SUPER SONS/DYNOMUTT SPECIAL #1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Fernado Pasarin, Oclair Albert, Gabe Eltaeb, and Rob Leigh
Edited by Jim Chadwick
Published by DC Comics
Release Date: May 30, 2018
A nearly-destroyed Dynomutt enlists the help of Superboy and Robin to stop Big City’s greatest hero, and Dynomutt’s partner, Blue Falcon. Falcon, established here as a former member of Batman Inc, has seemingly gone mad and only by teaming up can our heroes get to the bottom of this.
Tomasi and the team bring us an story with high stakes and pathos. Lives and legends in the balance.
I missed out on most of the Hanna-Barbera shows as a kid, the victim of a three-channel rural up-bringing. But one of the few that made it to me, despite its very brief time on air a decade before, was Dynomutt and Blue Falcon. A lifelong super-hero fan, it was one of the first times I saw a caped crusader appear on my TV screen.
Here we get the usual somewhat grittied take on the classic characters with an opening three pages of origin and backstory before the Super Sons enter the tale. As seems the standard in Super Sons, Jon is shuffling through another required task of his parents’ when Damien turns up and draws him away to adventure.
Pasarin and Albert turn in a solid issue with strong storytelling flow and layout. This is Perez-school comic art with panels packed with detail, figures striking dramatic poses, and character reveals that overpower the page every time. A dynamic and fast-paced super-hero tale.
The colors by Eltaeb are the standout contribution of the issue. He manages to evoke the 4-color cartoon designs of the characters while expanding that palate out into a more contemporary tonal look. Blue Falcon and Red Vulture are both in plain blue and red, while also having shape and substance like any other hero of today. Eltaeb also takes the complex art of Pasarin and Albert and rather than just do fills, makes every detail and small object have an individual color and presence.
Leigh plays with a dozen or more fonts through the issue, capturing the changes in voice and tone while not distracting the reader with the mechanics. The lettering keeps the eye moving and the story developing.
Overall this one shot is a great addition to the DC/Looney Tunes fifth week alumni. An entertaining tale that does not require any pre-work to understand the characters and the state of affairs.
The Verdict: 8.0/10
