Showcase 12 (January-February 1958)

George Klein is far from Kirby’s worst inker, but he doesn’t bring much to the art either. Maybe the subject matter is just inherently less visual.

The Challengers track a criminal and his gang to an island–they’re lawfully deputized to work as a paramilitary vigilante organization, don’t you worry–and these ancient vials cause trouble. Giant thugs, a fire monster, a sea monster and duplicating criminals.

The narrative’s not bad, though Wood fails to even attempt cliffhangers. I don’t think any of the Challengers are in sustained danger. Maybe once. They also don’t have any personalities and are even less different from one another here since none of them have any solo missions. Wood even forgets Prof’s name… or maybe he finally remembers it. Last issue it was Harrison, now it’s Haley again.

Wood and Kirby’s approach seems to be to go big (literally); it works out reasonably well.

Showcase 11 (November-December 1957)

Bruno Premiani should not ink Jack Kirby. I don’t know who Premiani should ink, or if he should ink at all, but he should definitely not ink Kirby. I couldn’t even tell this issue–a Challengers story–had Kirby pencils. It looks like someone imitating Kirby. Poorly.

As for Dave Wood’s story, it’s decent enough but shows the big problem with his Challengers writing. The more involving the plot, the less important the characters. One of the Challengers goes missing for the entire fourth chapter of the issue and I didn’t even realize he was gone. Wood brings in two supporting characters to help out and they’re just as vibrant of characters as any of the Challengers.

Except, of course, for the outfits.

The plot involves aliens trying to take over the Earth with some cool technology. At least the Kirby layouts are good.

It’s a breezy, fun, disposable read.

C+

CREDITS

The Day the Earth Blew Up!; writer, Dave Wood; penciller, Jack Kirby; inker, Bruno Premiani; editor, Jack Schiff; publisher, DC Comics.

Showcase 7 (March-April 1957)

While there’s still nothing resembling character development for the original Challengers–scientist June Robbins offers to join, it’s unclear if she’s accepted, and Wood gives her a lot more personality than the boys–this issue’s really strong.

Even someone only marginally familiar with Kirby’s work (like me) can see in this Showcase the ancestors of his New Gods design work. He gets a little lazy on the faces, but there are still some amazing visuals of a giant robot run amok.

Wood’s script is a mix of King Kong and a super-computer thriller. He uses June Robbins to bring thoughtfulness and compassion to the story, making it unique. The plotting is also rather strong, though the chapter cliffhangers are tepid.

The story’s also of historical note as it involves the Challengers helping a Nazi war criminal. Apparently they weren’t evil on face value in 1957?

It’s a good read.

Showcase 6 (January-February 1957)

This Showcase predates Jason and the Argonauts. I wonder if someone on the movie read it–the Challengers of the Unknown face a giant, Greek or Roman looking statue monster who’s out to destroy civilization.

Jack Kirby’s visuals are imaginative, even if the art isn’t as polished as it could be.

The issue opens with some vague sexism–four women are called heroes, but we don’t get to hear about their adventures, just the boys. Has anyone else ever noticed the Challengers don’t have much in the way of personality? Prof Haley is the only one with any distinction and then only because he’s supposed to be smart.

They get involved with magic and ancient technology and have a three chapter adventure. It’s a decent enough issue, with Kirby and co-writer Dave Wood getting in a lot of content.

Pleasant but unaffecting might be the best description for it.