Antarctic Press 2019
Written by Bradley Golden, John Crowther, David Furr & David Doub
Illustrated by Carlos Tron, Salvatore Cuffari, Spike Jarrell & Bill Marimon
Coloured by Mickey Clausen, Shannon Smith & Eric Ealons
Lettered by Hector Negrete & David Furr
For the first time in over 70 years, Exciting Comics returns to stores! In this premiere title, Antarctic Press introduces the Superverse, a new shared universe that combines classic public domain characters such as Black Terror and the Heap with a host of new, original heroes!
This is exciting, no pun intended, because for the first time I feel like okay here are some actually strong, fun, interesting and straight up comic book stories. Yes there are multiple stories in this new anthology series, hence all the creators mentioned above, and this allows the book to introduce us to new characters as well legacy characters and depending on what we see down the road the original characters in these pages. Dynamite does a great job with their representation of these public domain characters but there are so many out there and to see someone care enough to create new stories featuring them then I am automatically a fan.
Another thing I really liked about this issue was there weren’t introductory stories per se, they were just hello here we are enjoy. No real need for background information just this what is happening moving forward. My one fervent hope with this series is not only bringing back the main characters from it’s heyday but to find those unknown heroes and heroines that aren’t being utilised anywhere else. Obscure long dormant characters that can become relevant once again and if you can’t tell I’m a huge fan of these characters and I could name a dozen I want to see again. Great now I am off topic heh so let’s get back to business shall we.
Though this is an anthology and the stories are told more in chapter form mean that the writing has to be on point and it really is. I like the feeling that this brings as the writers really have made this chapter storytelling so inviting and just enough to feel as if we’re a part of this as well as revealing just enough to get ya hooked on the story and wanting to come back. There is a true art to this style of writing and I have to tip my hat to these folks who as of now appear to have things well in hand. Also I remember as a kid getting those World’s Finest with all the different stories and this brings back my childhood perfectly.
There is not one story here that is not visually appealing. Each utilised the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels. The way backgrounds are utilised is superb and the strength of the linework here that creates such wow factor attention to detail is pretty amazing. I am really impressed that each segment is done by someone different and yet the overall flow of the book never feels interrupted. It’s seamless transition visually from one to another is sensational and while we see distinct style traits for each it just feels like they belong together like this. I cannot express adequately how the visual storytelling here is just as good as it is and how it makes me as a reader feel and appreciate the quality of work.
People hear me because I am telling you right here right now YOU NEED THIS in your life. Antarctic Press is home to some sensational storytelling, characters and books that aren’t these dark and brooding but reminiscent of a time when comics were fun! These books look and feel like those from the spinner rack at the local convenient store that gets you excited. This is the way comics were meant to be so you need to go and order these from your local shoppe or subscription service, trust you’ll thank me later.