COMICS PORTAL: I Want More than Good Memories!

Since it is Memorial Day, I thought I would mention some comics characters/groups I remember and would love to see return to the books soon!

Since it is indeed Memorial Day, I’m remembering many series’ from a comics genre that used to be one of the best-selling in the industry—war comics!

There used to be so many great books about veterans and their experiences on the battlefield, and those included Sgt. Rock and His Howling Commandos, Weird War Tales, Enemy Ace, The ‘Nam, Maus, and Our Army at War, to mention just a few. A lot of these books seemed to tell those of us fortunate enough to not serve on the battlefield just how lucky we are.

I love comics because I can discover stories about adventures others have experienced or imagined, learn what those who have gone before us went through, and better understand what those who have gone into battle actually went through.

I realize that we are in an era where we are very anxious to stay away from combat, but I still like to remember and recognize those who have made it possible for us to live in a less-wartime era. Thank you for your service!

It wasn’t all that long ago that there was a comics company named Malibu Comics, and they teamed up several of their heroes (and others) into one fighting group called Ultraforce. They included Prime, Hardcase, Protoype, Topaz, Ghoul, Contrary, and Pixx.

While copies of their issues are likely hard to find, you could always check out their short-lived animated series with the same name to get a taste of just who they were. They briefly had Marvel’s Black Knight in charge, and they did crossover with the Avengers at one point, but they were something different when it came to a team book, and I miss them!

Speaking of Dane Whitman, every so often Marvel revives this reworking of a classic Middle Ages hero that had a more modern descendent who was a villain, then he was replaced by a more heroic guy.

The big trouble this character always had was that someone using a sword (magical or cursed or not) is frowned on these days, not to mention his occasional leather jacket and mechanical flying horse.

I always applaud it when the House of Ideas gives him a new mini-series, so he’s due for another revival soon! How about it, Marvel?

Yes, Batman continues to be a popular hero at DC, so many companies have what I refer to as their own “Bat-alike(s)” to try and cash in on that trend.

Even DC itself has done that, bringing the Earth-3 version of the Dark Knight to “our” universe for a while. Owlman has had various abilities, from the first version who could influence other minds to more recent ones. It’s always creepy to see Bruce Wayne become a villain like The Batman Who Laughs.

Still, my favorite Owlman was the animated one voiced by James Woods in the Crisis on Two Earths film in 2010. He had his own brilliant yet brutal resolution to the problem of lawlessness. His best line was always, “It just doesn’t matter.” I wouldn’t mind him having another go at being a hero!

I have long been a fan of animals who are heroes or baddies, from the Legion of Super-pets to the Ace the Bathound to Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers to Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew.

The problem they often face is that they have to become nearly human intellectually to function in today’s comics. The examples that immediately jump to mind include Bandit from Jonny Quest or Blip in Space Ghost. (I do like David Pepose’s solution to the latter in the current Dynamite comics, though!)

Maybe since Krypto is getting some time in the spotlight due to the upcoming Superman movie these other animal heroes will get their shot at a comic return!

As someone who has read comics for many years (several decades, even), there are some characters I remember that have fallen out of fashion for various reasons, and they include Doiby Dickles (first GL sidekick), Thomas Kalmaku (a different GL’s helper who was unfortunately nicknamed “Pieface”), Itty (an alien sidekick to the same GL), Zook (the alien sidekick to Martian Manhunter), Bat-Cow (Robin’s pet), Jonah Hex from the Wild West, and Space Ranger, an outer-space cowboy of sorts.

Oh, and again I ask—bring back Alfred, Bruce Wayne’s longtime butler and confidant. I miss him, too!

I honestly could point out a lot more characters I wish would return to today’s comics, but maybe you instead would like to nominate a few yourself in the space below!

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