Letters to All-Stars #1

[Lissilambe]

Let us know what you think!

Take care
Don

[eric the pilot]

Here it is, All-Stars #01, which without a doubt contains one of the single most bad ass moments in the whole of the UDCU. Can't say enough about the final line.

I absolutely loved this issue, it builds an excellent mystery throughout, features a nice action sequence that firmly establishes both Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman as serious heavyweights without beating our heads over it.

We don't need to be told these two are going to be capable of saving the JSA, we just know.

The interaction between The Wizard and Cap is as always illuminating, I love the addition of the final power. It doesn't come off like a BIITS moment, but a logical extension of his powers and a really exploitable one at that.

It's no wonder he's one of the big icons around.

The cover is great as well, really striking. Cap in particular is very dynamic. Jim did a great job with that.

All in all, absolutely loved this, and I can't say enough about that ending. A great job Don!

[>>Riz!]

I'm honest. I didn't like it.
"School is more important..." What the?

I can't even explain what I did't like, but somehow the whole story didn't hook me.
I think the thing I disliked most was the usage of Per Degaton as the villian. He's so overused in fanfictions lately. And I absolutely can't understand why.

Sorry Don, but this story was the weakest I read from you until now IMO.

Jim's cover was great.

But I'll come back to see what's happening in the second issue.

[mockingbird]

I've got no idea how i forgot so much of it, but getting to read it fresh was just wonderful the ending line is really so perfect, leaving the reader just begging for more. And I'm more than excited to see what you do with The Shadow What a team-up this is going to be. And I still like the duality of Cap, that he does have to balance what's best for Billy along with his heroics. It's a good touch and a good dynamic; you really get the sense that Billy and Marvel are different, and Marvel really cares about the kid. And I'll second Eric, the cover was just excellent. Engaging and exciting as always!

[Lissilambe]

Thanks you, Tim and Sam, for the nice comments. I always liked that ending myself. Felt very good about it, and loved blending in the classic opening monologue from the radio show. Sounds so right coming from Polly, with just a hint of a sneer. That's how my inner ear hears it.

I'm sorry you didn't care for it, Riz. Even sorrier you can't articulate why. It would help me for the future, but sometimes a writer just fails to catch some readers. It happens. I hope you like the successive issues better.

I chose Degaton because I like Degaton. I have no idea how much he's been done in fanfictions, especially when I wrote this initially way, way back over two years ago (this was only my third or fourth ever fan fic), since I'd never really read any fanfiction. Outside of DC2/3/UDCU, I still don't. And I wanted one of the big JSA villains involved early on. I think he makes for a great villain.

I'm disappointed you think this is my weakest issue yet, but I've gotta admit in return: this is only the second review I've gotten from you, in the whole multiverse, so honestly, I have to think you don't think highly of my writing to begin with. I'm not sure how to gauge that comment.

Anyway, here's hoping you check out more (as you said you would) and enjoy the "Big Three" in action and enjoy more traditional JSA action after that.

Thanks for the comments.

Take care
Don

[>>Riz!]

I read a few of your stories. I liked most of them. I really did. But this issue somehow just didn't catch me.

Loved your Max Batman issues. Issue 2 even more than issue 1.
Mightiest Mortals was pretty good, although I'm not a big Cap Marvel fan (and I think I wrote a comment to the first or second issue ...)
and on the DC2 I read your JLA issues.
Danger Trail isn't the kind of stories I read usually, but I promise I'll check it out.
So please don't take offense. I give very little feedback. I'll change that.

[Lissilambe]

I'm taking no offense at all. I love constructive criticism. I have no problem with someone not liking something I write. As I said, not everyone can like everything a writer puts out. Same problems I had with Booster Gold on DC2, I'm guessing. Just not my cup of tea. I was just saying that I couldn't tell what your line meant because there's just no "track record" for what you do and don't like for my writing. LOL

I do appreciate the feedback, from all my readers.

Keep on commenting, it's important to all of us!

Take care
Don

[Idlewilder]

Being a huge Golden Age fan (and a fan of Don's wonderful pre-Golden Age Danger Trail at the DC2), there was no way I wasn't going to read this.

All-in-all, I'd say this was a good effort and a nice start, but ultimately a bit of a come-down. I have to go with Riz on this one: definately not Don's strongest material thus far. There is some awkward phrasing (odd for a craftsman like Don), a curious focus on non-All-Star characters (although maybe the All-Stars in Earth U are not the same), an altogether lack of Golden Agers (!), aside from some exposition, and a bizarre--- almost jarring twist at the end that just doesn't feel right...

I think part of the problem may be the length of the issue. Now, I'm of the mind that good fan fic should be a breezy, quick read, but I think this issue would have benefited by a bit more story. Not to mention (as Riz implied), it is indeed shaping up to be very similar to DC2's All-Star Comics Annual #1, a time-travel story where Degaton tried to wipe out the JSA (and, incidenatlly, one of the DC2's highest-rated, and most critically acclaimed single issues). I wanted to see more in this first issue of UAS that set it apart from what has already been done.

Well, there was one thing that set it apart--- the appearance of a non-DC character at the end. I will agree with some of the other posters that it was a great line, but there's something about this that doesn't sit right with me. It's like a team-up of Hal Jordan and James Bond: two great characters, two great genres, appealing to the same audience, but put them together and I'm just scratching my head "Yeahbuwhat...?"

I will definately come back to see how this plays out, because I know Don is capable of great fan fiction--- and I am curious as to how The Shadow's appearance will play out. I am also loving the characterization of Captain Marvel (though I tend to favor the Ordway revival myself, I respect Don's throwback/traditional approach to the character).

[houseofmystery]

Lol!

[Lissilambe]

I like the fact that I'm being excoriated for "doing the same story over again" at the same time that "some bizarre choices are being made". LOL very nicely done

The Shadow has a long and storied career in DC Comics, including team-ups with Batman. His various DC titles, combined with the link to Batman, is what I used to justify bringing in one of my all-time favorite characters. I wanted a "big 3" that naturally fell in to the roles, and Cap, Polly and Lamont seems to do that quite well. Sorry his appearance lets you down.

As I mentioned, this story is a few years old, and only my fourth or fifth turn at writing fan fiction at all. So yeah, it's stiff in places, I agree.

I never read your JSA tale before writing this, seeing as I didn't know DC2 existed at the time. I'm sorry it's merely a pale reflection of your "highest-rated issue of DC2", and I apologize for daring to use JSA villains that you've planned to use.

I don't really. With issue two, I hope you'll see what the purpose of using Degaton for this tale. There is a reason, and really, it's not to be the villain of the piece (not solely). As I said, I like Degaton though. So be prepared to see him again at some point down the road. Also, be prepared to see other JSA villains in action, whether or not you use them yourself.

Thanks for your comments, and here's hoping later issues will make you feel better.

Take care
Don

[Idlewilder]

admin said:

I like the fact that I'm being excoriated for "doing the same story over again" at the same time that "some bizarre choices are being made". LOL very nicely done

Okay, here we go.

You can do a similar story and still make bizarre choices; the two are not mutually exclusive. The plot--- as revealed so far--- does not set this issue apart from the example I gave, and putting the Shadow in a JSA issue is bizarre as he does not belong in that continuity. Although, clearly, the case may be different in Earth-U.

Don, you have to to be thicker-skinned. No one is "excoriating" you. In fact, regular UDCUers seem to be very much in favor of your approach!

The Shadow has a long and storied career in DC Comics, including team-ups with Batman. His various DC titles, combined with the link to Batman, is what I used to justify bringing in one of my all-time favorite characters.

I think that sort of thing is what might be called "special continuity"; kinda like when Superman met Spider-Man or Muhammed Ali or any of the Marvel vs. DC titles from a few years back. I think it's understood that The Shadow is not in regular continuity (he's not in the All-Star Squadron, for instance--- and Roy Thomas is the one who brought in Iron Munro, after all, so the earlier pulp heroes were fair game), but Earth-U is a whole new ballgame, and not an inappropriate place for this sort of experimentation, I suppose. Just felt like an odd choice to me. But hey, I'm the guy who can't eat peas with mashed potatoes, so what do I know?

I wanted a "big 3" that naturally fell in to the roles, and Cap, Polly and Lamont seems to do that quite well. Sorry his appearance lets you down.

Not sure if I'm "let down" by his appearance--- I guess it just seemed too out of place. Now in the context of a Golden Age Big Three, I actually like the idea of a Cap, Polly, Shadow triumvirate, and look forward to seeing how that plays out--- I just hope we get some JSAers soon! After all, it was the overall issue that disappointed me, not the ending.

As I mentioned, this story is a few years old, and only my fourth or fifth turn at writing fan fiction at all. So yeah, it's stiff in places, I agree.

There's certainly a difference between this and the polish of Danger Trail #1, for instance. I think we can always benefit from an editor, or a beta reader.

I never read your JSA tale before writing this, seeing as I didn't know DC2 existed at the time. I'm sorry it's merely a pale reflection of your "highest-rated issue of DC2", and

Well, your loss but I'm sure you'll manage to go on.

I apologize for daring to use JSA villains that you've planned to use.

Oh, my Degaton tale is done (for now, I suppose--- no future plans to use him again, that is).

I don't really. With issue two, I hope you'll see what the purpose of using Degaton for this tale. There is a reason, and really, it's not to be the villain of the piece (not solely). As I said, I like Degaton though. So be prepared to see him again at some point down the road. Also, be prepared to see other JSA villains in action, whether or not you use them yourself.

LOL! Ditto!

Thanks for your comments, and here's hoping later issues will make you feel better.

Take care
Don

You're welcome! And I hope so, too!

[Lissilambe]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not really bothered by the negativity. I'm quite thick-skinned, and I'm not really excoriated. I'm just joking about that. I like making humorous statements like that. Please, if two comments like this could upset me at all, I'd need to stop doing this.

And I hadn't read your JSA material when I wrote All-Stars. Doesn't mean I haven't read your JSA material at all. I have.

Take care
Don

[Idlewilder]

You shouldn't mistake my feedback for negativity. I think I actually wrote that this was a "good effort"--- unfortnately, we tend to dwell on the criticisms. My gift of feedback was delivered in the spirit that we all can learn from each others' perspectives and opinions.

Glad you don't really feel excoriated. That's gotta suck .

Glad you've checked out my own JSA material. I am extremely proud of it, and find that I enjoy writing that stuff more than just about anything, a sentiment I think we probably share.

Now, if you bring in Flash Gordon in Issue #2, I'm outta here!

[arcalian]

Well, it was only the second time I had read Degaton, so I wasn't bothered by it. And I am interested in seeing how the story plays out this time.

It has always been a puzzle to me why I like Captain Marvel but not Superman, when Cap is an even bigger boyscout than Supes. Perhaps because Captain Marvel comes by it "Honestly"; he's still a kid, inside.

And I know I can rely on Don, just as I can on David, for straight up, epic, iconic hero action.

Four and a half stars.

(Riz, when you say Max Batman, you mean DC3's Maximum Batman? Cuz that's me, not Don.)

[Lissilambe]

I think the difference in feeling toward Captain Marvel and Superman comes down to this:

Superman is everyone's father. A good, solid, stand-up father figure, but in the end, still a stern paternal figure.

Captain Marvel is the older brother we all have, or wish we had. Superman's the guy we look to to solve all our issues. Captain Marvel's the guy we turn to for help Dad can't offer.

Both are great figures though.

And thanks for the kind words. I do hope you enjoy how things resolve themselves in part two, and continue to live up to expectations.

And I do appreciate all the comments, good and not so good. They're all appreciated, and I look forward to more next month.

Take care
Don

[>>Riz!]

arcalian said:

(Riz, when you say Max Batman, you mean DC3's Maximum Batman? Cuz that's me, not Don.)

oops.

[Injustice Jim]

I have to say, when Don first sent me the script for this issue, the thing that grabbed me the most was the inclusion of the Shadow. First because it came as such a shock. Then, when I thought about it, I found it very fascinating, because to me, in a weird way, it made so much sense...first off, we the modern reader have no problem with the Big Red Cheese rubbing shoulders with The Man Of Steel, but there was a time when those two were the biggest of rivals, unimaginable to a fan that they would ever meet...In fact, I still remember some fans being very upset when DC acquired the rights to the character, that they were planning on including him into mainstream DCU. Besides, just the dynamic juxtaposition, of these two such diametrically opposed characters, present some pretty awesome possibilities...Like some weird version of The Woirld's Finest.
Here's the thing...part of the fun of "fan fic" is the endless variation of stories that couldn't exist in "real" comic worlds, whether due to copyright laws, conflicts of continuity, or even creative bankruptcy. Now, that's definitely not to say that I would neccessarily agree or condone ANY creative choice, but hey, that's ok, we all don't have to agree, but damn it if I don't support the idea that people should be allowed to MAKE those creative decisions...
Now, as most of you know, I am not only a huge fan of ol' Billy Batson, but of almost the entirety the the Golden Age DCU. And like anybody with a passion for something, of course I have my own strong ideas about these characters...now, did I "agree" with all of the characterizations in Don's story?...no, not really. And did I feel that some of the portions of this issue read a little awkward? Yeah, maybe a little. But here's the thing...the part that got me the most excited was (and this applies to all the great stuff I have read here at the DC2) that when I finished reading, I was already guessing at where the next issue was going to go. Either way, it's awesome, in my honest opinion, that we get to have a venue where we can support each other's creativity and honestly express out ideas and criticisms.


Oh, and here's proof of my "Devotion to the lightning":

[houseofmystery]

I love you, Jim Dufresne.

[Idlewilder]

houseofmystery said:

I love you, Jim Dufresne.

Scram, kid, I saw him first!

[houseofmystery]

*weep*

[Injustice Jim]

LOL Jeez-louise, don't fight, fellas, there's enough of me to go around...wait, that sounds super creepy...and saying super creepy things is Charlie's department...


JK!!!!

[chris]

Excellent first issue as always, Don.

This was one of my favorite titles on the old UDCs.