Just ahead of San Diego Comic Con, DC announced a new wave of their inexplicably successful Hanna Barbera/DC Universe crossovers.
The unquestionable highlight of the new batch is Green Lantern/Huckleberry Hound. This one-shot will be written by – and I can’t believe I’m typing this – long time Huckleberry Hound writer Mark Russell. Russell, who has won ongoing critical acclaim for his work on Prez and The Flintstones, has been most recently working on The Snagglepuss Chronicles, a startlingly accurate and interesting history of the American gay community that cast the titular large pink cat as a gay southern playwright in 50s New York City, while his best friend, Huckleberry Hound, carries on a relationship with a closeted police officer Quick Draw McGraw.
I am continually amazed at the things that get published as part of this line. It’s even crazier that they’re so good. The new book resurrects Huckleberry Hound and places him in the middle of campus protests over Vietnam with John Stewart. Joining Russell on this book is Rick Leonardi (Uncanny X-Men, nearly everything else).
The other books included in this wave are:
SUPERMAN/TOP CAT SPECIAL #1
written by DAN DiDIO
art and cover by SHANE DAVIS
variant cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
It’s Superman versus super food with Top Cat caught in the middle. While searching for his missing friend Bennie, TC uncovers a dietary danger that threatens the healthier portions of mankind, and it’s up to the Man of Steel to stop the probiotic menace of Kalien! In the salad bar, no one can hear you scream.
DEATHSTROKE/YOGI BEAR SPECIAL #1
Written by FRANK TIERI
Art by MARK TEXEIRA
cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
variant cover by PAOLO PANTALENA
In Yellowstone Park, legends speak of a spirit bear referred to as “the Yogi,” which few if any have actually encountered. Real or not, when a bear seems to have graduated from stealing picnic baskets to kidnapping actual campers, Ranger Smith decides it’s time to stop this menace—so he calls on the services of Slade Wilson—a.k.a. Deathstroke—to get the job done.
NIGHTWING/MAGILLA GORILLA SPECIAL #1
written by HEATH CORSON
art by TOM GRUMMETT
cover by MARCUS TO
variant cover by JONBOY MEYERS
When a famous Hollywood talent agent is found brutally murdered, suspicion and evidence seem to point to his most famous client, Oscar winning actor Magilla Gorilla. Dick Grayson, already in Tinseltown to meet with said agent, senses something suspicious. Donning his Nightwing costume and joining forces with the simian suspect, he’s got one night to prove that this monkey doesn’t belong in a cage.
The latest wave included Brian Hill writing and Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz drawing Hong Kong Phooey/Black Lightning, a note perfect 70s kung fu movie that starred a giant hound as the grizzled Vietnam vet martial artist. And prior to that, we got Batman/Elmer Fudd from Tom King and Lee Weeks, a comic that starred Batman and the cartoon hunter that is somehow up for two Eisners.