As some of you may, or may not, know; I’m often a bit of a heretic when it comes to epic comics and graphic novels.
Traditionally there are four or five big ones that get quoted by the mainstream media and comic “experts” of both the down-the-pub and actually-in-the-industry variety. Watchmen, Maus, Killing Joke… They always crop up and everyone nods sagely, agreeing that these mighty tomes exemplify all that is great and good and wonderful about the funnybook industry.
While I fully agree that such opinions are entirely subjective, I find that the books I feel are the best examples of comic books, are sometimes those slightly off the beaten track.
So, in the first of a series of blogs about over-looked and hidden gems, I present DC Elseworlds – The Golden Age… (Currently in print as JSA: The Golden Age)
Written by James Robinson (Before he wrote Starman, the greatest series of all time, no arguments please) and drawn by the massively talented and now rarely seen Paul Smith, this 4 issue mini-series explored what happened to the heroes and heroines of the DC Universe in the aftermath of the Second World War. Many retire, some carry on the fight, some marry, some divorce but through it all, the feeling of where American society was at that time, shines through. While many heroes choose to give up the life behind a mask, a little known hero by the name of Mr America returns from the war and becomes a national hero, having assassinated Hitler. As he gains the government’s trust, he avoids the HUAC hearings that force his contemporaries to walk away into obscurity and starts to build his own team of super-powered heroes.
There are several plot strands that weave through the series, ultimately linking together and revealing quite the conspiracy.
Taking the insignificant sidekick Dan The Dyna-Mite of a the almost equally insignificant hero TNT, Mr America harnesses the new atomic age to remake the young man into Dyna-Man. The new hero, shown on the cover above represents the new future for America; bright, colourful, powered by atomic energy but as with all tales, there’s a price to be paid and a dark heart.
While the second half of the story does delve into some very over the top scenarios, bear in mind that those kinds of tales were de rigueur in the pulp novels and comics of the time.
As the conspiracy gathers pace, lines are drawn and the retired heroes choose sides and a final confrontation looms.
Whilst ostensibly labelled as an Elseworlds (DC’s alternate realities line) there is little to correct in order for this book to fit into their established continuity. In fact, there are a lot of elements in this book that are carried over to Starman and the characters there. He gives the heroes and heroines of the 30’s and 40’s very modern issues and problems, from marriage troubles to exploiting their abilities for personal gain. He also captures the social tone, with it still very much being a world where men were men and women were in second-place. As the series progresses over a period of months/years, things do change, attitudes soften and eyes are opened, not just to the conspiracy but society’s progress.
Paul Smith’s art is perfect for the book too. He captures the sense of hope in the post-war America, but manages to convey the dark underside equally effectively. The colours used pop off the page, with heroes as bright primary coloured beacons of hope and villains and their deeds suitably shady and grimy-looking.
There was originally supposed to be a sequel by the same creative team, called, unsurprisingly, The Silver Age. This however never came to fruition, but I feel Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier serves as an excellent companion piece.
Go take a read, let me know what you think.
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