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DC 1st Issue Special #1-13
DC's First Issue Specials
DC collects the 1970s anthology series that featured new adventures from top talents like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and starring DC heroes including the New Gods, Metamorpho and the Creeper.
In 1975, DC brought back the anthology try-out series concept with 1ST ISSUE SPECIAL, which followed in the footsteps of the earlier try-out series SHOWCASE that had introduced heroes like the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, the Atom and more. These never-before-reprinted 1970s stories included new concepts from writer/artist Jack Kirby, plus stories illustrated by Steve Ditko (co-creator of Spider-Man) and Walter Simonson (best known for his work on Marvel's Thor). Along the way, 1ST ISSUE SPECIAL introduced Atlas, Manhunter and Dingbats of Danger Street, all written and illustrated by Kirby, plus the classic fantasy adventure series Warlord, written and illustrated by Mike Grell, while bringing back beloved characters like Metamorpho, the Creeper and the New Gods. Also included are several "off the wall" concepts like the Green Team (crimefighting teenage millionaires!) and the gritty drama of Lady Cop. Collects 1ST ISSUE SPECIAL #1-13.
In 1975, DC brought back the anthology try-out series concept with 1ST ISSUE SPECIAL, which followed in the footsteps of the earlier try-out series SHOWCASE that had introduced heroes like the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, the Atom and more. These never-before-reprinted 1970s stories included new concepts from writer/artist Jack Kirby, plus stories illustrated by Steve Ditko (co-creator of Spider-Man) and Walter Simonson (best known for his work on Marvel's Thor). Along the way, 1ST ISSUE SPECIAL introduced Atlas, Manhunter and Dingbats of Danger Street, all written and illustrated by Kirby, plus the classic fantasy adventure series Warlord, written and illustrated by Mike Grell, while bringing back beloved characters like Metamorpho, the Creeper and the New Gods. Also included are several "off the wall" concepts like the Green Team (crimefighting teenage millionaires!) and the gritty drama of Lady Cop. Collects 1ST ISSUE SPECIAL #1-13.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2020
About the author
Jack Kirby
2,839 books486 followersJack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds of others stretching back to the earliest days of the medium. He was also a comic book writer and editor. His most common nickname is "The King."
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 23, 2021
Excellent collection of the relative unknow DC comics. Some really nice stories and art appeared in these one shots. Nice reads. Recommended
December 17, 2023
DC thought they were being clever. If first issues of a new series sell better than other issues, what if (Sorry Marvel) we made a series of “first issue” one-shots? Basically this is just a marketing trick for what is basically a rotating feature title like Marvel Spotlight, Marvel Premiere, Marvel Chillers, Marvel Presents, Marvel Preview, Amazing Adventures, Marvel Feature, Astonishing Tales or any number of other titles that don’t offer the same characters in every single issue. The difference here being that each issue was supposed to be a “first issue.” Did it work? Well, no. It was really just a gimmick title and most of the stuff to appear in these issues we’re not likely to ever amount to much … with one or two exceptions.
Atlas - It’s too bad this one didn’t get a chance to continue. Superficially this is the same framework for an origin that was used in the Arnold Swarsenagger film Conan the Barbarian (1982), although the film changed enough that I wouldn’t outright call the screenwriters plagiarists, plus these are mythic narrative elements that can be traced back to myths and legends for centuries. But in any case, Kirby does a fine job with this character and I’d say it might have had potential to run at least as long as Jack Kirby's Kamandi Omnibus. It certainly would have been a fun ride to see where Kirby’s creative imagination would have taken this concept. Also included in The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 2: Starring the Super Powers. (4/5)
The Green Team: Boy Millionaires - A team of wealthy boys get what they want by throwing money around. This DC answer to Richie Rich is as awful as it sounds. Also of note is that about a decade later Marvel came up with its own version of Richie Rich titled: Royal Roy for their Star Comics imprint. (1/5)
Metamorpho the Element Man - Having first appeared about 10 years previously, Metamorpho was not a new character and this is not even his first solo appearance. But it was a chance for his creators to give Metamorpho one last adventure. It’s silly and bizarre and some of it makes absolutely no sense, in many ways it’s almost easier to read this as a parody of 1960s superhero comics. (2/5)
Lady Cop - Ridiculously dated now, but at the time it was originally published it would have been quite topical and might have had some potential. Had they kept it relatively clean of superhero hi-jinks and been able to maintain the hot issue social topics and issues, this could have evolved into something interesting. Unlikely though as it would likely never have been a big seller. (2/5)
Manhunter - Jack Kirby is back and this time he’s giving us a vigilante as driven by justice as Daredevil and Batman. I’m not even going to try and untangle how complicated and convoluted the backstory of this character has become over the years, but suffice to say that is both this character’s first appearance and not his first appearance. This is an action driven narrative like Kirby usually delivers and it also gave him a chance to revisit one of his lesser known characters. Not the most original concept, it had potential, like pretty much everything Kirby created. This one is also included in The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 2: Starring the Super Powers. (4/5)
Dingbats of Danger Street - Leave it to Jack Kirby to introduce yet another boy gang and make them as lovably entertaining as any of the others. Kirby created or co-created a whole bunch of boy-gangs over the years: The Boy Commandos, Vol. 1, The Newsboy Legion, Vol. 1,The Kid Cowboys of Boys' Ranch, and the Yancy Street Gang are probably the best known. They all have a lot in common and illustrate a lot of the hi-jinx and shenanigans that Kirby might have gotten up to his own youthful exuberance growing up on the streets of New York City. This particular group feels like it might have more in common with the mysterious and usually unseen Yancy Street Gang than the other groups, but the archetypes are still very easy to unpack. Not sure if having their own series would have worked, but they seem like an interesting bunch. And again, this one is also included in The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 2: Starring the Super Powers. (4/5)
The Creeper - While Steve Ditko May best be known for his work creating Spider-Man & Doctor Strange at Marvel, he also developed a whole host of characters for DC. Including some like Hawk and Dove, Shade the Changing Man, and others that have since been acquired by DC like Captain Atom, Blue Beetle and the Question. And then there’s … The Creeper. With a code name and an appearance that looks more villainous and Joker-esque than anything, The Creeper took on threats to his city with a certain reckless abandon that feels as mischievous as it is irresponsible. Still, he got the job done. While this isn’t the first appearance of the Creeper, it did mark his return in a solo adventure with the hope possibly getting his own title once again. Also included in The Creeper. (4/5)
The Warlord - Mike Grell weaves his magic in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Travis Morgan takes his place alone side the heroes of Burroughs, Michael Moorcock, Robert E. Howard, Leigh Brackett and Fritz Leiber. Wonderful stuff and the one clear winner of this 1st Issue Special series. This one went on to get its own series that ran for quite some time. Also included in Showcase Presents: Warlord, Vol. 1. This is also the only issue in this collection (at least so far) that I’ve read before. (4/5)
Dr. Fate - Another case of false advertising: this is not Dr. Fate’s first appearance. Which was in 1940 and he appeared fairly regularly until about 1945. Then he was regulated to supporting appearing in the JSA and crossovers with the JLA. This particular story is a kind of renaissance for the character with art by Walter Simonson and very Marvelized script from Martin Pasko. I think I’ve read this one before as well, but I cannot recall for sure. In any case, this one is quite good, too brief, but good. (4/5)
Outsiders - In the tradition of the Uncanny X-Men and the Doom Patrol, and as a precursor to both the B.P.R.D. and the Umbrella Academy, we get … The Outsiders. Except this the more well known team that appeared in Showcase Presents: Batman and the Outsiders, Vol. 1, this has more in common with the Tod Browning film, Freaks, than superheroes. Not the most empathetic depiction, but at least an attempt was made. In any case, it’s fairly easy to see why this one didn’t take off. (2/5)
Code Name: Assassin - This one, this character, I know nothing about. The origin is a bit of a cliché, and the character doesn’t appear to actually be an assassin, just another run-of-the mill masked vigilante with a gimmicky power. Nothing bad here, just nothing special or unique either. (2/5)
Starman - I was rather looking forward to this one. Thinking it was inspired by David Bowie and The Man Who Fell to Earth. Maybe it was. In the most abstract sense. Anyway, it wasn’t very good. Maybe my expectations were too high and it certainly was nothing like the character that appeared in the Starman comic by James Robinson (not the titular character, but the one who appeared briefly that was his updated version of this character). (2/5)
Return of the New Gods - There’s only one Jack Kirby and even his creations don’t live up to his standards when he isn’t doing them. This is kind of a disaster. I’d thought I might have read this one at some point, but no I had not. Sure takes a lot of the characters from Kirby but does nothing with them. Nothing but wheel grinding. (1/5)
There’s some interesting stuff in this collection. But overall, since most of these characters didn’t go anywhere, not that much of interest aside from the historical nature of the volume. I don’t feel like this deserves 3-stars, but the good stuff here definitely deserves more than 2, so 3 it is.
Atlas - It’s too bad this one didn’t get a chance to continue. Superficially this is the same framework for an origin that was used in the Arnold Swarsenagger film Conan the Barbarian (1982), although the film changed enough that I wouldn’t outright call the screenwriters plagiarists, plus these are mythic narrative elements that can be traced back to myths and legends for centuries. But in any case, Kirby does a fine job with this character and I’d say it might have had potential to run at least as long as Jack Kirby's Kamandi Omnibus. It certainly would have been a fun ride to see where Kirby’s creative imagination would have taken this concept. Also included in The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 2: Starring the Super Powers. (4/5)
The Green Team: Boy Millionaires - A team of wealthy boys get what they want by throwing money around. This DC answer to Richie Rich is as awful as it sounds. Also of note is that about a decade later Marvel came up with its own version of Richie Rich titled: Royal Roy for their Star Comics imprint. (1/5)
Metamorpho the Element Man - Having first appeared about 10 years previously, Metamorpho was not a new character and this is not even his first solo appearance. But it was a chance for his creators to give Metamorpho one last adventure. It’s silly and bizarre and some of it makes absolutely no sense, in many ways it’s almost easier to read this as a parody of 1960s superhero comics. (2/5)
Lady Cop - Ridiculously dated now, but at the time it was originally published it would have been quite topical and might have had some potential. Had they kept it relatively clean of superhero hi-jinks and been able to maintain the hot issue social topics and issues, this could have evolved into something interesting. Unlikely though as it would likely never have been a big seller. (2/5)
Manhunter - Jack Kirby is back and this time he’s giving us a vigilante as driven by justice as Daredevil and Batman. I’m not even going to try and untangle how complicated and convoluted the backstory of this character has become over the years, but suffice to say that is both this character’s first appearance and not his first appearance. This is an action driven narrative like Kirby usually delivers and it also gave him a chance to revisit one of his lesser known characters. Not the most original concept, it had potential, like pretty much everything Kirby created. This one is also included in The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 2: Starring the Super Powers. (4/5)
Dingbats of Danger Street - Leave it to Jack Kirby to introduce yet another boy gang and make them as lovably entertaining as any of the others. Kirby created or co-created a whole bunch of boy-gangs over the years: The Boy Commandos, Vol. 1, The Newsboy Legion, Vol. 1,The Kid Cowboys of Boys' Ranch, and the Yancy Street Gang are probably the best known. They all have a lot in common and illustrate a lot of the hi-jinx and shenanigans that Kirby might have gotten up to his own youthful exuberance growing up on the streets of New York City. This particular group feels like it might have more in common with the mysterious and usually unseen Yancy Street Gang than the other groups, but the archetypes are still very easy to unpack. Not sure if having their own series would have worked, but they seem like an interesting bunch. And again, this one is also included in The Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 2: Starring the Super Powers. (4/5)
The Creeper - While Steve Ditko May best be known for his work creating Spider-Man & Doctor Strange at Marvel, he also developed a whole host of characters for DC. Including some like Hawk and Dove, Shade the Changing Man, and others that have since been acquired by DC like Captain Atom, Blue Beetle and the Question. And then there’s … The Creeper. With a code name and an appearance that looks more villainous and Joker-esque than anything, The Creeper took on threats to his city with a certain reckless abandon that feels as mischievous as it is irresponsible. Still, he got the job done. While this isn’t the first appearance of the Creeper, it did mark his return in a solo adventure with the hope possibly getting his own title once again. Also included in The Creeper. (4/5)
The Warlord - Mike Grell weaves his magic in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Travis Morgan takes his place alone side the heroes of Burroughs, Michael Moorcock, Robert E. Howard, Leigh Brackett and Fritz Leiber. Wonderful stuff and the one clear winner of this 1st Issue Special series. This one went on to get its own series that ran for quite some time. Also included in Showcase Presents: Warlord, Vol. 1. This is also the only issue in this collection (at least so far) that I’ve read before. (4/5)
Dr. Fate - Another case of false advertising: this is not Dr. Fate’s first appearance. Which was in 1940 and he appeared fairly regularly until about 1945. Then he was regulated to supporting appearing in the JSA and crossovers with the JLA. This particular story is a kind of renaissance for the character with art by Walter Simonson and very Marvelized script from Martin Pasko. I think I’ve read this one before as well, but I cannot recall for sure. In any case, this one is quite good, too brief, but good. (4/5)
Outsiders - In the tradition of the Uncanny X-Men and the Doom Patrol, and as a precursor to both the B.P.R.D. and the Umbrella Academy, we get … The Outsiders. Except this the more well known team that appeared in Showcase Presents: Batman and the Outsiders, Vol. 1, this has more in common with the Tod Browning film, Freaks, than superheroes. Not the most empathetic depiction, but at least an attempt was made. In any case, it’s fairly easy to see why this one didn’t take off. (2/5)
Code Name: Assassin - This one, this character, I know nothing about. The origin is a bit of a cliché, and the character doesn’t appear to actually be an assassin, just another run-of-the mill masked vigilante with a gimmicky power. Nothing bad here, just nothing special or unique either. (2/5)
Starman - I was rather looking forward to this one. Thinking it was inspired by David Bowie and The Man Who Fell to Earth. Maybe it was. In the most abstract sense. Anyway, it wasn’t very good. Maybe my expectations were too high and it certainly was nothing like the character that appeared in the Starman comic by James Robinson (not the titular character, but the one who appeared briefly that was his updated version of this character). (2/5)
Return of the New Gods - There’s only one Jack Kirby and even his creations don’t live up to his standards when he isn’t doing them. This is kind of a disaster. I’d thought I might have read this one at some point, but no I had not. Sure takes a lot of the characters from Kirby but does nothing with them. Nothing but wheel grinding. (1/5)
There’s some interesting stuff in this collection. But overall, since most of these characters didn’t go anywhere, not that much of interest aside from the historical nature of the volume. I don’t feel like this deserves 3-stars, but the good stuff here definitely deserves more than 2, so 3 it is.
May 7, 2020
All 13 1st Issue Specials!? Yeah, this is a dreamed-of book. So how does it stand up?
Atlas (#1: Jack Kirby). A story set in some historical, yet magic time. Atlas is very much a larger than life character. It's interesting to see Kirby writing what feels like his own take on Conan, and it's great to see his artwork, so reminiscent of his New Gods work, in this different environment. The biggest problem with this story is that it just stops, as if a next issue were planned but never happened. Too bad: it would have been interesting to see where it went. (And that'll turn out to be a trend for the First Issue Specials.) [3/5].
The Green Team (#2: Joe Simon). What an entirely bizarre comic: even moreso than Atlas, it's unclear how this could fit in the DC Universe. Baby millionaires go on missions with a million dollars in hand!? And a young black boy joins only because of a bank error!? It's hard to know whether to love or hate this, but it's clear that the mission structure would have gotten very quickly stale [3/5].
Metamorpho (#3: Bob Haney). This reads pretty much like every other solo Metamorpho comic I've ever read. Rex is at his most bizarre, and he's got an entirely weird supporting cast. There's a weird villain. Stuff happens. It's all supported by simple but weirdness-appropriate art. I've never felt like the strangeness carried the stories, and although the villain is kind of neat here, overall this story fell into the same category as the rest. Was this is a first example of the style? I don't know. [2+/5].
Lady Cop (#4: Robert Kanigher). Well, this was certainly an attempt to be socially relevant. Lady Cop faces sexism and fights against villains like girlfriend-abusers and "The VD". The writing is actually quite bad: it's over the top and it's unfocused and picaresque. Nonetheless, I kind of want to read more because this was entirely unique [3/5].
Manhunter (#5: Jack Kirby). This is really classic Kirby: a very physical, dynamic hero with a mysterious past (here in the form of a Manhunter conspiracy). The legacy element of the hero is pretty cool, and this is all around a neat start to a new hero (though the story then went in all kinds of weird directions over in the JLA). [4/5].
Dingbats of Danger Street (#6: Jack Kirby). Like Lady Cop and the Green Team, I don't even understand why DC thought this could work as a series. Maybe even moreso for this series, because I don't really get what the unique idea was. Annoying kids who solve crime? With that said, it was a surprisingly fun read [3+/5].
The Creeper (#7: Michael Fleischer). Like Metamorpho, this feels like a surprisingly stale topic for a "1st Issue Special", since Creeper had been pretty extensively featured in previous comics. Still, Fleischer does a good job with the story, which is a fun read [3/5].
The Warlord (#8: Mike Grell). This is pretty much the success story of 1st Issue Specials. It's a very fun story in the modern-man-in-a-fantasy-realm genre (well, it's more of a primitive realm for The Warlord). We get a couple of great characters, an antagonist, and a fun setting. It leaves you wanting more [4+/5].
Dr. Fate (#9: Martin Pasko. Unlike Metamorpho and The Creeper, this feels like a very worthy reinvention because it does a pretty good job of reimagining what Fate's stories looked like, no big surprise since his last solo was in the '40s! Here we get a Fate who may or may not be separate from Kent, an Inya who has her own agency, and evocative frame-breaking art by Walter Simonson. All around, a big innovation for the time [3+/5].
The Outsiders (#10: Joe Simon). And here we have a comic that doesn't feel worthwhile at all. We get the origins of a team of "freaks", who are rescuing more of their own. Doom Patrol wannabe? X-Men wannabe? I'm not sure. I could see a good modern-comic based on this, working through the wacky origins of all these characters, but the '70s story is bad camp [2/5].
Code Name: Assassin (#11: Gerry Conway). Sort of The Punisher, but with psychic powers. He wants to destroy the mob to avenge his sister. Sadly, there's just not a lot original in here, so it feels like color-by-numbers [2+/5].
Starman (#12: Gerry Conway). Sometimes, you just can't tell if the greatness of a comic is in the author or the artist, which is why this is a wonderful collaborative medium. Conway tells a story that honestly isn't that original: an alien breaks away from his fleet attacking Earth to side with humanity. (Was it more original in 1976? Maybe. I dunno.) But it's Mike Vosburg's art that really makes this character shining, mashing up '50s era space suits and bubble helmets with a totally disco vibe for Mikaal. And that pretty much carries the story [3+/5].
Return of the New Gods (#13: Conway & O'Neil). And sadly Vosburg's art is part of what brings down this last comic, a revamp of the New Gods post-Kirby. It just feels amateurish (and if he's responsible Orion's horrible new costume, more criticism for him!). But overall, this comic doesn't feel worthwhile. It's the first one to reboot previous New God comics to preserve Kirby's old characters (here: Kalibak, slain at the end of Kirby's run), trapping the amazing world in a loop. But we also get a fight with Darkseid that doesn't happen, meaning that overall the comic might as well happen. (Will the rest of the series be better? Well, that's out in a brand-new edition too, so we'll see soon.) [2/5]
Obviously my ratings average somewhere around 3/5, but this is still an amazing piece of history that's enthralling to read, even for the stories that are average are worse, so I've given it a 4/5 rating.
Atlas (#1: Jack Kirby). A story set in some historical, yet magic time. Atlas is very much a larger than life character. It's interesting to see Kirby writing what feels like his own take on Conan, and it's great to see his artwork, so reminiscent of his New Gods work, in this different environment. The biggest problem with this story is that it just stops, as if a next issue were planned but never happened. Too bad: it would have been interesting to see where it went. (And that'll turn out to be a trend for the First Issue Specials.) [3/5].
The Green Team (#2: Joe Simon). What an entirely bizarre comic: even moreso than Atlas, it's unclear how this could fit in the DC Universe. Baby millionaires go on missions with a million dollars in hand!? And a young black boy joins only because of a bank error!? It's hard to know whether to love or hate this, but it's clear that the mission structure would have gotten very quickly stale [3/5].
Metamorpho (#3: Bob Haney). This reads pretty much like every other solo Metamorpho comic I've ever read. Rex is at his most bizarre, and he's got an entirely weird supporting cast. There's a weird villain. Stuff happens. It's all supported by simple but weirdness-appropriate art. I've never felt like the strangeness carried the stories, and although the villain is kind of neat here, overall this story fell into the same category as the rest. Was this is a first example of the style? I don't know. [2+/5].
Lady Cop (#4: Robert Kanigher). Well, this was certainly an attempt to be socially relevant. Lady Cop faces sexism and fights against villains like girlfriend-abusers and "The VD". The writing is actually quite bad: it's over the top and it's unfocused and picaresque. Nonetheless, I kind of want to read more because this was entirely unique [3/5].
Manhunter (#5: Jack Kirby). This is really classic Kirby: a very physical, dynamic hero with a mysterious past (here in the form of a Manhunter conspiracy). The legacy element of the hero is pretty cool, and this is all around a neat start to a new hero (though the story then went in all kinds of weird directions over in the JLA). [4/5].
Dingbats of Danger Street (#6: Jack Kirby). Like Lady Cop and the Green Team, I don't even understand why DC thought this could work as a series. Maybe even moreso for this series, because I don't really get what the unique idea was. Annoying kids who solve crime? With that said, it was a surprisingly fun read [3+/5].
The Creeper (#7: Michael Fleischer). Like Metamorpho, this feels like a surprisingly stale topic for a "1st Issue Special", since Creeper had been pretty extensively featured in previous comics. Still, Fleischer does a good job with the story, which is a fun read [3/5].
The Warlord (#8: Mike Grell). This is pretty much the success story of 1st Issue Specials. It's a very fun story in the modern-man-in-a-fantasy-realm genre (well, it's more of a primitive realm for The Warlord). We get a couple of great characters, an antagonist, and a fun setting. It leaves you wanting more [4+/5].
Dr. Fate (#9: Martin Pasko. Unlike Metamorpho and The Creeper, this feels like a very worthy reinvention because it does a pretty good job of reimagining what Fate's stories looked like, no big surprise since his last solo was in the '40s! Here we get a Fate who may or may not be separate from Kent, an Inya who has her own agency, and evocative frame-breaking art by Walter Simonson. All around, a big innovation for the time [3+/5].
The Outsiders (#10: Joe Simon). And here we have a comic that doesn't feel worthwhile at all. We get the origins of a team of "freaks", who are rescuing more of their own. Doom Patrol wannabe? X-Men wannabe? I'm not sure. I could see a good modern-comic based on this, working through the wacky origins of all these characters, but the '70s story is bad camp [2/5].
Code Name: Assassin (#11: Gerry Conway). Sort of The Punisher, but with psychic powers. He wants to destroy the mob to avenge his sister. Sadly, there's just not a lot original in here, so it feels like color-by-numbers [2+/5].
Starman (#12: Gerry Conway). Sometimes, you just can't tell if the greatness of a comic is in the author or the artist, which is why this is a wonderful collaborative medium. Conway tells a story that honestly isn't that original: an alien breaks away from his fleet attacking Earth to side with humanity. (Was it more original in 1976? Maybe. I dunno.) But it's Mike Vosburg's art that really makes this character shining, mashing up '50s era space suits and bubble helmets with a totally disco vibe for Mikaal. And that pretty much carries the story [3+/5].
Return of the New Gods (#13: Conway & O'Neil). And sadly Vosburg's art is part of what brings down this last comic, a revamp of the New Gods post-Kirby. It just feels amateurish (and if he's responsible Orion's horrible new costume, more criticism for him!). But overall, this comic doesn't feel worthwhile. It's the first one to reboot previous New God comics to preserve Kirby's old characters (here: Kalibak, slain at the end of Kirby's run), trapping the amazing world in a loop. But we also get a fight with Darkseid that doesn't happen, meaning that overall the comic might as well happen. (Will the rest of the series be better? Well, that's out in a brand-new edition too, so we'll see soon.) [2/5]
Obviously my ratings average somewhere around 3/5, but this is still an amazing piece of history that's enthralling to read, even for the stories that are average are worse, so I've given it a 4/5 rating.
June 6, 2020
"Four stars??? " you may be asking yourself.
Yes, some of the stories are better than others. Even after 45 years, the Dr. Fate story is, in my opinion, the best of the bunch (though it couldn't have taken place in Earth-Two with Kent Nelson releasing Nabu only 15 years prior to the story). Some of the stories I wish had had the opportunity to be continued, Code Name: Assassin the most.
Well worth the read!
Yes, some of the stories are better than others. Even after 45 years, the Dr. Fate story is, in my opinion, the best of the bunch (though it couldn't have taken place in Earth-Two with Kent Nelson releasing Nabu only 15 years prior to the story). Some of the stories I wish had had the opportunity to be continued, Code Name: Assassin the most.
Well worth the read!
May 12, 2020
This was quite a mixed bag, about half of these are fairly bad or forgettable. The Warlord and Doctor Fate stories are solid, though, and Jack Kirby’s Manhunter and Dingbats of Danger Street were quite entertaining. Most disappointing are the Metamorpho and Creeper stories. Both are favorite characters of mine but the stories were not well written.
April 14, 2021
A good-ish book if its era. Some promising concepts, others not so.
It was frustrating as these comic titles were set to spawn a new comic book series. However here they end on a cliffhanger without resolution (as story continues in the series).
For these two reasons only three stars.
It was frustrating as these comic titles were set to spawn a new comic book series. However here they end on a cliffhanger without resolution (as story continues in the series).
For these two reasons only three stars.
October 14, 2022
As most of compilations, there’s good stories, bad stories… And then there’s The Green Team, Dingbats and the Outsiders. Really didn’t understand where those stories planned to go. Warlord is the star of these No.1 Specials, some fantastic Kirby art, the return of Metamorpho, Creeper, Dr Fate and the New Goods make this volume worth of reading. But there are missing some new series from that time, by example Kirby’s Kobra (Yes DC, we need a reprint of that series). Overall 4/5 stars, mostly by nostalgia.
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August 9, 2025This collection of 12 "first-issues" is a very mixed bag, with nothing in it being particularly good. It was interesting to read, though, because Tom King used these characters as the basis for Danger Street. It is amazing to watch him sew these completely unrelated stories, that aren't even all in the same genre, into a mostly-coherent whole.
March 24, 2022
Mixing the idea that first issues make more money, and try out anthologies like "Showcase", every issue of this sorties was the first issue of a potential new series.
It's a great, crazy mix of characters and ideas, and spoiler, almost none of them got series or even a second issue.
There are fantasy characters, street level crime solvers and established DC characters hoping to make a come back.
There's a great mix of writers and artists as well.
Fun idea that never quite took off.
It's a great, crazy mix of characters and ideas, and spoiler, almost none of them got series or even a second issue.
There are fantasy characters, street level crime solvers and established DC characters hoping to make a come back.
There's a great mix of writers and artists as well.
Fun idea that never quite took off.
September 6, 2024
An interesting time-capsule to read. An attempt to duplicate the success of Showcase and Marvel's Premier with a new try-out title. However, it attempts to do it with only short single issues, so it is hard to build up a proper audience.
But I wouldn't say any of the titles here are bad (although Outsiders and Green Team feel a bit underbaked) and it makes for an interesting grab bags of US comics in the mid-70s.
But I wouldn't say any of the titles here are bad (although Outsiders and Green Team feel a bit underbaked) and it makes for an interesting grab bags of US comics in the mid-70s.
May 8, 2023
Very much a mixed bag being 13 issues of comics that mostly did not become ongoing series but I loved it partly as this bronze age of DC comics was when I got into them as a kid. Some great creators here including Kirby, Ditko, and Simonson.
November 11, 2022
I love the series' that varied things up like this one.
November 13, 2022
3.5 *’s
Kirby had a special place in his heart for whackadoodle kids 💚
Really, all of these had a warmth and empathy that is lovely to read.
Kirby had a special place in his heart for whackadoodle kids 💚
Really, all of these had a warmth and empathy that is lovely to read.
July 8, 2024
Dr Gates worthy.
Dr Fate is the one to check out.....And the new Gods. Kirby does another excellent job. And for unique heroes Metamorphosis does not disapoint.
Dr Fate is the one to check out.....And the new Gods. Kirby does another excellent job. And for unique heroes Metamorphosis does not disapoint.
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October 4, 2024Ah DC in the 70s. When the two types of stories were weird conservative fantasies or a Jack Kirby comic
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December 19, 2020Hardcover que recopila los tresce 1st Issue Special.
December 16, 2020
Recopilatorio integral de los variopintos First Issue Special, la colección fallida de DC de los 70s donde se presentaron personajes en su mayoría sin demasiada trascendencia.
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