by Andy Williams

Without wishing to sound doomed in the first sentence, anthologies are tough to crack and usually take a few issues to get started. For Planet Jimbot’s latest, Amazing & Fantastic Tales #1, this most definitely the case. Within its pages are five stories that represent decent starts although requiring room to breathe.

Kroom! by Jim Alexander and Glenn B Fleming kicks us off in a hospital bed with a Batman ’66-esque lettering for its title, which brings forth the notion of multiple worlds and a taster of the world-hopping to come. This is an intriguing beginning as the interest comes from seeing how this well-worn notion of multi-dimensionalism can feel fresh and new, but this story stops almost as soon as it starts.  At just 3 pages long, it is impressive that the characters are introduced and we’re beginning this adventure, however it aches for more time to expand.

By Andy Williams

To celebrate the behemoth that is Marvel, they released a bumper special edition, drafting in names the calibre of Brian Michael Bendis, Len Wein and Bruce Timm to give a loving history across time.

Everything starts with a Ben Urich article which gives shout outs to some of the different main characters throughout the universe. The title of the section was Anniversary and gave a wonderful retrospective on the characters, providing the reader with a great introduction to the introspective celebration to come.

Things move on to a retelling of the first Stan Lee/Captain America story that started life as a two-page text in Captain America Comics #3. Bruce Timm brings life to Lee’s words and provides a beautiful, classical look to what is by nature a classic Cap story. The joy quite predictably comes from Lee’s light hearted and entertaining dialogue.

Following the fluff and enjoyment the Lee/Cap story provides, we get a Jessica Jones private detective story, the conceit being that an elderly lady has been searching for the fireman that saved her in the fire that ensued from the first sighting of the Human Torch. Daredevil legend and pulp fiction aficionado Brian Michael Bendis takes the reins on the story and provides a neat and informed arc, with an interesting insight into Jessica Jones’ mentality on the question of whether to take the job through inner monologue.

The conclusion of the arc brings forth an entertaining one-page memorial on some forgotten Golden Age heroes – bringing a spotlight on The Thunderer, The Angel, Blue Diamond, Red Raven and Rockman. Whilst there will be older fans clamouring for the inclusion of their favourite, it serves as a neat extra for some of the newer Marvel converts.

We then arrive at a Spiderman story from Tom Defalco and Stan Goldberg. Again classic in nature, highlighting Peter Parker’s incessant lateness and handled with a lightness and humour which we’ve come to expect from Spidey. The section has a very golden age feel and fits in well with the celebration of all things Marvel.

By Andy Williams

An anthology is always a harder sell due to its make-up. By definition it is simply a collection of non-flowing parts – and in this case, different artists and writers. There are inevitably strong stories and some weaker. That being said, That All Star Bulletproof Kid hits more strong notes than it misses.

Our hero, Anthony Fisher/the eponymous Bulletproof Kid is shown to be a typical school kid, having to explain being slightly out of touch (being a secret superhero and all), dodging bullies and hoping for school to be over. So far, pretty well trodden territory.

By Andy Williams

How do you even begin to redefine the origins of Batman, a character with one of the most defined and well-known backstories in comics? There have been films, TV shows, and one particularly well-regarded comic by Frank Miller, who redefined the story in the mid-1980s. And with the latest DC reboot, Scott Snyder finished his own version just recently. But how could he even begin to imagine creating a different Batman origin for The New 52?

In order to best explain where this story comes from, it’s important to briefly look back across the history of Batman and how he began. In the Golden Age, Batman’s origin was effectively as we know it. Orphaned by a criminal in Crime Alley, this darkness pushed young Bruce to a life beneath the cape and cowl. 

However, the character took severe swings in tone throughout its existence – from the light-hearted nature of the ‘66 Bill Dozier/Adam West show to the return to master detective under the watch of Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams. That was until Frank Miller, on something of a hot streak with his now legendary Daredevil run, created one of the stories that redefined not only a character but a medium, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. He then tackled Batman’s origins with Year One.