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I must be regressing.

I mean, what is happening to my comic tastes? Despite my initial reluctance, I found myself really enjoying the Marvel Apes event, and now Marvel have done it to me again, with the culmination of Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers series. I feel like I’m having a second childhood. Again.

I so want to see more of these characters together. I mean, they beat Thanos! That’s big leagues. If only I could remember where Ms Lion came from. I think he, she. Whatever, is something to do with Spider-Man. No matter, Ms Lion adds the perfect comic relief to the title, and to see the return of Speedballs cat is awesome.

However, when talking in terms of returning to my childhood, it is DC that has really stimulated me this last week. I have been awaiting the return of the Red Circle characters since I heard about it, and the three specials released so far did not disappoint.

In story order, we have the Hangman #1, Inferno #1 and then The Web #1, with the first and the last being good origin stories for the lead characters, while Inferno’s tale has yet to be told. I only remember Inferno form the short-lived (but quality) !mpact Comics relaunch from the nineties, but the other two both give a feel true to the characters dating all the way back to their first appearances.

Little care is given to the identity of the being who curses/grants the Hangman his powers, but there’s time indeed for all that. With the Web, we see a PR campaign that could rival that of Booster Gold, except the Web seems to learn his lessons a lot quicker. These issues seem to have been written with a great love for the characters (which I share), and so I am looking forward to the appearances of the Shield, the Comet and especially the Fly. Come back Fly-Girl, all is forgiven.

If you haven’t picked up the Red Circle issues yet, I highly recommend them, and I hope these heroes will come to the prominence in the DCU that they deserve. It is sure getting crowded in there though.