Monday, August 14, 2017

DC Looney Tunes Crossovers - Rankings

Have you heard? DC Looney Toons crossover comics were released this summer! Rated T for Teen, each comic starts with a DC-style story, followed by a Looney Toons-style story.

I bought 'em. I read 'em. I've got your rankings below and your synopses right here. I tried not to be spoiler-ly, but enter at your own risk.

#6 - Legion of Super-Heroes/Bugs Bunny
The lady at the comic book shop said this was an unexpected last-minute addition that caught everyone off guard.

It shows.

Despite a ridiculousness that made me giggle, the DC story was a slog to get through.

If you've read the synopsis, that's not a typo - the Looney Toons story is virtually identical to the DC one, rendering its existence questionable. Why repeat the story you just finished?

The T for Teen rating is earned by the satirization of teen angst, a style of humor that younger kids probably aren't able to grasp.

Feel free to skip this one.


# 5 - Martian Manhunter/Marvin the Martian
I found the DC story to be a little dull, perhaps because I knew how it would end. Sort of like when the lead from your favorite TV show is in mortal danger, but you know they're going to make it because they're the lead character.

The Looney Toons story is classic Marvin the Martian – though I was slightly unnerved by how Martian Manhunter was rendered. He was a bit too much like Genie from Disney's Aladdin.

Younger kids (roughly ages 10 and up) who have seen the films of the Marvel Universe (e.g. Avengers) or the DC Universe (e.g., Batman vs. Superman) should be fine with both stories.

#4 - Lobo/Road Runner
The DC story has a touch of zaniness – when the Road Runner's involved, how can it not? What hooked me was the explanation of how Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner came to be, though I was disappointed with the relative lack of explanation of why the former chases the latter.

The Loony Toons story has a comment about cartoon violence that I'm still mulling over.

An enjoyable read, this is probably best for kids roughly 12 years old and up, due to the language (not quite cussing but right on the edge) and violence.


#3 - Wonder Woman/Tasmanian Devil
The DC story transitions seamlessly into the Looney Toons one; the two tales balance each other nicely.

Unexpectedly, the Looney Toons story feels more suitable for older kids (roughly ages 14 and up) - it's ever so slightly randy. Younger kids (roughly ages 8 and up) could probably handle the DC story, particularly if they've seen a Marvel or DC movie.


#2 - Jonah Hex/Yosemite Sam
Listen. They managed to make one of my favorite Looney Toons characters completely plausible in the DC world. It's a happiness that earns the T for Teens label, though a mature 11 or 12 year old could possibly handle it.

The Looney Toons story is as zany and kid friendly as a Looney Toons story could be. Perfectly suitable for kids as young as 8 years old, particularly if they've ever seen a Looney Toons cartoon.


#1 - Batman/Elmer Fudd
The DC story has a gritty noir feel more suitable for older kids, roughly 15 years and up. It's a marvel.

The Looney Toons story is of a typical Looney Toons style suitable for ages 8 and up, if you're comfortable letting your kids watch typical Looney Tunes violence.

This comic is further proof that the last-minute Legion of Super-Heroes/Bugs Bunny was completely unnecessary. Batman/Elmer Fudd is where the fork should've been stuck.



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