Customer Reviews

Showcase Presents: Adam Strange

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

 

 

If you were a kid in the late 50's and early 60's, this collection should have a fair degree of nostalgic appeal. Gardner Fox wrote a lot of DC series - e.g. Showcase Presents: The Great Disaster Featuring the Atomic Knights- Volume 1 (Showcase Presents). Much of what was done followed basic formulas - when you saw a new Adam Strange story, you knew pretty well what was going to happen - he would intercept a "zeta-beam" on Earth (often having to cleverly intercept it without other people seeing him do so) and be teleported to Rann (a planet of Alpha Centauri), where he would meet his beautiful girlfriend and partner in heroism, Alanna, a native of Rann. Those two and, occasionally, Alanna's father, Sardath (scientist), were the only constant characters. Rann or at least Ranagar, Alanna's native city-state, would be in danger. Adam would eventually come up with a solution and, then, while he was enjoying his visit with Alanna, the zeta-beam would wear off and he would return to Earth.
The unknown Earthman transported to another planet and becoming a great hero there, is of course, an old standard - see e.g. John Carter of Mars - volume 1 - The Princess of Mars & The Gods of Mars (John Carter of Mars), John Carter of Mars - volume 2 - Warlord of Mars & Thuvia, Maid of Mars (John Carter of Mars) and John Carter of Mars - volume 3 - Chessmen of Mars & Mastermind of Mars. Fox did make it fresh with Adam Strange, at least initially.
Unfortunately, the unvaring plot line eventually became boring. An opportunity that presented itself to change things a little and make Adam a permanent resident of Rann was negated quickly afterwards. I think there was a story in which Adam and Alanna finally married, but, if there was such a story, it was late in the series and isn't in this collection.

I've picked up about a half a dozen of these b&w Marvel and DC reprints and Adam Strange is the best one so far. Strange is a more down-to-earth (or down-to-Rann, I guess) character. He has no super power and doesn't make clever or lame quips as he k.o.'s the bad guys. He behaves much like you or I would react to a problem, which makes it easier to identify with the hero. Every story is a very good read.

Yes, these books are black and white, but the artwork is still there and very good. Also if you are like me and never seen the colored version, then won't be missing anything.

I have to echo everything said by the previous two reviewers about this series. If this is not my favorite of all time then Adam Strange and Flash are in a tie for first place. As long as Carmine Infantino's artwork was inside I could find nothing wrong in the world. The Fox/Infantino duo are responsible for most of my silver age favorites but for me the most important element was the artwork, especially when the inker was Joe Giella or Murphy Anderson. It is sad that this series essentially ended when Fox and Infantino were pulled to revamp Batman. If you know nothing about Adam Strange this would be an excellent way to acquaint yourself with the series.