Back when the 80-page giants were originally published by DC comics, they cost a dollar. It's been a bit over 15 years since both the 80-pagers and Adventure Comics have stopped running, but now they're both back. Isn't it great? Well, yes and no.
Nothing can ever recapture the greatness of those old giant comics, featuring mostly the little knowns of the DCU, new talent artists and writers, and truly hokey ads, but they're trying. This attempt features 7 stories by big time writers and solid artists, and the stars of the stories are some of Adventure Comics' biggest and brightest from their 503 issues.
The first tale, starring Wonder Woman, I read last for one reason, John Byrne. No, it's not because John Byrne is so good it's "save the best for last", no, it's because John Byrne did such a crappy job with his run on Wonder Woman was so incredibly bad. This tale, featuring okay art by Phil Winslade and Tom Palmer, picks up where Wonder Woman 134 left off, with Wonder Woman Hyppolita and JSA-er Johnny Thunder fighting, for the last time, the Dark Angel. This story, while being pretty bad, is still good mainly because it's short.
Next is Green Arrow, Connor Hawke, written by Chuck Dixon, with art by Rick Burchette and Keith Williams. A superb, tense, quick drama in which Connor must test the lengths of his courage and skills in order to save his friends life. Burchette's art is well complimented by simple colors from Jason Scott Jones.
The Power of Shazam tale has Captain Marvel facing extra-terrestrial magic which he must overcome to save another dimention. A slow, dull tale from Pat McGreal and Craig Rousseau.
A cute "Superboy at sea" tale has the young Supes banging fists with a giant sea creature, all the while flirting with a cute mermaid chicky. Funny, amusing, tale by Ivan Velez with great art by Steve Lightle (who also provides the cover).
Tom McCraw, Kevin West and Ray Kryssing have the Legionnaires fighting a mysterious alien only to have an inexperienced member cause more problems. A lightweight but good tale.
Very little happens in the following story, with Supergirl helping out a friend, but the art by Louis Small and Jackson Guice, compliment Joan Weis' script nicely.
The final story, Tales of the Bizarro World, is the best in the book, signifying what Adventure Comics is all about, quirky characters and strange adventures. The Bizarro world is always a fascinating and entertaining subject, but Tom Peyer provides a touching twist to the final page. Art by Kevin O'Neill (of Martial Law fame) is most suited to this Bizarro story.
Overall, a disappointing read, the Bizarro and Green Arrow tales the exception. Not really worth the price of admission, but worth reading if you find in a discount bin.