Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    DC

    Review: DC Universe Halloween Special

    Stephen SchleicherBy Stephen SchleicherOctober 29, 2008Updated:October 29, 20084 Mins Read

    It’s the most wonderful time, of the year…

    halloweenspecialpicon.jpg

    This has got to be one of the best weeks of the year.  The spooky decorations are out, the little tykes are trying on their costumes for a night for mischief, and the dental industry is primed to make a killing over the next couple of months as kid’s teeth start falling out from candy rot.  DC is getting into the act too, with an all new seasonal special that should spook us all.


    halloweenspecialcover.jpgBut it doesn’t.  DC Universe Halloween Special is an oversized issue jam packed with tales that are not as good as Tales from the Darkside, and lack the appeal of Tales from the Crypt, but one thing it does have are introductions by the ghost detectives themselves Ralph and Sue Dibny.  We haven’t seen the ghostly duo in some time – or maybe we have, as I thought Reign in Hell was so bad I am blocking it out of my memory, so seeing the two have fun aping Alfred Hitchcock, and the rest of the tales of suspense crowd is a a real treat for the holiday.

    Now don’t get me wrong, the tales in the Halloween Special don’t blow chunks like the fat kid who ate too many popcorn balls.  Instead, we are presented with kid friendly-ish tales that are designed to make you relive some of your favorite scares and feature some of the big guns from the DCU to make it worth while.   There’s a tale of Superman who gets caught up with a ghost who never made his deadline, a kid duo who get suckered into going into a dark sewer, only to discover Batman is there with candy, and a fun retelling of the Legend of Sleepy Hallow, just to name a few.

    With ten tales to tell in 60 some odd pages, there is something that is going to be lacking.  Having a one shot like this, written by a myriad of writer and illustrated by very fine artists makes this a title that should hit it out of the park.  But again, it doesn’t.

    If there is one thing this title suffers from the most it is there are too many stories to tell in the space alloted.  This means most of the stories are paced very strange, to the point the whole reveal, or ah-ha moment, is completely lost.  And this is bad, as there are some really great build ups and really great endings, but the middle has been hacked out by some deranged psycho showing up at a sorority house unannounced, during a thunderstorm, and when the lights are all out.

    Even with the the strange jumps in storytelling, this is a keen book.  I love that DC is getting into the spirit and attempting to have fun with readers young and old.  If this title not had a $5.99 cover price, and DC had approached this one-shot as a gateway drug to the bigger comic community, I would have had no problem slipping copies of this issue into the age appropriate bag of those trick or treaters come All Hallows Eve.  This may sound like an odd thing to hand out on Halloween, but I’ve done it before with Archie and Disney comics, and the kids love it.  The tales in this special don’t go too far over the edge (okay, maybe The Demon tale does) so young kids would eat this stuff up.  Heck, it beats what I’m giving out this year – GHOST CANDY FOR EVERYONE!  Help yourself, there’s plenty.

    I really want to like this book, there is a spirit of fun inside that is trying to claw its way to the top.  With those holes in the story though, it’s like going to a house expecting full sized Snickers bars and ending up with a toothbrush.  I’m giving DC credit for trying, and getting an issued filled with good writers and artists out on time, which means the DC Universe Halloween Special earns 2 out of 5 Stars.

    2stars.jpg

    22/22

    alfred hitchcock big guns blow chunks Costumes Dc Universe dcu dental industry detectives fine artists introductions legend of sleepy hallow little tykes mischief myriad popcorn balls Reign In Hell scares Tales From The Crypt tales from the darkside wonderful time
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleDrawing with Water
    Next Article Sandman Reading to Benifit CBLDF
    Stephen Schleicher
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Stephen Schleicher began his career writing for the Digital Media Online community of sites, including Digital Producer and Creative Mac covering all aspects of the digital content creation industry. He then moved on to consumer technology, and began the Coolness Roundup podcast. A writing fool, Stephen has freelanced for Sci-Fi Channel's Technology Blog, and Gizmodo. Still longing for the good ol' days, Stephen launched Major Spoilers in July 2006, because he is a glutton for punishment. You can follow him on Twitter @MajorSpoilers and tell him your darkest secrets...

    Related Posts

    Grim #9 Review

    Read More

    Doctor Strange #1 Review

    Read More

    Major Spoilers Podcast #1019: Superman Up In The Sky

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    8.0
    March 23, 2023

    Grim #9 Review

    7.0
    March 23, 2023

    Doctor Strange #1 Review

    8.3
    March 22, 2023

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Lost Years #2 Review

    8.0
    March 22, 2023

    Tiger Division #5 Review

    10.0
    March 21, 2023

    Nocterra #12 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Karl G Siewert on Multiversity: Harley Screws Up The DCU #1 Review
    • R. Eric Smith on Retro Review: So Beautiful And So Dangerous #1 (1979)
    • Daniel Langsdale on The X-Cellent #1 Review
    • kmd on [Preview] Mr. Beaver #2
    • R Mohr on PREVIEW: Dejah Thoris #1
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    ComiXology Home Page">
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2022 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.