When I read the first issue of DCU: Legacies I was not impressed. It seemed to be nothing more then some meaningless untold stories from the Golden Age. I stuck with the series anyway and was immediately rewarded by the second issue. Beginning with that second issue the series improved greatly and I have enjoyed it ever since. No longer just a bunch of unimportant untold stories this series is the history of the DC universe as seen through they eyes of one character. We are introduced to that character, Paul Lincoln, in the first issue when he is just a kid growing up during the Depression and it is up for grabs as to which path he’ll follow in life.
Thanks to a chance encounter, with the original versions of the Atom and Sandman, Paul becomes inspired and chooses the right path. This chance encounter also begins his life long love of superheroes. As Paul grows-up we see the history of the DC universe unfold for better and worse through his eyes. In this issue, with the Silver Age of heroes already begun Paul, now a Metropolis policeman, witnesses several key events. He sees the number of superheroes increase beyond even the numbers he was seeing during the Golden Age. He sees superheroes form into groups like the Justice League and the Doom Patrol, he sees the heroes take on youthful sidekicks and he sees the rise of the superheroes nemesis the super-villain. He also sees the return of his childhood heroes the Justice Society of America. Given the amount of material that has to be covered no single event is covered in any great detail. The story is kept from becoming a dry history lesson by virtue of the fact that Paul Lincoln’s personal life is interwoven with the DC universe history. Combining the two also means Paul’s comments, about what he sees happening in the world, carry more weight.
All and all I enjoyed this issue and the overall series ever since issue number two. Some people who like their characters dark and grim may not like the upbeat feel good tone of this series. I think anyone else who has an interest in the overall DC universe will enjoy this issue and this series.
Keith Forney