DCU HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2009 #1

Review by: Jeff Reid

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Size: pages
Price: 5.99

Knowing that I’m usually a sucker for Christmas comics anthologies, and non-continuity anthologies in general, I picked this book up hoping for a few unique short stories that wouldn’t work elsewhere. Happily, I got exactly that.

Instead of breaking down reviews of all 13 tales, I’m just going to hit you with a few impressions that stayed with me after I read the book. Besides, some stories are only a page long and are just cute little throw-away stories. There’s no need to get into those. They’re a fun bonus.

Guy Gardener tale – I haven’t been keeping up with Green Lantern Corps, so I don’t know what Guy Gardner is up to these days. Recently, I did buy most of his solo ’90s series, and this had the same feeling to it as that old series. This story focused on why Halloween is Guy’s favorite holiday and it made a solid case for it. The story made the character more interesting.

Outsiders tale – The current incarnation of this team isn’t one I know much about either and this story doesn’t make me want to find out. Mostly, I blame Kelley Jones’ art for that. At times, the characters come off as blocky, with odd proportions. The story itself felt rushed and may have played better had it been given more than 8 pages.

Batman/Robin/Red Robin tales – Three stories that revolve around three different Robins. It was a good choice to put these stories back-to-back. It allows the reader to compare and contrast Dick, Damian, and Tim in an interesting way. Matt Triano’s Red Robin art was dark and muddy, making it my least favorite of the three.

Kid Flash tale – Mirror Master afraid of Bloody Mary? Brilliant. Can’t believe this hasn’t been thought of before. Great short story with a Halloween theme.

Wonder Woman tale – A fun diversion but nothing extraordinary.

Superman and Flash Race – Easily the best story in the book. The art by Billy Tucci is gorgeous and the story that he wrote worked extremely well. I would love to pick up any of the pages from this story. This is one story I’ll probably share with my wife.

Superman tale – Eh. Fairly forgettable.

In the end, this was a solid special. If they make another one next year, I’m there.

Story: 4 - Very Good
Art: 3 - Good

Comments

  1. I’m not a Kelley Jones fan either.

    The Barman/Robin/Red Robin threefer makes me wish my shop had ordered this.

    Who won the Flash race? 

  2. I should have said that the Batman in the Batman tale is Bruce. It’s a tale of Halloween past. Dick does make a great appearance though.

    And the race? Well, I don’t want to give too much away on that one. But, the Flash did win. I’ll just leave it at that.

  3. Kelley Jones was an artist on this? Damn….If I known that I would’ve bought it.

    Great review.

  4. @JeffR – I may actually order this one.  Maybe if it is brought up during the podcast and I hear a couple more positive comments.  (six damn dollars).

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