Showcase Presents: Strange Adventures Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Various (Author, Illustrator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (January 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401215440
• ISBN-13: 978-1401215446
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 1.1 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #643,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Written In An Era When Science Fiction Was Still New & Exciting, April 4, 2009

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[e-mail] (WI, United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Showcase Presents: Strange Adventures Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Unfortunately, the stories from this era were somewhat dumbed down due to the Comics Code. In the 1950's it was believed that comic books contributed to juvenile delinquency. Authors like Edmund Hamilton who wrote for DC had one hand tied behind his back due to the limitations of the Comics Code. Obviously there could be no sex or excessive or explicit violence. But there could also be no negative criticism of society, government or questioning of authority. The stories were naive, simple to understand and always had a positive lesson. Plus they were marketed to 11 year olds and had to be written accordingly. For that reason they seem overly simplistic and naive.

Because of those constraints the stories in SA are somewhat lacking in quality. Still, this is great light reading while commuting to and from work. Then there is the nostalgia factor. During that era Science Fiction was somewhat new and exciting for readers. There are a lot of aliens here, some good, some evil, some warning earth, some needing help. Each story has a moral lesson.

The black and white art is not as much of a detraction as you might think. After a while the crisp line work grows on you. Now I prefer the B&W renderings. They give the book a classic look while leaving something to the imagination.

I would recommend this book with the caveat that your expectations should be realistic. There are no Hugo Award winners in this book. This is light reading for a nostalgia rush.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, March 27, 2009

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M. Mc Cullough (TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Showcase Presents: Strange Adventures Vol. 1 (Paperback)

I bought this collection (500 pages btw) at a comic book store the other day. I came to AMAZON to see if VOL 2 had been released. Why? Because this anthology collection is excellent. Each story is like a mini-Twilight Zone episode. Talking Monkeys, Hologram Machines, Alien Invasions etc... I collect SCI-FI radio shows from the 1950s and these stories are right up with the best of them. If I had a suggestion for future volumes, it would be to request that the issue covers be in color, exactly like the cover of the anthology. In case you were wondering, it is a book that is safe for kids as well and I think would inspire the imagination. I thank DC for releasing this. I hope it sells well because I want to read other volumes!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much better than expected, February 17, 2009

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A. Jackson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Showcase Presents: Strange Adventures Vol. 1 (Paperback)

I really wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this volume--one never knows what one is going to get from a collection of an anthology title--but I was pleasantly surprised.

These stories were published between 1955-1956, most of them 6 pages in length. There's little to no characterization, and the art style is likely the standard house style for National Publications at the time. However, what really makes this work is the stories themselves. The vast majority are true science fiction tales, meaning that a primary plot point hinges on an actual knowledge of science. Sure, there's an overabundance of alien invasions, but at the same time it doesn't get quite so old because of the unique ways utilized by the protagonist of the story to solve the problem.

I won't tell you that every story here is fabulous as there are a few clunkers, and certainly one could roll one's eyes at the 1950's (pseudo) science, but for the most part it's good, solid storytelling.

I wouldn't call this essential, but if you've got the money to spend and you're interested in this period, I can recommend this volume. I would say it's best read in small chunks, however.