blogging by Andrew Wickliffe


Tom Strong (1999) #1


Ts1

I read Tom Strong when it came out (some of it, anyway); I didn’t remember much about this first issue until I got to the end. I sort of remembered the big smile at the end of the issue, which—at the time I first read it—I thought was a little strange.

Here’s Alan Moore—the Watchmen guy, the Swamp Thing guy—basically doing this resoundingly nice superhero moment. I guess I hadn’t read his Superman stories yet.

This issue’s the origin (and Moore’s calm about the age-slowing plant, introducing it at the end instead of the beginning) and it’s absolutely beautiful. It would be nice to spend more time in the various eras Moore’s writing about… first because Sprouse’s art is beautiful, but also Moore has a great feel.

Moore’s writing is assured and funny. It’s maybe the most comedic work of his I’ve read.

It’s lovely.


One response to “Tom Strong (1999) #1”

  1. Strangely enough, the Tom Strong series, while showing off an excellent command of the classic feel good superhero strip, has an underlying edge of “optimism, yet not blind faith” about it. It’s almost as if sometimes the characters can’t believe how wild their ride is. The Strong family is also probably one of the better fleshed out super families in comics. Last year, DC did a 6 parter, while being one of the best series out that year. garnered almost zero critical or fan support. A shame, as it was excellent, and will most likely be his last story for it. Sprouse, while slow, is incredible.

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