Back Issue # 7 December 2004 (magazine review)

I managed to get the seventh issue of ‘Back Issue’ recently which specialised in super-teams. Something I’ve been careful about is having a wish-list is because I’m likely to probably find them in the missing issues that I’m catching up on. This happened here as editor/writer Michael Eury looks at ‘The Brave And The Bold’, much of which was written by Bob Haney who ignored any semblance of continuity, if it really had much outside of the LSH at the time, with the rest of the DC Universe and artist Jim Aparo It really was a team-up book for Batman with all manner of characters.

Writer Mike W. Barr has a further look at Bob Haney’s work, especially when it came to how the readership was changing but not quite sure if he would adapt to what was needed.

Michael Eury interviews Jim Aparo and, bear in mind this is long before the TwoMorrows book on his life recently, gets some insight, especially how he kept up with the looks of all the characters. As Aparo points out, he had the opportunity to draw most of the DC Universe characters, pointing out the ones Hanney avoided.

What does make for an interesting selling point to get his issue is a guide to the guest-stars but not villains in both DC and Marvel Comics team-up books. If there is a major criticism, is them being done alphabetically than by comicbook house. However, if you ever wondered if you missed a particular team-up or did it happen, this checklist is handy.

A feature that went over to ‘Draw!’ but was here is looking at team-ups pencilwork both as covers, splashes and comicbook pages. The front cover was based on one of these by Curt Swan and finally inked by Murphy Anderson and is shown here. I don’t think it’s just me but although Superman’s physique is dead on, poor Batman seems to have a torso problem, not to mention his legs are about the same length as his torso which would make him look awkward standing up. One of the lessons I learnt with drawing was comparing lengths of limbs to torso in perspective to make sure the ratio was correct so was easily checked. However, there is a decent selection of artists’ works here that should whet your appetite.

Looking at these early issues shows a few things that have evolved or stopped over the years. The ‘Pro2Pro’ feature seems to be one of them. With these, this one has Peter Sanderson asking creators involved with the Fantastic Four questions and getting their answers. Obviously, they aren’t discussing it with each other, but it’s interesting how many gave similar answers. The FF’s status as Marvel’s premiere title has been superseded by Spider-Man and the X-Men over the years but still have the family aspect at its core no matter how much it has been shaken up.

The second ‘Pro2Pro’ for this issue is a double interview with writer Mark Evanier and artist Will Meugniot about their creation, DNAgents, done off the edge of their animation careers. Speaking of which, Evanier gives a lot of insight into that side of the animation business here, especially as series bibles can be ignored when I thought it had to be adhered to than just used to sell the series. I never read the series but, oddly, here I don’t really learn much about the comicbook itself.

There’s a guest editorial by Denny O’Neil about the problems of team and team-up books. I agree with him about the imbalance between Superman and Batman but it lasted for many years. You do have to wonder if the Krytonian was slumming to study his mate’s detective techniques.

There’s a lot of other stuff so treat this as a sampling that I want to comment on. Considering I reviewed Back Issue # 5 last month, seeing the letter column here related to it is still fresh in my mind. Like all TwoMorrows publications, the letters pages are used to not only comments but also pick up on errors. None here this time but they do become a fun read.

GF Willmetts

July 2026

(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 89 page illustrated magazine. Price: varies. ISSN: 1932-6904. Direct from them, you can get it digitally for $ 4.99 (US))

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