DC Universe Legacies #10 (of 10)

This issue wraps up this limited series that offers a short history lesson - but DC Universe Legacies doesn't as much end as run out of gas.

The story written by Len Wein has been framed as a history as seen by a retired police officer who witnessed some of the key events in DC's past - and I've enjoyed that part of it.

Unfortunately, the framing device falls apart at the end, as it suddenly becomes a key factor for us to find out who Paul Lincoln has been telling this story to - and the answer ends up being rather depressing.

But perhaps that's fitting, because events in the DC Universe are pretty depressing by this point, as Sue Dibny is brutally murdered and the Omac invasion hits home.

The art by Scott Kolins, Jesus Saiz and Tom Derenick is solid and professional, though there's so much crammed into this issue that there's not much room for them to spread their wings.

Even the backup feature is depressing, as it focuses on the Silver Age Blue Beetle - there's no happy ending there, either (though it does feature nice art by Gary Frank).

As I've mentioned in previous reviews, I thought this was a terrific series, although the closer it got to modern times, the weaker my interest in it. So I look forward to the next project from Wein and the array of outstanding artists who have worked on this series, but I'm glad to see we're done here.

Grade: B

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DC Universe Legacies #9 (of 10)

The DC Universe Legacies series has been a heroic effort to make sense of more than 70 years of DC history, as witnessed (more or less) by a policeman named Paul Lincoln.

I'm not sure what it says about the series (or me) that I find my interest waning more as the series nears its conclusion.

Perhaps it's because I've enjoyed the skillful way writer Len Wein has woven together "historic" events from the earliest years, perhaps it's my own nostalgia for those early stories - or perhaps it's just that more recent stories don't stand up well to the "old days."

More likely, it's that these events seem too recent to be historic (if that makes sense) - but I suppose such things are relative.

Anyway, by this point we're deep into the "event" storylines that have dominated DC (and Marvel) for the last decade or so. This time around the story focuses on the Final Night story, where a cosmic creature called the Sun-Eater threatens to snuff out the sun, ending all life on Earth.

The story is all about the first attempts at redeeming Hal Jordan, who had been transformed into the mass murderer called Parallax. (Have I mentioned how much I hated that whole storyline? I thought so.)

The art by Jesus Saiz and Karl Story is quite good, although they mostly get to draw big crowds of heroes posing for the "camera."

The backup feature is more experimental and more fun, as Wein and artist Bill Sienkiewicz focus on Captain Marvel and the Shazam family - and Black Adam.

Next issue wraps up the series, and I'm sorry to see it end - I just wish it had focused more on the Silver and Bronze Ages, and less on the "Modern" Age (or whatever they're calling it now).

But that's just me.

Grade: B+

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DC Universe Legacies #8 (of 10)

The holiday rolls on, so here's another short review.

The DC Universe Legacies series has been recounting the history of DC, as seen through the eyes of a retired police officer.

As much as I've enjoyed the series, I have to admit that the closer the timeline moves to the present, the less interesting I find it.

This issue focuses on the return of Superman after his death (and I must admit I still don't quite understand how he returned from the dead, even after reading this issue and the originals), Batman's return from a horrible injury and Green Lantern's turn to evil.

The comic is expertly done, with Len Wein writing and Dan Jurgens and Jerry Ordway providing excellent art - but I didn't care for these stories when they first appeared, and I'm still not crazy about them.

It was a time in comics when tearing down the hero was the thing to do. I especially hated what they did to Hal Jordan - one of my all-time favorite heroes - and I actually stopped reading Green Lantern until he returned to the role.

The back-up feature here is very interesting. It's a retelling of the first appearance of the New Gods, written by Wein and drawn by Frank Quitely, who does outstanding work as always.

This issue doesn't work as well for me, but your mileage may vary. Still, it's well worth picking up - history can't always be to our liking, I suppose.

Grade: B

DC Universe Legacies #7 (of 10)

So far this series has given us a look at some of the most important moments in the history of the DC Universe - but the events covered in this issue probably received more attention world-wide than almost any other event in DC's history.

It lumps together two of DC's most shocking moments - the death of Superman and the crippling of Batman. The former event received an amazing amount of media attention (presumably it was a slow news day), with stories in every major news outlet.

As a result, sales shot through the roof, and DC followed that event with the equally-shocking near-death of Batman as Bane actually breaks the hero's back, leading to a new Batman - for a while.

Those events are retold (with some nifty story parallels noted) by writer Len Wein and artists Dan Jurgens and Jerry Ordway. Since they both worked on the original stories about the battle between Superman and Doomsday, they're well suited to tackling this recap.

As much as I like the main feature, I have to admit I enjoyed the backup story even more. It's a mash-up of the legends of Camelot, all coordinated with great skill. Longtime fans will certainly enjoy this one, and there are a few surprising revelations.

Oh, and the art is by Brian Bolland, so you know it's excellent.

I have to admit that I'm not as enthusiastic about these stories - the closer we get to modern times, the lower my interest. But it's still a great recap of some key moments in DC history, all spun with some interesting new angles. Good stuff!

Grade: A-

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DC Universe Legacies #6 (of 10)

It's a tribute to the power of the original Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series that it merits coverage in two issues of DC Universe Legacies.

It also covers the Legends series that followed the Crisis, as DC became a company (for good or ill) that focused more on event comics.

Once again, writer Len Wein has done a terrific job of balancing the job of recapping past events and giving us a fresh perspective on it, as we look through the eyes of policeman Paul Lincoln.

It's an unusual viewpoint for a DC comic, and it works well here.

The comic also has fantastic art by penciller Jerry Ordway (one of my all-time favorites), with inks on half the book by George Perez (who also provides the cover) with Scott Koblish inking the second half.

As good as that opening story is, I think I enjoyed the backup even more, as Wein and artists Keith Giffen and Al Milgrom offer a humorous look at the first meeting between Superboy and the Legion of Super-heroes. I suspect this one isn't really in continuity, but it's very funny - Legion fans should get a kick out of it.

So it's another outstanding issue in the series that should help educate new readers about the history of DC, while reviving great memories of past stories for those of us who were there to witness it the first time around.

Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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DC Universe Legacies #5 (of 10)

You really have to admire the all-star cast of creators lined up for DC Universe Legacies.

Two legendary artists join writer Len Wein for this issue: George Perez and Walt Simonson. That would make this issue an automatic purchase, no matter what.

The main chapter of the book brings Perez back to his most influential assignment: Crisis on Infinite Earths. He also depicts the dark turn the DC Universe took after the death of the Doom Patrol (don't worry, they got better).

For the fifth issue in a row, this title offers a great recap of a key section of DC history as we see the ultimate disaster through the eyes of ordinary citizens.

Perez's artwork is stunning, and he has several chances to illustrate incredible crowd scenes and some old-fashioned action scenes.

The backup feature is drawn (in awesome fashion) by Simonson, and it gathers most of DC's "space" heroes, including (my personal favorite) Adam Strange, Captain Comet, Tommy Tomorrow and Space Ranger. It's a fast-paced bit of nostalgic fun, although the ending is a bit too pat. Still, always great to see those characters back in action.

So yet another outstanding issue in a strong series. We're halfway to the finish, but already I hate to see this series end!

Grade: A

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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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DC Universe Legacies #3 (of 10)

I defy any long-time fan to read DC Universe Legacies without smiling often.

The first two issues of this series gave us a look at the Golden Age of super-heroes, as seen through the eyes of a regular guy named Paul Lincoln, who finds himself a witness to some of the most pivotal moments in DC history.

This issue begins with the aftermath of the "retirement" of the Justice Society of America, and manages to tie in some familiar western heroes and the science fiction "invasion" from comics such as Strange Adventures and Mystery in Space.

It also links to some of the non-super teams of the '50s and '60s, including Blackhawk, Challengers of the Unknown, Cave Carson and the Sea Devils (all old favorites of mine).

But the real focus is on the first appearance of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the other members of the Justice League of America.

The story by Len Wein ties it all together in a clever way and manages to be both a great nostalgic trip for long-time fans and a great primer for new fans. Everyone wins!

The art is by the incredibly talented Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez with inks by Dave Gibbons, and the end result is outstanding. They're two of the best in the business, and if anyone can follow an act like the Kuberts, this is the team to do it. Great stuff!

The issue also includes a back-up feature teaming up those non-super teams from the '60s, also drawn by Dave Gibbons and written by Wein. Heck, I would have picked this issue up for this story alone!

I can't imagine any DC fan not loving this comic. Highly recommended!

Grade: A

DC Universe Legacies #2 (of 10)

Somehow I overlooked the first issue of this series (I was on the road that week). But don't worry, I picked it up a week later - and am I glad I did!

DC Universe Legacies is an outstanding series that focuses on the history of DC's superheroes, told from the viewpoint of a witness to some of history's key events - a regular guy named Paul.

The first two issues have focused on the Golden Age of heroes, from the first appearance of the Crimson Avenger to the appearance of the Justice Society of America, which this issue focuses on.

I should note that they're going with the modern version of DC history, so you won't see Superman or Batman or Wonder Woman in these pages - at least, not yet. Unlike actual comics history, they didn't appear in the 1930s or '40s - they show up in modern times.

This is a well-written retelling of DC's history, which is no surprise when you consider that the guy in charge of the story is Len Wein, who has made history through his own career as a writer.

Providing the art on the main story in the first two issues is Andy and Joe Kubert, and I don't think there are enough superlatives around to convey how good these two are. The book is well worth picking up for the art alone.

This issue also features a backup story about the Seven Soldiers of Victory by Wein and artist J. H. Williams III. It's a brisk and entertaining romp with eight Golden Age heroes. (So why are they the Seven Soldiers? No idea.)

All told, it's a terrific package with incredible art and a great story. What more do you need? Highly recommended!

Grade: A