Comic Book Implosion

Comic Book Implosion: An Oral History of DC Comics Circa 1978 by Keith Dallas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Comic Book Implosion chronicles the DC Explosion of the late 1970s, the addition of 20+ new titles, and the subsequent implosion.

If you were reading DC Comics in 1977 or, like me, have read numerous back issues from that period, you'll recognize this ad:


The DC Explosion was a big event designed to launch new titles and increase DC's place in the comic book market. Instead, because of a lot of factors, it was a disaster and DC wound up slashing 40% of its titles. Comic Book Implosion gives the inside scoop from people in the industry at the time.

While not as gripping as an issue of The Brave and The Bold from that time period, it was an interesting account. Every time I read something about the comics industry, I'm surprised it has lasted this long. Various pros give insight during the preparation, execution, and eventual failure of the DC Explosion.

I knew of the Explosion and subsequent implosion from various accounts over the years but more of the nuts and bolts are laid out here. It's kind of depressing seeing the roster of titles plummet.

While the story is kind of dreary, the book is loaded with art from the time period, both published and unpublished. Joe Kubert's original cover for Superman vs. Muhammad Ali is included, as well as tons of stuff that landed in the legendary Cancelled Comics Cavalcade.

Some of the aborted plans had a lot of potential, like Vixen's solo book. I knew about that but I had no idea Airwave was originally planned to be Green Lantern's sidekick until editorial mandate decreed Green Arrow stay in the book. I also didn't know that an unpublished Kamandi story revealed that Jed from the red and yellow Sandman was the boy who would become Kamandi in the mainline DC universe, which I like quite a bit better than Kamandi becoming Tommy Tomorrow post-Crisis. Speaking of Muhammad Ali vs. Superman earlier, I also didn't know Neal Adams was boning DC publisher Jenette Kahn (Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahn!) around that time.

The book had a happy ending, at least, with the rise of the New Teen Titans and DC's resurgence.

While it was by no means a riveting tale, Comic Book Implosion is an interesting look in a turbulent time in DC comics history. Three out of five stars.

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