Big Bang Adventures #37 Review – Bronze Age Excellence

Big Bang Adventures #37 (Big Bang Comics, May 2026): Writers Gary Carlson and Ray MacKay and Artist Ronald C. Williams send Midway City into a tailspin when the Knight Watchman turns from vigilante to murderer. If you miss the Bronze Age style of storytelling and art, this one’s for you. Verdict: Heavy on action and nostalgia in all the right ways.

• Writer: Gary Carlson, Ray MacKay
• Artist: Ronald C. Williams
• Colorist: Shayne Cui
• Cover Artist: Ronald C. Williams (cover A)
• Publisher: Big Bang Comics
• Release Date: May 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.95
• Page Count: 40
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Big Bang Adventures #37:

First Impressions:

M’boy. I love me some Bronze Age-style comics, so it’s always a treat when Big Bang puts out a new issue of their episodic series that brings you right back to that era with style and reverence. Yep, this one’s a keeper.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

The story begins with Knight Watchman leaping into action to stop a robbery. However, when day… err, night is saved. Knight Watchman does the unthinkable and guns down the crooks instead of taking them to jail. Word soon spreads among Midway City’s criminals and the police that the Knight Watchman has crossed the uncrossable line.

When the reports of Knight Watchman’s misdeeds hit the papers, Jerry calls Reid Randall, aka the Knight Watchman, for an explanation. Reid is away in NYC for business, and it soon becomes apparent the murderous Knight Watchman is an imposter. Reid quickly books a flight back home to set things right.

However, catching the imposter won’t be easy when the entire city has a bounty on your head. Reid decides the best way to defeat “Knight Watchman” is to infiltrate the city streets with a bold, yellow costume and call himself The Crusader. What follows is a classic smackdown of vigilante proportions.

How is the story in Big Bang Adventures #37?

Simple, clean, clear, effective, and classic. Gary Carlson and Ray MacKay produce a superhero tale that will hit you right in your nostalgia bone and give you a swift kick in the ‘member berries at the same time. For new readers, Knight Watchman is your classic Batman analog character, but the character voices, the plot, and the hook are ripped right from the classic Dark Knight tales written by Gerry Conway and Denny O’Neil, with just enough camp to be endearing.

The plot is a straightforward “criminal impersonating hero to besmirch his rep” type of story, so if you could ding the story on any aspect, it’s the lack of surprise. However, familiarity in this case feels like comfort food.

How is the art in Big Bang Adventures #37?

Ronald C. Williams is the right artistic fit for the script. His linework is outstanding. The anatomy/musculature of the characters in hero poses looks fantastic. Plus, Williams’s use of shading and shadows to give Midway City a plethora of noir charm is pitch-perfect.

Characters

Reid Randall, aka Knight Watchman, is undeniably the star of the show. Admittedly, he doesn’t get a lot of character growth or change, but what he does display is an indomitable sense of confidence, shrewdness, and determination to stop the villain. Unfortunately, you don’t see much of that type of heroic personality these days in the predominance of superhero comics, so it’s a breath of fresh air.

Originality & Concept Execution

If you’re looking for originality or a completely different spin on a classic plot, that’s the one area where this story falls short. You can find countless examples over decades of superhero comics where a villain impersonates the hero to turn the police or the city against the hero. Thankfully, it’s a timeless tale but still one you’ve probably heard a dozen times before.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Pitch-perfect plot and dialog
• Immaculate Bronze Age-style art
• A fun “gag ad” at the end of the issue

Room for Improvement

• The plot lacks surprise
• The cliche dialog may be too much for some
• The Crusader costume is too bright for a prototype. (minor nitpick)

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2

Final Thoughts:

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Big Bang Adventures #37 finds Knight Watchman crossing the uncrossable line, turning all of Midway City against him. Gary Carlson and MacKay’s script is as classic as it gets, admittedly without any surprises, and Ronald C. Williams’s Bronze Age art is exquisite.

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