DC Universe Legacies (Issue #1) (DC)

DC Universe Legacies (Issue #1)

DC

(Written by Lein Wein; art by Andy Kubert, Joe Kubert, J.G. Jones, and Scott Kolins)

May 24, 2010 Web Exclusive By Jeremy Nisen

Issue one of DC Universe Legacies, the first in a 10-issue limited series that's a purported trip through DCU history, shows that a veteran like Len Wein still has the "write stuff." The man can sure set a mood and scene, particularly in the first (better) story, concerning some of the first among Golden Age DC heroes, The Crimson Avenger (regarded as the first costumed superhero to be published), the Golden Age version of the Atom (whose gimmick—I hesitate to call it a special ability—is being fairly short, yet tough) and the visually stunning, gas-mask wearing Sandman. Seeing legend Joe Kubert put inks on his talented son Andy is a nice treat. It's admittedly a niggling thing, but some dialog took me out of it—during an extended Sandman/Atom vs. thugs fight sequence, the heroes repeat each others' insults for some reason on the same page, then do it again (Sandman: "I wish you unpleasant dreams, mug"/Atom :"It's time you mugs felt the power of the atom"/Atom: "nice try, punk"/Sandman: "my wirepoon says otherwise, punks").

I was most looking forward to the JG Jones art on the second story, again by Wein and concerning Dr. Fate and the Specter. Unfortunately, to me it felt unusually stiff. Nobody does covers better than Jones, and he's proven he can do great sequential work in the likes of Wanted, but this was pretty without being dynamic or fluid. While I'm looking forward to seeing where Legacies takes us, this first step seems a somewhat tepid start. (www.dccomics.com)

Author rating: 6/10

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Average reader rating: 5/10