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- DC Comic: The Shade #1 of 12 (A-)
- DC Comic: The Unexpected (B)
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DC Comics Reviews: After the New 52 Relaunch
Some post 52 Relaunch reviews for DC titles. By
Tim Janson
October 16, 2011
The Shade #1 of 12 by James Robinson and Cully Hamner(2011).
© DC Comics
Well just because the New 52 have all been released doesn’t mean that DC Comics is going to just throw everything into these 52 diverse baskets. This week we take a look at a new one-shot revival of the classic anthology series The Unexpected as well as The Shade #1, the first of a 12-issue mini series.
The Shade #1 of 12
Written by: James Robinson
Art by: Cully Hamner
Published by DC Comics
Grade: A-
Longtime character The Shade returns in an new twelve issue series from the team of James Robinson and Cully Hamner. The Shade has undergone a lot of changes since being introduced back in the Golden Age. He’s gone from being a simple petty criminal to being revamped in the 1990s as an immortal character who could manipulate shadows but whose true origin is shrouded in mystery. The aristocratic character is found sipping tea on the balcony of his mansion along with Mikaal Tomas, the new (old) Starman. The Shade, Richard Swift, admits to being melancholy in the month of October as that was the month of his creation. Despite Starman’s inquisitive probing, however, The Shade refuses to divulge any details about his origins although saying “creation” is an interesting choice of words. Cut to a man which we presume is some type of government agent fighting off a group of costumed assassins and realizing that he has warn the Shade of an impending danger. That danger comes in the form of Deathstroke, The Terminator.
What looked like it might be merely an establishing story for the opening issue ends up having an incredibly shocking ending for The Shade. This will certainly lead to some new revelations about just what exactly The Shade is and how his powers function. This is a character that has always been intriguing as his nature and motives are so completely ambiguous. Frankly I would have much rather seen The Shade get his own, on-going title over many of the lightweights who got their own title in the New 52 Relaunch. He’s not only an interesting character but he’s being handled by James Robinson who made him a central character in his critically acclaimed run on Starman in the 1990s. He has understood and used the character better than any other writer. I also applaud the return of Mikaal Tomas, the 1970s Starman to a larger role in the DC Universe. It seems these two character’s destinies are intertwined no matter which version of Starman is used. Hamner is a solid artist whose heavy lines are a good match for a character who uses shadows for a superpower. His style isn’t suited to every character but it works well here. Definitely one of the best titles I’ve read in the few weeks since the last of the New 52 were rolled out.
The Unexpected
Written By: Various
Art by: Various
Published by: DC Comics
Grade: B
DC Comics’ longtime anthology title gets new life in an 80-page one-shot that will lead to a new title for one of the stories and could possibly be the precursor to a new on-going title for the series. The 80 page issue is a nice nod to those 80 page “giants” that DC put out in the 1960s and 1970s…all except for this one carries a $7.99 price tag. There’s a total of nine stories in all in the book. While the original Tales of the Unexpected tended to concentrate on Sci-Fi stories, this iteration moves more towards the horror and dark sci-fi. There’s nothing futuristic here although there are several post-apocalyptic tales that have a dark future slant to them.
The book opens with Dave Gibbons’ “The Great Karlini”, the story of a talented escape artist who runs afoul of a vaudeville show owner when he marries his daughter and then cheats on her. A number of the stories in the book are similarly themed morality plays. Some work and others don’t. This one does because Gibbons is such a brilliant storyteller and frames his work so well.
“Dogs” is a tale that surmises what might happen when dogs decide to stop being man’s best friend and want to control the world. More of an urban fantasy that’s silly but harmless.
“Look Alive” is a zombie apocalypse story about a zombie who works to maintain her beauty all so he can attract the man of her dreams. Good story but not crazy about Jill Thompson caricature-type artwork.
“The Land” was one of my favorite stories in the book. A story dealing with racism on a current and ancient level as a ranch hand is accused of murdering the grandson of his boss. But the true threat is something much more evil.
“A Most Delicate Monster” is tinged with humor and is a brilliant tale by writer Jeffrey Rotter (what a name!). Neanderthals are resurrected through fossil DNA and this tells the story of their re-insertion into modern society.
“Family First is yet another post-apocalyptic tale about two teenagers fending for themselves in this harsh world. One of those Twilight Zone tales of irony but with a decidedly gory edge.
“Alone” was my least favorite in the book. It’s a vacuous story about a man who is killed and becomes a ghost and a revelation about his less than grieving wife.
“2012” is still another post-WWIII story but what makes this one different is that it is told through the eyes of a child who lives for a hundred years. Cartoony art but a thoughtful story by writer Brian Wood.
Finally, “Blink” is a prelude to the upcoming Voodoo Child series and is set in 1800s New Orleans and features Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen.
I hope DC resurrects The Unexpected as an on-going title. I grew up reading great anthology titles like The Witching Hour, Ghosts, Chamber of Chills, and so many more. They can be a great outlet to introduce new talent not to mention providing a little diversion from the everyday superhero stuff. Anthologies can be uneven by nature but all in all, The Unexpected #1 is a solid read.
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Wow, I wasn't aware the Unexpected was getting a new ongoing. Thanks for the review, Tim. I'm looking forward to reading both these titles. I'm hoping that some of DC's classic supernatural characters start showing up, too. That would be great news for me! :)