|
 DC Universe [all categories]
 DC Universe Archives
 The Greatest DC Stories Ever Told (Page 2)
|
 UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! This topic is 9 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: The Greatest DC Stories Ever Told |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted October 24, 2001 01:30 PM
 
I recently send Paul Levitz (to whose fanzine I used to contribute, around the time that Old Dude tamed fire and Spangles invented the wheel) a proposal for Dinosaur Comics. Actually, I've pushed this idea several times already during the past ten or so years, on anyone at DC whose ear I could catch -- usually Bob Wayne's. (Bob and I go back a ways, too, at least to the Neolithic.) This, however, was a formal prospectus, complete with table of contents, publication data, photocopies of appropriate covers and splash pages. Paul regretfully replied that he'd love to do it, but the market for DC trade paperbacks wouldn't support it. Which is just about what I expected him to say. So back it goes, into the file with all of my other pet anthology projects. The Greatest Secret Origin Stories Ever Told. The Strangest Sports Stories Ever Told. Adventures on Other Worlds. Monsters. Magic and the supernatural. Robots. Time travel. Alien invasions. Gorillas on the loose. Sigh. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted October 28, 2001 01:51 AM
By way of bumping this thread back from the verge of oblivion ... did anyone else latch on to the DCU Christmas trade paperback published late during the last century? Never mind whether you actually celebrate Christmas or the winter solstice or something else or nothing at all: this collection contained genuine treats, including several 1940s goodies -- Wonder Woman by William M. Moulton and Harry G. Peter, The Sandman by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain Marvel by Pete Costanza, and Superman by Jerry Siegel and Jack Burnley -- as well as the inevitable Dickens hommage (in this case, "A Swingin' Christmas Carol," from Bob Haney and Nick Cardy's Teen Titans), and a couple of relatively recent pieces, one each of Paul Dini and Ty Templeton, that are good for chuckles. I wouldn't at all mind a second such volume. There is surely enough material to fill it, and then some. Consider: Angel and The Ape, "The $500,000 Doll Caper," Limited Collectors' Edition # C-34 (1975), by John Albano, Bob Oskner, and Wally Wood. Captain Marvel Jr., "Freddy Freeman's Xmas," reprinted in [i]The Best of DC{/i] # 22 (1982), with art by Mac Raboy. Justice League of America, "The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus," issue # 110 (1974), by Len Wein, Dick Dillin, and Dick Giordano. Batman, "The Loneliest Men in the World," [i]Batman # 15 (1943), or "A Christmas Peril" (# 27, 1945), or "The Silent Night of the Batman" (# 219, 1970), or "Silent Night -- Deadly Night" (# 239, 1972), or "And in the Depths," Christmas with the Super-Heroes # 2 (1989) -- well, you get the idea: Batman Christmas stories alone would probably fill a book. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted October 29, 2001 10:46 AM
... and, if A DCU CHRISTMAS, why not A DCU HALLOWEEN, A DCU VALENTINE? Any excuse for a trade paperback of reprints of older material is okay be me -- and it strikes me that, while inspirational endings are de rigueur for Christmas tales (you don't see hopelessly dysfunctional families in A DCU CHRISTMAS, except Darkseid's), Halloween and Valentine's Day offer a bit more leeway. The operative Halloween phrase is "Trick or Treat," right? And the course of true love never runs smooth. Ly. So, let's have some nominations here -- and I'll start with a 1964 story entitled "Halloween Cats," written and draw by Sheldon Mayer, working at the peak of his form. Sugar Plumm and Spike Wilson are confused when their parents dress them in cat costumes; then they decide that felinity must be the next stage in the human life cycle. As for the love stuff, let's not restrict ourselves to, say, Simon & Kirby's YOUNG ROMANCE (terrific though it was), nor even to love-and-spandex such as "Date With Density," a really funny story from the mostly only allegedly funny 1980s JUSTICE LEAGUE. Dig, people -- come up with a good story on the theme of love from, oh, LEAVE IT TO BINKY, say, G.I. COMBAT, MY GREATEST ADVENTURE ALL-STAR WESTERN, or PLOP! IP: Logged |
|
Osgood Peabody Member |
posted October 31, 2001 07:40 PM
Off the top of my head, there are a couple of Halloween treats that stand out from my youth - both set in Rutland, VT: "Night of the Reaper" - from Batman 237, written by Denny O'Neil, art by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano. Featuring the Dynamic Duo tracking down a Nazi war criminal, with the annual Rutland Halloween parade as a backdrop. Great story - and what really sticks in my mind is an awesome full-page panel of the Batman swooping down on the villain! And unlike many O'Neil/Adams masterpieces, I don't think this one has ever been reprinted! "A Stranger Walks Among Us" - from JLA 103, story by Len Wein, art by Dick Dillin and Dick Giordano. An offbeat Halloween story, with the JLA off to Rutland to battle the machinations of Felix Faust. This also features a parody of various Marvel heroes, magically compelled by Faust to do battle with the JLA. And to top it off, the Phantom Stranger in the first of his enigmatic appearances with the League! IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted November 01, 2001 07:39 AM
I remember those stories, Osgood, and applaud. "Night of the Reaper" has been reprinted, however -- in Batman in the Seventies. It somehow did not find its way into The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told back in '89. Like the still-unreprinted "Night of the Stalker" -- a virtual blueprint for all the grim 'n' scary Batman stories published afterward -- t was beaten out by (choke, gasp, Good Lord) "Bat-Mite's New York Adventure." IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted November 02, 2001 03:08 PM
How many stories have there been about Superman racing The Flash, how many of them are worth reading, and how many would it take to fill a trade paperback? I'll stoop to almost anything to avoid having to write bump. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted November 04, 2001 07:57 PM
All of the wishing we do on this and other threads is great fun, of course, but from time to time a reality check is useful. So, here's Dave Stepp, from another thread, on why we probably shouldn't hold our collective breath waiting for some of our pet hopes to be realized: "... Cost recovery, whether it's an Archive, an 'essential', a TPB or a just a recreation of the floppy, is the number one thing DC has to consider. The last thing they (and we) want to do is lose money. The Millenium Editions, as assayed by pre-orders, were a bust. Very low orders, less than 10K in many cases and poor sell through. Note that the Essentials for major characters like Spider-Man are only in the 5000 range. What would they be for a Nova series? A Omega the Unknown series? Marvel is not lining up to stick their necks out either. Ant-Man is only being considered because he has a cult following on Usenet who have sworn to make it successful. Hell, DC is leery about Aquaman being a profitable. Hawk and Dove have no prayer. "The best hope for the obscure characters is in fact that continued existence and health of the Archives line. DC has become to cautiously experiment with things like Black Canary and early evidence suggest that this will be rewarded. Since they can't extend the BC series, they are likely to experiment with something else (probably not the Creeper) to fill the gap (assuming the economy does not drop out). Ultimately, All-Star Comics will run out, etc etc and DC will keep things filled. They are trying Sgt Rock this year. Who would have asked for that?" Also, I don't want to write bump. IP: Logged |
|
Old Dude Member |
posted November 05, 2001 05:39 PM
So, you spend half the time bumping up this thread to keep it going, and the other half dashing our hopes with (ugh!) reality! Thanks loads, Utley. IP: Logged |
|
Old Dude Member |
posted November 06, 2001 12:11 AM
OK, OK. I was just kidding. You guys can start posting on this thread again. IP: Logged |
|
Old Dude Member |
posted November 07, 2001 01:27 AM
No, really. I'm done. I promise. Don't let this be another thread I've killed. There are already too many on my conscience. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted November 23, 2001 09:47 AM
Old Dude has been wracked with remorse long enough, so: bump. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted December 20, 2001 08:03 AM
Come on, people. I said Old Dude has been punished long enough. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted December 20, 2001 10:21 AM
Another thread on this forum addresses the contrast between DC's plot-driven science-fiction comics and Marvel's penchant for unleashing giant squamous monsters named Goom. There is plenty of room in my heart, if not in my closet, for both. DC never completely eschewed monsters, however: you'll find them lurching and slurching through the pages of everything from Tomahawk to The Fox and the Crow. Thus, one of the items on My Extensive Wish-List (imagine Fibber McGee's closet, but on paper) is a trade paperback showcasing memorable DC monsters, including Solomon Grundy, The Beast From the Runaway World, The Astounding Separated Man, The Wolf-Man of Metropolis, and Lois Lane's Monster Sweetheart. Anyone got other favorite fiends? IP: Logged |
|
Dr. Midnight 32 Member |
posted December 20, 2001 12:40 PM
I think I have an idea that would make everyone happy. DC should just make THE GREATEST OBSCURE STORIES EVER TOLD trade paper back. It could be a limited number run that is based on pre-orders. It would be a bit expensive, but I look at it as like buying a limited edition DVD. Somtimes you have to pay more to get the extra cool stuff you want. You're getting what you want (obscure and classic stories of a variety of characters, to be decided by a poll like the Millenium Editons.), and so is the company (the fans quit complaining about the lack of stories for these characters and they get some cash). Doesn't that sound like it would make everyone happy? IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted December 20, 2001 02:30 PM
The those stories are obscure is that they haven't been reprinted. The reason they haven't been reprinted is that they're obscure. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted December 20, 2001 02:32 PM
Gah, prunes. "The reason those stories are obscure ...." IP: Logged |
|
Old Dude Member |
posted December 20, 2001 09:01 PM
Thanks, guys. I thought i'd killed this thread forever. IP: Logged |
|
bolverk999 Member |
posted December 21, 2001 01:47 AM
I *loved* the "Greatest Stories" series. I exclusively collect Batman comics...but I still bought "Greatest Flash" and kept "Greatest Team-ups" even though I already have the Batman stories in it. I liked "Greatest Stories" because they allowed someone like me, who is *not* going to lay down $50 for an Archive devoted to a character other than Batman, to still have all of the important characters and events in DC history represented in my collection. "Greatest Stories" should resume, with the purpose being to create a sort of "canon" or "Bible" of "essential" DC stories, which each collector can supplement with material of his choice (i.e. Archives featuring his favorite characters, etc.) I didn't realize plans had gone so far ahead with the "Greatest 60's Stories" book. I know there were plans for a "Greatest JSA Stories" book, which would include "Five Drowned Men" from All-Star 37. My own list for "Greatest Stories" would be as follows: Greatest Wonder Woman With Superman and Batman, these heroes were published continuously between the Golden and Silver Ages, and, therefore, should be published first. Greatest Green Lantern With the Flash, these characters were revived in the Silver Age, and should be published next. Greatest JSA At their peaks, each of these teams represented the "flagship" title at DC (or All-American, where the JSA is concerned). Consequently, they should be published next...they would probably be the best sellers, too. After that, it would be free for all...any character from any time period, based on consumer demand, promotions, etc....just as DC currently decides which Archives to publish based on the need to promote new series, or in response to a character's popularity. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted December 21, 2001 07:41 AM
You're going to fit in just fine around here, bolverk999. IP: Logged |
|
MidnightSon Member |
posted December 21, 2001 03:03 PM
Hi! I just posted a Question on the "Other DC universe topics " board asking how many "Greatest stories ever told" books were published, and what was their names. I wonder if anyone here can help me out with a complete list... IP: Logged |
|
bolverk999 Member |
posted December 21, 2001 05:48 PM
quote: Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told With the exception of "Batman" Volume 2 and "Golden Age," all were released in both hardback and paperback. "Golden Age" was released in hardback only. "Batman" Volume 2 was in paperback only, but was available in two different covers. It was released to cash in on the movie "Batman Returns": it could just as easily have been called "Greatest Catwoman and Penguin Stories Ever Told." "Joker" was issued in a third edition, "Stacked Deck: The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told Expanded Edition," which included three extra stories. In paperback form, the series was eventually numbered: "Superman" was Volume 1, "Team-Up" was Volume 4, "1950s" was Volume 5, and "Flash" was Volume 6. Although my copies do not have this numbering, I assume that "Batman" and "Joker" were Volumes 2 and 3, respectively, based on their release dates. A "Justice Society" volume was planned as of 1990, and, as I learned from this message board, a two-volume "1960s" edition was also planned. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted December 28, 2001 01:03 PM
James Friel, over on the "80- and 100-Page Giants" thread, got me thinking about all of those ape yarns that appeared in DC books during the 1950s and '60s. The story goes that, upon discovering that putting a gorilla on a cover would boost sales, gorilla covers proliferated to the point where word came down from on high, or at least from Irwin Donenfeld, restricting their use. Well, as I say somewhere else on this thread, any excuse for a juicy reprint collection is fine by me. Even apes. And I thought I had posted, somewhere, a hypothetical contents page for DC Goes Ape[/i -- including such memorable entries as "The Gorilla Boss of Gotham City," "Titano the Super Ape," Congorilla and "The Abominable Snowman," The Green Arrow and "The Ape Archer," [i]Angel and the Ape, and Gorilla Grodd -- but my memory seems to be playing me false. So, help me out here, name your favorite DC gorilla yarns. IP: Logged |
|
Osgood Peabody Member |
posted December 28, 2001 04:45 PM
"Gorilla Wonders of the Diamond", a very strange Strange Sports story from Brave and the Bold 49, courtesy of Fox, Infantino, and Giella. IP: Logged |
|
Ace Arn Member |
posted December 28, 2001 05:21 PM
I'll give you my vote for the WORST gorilla story ever told... "Secret of the Man-Ape" by Otto Binder, from Strange Adventures #75 and reprinted in From Beyond the Unknown #23 (see http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=26390 ) Lord, it was awful. Alien invasion scout comes to Earth in the form of a gorilla, as their telescopes indicated that gorillas were the dominant life form. Realizing his error, he allows himself to be captured by a scientist experimenting with evolving apes into humans. Scientist hides his formula in three library books, to protect it from his suspicious assistant. Gorilla escapes and follows scientist, who is hit by a bus and killed. Helpful passerby picks up the books and returns them to the library(!). Gorilla goes into library, demands the books from a librarian (who is relieved when she realizes that the gorilla is not actually speaking, he's only using telepathy!), then hotwires a car and escapes. Scientist's assistant follows gorilla, who drives car off a cliff and dies. Lord, was that story awful. I loved it. IP: Logged |
|
Steven Utley Member |
posted December 28, 2001 06:43 PM
I found my list of DC ape epics. Some but not all of the items on it follow: "The Gorilla Boss of Gotham City," BATMAN # 75 (Feb.-March 1953) "The Amazing Trial of John (Gorilla) Doe," STRANGE ADVENTURES # 100 (Jan. 1959) "The Abominable Snowman," ACTION COMICS # 255 (Aug. 1955) "The Human Pet of Gorilla Land," STRANGE ADVENTURES # 108 (Sept. 1959) "Challenge of the Gorilla Genius," STRANGE ADVENTURES # 117 (June 1960) "Titano, the Super-Ape," ACTION COMICS # 138 (July 1960) "The Ape Archer," WORLD'S FINEST COMICS # 116 (March 1961) "Captain Baboon's Space-War," MYSTERY IN SPACE # 68 (June 1961) "The Island of Super-Monkeys," BLACKHAWK # 184 (May 1963) "Tunnel of Terror," STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES # 110 (Aug.-Sept. 1963) "World Where Evolution Went Wild," HAWKMAN # 6 (Feb.-March 1965) "Distant Cousins," SWAMP THING ANNUAL # 3 (1987) IP: Logged |
This topic is 9 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 All times are ET (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Contact Us | DC Comics
Copyright © 2003 DC Comics
Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
DC COMICS PRIVACY INFORMATION
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47