The Dynamic DC Origin Story

This book is basically a gateway drug for 8- to 9-year-olds. It is a kid’s introduction to the DC Universe, likely sowing the seeds of obsessive comic book collecting in their later years. It is also another example of how DC has had a much better print publishing and licensing program than their Marvel competitors in recent years. Definitely a “cool uncle’s” late Christmas present, Benjamin Harper’s The Dynamic DC Origin Story: The Evolution of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the DC Universe goes on-sale today.

Frankly, the subtitle clearly illustrates why your favorite pop culture critic has been more drawn to DC than Marvel in recent years. When it comes to iconic characters, nobody can compete with Superman. Batman and Wonder Woman rank a respectable but still distant second and third. Even a DC super-villain like the Joker probably holds more iconic status than Spiderman or anyone else in the Marvel stable. This is not an argument regarding their merits. It is an observation of the respective cultural shadows they cast. After all, the only comic book character who has won Oscars for two different actors (Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix) happens to be Batman’s nemesis.

Consequently, Harper’s focus on the big three makes perfect sense. He also gives a thumbnail explanation of the comic book editorial process, for the purpose of encouraging young readers to create their own comic pages. Parents might have mixed feelings about fostering ambitions for a career in comics, but if it keeps kids occupied, they will probably run that risk.

Of course, the colorful comic illustrations will really captivate youthful readers. The images culled from vintage, historically significant issues are the book’s greatest strength. Harper does a nice job of explaining how the big three changed over time. However, many of the important DC movies and TV shows lack corresponding visuals, presumably due to rights and permissions issues. For instance, George Reeves’s Superman is absent, which is a shame.

Still, the colorful and comic book-like page design should fascinate young readers. Frankly, even older casual fans might learn a new tidbit, like Superman’s relatively new solar flare ability, which he first manifested in a 2015 comic. Recommended for the intended age group, The Dynamic DC Origin Story is now available from booksellers.