Customer Reviews

The Adam Strange Archives, Volume 2 (DC Archive Editions)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This volume includes all the Adam Strange stories from Mystery in Space 66-80, cover dated March 1961 through December 1962. DC has done an outstanding job, as they did with Volume 1. The reproduction is top notch, and the quality of the color is first rate. The fantastic art by Carmine Infantino looks better than it did in the original issues, not surprising given that the quality of the paper here is far above the newsprint stock of the original comics. The stories are silly but entertaining. If you're a fan of Adam Strange, DC's Silver Age and/or Carmine Infantino, this volume absolutely belongs in your library.

Just got this in the mail from Amazon today, two full days ahead of the bumped up release date!

This book is just as good looking and entertaining as volume one. Linework crisp and accurate; colors seem faithful. Bottom line: if you enjoyed Volume 1, don't miss out on Volume 2 because it'll probably be 2009 before we get the third volume, which, although it won't complete the Silver Age run of Adam Strange, should finish the great Infantino/Anderson collection.

Strap on your rocket pack and have a blast!

When it comes to Super Hero titles in the 1960's, I'm not sure anyone could deny that Marvel Comics was producing the most innovative work. DC was largely on cruise control through the 50's and into the early 60's as they had little competition in this realm. DC, however, has long been underrated for their non-superhero titles of the 1960's. Often times their best work, and best artists, went largely unnoticed on horror, war, and Sci-Fi titles. That's where books like DC Archive editions and Showcase Presents are really a boon to comic fans. These titles were obviously never as popular as Superman or Batman and were always on the verge of cancellation, but these always displayed outstanding work by old pros as well as young up-and-comers.

The Adam Strange Archives is just what I am talking about. While some my call it a Superhero title it's really more a great space adventure in the tradition of Buck Rogers and John Carter of Mars. Volume Two reprints Mystery in Space # 66 - 80 with stories written by the prolific Gardner Fox and art by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson. The stories by Fox weren't very daring. Fox had a formula that he stuck too pretty tightly. Adam Strange would be whisked off to the Planet Rann by the Zeta beam in each issue, only to find the planet and his beloved Alanna under attack by a new alien threat and Adam had to save the day.

While formulaic, it never failed to thrill as Adam was a hero who relied on his wits as much as his fists and weapons. This volume is the character at his best and a great representation of Fox's work. Strange finds himself battling all types of bizarre aliens including the Kirri, a rade who have perfected an aqua ray gun that turns the people of Rann, including Strange, into puddles of Water. Other threats include the Crystal beings of Karalyx as well as the devious dust devils!

My favorite story was the one that finds Adam Strange transported 100,000 years into Rann's future. The people of Rann remember Strange as a mere myth and legend and even doubt he ever existed. Yet when a new threat troubles Rann, their scientists once again call on Strange, having grab him out of the mists of time to aid them once again.

Like a lot of DC comics from this period, the background art is fairly non-existent. Lots of pastel blues, yellows, greens, etc...The editors wanted these stories cranked out fast. Still, in the talented hands of Infantino and Anderson, there's a tremendous dynamic to the art and there just plain fun to read.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Adam Strange was the finest product produced by DC during its silver age, and is among the best comics of all time, both for its writing and its art. There are so many clever solutions to intracable problems, so many iconic images of starcrossed lovers separated by twenty five trillion miles standing on windswept vistas and alien plains, staring forelornly at the skies. This volume includes some of the very best works in the series: including Shadow People of the Eclipse and the Planet that Came to a Standstill. Most of the stories feature the superb inking by Murphy Anderson that lent a depth and beauty to Carmine Infantino's that no one else could match. Highly recommended.

Incredible reproduction of the Adam Strange adventures from 1962-1963. The detail is probably better than in the original comics and the colors are much more vivid. Having the originals is still the best, but this is an incredible substitue.
The stories are corny by today's standards, but for those of us who grew up with them they have a timeless priceless charm

Theses were great stories I remember most of them some I was reading for the first time and still could see the changes from vol. 1

Optimism used to be the accepted way to be. Then, of course, Vietnam destroyed that. These are stories from the time when we wanted to go to the moon to both beat the Communists and because it was there. Stories where anything can be overcome by a little science, a little luck, and knowing that youre doing the right thing.

While I enjoyed the first Volume very much, this time I'm disappointed. The buildings and the landscaps look always the same. If you have seen one story from Mr Infantio and Anderson, you have seen them all. They are not able to create SF-Worlds. And there is also no variation how Adam Strange is moving his body. The Tales from Mr Fox are also not well cooked and not so interesting like Tales from Mr Boom for Green Lantern. I would not buy this book again.