DC recently announced this fascinating gem.
| Quote: |
| DC COMICS GOES APE
Written by Otto Binder, John Broome, Gardner Fox and others; Art by Carmine Infantino, Wayne Boring, George Papp, Ross Andru, C.C. Beck, Jim Starlin and others; Cover by Arthur Adams You’ll go bananas for this new title collecting simian stories from SUPERBOY #76, SUPERMAN #138, THE FLASH (VOL. 1) #127, DETECTIVE COMICS #339 and 482, HAWKMAN #16, WONDER WOMAN #170, STRANGE ADVENTURES #201, SHAZAM #9, SUPER FRIENDS #30 and THE FLASH (VOL. 2) #151! DC Universe | 168pg. | Color | Softcover | $19.99 US On Sale October 1, 2008 |
As a well known ape aficionado, this collection interested me as I began wondering how many of these stories I’ve actually read.
- Superboy #76 “The Super-Monkey from Krypton!” I’ve read this cute tale. It’s an odd choice to start with.
Superman #138 “Titano the Super-Ape” Perhaps the most famous Superman-Titano story of them all. The second appearance of Titano with the classic King Kong-homage cover of Titano climbing the Daily Planet building. This is often reprinted, most notably in the classic DC Super Special #16: Super-heroes Battle Super-Gorillas.
The Flash (VOL. 1) #127 “The Reign of the Super-Gorilla!” Perhaps the finest Gorilla Grodd story ever. Another one reprinted in DC Super Special #16.
Detective Comics #339 “Batman Battles the Living Beast-Bomb!” The oft-reprinted tale that introduced Carmine Infantino’s new look to the Batman franchise. This one was in DC Super Special #16 as well.
Detective Comics #482 “Night of the Body Snatcher” I’ve never seen this one, but with story/pencils by Jim Starlin and inks by P. Craig Russell, I’m looking forward to it. I only wish they were reprinting the entire double-sized Batman Family issue. Luckily the Michael Golden-drawn Bat-Mite adventure was reprinted in The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told (another great collection).
Hawkman #16 “Lord of the Flying Gorillas!” One of the inspirations for my story “I Was the Bride of Rothro, King of the Giant Flying Vampire Gorillas From the Earth’s Core” (Negative Burn #47, drawn by John Lucas).
Wonder Woman #170 “Wonder Woman… Gorilla!” THE Wonder Woman-gorilla tale. Reprinted in the classic DC Super Special #16.
Strange Adventures #201 “The Mod Gorilla Boss!” This odd cross of DC’s poor understanding of sixties pop culture, apes, and mobs lead to one of the most unusual Animal Man stories of all. I actually own this. I’d be a tad ashamed for me.
Shazam #9 “The Day Captain Marvel Went Ape!” Surprisingly, this is not even the best Captain Marvel ape story. That’s reserved for the delightful Marvel Family #85 “The Marvel Family Battles the Primate Plot”, reprinted in both Limited Collector’s Edition #C-21 and The Greatest Shazam Stories Ever Told.
Super Friends #30 “Gorilla Warfare Against the Humans” I’ve never read this one but it features a tale using Grodd and Giganta (in apparently her first Earth-1 appearance).
The Flash (VOL. 2) #151 “Territorealis” Another story I haven’t read. Apparently, a Teen Titans flashback story.
Of the eleven stories, I’ve read all but three. I’m both proud and ashamed.
DC Comics Go Ape was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon