DC Comics: New Frontier | Back Issues Podcast

C
ComicPop • Oct 02, 2019

Audio Brief

Show transcript
This episode covers Darwyn Cooke's *DC The New Frontier*, a seminal comic that reimagines DC's Silver Age heroes within the complex historical backdrop of 1950s and 60s America. There are four key takeaways from this discussion. First, *DC The New Frontier* masterfully blends Silver Age optimism with the stark realities of Cold War paranoia, offering a mature and grounded take on superhero origins. Second, the story powerfully deconstructs the superhero genre, exploring what would happen if heroes actually existed within a specific, flawed historical period. Third, Darwyn Cooke's distinctive art is central to the book's success, using a nostalgic, clean style to tell a complex story about sacrifice, hope, and societal fear. Fourth, the narrative effectively demonstrates how individual hero journeys can be woven together to create a cohesive epic that culminates in the formation of the Justice League. This "love letter" to the DC Universe frames hero emergence against the Space Race and Cold War. It deftly explores the societal impact of superheroes in a realistic 1950s, confronting McCarthy-era paranoia, the Korean War, and deep-seated racism. The story deconstructs hero archetypes by showcasing government intervention, which forces Golden Age heroes into retirement and portrays Batman as a feared, shadowy vigilante. This creates a grounded reality where even iconic figures face distrust and operate outside societal norms. Darwyn Cooke's art features a disarming simplicity and wholesome, nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of the Silver Age. This clean style powerfully contrasts with the mature and often dark themes of paranoia, sacrifice, and war, enhancing the story's depth. The narrative expertly weaves diverse origins, from Hal Jordan's transformation into Green Lantern to the Martian Manhunter's arrival. These disparate plotlines converge in an epic battle against the ancient, world-ending threat known as The Centre, ultimately forging the "New Frontier" and culminating in the formation of the Justice League. *DC The New Frontier* stands as a definitive exploration of heroism, responsibility, and the birth of a new era for DC Comics.

Episode Overview

  • The hosts discuss Darwyn Cooke's DC: The New Frontier, a comic that reimagines the origins of DC's Silver Age heroes within the historical context of 1950s and 60s America.
  • The conversation explores how the story balances a celebratory, optimistic tone with darker themes of the era, such as Cold War paranoia, racism, and government distrust of superheroes.
  • The summary covers the deconstruction of hero archetypes, including the forced retirement of Golden Age heroes and a more intimidating, shadowy version of Batman.
  • Key plotlines are detailed, from Hal Jordan's journey to becoming Green Lantern to the Martian Manhunter's arrival on Earth, all converging in a final battle against a world-ending threat.

Key Concepts

  • DC: The New Frontier: Described as a "love letter" to the DC Universe by writer/artist Darwyn Cooke, the comic is set during the transition from the Eisenhower to the Kennedy era, framing the emergence of new heroes against the backdrop of the Space Race and Cold War.
  • Historical Context and Deconstruction: The story explores the societal impact of superheroes in a realistic 1950s setting, dealing with McCarthy-era paranoia, the Korean War, and racism. It deconstructs hero tropes by showing government intervention, which forces the Justice Society of America to disband and Batman to operate in the shadows.
  • The Centre: The primary antagonist is an ancient, sentient island that predates humanity. After the detonation of the atomic bomb, it decides that humanity has become too great a threat and must be wiped out.
  • Character Origins Reimagined: The narrative weaves together the origin stories of several key heroes. Hal Jordan is a traumatized but fearless Korean War pilot, Martian Manhunter is an alien who assimilates into human culture as a detective, and Batman is a feared vigilante who blackmails J'onn J'onzz into working with him.
  • Converging Plotlines: The story brings together disparate threads, including a secret one-way government mission to Mars led by agent King Faraday. The mission's failure in orbit leads to the death of Green Lantern Abin Sur, whose ring then finds Hal Jordan, setting the stage for the final battle.
  • The Art of Darwyn Cooke: The hosts praise Cooke's art style for its "disarming simplicity." The clean, nostalgic, Silver Age aesthetic creates a powerful contrast with the mature and often dark themes of the story, such as paranoia, sacrifice, and war.
  • The Birth of the Justice League: The climax sees the heroes uniting to fight The Centre's forces. This epic confrontation forges the "New Frontier," culminating in the formation of the Justice League as they face the emerging threat of Starro.

Quotes

  • At 1:35 - "This is a love letter by Cooke to DC." - Sal describes the core feeling and purpose of the comic series.
  • At 25:24 - "'For you, all I need is a penny for a book of matches.'" - A host quotes Batman's chilling threat to the Martian Manhunter, highlighting his intimidating nature at this point in the story.
  • At 27:05 - "'Don't you know that old adage about like, old soldiers? They don't die, like they just fade away.'" - A host quotes President Eisenhower as he dismisses Wonder Woman after honoring her, signaling the government's desire to phase out superheroes.
  • At 43:34 - "'But look I can fly! Wee!'" - A host describes Hal Jordan's joyful, almost childlike reaction to discovering his new powers, contrasting with the immense responsibility just thrust upon him.
  • At 54:01 - "It's like disarming. There's a disarming simplicity to it, and like a...wholesomeness to the art, but like it's betrayed by what's going on in the actual book." - A host analyzes Darwyn Cooke's unique art style, noting the contrast between its clean, retro aesthetic and the dark, mature themes of the story.

Takeaways

  • DC: The New Frontier masterfully blends Silver Age optimism with the stark realities of Cold War paranoia, offering a mature and grounded take on superhero origins.
  • The story serves as a powerful deconstruction of the superhero genre, exploring what would happen if heroes actually existed in a specific, flawed historical period.
  • Darwyn Cooke's distinctive art is central to the book's success, using a nostalgic, clean style to tell a complex story about sacrifice, hope, and societal fear.
  • The narrative effectively demonstrates how individual hero journeys can be woven together to create a cohesive epic that culminates in the formation of the Justice League.