Superman Family Adventures #1

June 4, 2012, 2012

Title: When We All Lived in the Forest

Writer: Art Baltazar & Franco
Art: Art Baltazar
Editor: Kristy Quinn
Publisher: DC Comics

I was, I admit, somewhat despondent when DC Comics announced the end of their brilliant all-ages series, Tiny Titans. That heartbreak was assuaged, however, when word came that the creators of that book were going to take the same comedic sensibility and apply it to a new title, Superman Family Adventures. Having read the first issue of this new title, I feel like they haven’t missed a beat.

Set in the same continuity (such as it is) as Tiny Titans, Superman Family Adventures #1 picks up a few years later. Superboy and Supergirl are a little older, but still children, and the focus shifts over to their older cousin Superman and the rest of his friends (and foes). This issue, his arch-rival Lex Luthor plans yet another of his many attacks on Metropolis, and Superman and the gang – including Krypto and a new friend – team up to save the day.

This book takes a very interesting approach to the story. The plot feels like it could have been pulled straight from any number of silver age adventures. Luthor is legitimately trying to do bad things here, but there’s a sort of goofy innocence to the plot – no murderbots, no women in refrigerators, no Dr. Light-style attacks on the Justice League satellite to worry about. Just some good old fashioned robots programmed to steal Superman’s powers. Simple.

What makes the book great, though, is how the creators take that simple, silly concept and apply their unique style of comedy to it. The puns, the visual gags, and the situational humor is all distinctly their own, and it all blends very well with the Silver Age flavor of the plot. They also bring in satire of some of the contemporary DCU elements – for example, discussion of the new costumes that the characters are wearing in the New 52 era. This sort of modern lampooning is the sort of thing they did in their previous comic, and it still works here. The combination of familiar elements makes this a comic that feels very much like a spiritual successor to Tiny Titans while, at the same time, succeeding as its own entity.

In fewer words, I really liked this book, and I’m really glad this creative team still has a home with the toys of the DC Universe.

Rating: 9/10

Tiny Titans #45

November 6, 2011

Title: Batgirl! Batgirls!

Writers: Art Baltazar & Franco
Art: Art Baltazar
Cover Artist: Art Baltazar
Editor: Kristy Quinn
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC

In the batcave, Barbara finds a stash of Batgirl costumes and decides to have a little party. It’s Batgirl, Batgirl, Batgirl and Batgirl in “Batgirl! Batgirls!” As the Batgirls start to run rampant, Robin rounds up a few Robins of his own. Also: the Secret Six. Once again, the team behind Tiny Titans produces one of the most entertaining comics on the shelf. The book is sharp and wonderfully referential, bringing in tidbits and commentary about a lot of what’s gone on in the DC Universe(s) in the last few years. As with all great parodies, though, this is done with a very loving touch, presenting the characters in a way that’s really funny, but still making clever quips that will work just fine for older readers. The younger readers, fortunately, won’t notice anything and will still enjoy the book as a simple kids’ comic. The fact that they can bring in the Secret Six, probably the least kid-friendly DCU comic of the last decade, and still make it work so well is a fine testament to the talents of Art Baltazar and Franco. This is the best comic out there for kids, and fortunately, there’s plenty for their parents to enjoy as well.

Rating: 8/10

Tiny Titans #42

August 1, 2011

Title: Young Bizarros in Love

Writers: Art Baltazar & Franco
Art: Art Baltazar
Editor: Kristy Quinn          
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC

Supergirl’s imperfect duplicate Bizarrogirl has come to Earth. This being Tiny Titans, though, rather than coming to blows, Supergirl invites her to a pancake breakfast. Also there is Superboy’s duplicate, Match… and it’s love at first sight. Now in the real DC Universe, this would invite all kinds of uncomfortable, squicky questions about genetics, cloning, and Bizarros, but in the world of Tiny Titans we just move right on to Beast Boy’s fruitless pursuit of Terra. It’s an all-love issue, and it’s really funny. Art Baltazar and Franco have really mastered the light, gentle comedy of this title, creating something that’s got enough wit and cleverness to appeal to the adults, while still maintaining its entertainment value for the intended audience of much younger readers. This is one of the strangest spotlights they’ve done yet, and they sell it really well. This is the best comic being published for the beginning reader, and if you’ve got a kid that’s trying to learn (and that you’d like to get into comics) you need to swarm on it right now.

Rating: 8/10

Young Justice (2011 Series) #4

June 23, 2011

Title: By Hook Or By Web

Writers: Art Baltazar & Franco
Art: Mike Norton
Colorist: Zac Atkinson
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover: Mike Norton & Alex Sinclair
Editors: Jim Chadwick & Michael McCalister       
Publisher: DC Comics/Johnny DC

The Black Spider and Hook have captured three of our heroes, but Robin’s got something special up his sleeve. Once he, Kid Flash, and Aqualad bust out, we get what amounts to a slam-bang action issue, as our three heroes tussle with the two villains. The action works very well, with the writers giving each hero a bit of a spotlight, showing off their powers and what sets them apart from their teammates. The villains are somewhat generic, but in truth, they mostly amount to living MacGuffins anyway – important only in that they give the heroes someone to fight and a way to show off what they can do. This is, sadly, Mike Norton’s last issue on this series. It’s a real shame, too – he’s got a perfect style and sensibility for these heroes. He’s long proven himself one of the most dependable and underrated superhero artists in the industry, and while I’m sure he’ll be happy to move on to more high-profile projects, this series is going to miss him.

Rating: 7/10