DC's Nuclear Winter Special

This was a last minute buy to get something new and holiday themed. I did not expect to get a certain Time Master tying it all together.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Rip Hunter gets stuck with some hungry cannibals and has to stall them until the time sphere is recharged. He tells them stories about heroes living in the same kind of post-apocalyptic world. It not only neatly ties all the tales together in a way that actually makes sense (Rip could easily know these tales thanks to his job) it gives a reason for why the whole special has this theme. Rip is great in this and I love that you can see bits of his dad in the way he's able to get the cannibals to listen to him (even sympathize with Rip) and get what he needs. It's the same kind of fast thinking and acting while under pressure Booster excelled at before King decided to...well before King wrote him.

"Warmth" is a story about Damian Wayne Batman living alone and knowing he failed. Yet he's able to finally prove he is Batman and actually has a nice family moment you wouldn't expect.

"Memory Hearth" A J'onn tale about his own holiday that ties into DC One Million. It has a nice sentiment with how he's able to celebrate his holiday even though his family is gone.

"Once and Future" a Flash story about what Barry does when he can't go back.

"Where the light cannot reach" has Aquaman look for a way to save the world even though there's the slimmest of chances he'll find anything.

"Last Daughters" is one that's reveal really ties into the mythos making it a perfect story for me. It changed what the classic story is making for a more emotional read. This was my favorite of the bunch, well next to the Rip scenes.

"Last Christmas" Firestorm deals with a family and has to decide what kind of Christmas to leave them with.

The cannibals are oddly endearing as they call Rips' stories mostly downers and point out that the Aquaman tale techically didn't have an ending. One even longs for a baloney sandwich while another sees through Rips' scheme. Which Rip is able to use to his advantage.

"Northern Lights" Kamandi or rather his family is Jewish? I don't know if this is new as I don't really follow the character but it's interesting to know. This is a tribute to Jack Kirby though. The story is more about prophecy and what's actually important in life. A legacy doesn't have to be an object.

"Nine Lives" Catwoman looks after Hollys' daughter after her friend dies. Maybe this took place on a world where Holly didn't betray Selina? There's a lot of questions to ask. Anyway Sophia wants to help people and Selina wants her to learn to survive.

"The Birds of Christmas past, present and future" this was the saddest story for me. Ollie and Dinah see each other after several years.

Rip leaves and tosses his sandwich at one of the cannibals. Really Rip? You couldn't have just tossed the bag? Still despite the bleakness of the settings many stories had a sense of hope that I really appreciated. This was a good read that oddly made me feel better after a stressful day.



Say What?: Sand wishes. I shouldn't find that as amusing and sweet especially since a cannibal is saying it. Yet I do.