After departing DC Comics, Alan Moore created a variety of interesting independent comic books during the 1990s. Despite Moore’s increasingly contentious relationship with the big two publishers, in a twist of industry fate, one of the author’s post-DC creations would ultimately end up being purchased by the writer’s old employer – and he’d actually be perfect to headline a defunct DC imprint.

Alan Moore is best known for iconic comic books like Batman: The Killing Joke, Watchmen, Captain Britain and Miracle Man. However, after he left the big two in the 1990s and pursued an independent career, he continued to produce some of his best work, such as 1963 and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

In 1999, he unveiled arguably his best creation outside the Watchmen universe, a pulp-inspired adventure hero named Tom Strong, who was later acquired by DC. This character would be the ideal choice to resurrect a failed initiative from the company, the pulp imprint First Wave.

Alan Moore Created The Definitive Pulp Hero: Tom Strong

A Highly Underrated Character

In 1999, Alan Moore and Chris Sprouse released the debut issue of Tom Strong. The character is a hodgepodge of comics’ best heroes, combining the appearance of Superman, the ingenuity of Doc Savage and the adventurous lifestyle of the Phantom. The hero is also a family man, with his wife, Dhalua, and daughter, Tesla – not to mention his talking gorilla friend, Solomon, and steampunk robot assistant, Pneuman. Set in Millennium City, a picturesque, retro-futurist spin on Metropolis, Strong has faced threats like interdimensional cults, primordial monsters and Nazi femme fatales.

Tom Strong’s stories placed a greater emphasis on science fiction and adventure, creating a fun departure from the standard superhero formula. The hero’s enemies were typically more grounded and eccentric, and more of his victories came down to teamwork and ingenuity, rather than superpowers or strength. The series was also a true team comic, with Strong’s family acting as a supporting cast akin to Lois, Jimmy, Steel and Superboy in Superman’s Metropolis. This dynamic would be paramount for returning the hero to comics, especially after rescuing them in The Terrifics.

DC’s Attempt At A Pulp Imprint Didn’t Live Up To Its Potential

First Wave’s Rise And Fall

In 2010, DC released First Wave, an imprint devoted to the Golden Age style of pulp fiction. At that time, DC held the licenses for Doc Savage and the Spirit, the latter of whom had just finished a well-received run by Darwyn Cooke. Beginning with a Batman/Doc Savage team-up one-shot, the imprint officially debuted with the First Wave miniseries – by Brian Azzarello and Rags Morales – which brought the Spirit into the fold. The series combined tropes associated with film Noir and pulp action, leading to an enjoyable but forgettable series, one ultimately overshadowed by the heroes’ respective solo titles.

First Wave had the odds stacked against it, considering the fact the New 52 relaunch was mere months away from starting, and the imprint focused on characters DC didn’t even own. Not long after the New 52 started, Savage went to Dynamite Entertainment and the Spirit to IDW Publishing. The concept envisioned by DC was actually given brilliant execution in Dynamite’s King’s Watch, a comic book revival of the Saturday-morning cartoon Defenders of the Earth. Here, the Phantom, Flash Gordon and Mandrake the Magician teamed up on an adventure.

DC’s decision to launch First Wave with two heroes it didn’t own the rights to meant the concept’s future would always be uncertain, and the surprisingly limited scope didn’t help. Rather than use other pulpy heroes in its library, like Blue Beetle, Question and Peacemaker, the company settled for just three characters, two of which were on limited time. A true comeback for the First Wave imprint should entail carefully chosen heroes who match the aesthetic of its era, whether that’s Noir-inspired detectives or gun-toting vigilantes – and, in any case, it should be led by Tom Strong.

DC Successfully Created A “First Wave”-Type Universe For Its Cartoons

Future Quest – Written By Jeff Parker, With Art By Evan Shaner & Steve Rude

In the series Future Quest, DC actually showed it had the ability to craft a more sci-fi/adventure themed universe for readers, aimed at fans of Warner Bros’ cartoons. The likes of Space Ghost – currently in the hands of Dynamite – Johnny Quest and Herculoids formed a pulp-inspired team all of their own. However, something like First Wave should take on a tone less evocative of Saturday-morning cartoons, and closer Alan Moore’s original Tom Strong series. The stories should be fun and lighthearted, but also play with science fiction and mature themes.

The fact that Future Quest managed to garner better reception, albeit lower sales, than a series led by Batman himself is a good example of how underwhelming First Wave was. However, a comeback with characters firmly owned by DC, led by one of Alan Moore’s best creations, could spell success. If enough under-served heroes in the company’s roster are included, the company could effectively cater to the audiences of a variety of characters at once. Whether in tone, style, setting or otherwise, Tom Strong should lead such a team-up.

DC Needs To Find A Home For Tom Strong, In One Universe Or Another

Give Him A Bigger Role

When DC acquired Tom Strong, they did put him to good use, giving him two solo miniseries, The Robots of Doom and The Planet of Peril. However, it wasn’t until Jeff Lemire’s The Terrifics that the hero made his long-overdue entry into the DCU. In a tale befitting the tone and style of his original series, the adventurer accompanied the team of heroes on a multiversal adventure to save his family. Strong instantly became one of the series’ high points, practically taking over the book, as many readers were introduced to him for the first time. However, not much has been done with the character since.

Tom Strong continues to maintain a dedicated fan base among comic readers, with many still praising the series’ dedication to adventure, science fiction and family. With the recent release of the series’ compendium drawing fresh attention, getting Strong back in the saddle for DC would be a great move. Just as the company did with First Wave, including Batman would be a great way of ensuring readers show up, thereby elevating Strong’s profile with him. A revived DC Comics ​​​​​​​pulp imprint, led by Alan Moore’s Tom Strong, could channel everything great about the Golden Age, pulp comics and adventure all in one.