow-up event series to Crisis. reasons why it’s important: The innovative team is John Ostrander (plot), Len Wein (script), John Byrne (pencils), as well as Karl Kesel (inks).

Ostrander’s profile was elevated by both Legends as well as the spin-off suicide Squad (the original one, which I’m currently re-reading while being snowed in). Wein previously composed many DC titles including Superman, The Flash, Swamp thing (co-created w/Bernie Wrightson), as well as different incarnations of the Justice League. Byrne has either written or drawn most contemporary heroes, however he’s most noted at DC for the 1980s The Untold legion of the Batman, the 1986 guy of Steel miniseries, as well as for contributing to both Superman as well as action Comics for many years.

BIG action IN A little PACKAGE!

Legends #2

Legends (the core title) was only a six-issue miniseries, which instantly made it less of an investment of both time as well as money than something like dilemma or Marvel’s trick Wars. There were 16 extra crossover problems that connected into Legends, however few of them are 100% essential. It’s one of the unusual “event” titles where the core series reads well on its own — as well as it seems somewhat apparent that’s the method it was designed to be.

Legends #4

Legends is basically earth vs. Apokolips. Darkseid is the primary villain of Legends, as well as as the series opens we see him making a wager with the Phantom complete stranger that he can turn humanity against its heroes. Darkseid, of course, utilizes many of his minions in his campaign — most notably glorious Godfrey (thinly disguised as media pundant G. Gordon Godfrey). Godfrey’s power is mind control, as well as the noise of his voice (he’s constantly on TV) turns people against Earth’s heroes. Batman is particularly targeted as Robin is attacked as well as injured by mind-controlled mob.

Legends #3

Further, Darkseid sends a mind-controlled elemental named Brimstone to assault the Detroit-based Justice league (remember them?) plus Firestorm as well as a time-traveling Cosmic boy from the 30th century legion of Super-Heroes. president Ronald Reagan (the U.S. Commander-in-Chief at the time of publication) declares martial legislation as well as bans all superhuman activity in America. Amanda Waller, introduced right here as a member of Reagan’s defense department, activates “Task force X” (aka the suicide Squad) — a team of expendable, imprisoned super-villains who subsequently ruin Brimstone.

SPIN-OFFS THAT MATTERED!

Suicide Squad #1

Important things that spun-out of Legends: suicide Squad (starring Waller), the Keith Giffen/J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin McGuire comedy/action Justice league series, as well as a new Flash title. two series that were previously re-booted were likewise re-introduced in Legends: Captain marvel (Shazam) as well as question lady (although arranging issues meant that she wasn’t introduced up until problem Legends #6, so she basically just appears in a cameo).

Cosmic boy #1

Other spin-offs from Legends include a four-issue miniseries starring Cosmic boy from the legion of Super-Heroes — the very first time a LSH character got his own miniseries. one more fascinating spin-off was trick Origins #10, which features the Phantom complete stranger as well as offers up four different origins for the character. There’s even a one-issue Warlord tie-in to the series.

Legends: 30th anniversary Edition

For some reason, it took permanently for DC to gather Legends, however it lastly occurred in 1993 in a 130-page paperback collecting Legends #1-6. as well as in 2016, a Legends: 30th anniversary edition was made offered in both print as well as digital formats. Again, it collects only thesix core problems — although it has the much much better cover of the two books — reprinting Byrne’s dynamic cover for Legends #6.

There has never been a collection featuring both the six-issue core Legends series as well as the 16 crossover issues. At this point, it seems that there never will be one. Which is most likely okay, since the core series stays a tight as well as interesting bit read. I’d like to see more “Event” jobs comply with this model, without the padding that as well frequently wastes the preliminary enjoyment of the concept.

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KC CARLSON sez: I always believed Legends was overlooked when people talked about DC Crossover events. provided the level of the creators involved, plus the fairly short duration (6 problems vs. 12), as well as powerhouse group of characters, I always believed that more people should have gotten behind it. sometimes brevity is best.

WESTFIELD COMICS is not accountable for the stupid things that KC says. particularly that thing that truly irritated you. It snowed right here all the time today, as well as nobody came to plow out our street. There’s some irritation for ya!