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Mr. Terrific: Year One
144 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2026
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67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 30, 2025
Solid with cool change of art, but don't think the plot had enough to keep this one interesting a long time. I like the characters but the villain and overall pacing didn't do enough for me. A 3 out of 5.
November 14, 2025
A Year One should be self-contained.
November 19, 2025
[7.5] Mr. Terrific: Year One creates a compelling story with great emotional moments that explore the core of being a superhero, even if its multiple connections to the present universe and cliffhangers kind of break the Year One of its title.
March 25, 2026
If you saw last year’s summer blockbuster that was James Gunn’s Superman, one of the best aspects was Edi Gathegi’s performance as Michael Holt/Mister Terrific, who delivered the best action set-piece from that movie. No doubt this character has left enough of an impression for audiences that we could see more from Gathegi in that role, but until then, there is a bunch of comics to read that showcase the genius intellect of Michael Holt, including Mr. Terrific: Year One.
Although the character has popped up in numerous media, I haven’t read a lot of comics on Mr. Terrific, though he left a big impression as a supporting player in Strange Adventures by Tom King, Doc Shaner and Mitch Gerads. The purpose of a Year One limited series is that it serves as an introduction to a DC superhero as we see the origin story that spans over the course of a year. This comic does exactly that but also ties with the events of DC All-In Special, published in 2024.
The first issue opens with Holt investigating how Darkseid suddenly appeared in the Justice League Watchtower, as shown in the aforementioned Special. Through his investigation, there is a connection from his past when he struggled to find purpose following a devastating tragedy. Having sold Holt Industries to the tech company Prescott Industries, whose CEO Athena Prescott has been taking advantage of his advanced technology that is actually harming the people of Gateway City, Holt seeks redemption through a journey of heroism.
While Year One storylines tend to be self-contained, writer Al Letson takes big swings by using numerous characters from all corners of the DC universe, whether it is fun cameos like Lex Luthor or the always delightful presence of Batman and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne who gets to show off some scientific knowledge. However, there is a whole issue with Holt interacts with The Spectre, and whilst I understand that it’s all about coming in terms with grief through a debate of ideologies, scientifically and spiritually, I felt you could have Holt gone through this arc without turning into a Sandman issue.
When we do focus on Holt and his origin into becoming Mister Terrific – named after the original Mister Terrific, Terry Sloane, of the Justice Society of America – this is where the book finds its strength, showing how Holt goes from despair to heroism, despite the rocky journey where his genius IQ doesn’t always help him get out of sticky situations. Considering Mister Terrific is defined by his lack of emotions, Letson finds the emotional content where no doubt Holt feels like he is consumed by recent tragedies, and yet the friends and unexpected allies who helped him along the way feel satisfying.
Whilst you have Edwin Glamon bringing modern and vibrant visuals to the few pages that showcase the present day that lean hard to superhero and cosmic territory, Valentine De Landro draws the majority of the six issues where there is a grit to his art-style with an emphasis of thick outlines. And yet with a bold use of colouring and multi-panel layouts, De Landro’s action is kinetic and violent, but never the sake of edginess. It does get heavy with the superpowers in the later issues, but once you start evoking the New Gods, I’m obviously going to like it.
Although it is overly ambitious by doing more than a self-contained origin story, this six-issue series works best when it is being just that as Mr. Terrific: Year One is a fun introduction for those want to get into the third-smartest man in the world.
Although the character has popped up in numerous media, I haven’t read a lot of comics on Mr. Terrific, though he left a big impression as a supporting player in Strange Adventures by Tom King, Doc Shaner and Mitch Gerads. The purpose of a Year One limited series is that it serves as an introduction to a DC superhero as we see the origin story that spans over the course of a year. This comic does exactly that but also ties with the events of DC All-In Special, published in 2024.
The first issue opens with Holt investigating how Darkseid suddenly appeared in the Justice League Watchtower, as shown in the aforementioned Special. Through his investigation, there is a connection from his past when he struggled to find purpose following a devastating tragedy. Having sold Holt Industries to the tech company Prescott Industries, whose CEO Athena Prescott has been taking advantage of his advanced technology that is actually harming the people of Gateway City, Holt seeks redemption through a journey of heroism.
While Year One storylines tend to be self-contained, writer Al Letson takes big swings by using numerous characters from all corners of the DC universe, whether it is fun cameos like Lex Luthor or the always delightful presence of Batman and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne who gets to show off some scientific knowledge. However, there is a whole issue with Holt interacts with The Spectre, and whilst I understand that it’s all about coming in terms with grief through a debate of ideologies, scientifically and spiritually, I felt you could have Holt gone through this arc without turning into a Sandman issue.
When we do focus on Holt and his origin into becoming Mister Terrific – named after the original Mister Terrific, Terry Sloane, of the Justice Society of America – this is where the book finds its strength, showing how Holt goes from despair to heroism, despite the rocky journey where his genius IQ doesn’t always help him get out of sticky situations. Considering Mister Terrific is defined by his lack of emotions, Letson finds the emotional content where no doubt Holt feels like he is consumed by recent tragedies, and yet the friends and unexpected allies who helped him along the way feel satisfying.
Whilst you have Edwin Glamon bringing modern and vibrant visuals to the few pages that showcase the present day that lean hard to superhero and cosmic territory, Valentine De Landro draws the majority of the six issues where there is a grit to his art-style with an emphasis of thick outlines. And yet with a bold use of colouring and multi-panel layouts, De Landro’s action is kinetic and violent, but never the sake of edginess. It does get heavy with the superpowers in the later issues, but once you start evoking the New Gods, I’m obviously going to like it.
Although it is overly ambitious by doing more than a self-contained origin story, this six-issue series works best when it is being just that as Mr. Terrific: Year One is a fun introduction for those want to get into the third-smartest man in the world.
March 23, 2026
I'd kinda stopped buying DC Comics in general cause they stopped telling stories in favor of shoveling out marketing hype. So it's rare I'd actually pick something up.
I thought I'd give this a chance and...actually liked it.
It's an origin comic for the legacy character. Michael Holt was a genius, athlete, good at everything and fell into a spiral of depression after the death of his wife and unborn child.
In his grief he sold off his tech company's assets to another firm and finds out they plan to technobabble some stuff that threatens the city.
He's motivated/pushed to get off his ass and do something with the encouragement of his friends and a pep talk from the Spectre who tells Michael of the Golden Age Mr Terrific who was also a genius athlete who became a hero with the motto "Fair Play."
Michael takes up the name and the motto and kicks some ass.
The story alternates between a current case of weird technobabble and flashbacks to his origin. Each has a different art style so it's easy to tell when it switches between present and past.
Overall I liked it a lot. Terrific is an unpowered hero and the comic shows the struggle he has in accepting the responsibility of being a hero in a world of flying bricks and speedsters.
He's got his intellect and his determination.
My main nitpick is the "present day" material kept referencing events from other comics which made it feel like the usual marketing gimmick to get readers to buy other comics to get more context...but I'll be generous and just say it's establishing the story in the context of the current continuity...before the next time DC's marketing team decides it's time for another reboot/crisis event.
But yeah I'm glad I got it.
I thought I'd give this a chance and...actually liked it.
It's an origin comic for the legacy character. Michael Holt was a genius, athlete, good at everything and fell into a spiral of depression after the death of his wife and unborn child.
In his grief he sold off his tech company's assets to another firm and finds out they plan to technobabble some stuff that threatens the city.
He's motivated/pushed to get off his ass and do something with the encouragement of his friends and a pep talk from the Spectre who tells Michael of the Golden Age Mr Terrific who was also a genius athlete who became a hero with the motto "Fair Play."
Michael takes up the name and the motto and kicks some ass.
The story alternates between a current case of weird technobabble and flashbacks to his origin. Each has a different art style so it's easy to tell when it switches between present and past.
Overall I liked it a lot. Terrific is an unpowered hero and the comic shows the struggle he has in accepting the responsibility of being a hero in a world of flying bricks and speedsters.
He's got his intellect and his determination.
My main nitpick is the "present day" material kept referencing events from other comics which made it feel like the usual marketing gimmick to get readers to buy other comics to get more context...but I'll be generous and just say it's establishing the story in the context of the current continuity...before the next time DC's marketing team decides it's time for another reboot/crisis event.
But yeah I'm glad I got it.
November 17, 2025
sometimes you're just called to do or be something. sometimes the one calling is yourself, your soul, what makes you tick can force you to do things you might not expect or even want yourself to do. and as the fourth, least popular, Beatle once said "You get by with a little help from your friends"
Review of advance copy
Read in single issues.
Compared to things like Lemire's JSA, this is Steinbeck. Still, it peters out towards the end, and the overuse of Apokolips and its ties to the current mess of continuity also prevent it from being something memorable.
Compared to things like Lemire's JSA, this is Steinbeck. Still, it peters out towards the end, and the overuse of Apokolips and its ties to the current mess of continuity also prevent it from being something memorable.
February 18, 2026
The is was the best time this book could’ve come out. Superman’s recent film def helped this book a ton in Sales and I’m all for DC giving Al Letson the reigns to an ongoing with Terrific. He has a perfect voice for an often overlooked character
November 12, 2025
i need to read The New Gods now.
Review of advance copy
Read issue by issue
Review of advance copy
flashback to the original of Mr terrific becoming a costumed hero.
it was a little touching, a little exciting, nothing too inventive.
worh a read.
art was fine.
it was a little touching, a little exciting, nothing too inventive.
worh a read.
art was fine.
March 9, 2026
8.4/10.
March 10, 2026
3,5 - 2025
March 11, 2026
Really good
March 15, 2026
This puts lots of respect on Mr. Terrific as a hero whose superpower is using his brain. That's what iam talking about.
March 15, 2026
This was great! I wish it was a maxi-series.
March 23, 2026
Picked up the first issue when it came out and thought it was really good. it's a really good modern origin story. Great artwork in both the current and past timeline.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews