Then things got weird.
Well…weird. Because all of DC’s Young Animal titles have been a little weird from the beginning. That’s their charm. The early “Vertigo” series tapped into a more unique side of the DC Universe, bringing the complex 1980s suspense series to mature readers. A tragic hero is manipulated by a mad scientist, allowing rebellious teenagers to escape the doldrums of life with a hint of madness.
Then it all comes together with the series’ only crossover, which introduces some familiar DC faces, meets one of the unfamiliar lineups from the Rebirth-era Justice League, and the DCU premiere of The Holy Trinity: Milkman, Father Bruce, and Miracle wife.
“Some of the best people are weirdos.
But when you think about it, call milk war Weird might be an understatement. It’s a special show crossover created by the regular creative team and Steve Orlando (who is writing Justice League of America book of the time), with artwork by many famous artists (see below). The story follows reality-altering company Retconn as they attempt to alter the original Earth for sale, while the Doom Patrol and Misfit Young Animals team up to try to stop it. To call them wacky orgies is a bit of an understatement.
Add milk. There. This reality-changing company is trying to change the world with milk. It’s working. Retconn and Milkman spiral from ongoing events doom patrol Narratively, the main thread of the crossover is what Doom Patrol is up to, but that’s a story that’s already there so far, and following the earlier narrative isn’t too important. Even Kathy Brink’s relationship is the key point here. When reality changes, you’re often just as confused as everyone else. That’s part of the fun.
There are some funny moments, sometimes really satirical, like what happened in Justice League, the ridiculous origin of Father Bruce, the Wonder Wife’s mom milking (it seems wrong, but it does fit in with the theme of Shadow Trading and Strange ) and emotion, which is almost the antithesis of Wonder Woman’s feminist ideals, and a perfect blend of Mirka Andolf’s art style) and so on. The humor balances the real horror of Retconn’s attempts to purge the reality of Prime Earth.
“Okay, you shirt-ironing punks. Your dairy show is over!
Most of the line art for the crossover comes from people other than the regular artists on the previously ongoing books. Like the DC heroes that changed the main line, it gave the story some different feel. You get some adventurous layouts from ACO, a surreal retro vibe from Langdon Foss and Nick Filardi, and a more traditional superhero look from Dale Eaglesham interspersed with very entertaining passionate sequences. There’s a familiar feel when paired with most regular colorists and letterers, but still a bit out of place with the normal alternative rhythm. It’s a great way to make something feel a little off. It’s only when Nick Derrington returns and everything goes back to “normal” that something changes at the end.
Or at least as normal as DC’s Young Animal. In “Forever Girls,” Magdalen Visagio, Sonny Liu, and Todd Klein sidestep this reality in a rather creative way.
DC/Young Animal – Milk Wars is essential reading material doom patrol Fans are set to release DC’s second wave of Young Animal books, which will include some redesigned characters and settings as well as newly introduced new characters. It’s also a psychedelic interpretation of the Trinity in a surreal story.
Classic Comics Compendium: DC/YOUNG ANIMAL – Milk Wars
DC/Young Animal – Milk Wars
writer: Steve Orlando, Gerald Way, Jody Houser, Cecil Castellucci, Jon Rivera, and Magdalene Visagio
artist: ACO, Hugo Peter Ty Templeton, Mirka Andolfo, Landon Foss, Dale Eaglesham, Nick Derrington and Sunny Liu
Colorist: Tamla Bonvillain, Marissa Louise, Karen Smith, and Nick Ferradi
Engraver: Clem Robbins, John Workman, Saida Turmofonte, and Todd Klein
Publisher: DC Comics – DC’s Baby Animals
release date: June 13, 2018
Read past entries in the Classic Comics Compendium!
