DC Universe Legacies #4 (of 10)

With this issue, this series finally catches up... to me!

I started reading comics in the early '60s, which matches up to most of the events in DC history presented in this issue.

DC Universe Legacies is all about looking back at the history of DC's greatest heroes (both super and non). And these are stories I read when they were newly printed (as much as I hate to admit my ancient nature).

The premiere of the Doom Patrol, the Metal Men, the Teen Titans - all those are among my earliest memories of reading comics.

But this issue tackles an even thornier matter - explaining away the original crossover between Earth-1 and Earth-2, and turning it instead into a generational passing of the torch - and I must say, the Justice Society founders are awfully forgiving on the new heroes swiping their names. You'd think someone would resent it a little.

This issue continues the high standards set by this series so far - great story by Len Wein, as he sorts out the tangled web of '60s DC continuity and makes sense of it all - and terrific art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Dave Gibbons (and kudos to Scott Kolins for his art on the framework).

The backup feature is something special, too, as it features a reunion of some familiar faces from DC's war comics. It's a touching tale by Wein with art by the living legend, Joe Kubert - and it answers an important question that's been speculated about for decades. It's a tale that will leave you wiping away a manly tear. (Unless you're a woman, of course.)

So, once again, here's a series that's highly recommended - a great primer for new readers, and a real blast from the past for us old-timers.

Grade: A-

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