In 1978 DC tried to expand its line of comics, and promised bigger and better comics in what it labeled the "DC Explosion."
But within two months, the powers that be realized that they had made a big mistake - and in short order, more than half the comics in the expanded line were canceled.
Some wag referred to it as the "DC Implosion," and it rocked the industry.
In its wake, DC experimented with different formats and prices. One that was apparently not too successful (judging by the fact that it didn't last long) was Dollar Comics, with 52 pages of story for the price. (I should add that the comics are fondly remembered today by collectors, because they were featured lots of fan-favorite characters.)
The books also provided a home for some of those heroes who were suddenly homeless.
For example, this issue of Adventure Comics from 1979 includes stories with the Justice Society, Deadman and Aquaman, and it also stars the Flash, whose solo title was one of the survivors.
The stories feature great art, including Don Heck and Joe Giella on the Flash, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez and Dick Giordano on Deadman, Joe Staton and Dave Hunt on JSA, and Don Newton and Dan Adkins on Aquaman.
The stories are mighty slim (perhaps because the stories are 12 to 16 pages long), as such craftsmen as Bob Rozakis, Paul Levitz, Len Wein and Cary Bates handle the chores.
The attraction is the volume of heroes you're getting (and some excellent art), but more pages doesn't always translate to better comics.
Within months, the books would revert to a typical side and a smaller price. But it was fun while it lasted.
Grade: B-
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