As part of their New Golden Age, DC has released three new series spinning out of the current Justice Society series.
Wesley Dodds: The Sandman takes us back to the Golden Age, alright, when Sandman wore a business suit, fedora, & gas mask to fight crime. Wes Dodds was repackaged in the 90's, via Vertigo's critically acclaimed Sandman Mystery Theatre, as a scientist who developed the formula for his gas gun and sleep gas.
The way Robert Venditti envisions it, Dodds now has a player on the other side, as someone privy to his secrets has stolen the formula. Riley Rossmo, normally a humor artist of some repute, attempts to capture the spirit of the Golden Age. So far, he's succeeded through 2 issues.
Rating: A-.
Venditti is also back at the helm for the new Superman '78 miniseries, "The Metal Curtain". Oh, boy.
A few years ago, DC experimented with an Elseworlds where Superman landed in Russia instead of the US. Consider here that Venditti is creating his own Metallo, one who is a Russian soldier. It isn't going to be the same as the Metallo we're used to.
Newcomer Gavin Guidry teams with Jordie Bellaire on the artwork, which, again, captures the spirit of the intended era, and this is meant to serve as a bridge leading to "Superman II". And, oh, yes, there is another Batman '89 book due soon.
Rating: B.
The obsession Archie Comics has with their darker version of the iconic town started with the recently completed Riverdale series. The obsession continues with the 1-off, Welcome to Riverdale, which is a bit of a riff on the 70's horror classic (?), "The Stepford Wives". Just sub Riverdale for Stepford, and you get the idea. Amber Lightstone, the evil witch thwarted by Sabrina two Halloweens in a row, returns here. However, the artwork is nothing to write home about. There appears to be a Sabrina-centric sequel on the way. Avoid if the art is this bad.
Rating: C.
For their What If? Dark series of 1-offs, Marvel turned to Blade creator Marv Wolfman to offer what they wish was closure to Wolfman's seminal Tomb of Dracula series from the 70's. Let's just say that closure is the theme of the book. No one was buying when Wolfman returned to his 80's Teen Titans creations a few years back, but this 1-shot shows he's still got the master's touch.
Rating: A-.
Legendary Pictures & Warner Bros. wanted to develop a universe where Godzilla & King Kong could exist. The movie, "Godzilla vs. Kong", wasn't exactly a winner with genre fans, so what to do?
How about a miniseries in which the two icons of the cinema meet the Justice League, as well as the Legion of Doom?
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong is set for 7 issues. In this continuity, Lois Lane & Clark "Superman" Kent are dating, which is good news. Brian Buccellato's script shows that the returning Titano is a robot this time. Shan't be surprised if there are other swerves.
There are changes to the Legion of Doom. For example, the original Toyman, Winslow Schott, is in for Jack Nimball, the goof in the jester suit who was killed in the comics while Challenge of the Super Friends was on the air 45 years ago. The Cheetah has a more contemporary, bestial appearance. Lex Luthor, Giganta, Captain Cold, Black Manta, & Grodd round out the Legion roster here. Well, in this case, less is more. Looks like fun.
Rating: A.
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