Four Titles DC’s Young Animal Needs to Bring Back

Thanks My Chemical Romance, and not just for my awkward high school years! Actually, no, the thanks goes to the lead man, Gerard Way, specifically. He's restarted a new Vertigo-like imprint called Young Animal. They're starting the madness with four titles: Doom Patrol, Shade, The Changing Girl, Mother Panic, and Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye. This is awesome. Full, unfettered story telling just like Vertigo. The willingness for something like this is one of DC's biggest strengths, and, with some luck, I'll be able to ride those coattails. Here's four more titles that I think would just be the bee's knees if they put them out as well. [caption id="attachment_88311" align="aligncenter" width="327"] NOW THIS IS HIP![/caption]

Animal Man, duh

Animal Man was one of the best books of the Nu52. It was interesting, thrilling, and actually horrifying. I'm not even sure if I'd even call it an out-and-out superhero book. It was like a Clive Barker story with more suits and punching. While it definitely pushed the limit of DC, I think its mainstream position limited it. We've already got one title Grant Morrison helped revolutionize on the Young Animal imprint. Why not complete the set? Animal is already in the imprint's name! That's something, right? Probably. If weird is something that this imprint is after, than Animal Man has a proven track record to back it up. It doesn't have to be more body horror, but it doesn't not have to either. If you know what I mean. [caption id="attachment_88310" align="aligncenter" width="516"] Ahhh, that's the stuff[/caption]

Captain Atom

Captain Atom was also one of the best Nu52 books right before it got canned in favor of another Batman book. It was almost like a Dr. Manhattan solo book, but seen through the eyes of a dumb military type. Like Nu52 Animal Man, Nu52 Captain Atom was a big departure from standard cape books. Talk about weird! He fought future versions of himself, battled cancer (like, in other people), and had a stint as some sort of Monkey's Paw-esque genie. Then he went to live on the moon. So, I guess, not too different. [caption id="attachment_88312" align="aligncenter" width="285"] I feel like... there's some kinda... symbolism at play[/caption]

Hitman

While the mainstream world may have forgotten about Garth Ennis' Hitman, it's weird side of Gotham hasn't exactly died. All Star Section Eight debuted in the New 52, making most of all... that technically cannon. You've got most of the ground work laid out already. Ennis has expressed how much he misses writing Hitman, and no one else can really do it. Get him on board. Without being shackled to a JLA or some other main DC title, Ennis could really run wild. You know what that means, kids? Swears. Weird, butt-obsessed dialog and swears. [caption id="attachment_88313" align="aligncenter" width="456"] HE WANTS TO SWEAR SO FRIGGIN' BADLY[/caption]

The Question

I was going to put the Spectre here. I have a couple old Spectre comics from the 80s and they seem real messed up, like evangelical revenge porn. The more I thought about it, though, the more it didn't really fit. Young Animal seems to be centered around weird junk, but not in Wrath of God kind of way. The Questions has never gotten a lot of love, which is sad because he's chock full of potential. Imagine, if you will, a comic centering around unraveling weird, sprawling conspiracies around the world. Like X-Files, but less aliens/bat-boys and more mind control images in Youtube ads. You know, real stuff. [caption id="attachment_88314" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We need more big coats[/caption] What about you? Are there any titles you like under the new Young Animals imprint? Let me know in the comments below.