Tom Strong

[Random Axe]

Okay, I've asked this before but I've forgotten and need to get an update anyway.

I've got some Amazon gift cards to burn and am looking into getting books I normally would not have read. I was intrigued by this concept and woudl liek to grab a TPB, but which one do I start with. I've got my eyes on the Deluxe Edition vol 1. It's hardback and 300 plus pages. It's Moore and Sprouse, so it's got some pedigree. If I were to pick up one book that definitively represents the character which would it be?

[madmarva]

Have no advice for you, but if you do read it, would like your opinion. I might want to give it a read myself.

By the way, love your new Captain Marvel icon. Great paint job.

[samurainoir]

I think you'd like Tom Strong, particularly the retro/pulp vibe to it. He's definitely an old timey hero... Think Doc Savage crossed with the Fantastic Four.

I love all my original hardback's, but the larger format deluxe hardcover is probably a better showcase for sprouse's art.

Don't start with any f the Terrific Tales volumes... They are later in the run and not all written by Moore.

My favourite ABC title besides LXG is Johnny B Quick in Tomorrow stories.. Very quirky, but I find t hilarious.

[thunderbolt]

start from the beginning, whatever format you buy.

[The Toyroom]

I started buying the individual back issues but got sidetracked...

[Random Axe]

I got this last night, pretty sweet. The deluxe version is beautiful with grest paper stock and binding. As someone who has created his own universe, I really appreciate the revisionist history and back story Moore came up with. I'm one chapter in so far so good.

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

Yeah, I really love Tom Strong. I loved Chris Sprouse on Supreme (which is a book I freaking love)

[Random Axe]

Alright, Gary. Where would I begin with Supreme? I remember the original Liefeld/Murray book and how awful it wad handled. I always thought it had huge potential. Going the TPB route, what or where do I start?

[WannabeMego]

Supreme 41-56 plus 'The Return' mini-series...IMHO

[samurainoir]

I cannot recommend Supreme enough once you get Chris Sprouse on art. However, just a warning that you have to sit through a few issues of some really mediocre Liefeld studio art before you hit his sutff.

Other than that, Moore obviously has such reverence to the Mort Weisenger era Superman. The guest artists coming in to do "flashback" retro style Supreme adventures are just terrific as well. Notably Rick Vietch and Hilary Barta off the top of my head.

It might cost you a bit more, but go track down the original issues if you can... failing that, don't pay anywhere near full price for the Checkerbox Supreme trades. You'll get the story at least. The resolution in those are ludicrous and the production team should have been taken out back and stabbed repeatedly. Even if it had to be scanned from the comic issues themselves, they should not have been so blurry looking. WORST fifty bucks I ever spent.

SUPREME 41 - 56 ALAN MOORE RUN CLASSIC COMICS RICK VEITCH BONUS | eBay


Also note, that by the time the series did return after a lengthy hiatus, Sprouse was already working on Tom Strong, so again, you've got another art transition (I think Ian Churchill?), and again an incomplete ending.

Supreme: The Return by Alan Moore (2003, Paperback) (9780971024960) | eBay
Supreme: The Return by Alan Moore (2003, Paperback) (9780971024960) | eBay

Supreme has just recently returned once again, this time Eric Larson is working from Alan Moore's scripts to bring some kind of conclusion and springboard to his own storyline... involving Liefeld's gritty 90's Supreme coming back and kicking Moore's Supreme's *** or some such nonsense.

[samurainoir]

There is also a tie in to Moore's Supreme run called Judgement Day, as well as a few issues of Youngblood, and Glory that obviously inspired where Promethia went. Youngblood and Glory remain incomplete. Go buy Promethia or Top Ten before picking up these curiousities.

Judgement Day is tragically afflicted with Liefeld art. You can see some neat stuff in Moore's scripts though, and again there is some great guest artists doing retro style flashback sequences.
Judgment Day by Alan Moore (2003, Paperback) (9780974166452) | eBay
JUDGMENT DAY Written by Alan Moore Trade Paperback | eBay
Judgment Day/Alan Moore/Rob Liefeld/Gil Kane/Checker Comics Graphic Novel | eBay

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

Wow, really? I didn't know that. yeah, I might have all the individual issues, but the collection was pure crap. I also liked Moore's Youngblood issues. it all mixed together well. I'll check on the Larson issues. thanks!

[Random Axe]

I'm halfway through the first volume and I like this. What's unique is the stories are mostly self contained and rarely bleed over into other issues. This makes for an easy read, but also doesn't bring with it a lot of continuity. The title character seems a bit cold, but I guess given his background that's to be expected. Neat stuff. I'm glad I picked this up and tried something a bit out of my comfort zone.

[samurainoir]

^^^
that coldness figures into the storyline at certain points down the line, even though it's often played for humor.

There is an alternate timeline story that addresses that.


I think it's kind of am interesting exploration of some of the Reed Richards archetype he's infused with... If you look at the Tom Strong Family having a bit of commanality with the Fantastic Four family dynamic.