Quick Review: Hanna-Barbera Crossovers

Review

This week, DC Comics launched four separate one-shot stories all involving a crossover between a normal DC Comics character and a Hanna-Barbera character. For this review, we will be taking a quick and spoiler free look at each of these. Our list below starts with our least favorite of the bunch and then progresses up to the best.

Each of these issues also features a short backup story, completely unrelated to the crossover. These stories are designed to set up the upcoming new series from Hanna-Barbera. To see our review of those click here.

Suicide Squad/The Banana Splits

This issue is probably the crossover story with the most problems in it. Though a passable Suicide Squad story, Suicide Squad/The Banana Splits fails to provide an interesting cohesive plot. It starts out as an odd Banana Splits story with plenty of references to the old show. Then, at the issue’s halfway point, it changes to a very generic Suicide Squad story. Overall the plot is very mediocre and does not do much in fixing the issue’s other problems.

The biggest of these problems is that this entire issue has an odd way of trying to appeal to a younger demographic in the most inorganic way possible. Emojis are used in text bubbles, characters say “lit,” and Straight out of Compton is referenced. These things are not inherently bad, however they are used in a way that makes it seem like the writer is out of touch with how they are really meant to be used. It feels like someone’s parent trying to be the “cool guy” but ultimately dating themselves even more.

Booster Gold/ The Flintstones

The best part of Booster Gold/The Flintstones is the fact that it brings Booster Gold back to the DC Universe once again. Any story featuring him promises to be fun, lighthearted, and enjoyable; with this story being no different. Fans of Booster will be happy to see him again and newer readers may end up discovering one of the hidden gems of DC Comics. Though not the best Booster story around, this issue is certainly better than average.

However, this focus on Booster completely takes away from the Flintstones. Their involvement was so minimal that their appearance could be struck out altogether and the story would remain completely intact. This issue was advertised and marketed as “Booster Gold and The Flintstones” but ultimately end up being “Booster Gold- featuring some generic characters from prehistoric times”. For some this may not matter much; I was personally a little bit disappointed.

Adam Strange/ Future Quest

Flowing directly out of The Death of Hawkman and Future Quest (Review), Adam Strange/Future Quest is somewhat unique among all of these crossovers. Instead of being an isolated tale, relatively unconnected to the greater DC Universe, this one actually seems to be a direct continuation of its characters’ stories, a fact that is significantly helped by Marc Andreyko and Jeff Parker writing it. For some, this is fantastic as it continues the story of two separate series. For others though, this story continuation will dampen the experience as many characters reference events which occurred prior to this issue, thus making it a little less accessible.

In terms of story though, there is a lot of good here. It is a planet hopping exploration which works perfectly with Adam Strange’s character while also being a dimension and time shifting adventure which works perfectly with the Future Quest (Review) characters. This is all in addition to the interesting plot surrounding the Future Quest (Review) characters’ attempt to help Adam Strange get home.

Green Lantern/ Space Ghost

Saving the best for last, Green Lantern/Space Ghost is fantastic. It tells the story of two heroes who need to work together to save a planet in danger of something very atypical for a superhero story. Though there are plenty of action scenes, fighting, and displays of power, these moments are not what make this issue so great. The message behind it and the story behind how it all plays out is what will really hit readers. All of this together makes for an issue which has everything: fantastic and unique action sequences, a thoughtful message on society, and a few truly touching moments between characters.

In addition, this collection does a great job in playing to the strengths of its stars. Space Ghost and Green Lantern have extremely similar missions, to serve as galactic peacekeepers, yet their methods and approaches are different. If you are a fan of either of these heroes you will be delighted to see this unique examination of their characters.