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Tom Strong: Deluxe Editions #1
Tom Strong: Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1
Comics legend Alan Moore introduces science hero Tom Strong in the first of three deluxe hardcover editions of the popular series illustrated by Chris Sprouse and many of comics' greatest artists, featuring an introduction by Alan more and additional character sketches.
Tom's remarkable exploits over a nearly century-long career feature an amazing cast of characters including his wife Dhalua (the daughter of a mighty chieftain), their daughter Tesla, the enhanced ape King Solomon and Tom's robotic valet, Pneuman.
In this volume, collecting issues #1-12, Tom finds himself battling in different times, worlds and realms, facing off against an eclectic group of enemies like the ruthless Paul Saveen, the mechanized Aztechs and the prehuman Pangaean—in places as diverse as New York, Venus, an alternate Earth and even the past.
"One of the most purely enjoyable comics on the stands today."--BOOKLIST
"Intelligent, imaginative story...a welcome addition to the superhero genre."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Tom's remarkable exploits over a nearly century-long career feature an amazing cast of characters including his wife Dhalua (the daughter of a mighty chieftain), their daughter Tesla, the enhanced ape King Solomon and Tom's robotic valet, Pneuman.
In this volume, collecting issues #1-12, Tom finds himself battling in different times, worlds and realms, facing off against an eclectic group of enemies like the ruthless Paul Saveen, the mechanized Aztechs and the prehuman Pangaean—in places as diverse as New York, Venus, an alternate Earth and even the past.
"One of the most purely enjoyable comics on the stands today."--BOOKLIST
"Intelligent, imaginative story...a welcome addition to the superhero genre."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
336 pages, Hardcover
Published September 22, 2009
5 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Alan Moore
1,575 books21.7k followersAlan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 23, 2015
I find Alan Moore very hit and miss, more miss than hit! This was definitely a miss for me, i really struggled to finish this, it just wasn't as intelligent and exciting as I assumed it would be.
April 28, 2019
It's been about 9 years since the first time I read this and loved it, and my tastes have changed a fair amount in that time. I definitely don't think I loved it quite as much as my first go-round, but I will still say: this is extremely entertaining.
Tom Strong is possibly Alan Moore's most fun creation. He's not his smartest, deepest, or most literary creation by any means. But the sheer joy with which Moore writes this character and explores his world is infectious.
Clearly Moore loves throwback Golden and Silver Age heroes like Doc Savage, and he approaches this series like a slightly more modernized version of those books. The dialogue, the narration boxes, the setting, and many other details all feel like they've been plucked from the past and placed in the year 2000, made slightly more adult in the process. It somehow makes me feel nostalgic for an era I was never a part of.
In terms of the storytelling, Tom Strong is not strictly a superhero. He's more an adventurer, dwelling more in the in-between, sci-fi realm of something like Fantastic Four. Each issue, he and his family, their robot, and their talking gorilla friend tackle concepts-of-the-week, often involving Tom Strong learning to look at his villains from a new perspective, rather than straight-up beating them up. It's slightly formulaic, but in a way that feels somehow comforting instead of repetitive.
Additionally, as this is Moore, there's always more going on than meets the eye. I know from having read Vol. 2 (and from the sense you get reading this book on its own) that all these concepts are building to something much greater than their individual parts. The series has a very organic and unique method of world-building and stakes-raising. It's exciting to have a world laid out before you with barely any exposition. Tom Strong does get an origin story, but it's quick and to the point, then it's just straight to adventuring.
Anyway, this is a great character in a great series, and I'm excited to keep reading. Definitely worth a look!
Tom Strong is possibly Alan Moore's most fun creation. He's not his smartest, deepest, or most literary creation by any means. But the sheer joy with which Moore writes this character and explores his world is infectious.
Clearly Moore loves throwback Golden and Silver Age heroes like Doc Savage, and he approaches this series like a slightly more modernized version of those books. The dialogue, the narration boxes, the setting, and many other details all feel like they've been plucked from the past and placed in the year 2000, made slightly more adult in the process. It somehow makes me feel nostalgic for an era I was never a part of.
In terms of the storytelling, Tom Strong is not strictly a superhero. He's more an adventurer, dwelling more in the in-between, sci-fi realm of something like Fantastic Four. Each issue, he and his family, their robot, and their talking gorilla friend tackle concepts-of-the-week, often involving Tom Strong learning to look at his villains from a new perspective, rather than straight-up beating them up. It's slightly formulaic, but in a way that feels somehow comforting instead of repetitive.
Additionally, as this is Moore, there's always more going on than meets the eye. I know from having read Vol. 2 (and from the sense you get reading this book on its own) that all these concepts are building to something much greater than their individual parts. The series has a very organic and unique method of world-building and stakes-raising. It's exciting to have a world laid out before you with barely any exposition. Tom Strong does get an origin story, but it's quick and to the point, then it's just straight to adventuring.
Anyway, this is a great character in a great series, and I'm excited to keep reading. Definitely worth a look!
July 5, 2022
Alan Moore only seems to be at his best when he's using other people's materials. In this case, Tom Strong is an obvious tribute to the early pulp heroes like Doc Savage and Tarzan, but has modern comic book superhero sensibilities. These are not the deepest stories, but seem to be an attempt by Moore to harken back to the fun comic style of his youth. It seems like course correction after he made his name making comics darker, gritter, and more realistic. Still these are fun, light stories. And the series lasted longer than any other of the America's Best comic line.
January 26, 2017
My first Tom Strong. Not bad! Not fantastic, but hey -- we can't all be the Swamp Thing.
Enjoyable characters. My favourite was Solomon, whose Pommy accent had me giggling. Toodle pip till next time, wot? Oh, and he's a well dressed gorilla. Wot?
This deluxe edition packs a punch at over 300 pages. The stories vary in length, which I always appreciate. They go back in time, into the future, and even into a parallel universe.
The issue, Escape from Eden, introduced a being that was really cool, although, sadly, didn't last long. It was a "gigantic slime-mold, a collective organism made from billions of sub-microscopic life-forms acting in unison". It learns English when Tom Strong speaks. That concept fascinates me. (It reminds me of a Next Gen episode where an alien does the same thing. SO COOL.)
This wasn't an I-can't-wait-to-get-back-to-this kind of book, but it was still fun and enjoyable. I'd recommend it.
Enjoyable characters. My favourite was Solomon, whose Pommy accent had me giggling. Toodle pip till next time, wot? Oh, and he's a well dressed gorilla. Wot?
This deluxe edition packs a punch at over 300 pages. The stories vary in length, which I always appreciate. They go back in time, into the future, and even into a parallel universe.
The issue, Escape from Eden, introduced a being that was really cool, although, sadly, didn't last long. It was a "gigantic slime-mold, a collective organism made from billions of sub-microscopic life-forms acting in unison". It learns English when Tom Strong speaks. That concept fascinates me. (It reminds me of a Next Gen episode where an alien does the same thing. SO COOL.)
This wasn't an I-can't-wait-to-get-back-to-this kind of book, but it was still fun and enjoyable. I'd recommend it.
October 1, 2009
Mining the adventure stories of his youth, Doc Savage pulps, and the books of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Alan Moore recounts the exciting exploits of the scientific action hero, Tom Strong. Born in 1900 to shipwreck survivors, Tom Strong joins the mysterious Ozu after his parents death. Very intelligent, extraordinarily strong, and nearly immortal, Strong moves to America and sets himself up as the hero of Millennium City. He encounters a strange array of villainy such as the Modular Man, Ingrid Weiss and her Swastika Girls, and the diabolical Paul Saveen. The inclusion of an intelligent talking gorilla, a steam-powered robot, Tom Strange of an alternate Earth, and the rest of Tom Strong's family, further established Tom Strong as Alan Moore's most enjoyable comic. This handsome volume reprints the first 12 exciting issues along with many of co-creator Sprouse's design sketches.
January 12, 2010
It's by Alan Moore so there's gonna be homages to the days of pulp comics. It's an enjoyable read but only to the comic book geeks like myself. Those who are curious about this genre and want to start reading a book with pictures and word balloons should not start with this book. They just won't get the references.
February 25, 2020
Alan Moore’s known more for deconstructing superheroes than anything else. Whether it be Miracle Man, his Superman work or Watchmen, Alan Moore’s career was made on taking these characters and tropes and breaking them down until they’re nothing. So what happens when Alan Moore wants to apologize for this? What happens when he wants to build these heroes back up? We get books like Tom Strong.
Tom Strong is a super strong genius who takes after lots of the pulpy sci-fi heroes of the 30’s and 40’s. He protects a city and is a main public figure there. He has his own building, his identity and life is public and he’s even got his own comic books in universe. In a 60’s Fantastic Four spin, it’s revealed in the very first issue that we’re actually reading the comics that are in universe. There are constant reminders of “this reminds me of our adventure in issue #whatever!” It’s all very fun and kind of silly, but in an extremely charming way. The writing style never ventures into that grim dark trademark Moore style, it remains as an optimistic pulpy sci-fi adventure and I love that. It’s actually fun to read. Just because it’s fun to read though, doesn’t mean it’s poorly written or lacking in the depth department. Moore packs in references and homages that could go over the casual comic fan’s head, but for trained eyes, you can spot the homages from a mile away. They’re done well and tastefully. The EC homage in particular is fantastic and this due mostly in part to Todd Klein’s masterful lettering which litters each page with pure brilliance. Todd Klein is free the best letterer of all time, and this is one of those books that you’d throw into the conversation to back that claim up.
The art team in this book is pretty great, especially the work of Chris Sprouse. His character designs for the whole team is great but I’m a big fan of how seamlessly he can blend and change art styles throughout his stories. He switches up his style depending on the story, character and environment which is pretty awesome. There are also other artists on the book meant to match whatever story they’re hopping on. Dave Gibbons, Jerry Ordway, Gary Frank and Art Adams just to name a few of the all star guest artists that make contributions to the book.
This book is a great change of pace for Moore. I’m used to works like the ones I’ve mentioned before and Swamp Thing so I’ve never seen this side of Moore, but I really really love the tone and style so I’m excited to keep on reading.
9/10
Tom Strong is a super strong genius who takes after lots of the pulpy sci-fi heroes of the 30’s and 40’s. He protects a city and is a main public figure there. He has his own building, his identity and life is public and he’s even got his own comic books in universe. In a 60’s Fantastic Four spin, it’s revealed in the very first issue that we’re actually reading the comics that are in universe. There are constant reminders of “this reminds me of our adventure in issue #whatever!” It’s all very fun and kind of silly, but in an extremely charming way. The writing style never ventures into that grim dark trademark Moore style, it remains as an optimistic pulpy sci-fi adventure and I love that. It’s actually fun to read. Just because it’s fun to read though, doesn’t mean it’s poorly written or lacking in the depth department. Moore packs in references and homages that could go over the casual comic fan’s head, but for trained eyes, you can spot the homages from a mile away. They’re done well and tastefully. The EC homage in particular is fantastic and this due mostly in part to Todd Klein’s masterful lettering which litters each page with pure brilliance. Todd Klein is free the best letterer of all time, and this is one of those books that you’d throw into the conversation to back that claim up.
The art team in this book is pretty great, especially the work of Chris Sprouse. His character designs for the whole team is great but I’m a big fan of how seamlessly he can blend and change art styles throughout his stories. He switches up his style depending on the story, character and environment which is pretty awesome. There are also other artists on the book meant to match whatever story they’re hopping on. Dave Gibbons, Jerry Ordway, Gary Frank and Art Adams just to name a few of the all star guest artists that make contributions to the book.
This book is a great change of pace for Moore. I’m used to works like the ones I’ve mentioned before and Swamp Thing so I’ve never seen this side of Moore, but I really really love the tone and style so I’m excited to keep on reading.
9/10
August 30, 2018
If I were rating this truly objectively--i.e., for the execution of its apparent aims as a comic and narrative--it would be 5-star book, and then only because it couldn't be higher.
Moore and Sprouse do great work, conjuring a super-sincere take on the old fashioned "science-hero" theme of pulp fiction and playing it out in comic form. The characterization is excellent throughout, with Tom Strong fitting enough archetypes to feel instantly familiar, and yet standing alone enough to encourage the reader to keep reading so as to find out exactly who this is. Along the way we're introduced to Tom's family: his wife, Dahlua; his daughter, Tesla; his sentient ape companion, Solomon; and his robotic butler, Pneuman. Dahlua and Tesla are running well-earned solo adventures by the end of the first volume, without the reader ever being aware of intentional set-up for such stories.
The art is great. Sprouse adapts his pencils to the feel of each story and while the aesthetic is always similar, it's never quite the same and he demonstrates a tremendous variety of mastered styles. The color fits the story telling, bright, and bold, and joyous without a hint of darkness (except in a single story in which Tom Strong journeys into the world of the dead).
The subjective element that kept it from being a five for me was that the book is ultra episodic, each story connecting only very loosely to the last, really with only the presence of Tom Strong and the other protagonists to tie them together. They could have been told in any order with a few words rearranged here and there. Episodic narrative can work great in a serialized format, but I've always preferred a larger, connected narrative. There isn't one here, not even building in the background waiting to be brought forward. It means, that for me at least, there's not much of a hook pulling me from one story to the next. Or from this volume to the next.
Moore and Sprouse do great work, conjuring a super-sincere take on the old fashioned "science-hero" theme of pulp fiction and playing it out in comic form. The characterization is excellent throughout, with Tom Strong fitting enough archetypes to feel instantly familiar, and yet standing alone enough to encourage the reader to keep reading so as to find out exactly who this is. Along the way we're introduced to Tom's family: his wife, Dahlua; his daughter, Tesla; his sentient ape companion, Solomon; and his robotic butler, Pneuman. Dahlua and Tesla are running well-earned solo adventures by the end of the first volume, without the reader ever being aware of intentional set-up for such stories.
The art is great. Sprouse adapts his pencils to the feel of each story and while the aesthetic is always similar, it's never quite the same and he demonstrates a tremendous variety of mastered styles. The color fits the story telling, bright, and bold, and joyous without a hint of darkness (except in a single story in which Tom Strong journeys into the world of the dead).
The subjective element that kept it from being a five for me was that the book is ultra episodic, each story connecting only very loosely to the last, really with only the presence of Tom Strong and the other protagonists to tie them together. They could have been told in any order with a few words rearranged here and there. Episodic narrative can work great in a serialized format, but I've always preferred a larger, connected narrative. There isn't one here, not even building in the background waiting to be brought forward. It means, that for me at least, there's not much of a hook pulling me from one story to the next. Or from this volume to the next.
April 15, 2024
3.75 stars
June 10, 2025
Si te gusta el pulp, este es tu cómic.
January 2, 2020
Tom Strong is a classic hero, heavily influenced by pulp and science fiction of the mid-20th century. He is a hero with a charmingly simple origin that for some reason makes him super badass. He was raised in his parents' futuristic volcano home on a remote island. They kept him in a high-gravity chamber for most of his childhood, which made him super-strong when he emerged. He inherited his parents' scientific brilliance and fortune, which gave him a wonderful opportunity to become a science hero. And the magical lifespan-lengthening herbs he has consumed from his island home make it so that he and his family of heroes have been saving the world repeatedly since the early 1900s.
This is one of Alan Moore's current projects (of Watchmen fame), and one of my favorites of his. It's just about the most fun comic I've read. It isn't burdened down with Big Ideas, but is full of brilliant and imaginative situations and charmingly simple morality. In this volume, Tom fights Nazis, travels back to Pangaea, gives Venus (the planet) as a gift, and genetically alters a gorilla to turn him into an old-timey super-British sidekick. It's really a delightful series, and among the most enjoyable science fiction I've read.
This is one of Alan Moore's current projects (of Watchmen fame), and one of my favorites of his. It's just about the most fun comic I've read. It isn't burdened down with Big Ideas, but is full of brilliant and imaginative situations and charmingly simple morality. In this volume, Tom fights Nazis, travels back to Pangaea, gives Venus (the planet) as a gift, and genetically alters a gorilla to turn him into an old-timey super-British sidekick. It's really a delightful series, and among the most enjoyable science fiction I've read.
March 10, 2011
Tom Strong was one of two characters in 2000 that awoke my current love for neo-pulp stories (the other was Doc Brass by Warren Ellis). After reading this, I kind of wanted to have a child then raise that child in higher gravity while feeding him magic root juice and a special education program. I want to father a super-super-scientist as well!
This is such an amazing bit of both straight forward pulp adventure as well as a commentary and deconstruction of those traditions, its bordering on genius. Of course I've come to expect nothing less from Alan Moore. Of course my favorite thing is Chris Sprouse' ever shifting art matching up with and spanning the story type/era that any given storyline is using/commentating/deconstructing. If I had to choose one story to be my absolute favorite it would be Tom Strong facing off against his nemesis Paul Saveen and the evil nazi Ingrid Weiss. More specifically I love the conclusion where Dhalua beats the ever lovin' shite out of the "super woman" Ingrid Weiss. I love this book, and the deluxe edition is amazing as ever.
This is such an amazing bit of both straight forward pulp adventure as well as a commentary and deconstruction of those traditions, its bordering on genius. Of course I've come to expect nothing less from Alan Moore. Of course my favorite thing is Chris Sprouse' ever shifting art matching up with and spanning the story type/era that any given storyline is using/commentating/deconstructing. If I had to choose one story to be my absolute favorite it would be Tom Strong facing off against his nemesis Paul Saveen and the evil nazi Ingrid Weiss. More specifically I love the conclusion where Dhalua beats the ever lovin' shite out of the "super woman" Ingrid Weiss. I love this book, and the deluxe edition is amazing as ever.
April 9, 2018
Aunque no he leído entrevistas ni declaraciones de los autores, Tom Strong da la sensación de ser todo lo que Alan Moore no pudo desarrollar en Supreme.
Aunque muy similar a Supreme, Tom Strong es todo un homenaje a diversos cómics de estilos tan similares como distintos y que han vestido las décadas de los setenta, ochenta y noventa. Las aventuras son similares, pero no idénticas, y las historias varían en dibujantes y estilos para tocar cada una de aquellas teclas que otrora llenaban las 24 páginas grapadas de cada mes.
A falta de la lectura de otros dos tomos, este primero es aconsejable tanto para nostálgicos como para quien quiera disfrutar de una lectura que no esté sujeta a mil sagas y referencias desconocidas.
Aunque muy similar a Supreme, Tom Strong es todo un homenaje a diversos cómics de estilos tan similares como distintos y que han vestido las décadas de los setenta, ochenta y noventa. Las aventuras son similares, pero no idénticas, y las historias varían en dibujantes y estilos para tocar cada una de aquellas teclas que otrora llenaban las 24 páginas grapadas de cada mes.
A falta de la lectura de otros dos tomos, este primero es aconsejable tanto para nostálgicos como para quien quiera disfrutar de una lectura que no esté sujeta a mil sagas y referencias desconocidas.
July 22, 2010
Lots of fun, especially, I would imagine, for old-school comics fans (like myself). This also proof, for me, that Alan Moore can still be good even when he's not writing something dark or mystical or political.
I don't normally buy the hardcover deluxe editions but this was on sale during this year's FCBD so I decided to go for it. I'm glad I did because I think that the oversized format really flatters the art (and it also kinda fits into the overall larger-than-life feel of the series). Only problem now is that I have to buy the rest of the series in this format so that it will look good on my shelves (yes, I'm crazy like that).
I don't normally buy the hardcover deluxe editions but this was on sale during this year's FCBD so I decided to go for it. I'm glad I did because I think that the oversized format really flatters the art (and it also kinda fits into the overall larger-than-life feel of the series). Only problem now is that I have to buy the rest of the series in this format so that it will look good on my shelves (yes, I'm crazy like that).
July 12, 2017
I loved this book. This is the first work by Alan Moore that I have read in a long time. It was refreshing to read Moore's return to the comic book superhero (science hero in the case of Tom Strong) in what is a fun collection of comics heavily influenced by pulp and science fiction. There is time travel, parallel dimensions (my favorite being funny land an animal world similar to earth) and alien creatures. Chris Sprouse' art is incredible in this collection. The amount of detail he puts into each panel makes everything pop. I highly recommend this collection to anyone looking for a fun Indiana Jones pulp hero book.
May 3, 2010
Can you be nostalgic for a time you never experienced? I'm not sure, but Alan Moore's wonderful Tom Strong saga sure makes me think so.
He has created an alternate Earth filled with the joys and wonder of the pulp comics from the Golden Age. I'm not old enough to remember those times, but I've read bits and pieces of various comics from then. Moore manages to take the fun and excitement of those stories and couple them with a modern sensibility.
Recommended.
He has created an alternate Earth filled with the joys and wonder of the pulp comics from the Golden Age. I'm not old enough to remember those times, but I've read bits and pieces of various comics from then. Moore manages to take the fun and excitement of those stories and couple them with a modern sensibility.
Recommended.
December 24, 2015
A very entertaining mix of scientific super heroes, pulp stories, golden and silver age comics written brilliantly. Lots of experimentation with flashbacks, histories inside histories, non-linear story telling. Incredible setting. I have read it twice and I always go back to it when I want to feel good. At the end of the day, probably the happiest work of Alan Moore, yet probably one of his best.
March 9, 2010
En su momento leí los capítulos que componen este tomo entre revistas sueltas españolas y estadounidenses. No sé si habrá alguna edición deluxe en castellano (tampoco sé hasta cuándo podrán conseguirse los tomos de Norma, ni si después de ellos los reeditará ECC), pero si alguna vez aparece seguro switchee a esa por los motivos de siempre.
March 24, 2016
Loved the first few stories! I thought each way Tom dealt with his villains was unique, which is what Moore specializes in. The end feels very short-story like (which I usually enjoy), but I feel like it's just introducing characters for something to come. Please let it be true, volume 2! I love bringing a ton of characters together for a big battle! To be continued...
June 20, 2013
A fun comic; both a tribute to and loving parody of how Golden Age superheroes were re-imagined in the Silver Age. Tom Strong is a nod to Edgar Rice Burroughs characters, but with the Mad Science of Jules Verne's protagonists, sort of a cross between Ka-zar and Tom Swift.
January 29, 2010
Lots of square-jawed pulpy fun.
January 1, 2014
Some cool stories here but as the series goes on Moore seems to lose interest slightly and just start writing absurd, novelty storylines. Adds up to less than the sum of it's parts.
September 2, 2013
Not like anything I would have ever expected from Alan Moore. Just a great old-school super hero series.
August 5, 2015
A lot of good, clean fun. Plenty of comics in-jokes. A shame I had not read this until now.
April 8, 2016
Beautifully, futuristically boring
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews