The DC Universe as we know it begins to take shape as a mysterious ship crash-lands in Smallville, and years later, Superman makes his debut. Meanwhile, inGotham City, Batman emerges from the shadows to clean its crime-ridden streets,and after years of isolation from Man’s World, Wonder Woman leaves the paradiseof Themyscira for modern society. A new age of heroes dawns as Barry Allenrecounts the formation of the Justice League through the events up to and leadingto his death during the Crisis on Infinite Earths!
New History of the DC Universe #2 is a must-read. The history of comics can be confusing, and yet the way this is being told breaks everything down in a way we can easily understand. The artwork stuns and shines as it brings a flurry of emotions with every panel. Read Full Review
This oral history of the DCU, as told by Barry Allen, has a lot of continuity knots to untangle. This issue, which brings in two new artists including the iconic indie artist Mike Allred, takes us into the age of modern superheroes, which means a lot of the story beats are a lot more familiar and a lot closer together. Read Full Review
Mark Waid and Mark Russell reveal DC's Silver Age and Bronze Age eras in New History of the DC Universe #2, but not without repeating mistakes of the past. Read Full Review
Waid script is just about as perfect as it can get combining the numerous continuities into one streamlines version.
I don't mind some changes like the JLA's New 52 origin (with Cyborg) moving back in time to the early Silver Age or squeezing in the Superman Project (from Doomsday Clock). Waid makes it work.
The art however...
Fact Brad Walker is extremely under-rated. Each page of his is beyond gorgeous. He is exceptional. He (and Tomasi) should never have been taken off Batman!
The other half of the book is drawn by Mark Allred - who is also very good in his own way - but their styles do NOT mesh. After salivating at a Walker page, Allred just becomes a let down. I love that they use two artists for ea more
This was excellent but my only nitpick is that they should have included The Man Who Laughs by Ed Brubaker as the first encounter of Batman and Joker. It's just a modern reworking of Batman #1 and that issue is mentioned, and it doesn't affect Joker Year One since Joker doesn't meet Batman in that story. Mr. Waid if you're reading this, could you please add it in the TPB?
It's a bummer The Long Halloween and Dark Victory aren't included, since most people consider those the definitive versions of those events.
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