"Visitor's Day"
"Love in the Air"
Writers: Cary Bates; Kurt Busiek
Artists: John Bynre; Walt Simonson(p) Larry Stucker; Bob Wiacek(i) Mike Atiyeh(c)
Publisher: DC
"Bwa-Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" The best of the DC Comics Presents specials celebrating the legacy of Julius Schwartz displays one of the best super-hero moments of the pre-Crisis. Katar Hol has a continuity stroke. What a brilliant introspective moment by old hand Cary Bates, and Byrne just nails the aftermath which depicts Katar's heaven. In fact a heaven of any straight man or lesbian.
The rest of Bates' story is an utter hoot that brings in a surprising guest star and a pair of hilarious aliens. Bates also creates interesting characterization for the Winged Ape and makes the writing process part of the story.
Kurt Busiek and Walt Simonson once again focus their attention on Katar and Shayera Hol. They involve the Winged Ape in a hitherto unexplored moment in the earth-one heroes' shared past which while depicting a simpler time of super-heroics still relies on classic techniques of storycrafting: solid characterization, sturdy plotting and a sharp hook to reel in the reader.
Simonson does his usual professional job, and he adds a little something to the extraterrestrial scenes. He recalls without changing his style the look and feel of a Joe Kubert rendered Hawkman adventure.
In summary, a fitting tribute with earth-one feathered friends.
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