Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin; Oclair Albert; Gabe Eltaeb; & Rob Leigh
Cover Art by Fernando Pasarin; Oclair Albert; & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for July 2018, this 48-page one-shot has Lois, Clark, and their young son, Jonathan, in Big City for a journalist colleague’s funeral. As Superboy, Jon helps Damian “Robin” Wayne rescue a critically-wounded Dynomutt. Interrupting the canine cyborg’s repairs at Crowne Tower, the boys are attacked by a mind-controlled Blue Falcon (aka Radley Crowne).
As told in flashback, the maniacal Red Vulture was one of Crowne’s first cybernetic experiments and now seeks immortality by stealing Dynomutt’s far superior technology. In the present-day, it’s up to Superboy & Robin to save Dynomutt before the Red Vulture takes lethal vengeance. The ex-Dog Blunder poignantly reveals what the playful nickname, “B.F.” really stands for, and it’s not ‘Blue Falcon.’
Notes: Though the image isn’t available here, there is a variant cover by Doug Mahnke & Wil Quintana. This comic is also reprinted in the DC Meets Hanna-Barbera , Volume 2 trade paperback.
REVIEW:
Writer Peter J. Tomasi’s reboot of this classic Hanna-Barbera duo owes a big wink to Tim Burton’s macabre Frankenweenie parody. Tomasi’s ghoulish re-imagining works by including plausible story elements: i.e. Lois & Clark attending a funeral in Big City; Bruce Wayne & Radley Crowne as old friends; Blue Falcon as a Batman, Inc. operative; and Big City existing in proximity to Gotham City, etc. By further extension, it’s no surprise how easily Big City’s own Dynamic Duo assimilates into DC Comics continuity
The inclusion of the ‘Super Sons’ adds to this retroactive fun, as both boys exert a believable bond with Dynomutt. Even more impressive is that Tomasi’s storyline is so well-anchored by superb artwork, including a spot-on cover image. The sole fault stems from an absence of good-natured humor, aside from Superboy’s incredulity at meeting a talking Dynomutt. In their goofy original incarnations, Dynomutt & Blue Falcon were at their best spoofing Batman & Robin, but this dark re-imagining still offers the characters a fresh opportunity.
Tomasi’s version of Dynomutt & Blue Falcon adheres to the duo’s 21st Century make-over already seen in a Scooby-Doo animated film and a guest spot in a Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode. Further, conveying this Radley Crowne as a blond Bruce Wayne-type with a Dr. Frankenstein complex is unmistakable. Though this comic isn’t suitable for Dynomutt’s youngest fans, the Super Sons / Dynomutt & Blue Falcon one-shot still delivers a dynamite read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The single-page “DC Nation” column hypes Jim Lee’s designs for Superman’s latest nemesis: Rogol Zaar.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
