I hate revisionist history.

Always have. Always will.

That said, I always found it odd that I tried to be OK with the induction of Amazing Man into the pages of All-Star Squadron.

I mean, I appreciated the thought and all but his inclusion was the thing that taught me the meaning of "best intentions."

I always thought I'd been better served if I had been presented with a history where no Black man or woman could have joined a pre-civil rights movement Justice Society. It simply would have been the truth. It was an ugly truth, one that I would definitely have learned from.

I have no idea if Amazing Man's being the first Black person to serve in All-Star Squadron is still considered canon, especially after Infinite Crisis. I would honestly say that I'm much more comfortable with Jakeem Thunder and Mr. Terrific's being the first Black men to serve alongside Wildcat, Jay Garrick, Green Lantern and Hawkman.

Having Amazing Man in canon just seems to dimish these two characters' achievements, in some way.

Labels: Mr. Terrific

The fan response seemed so overwhelmingly negative that at one point I just wanted to leave Marvel Comics alone for a good long while.

I believe Marvel started it all with the best of intentions but unfortunately, let the fans make the ultimate decision for them, leading "Truth" to become a nearly forgettable footnote in the vast history of Captain America.

Then, two great things happened at DC.

DC put Mr. Terrific in charge of comics' most powerful superteam...


Then, last year, he became a key player in one of comics' leading espionage organizations...


And, no one blinked.

Why? Admittedly, Holt's predecessor, Terry Sloane was no where near Cap's league but Holt...

Holt's character arc has been well-handled. Without fanfare, without proclamation and probably subconsciously, he's become better than those who came before him.

Holt's writers put the character first, letting his actions explain his natural evolution.

For lack of a better comparison, if you want a Captain America comic, pretty much all one would have to do is pick up a DC Comic.

Labels: Mr. Terrific

I mean, really. What's not to love about Mr. Terrific? He was unanimously elected Chairman of The JSA by men who, at one point, could never have allowed for his membership. Times have changed and in any era this man would be phenomenal. He walks daily through doors once closed to him. He represents what I think is right with the DC Universe. It is a universe where men who can move mountains display common sense.

Labels: Mr. Terrific

The ultimate multi-tasker, no one since Wally (The Flash) West, The Freakin' Fastest Man Alive!, has anyone been so prominent a member of not one, but two, DC Universe organizations...

Labels: Mr. Terrific

Labels: Mr. Terrific