Welcome, @ObscurityofDCClub and other members of the DC Community! Welcome to Week 63 of Obscurity of DC’s Ultr-Obscure Book Club! This week, we’ll be concluding a 2-week focus on…
NEWSBOY LEGION!!!
AGE SUGGESTION: 12+
Number of Books: 1/2 (Please only read pages 194-358)
Synopsis from dcuniverseinfinite.com: Set in the early 1940s, The Newsboy Legion is the first of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby’s very successful “kid gang” comics, featuring a group of scrappy boys who work together to stop crime in their home of Suicide Slum. Watched over by adult hero The Guardian - a.k.a. policeman Jim Harper - The Newsboy Legion battle crime through their own newspaper reporting, taking on crooked politicians, slum lords, fifth column agents and much more.
Now that that’s over with, here are some discussion questions:
- A running gag of the Newsboy Legion is the kids having the hutch that Jim Harper is the Guardian, but not having evidence to prove it. Does this running joke help inform their characterization as reporters, or do you prefer if they knew? Explain.
- Suicide Slum is featured prominently in Newsboy Legion stories as a impoverish and crime-ridden neighborhood where the kids reside in. While possessing similarities what are the differences with this version of Suicide Slum that is distinct from modern versions?
- While Jim Harper is often portrayed helping the kids fight crime as Guardian. He is also shown to be a role model to the boys. What would you say is your favorite instance of Guardian being a father-figure or mentor to the Newsboy Legion in this series?
- In your opinion, how well have the original Newsboy Legion stories held up today. Do you believe these stories are timeless or out-of style? Explain.
- The Newsboy Legion often had to fight crime by following clues and their fisticuffs. If the team existed today, how do you think the team would adapt to reporting news in the era with smartphones and social media?
Do you have an interest in exploring the unknown? Do you like discussing comics?
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fixed it!