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The Kryptonian Cybernet Issue 08
THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET - ISSUE #8a - DECEMBER 1994
AN ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE FAMILY OF SUPERMAN CHARACTERS
All characters and locales are copyright and/or trademark DC Comics
CONTENTS
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Section 1: Superscripts: Notes from the Editor
NEWSFLASH!
Notes from the Mid-Ohio-Con, by Jeff Sykes
Superman Ô94 Ñ The Year in Review
The Kryptonian Cybernet Readers Awards
Section 2: The Fleischer Cartoons
Episode #4, ÒThe Arctic GiantÓ,
by Neil Ottenstein
Super-Crosswords
Crossword #3 and Answers to Crossword #2
Coming Attractions
Section 3: Looking Back Part 1
Post-Byrne Holiday Review
Superman #64, by Ken McKee
Pre-Byrne
The Super-Kids of Superman!
Part 3 of a 5-part review of silver age
stories, by Jon Knutson
Resources
LOTS of new pictures at ftp.hyperion.com!
EDITORIAL STAFF:
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Jeffery D. Sykes, Editor-in-chief
Arthur E. LaMarche, Reviews
Shawn Aeria Mark Lamutt
Victor Chan Ken McKee
Pat Gonzales Jennifer L. Traver
Curtis Herink Joel W. Tscherne
Lee Keels
LEGAL DISCLAIMERS:
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Superman and all related characters, locations, and events are
copyright and trademark DC Comics. Use of the aforementioned is not
intended to challenge said ownership. We strongly suggest that each
reader look to the media sources mentioned within for further infor-
mation.
Opinions presented within this issue belong to the authors of
the articles which contain them. They should in no way be construed
as those of any other particular member of the editorial or contributing
staff, unless otherwise indicated.
This magazine should be distributed freely via e-mail. Should
you desire to share this publication with other on-line services, please
contact me at sykes@ms.uky.edu for permission. Feel free to advertise
subscription information on other on-line services which have internet
mail availability.
THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET is available by e-mail Ñ just send me a note
(sykes@ms.uky.edu) which includes the address to which you would like the
issues sent. Back issues are available via ftp Ñ see the resources section.
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SUPERSCRIPTS: Notes from the Editor
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NEWSFLASH!
Dan Jurgens recently announced on CompuServe that he is going to
be working on SOLAR for Valiant. He will be quitting his pencilling
duties on SUPERMAN (I have heard that his pencils will run through
issue #100), but he will continue to write the series. IÕd like to
take the opportunity to wish Dan well in his new book. WeÕll really
miss your artwork on SUPERMAN!
Before I head into my notes from the Con, I want to pass along a little tidbit
gleaned from a HERO interview with Mark Waid, writer of FLASH, JUSTICE LEAGUE
TASK FORCE, and the upcoming IMPULSE, and mastermind behind the relaunch of
THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES. In the interview, Mark speaks about his plans for
the Legion Ñ about what will be different and what will be unchanged. One
of the events that he has planned is a meeting between the Legion and the new
(Cadmus-spawned) Superboy! Given the quality of the reboot of the Legion Ñ
which is the direct result of Mr. WaidÕs incredible writing talent Ñ this
tale will probably be something that every Superboy reader should check out.
In fact, I heartily recommend LEGION and LEGIONNAIRES to all of the Superman
fans out there. After all, they were originally pretty closely tied to
the Superboy legend...
As for the Mid-Ohio-Con, I was somewhat surprised by what I experienced. This
was my first convention, and I think I expected a bunch of total wierdos. I
suppose you can blame that on the stereotype of conventioners which seems to
have originated from the Trek conventions. But I digress...
One of the first things I did was attend a panel discussion entitled
ÒDeconstructive Comics,Ó featuring Louise Simonson, Kevin Dooley, Mark Waid,
Beau Smith, William Messner-Loebs, and Pat Garrahy. The essence of the
discussion centered on the recent trend in revamping characters (Dooley
received a lot of flack over the Green Lantern incident...) and the issue
of what constitutes ÒessentialÓ continuity. Interestingly enough, one of
the topics which was discussed for an extended time was how John ByrneÕs
revamp of Superman resurrected the Kents. Since I began reading the books
with the revamp, this was not a big deal for me, but to several audience
members (and quite noticeably to Louise Simonson), the inclusion of the Kents
in the new continuity was an incredibly huge turnabout which opened up an
entire new world of possibilities. Eventually, the whole topic turned into
a defensive stance (IMO), with the majority of the panelists laying the ÒblameÓ
for most ÒretconsÓ and radical changes on the lack of sales.
There were also some comments about the tight reigns that Mike Carlin holds
over SupermanÕs use. Mrs. Simonson pointed out that with Mr. Carlin acting
as the ÒwatchdogÓ (my word, not hers) of Superman, the writers were free to
be completely creative with their story ideas, knowing that he would reel them
back in if they went a bit too far. (I think that this facet of the writing
process must be working. The *ideas* for the major storylines have been quite
good. The recent problems with the titles have been primarily centered on the
execution of these stories.) She also mentioned that Carlin was very much
against the destruction of Metropolis.
I found my way into the retailers rooms, and over the course of the two days,
I managed to pick up the entire WORLDS COLLIDE crossover at 50 cents per book.
Now having read the story, I must admit that it was *very* good Ñ much better
than the stories of late. IÕd also like to see the Superman titles take a
month and use the painted colors in their interiors (as the Milestone books
do).
The first night was the charity auction, with auctioneer John Byrne! Byrne
was absolutely hilarious in this role Ñ it was clear that he really enjoyed
the auction. Roger Stern donated a few things to the auction Ñ a box of the
collectorÕs edition Superman cards sold for $30, a box of the premium edition
cards sold for $35 (a real steal), and two gentlemen waged a bidding war over
the original, uncut, color proofs for the entire card set, with the winner
spending about $120! (More about Superman cards at the end of the column.)
Stern also purchased an original sketch by Sergio Aragones (GROO) for mucho
dinero to close the auction. In all, over $2800 was earned for the Ronald
McDonald House of Central Ohio.
The next day I primarily spent hawking autographs. When not waiting in line
to meet Jeff Smith (BONE), I got to speak with Walt and Louise Simonson, John Byrne, Roger Stern, and Mark Waid. Unfortunately, I was unable to glean any
new insider information from them. However, some of the autographs will show
up every now and then as prizes for KC contests in the coming year!
In all, it was an enjoyable experience.
Now, I mentioned the Superman cards which have been available for a month
or two. The cards are absolutely beautiful. The premium edition ($4/pack
in Lexington) have a metallic-looking border, while the collectorÕs edition
($1/pack) has a Ònon-enhancedÓ border. Randomly inserted into the collectorÕs
edition are 6 Spectra-Etch cards. Randomly inserted into the premium edition
are four Forged in Steel cards (which look completely metallic) and the new
Man of Steel Skydisc (very cool hologram card)! For those of you who can find
a few dollars, IÕd recommend trying them out. For those interested in trading
or buying cards, David Chappell (davidc@leland.Stanford.edu) and myself are
both collecting/looking for trades. David is specifically looking for the
SkyDisc card (last I had heard).
Jeff Sykes
sykes@ms.uky.edu
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SUPERMAN Ô94: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
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1994 was a decent year for Superman comic books, though not nearly as good
a year as 1993. I want to begin a year-end awards for the Superman titles,
the results of which will be passed along to DC. This is a way for us to
let them know what we think they are doing right and what they are doing
wrong. Since I realize that not everyone has their collection on hand or
a photographic memory, so I have compiled a list of the comics which were
published with cover date 1994. For the purpose of the awards, I want to
limit miniseries to those finishing in the year, so METROPOLIS SCU and
GUARDIANS OF METROPOLIS wonÕt show up until next year. Below you will find
a category for best cover . I wonÕt describe all of the covers, but
hopefully, the bookÕs contents will be enough to remind you of a particular
cover.
IÕll start with the main four ÒtriangleÓ titles. Unless otherwise noted,
the creative teams are:
MOS (Superman: The Man of Steel) - Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janke
SUP (Superman) - Jurgens & Rubinstein
ADV (Adventures of Superman) - Kesel, Kitson, & McCarthy
ACT (Action Comics) - Stern, Guice, & Rodier (to issue #700)
- Michelinie, Guice, & Rodier (beginning #702)
If no other information is given, the cover was by the same art team as the
interiors. Multi-Part ÒTitledÓ Stories are indicated with the title in all
capitals.
MOS #29 - SPILLED BLOOD - Bloodthirst
SUP #85 - Cat takes revenge on the Toyman
ADV #508 - Challengers of the Unknown
Cover by Kitson & Kesel
ACT #695 - Cauldron, Cadmus, and Dabney Donovan
Written by Kesel, Foil cover enhancement
MOS #30 - Lobo
Colorforms cover enhancement
SUP #86 - The Sun Devils, Lois investigates Sasha GreenÕs death
Art by Jurgens & Mitchell, Cover by Jurgens & Rubinstein
ADV #509 - Auron and Massacre, Lois continues her investigation
ACT #696 - Superman fights Champion, Doomsday in wormhole, Lois confronts Lex
MOS #31 - Clone Plague begins, Underworld begins war with Cadmus
Art by Bright & Janke, cover by Bogdanove & Janke
SUP #87 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Lex recreates Bizarro, who kidnaps Lois
Art by Immonen & Rubinstein, Cover by Jurgens & Breeding
ADV #510 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Lois escapes Bizarro, Clone plague advances
ACT #697 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Lex admits creating Bizarro, Bizarro sees Lana
Cover by Hannigan & Guice
MOS #32 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Bizarro proposes to Lois, Hamilton studies clones
SUP #88 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Superman and Lois rescue Bizarro from Lex
Art by Immonen & Rubinstein, Cover by Jurgens & Breeding
ADV #511 - Lex uses underworld against Cadmus, Supes having power problems
Art by Kitson & Pascoe
ACT #698 - Donovan attacks Lex, Supes is growing, Lex changes LoisÕ story
MOS #33 - Supes is huge! Parasite for drain, Lois more problems via Lex
SUP #89 - Lois is fired, STAR tries to drain Superman in space
ADV #512 - LoisÕ apartment is bombed, the clones free the Parasite, Supes cured
Cover by Kitson & Kesel
ACT #699 - BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS - Lois tells Clark about Lex, Lex controls war
Art by Felchle & Pascoe, Cover by Guice
MOS #34 - BATTLE - Lois hears from her source about new info, war continues
SUP #90 - BATTLE - Lois regains info to nail Lex, Donovan kills Westfield
Art by Anderson & Rubinstein
ADV #513 - BATTLE - Lex blows up Cadmus, Guardian has cure for clone plague
ACT #700 - FALL OF METROPOLIS - Lois nails Lex, Pete marries Lana, Lex learns
who his leak was, Happerson activates LexÕs missiles
Additional art by Swan & Anderson
MOS #35 - WORLDS COLLIDE, FALL - Failsafe #1: Afterburn, Fred Bentson dreams
SUP #91 - FALL - Failsafe #2: Big Robots
ADV #514 - FALL - Failsafe #3: Fear Gas
Art by Krause & McCain, Cover by Kitson & McCarthy
ACT #701 - FALL - Failsafe #4: the Kryptonian Battle Suit
Written by Kesel
MOS #36 - WORLDS COLLIDE - Rift, Icon, Steel, Hardware, etc
SUP #92 - MASSACRE IN METROPOLIS Part 1
Cover by Jurgens & Ordway
ADV #515 - MASSACRE IN METROPOLIS Part 2
ACT #702 - Bloodsport
MOS #37 - Zero Hour: Many Batmen, Jor-El and Lara arrive in Smallville
SUP #93 - Zero Hour: Jor-El and Lara want to take Kal-El home to Krypton
ADV #516 - Zero Hour: Alpha Centurion
ACT #703 - Zero Hour: Supes meets young Kents, who had found a dead Kal-El
MOS #0 - PEER PRESSURE - Conduit, ClarkÕs childhood, Kenny Braverman
SUP #0 - PEER PRESSURE - Clark & Kenny in high school, Conduit at the Baldies
Art by Jurgens & Breeding
ADV #0 - PEER PRESSURE - Clark in France, Kenny in CIA, Kenny=Conduit
ACT #0 - PEER PRESSURE - Conduit & Pipeline, Body discovered after fight
MOS #38 - DEAD AGAIN - Conduit Escapes, everyone wonders about body
Art by Erwin & Guice, Cover by Bogdanove & Janke
SUP #94 - DEAD AGAIN - Kenny recaptured, Body is SupermanÕs
Art by Jurgens & Breeding
ADV #517 - DEAD AGAIN - Deathtrap
ACT #704 - DEAD AGAIN - The Eradicator and The Outsiders
MOS #39 - DEAD AGAIN - Keith finds his Mom, Supes tests self, Not Luthor
SUP #95 - DEAD AGAIN - New Genesis, The Atom, Brainiac
Art by Jurgens & Manley
ADV #518 - DEAD AGAIN - Apokolips, Darkseid hints at culprit
Additional inks by Montano
ACT #705 - DEAD AGAIN - Supes steals body, Mxyzptlk, Brainiac is free
SUPERBOY
Unless otherwise noted, creative team is Kesel, Grummett, & Hazlewood.
All covers by Grummett & Kesel.
#1 - Sidearm, Superboy moves to Hawaii
#2 - Knockout
#3 - Scavenger and the Spear of Lono
#4 - Superboy: The Animated Series
Additional art by Parobeck & Parks
#5 - Clone plague hits Superboy, Silversword
#6 - WORLDS COLLIDE - Parasite, Superboy taken to Dakota
#7 - WORLDS COLLIDE - Rocket, Static, and Superboy help Icon against Rift
#8 - Zero Hour: Superboy vs. Superboy
Additional inks by Davis
#0 - Sidearm, SuperboyÕs first few days out of Cadmus, SB gets vision power
#9 - King Shark
Pencils by Ramos, Inks by Hazlewood & Parks
#10 - BEM and his ÒmovieÓ monsters
Pencils by Ramos, Inks by Parks & Woch
STEEL
The only information I have is for issues #6-7, 0, 9-10. If some kind
reader would supply the info, I will include it in the second part of
the issue.
Unless otherwise noted, the creative team is Simonson, Batista, & Faber.
Covers by Batista & Janke.
#6 - WORLDS COLLIDE - Steel vs. Hardware, the two universes physically link
#7 - WORLDS COLLIDE - The universes are merged
Additional art by Ramos & Woch
#0 - Recap of SteelÕs origin, the Armor appears on its own
#9 - A serial killer stalks DC, Steel is arrested
Art by Fosco & Stegbauer
#10 - The serial killer is discovered and Steel is cleared
Art by Fosco & Stegbauer
ANNUALS
All 1994 annuals were elseworlds stories.
ADV Annual #6 - The Super Seven Part 1
Kesel, Hor, & Shoultz (Cover by Mignola)
SB Annual #1 - The Super Seven Part 2
Kesel, Luzniak, and MANY inkers (Cover by Luzniak & Kesel)
SUP Annual #6 - Kal-El of the Jungle
Vincenzo, Fosco, & Woch (Cover by Mignola)
ACT Annual #6 - Changed American Revolution story
John Byrne (Cover by Mignola)
MOS Annual #3 - Kryptonians migrate to and take over Earth
Priest, Bright, & Schoultz (Cover by Mignola)
STEEL Ann #1 - John Henry as pre-Civil War slave rebel
Jon & Judy Bogdanove, Ramos, and Boyd & Davis
Cover by Ramos & Parks
LIMITED SERIES
IÕm not certain about whether or not LEGENDS OF THE WORLDÕS FINEST would
have a cover date of 1994 or if it was late 1993, so I will include it
anyway. Unless otherwise noted, cover art is by interior artists.
SUPERGIRL
4 issues Ñ Supergirl learns all about Lex LuthorÕs manipulations
Stern, Brigman, & Guice (Covers by Gammill & Wiacek)
S.T.A.R. CORPS
6 issues Ñ A new super-powered team is formed by a sentient computer
Vado, Felchle, & Machlan
SUPERMAN/DOOMSDAY: HUNTER/PREY
3 issues Ñ On Apokolips, Superman confronts Doomsday once again
Jurgens & Breeding
SUPERMAN: UNDER A YELLOW SUN
1 issue Ñ Clark writes a novel & struggles to balance his dual life
JF Moore, Barreto, Gammill, Janke, Van Valkenburgh, & Whitmore
LEGENDS OF THE WORLDÕS FINEST
3 issues Ñ Superman and Batman are united to struggle against Tullus,
Silver Banshee, and Blaze
Walt Simonson & Daniel Brereton
ZERO HOUR
5 issues Ñ Superman leads EarthÕs heroes to stop time from collapsing
Jurgens & Ordway
WORLDS COLLIDE checklist
The heroes of Metropolis join the heroes of Dakota to stop Rift.
#1 - MOS 35 - Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janke
#2 - HARDWARE #17 - McDuffie, Cowan & Birch, Rollins, & J. Scott J.
#3 - SUPERBOY #6 - Kesel, Grummett, & Hazlewood
#4 - ICON #15 - McDuffie, Bright, Gustovich, & J. Brown
#5 - STEEL #6 - Simonson, Batista, & Faber
#6 - BLOOD SYNDICATE #16 - Velez Jr, Chriscross, Quijano, & Wrightson
#7 - WORLDS COLLIDE #1 - Essentially everyone involved
#8 - SUPERBOY #7 - Kesel, Grummett, & Hazlewood
#9 - HARDWARE #18 - McDuffie, Cowan & Rollins, & J. Scott J.
#10 - MOS #36 - Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janke
#11 - ICON #16 - McDuffie, Bright, Gustovich, & J. Brown
#12 - STEEL #7 - Simonson, Batista & Ramos, & Faber & Woch
#13 - BLOOD SYNDICATE #17 - Velez Jr, Chriscross, Quijano, Rollins, Wrightson,
& Cebollero
#14 - STATIC #14 - McDuffie, Cowan & Rollins, & Montoya
OTHER APPEARANCES
ItÕs possible I missed one or two, so donÕt hesitate to vote for an issue
which you remember (but I didnÕt)! Again, unless otherwise indicated, the
cover art is by the interior artists.
THE RAY #1-2
Superboy joins the Ray in fighting Brimstone
Priest, Porter, & Jones
LEGION Ô94 #63
Superman vs. Lobo
Peyer, Jorgensen, & Pascoe
THE SPECTRE #22
Superman is asked to use the Spear of Destiny to stop the Spectre
Ostrander & Mandrake (Painted cover by Alex Ross)
JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #92
Zero Hour: Superman is featured in the story of TriumphÕs origin
Priest, Ross, & Cramer
AQUAMAN #3
Superboy vs. Aquaman
David, Egeland, & Vancata (Cover by Grummett & Austin)
THE BATMAN ADVENTURES #25
Superman and Batman vs. Lex Luthor and Maxie Zeus
Puckett, Barobeck, & Burchett
WONDER WOMAN #88
Wonder Woman asks for SupermanÕs help in discovering the fate of her home
Priest, Ross, & Kryssing (Cover by Bolland)
GREEN LANTERN #53
Superman helps the new Green Lantern against Mongul
Marz, Banks, & Tanghal
GUY GARDNER: WARRIOR #24
Zero Hour: Supergirl and Steel joinf forces with Guy against Extant
Beau Smith, Byrd, & Davis
WHEW! A lot out there! Next year, I plan on having this information
organized better (compile as I go). Let me know if I missed anything!
Jeff
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THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET READERÕS CHOICE AWARDS
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Or until someone can come up with a better name, THE KRYPTIES!
As a matter of fact, thatÕs the first contest for this issue. Send in your
ideas for a name for the KC ReaderÕs Choice Awards. Whoever submits the
title I choose to use will be awarded a copy of ACTION COMICS #700, signed
by Roger Stern! You will find a space on the ballot below to send in your
entry. Or, if you prefer, you can send in your entry at any time to the
magazine address (KryptonCN@aol.com).
On to the awards...
Try and follow these instructions for voting. I wonÕt penalize you or
anything, but it will make my vote-counting task easier!
1. The ballot you submit should contain only the category numbers followed
by the person/issue/etc for which you are voting. You may construct
your ballot by simply editing the categories out of the ballot below.
(If you do make a reply ballot, please edit out everything except for
the lines with the votes.)
EXAMPLE:
Change
S1: BEST STORY/STORY ARC
to
S1: BizarroÕs World
2. Please vote for only one winner in each category. Multiple votes will
make it that much more time-consuming when I tally the results.
3. If you choose not to vote in a category, leave the category number with
a blank beside it. This will make it easier for me to count the votes
accurately and should prevent me from making mistakes.
4. For the write-in categories, please indicate your category and the entry.
Serious or otherwise, please do not use more than two write-in categories.
Example:
W1: Worst Use of Teen Slang - The Ray #1
The votes *must* be sent to me at the magazine address (KryptonCN@aol.com).
You should be able to do this by simply replying to this post/mailing.
Any other voting (eg Usenet posts or e-mail to my school account) will be
ignored. This is *very* important to contest #2: one entry will be selected
at random, and its entrant will receive a copy of SUPERMAN #1 (Second
Series), autographed by John Byrne! If you fail to send your entry to
KryptonCN@aol.com, not only will your vote not be counted, but you will not
be eligible for the prize! I will accept votes until 11:59 PM EST,
December 31, 1994. Results will hopefully be published in the January
issue Ñ definitely in the February issue Ñ and mailed to the Superman
team at DC.
Oh, and by the way, since these contests have what I consider to be ÒvaluableÓ
prizes, the KC staff (myself excluded) *is* eligible to win the prizes!
Have fun remembering everything from the past year!
========Your ballot should include only the numbered lines below========
K1: SUGGEST A NAME FOR THESE AWARDS!
THE SIX CONTINUOUS TITLES (Include their annuals)
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S1: BEST STORY/STORY ARC IN A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S2: WORST STORY/STORY ARC IN A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S3: BEST WRITER OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S4: WORST WRITER OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S5: BEST ARTIST OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S6: WORST ARTIST OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S7: BEST COVER OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S8: BEST SINGLE ISSUE OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S9: WORST SINGLE ISSUE OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S10: BEST OVERALL CONTINUOUS TITLE
S11: WORST OVERALL CONTINUOUS TITLE
LIMITED SERIES/GUEST APPEARANCES
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L1: BEST WRITING IN A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L2: WORST WRITING IN A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L3: BEST ART IN A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L4: WORST ART IN A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L5: BEST COVER OF A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L6: BEST OVERALL LIMITED SERIES
L7: WORST OVERALL LIMITED SERIES
L8: BEST OVERALL GUEST APPEARANCE
L9: WORST OVERALL GUEST APPEARANCE
WRITE-IN CATEGORIES (Please no more than two)
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W1:
W2:
==========================================================
Once again, you *must* send your ballot to KryptonCN@aol.com for your
vote to be counted! Once this is over, I will gladly take suggestions
for next yearÕs awards Ñ they will not be such a last-minute idea by then!
Jeff
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End of Section 1
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THE FLEISCHER CARTOONS:
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by Neil A. Ottenstein
Episode 4: ÒThe Arctic GiantÓ
Released: 2-27-42
Running Time: 8:35 minutes
Faster than a speeding bullet
More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound
The cartoon starts off with some exposition telling of an archeological
expedition into Siberia which found a huge monster Òfrozen in perfect
preservation.Ó They loaded the monster onto a huge freighter equipped
with a special refrigeration unit and took it to display in the Museum
of Natural Science. There it stands in a block of ice with the label
Tyrannosaurus.
The scene shifts to the Daily Planet where Perry White is talking with a
professor who informs him that if the ice were permitted to thaw, the
monster might still be alive. He sends Lois to the museum. Clark
volunteers to go as well, but Lois shoots back that heÕd Òprobably faint
if [he] saw the monster.Ó
Lois is given a tour of the machines that keep the monster frozen. An
oil can accidentally falls into the turbines of the machine which must
be turned off. Before it can be fixed, the temperature rises, the ice
starts to melt, the danger bell goes off, people are cleared from the
exhibit and the monster wakes.
Lois tries to call the story in to the Planet, but is interrupted when
the monster crashes out of the museum. Police try to stop the giant to
no avail. It stomps over police cars, breaks through an elevated rail
track, and causes general destruction. ÒArctic monster runs amuck in the
cityÓ appears on the teletype in the Planet. Clark changes in the closet
and makes his way to the museum in a series of leaps.
He frees trapped people from the museum and find Lois. He tells Lois to
go back to her office where sheÕll be safe, but Lois says to herself,
Òand miss the biggest story in years, no chance.Ó Meanwhile the giant
monster has made its way to and broken through a dam. Superman replaces
the missing dam parts with a giant rock.
The monster continues and walks through a bridge. Superman levels it
and ties it back up with the broken cables. The monster is heading
toward a stadium. Superman ropes the monster with a bridge cable. Lois
takes a picture of the giant, but is swept up into its mouth. Superman
saves her and warns her, Ònow this time stay put.Ó She rejoins, ÒYes,
milord and thanks.Ó
We soon see the Daily Planet headline: ÒSuperman subdues arctic monster.
Saves city from destruction.Ó Lois asks Clark where he was during the
chaos, and he replies that he Òmust have fainted.Ó
This episode contained more dialogue than earlier ones. Also of note is
that Superman was clearly leaping from building to building on his way
to the museum and not flying. The arctic monster is quite a cartoonish
monster and reminded me of those Japanese monster movies of the Ô50s and
Ô60s (and of course ÒKing KongÓ which came out in 1933). One amusing
part of the story is that the disaster might never have occurred if Lois
hadnÕt been there in the first place. The accident which freed the
monster was due to the worker paying more attention to Lois than to what
he should be doing. The first three cartoons in the series featured
Òbad guysÓ doing something which had to be stopped, while this one was
set in motion through an accident.
The two Fleischer Superman cartoon volumes are available for $19.95 each
directly from Bosko Video or from anyone who carries high quality
animation.
A catalog is available from Bosko Video
3802 East Cudahy Ave.
Cudahy WI 53110-1234
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SUPER-CROSSWORD #2 ANSWERS
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SUPER-CROSSWORD #3
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By Jon Knutson (jonknutson@aol.com)
For best results, print this out in a monospaced typeface.
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ACROSS:
1 She turned Biron into Comet
5 ClarkÕs magician name (Silver Age)
10 Kind of Silver Age story
12 Fifth-Dimensional Entity
13 This causes Supes to lose his powers
15 Just a little bit
16 Stone powering MarvelÕs Sphinx
17 What SupesÕ eyes do when he uses heat vision
22 Mr. Kent, to Clark
23 Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
wants a high one
24 What the Silver Age Lois might have called
Superman once or twice, in anger
27 Wonder Woman, to her close friends
28 If Comet was involved in the follow-up to
ÒFuneral for a Friend,Ó the story might have
been Ò______ of the SupermenÓ
29 Stinging insect
30 One of the Els
31 Barry was always accused of being this... after
Crisis, he really is
32 Kara, Lois, Lana, or Lori
33 Luthor, Terra-Man, or Brainiac
35 Maggie, Henderson or Turpin
36 WomanÕs name
39 Fifth dimensional pest
DOWN:
1 He called on Superboy for help
2 What the Silver Age SupermanÕs cape wouldnÕt do
3 The Big Red Cheese (init.)
4 The end of Kal-ElÕs exodus
5 Movie Lane
6 Naval rank (abbr.)
7 All for ________; pointless
8 A vowel-less railway
9 Jewish exclamation
11 British slang expression of the 60Õs
14 Co-Star in several 70Õs Action Comics
16 Bottled city
18 He plays Perry on TV
19 A kind of watch or bat
20 What Clark and Lana did in high school
21 Two of MacDonaldÕs vowels
25 Slicker
26 He was SarahÕs husband in the old TV show
30 A code
32 Get your ________; exasperate
34 Zha-________
37 Former
38 AllÕs well
========================================================
COMING ATTRACTIONS
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A List of Upcoming Comics Featuring The Superman Family of Characters
Assembled by Jeffery D. Sykes
This monthly section is dedicated to giving you official information
concerning which comics you should watch for in the near future in order
to keep up with Superman, Superboy, Supergirl, and all the rest of the
Superman family of characters.
February Highlights:
Guest-starring roles, a trade paperback, and more of the build towards
SUPERMAN #100 highlight FebruaryÕs offerings! Superman, Supergirl, and
Superboy guest-star in GUY GARDNER: WARRIOR, NEW TITANS, and BLOOD PACK.
In the big four, Supes and Mister Miracle continue their struggles with
Deathtrap in MAN OF STEEL. Gil Kane guest-pencils SUPERMAN, as Supes joins
forces with Agent Liberty in Washington, DC, in a story which continues
into STEEL. In ADVENTURES, we finally get the *real* story of the rebuilding
of Metropolis; and Guy Gardner seeks SupermanÕs help in ACTION. And all
throughout the titles, it appears that someone is onto SupermanÕs true
identity! SUPERBOY continues his group battle with the Silicon Dragons,
and Thorn draws Roger SternÕs spotlight in SHOWCASE. Finally, DC is offering
a trade paperback collection of LEGENDS OF THE WORLDÕS FINEST, by Walt
Simonson and Dan Brereton.
Rumors:
Okay, now itÕs certain...but since this is definitely a spoiler, and not
a rumor anymore, IÕll put it at the very end of the section! Check below
the issue previews for the scoop!
The information which follows is reprinted without permission from Diamond
Previews and is in no way meant to serve as a replacement for that magazine.
In fact, I strongly recommend that each reader find his or her own copy for
additional detailed information on the entire DC Universe!
1. List of Titles by Shipping Date:
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Shipping date: Comic title and information:
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December 6: Action Comics #706
Michelinie, Guice, & Rodier
$1.50
Anima #10 (Superboy)
Witcover & Hand, Crespo, & Blyberg
$1.50
Guy Gardner: Warrior #27 (Steel, Superman)
Beau Smith, Byrd, & D. Davis
$1.50
Metropolis S.C.U. #3 (of 4)
Goff, Krause, & Marzan Jr.
Cover by Abell & Guice
$1.50
Showcase Ô95 #1 (of 12)
Supergirl story
C. Moore, Immonen, & von Grawbadger
Cover by Grummett & Hazlewood
48 pgs, $2.50
December 13: Superboy #12
K. Kesel, Grummett, & D. Davis
$1.50
Superman: The Man of Steel #41
L. Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janson
$1.50
December 20: The Guardians of Metropolis #4 (of 4)
K. Kesel, Dwyer, & Manley
$1.50
Superman #97
Jurgens & Breeding
$1.50
December 27: Adventures of Superman #520
K. Kesel, Immonen, & Marzan, Jr.
$1.50
Steel #12
L. Simonson, Batista, & Faber
$1.50
Xenobrood #4 (Superman)
Moench, Hunter, & Lowe
$1.50
January 3: Action Comics #707
Michelinie, Guice, & Rodier
$1.50
Showcase Ô95 #2 (of 12)
Supergirl Story
C. Moore, Immonen, & von Grawbadger
48 pgs, $2.50
January 10: Metropolis S.C.U. #4 (of 4)
Goff, Krause, & Marzan, Jr.
Cover by Abell & Guice
$1.50
January 17: Superboy #13
WATERY GRAVE: Part 1 (of 3)
K. Kesel, Grummett, & Hazlewood
$1.50
Superman: Kal
Gibbons & Garcia-Lopez
Prestige Format
64 pgs, $5.95
Superman: The Man of Steel #42
L. Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janke
$1.50
January 24: Superman #98
Jurgens & Breeding
$1.50
January 31: Adventures of Superman #521
K. Kesel, Immonen, & Marzan Jr.
$1.50
Steel #13
L. Simonson, Batista, & Faber
$1.50
February 7: Action Comics #708
Michelinie, Guice, & Rodier
$1.50
Showcase Ô95 #3 (of 12)
Eradicator Story
K. Kesel (no info on art)
48 pgs, $2.50
February 14: Blood Pack #2 (Superboy)
C. Moore, C. Taylor, & Lanning
$1.50
Legends of the WorldÕs Finest Trade Paperback
Walt Simonson & Dan Brereton
160 pgs, $14.95
Superboy #14
WATERY GRAVE: Part 2 (of 3)
K. Kesel, Grummett, & Hazlewood
$1.50
Superman: The Man of Steel #43
L. Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janke
$1.50
February 21: The New Titans #120 (Supergirl)
FOREVER EVIL: Part 2 (of 3)
Wolfman, Rosado, & Champagne
$1.95
Superman #99
Jurgens, G. Kane, & Rubinstein
Cover by Jurgens & Breeding
$1.50
February 28: Adventures of Superman #522
K. Kesel, Immonen, & Marzan Jr.
$1.50
Steel #14
L. Simonson, Batista, & Faber
$1.50
March 7: Action Comics #709
Michelinie, Guice, & Rodier
$1.50
Guy Gardner: Warrior #30 (Superman, Supergirl)
Beau Smith, Byrd, & Davis
$1.50
Showcase Ô95 #4 (of 12)
Thorn story (Part 1 of 2)
Stern, Simpson, & Stegbauer
48 pgs, $2.50
2. Merchandise:
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For more information on how to find these items, consult your local comic
shop dealer.
Superman: Rock T-Shirt
From Graphitti Designs
This Òall-overÓ print features the Man of Steel screenprinted in full
color on the front of a white, 100% cotton tee.
M-XL....$17.95
Superman Computer Screen Frame
From Screenies
Personalize your PC with this collectible, full-color cardboard
computer frame depicting the ÒrealÓ Superman, the Cyborg Superman,
and Metallo. Comes complete with easy-to-mount Velcro strips. Fits
all 13Ó-15Ó monitors.
$9.95
The Superman Story
by Martin Pasko
From St. Martins Press
AmericaÕs favorite superhero recounts his days on Krypton and his
childhood on Earth. But even as he relates his incredible tale, a
sinister plot is hatching in the mind of a wicked scientist! Written
for young adult readers.
Paperback, 160 pgs, $3.99
3. Spoilers:
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February 14:
ÑÑÑÑÑ-
Blood Pack #2 (of 4)
Superboy guest-stars as the Blood Pack (several New Blood heroes
from the Bloodlines annuals two summers ago Ñ Jeff) attempts to
save lives from an unnaturally erupting volcano. Plus, when one
of the Pack tries to quit the team, the heroes pay for it dearly.
Legends of the WorldÕs Finest Trade Paperback
DC offers a new trade paperback collecting the popular limited
series by Walter (STAR SLAMMERS) Simonson, and featuring the
beautifully painted artwork of Dan (THE NOCTURNALS) Brereton. In
this tale of nightmarish terror and infernal schemes, Superman and
Batman are drawn into a sinister web that causes them to dream each
otherÕs dreams while the villains Silver Banshee and Tullus join
forces against the demonic entity Blaze. Now, the Dark Knight and
the Man of Steel must fight to keep their sanity and defeat their
common foes...before their personalities merge. This collection
also includes an introduction by Simonson and a special ÒsketchesÓ
section with art and text by Brereton. Painted cover by Dan Brereton.
Superboy #14
WATERY GRAVE: Part 2 (of 3) Ñ SuperboyÕs dangerous alliance with
Knockout, Deadshot, Sidearm, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang
backfires as a traitor among them leads the rest into a trap.
Superman: The Man of Steel #43
Deathtrap ups the ante against Superman and Mister Miracle with
increasingly deadly snares. Also, the first evidence appears that
someone with evil designs has learned the Man of SteelÕs true
identity.
February 21:
ÑÑÑÑÑ-
The New Titans #120
FOREVER EVIL: Part 2 (of 3) Ñ An evil-spawned Supergirl leads the
Children of Trigon in the attack against the Titans. Also, Damage
is AWOL, Impulse is MIA, and Raven holds Mirage in a hellish catacomb
miles beneath Manhattan.
Superman #99
Comics legend Gil Kane steps in as guest artist when Agent Liberty
once again crosses paths with the Man of Steel in Washington, D.C.
Purposes collide and tempers flare as the heroesÕ different styles
of justice conflict. This issue leads into STEEL #14, next week!
February 28:
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Adventures of Superman #522
Continued from STEEL #14 (see below): Superman returns to Metropolis,
where it becomes painfully clear that one of the Man of SteelÕs
deadliest foes knows his true identity! Plus, readers learn exactly
how and when Metropolis was rebuilt in the wake of ZERO HOUR.
Steel #14
Continued from SUPERMAN #99: Steel is reunited with Superman to
battle a deadly new super-powered menace in Washington, D.C. Plus,
more is revealed on the mysterious nature of SteelÕs armor.
March 7:
ÑÑÑ-
Action Comics #709
Guy Gardner: Warrior guest-stars when he arrives in Metropolis
seeking SupermanÕs help in dealing with his out-of-control super-
powers.
Guy Gardner: Warrior #30
Superman and Supergirl guest-star in a story continued from ACTION
COMICS #709: Warrior goes berserk as his incredible powers go
completely out of control. Even the combined might of Superman and
Supergirl may not be able to cope with an opponent who can adapt to
any move made against him. Plus: the first wave of the mysterious
alien threat that Guy Gardner was empowered to combat arrives on
Earth.
Showcase Ô95 #4
Thorn risks her secret identity when she wages her own private war
on crime in Part One of a two-part story by Roger Stern, Howard
(TUROK) Simpson, and Mark (STEEL) Stegbauer. Other stories featuring
Catwoman and Green Arrow. Cover art by Jackson Guice.
THE SPOILER!
ÑÑÑÑÑÑ
According to Diamond Previews, the rumors are all true! One of SupermanÕs
ÒfiercestÓ enemies learns his secret identity. To protect Lois and the
Kents, Kal kills off his Clark Kent persona in SUPERMAN #100 (shipping in
March)! The story of a world without Clark unfolds in the following weeks,
and everything leads up to the launch of the much speculated-about Superman
Quarterly title, written by Roger Stern, which is scheduled to ship in
May! In my opinion, this should make for an incredible story, but I canÕt
imagine how theyÕll resolve it without permanently shelving Clark!
Now, a question for the readers: Given the same writing team in either
situation, do you think that the pre-Byrne or post-Byrne Superman lends
himself to a more interesting story Ñ as far as killing off Clark goes?
========================================================
End of Section 2
========================================================
LOOKING BACK - Part 1
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(Part 2, containing reviews from our regular reviewers, will appear
in issue #8b.)
POST-BYRNE HOLIDAY REVIEW:
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SUPERMAN #64, ÒMetropolis Mailbag,Ó Feb. 1992
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencilled by John Costanza
Inked by Jackson Guice
$1.00
Rating: 5 Shields. A great story!
ItÕs December 23 and Metropolis, shivering under a snowy blanket,
is in the midst of the Christmas season. ItÕs supposed to be a
time of joy and hope. But one man feels only anguish and pain.
Our story opens with Superman softly landing in front of the
Metropolis Post Office. Lois is there to meet him along with a
Mr. Simpkins. Superman is about to repeat a yearly routine which,
as he puts it, is worse than confronting the Eradicator,
Intergang, and Mr. Mxyzptlk. He enters the post office with his
two guests and is faced with thousands of letters personally
addressed to him. The anguish Superman faces is knowing that he
cannot possibly help every person. He must choose. Mr. Simpkins
leaves and Lois stays to help.
The first letter is from a man who wants Superman to join him in
a business proposition. Another person wants him to turn coal
into diamonds and send him some. The third letter gets his
attention however. A sixty-five-year old Auschwitz survivor wants
to see her only surviving sister. Superman jumps into turbo speed
and rejoins the two sisters in a tearful reunion. After this
successful mission he returns to the post office.
The next letter is from a woman needing a heart transplant and
yet another from a man who isnÕt making enough money to feed his
family. Lois notices the strain Superman is experiencing and
gently reminds him, ÒMaybe you should stop doing this...you canÕt
feel obligated to everyone.Ó Superman does, however, feel
obligated to help everyone he can.
The next letter is from a little boy who wants Superman to save
his father from an incurable brain tumor. He has included a
drawing of Superman in his letter. Superman rushes off to tell
the young son that he canÕt save his father and to offer some
support. Sadly, the father dies before Superman can arrive and the
young boy is extremely angry. Superman tries to leave, but the
mother begs him to make her son understand. As Superman tries to
comfort the grieving boy, a nurse informs the mother that she can
donate her husbandÕs organs to a needy person. Superman tells the
woman that he received a letter from a woman needing a heart
transplant. The details are worked out and the heart is rushed to
its waiting patient.
The last letter is from the Daily Planet. Due to lack of funds
the staff will not be able to provide toys for MetropolisÕ
disadvantaged kids. Superman is being asked to divert their
attention from the lack of toys. Superman has a better idea. He
makes arrangements with his friend, Dr. Hamilton to be Santa
Claus. He then calls Bruce Wayne who gladly contributes money to
buy the toys.
Soon Lois finds her way to the Daily Planet where the children
are anxiously waiting. She directs them to the top of the
building. Suddenly Santa Claus swoops out of the sky and lands in
front of the startled faces. The presents are distributed and
Superman, dressed in a solid black costume, escapes unnoticed.
After a long night, Superman returns to his apartment as Clark and
finds another letter waiting for him. ÒThe honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of Lana Elizabeth Lang and Peter
Joseph Ross.Ó The last panel shows Clark staring off into space,
unsure of how to react to this surprising development.
This was a great issue and it should bring a tear or two to its
readers. It would be fun to see if Superman repeats his yearly
holiday ritual. Merry Christmas everyone.
Ken McKee
stdkrm01@shsu.edu
========================================================
THE SUPER-KIDS OF SUPERMAN!
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ-
by Jon Knutson (jonknutson@aol.com)
Part 3 (of 5)
WorldÕs Finest Comics #154, Dec. 65, has another possible precursor to
the Super-Sons stories from the 70Õs. The Sons of Batman and Superman,Ó
an Imagionary Novel, opens with a double-wedding of Clark and Lois, and
Bruce and Kathy Kane (Batwoman). The couples go on separate
honeymoons, and we find that Bruce made Kathy give up her Batwoman
career. The years pass, and the two families each have sons. One day, at
Wayne Manor, while the sons play in costumes resembling their fathers
(play costumes of their fathers have become very popular), Kathy decides
that Kal, Jr. is being a bully towards Bruce, Jr., and forbids Kal and Bruce
from playing together. Superman and Batman keep their sons occupied by
having them study their past cases.
Meanwhile, a very short crook called ÒThe Napoleon of CrimeÓ escapes
from prison. Bruce Jr. and Kal Jr. meet secretly, fearing their mothersÕ
feud may break up the Superman-Batman team. They decide to pretend to
run away to get their families together again, but are overheard by the
Napoleon of Crime. He approaches the boys and tells them heÕs Dr. Blaine,
and wants to show them his underground laboratory, which is lead-lined
(to protect his instruments). The boys agree, but that night, as they sleep,
the Napoleon of Crime discovers theyÕre the sons of Superman and Batman.
In the morning, Bruce Jr. realizes who ÒDr. BlaineÓ is, but Kal has already
been trussed up on a giant Kryptonite web. Bruce is locked up, and the
Napoleon of Crime switches clothes with Bruce Jr. (I told you he was
short) to lure Superman and Batman into a trap.
Meanwhile, Batman and Robin find out Bruce, Jr. and Kal, Jr. are
missing. Kathy resumes her Batwoman identity, and the three of them,
with the help of Superman and Lois, search for their sons. Lois spots the
disguised Napoleon of Crime from the Flying Newsroom (the Daily PlanetÕs
helicopter). Meanwhile, Bruce Jr. and Kal Jr. help each other escape. Bruce
Jr. uses his knowledge of make-up (learned from his father) to disguise
himself as the Napoleon of Crime. When the NapoleonÕs gang arrive, Bruce
Jr.Õs disguise causes enough confusion that he and Kal, Jr. are able to
capture the entire gang. The two couples make up and resume their
friendship. At the end of the story, the editor asks the readers if theyÕd
like to see more of the junior Superman-Batman team... does anyone know
if there was a sequel to this Imagionary Novel?
And now, finally... The Sons of Superman and Batman, from WorldÕs
Finest Comics!
The Super-Sons made their first appearance in WF 215, which, sadly, I
donÕt have in my collection. The earliest WF I have with the Super-Sons is
216, followed by 221, 222, 228, 230, 231, 238, and 242. IÕm quite certain
that I am missing more issues than 215 in my collection.
WorldÕs Finest 216, Feb-Mar 73, ÒLittle Town With A Big Secret!Ó Clark
Jr. and Bruce Jr. motorcycle into Barstow, where they shortly have a too-
close encounter with an out-of-control milk truck. Clark puts it right
before the driver awakens. They proceed into town, where they find that
the entire town seems hostile to them. Not only that, the milk truck they
saved earlier doesnÕt have any milk in it Ñ the liquid within it is hundreds
of degrees below zero.
The super-sons decide to grab a burger before leaving Barstow, but
manage to get into a brawl in the restaurant. Camping outside town for
the night, they assume their costumed identities, their curiosity piqued by
the strangeness in Barstow. Separating, Batman Jr. gets into trouble and
has to ditch his costume, resuming his Bruce Jr. identity and hiding out in
the restaurant he visited earlier. Bruce Jr. is picked up by the police, and
when Clark Jr. goes to visit him the next day, he is jailed, too. While in
jail, they overhear a waitress they befriended at the restaurant get
captured, and brought to ÒThe Ice Man.Ó Clark Jr. breaks them out, they
change clothes, and Superman, Jr. goes after her captors. However, during
the chase, the car heÕs pursuing vanishes.
Digging down, Superman Jr. finds an underground missile silo where he
discovers that BarstowÕs missing citizens are being kept in cryogenic
suspension. Seeing the waitress being brought in for freezing, he
intervenes, but is blasted by liquid nitrogen, which freezes him instantly.
Meanwhile, Batman Jr. finds a strange compass that leads him to a
spacecraft that belonged to the waitressÕ boyfriend and his family, who
were really aliens from the constellation Orion. They are on earth waiting
for their ship to repair itself. The townspeople killed the aliens, but a
group of them decided to put everyone into deep freeze to hide every clue
to the aliensÕ disappearance. The aliensÕ ship contains countless riches,
but wonÕt open up until 1994. However, the aliens didnÕt count on earthÕs
magnetic field, and Batman Jr. realizes it will open up very shortly.
Batman Jr. is brought to the silo, where he explains this, and when they go
to see the ship, they only get a glimpse of it as it flies off. The governor
pardons the town for the deaths of the aliens, and the frozen Barstonians
are defrosted.
WorldÕs Finest 221, Jan-Feb 74, ÒCry Not For My Forsaken Son!Ó As this
issue opens, ClarkÕs wife (unidentified, but itÕs gotta be Lois, given the
hair color!) forbids Clark, Jr. from superheroing with Bruce, Jr., while
BruceÕs wife (probably not Vicki Vale, more likely Talia or someone weÕve
never before seen with brown hair) is forbidding Bruce, Jr. from heroing
with Clark, Jr. Both fathers have to admit their sons did do well on their
first two adventures, but would like them to follow in their civilian
footsteps, as well as get more training. The super-sons defy their
parents, however, and meet in Gotham City. Spotting a stolen car pursued
by police, they help stop it, getting the car-thief, Danny Orr, released in
their custody. Danny tells the super-sons theyÕve got it easy, being the
sons of famous fathers, but his father is a nobody, a doorman. Actually,
Danny is adopted, and it was finding this out that caused him to steal that
car.
Superman, Jr. tails Danny, to find that his real father is Mark King, a
business tycoon. Danny goes to visit him. Meanwhile, Batman Jr. is
investigating KingÕs past, and discovers that King and DannyÕs adopted
father, Jack Orr, were friends and prospecting partners. They both loved
DannyÕs mother, but when she died while the two were prospecting in
Central America, Orr offered to take care of him, since King was the
mineral expert. King ended up claiming the mine, and Orr was too proud to
ask for a share. Besides, he knew King was corrupt, and wanted Danny to
grow up straight. Meanwhile, King has sent Danny as his representative to
the mine. He finds that the mine workers are kept as slaves, seeing one
shot down in front of his eyes. However, he doesnÕt really believe thereÕs
anything wrong until the super-sons give him a private tour. It turns out
that Orr is there as well, having received a letter asking for help from an
old friend.
The super-sons lead a revolt against the armed guards, but discover the
local militia has been called in to put down the revolt. Everything come
out all right, however, as we discover Orr has been working with the local
government, infiltrating the mine camp to gather evidence, and the local
militia sent a message saying they were going to put down the revolt as a
lie. Confronting King later in Gotham, Danny discovers King doesnÕt care
about anyone but himself. King gets arrested, and Danny goes back to his
adopted father.
WorldÕs Finest 222 (Mar-Apr 74) features a story called ÒEvil in
Paradise.Ó This was an issue I was missing, but decided to try to track
down the missing super-sons issues at a nearby shop and was able to
locate it. Bruce Jr. and Clark Jr. are in the audience of a late-night tv
show featuring Dr. Forbes, who has visited Desolation Island to find a
unique tribe of people whose way of life has been unchanged since the
dawn of history. Forbes believes man is basically good, and itÕs
civilization that makes man evil. He announces that heÕs going to observe
the tribe to prove his theory. Omar Benson appears on stage, saying that
man is basically evil, and only fear of punishment keeps most of us from
being criminals. He is leading his own expedition to the island. Bruce
believes Benson is right, but Clark thinks Forbes is right. Each has formed
their opinions from watching their fathers in action. They each decide to
join the expeditions (in their super-identities) led by the one they think is
right to prove their points.
After the expeditions begin, Benson sets up high-frequency sound
makers to irritate the natives. Superman, Jr. destroys them, since he
thinks it interferes with proving the theories. Shortly, Benson introduces
insects on the scene to cause a food shortage. Despite Superman, Jr.Õs
efforts to drive away the insects, the insects eat most of the fruit on the
island. However, the natives share equally what is left. Benson observes
one native who appears to be the leader, and suggests the natives simply
follow his conduct, and if he was removed, his theory would be proven.
Batman Jr. agrees to capture him.
As he and Benson take the leader away, Superman Jr. tries to stop
them, but Benson drops grenades that make him let go of their escaping
helicopter. Meanwhile, Forbes has fallen down a crevice, and Superman,
Jr. must rescue him. While this is being done, Benson submits the
captured leader to a series of images that are supposed to stimulate his
jealousy and stress. When they let him go, the leader doesnÕt act any
different around his people. Angry, Benson strikes the leader, who returns
the blow, killing Benson. Batman wants BensonÕs murder avenged, but
Superman insists that the natives must decide if the leader should be
punished. Suddenly, a series of explosions previously set by Benson go off,
threatening the island. The leader has to save Batman as a result,
sacrificing himself. Batman Jr. admits he was wrong.
Continued Next Month!
========================================================
RESOURCES
ÑÑÑÑ-
Beginning with the next issue (January), this section will contain *only*
information on new resources and information available. It will also
contain instructions on how to obtain the entire index and mailing list
information.
This section of the magazine supplies information concerning how to obtain
Superman files via different Internet resources such as ftp, e-mail, and WWW.
The first section lists known files available at different ftp sites and AOL
archives. The second provides information on subscribing to Superman-related
mailing lists. The third section gives a brief tutorial in how to use ftp
and, for those of you whose systems doesnÕt support ftp (AOL and CompuServe,
for example), how you may obtain ftp files via e-mail.
For those of you reading this via the Usenet or a bulletin board service,
THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET is available through e-mail direct to your mailbox!
To join the growing list of subscribers (now 360+ readers!), drop me a note
by e-mail at
sykes@ms.uky.edu
with a subject of
KC:SUBSCRIBE
and include the e-mail address to which you would like the issues mailed
in the body of the message.
New: Many more pictures were added to the L&C photo archive (ftp.hyperion.com).
Needed: If you know of any other Superman-related Internetresources,
please let me know. I would also like to find one site at which
we could archive all of the files below as well as past issues of KC.
I understand that some of these files are available from other online
services (Compuserve, etc) Ñ could a user from one of these services
provide me with information on the locations of such files?
1. Files Available:
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ-
(Number) indicates the size of the file. Note that capitalization is
important on some of the sites, so you probably want to pay close attention
to it on *all* sites.
FTP Availability:
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
Site: ftp.dhhalden.no
Directory: /pub/Comics/Fanzines
Files: KC.readme (675) - information about the files in the
directory
KC.All.94.zip (348504) - a zipped file containing issues #1-7
KC.May.94 (82180) - Issue #1, May 1994
KC.June.94 (113802) - Issue #2, June 1994
KC.July.94 (130896) - Issue #3, July 1994
KC.August.94 (145698) - Issue #4, August 1994
KC.September.94 (154368) - Issue #5, September 1994
KC.October.94 (147189) - Issue #6, October 1994
KC.November.94 (125426) - Issue #7, November 1994
Site: phoenix.creighton.edu
Directory: /pub/zines/kc
Files: Mirrors (contains exactly the same files as) ftp.dhhalden.no
(NovemberÕs issue is not there yet and the zipped file contains
only issues #1-6.)
Site: ftp.catt.ncsu.edu
Directory: /pub/FAQs
Files: Superman.ComicList (29891) - David T. ChappellÕs list of
Superman stories
Superman.FAQ (46545) - David T. ChappellÕs Superman FAQ
(older version)
ZeroHour.FAQ (52448) - David T. ChappellÕs Zero Hour FAQ
(older version)
Site: ftp.dhhalden.no
Directory: /pub/Comics/FAQ
Files: Superman.FAQ (49032) - David T. ChappellÕs Superman FAQ
ZeroHour.FAQ (56180) - David T. ChappellÕs Zero Hour FAQ
Site: ftp.dhhalden.no
Directory: /pub/Comics/Film_and_TV
Files: LC.EpGuide1 (9545) - Jeffery D. SykesÕ first season episode
guide for Lois & Clark
LC1.zip (117213) - a zipped file containing the first season
episode guide and all summaries
Summaries:
LCSumm1.01 (19463) - Premiere
LCSumm1.02-03 (23013) - Strange Visitor & Neverending Battle
LCSumm1.04-05 (19738) - IÕm Looking Through You & Requiem For A
Super-Hero
LCSumm1.06-07 (23143) - IÕve Got A Crush On You & Smart Kids
LCSumm1.08-09 (28925) - The Green, Green Glow Of Home & The Man
Of Steel Bars
LCSumm1.10-11 (28303) - Pheromone, My Lovely & Honeymoon In
Metropolis
LCSumm1.12-13 (31310) - All Shook Up & Witness
LCSumm1.14-15 (29957) - Illusions of Grandeur & The Ides of
Metropolis
LCSumm1.16-17 (31896) - Foundling & The Rival
LCSumm1.18-19 (24190) - Vatman & Fly Hard
LCSumm1.20-21 (20871) - Barbarians At The Planet & The House
Of Luthor
(Second season files will be available soon - hopefully.)
Site: ftp.dhhalden.no
Directory: /pub/Comics/Reference
Files: Superman_in_Songs_Index.txt (9410) - A list of Superman references
in popular music.
Site: ftp.hyperion.com
Directory: /pub/TV/Lois-and-Clark
Files: CAPE-01.GIF (8871) - a 312x230 screen capture of the cape from
the opening credits
CAT-G-1.GIF (17351) - a 312x230 screen capture of Tracy Scoggins
from the opening credits
CAT-G-2.GIF (16507) - a 312x230 screen capture of Tracy Scoggins
from the opening credits
CAT-G-3.GIF (16606) - a 312x230 screen capture of Tracy Scoggins
from the opening credits
CAT-G-4.GIF (23007) - a 312x240 screen capture of Cat Grant
holding a blue teddy (from ÒFly HardÓ)
CAT-G-5.GIF (21785) - a 312x240 screen capture of Cat
holding a red teddy (from ÒFly HardÓ)
CAT-G-6.GIF (21372) - a 312x240 screen capture of Cat
holding a red teddy (from ÒFly HardÓ)
CAT-G-7.GIF (20369) - a 312x240 screen capture of Cat
holding a blue teddy (from ÒFly HardÓ)
CAT-G-8.GIF (77209) - a 640x480 screen capture of Cat
(blown up - low quality)
CAT-G-9.GIF (75710) - a 640x480 screen capture of Cat
(blown up - low quality)
CLARK00.GIF (17741) - a 312x230 screen capture of Dean Cain from
the opening credits
CLARK01.GIF (21338) - a 312x230 screen capture of Clark at a
desk in a t-shirt
CLARKFLY.GIF (13462) - a 312x230 screen capture of Clark flying
in a suit from the opening credits
JACK-01.GIF (15458) - a 312x230 screen capture of Jack on the
telephone (from ÒFly HardÓ?)
JIMMYO-1.GIF (12599) - a 312x230 screen capture of Michael Landes
from the opening credits
JIMMYO-2.GIF (12642) - a 312x230 screen capture of Michael Landes
from the opening credits
JIMMYO-3.GIF (12427) - a 312x230 screen capture of Michael Landes
from the opening credits
JIMMYO-4.GIF (12161) - a 312x230 screen capture of Michael Landes
from the opening credits
L&C-001.GIF (156870) - a 360x413 newspaper(?) photo of Lois in a
black dress and Superman
L&C-FLY1.GIF (23445) - a 312x230 screen capture of Superman flying
Lois into the newsroom (from credits)
L&C-FLY2.GIF (13929) - a 312x230 screen capture of Superman flying
Lois into the newsroom (from credits)
L&C-FLY3.GIF (47839) - a 640x480 screen capture of Superman flying
with Lois in front of the Daily Planet
L&C-LOG1.GIF (20513) - a 312x230 screen capture of the TV title
logo from the opening credits
L&C-LOG2.GIF (20157) - a 312x230 screen capture of the TV title
logo from the opening credits
L&C-LOG3.GIF (141043) - a 640x480 screen capture of the TV title
logo from the opening credits
L&C-SUP1.GIF (169777) - a 288x712 newspaper/magazine(?) photo of
Dean Cain in Superman outfit
L&C-SUP2.GIF (49452) - a 228x223 photo of DC in Superman costume
L&C-SUP3.GIF (47638) - a 408x286 photo of DC in Superman costume
(great quality compared to most of these)
L&C-SUP4.GIF (127720) - a 336x466 B&W photo of DC in tank top
with S-shield tattoo
LANALANG.GIF (23840) - a 276x200 screen capture of Stacy Haiduk
from the Superboy series (a few yrs old)
LEX-L-01.GIF (19219) - a 312x230 screen capture of John Shea
from the opening credits
LEX-L-02.GIF (17618) - a 312x230 screen capture of John Shea
from the opening credits
LEX-L-03.GIF (17239) - a 312x230 screen capture of John Shea
from the opening credits
LOIS-01.GIF (15286) - a 312x230 screen capture of Teri Hatcher
from the opening credits
cain.jpg (107338) - a 748x769 photo of Dean Cain reclining
against a tree
hatch.jpg (35680) - a 441x600 photo of Teri wearing a low-cut
blue dress and wearing her hair up
* Photos marked (DC/AOL) are from DC Online on America OnLine. They
are generally a little bit fuzzy.
lc.gif (138893) - a 504x400 B&W promotional photo of the
second season cast (DC/AOL)
lccape.gif (137088) - a 400x583 photo of Clark in shirt & tie and
Lois wrapped in SupermanÕs (DC/AOL)
lcdplnt.gif (108065) - a 601x407 photo of Perry, Lois, Clark,
and Jimmy (DC/AOL)
lcfly.gif (91768) - a 424x574 photo of Lois in a brown dress,
leaning on SupermanÕs shoulder (DC/AOL)
lcsprmn.bmp (41105) - a 640x481 B&W cartoon of Superman watching
L&C through someoneÕs window
llane.gif (259566) - a 488x769 photo of Teri wearing a blue
and white shirt
llane02.jpg (192706) - a 500x600 photo of Teri wearing a black
dress with spaghetti straps
llsup.gif (109562) - a 380x580 photo of Superman and Lois, with
her holding the end of his cape (DC/AOL)
* The pictures lnc-xx.jpg are all by Victor Chan.
lnc-01.jpg (128100) - a 451x645 B&W photo of Lois and Clark with
a 3D color rendition of the showÕs logo
lnc-02.jpg (81682) - a 480x600 B&W photo of Lois and Clark with
a 3D background (of the logo)
* The next two are *very* nice.
lnc-03.jpg (187489) - a 640x480 graphic of the (3D) L&C logo
over a table with TeriÕs picture on it
lnc-04.jpg (100538) - a 640x480 graphic similar to lnc-03.jpg,
closer to the photo
lois.jpg (29696) - a 640x480 B&W photo of Lex, Lois, and Clark
yet another cleavage shot
* Photos marked (ABC/AOL) are from ABC Online on America OnLine. They
are decent quality Ñ better than those from (DC/AOL).
lois10.jpg (47494) - a 283x406 photo of Lois wrapped in
SupermanÕs cape, shoulder exposed (ABC/AOL)
lois11.jpg (67499) - a 329x406 photo of Superman (ABC/AOL)
lois12.jpg (58470) - a 275x406 photo of Clark in a tux (ABC/AOL)
lois2.jpg (77150) - a 319x374 photo of Dean and Teri in white
shirts, Shea in a leather jacket (ABC/AOL)
lois3.jpg (43766) - a 390x392 photo of Lex in a tux (ABC/AOL)
lois4.jpg (49169) - a 314x382 photo of Dean (sans specs) and
Teri in ÒworkÓ clothes (ABC/AOL)
lois5.jpg (57171) - a 312x380 photo of Dean and Teri in white
tanks and S-shield tatoos (ABC/AOL)
lois6.jpg (84553) - a 414x337 photo of Superman holding Lois
up in his arms (ABC/AOL) Ñ *NICE PICTURE*
lois7.jpg (69831) - a 338x414 photo - same as llsup.gif, but
full-length and better quality (ABC/AOL)
lois8.jpg (63648) - a 336x418 full-length photo of Superman
in classic pose (ABC/AOL)
lois9.jpg (95051) - a 325x400 photo of Lois and Superman in
front of the Metropolis skyline (ABC/AOL)
lois_clark.jpg (16506)- a 220x302 TV Guide photo (?) of Clark
sitting over Lois at her desk
loiscl2.gif (132555) - a 516x423 B&W promotional photo of second
season Daily Planet cast (DC/AOL)
loisclcp.gif (73006) - a 352x566 photo - same as llsup.gif &
lois7.jpg Ñ very blurry (DC/AOL)
loisclk2.gif (134058) - a 428x617 photo of Lois and Superman
close together (DC/AOL)
loises.jpg (6004) - a 133x169 TV Guide photo (?) of Lois and
her mom (Phyllis Coates)
supeslc.gif (53780) - a 380x589 photo Ñ same as lois8.jpg, but
darker and more blurry (DC/AOL)
teri.gif (39981) - a 640x842 autographed photo Ñ same as
lois10.jpg Ñ low-resolution scan
terihaol.jpg (79023) - a 298x440 photo of Teri typing on a laptop
computer (ABC/AOL)
* PVG Photos:
The remaining pictures are from Perfect Vision Graphics and are
generally the best quality pictures on the site.
lois-c1.gif (272144) - a 1024x768 photo of Superman with his cape
wrapped around Lois
lois-c2.gif (197376) - a 1024x768 photo of Lois back to back with
Clark, who is holding a newspaper
lois-c3.gif (246138) - a 1024x768 photo of Lois opening ClarkÕs
shirt from behind, exposing the S-shield
lois-c4.gif (369992) - a 1024x768 B&W photo of Teri and Dean, each
sporting a tattoo of the S-shield (the
tattoos are in color)
lois-c5.gif (153917) - a 1024x768 photo of Dean in a suit and Teri
in a sleeveless dress
lois-c6.gif (97664) - a 1024x768 photo of Teri sitting up on
DeanÕs shoulder
lois-c7.gif (316672) - a 1024x768 photo of Clark holding the globe
(lighted) from ÒFoundlingÓ
loisclrk.gif (234496) - a 1024x768 photo of Superman flying through
a hoop towards Lois, both puckered up
pvcain.gif (403968) - a 1024x768 photo of Dean reclining against
a tree (the same photo as cain.jpg)
The dhhalden, catt, and creighton sites can also be reached by gopher.
Mosaic users can access the catt and dhhalden sites via the following WWW
pages: ftp://ftp.catt.ncsu.edu/pub/misc and ftp://ftp.dhhalden.no/pub/Comics.
AOL Availability:
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
All back issues of the Kryptonian Cybernet are now available in the Science
Fiction/Comics archive. (Keyword: SCIENCE FICTION) I will also be uploading
my Lois and Clark Episode Guides and Summaries in the near future, also to
the Science Fiction/Comics archive.
CompuServe:
ÑÑÑÑÑ
I have been informed that KC has been made available in the Comics Pub area
(library 1 - general info).
2. Mailing Lists:
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
Lois And Clark Discussion List:
This list is dedicated to the new television show "Lois and Clark: The New
Adventures of Superman", starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. To subscribe,
send a message to LISTSERV@TREARN.BITNET with no subject and a body of
SUB LOISCLA <your name>
I donÕt think it matters whether you place your name or your address in the
<your name> field. I subscribed with my address there, but IÕm certain others
must have used their user names/nicknames/real names/etc.
Comics-L Mailing List:
This is a discussion list of comics in general. It doesnÕt have much on
Superman, but occasionally there is something there. It is a digest type
of mailing list, so you only receive mail from it a few times a week.
To subscribe, send a message to LISTSERV@UNLVM.UNL.EDU or to
LISTSERV@UNLVM.BITNET with no subject and the message:
sub COMICS-L <Your Name>
With this one, they actually want a name and not an address.
3. Basics of ftp and ftp via e-mail:
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
FTP
Ñ-
The following easy steps will allow you to obtain any of the files listed
above. First determine the site at which the file is located. Type into
your terminal:
ftp <site name>
This will log you into the ftp system. At the login prompt, enter
ÒanonymousÓ and for your password enter your e-mail address. Then determine
the directory in which the file is located. Type:
cd <directory>
This will place you in the correct directory. To list the files available
in the current directory, use the ÒlsÓ command. There may be more files
than can fit on the screen at once. IÕm sorry, but I really donÕt know
what to do about this. Any help?
Finally, to obtain a given file in the current directory, type
get <filename>
If you want files in another directory, start over with the ÒcdÓ command.
If you want to transfer to another site, type ÒquitÓ and then start over
from the beginning. Alternately, you may use the ÒcloseÓ command to exit
the current site. Then you can type
open <site name>
to move into a new site. The remaining steps are the same as above. The
only advantage to this is that you do not exit the ftp shell.
If you want more information about ftp, search your system manuals or
contact your sysadmin.
FTP BY E-MAIL
ÑÑÑÑÑÑ-
If your system does not support ftp, you may still obtain these files via
e-mail. Select the files that you wish to obtain and note their directories.
You will need to repeat the following procedure for each directory in each
site.
E-Mail a message to either ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com or
ftpmail@sunsite.unc.edu with the body of the message consisting only
of the commands between the lines of dashes below.
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ-
connect <site name>
chdir <directory>
get <file1>
get <file2>
.
.
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ-
Do not include the lines of dashes, and do not include anything else
in the body of the message. You may use as many ÒgetÓ commands as
is necessary, but all files you get must be within the directory
specified by the ÒchdirÓ command.
You will receive a message telling you that your request has been queued.
Then, about a day later, you will receive the files themselves. Each file
will be contained in its own mail message.
________________________________________________________________
***************************************************************
End of Issue #8a
THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET - ISSUE #8b - DECEMBER 1994
AN ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE FAMILY OF SUPERMAN CHARACTERS
All characters and locales are copyright and/or trademark DC Comics
CONTENTS
ÑÑÑÑ
Section 1: Superscripts: Notes from the Editor
COMICS NEWSFLASH!
New YearÕs resolutions and New Writers needed
Superman Ô94: The Year in Review
The Kryptonian Cybernet ReaderÕs Choice Awards
Section 2: Just the FAQs
ÒWhat is the Metropolis S.C.U.?Ó by David T. Chappell
Reviews
The Triangle Titles
Superman: The Man of Steel #40, by Anatole
Superman #96, by Jose R Galan
Adventures of Superman #519, by ReneÕ Gobeyn
Action Comics #706, by Art LaMarche
Section 3: Reviews (cont)
Other Super-Titles
Superboy #11, by Victor Chan
Steel #11, by Shawn Aeria
Miniseries and Special Appearances
Guardians of Metropolis #3, by ReneÕ Gobeyn
Xenobrood #3, by ReneÕ Gobeyn
Anima #10, by ReneÕ Gobeyn
Capsules: Metropolis S.C.U. #3 and Guy Gardner:
Warrior #27, by Jeff Sykes
The Mailbag
Section 4: Looking Back Part 2
Post-Byrne Holiday Review
The Adventures of Superman #474, by Ken McKee
Superman: Under A Yellow Sun, by Dick Sidbury
Pre-Byrne
The Super-Kids of Superman!
Part 4 of a 5-part review of silver age
stories, by Jon Knutson
Superman Junior
Superman Annual #7, by Bill Morse
Section 5: Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Up, Up, and Coming
News and Notes, by Jeff Sykes
Joined at the Hip
The close relationship between the series and the
comics, by Zoomway
And Who Disguised As...
A Christmas Wish, by J.D. Rummel
Episode Reviews:
ÒOperation Blackout,Ó by Marta Olson
ÒA Bolt From The Blue,Ó by Leigh Raglan
EDITORIAL STAFF:
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ-
Jeffery D. Sykes, Editor-in-chief
Arthur E. LaMarche, Reviews
Shawn Aeria Mark Lamutt
Victor Chan Ken McKee
Pat Gonzales Jennifer L. Traver
Curtis Herink Joel W. Tscherne
Lee Keels
LEGAL DISCLAIMERS:
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ-
Superman and all related characters, locations, and events are
copyright and trademark DC Comics. Use of the aforementioned is not
intended to challenge said ownership. We strongly suggest that each
reader look to the media sources mentioned within for further infor-
mation.
Opinions presented within this issue belong to the authors of
the articles which contain them. They should in no way be construed
as those of any other particular member of the editorial or contributing
staff, unless otherwise indicated.
This magazine should be distributed freely via e-mail. Should
you desire to share this publication with other on-line services, please
contact me at sykes@ms.uky.edu for permission. Feel free to advertise
subscription information on other on-line services which have internet
mail availability.
THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET is available by e-mail Ñ just send me a note
(sykes@ms.uky.edu) which includes the address to which you would like the
issues sent. Back issues are available via ftp Ñ see the resources section.
========================================================
SUPERSCRIPTS: Notes from the Editor
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
NEWSFLASH!
Dan Jurgens will begin writing and pencilling SOLAR, MAN OF THE ATOM for
Valiant Comics beginning with the issue shipping in March (the same month
that sees SUPERMAN #100). At this time, Dan will cease his chores as the
artist on SUPERMAN, but he will continue to write for the title. In case
thatÕs not clear, the final issue which will be drawn by Jurgens & Breeding
is SUPERMAN #100. Jackson Guice will also be pencilling ETERNAL WARRIOR
for VALIANT. I am not certain whether or not he will continue to pencil
Action Comics. (Personally, I hope he goes. He has recently surpassed
Jon Bogdanove to become my least favorite artist Ñ those of you who have
been reading KC for a while know that to be no small feat.)
For a quick gripe, why is it that the two best artists of the Òbig fourÓ
have left (Jurgens and Kitson) and the two worst remain (Guice and Bog Ñ
though Bog has been growing on me just a little bit)? Immonen is a more
than adequate replacement for Kitson, but I wish he would have replaced one
of the latter two.
One more newsflash. The new quarterly title will begin at the conclusion
of the big storyline which begins in SUPERMAN #100 (April or May). It is
to be titled SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF TOMORROW and will feature the writing
talent of Roger Stern and the artwork of Tom Grummett. I assume that Doug
Hazlewood will be inking. So we will finally have 52 weeks per year of
Superman comics! Finally, according to rumors, the book will be in the
same continuity as the four monthlies and *will* be given a triangle number
with each issue.
Before I begin to solicit writers, I want to apologize for the lateness of this
issue. However, since the issue fell during the holidays, I donÕt feel too
terrible about releasing it so late. On the other hand, this has become one
of my New YearÕs resolutions. I will try my hardest to make certain that each
1995 issue of the Cybernet will be ready on time (I mean, releasing the December
issue in January is a bit ridiculous, no?). Just to remind you Ñ and IÕll be
sending a note around to all of our regular contributors Ñ all submissions for
the upcoming issue must be received at sykes@ms.uky.edu or KryptonCN@aol.com
by the first Monday of the month. This includes everything except for those
few new comic reviews which must be delayed Ñ those of you writing those
reviews will be contacted individually. Each new issue should be mailed before
the third Monday of the month Ñ hopefully sooner.
And just as a reminder, to combat the holidays and my upcoming preliminary exam,
the deadlines for JanuaryÕs issue have been bumped by one week: submissions are
due by January 9, and all new reviews must be sent to Art as soon as possible -
definitely by the 16th Ñ Art will be contacting each of the reviewers. I hope
to have the new issue ready around the 20th or 21st. New issues thereafter
should be ready between the 15th and 20th, depending on where the Mondays fall.
Also because of the holidays and because of my exam, I am extending the
deadline for voting for the Kryptonian Cybernet ReaderÕs Choice Awards.
All of the information which was published in issue 8a is included once
again in this issue. If you havenÕt yet voted, you may do so until
11:59 PM (EST) on January 9, 1995.
Finally, as mentioned before, we have need of a new writer for THE SCU FILES.
Recall that this column spotlights a Superman family villain each month. Also,
Mark Lamutt has been forced to (at least) temporarily leave his POST-BYRNE
REVIEW regular feature. We need a fill-in writer for his column. Should
nobody volunteer, I will take over next issue by beginning a review of the
PANIC IN THE SKY crossover from a few years ago. (I want to leave the
conclusion to his review of DARK KNIGHT OVER METROPOLIS until his return.)
If you are interested in writing either of these columns, please contact
me (preferably with a sample of your writing) at either sykes@ms.uky.edu or
KryptonCN@aol.com as soon as possible.
Between the January and February issues, I plan on initiating a kind of
classified section for the magazine Ñ a place for readers to advertise
Superman comics, cards, and other related merchandise. If you have any
suggestions for the section, or (especially) if you would be willing to
help organize this section, please contact me at one of the above addresses!
Jeff Sykes
sykes@ms.uky.edu
========================================================
SUPERMAN Ô94: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
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1994 was a decent year for Superman comic books, though not nearly as good
a year as 1993. I want to begin a year-end awards for the Superman titles,
the results of which will be passed along to DC. This is a way for us to
let them know what we think they are doing right and what they are doing
wrong. Since I realize that not everyone has their collection on hand or
a photographic memory, so I have compiled a list of the comics which were
published with cover date 1994. For the purpose of the awards, I want to
limit miniseries to those finishing in the year, so METROPOLIS SCU and
GUARDIANS OF METROPOLIS wonÕt show up until next year. Below you will find
a category for best cover . I wonÕt describe all of the covers, but
hopefully, the bookÕs contents will be enough to remind you of a particular
cover.
IÕll start with the main four ÒtriangleÓ titles. Unless otherwise noted,
the creative teams are:
MOS (Superman: The Man of Steel) - Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janke
SUP (Superman) - Jurgens & Rubinstein
ADV (Adventures of Superman) - Kesel, Kitson, & McCarthy
ACT (Action Comics) - Stern, Guice, & Rodier (to issue #700)
- Michelinie, Guice, & Rodier (beginning #702)
If no other information is given, the cover was by the same art team as the
interiors. Multi-Part ÒTitledÓ Stories are indicated with the title in all
capitals.
MOS #29 - SPILLED BLOOD - Bloodthirst
SUP #85 - Cat takes revenge on the Toyman
ADV #508 - Challengers of the Unknown
Cover by Kitson & Kesel
ACT #695 - Cauldron, Cadmus, and Dabney Donovan
Written by Kesel, Foil cover enhancement
MOS #30 - Lobo
Colorforms cover enhancement
SUP #86 - The Sun Devils, Lois investigates Sasha GreenÕs death
Art by Jurgens & Mitchell, Cover by Jurgens & Rubinstein
ADV #509 - Auron and Massacre, Lois continues her investigation
ACT #696 - Superman fights Champion, Doomsday in wormhole, Lois confronts Lex
MOS #31 - Clone Plague begins, Underworld begins war with Cadmus
Art by Bright & Janke, cover by Bogdanove & Janke
SUP #87 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Lex recreates Bizarro, who kidnaps Lois
Art by Immonen & Rubinstein, Cover by Jurgens & Breeding
ADV #510 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Lois escapes Bizarro, Clone plague advances
ACT #697 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Lex admits creating Bizarro, Bizarro sees Lana
Cover by Hannigan & Guice
MOS #32 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Bizarro proposes to Lois, Hamilton studies clones
SUP #88 - BIZARROÕS WORLD - Superman and Lois rescue Bizarro from Lex
Art by Immonen & Rubinstein, Cover by Jurgens & Breeding
ADV #511 - Lex uses underworld against Cadmus, Supes having power problems
Art by Kitson & Pascoe
ACT #698 - Donovan attacks Lex, Supes is growing, Lex changes LoisÕ story
MOS #33 - Supes is huge! Parasite for drain, Lois more problems via Lex
SUP #89 - Lois is fired, STAR tries to drain Superman in space
ADV #512 - LoisÕ apartment is bombed, the clones free the Parasite, Supes cured
Cover by Kitson & Kesel
ACT #699 - BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS - Lois tells Clark about Lex, Lex controls war
Art by Felchle & Pascoe, Cover by Guice
MOS #34 - BATTLE - Lois hears from her source about new info, war continues
SUP #90 - BATTLE - Lois regains info to nail Lex, Donovan kills Westfield
Art by Anderson & Rubinstein
ADV #513 - BATTLE - Lex blows up Cadmus, Guardian has cure for clone plague
ACT #700 - FALL OF METROPOLIS - Lois nails Lex, Pete marries Lana, Lex learns
who his leak was, Happerson activates LexÕs missiles
Additional art by Swan & Anderson
MOS #35 - WORLDS COLLIDE, FALL - Failsafe #1: Afterburn, Fred Bentson dreams
SUP #91 - FALL - Failsafe #2: Big Robots
ADV #514 - FALL - Failsafe #3: Fear Gas
Art by Krause & McCain, Cover by Kitson & McCarthy
ACT #701 - FALL - Failsafe #4: the Kryptonian Battle Suit
Written by Kesel
MOS #36 - WORLDS COLLIDE - Rift, Icon, Steel, Hardware, etc
SUP #92 - MASSACRE IN METROPOLIS Part 1
Cover by Jurgens & Ordway
ADV #515 - MASSACRE IN METROPOLIS Part 2
ACT #702 - Bloodsport
MOS #37 - Zero Hour: Many Batmen, Jor-El and Lara arrive in Smallville
SUP #93 - Zero Hour: Jor-El and Lara want to take Kal-El home to Krypton
ADV #516 - Zero Hour: Alpha Centurion
ACT #703 - Zero Hour: Supes meets young Kents, who had found a dead Kal-El
MOS #0 - PEER PRESSURE - Conduit, ClarkÕs childhood, Kenny Braverman
SUP #0 - PEER PRESSURE - Clark & Kenny in high school, Conduit at the Baldies
Art by Jurgens & Breeding
ADV #0 - PEER PRESSURE - Clark in France, Kenny in CIA, Kenny=Conduit
ACT #0 - PEER PRESSURE - Conduit & Pipeline, Body discovered after fight
MOS #38 - DEAD AGAIN - Conduit Escapes, everyone wonders about body
Art by Erwin & Guice, Cover by Bogdanove & Janke
SUP #94 - DEAD AGAIN - Kenny recaptured, Body is SupermanÕs
Art by Jurgens & Breeding
ADV #517 - DEAD AGAIN - Deathtrap
ACT #704 - DEAD AGAIN - The Eradicator and The Outsiders
MOS #39 - DEAD AGAIN - Keith finds his Mom, Supes tests self, Not Luthor
SUP #95 - DEAD AGAIN - New Genesis, The Atom, Brainiac
Art by Jurgens & Manley
ADV #518 - DEAD AGAIN - Apokolips, Darkseid hints at culprit
Additional inks by Montano
ACT #705 - DEAD AGAIN - Supes steals body, Mxyzptlk, Brainiac is free
SUPERBOY
Unless otherwise noted, creative team is Kesel, Grummett, & Hazlewood.
All covers by Grummett & Kesel.
#1 - Sidearm, Superboy moves to Hawaii
#2 - Knockout
#3 - Scavenger and the Spear of Lono
#4 - Superboy: The Animated Series
Additional art by Parobeck & Parks
#5 - Clone plague hits Superboy, Silversword
#6 - WORLDS COLLIDE - Parasite, Superboy taken to Dakota
#7 - WORLDS COLLIDE - Rocket, Static, and Superboy help Icon against Rift
#8 - Zero Hour: Superboy vs. Superboy
Additional inks by Davis
#0 - Sidearm, SuperboyÕs first few days out of Cadmus, SB gets vision power
#9 - King Shark
Pencils by Ramos, Inks by Hazlewood & Parks
#10 - BEM and his ÒmovieÓ monsters
Pencils by Ramos, Inks by Parks & Woch
STEEL
The only information I have is for issues #6-7, 0, 9-10.
Unless otherwise noted, the creative team is Simonson, Batista, & Faber.
Covers by Batista & Janke.
#6 - WORLDS COLLIDE - Steel vs. Hardware, the two universes physically link
#7 - WORLDS COLLIDE - The universes are merged
Additional art by Ramos & Woch
#0 - Recap of SteelÕs origin, the Armor appears on its own
#9 - A serial killer stalks DC, Steel is arrested
Art by Fosco & Stegbauer
#10 - The serial killer is discovered and Steel is cleared
Art by Fosco & Stegbauer
ANNUALS
All 1994 annuals were elseworlds stories.
ADV Annual #6 - The Super Seven Part 1
Kesel, Hor, & Shoultz (Cover by Mignola)
SB Annual #1 - The Super Seven Part 2
Kesel, Luzniak, and MANY inkers (Cover by Luzniak & Kesel)
SUP Annual #6 - Kal-El of the Jungle
Vincenzo, Fosco, & Woch (Cover by Mignola)
ACT Annual #6 - Changed American Revolution story
John Byrne (Cover by Mignola)
MOS Annual #3 - Kryptonians migrate to and take over Earth
Priest, Bright, & Schoultz (Cover by Mignola)
STEEL Ann #1 - John Henry as pre-Civil War slave rebel
Jon & Judy Bogdanove, Ramos, and Boyd & Davis
Cover by Ramos & Parks
LIMITED SERIES
IÕm not certain about whether or not LEGENDS OF THE WORLDÕS FINEST would
have a cover date of 1994 or if it was late 1993, so I will include it
anyway. Unless otherwise noted, cover art is by interior artists.
SUPERGIRL
4 issues Ñ Supergirl learns all about Lex LuthorÕs manipulations
Stern, Brigman, & Guice (Covers by Gammill & Wiacek)
S.T.A.R. CORPS
6 issues Ñ A new super-powered team is formed by a sentient computer
Vado, Felchle, & Machlan
SUPERMAN/DOOMSDAY: HUNTER/PREY
3 issues Ñ On Apokolips, Superman confronts Doomsday once again
Jurgens & Breeding
SUPERMAN: UNDER A YELLOW SUN
1 issue Ñ Clark writes a novel & struggles to balance his dual life
JF Moore, Barreto, Gammill, Janke, Van Valkenburgh, & Whitmore
LEGENDS OF THE WORLDÕS FINEST
3 issues Ñ Superman and Batman are united to struggle against Tullus,
Silver Banshee, and Blaze
Walt Simonson & Daniel Brereton
ZERO HOUR
5 issues Ñ Superman leads EarthÕs heroes to stop time from collapsing
Jurgens & Ordway
WORLDS COLLIDE checklist
The heroes of Metropolis join the heroes of Dakota to stop Rift.
#1 - MOS 35 - Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janke
#2 - HARDWARE #17 - McDuffie, Cowan & Birch, Rollins, & J. Scott J.
#3 - SUPERBOY #6 - Kesel, Grummett, & Hazlewood
#4 - ICON #15 - McDuffie, Bright, Gustovich, & J. Brown
#5 - STEEL #6 - Simonson, Batista, & Faber
#6 - BLOOD SYNDICATE #16 - Velez Jr, Chriscross, Quijano, & Wrightson
#7 - WORLDS COLLIDE #1 - Essentially everyone involved
#8 - SUPERBOY #7 - Kesel, Grummett, & Hazlewood
#9 - HARDWARE #18 - McDuffie, Cowan & Rollins, & J. Scott J.
#10 - MOS #36 - Simonson, Bogdanove, & Janke
#11 - ICON #16 - McDuffie, Bright, Gustovich, & J. Brown
#12 - STEEL #7 - Simonson, Batista & Ramos, & Faber & Woch
#13 - BLOOD SYNDICATE #17 - Velez Jr, Chriscross, Quijano, Rollins, Wrightson,
& Cebollero
#14 - STATIC #14 - McDuffie, Cowan & Rollins, & Montoya
OTHER APPEARANCES
ItÕs possible I missed one or two, so donÕt hesitate to vote for an issue
which you remember (but I didnÕt)! Again, unless otherwise indicated, the
cover art is by the interior artists.
THE RAY #1-2
Superboy joins the Ray in fighting Brimstone
Priest, Porter, & Jones
LEGION Ô94 #63
Superman vs. Lobo
Peyer, Jorgensen, & Pascoe
THE SPECTRE #22
Superman is asked to use the Spear of Destiny to stop the Spectre
Ostrander & Mandrake (Painted cover by Alex Ross)
JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #92
Zero Hour: Superman is featured in the story of TriumphÕs origin
Priest, Ross, & Cramer
AQUAMAN #3
Superboy vs. Aquaman
David, Egeland, & Vancata (Cover by Grummett & Austin)
THE BATMAN ADVENTURES #25
Superman and Batman vs. Lex Luthor and Maxie Zeus
Puckett, Barobeck, & Burchett
WONDER WOMAN #88
Wonder Woman asks for SupermanÕs help in discovering the fate of her home
Priest, Ross, & Kryssing (Cover by Bolland)
GREEN LANTERN #53
Superman helps the new Green Lantern against Mongul
Marz, Banks, & Tanghal
GUY GARDNER: WARRIOR #24
Zero Hour: Supergirl and Steel joinf forces with Guy against Extant
Beau Smith, Byrd, & Davis
WHEW! A lot out there! Next year, I plan on having this information
organized better (compile as I go). Let me know if I missed anything!
Jeff
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THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET READERÕS CHOICE AWARDS
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Or until someone can come up with a better name, THE KRYPTIES!
As a matter of fact, thatÕs the first contest for this issue. Send in your
ideas for a name for the KC ReaderÕs Choice Awards. Whoever submits the
title I choose to use will be awarded a copy of ACTION COMICS #700, signed
by Roger Stern! You will find a space on the ballot below to send in your
entry. Or, if you prefer, you can send in your entry at any time to the
magazine address (KryptonCN@aol.com) or my address (sykes@ms.uky.edu).
On to the awards...
Try and follow these instructions for voting. I wonÕt penalize you or
anything, but it will make my vote-counting task easier!
1. The ballot you submit should contain only the category numbers followed
by the person/issue/etc for which you are voting. You may construct
your ballot by simply editing the categories out of the ballot below.
(If you do make a reply ballot, please edit out everything except for
the lines with the votes.)
EXAMPLE:
Change
S1: BEST STORY/STORY ARC
to
S1: BizarroÕs World
2. Please vote for only one winner in each category. Multiple votes will
make it that much more time-consuming when I tally the results.
3. If you choose not to vote in a category, leave the category number with
a blank beside it. This will make it easier for me to count the votes
accurately and should prevent me from making mistakes.
4. For the write-in categories, please indicate your category and the entry.
Serious or otherwise, please do not use more than two write-in categories.
Example:
W1: Worst Use of Teen Slang - The Ray #1
The votes *must* be sent to me at the magazine address (KryptonCN@aol.com)
or to my school address (sykes@ms.uky.edu). You should be able to do
this by simply replying to this post/mailing. Any other voting (eg Usenet
posts or e-mail to my school account) will be ignored. This is *very*
important to contest #2: one entry will be selected at random, and its
entrant will receive a copy of SUPERMAN #1 (Second Series), autographed
by John Byrne! If you fail to send your entry to either KryptonCN@aol.com or
sykes@ms.uky.edu, not only will your vote not be counted, but you will not
be eligible for the prize! I will accept votes until 11:59 PM EST,
January 9, 1995. Results will hopefully be published in the January
issue Ñ definitely in the February issue Ñ and mailed to the Superman
team at DC.
Oh, and by the way, since these contests have what I consider to be ÒvaluableÓ
prizes, the KC staff (myself excluded) *is* eligible to win the prizes!
Have fun remembering everything from the past year!
========Your ballot should include only the numbered lines below========
K1: SUGGEST A NAME FOR THESE AWARDS!
THE SIX CONTINUOUS TITLES (Include their annuals)
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S1: BEST STORY/STORY ARC IN A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S2: WORST STORY/STORY ARC IN A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S3: BEST WRITER OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S4: WORST WRITER OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S5: BEST ARTIST OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S6: WORST ARTIST OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S7: BEST COVER OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S8: BEST SINGLE ISSUE OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S9: WORST SINGLE ISSUE OF A CONTINUOUS TITLE
S10: BEST OVERALL CONTINUOUS TITLE
S11: WORST OVERALL CONTINUOUS TITLE
LIMITED SERIES/GUEST APPEARANCES
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L1: BEST WRITING IN A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L2: WORST WRITING IN A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L3: BEST ART IN A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L4: WORST ART IN A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L5: BEST COVER OF A NON-CONTINUOUS TITLE
L6: BEST OVERALL LIMITED SERIES
L7: WORST OVERALL LIMITED SERIES
L8: BEST OVERALL GUEST APPEARANCE
L9: WORST OVERALL GUEST APPEARANCE
WRITE-IN CATEGORIES (Please no more than two)
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W1:
W2:
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End of Section 1
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JUST THE FAQs
More Details about Frequently-Asked Questions about the Man of Steel
by David T. Chappell
Several new Superman-related comics have recently appeared on the market.
Two issues ago, my column described the past and present regular Superman
series, and in the last issue of the KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET, I went into depth
on the current GUARDIANS OF METROPOLIS series. This monthÕs column covers
another mini-series.
For more information on Superman and related characters, see my
Superman FAQ. Following the recent Fall of Metropolis and Crisis in Time, I
have revised the FAQ to Version 2.00 status. The latest Frequently-Asked
Question list is available via anonymous ftp at ftp.dhhalden.no.
One hot item for Superman fans is the current Man of Steel Platinum
Series trading cards. They feature good art on cards that relate the entire
post-Crisis history of Superman. I have been buying the cards and have
complete sets of both editions for sale or trade. Send e-mail to
davidc@leland.stanford.edu or call (415)497-4422 (704-633-7535 over the
Christmas holidays) if you are interested. Jeff Sykes is also trading; see
this monthÕs editorial.
In January, I shall take a brief leave of writing this column for
scholastic reasons. In the last week of January, IÕll be taking the
qualifying exam to enter the Ph.D. program in the electrical engineering
department at Stanford University. It is anticipated that only one-third of
the students will pass and competition is fierce, so I have to concentrate
on studying rather than writing about Superman. Coincidentally, IÕm hoping
to do doctorate research with the Space, Telecommunications, And
Radioscience Laboratory (S.T.A.R.Lab) at Stanford. When I return in a
couple months, IÕll update the FAQ and resume writing this column.
As promised, this issue I delve into the details of the new METROPOLIS
S. C. U. mini-series. Although the story itself provides sufficient
background for new readers to get by, many events are more meaningful to
those who know the rest of the story. The many characters of the story have
been introduced over the years, and various events from the past affect their
current lives. IÕll explain details on just what parts of the past are
relevant as we ask the question
ÒWHAT IS THE METROPOLIS S. C. U.?Ó
The METROPOLIS S. C. U. mini-series highlights a group of characters who
typically play a support role to Superman. The Special Crimes Unit of the
Metropolis Police Department does, however, handle a number of important
cases with little or no help from the Man of Steel. This current story
highlights one of those cases and focuses on Lois LaneÕs involvement with
the S. C. U.
SPECIAL CRIMES UNITS
The Metropolis S.C.U. was formed at the proposal of Mayor Berkowitz to fight
super-villains when Superman and other heroes are not around. It is a
special division of the Metropolis Police Department that answers directly
to the Police Commissioner. The unit deals with crimes involving super-
powers, metahumans, and other cases beyond the scope of normal police work.
The Metropolis Police Special Crimes Unit (MPSCU) remains a high-profile
outfit that appears regularly in the Superman comics.
The S.C.U. has several tools that allow it to succeed in fighting super-
powered crime. First, its structure within the police department allows it
the freedom to operate when needed. Second, it has the skills of some of
the best policemen in the department. Finally, the S.C.U. often has access
to advanced weapons and armor developed by S.T.A.R. Labs.
The Metropolis S.C.U. was the first of its kind and remains the most famous.
Based on its success, other such units have appeared in other major cities.
Special Crimes Units now exist in Washington, D.C., (from HAWK AND DOVE #4)
and Los Angeles (seen in GREEN LANTERN #55).
INSPECTOR MARGARET ÒMAGGIEÓ SAWYER
Margaret Sawyer has been in charge of the S.C.U. since its formation, but
thereÕs more to her past than the Special Crimes Unit. Maggie used to work
in Star City, where she met and married Captain Jim Sawyer. They had a
daughter, Jamie, but eventually divorced. Maggie moved east, and Jim gained
full custody of Jamie.
Jamie later ran away from home to find her mother in Metropolis. She
crossed the continent, but the demon Skyhook captured and charmed her before
she found her mother. Superman and Maggie rescued Jamie and two dozen other
children from Skyhook. The disaster helped improve relations between the
Sawyers, and Maggie now gets to see her daughter occasionally.
Several years ago, fellow officer Dan Turpin (see below) became enamored
with Sawyer when she visited him regularly in the hospital following a
serious injury. When Turpin proposed to Maggie, she revealed her
homosexuality to him. Maggie lives with her girlfriend, Toby Raynes, and
their cats. Toby is a reporter for the METROPOLIS STAR, one of four daily
newspapers in the city and a competitor to the DAILY PLANET.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Inspector Daniel ÒDanÓ Turpin:
Comic-wise, Turpin is the oldest of the S.C.U. officers. During World
War II, ÒBrooklynÓ was one of the Boy Commandos, a multi-national group of
young heroes. As an adult, Dan joined the police force. When Mayor
Berkowitz created the S.C.U., Turpin used his pull to get assigned to the
Unit.
Turpin is a widower, and he once proposed marriage to Maggie Sawyer
(see above). He lives with his adult daughter, Maisie. Having grown up in
Suicide Slum, Dan is proud, tough, and stubborn.
Commissioner William ÒBillÓ James Henderson:
Henderson is a long-time member of the Metropolis Police Department.
He was only recently promoted to Police Commissioner from the rank of
Inspector. Bill Henderson is friends with both Superman and Clark Kent. He
is married with two children.
Bill Henderson is not a part of the S.C.U., but he has worked with them
often. While Henderson and Sawyer have personal differences, they maintain
a strong professional relationship. Inspector Sawyer now reports directly
to Commissioner Henderson.
The other members of the S.C.U. are minor background characters, and only
the METROPOLIS S.C.U. mini-series has brought them to the forefront.
Notable members include Lyle Beedler, a physicist, and Russell Tenclouds, an
American Indian. Other officers have expert skills as a psychologist,
paramedic, and munitions expert.
RECENT HISTORY OF THE METROPOLIS S.C.U.
During the early stages of the Reign of the Supermen, Police Commissioner
Jack Casey resigned. In SupermanÕs absence, the public blamed him for the
strong rise in crime. The mayor named (formerly Inspector) Henderson as new
commissioner. As one of his first orders of business, Commissioner
Henderson promoted Maggie to the rank of Inspector. Previously, she had
only been a captain, yet some of the officers working under her were
inspectorsÑtechnically outranking her.
During the Battle for Metropolis, the S.C.U. attempted to maintain the peace
as Cadmus fought LexCorp. In the Fall of Metropolis, the Unit apprehended
Lex Luthor. SupermanÕs induced insanity during the Dead Again story line
led to a battle between the MPSCU and the Man of Steel. Meanwhile, the
S.C.U. appears in the current METROPOLIS S.C.U. mini-series.
The Metropolis Special Crimes Unit has been a part of the Superman mythos
since the Byrne years, and it will continue to be important in stories yet
to come. The characters have grown over the years, though only slowly in
the background. The current mini-series gives these minor characters a
moment in the spot-light. Metropolis may be blessed with more famous heroes
like Superman and the Guardian, but the heroes of the Special Crimes Unit
are equally important to the citizens of the city.
========================================================
REVIEWS
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THE ÒTRIANGLEÓ TITLES:
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1. SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL #40, ÒMind GamesÓ
Writer: Louise Simonson
Artists: Jon Bogdanove and Joe Rubinstein
$1.50 US/$2.10 CAN/70p UK
RATINGS:
Anatole: 3 Shields
Jose R. Galan: 1 Shield - A really meaningless and silly story about
monsters. Just a fill-in, and a very poor one.
Ken McKee: 2.5 Shields - DonÕt like the artwork and this issue was
too weird for my tastes.
William J Nixon: 1 Shield - I didnÕt like the Brainadactyls or the
art this issue.
Patrick M. Stout: 3 Shields - A fast-moving story that brings Brainiac
to Earth for the showdown with our hero; the
brain-suckers kind of grossed me out, but LoisÕ
victory over them was a well-handled turn of events.
Jeff Sykes: 2 Shields - BogÕs art actually works for the brain-suckers,
but the story and dialogue were ridiculous.
Well, I asked for an action-packed issue, and I got it!
In this issue, Brainiac escapes from the New Gods, returns to
Earth, sets his brain-creatures on the populace at a rock
concert. He, also, does battle with the Man of Steel; first with the
creatures, then by having him battle illusions, then by trying to
trick him into killing Lois Lane.
My three-star rating for this comic is predominantly for the
writing. For the first time, SupermanÕs fading grip on reality
actually seemed in character. It was also a nice touch that
BrainiacÕs plot is defeated by something other than brute force.
I must admit that I would have liked for Superman to think up a more
ingenious way to defeat the brain creatures. The magic of the
pre-Byrned Superman was not whether he could out-punch the
nasties, but rather how is he going to use his powers this time?
Without this ingenuity, Superman could be interchanged with
Captain Marvel or Thor or just about any other super-strong
flying guy. But I must say this story was a step up from the
average Superman fare.
Even Joe RubinsteinÕs fine inking prowess, however, couldnÕt save
the art in this issue. I still like BogdanoveÕs layouts, but his
carelessness with details and constant distortions, especially
faces, is starting to irritate me. Other comic greats, like Kirby and Walt
Simonson, made a habit of violating the rules of perspective, but they did it
for effect, in a controlled manner. BogdanoveÕs seem more random, less
controlled, and this often weakens his art.
Finally, I canÕt say IÕm real fond of BrainiacÕs new look. The
Òbrain wrinklesÓ just donÕt do it for me. TheyÕre just kinda gross.
Anatole
==========================================================
2. SUPERMAN #96, ÒMindscapeÓ
Story & pencil art - Dan Jurgens
Ink art - Dick Giordano
$1.50 US/$2.10 Can/70p UK
RATINGS:
Jose R. Galan: 2 Shields
Ken McKee: 4.5 Shields - Great cover, great artwork and nice to see
Superman really flipping out. I knew it was Brainiac
ALL the time. Yeah, right!
William J Nixon: 3 Shields - Good Jurgens/Giordano art
Patrick M. Stout: 2 Shields Ñ Other than allowing Jurgens and Giordano to
draw a ton of characters, I donÕt know what this story
accomplished; the only advancement to the ÒDead AgainÓ
plot occurred in a single panel at storyÕs end with
Brainiac announcing his presence.
Jeff Sykes: 2 Shields - Jurgens/Giordano art was good (though not quite
up to Jurgens/Breeding). As for the story, what was
the point?
After defeating a bunch of monsters in Man of Steel, somebody gets SupermanÕs
attention: Pa Kent, who suddenly appears on the scene, but nobody else
notices him.
Superman does, and speaks with him, to hear he is a fake. Batman joins the
two and explains that Pa Kent is right. To prove them wrong Superman tries to
fly, but he canÕt. Then, Pa Kent confess that the real Superman wasnÕt a
Kryptonian, but his own son, and attacks Superman with heat vision.
In a moment, everythingÕs gone, and a confused Superman finds himself trapped
in a energy cylinder with Skyboy, a boy who claims to be the real SupermanÕs
partner. Superman tries to escape and hits the wall.
Meanwhile, Lois, Prof. Hamilton and other by-standers see a mad Superman
mumbling to himself and destroying buildings. But Superman is being mentally
controlled, and must face many other menaces. Silver Banshee (actually Lois,
who is saved in the last moment by Guardian), the four Supermen, and then Ma
Kent declaring that his son died at DoomsdayÕs hands. Then Doomsday arrives
in person and Superman begins to fight his way back to reality realizing this
can not be real.
Prof. Hamilton figures out that Superman is being controlled and fires a
neural neutralizer to immobilize his muscles. It works for a second, and
after a glimpse of the real world, Superman is teleported to a space prison.
Finally, he discovers his prison is a mental one, and with a final effort he
wins, just to see that Guardian is also a fake: ÒBrainiac has returnedÓ
Nothing new at all. How many mind games like this have we seen in Superman
stories over the past few years? A lot. And better. I am a bit disappointed
about the final chapters of the Dead Body saga. The action has slow down
dramatically, and it seems that nothing happens at all, nothing really
important. Just to wait for the big battle against Brainiac is not a good
reason to read all these issues.
I would have appreciated more characterization and a PLOT (just see Battle
for Metropolis if you donÕt know what I mean) instead of a puzzle. With a few
mistakes. An example: What did I lose between the end of Man of Steel
(Triangle 1) and the beginning of this issue? Yes, what ever happened to
the rock concert?
And I am tired of this irrational Superman. I can understand the anguish, the
big trouble, the obsession, but not this stupid behavior heÕs showing
every time. HE IS SUPERMAN. And this must make the difference in any
situation.
The good news: Dick Giordano. A long time since the last time I think but he
makes the difference. His elegant and fine style embellishes Jurgens pencils
as almost never before. We all know heÕs not going to stay, but I personally
am glad he accepted to come around for a while.
Jose R. Galan
==========================================================
3. ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #519, ÒNo One Defeats Brainiac!Ó
Written by: Karl Kesel
Layouts by: Barry Kitson
Finishes by: Mike Manley
$1.50 US/$2.10 CAN/70p UK
RATINGS:
ReneÕ Gobeyn: Story: 2 Shields - I was very disappointed
Art: 3 Shields - needed background details
Anatole: 2 Shields - Brainiac tricks Superman into fighting
hallucinations while a confused public watchesÑ
waitaminnit! I just read this in MOS40! Nice art,
though.
Ken McKee: 4.5 Shields - Good ending to an interesting story. Am I
the only one who feels this way?
William J Nixon: 2.5 Shields - Mind games and mass hallucinations conclude
Dead Again, Could you believe it?Ó
Patrick M. Stout: 4 Shields Ñ A good combination of fight scene AND
characterization to bring ÒDead AgainÓ to a satisfying
conclusion; it WAS Òa hoax, a dreamÓ (but not an
imaginary story)Ñinside humor for readers who date
back to the Weisinger Superman.
Jeff Sykes: 3 Shields - Most of that rating comes from the fact that I
like KitsonÕs art and am sad that he is leaving. But
I might have rated it lower had we not finally reached
the end of Dead Again. Blech.
This book finally concludes the ÒDead AgainÓ story line. Brainiac
has appeared and taken credit for the corpse that was found in the
tomb. As the story opens, Brainiac has taken Lois hostage, and is
facing down the Metropolis S.C.U. and Superman outside of STAR
Labs.
Brainiac animates the Super-corpse and there is a fairly short
battle between the two. During the battle Brainiac changes the
appearance of the corpseso that it looks just like the real
Superman. Lois is able to determine which is the fake, and this
forces Brainiac to take a more direct role in the battle.
Brainiac merges with the ex-corpse and manifests a force field
about himself. There follows another fight scene where Superman
eventually breaks through the force field to defeat him. BrainiacÕs
personality retreats behind that of Milton Fine (the original human
that BrainiacÕs mind took over). Brainiac, as Milton, is lead into
custody by Maggie Sawyer of the SCU not remembering anything that has
happened for the last couple of years.
Everything about the Superman corpse was all an illusion, projected
by BrainiacÕs subconscious mind while he was in a coma on New
Genesis. All the photographs, lab tests etc. were projected into
peoples minds so that they saw what they would have found had the
body actually been there. It was all a mass hallucination. End of
Story.
I will admit that up until Superman went to New Genesis and found
that Brainiac was still in a coma, I had been fairly certain that
Brainiac had been behind the whole thing. IÕll admit to being
misled by the plot, and was even a little disappointed. Brainiac
has always been one of my favorite villains. He has always seemed
to bring out the best in Superman because he makes him think.
Superman canÕt win by simply using his powers. I was beginning to
wonder where the plot was going, when suddenly, it turns out that
Brainiac was behind it all along. At last, I was finally going to
see a book that wasnÕt just another long boring fight scene.
Imagine my disappointment. In the past, this story would have
involved many of the supporting characters. The mindless fight
scenes would have been replaced with pages of character
interaction. It seems that the things that I used to love about the
Superman family of books, the quality of writing, the lovingly
detailed stories and the large and complex supporting cast are
being displaced to make room for more pages of fight scenes.
All in all about as satisfying an ending as Òand then the little
boy fell out of bed and woke upÓ. If you like the IMAGE books this
one is for you.
ReneÕ Gobeyn
==========================================================
4. Supergirl in ACTION COMICS #706, ÒSaved by the BelleÓ
Writer: David Michelinie
Artists: Jackson Guice and Denis Rodier
$1.50 US/$2.10 Can/70p UK
RATINGS:
Art: 2.5 Shields - average issue
Anatole: 2 Shields - Trash that coverÑSupergirl looks like a dazed
deer. SheÕs no dumb blonde!
Patrick M. Stout: 4 Shields - Nice change of pace to see Supergirl headline
the title this time, good writing by Michelinie with
some laugh out loud touches of bitter humor: the villain
is seeking revenge because a work-for-hire contract
cheated him out of the fiscal rewards of his invention
(shades of Siegel & Shuster!).
Jeff Sykes: 3.5 Shields - A good story, maybe MichelinieÕs best since
joining. But KEEP GUICE AWAY FROM SUPERGIRL!!!! I
hope that when he begins work for Valiant, he will
leave Action behind.
Supergirl is on her way to visit the Kents to sort out her troubled spirits.
On her way she rescues a carnival worker who nearly kills himself by
carelessly setting up one of the rides. Saving the man raises her spirits
and she shortly arrives at the KentsÕ farm. Meanwhile in Metropolis, Perry
White informs Clark Kent that he will be covering the unveiling of a new
piece of farm equipment in Smallville. Clark thinks this is great because he
can fly there in no time and spend the extra time with his family. He is
surprised to find out that Perry will be coming along and fears that the
plane ride will take hours and he will be bored the whole trip. The flight
flies by, so to speak, as Perry relates various Òthere I was...Ó stories about
his early career as a reporter.
As Perry and Clark fly to Kansas City, Ma and Pa Kent and Mae (their name for
Supergirl) go to the Smallville fair and attend the unveiling of the new farm
machinery. What they do not know is that the machine was designed by a
subcontracted scientist who will see very little of the huge profits that the
machine is supposed to reap. This upsets him, and he has sabotaged the
machine for the opening. As the machine is demonstrated, it goes haywire
just as the scientist planned. It attacks the crowd. Supergirl attempts to
stop the machine but is sprayed with a toxic pesticide and reverts to her
protoplasmic form. The machine then continues its rampage. Pa Kent, without
superpowers, but with the morals and convictions of Superman risks his life
to save a little girl from beserking machine. Seeing the danger that Pa is
in, Supergirl literally pulls herself together and saves Pa and the child and
halts the machine. An all-points-bulletin is released and the scientistÕs
picture is broadcasts on all the televisions and Clark sees him in the Kansas
City Airport. He quickly changes into Superman and apprehends the criminal.
Perry and Clark then travel on to Smallville and have diner at the Kents
farm. Clark and Mae speak for a while and she decides to return to Elizabeth
(see Supergirl miniseries for details, Art), to sort out her feelings
about being manipulated by Lex Luthor, and to return to helping others (see
Showcase Ô95 1 + 2 for more adventures of Supergirl, Art)
(Showcase Ô95 #1 will be reviewed next month Ñ ItÕs still on the stands, so
check it out! ÑJeff)
I do not know how to review this. I have mixed feelings about the issue.
So, I will simply start with the artwork. I disliked the cover. The
expression, or lack of expression of Supergirl bothered me. By the time she
arrived or left Smallville she was in much better spirits, so give her a
smile. 8). I am sure they could do a better job than my ASCII-art. I also
loved the scene where the scientist runs into Superman. It is the classic
akimbo power-pose but the face is cut off by the panels above. I found it
very visually striking. The rest of the art was good, but it will take a
little will to get used to GuiceÕs renderings of the major characters Ñ a
minor point really. There was a nice tribute to Janke, one of the buildings
in the fore ground on page 6 was labeled ÒJankeÓ I am not sure why. We will
all have to keep our eyes open in reading or reading other issues.
Well, this brings me back to the review of the story. When one writes a
story with a female character in the lead I am not sure what the target
audience should be. Should the target audience be young women? If so, one
would have to write about what little girls fantasize about. If that is done,
would the target audience for the main Superman titles still buy it? I do
not know. The 1950Õs house wife role model is gone. I hope they mature
Supergirl to be an intelligent, self-sufficient member of the DC universe.
She is not there yet, but I think she has great potential now that she has
separated herself from Lex Luthor. We can begin to see flashes of it with
this issue. At the end of the story we see that she is overcoming her
troubles and feels compelled to return to Elizabeth and do more to help
others. We also see a changing Kal-El over many of the last issues. He
is becoming more Clark and less Superman. Early in the issue, he is excited
to go home, and later he asks Mae ÒcanÕt stay longer?Ó with the implied
ÒPlease, stay longer.Ó As Superman, he knows what she must do with her powers,
but as Clark he misses her. I think the interplay between the desires of
Clark and the requirements of Superman will be very interesting in future
issues.
Also in this issue, we again see a reference to the character who has been
refereed to as the ÒslasherÓ. Lois is covering the case of the operator who
was killed. To get the name of the operator, he must be some kind of computer
hacker. He has also said that he will expose the greatest deceiver of all,
who we are led to believe he thinks is Superman. I think we will soon see
him tampering with the Superman files at STAR Labs, I also wonder if he will
play a role in the alleged death of Clark Kent.
Arthur LaMarche
========================================================
End of Section 2
========================================================
REVIEWS (cont)
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OTHER SUPER-TITLES:
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SUPERBOY #11, ÒReality Bites!Ó
Guest Writer: Eddie Berganza
Artist: Tom Grummett
Inker: Dan Davis
$1.50 US/$2.10 UK/70p UK
RATINGS:
Victor Chan: 3.5 Shields (-1/2 shield for the necessary if downbeat story)
Jeff Sykes: 3.5 Shields Ñ Great Grummett art, okay story. (I donÕt know
if even Kesel would have saved this one.) Nice touch with
the dreams of Krypto, though.
While ÒSuperboyÓ is taping a segment for Hollywood Tonight, a violent event
occurs at Honolulu mall. Informed by a news bulletin, Superboy laments the
fact that he taped a show when he could have been at the mall instead of the
Superboy stand-in who was murdered. He flies away with Tana, Dubbilex, Rex
and Roxie following in a news chopper.
Others of his entourage are becoming frustrated as well. Roxie is aghast that
Superboy has canceled the world tour, and Rex is still trying to find a means
to pay back his loan to a powerful businessman.
Meanwhile, Agent Makoa and the police are apprehending some weapons smugglers
only to face Techno, a tech-based villain, that causes his victims to
perceive illusionary threats. Superboy mistakes TanaÕs chopper as a
mechanical opponent and attempts to subdue it.
Dubbilex mentally breaks through SuperboyÕs hazy perception in time for him
to land the chopper safely. Superboy attempts to take out Techno while under
some mental/electrical siege by using his X-ray vision to see through the
illusions. Roxie approaches close enough to distract Techno and Superboy is
able to destroy TechnoÕs suit.
Even though Superboy has defeated Techno, he has to face the facts that the
Silicon Dragons are still at large and that his presence in Honolulu has
affected many people.
Well, it seems Karl must have had some summer holidays, if you notice the
guest writer. Nonetheless, I found this issue entertaining as usual if not
more somber. Actually, I think the title needs one or two issues like this to
show that Superboy is not always as flippant as he may appear. This story is
the type which hints at the Ògreat power - great responsibilityÓ virtue. Even
though Superboy has done many things right, you canÕt help but wonder if any
of these adverse events would have occurred if he were not in Honolulu. I
guess that remains to be seen in upcoming issues.
Art as usual, was good. I can hear a virtual sigh of relief now that Tom is
back. I didnÕt think the previous guest artist, Humberto Ramos, was bad but
IÕm sure a lot of readers like having the artist that they started with back
in the driverÕs seat.
Victor Chan
==========================================================
STEEL #11, ÒFire PowerÓ (Maximum Orbit: Part 1 of 3)
Writer: Louise Simonson
Pencils: Chris Batsta
Inks: Rich Faber and Ande Parks
$1.50 US/$2.10 Can/70pUK
RATINGS:
Shawn Aeria: 3.75 shields - This could end up being a good storyline ;)
Art LaMarche: 4 Shields - Steel and Maxima give more than a buck fifty worth
of fun.
Jeff Sykes: 3.5 Shields - *Much* better than the last two issues. Good story
(with accurate characterizations of the Justice League (?))
and very good art. I wouldnÕt mind seeing Batista on one of
the Super-titles.
Opening Scene: Some sort of satellite contrivance is floating above
Earth. The two occupants are DeÕcine and BÕaad. The former is a hulking
cyborg who claims that his trip to Earth is to claim his beloved. The
latter is a four armed space cowboy. The stage is setÑthese two are out
to kidnap Maxima, lately of the Justice League, formerly one of
SupermanÕs rogues gallery.
We then switch to Washington DC, where Steel is inside a burning building
trying to save the life of a little girl. The building collapses on
Steel and the child, but he consoles her and they emerge safely. The
mother of the girl admonishes the police for ever thinking that Steel
could have been the serial murderer (from last issue).
After helping authorities deal with the fire, Steel decides to patrol the
coastline to survey the damage from a recent storm. His armor
inexplicably disappears while he is above the ocean and he is instantly
attacked by sharks. Luckily, the armor reappears just as the shark is
about to bite down on him and he flies off. Steel begins to wonder if
there is some sort of connection between his dissappearing armor and the
incident at HazardÕs headquarters ( a few issues ago). He decides that
he will have to go after HazardÕs spy satelite to find out if Hazard is
the source of his armor problems.
Steel remembers that Superman told him to ask the Justice League if he
ever needed Òtechnical backupÓ. So he selects the ÒExtreme JusticeÓ team
of the Justice League (Captain Atom, Maxima, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold and
Amazing Man). The scene has the team debugging their new baseÕs
computer system. While checking out their system, they detect a ÒblipÓ
in orbit. They are unsure if it is a malfunction or a cloaked ship. Maxima
decides that she will check out the blip personally. Before she leaves,
the sensors come back online and detect an approaching missile.
The team goes out to investigate. They find Steel approaching and Maxima
automatically hits the offensive. Booster tries to calm her down, but
not before she gives him a telekinetic blast. Steel somehow manages to
shrug off her blastÑto everyoneÕs confusion. Steel decides to have
Beetle check out his armor. While they are checking out his armor, Steel
mentions his reason for dropping by. When he mentions that HazardÕs
satellite might be cloaked, Maxima mentions the sensor blip that they had
picked up earlier. She rescans the atmosphere and two blips are
detected. A breathing device is constructed for Steel to use in space.
A mention is made that Steel will be upgrading his armor sometime after
this mission.
Maxima and Steel take off for orbit. They are going to check out the
first of the two anomolies. Maxima wants to check out this one because
it seems to be a Krenon ship and wants to make sure that there are no
Krenons near Earth. They come to the Krenon ship and enter through an
airlock and the scene shifts to DeÕcine telling BÕaad that he allowed
Maxima to find them and that capturing her should be easy since she
doesnÕt know anyting about KrenonÕs current technology.
We switch back to Max and Steel. She assures him that the Krenon should not
be a problem since she is of superior genetics and Steel was a Òreplacement
SupermanÓ. She believes that she can surprise the Krenon, only to find that
DeÕcine has been waiting for her. She immediately recogizes him as a former
suitor and the heir of the Krenon empire. BÕaad draws a gun on Steel and
Maxima tries to blast DeÕcine. She is hit by her own blast, however.
DeÕcine brags that Krenon technology has produced a reflector shield that
can reflect mental attacks. BÕaad opens fire on Steel, but is quickly
disarmed. Steel tries to free Maxima from DeÕcineÕs clutches. She is
about to strike back when DeÕcine orders BÕaad to switch on the
Òinhibitor beamÓ and both she and Steel are instantly trapped.
DeÕcine intends to return to the Krenon Empire with Maxima, who he
intends to marry. He believes Steel to be a cyborg and decides to give him to
his mother as a present.
Comments:
This storyline looks promising. Injecting a little science fiction into
the usual plot is livening things up. The characterization of Maxima is
handled pretty well, if not a little too bitchy. Her mindless attack on
Steel was an obvious attempt to remind us that Steel might be a metahuman.
It was pretty tacky and only made Maxima look inexperienced and
bloodthirsty. I might buy the bloodthirsty part, but she is too smart to
just blast anything that moves.
As for the Steel-might-be-a-meta plotline. They are packing way too many
hints in now. A few subtle reminders during the serial killer plot would
have been appropriate. Instead we are hit in the head with the proverbial
sledgehammer. There were four or five references to SteelÕs meta-ness in
this issue. I figure that they will reveal SteelÕs metahuman power within
either this storyline, or the next one. My guess: Steel has some sort
of telekinetic control over metal and/or machineryÑmaybe more.
Evidence: The armorÕs ability to appear and dissappear; SteelÕs ability
to resist MaximaÕs TK blast; DeÕcineÕs scanner suggested that Steel is a
cyborg. The only thing that confuses me are some of the things Steel did
as John Henry in earlier issues. I mentioned previously that I figured
John Henry to be a metahuman when he had lifted up a whole Church pew.
He might also have some sort of super-strength, or more likely, a broader
form of TK. That hasnÕt been hinted on lately, so I might just be
grasping at straws.
Artwork:
I really enjoyed the art this issue. The spaceships were done quite well
and everyone was pretty well proportioned. The Justice League looked a
lot better in this issue then they do in their own comic! My only
(slight) piece of criticism is that the faces lacked some of the
exactness that was placed on everything else.
Gripe:
This issueÕs fashion error? BÕaad is a frigginÕ space cowboy! He has
six-shooters, a belt buckle, even a LASSO!!! Cowboys are kind of cool
here on Earth, but a space cowboy who calls people ÒtenderfootÓ? When
did the pre-modern American cowboy culture make it into outer space?
[I believe it is mentioned that BÕaad developed a fascination with
the American cowboy via Earth television broadcasts. ÑJeff]
Second Gripe:
I have gone on boat trips where the sole purpose was to locate sharks. I
have *never* found sharks as fast as Steel did. He even one-upped me by
finding man eating sharks! I have never come across a shark that was
even remotely close to being threatening. I realize that this sort of
FAKE danger might be exciting to someone who has never seen a shark, but
for those of us who have seen dozens of sharks, this was lame and a gross
example of how people do not understand our ocean-going brethren. Hmmmm,
maybe I should be reviewing Aquaman. ;)
The Positive Note:
Captain Atom called his team Justice League West. That alone was worth the
price of admission. DC should get rid of the current Extreme Justice
staff and give it to these folks!
Shawn Aeria
________________________________________________________________
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MINISERIES AND SPECIAL APPEARANCES:
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GUARDIANS OF METROPOLIS #3 (of 4), ÒAll This and World War II!Ó
Written by: Karl Kesel
Pencils by: Kieron Dwyer
Inking by: Mike Manley
$1.50 US/$2.10 Can/.70p UK
RATINGS:
ReneÕ Gobeyn: Story and Plot: 4 shields - could have tied into the series better
Art: 5 shields - a fine tribute to Kirby
Jeff Sykes: 4 Shields - This has been a thoroughly enjoyable miniseries, and
I canÕt wait for the final issue (though I wish it werenÕt the
final one).
The story opens in the aftermath of last issues ÒDonovanÕs CircusÓ. The
Guardian and Tom of the adult Newsboys wander through the ruins of DonovanÕs
lab and ÒgardenÓ. Gabby calls into the Guardian to let him know that Social
Services has said that Harper can keep his grand-niece with him while they
sort out the paperwork and figure out what is going on in the aftermath of
the attack on the orphanage.
Meanwhile, the Newsboys and Bobby Harper (Jim HarperÕs niece) have been
taken back to the SCUÕs headquarters where Dan Turpin (Brooklyn of the Kid
Commandos) entertains them with a story of the first time that The Kid
Commandos and the Newsboy Legion beat Boss Moxie and Agent Axis during WWII.
ItÕs a great introduction story, but IÕll skip telling about what happens
(watch me have to recap next issue) as it doesnÕt seem to further the plot
in this series at all. It does seem to point out that even back in WWII,
Boss Moxie was connected to Apokolips.
The action for this story picks up again with young Tommy talking to
Gilotina, who was captured last issue. Dan and the others have just arrived
to take Tom back to the Project when Boss Moxie and the other Female Furies
Boom in to break Gilotina out. The young Newsboys (all except Flip and Bobby)
are captured by the escaping Furies, taking the Whiz Wagon and heading back
to Cadmus. The issue ends with Bobby and Flip convincing Yango to take them
back to the Project to try to help.
It was great to see the Kid Commandos and the Newsboy Legion back in action
with The Guardian. Seeing all these old Kirby characters, along with his New
Gods, reminds me of how much FUN it used to be to read comics before Ògrim
and grittyÓ became the rule and senseless fight scenes became the norm. Dwyer
has done an excellent job of using KirbyÕs style of art throughout the book.
I think that Jack would be proud of the way his creations are being kept
alive. The inking and coloring of the issue is also clearly in the silver
age style.
While I truly loved the story and the art, I was disappointed that the story
didnÕt move the plot of the mini-series along very much. Except for a few
pages at the end, and a couple of panels here and there, this story could have
taken place at almost any time. IÕm not sure it belongs in this series. I
could be wrong, but I suspect that this book was just a filler to give new
readers some idea of who these great old characters are.
I do have one small problem with the plot, and that is that everyone seems to
have forgotten that as far as anybody outside of Superman, Superboy, and the
Project personnel know, Cadmus was destroyed. How was Dan Turpin going to
get the kids back? As I said, a small problem.
ReneÕ Gobeyn
==========================================================
XENOBROOD #3 (of 6), ÒThe Vimanian BestiaryÓ
Written by: Doug Moench
Pencils by: Chris Hunter
Inks by: John Lone
$1.50 US/$2.10 Can./70p UK
RATINGS:
ReneÕ Gobeyn: Story rating: 4 Shields - well done plot, has a lot of promise
Art rating: 3 Shields - a little rough, could use more detail
Jeff Sykes: 4.5 Shields - This is an excellent series. The story is *very*
good, and the art is decent (though not great).
Recap of Xenobrood #0-2
Without getting into a great many details that donÕt pertain to the
Superman family of books. The Xenobrood are a team of aliens that
were grown from crystal-like seeds that were found in an
archeological site on the Kuwait-Iraq border (ancient Sumeria).
The brood are grown by the archeologist who found them after he
returned to the US. They have a few minor adventures in the city.
Issue #3
The Brood and the scientists (Zecharia and Lorna Leight) have
returned to the original middle east site from the US to try to
learn more about the origins of the brood. The scientists and the
brood are attacked by the seeming embodiments of many ancient
myths. The brood defeats them.
The scientists find the ruins of an ancient alien city as well as
a large stock of crystals that could be used to grow more of the
brood. Later they are attacked by Iraqi soldiers. They escape back
to the alien city where they come into a brief conflict with
Superman.
All-in-all Superman doesnÕt do much in this issue but get
introduced to the Brood. Next issue promises that Superman will
play a bigger role in helping the brood as they confront the menace
of what is grown from the crystals that were found in the city.
This book is a very fun read, and is a little different from DCÕs
mainline superhero books. However, if all you are reading are the
Super titles, I think you can skip this one.
ReneÕ Gobeyn
==========================================================
ANIMA #10
Written by: Paul Witcover and Elizabeth Hand
Pencils by: Steve Crespo and Buzz (?)
Inks by: Brian Garvey
$1.95 US/$2.75 Can/#1.25 UK
Story rating: 4 Shields - convoluted plot line that moves well but
not a good place to start
Art Rating: 4 Shields - very clean art, just a little too dark in
places
Superboy is being used as a gate by Warrior (one of the Animus) and
has manifested a metal eye-patch. He and Animus are in the middle
of a fight when the book opens. After Animus convinces him that she
is who she says she is they team up to fight Eris and her father
the Nameless one. What follows are a lot of detailed sub-plots that
are unfolding in this book. The next time we see Superboy and Anima
they are involved in a battle with Eris. Anima frees The Warrior
from Superboy and then they both resume the attack on Eris while
Anima convinces her brother Jeremy (who is ErisÕs gate) to send her
back to the Aarkana.
Anima is a spin-off book from the Blood-lines annual crossover of
about a year ago. ItÕs an extremely well done book, and is quite a
bit different than the standard costumed hero fare. It is a good
read, but it is a little hard to jump into the middle of this
story-line. While well done (Superboy remains very much in
character) unless you are a Superboy/man completest you could
probably skip this one.
(Rumor has it that Anima will be cancelled shortly, so no time may be
a good time to begin with the title. ÑJeff)
ReneÕ Gobeyn
==========================================================
METROPOLIS SCU #3 (of 4), ÒArk EnemyÓ
Writer: Cindy Goff
Pencils: Pete Krause
Inks: Jose Marzan Jr.
$1.50 US/$2.10 Can/70p UK
GUY GARDNER: WARRIOR #27, ÒWake Up CallÓ (Capital Punishment: Act 1 of 3)
Writer: Beau Smith
Pencils: Mitch Byrd
Inks: Dan Davis
$1.50 US/$2.10 Can/70p UK
Nobody submitted reviews of these two books, so I thought I would give
some quick impressions. SCU still hasnÕt lived up to what I was expecting,
though I did think that this issue was a little bit better than the first
two. IÕm not too impressed with the art team, but I am starting to grow
accustomed to it. For a rating, I would give it 2.5 Shields.
GUY GARDNER is a book which I dropped a while back for ÒfundsÓ reasonings.
Since I left it, Guy has been through some major changes. Having purchased
a few recent issues (most notably the ZERO HOUR crossover with Supergirl and
this issue), I believe that the current team has a really nice title going
here. (And since I just dumped all of the Bat books except for Robin, I have
cash for it again!) Anyway, this issue guest-stars first Superman, in a cameo
that sets up the crossover coming up in a couple of months with the Superman
titles, and then Steel, as John Henry and Guy battle an escaped military
project. The story is very good, with excellent characterizations of both
men of steel, and the art is nice (though maybe a bit strange for some tastes).
This book rates 4 Shields.
==========================================================
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THE MAILBAG
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In the interest of time, IÕm going for an abbreviated form this month.
First, as Carol Wang pointed out, our review of Aquaman #3 erroniously
identified one of the characters as Babe. The character is, in fact,
Dolphin, a character which has recently been brought from the depths
of the unused DC character vault. We regret the mistake.
Thanks also to Jon Knutson and Johanna Draper, who each supplied the
following information about Power Girl which was requested in the
previous issue:
Power Girl _was_ in Infinity, Inc. Her appearances in the book didnÕt
last long after Ordway stopped doing the artwork.
There was a few issues of Showcase that featured her: 97-99.
There was also a Power Girl miniseries some time ago.
According to the revised origin, Power Girl is ArionÕs granddaughter
directly, no great- about it. I forget the reasoning, but Arion had to put
baby Kara in a symbio-jewel (which resembled the spacecraft she came to Earth
in per her original origin), in which she was in a limited kind of suspended
animation that allowed her to become an adult by the time she was released.
Power GirlÕs civilian identity was Karen Starr, and owned a software
company called StarrWare... IÕm not sure if this is still valid, though,
because I think something was changed concerning that in an issue of JLI
Quarterly.
Power Girl also appeared in many of the JLA/JSA team-ups after her
introduction, with the exception of one in which the original Supergirl
appeared. To the best of my knowledge, though, I donÕt believe Power Girl
and the original Supergirl met...
Power Girl appeared in an early issue of the revived Doom Patrol, in
which we discovered that all previous Supergirl/DP team-ups now occurred with
PG in place of Supergirl. ItÕs very likely that most Supergirl-related
stories that had a strong effect on overall continuity (especially those
where SupergirlÕs presence was _very_ important to the result) now occurred
with Power Girl in her place... but donÕt quote me on that.
PG had a relationship to the original Huntress (Bruce Wayne of Earth-2Õs
daughter) similar to that occasionally portrayed between Supergirl and
Batgirl.
She is the granddaughter of Arion; there was some temporal manipulation
there. She did appear in the first 12 issues of Infinity, Inc., as did the
Huntress, although both left thereafter. I believe she was introduced in
the resumption of the All-Star Comics title (issues 59-64 were published
in the 70s) and there served with the JSA, continuing to Adventure Comics
460-466.
Finally, in response to J.D. RummelÕs last column, ÒSuperman, Romance,
Marriage and Other Fantasies,Ó Henry Lee writes:
While Peter Parker is no XT, his struggle with his ÒSpidermanÓ persona
(along with hiding it from his aunt May) and his struggle to maintain his
relationship-friendship-marriage with Mary Jane Watson-Parker
(Ògeek gets babeÓ) were always interesting to me. The balance of
priorities that is mentioned has come up to the forefront recently
in the Spidey comics. There are similarities and differences between
Supes and Spidey but in this vein of Òrelationships,Ó itÕs still possible
to write great stories and to keep the characters interesting.
Thanks to all of our readers who have been writing to us. Keep the
comments and information coming!
Jeff
========================================================
End of Section 3
========================================================
LOOKING BACK - Part 2
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POST-BYRNE REVIEWS:
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THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #474, Jan. 1991
Penciled by Dan Jurgens
Art by Art Thibert
$1.00
Rating: 5 Shields.
This particular issue has no title. It is however, a bleak and tragic
chapter in the life of Superman, and it shows that he, too, can make mistakes
which have serious repercussions. For the most part it is told with
flashbacks, at a time when our hero was a teenager and trying to cope with
the same peer pressure we all go through. Ironically, at this time of life,
he is unaware of his remarkable powers as the future Man of Steel.
The story opens with Superman visiting an old friend in a hospital. He has
avoided this visit as long as possible. But there is no more time left. His
friend has been in a coma the last ten years and is not expected to live
through the night. He enters the dark room as Clark and comes face to face
with the boyÕs parents, who recognize him as being with their son on that
dreadful night. Clark makes them realize that he wishes them no further
pain, that he is here because Scott was a friend. He then relives what
happened that caused Scott to end up in the hospital.
On that particular night, ten years ago, Scott has planned a party without
the knowledge of his parents who are out for the evening. Lana, Pete, and
Clark show up, not realizing what kind of party Scott has organized. The
beer begins flowing pretty freely and people are getting quite bombed. Lana
and Clark soon fall prey to the pressure and begin to indulge. After about
three hours, Clark realizes he is late for his curfew and starts to leave.
He also realizes that he has not gotten drunk like the other participants.
Scott offers to drive Clark, Lana, and Pete home; Clark thinks Scott has had
too much to drink and tries to prevent it. Scott protests the offer and gets
behind the wheel anyway.
Scott brings out a bottle of whiskey and begins to pass it around. He is not
paying attention to his driving and is blinded by the snowstorm when tragedy
suddenly strikes. Without warning, a large truck plows into the side of the
speeding Mustang. It flies through the air, crashing into a nearby tree.
Scott is thrown halfway out the car and is left dangling from the window.
Clark escapes and pulls Lana and Pete free. He is amazed that he is unhurt.
The paramedics arrive, but by this time Scott has already slipped into a coma.
The story returns to the present, where Clark faults himself for not taking
the wheel. ScottÕs parents donÕt blame him for what happened; it was simply
a case of bad judgment on the part of all the kids.
One more flashback: At the KentÕs home, ClarkÕs parents read him the riot
act. They are very disappointed in his behavior; Martha reminds him that
Òalcohol and cars simply donÕt mix.Ó It is at this point that Clark thinks
a guardian angel must be looking after him since he was not seriously injured.
His parents also remind Clark how much they love him and that they simply
want him to do the right thing.
The story concludes in the present with Clark bending over to tell his friend
good-bye. It is a poignant moment and one Clark hopes he never has to repeat.
There is one more scene. As Clark leaves the hospital he runs into two men,
extremely drunk, getting into a car. The last panel shows one of the men
surprised to find that his tires have all melted. In the distance, Superman
is seen zooming through the sky. It is a great ending and a reminder that we
need to do all we can to prevent someone from driving after they have been
drinking.
Ken McKee
stdkrm01@shsu.edu
==========================================================
SUPERMAN: UNDER A YELLOW SUN, A Novel by Clark Kent
by John Francis Moore, writer
Novel sequence: Eduardo Barreto, artist,
Sherilyn van Valkenburgh, color
Metropolis sequence: Kerry Gammill, penciller
Dennis Janke, inker
Glenn Whitmore, color
reviewed by Dick Sidbury (sidbury@cs.uofs.edu)
The comic shop I frequent has a box of half price items. Usually these are
back issues that have guide book ÒvaluesÓ higher than the market will bear.
While looking through this box, I noticed ÒUnder a Yellow Sun.Ó I had been
resisting its purchase at full price, $5.95, for about a month. A story
relating to SupermanÕs powers and the fact that they came from the yellow sun
of Earth did not seem like a must read. In the bargain bin, it was worth a
gamble. It is one of the best Superman stories IÕve read and definitely worth
its full price. It has nothing to do with powers obtained from the yellow sun
of Earth.
The story takes place in current continuity. At the time of this story, Clark
is dating Lois but has not yet proposed to her. There are three things going
on in Metropolis: One, a street gang has gotten some LexCorp manufactured
weapons (similar to Toastmasters), and has used them to declare war on the
mob. Two, there is a garbage scow sitting in Metropolis harbor trying to find
a place that will take its garbage. Three, Clark Kent has a novel that is due
at his publisher by next Friday and he has writers block. These are the
corners of a really nice yarn. The story is told in two parts that are
intertwined: the goings-on in metropolis and the action that is taking place
in the novel that Clark is writing.
The novelÕs hero, David Gutherie is apparently an ex-military James Bond clone.
He saves the life of a Caribbean patriot and several years later finds himself
on the patriotÕs island as a tourist. However the island has now come under a
military dictatorship. Since he is broke, he takes a job with the financial
power behind the dictatorship Ñ sort of like working for Lex Luthor and
trying to look yourself in the mirror each morning.
Meanwhile, Clark is worrying about the two problems going on in Metropolis.
The events occurring in Metropolis give CK ideas of how his novel should
flow. The characters in his novel have obvious resemblances to people in
ClarkÕs life.
The artwork blends very nicely from one part to the other, but they are
always separate and easy to distinguish. The lettering in the novel is
always typewritten and that of the Metropolis sequence is handwritten.
Let me give a few examples of some of the things I think makes this a very
good book. The title page of the novel looks like the title page of a novel.
It lists the publisher and is even autographed by Clark Kent. The overpage
has a dedication to his parents and library of congress information, although
on my copy, several items are smudged so they canÕt be read, such as his date
of birth and the actual ISBN number. There is one splash page showing Clark
in Khaki pants, a dark green long sleeve shirt, and a day or two old beard
sitting on a floating hemispherical chair in the Fortress of Solitude with a
floating hemispherical table holding his manual typewriter. A flying
Kryptonian robot holds a stack of typing paper. The floor is littered with
wadded up sheets of paper. In another scene, Superman has just been blasted
by the Connor-7000 ion gun from Lex Labs Ñ I wonder if the Connor is John
Connor of Terminator fame Ñ enough to knock him through the plate glass
window of the front of a bookstore. Here he notices that CKÕs previous novel
is on sale: ÒTHREE NINETY-EIGHT? ItÕs been remaindered? Now IÕm really
annoyed.Ó Finally when he finishes the novel, Lois has proofread it and
they are talking:
Lois: You amaze me, Clark. Three hundred and thirteen pages of
TYPEWRITTEN manuscript Ñ and only seven typos.
Clark: ThatÕs ALL you have to say?
Lois: Is Rebecca Carr supposed to be me?
Clark: No, yes, SORT OF. No matter how I try to SEPARATE the
two, my life always filters into my work.
Lois: And vice versa. Plus you can live out your heroic
fantasies in your fiction.
Clark: Well the rest of my life is pretty mundane.
In summary, this book is a must read. I canÕt imagine a Superman fan not liking this book.
========================================================
PRE-BYRNE REVIEWS:
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THE SUPER-KIDS OF SUPERMAN!
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by Jon Knutson (jonknutson@aol.com)
Part 4 (of 5)
WF 228 (Mar-Apr 75) features a tale called ÒCrown for a New Batman.Ó
Bruce Wayne has been killed, and Batman, Jr. is ready to take over his
fatherÕs costumed role completely, until Dick Grayson appears, insisting
he should be Batman now. Clark breaks up the argument. The reading of
BruceÕs will doesnÕt reveal who he wants to take over as Batman, but a
large sum is left to Simon Link, who is BruceÕs former partner. That night,
Batman Jr. vows to succeed his father at BruceÕs grave, but Robin shows
up, as well. They agree to a competition, but are interrupted by a harpoon
tossed at them. The harpoon-thrower escapes. The next day, Simon Link
shows up, saying Bruce invested in his seal-hunting operations years ago.
The will says Link must take Bruce, Jr. to Smoke Island and show him the
character-building life of the arctic seal hunter before he can claim the
money, however. Link has retired, but Bruce Jr. suggests they join forces
to find Bruce Sr.Õs killer, since all the clues lead to Smoke Island anyway.
They are joined by Dick Grayson and both Supermen. The Supermen are
called off on an emergency. As their boat approaches Smoke Island, it is
attacked by Eskimos, but Link shells them and the island. Robin and
Batman Jr. go to the island, and find that the Eskimos who attacked them
were white men in masks, and that Link was behind the attack. They find
an Eskimo man who confirms that Link is his peopleÕs greatest enemy.
Bruce Jr. doesnÕt trust him, since he thinks the Eskimo, Malook, killed his
father. Meanwhile, Link has heard of an iceberg that has a man frozen
inside it. He and his men find it, and open the ice up to get the body, which
has a paper in his pockets proving who murdered him. The body turns out
to be a disguised Superman Sr.
During the ensuing battle, Link escapes disguised as a seal, only to be
killed by a killer whale. Suddenly, a plane lands, and Batman Sr. emerges,
alive. Malook did try to kill him, but Batman felt he had a right to hate
him for being LinkÕs partner. Superman and Batman arranged for the fake
murder to get proof of LinkÕs cries. Bruce Jr. and Dick agree that they both
realize they werenÕt ready to take BruceÕs place as Batman anyway.
WorldÕs Finest 225 (May 75), ÒThe Girl Whom Time Forgot,Ó opens when
Batman Jr. accidentally spoils the cover of a police decoy, and is berated by
his father. Meanwhile, outside Metropolis, Superman, Jr. accidentally spoils
a disaster drill, which provokes a lecture from his father. Later, the two
fathers talk and decide they have to come up with something to occupy
their sons. The next morning, Bruce Jr. goes to Metropolis to meet Clark
Jr., and the two go to visit Professor Hanson, an authority on Mayan
culture. They also meet HansonÕs son, Lance. The group is to go on an
expedition to find a possible living Mayan civilization.
Shortly into the expedition, they spot a beautiful girl with her leopard
watching them from a cliff. Suddenly, their boat is sucked into a
whirlpool. Clark salvages their equipment, but the captain of the boat
drowns. Bruce and Lance think the girl caused the whirlpool, but Clark
doubts it. They are later picked up by a helicopter, but as theyÕre flying
off, the girl appears again, gestures, and Lance falls out of the copter.
Clark fakes falling out to save him, but Lance is missing. Hanson decides
to head toward the city, but Clark and Bruce Jr. stay behind, changing to
their heroic identities to search for Lance.
Meanwhile, the girl and Lance have met up, and she takes him to her
city, which was the one LanceÕs father is looking for, camouflaged. The
girl, Mimaya, takes Lance to her father, Hunab Ku. Hunab Ku is upset at his
daughter, for she was supposed to destroy the expedition. He tells her
that all outsiders are evil. Lance finds that his father has been captured,
as well. Meanwhile, the super-sons find the city. Superman Jr. saves
Lance just as Hunab Ku is about to sacrifice him, and Batman Jr. reveals
that he saw a sunken plane labeled ÒItzlan ExpeditionÓ earlier in the
adventure. Hunab Ku is really Paul Somerset, who was HansonÕs partner on
that expedition. SomersetÕs wife died after giving birth to Mimaya, and
Somerset decided to raise his daughter untainted by human contact. Lance
and Mimaya leave the group as they argue about whether or not Hanson had
sabotaged Somerset, and Mimaya proposes a suicide pact. Superman Jr.
saves them, however, as Hanson admits his guilt to Somerset.
WF 231, Jul 75, features ÒHero is a Dirty Name.Ó Flight 312 crashes
into a skyscraper in Gotham, but Superman and Batman are on hand to pull
off the rescue. Later, as they receive the cityÕs thanks, we find that
Bruce, Jr. and Clark, Jr. are in the crowd, protesting the heroes. They
claim the heroes perform their tasks for the applause they receive. Clark,
Jr. suggests they face a jury of their peers to let them decide if the
WorldÕs Finest Team are heroes or ego-trippers. They agree to abide by
the verdict and the punishment.
A few days later, a special court convenes. Superman and BatmanÕs
lawyer outlines a series of good deeds theyÕve performed, but the super-
sons claim these were performed to boost their own egos. The jury finds
S&B guilty as charged, and are placed in prison. Later, we see the super-
sons feel bad about imprisoning their fathers. Suddenly, during a freak
snowstorm, a bus skids off a bridge, and Clark, Jr. saves it. Bruce Jr.
berates Clark for doing what theyÕve condemned their fathers for, but
Clark points out he did it secretly, so wouldnÕt get any thanks. They catch
a ride in a truck and overhear a conversation that convinces them the
drivers in the truck knew the snowstorm would happen. Keeping an eye on
the drivers, they stumble on a conspiracy to fool with the weather. They
change to their super-identities and spot a plane sabotaging a cloud-
seeding operation. They follow the place to its hangar, but are fired upon.
Suddenly, a grenade tossed out them is knocked aside by a well-place
shaft loosed by Green Arrow. Then the Flash appears, stopping the plane.
GA and the Scarlet Speedster tell the super-sons theyÕve been pursuing
this same group themselves. The super-sons claim they donÕt need the
help of adult heroes, but GA reminds them he saved Batman JrÕs life
earlier.
As the super-sons leave, they suspect that GA and the Flash could be
their fathers in disguise, but a quick check on the prison reveals that
Superman and Batman are still there. The super-sons proceed to an off-
shore oil well, where they spot TNT being dropped down the well. The TNT
explodes, creating a tsunami. Aquaman shows up to help stop it.
Meanwhile, at the oil well, Batman Jr. is attacked by thugs, but is assisted
by GA and Flash. The super-sons leave for Gotham, still determining that
their fathers were disguised as GA, Flash and Aquaman as well.
They discover their fathers have broken out of their prison, but they
only went as far as a nearby subway fire, where they rescued some riders.
The elder S&B team voluntarily return to their prison. They return to the
oil well, where they find a clue leading them to Volsung Island. Where the
criminals are launching a rocket filled with freon, which is to be used to
destroy the ozone layer. Supes and Bats Jr. lay into the crooks, with the
help of GA and Flash, who met them there. Stopping the rocket, the super-
sons discover GA and Flash are who they say they are. They then decide to
release their parents, deciding that heroes are needed to help people, and
grandstanding just allows people to show their gratitude. We also find
out that except for the last time, it was Supes and Bats Sr. disguised as
GA, Flash and Aquaman, and they had left their android doubles in the
prison.
Continued Next Month!
==========================================================
SUPERMAN JUNIOR
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by Bill Morse (BillMorse@aol.com)
I have been reading the Kryptonian Cybernet for the last three issues, and I
really enjoy it. The Superman of ByrneÕs tenure is my favorite, with the
Weisinger era a close second. I started reading Superman when the George
Reeves TV show was in its first run, in the fifties! I realized a childhood
dream when I finished college and art school in the mid seventies and got a
job at DC Comics, on the production staff. I did art corrections and
lettering for a year, and then got on with my real career, which is an
illustrator (not for comics).
My favorite feature in the Kryptonian Cybernet is the Pre-Byrne Reviews
section. I have an irrational nostalgia for those corny Weisinger plots, and
especially for Wayne BoringÕs artwork. You have run a couple of articles
concerning SupermanÕs offspring, mainly imaginary. One of my favorite
stories, which is not imaginary (it really happened in the imaginary world in
which Superman exists), is titled ÒSuperman, JuniorÓ. It originally appeared
in Action #232 in the late fifties, and the version I have is reprinted in
Superman Annual #7, in the mid-sixties. Wayne Boring drew it.
Superman sights a flying vehicle about to crash. By the time he arrives, it
has crashed, but its occupant, a boy about 12 years old, emerges unharmed.
He introduces himself as Johnny Kirk. The name triggers SupermanÕs memory of
an event that happened when he was Superboy. A reclusive scientist, Doctor
Norton Kirk, had moved to an isolated area with his infant son, Johnny, to
bury himself in research, and to forget the death of his wife. He sighted a
comet about to destroy the Earth, so, in a parallel with Jor-El, he decided
to save his son by sending him into space in an experimental rocket ship.
Afterward, watching the comet with his telescope, he was amazed to see
Superboy avert disaster and save the Earth. He had been so isolated that he
hadnÕt realized that a being like Superboy existed, one who could neutralize
the cometÕs threat.
Grief-stricken, he was soon on his deathbed, where he managed to summon
Superboy and tell him the whole story. Superboy searched through space, but
found nothing. He returned to the dying Dr. Kirk, who made his last request:
if Johnny ever turns up, please take care of him. Superboy agreed..
Back in the present, Superman realizes that Johnny has super powers. Johnny
remembers flying through a glowing space cloud. Superman plans to raise
Johnny and to train him to be his replacement. The two of them move back to
Smallville and adopt new secret identitiesÑNorton Kirk and his son Johnny
(sort of creepy, masquerading as the boyÕs dead father, but I bet it made it
easier to get a Social Security card).
There is a very brief period of Ògolden daysÓ, in which Superman and his
super-powered son enjoy going on patrol together, tackling missions together,
and simply having a father-son relationship. (Though unspecified, the
impression is that Superman has taken on a completely new life, abandoning
Metropolis and his Clark Kent persona.) The cover illustration is upbeat,
and somewhat poignant, given the outcome of the story: it depicts Super-Dad
and Super-Son enjoying a barbecue, cooking hot dogs with heat vision and
chilling lemonade with super-breath.
The golden days soon come to an end, as SupermanÕs powers begin to fade one at
a time. He figures out that the glowing cloud which gave Johnny his powers
also left some radiation on Johnny that is slowly draining SupermanÕs powers.
Figuring that it is irreversible, he sees a new urgency in training his
successor. Wishing to spare JohnnyÕs sense of guilt, he tries to hide his
fading powers. He uses his remaining powers to fake those he has lost, as
when he spins around at super-speed, causing a mini-tornado that stops a
runaway train, instead of using super-strength.
One night, Johnny wakes him with the news that a large meteor is overhead.
They fly up to it, and as they each make contact with it, Superman feels his
powers returning as Johnny loses his. Johnny admits that he heard Superman
talking in his sleep about losing his powers, and that Johnny was the cause.
JohnnyÕs telescopic vision spotted a meteor that had the lucky property of
acting as an energy conduit. (Now how did Johnny know that?) So Johnny
tricked Superman into regaining his powers, knowing that Superman would never
voluntarily take them back at JohnnyÕs expense.
Back on Earth, once Johnny has explained this to Superman, Superman expresses
gratitude for JohnnyÕs sacrifice, but then says, in effect, ÒItÕs been nice
knowing you,Ó and flies back to Metropolis, alone! He doesnÕt even take the
time to settle Johnny at an orphanage.
Obviously, Superman was not going to permanently alter his life and be a full-
time father, but the ending is handled in such a cold way. Superboy promised
JohnnyÕs dying father to take care of him, when neither of them dreamed that
Johnny would show up with super-powers. But then it became ÒYouÕll make a
great son, as long as you have powers.Ó Poor, heroic Johnny: immediately
after his noble sacrifice, he gets dumped by Superman!
I loved the story despite its dissatisfying ending.
========================================================
End of Section 4
========================================================
LOIS AND CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ
UP, UP, AND COMING:
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In this issue, we have reviews of ÒOperation BlackoutÓ and ÒA Bolt From
The Blue.Ó Since the only new December episode was ÒSeasonÕs Greedings,Ó
weÕll try to pick up reviews of some of the episodes weÕve missed in the
January issue.
Obviously, HERO was wrong yet again. The Dean Cain-penned episode was
titled ÒSeasonÕs GreedingsÓ and not ÒSeasonÕs Greetings.Ó L&C was not
preempted through the rest of December Ñ we were treated to reruns of
ÒAll Shook UpÓ from the first season and ÒThe SourceÓ from this season.
And this wasnÕt HEROÕs fault, but the ÒMetalloÓ episode was bumped up to
January 1. (IÕve got a sneaking suspicion that it was pummeled by the
Orange Bowl.)
January 8 will see a new episode Ñ something involving a martial artist.
Furthermore, rumor has it that John Shea will be returning as Lex Luthor
during the February sweeps!
Jeff
==========================================================
JOINED AT THE HIP
ÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑ-
by Zoomway
There are those among the fans of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of
Superman who are longtime fans of the Superman family of comics. There
are those who have only recently started reading Superman comics because of
their love for the television show, and then there are those, the largest
percentage I would guess, who are fans of the show, but have no desire to
ever read a Superman comic. Normally, this would be of little consequence
given that the TV show and the comic books contain significant differences
in their interpretation of the Superman legend. However, the powers that
be in both the comics and on the television show have been influencing
each other in strange, and not always satisfactory ways.
The comic book was effected by the television series long before the series
ever debuted. All speculation on why DC Comics would kill off Superman was
laid to rest (no pun intended) by Hero Illustrated issue number six from
December of Ô93. Hero Illustrated, a magazine for devoted fans of comic
books, ran an article titled, Bringing Superman Back to Life. In this
article, it is stated that it was necessary to delay the Ôwedding of the
centuryÕ (Lois Lane and Clark Kent are engaged in the comics) until the
characters of Lois and Clark on the TV series had time to develop, and since
the TV show hadnÕt even aired a single episode at this time, it would be
quite a while before the characters developed. This lead to the famous
death of Superman issue.
Fans around the world were stunned. The greatest superhero, the character
that actually defined superhero, was put to death in a slug fest defending
Metropolis. The story made the network news, and some wags commented it
must have been a slow news day. However, it was a rather full news day, and
the death of the greatest superhero was newsÑperiod. So it began, the
never ending influence of the television show upon the comic, and vice versa.
For those comic fans who might moan over this type of influence, it should
be pointed out that having another medium influence Superman is nothing new.
Indeed, if Superman had stayed true and pure to his original concept, and
allowed no outside contamination, then Superman would not be able to fly,
there would be no Kryptonite, and the character of Jimmy Olsen would not
exist. All of these elements of Superman canon came from media outside of
the comic book itself, but were eventually incorporated into the legend later.
A whole new generation of Superman fans will grow up with a married Superman,
and quite probably will look back at older issues where Superman was single
and think how strange it seems. Change is not only inevitable where Superman
is concerned, but it is probably the one thing that has kept him around for
over half a century. So, if the current crop of fans grouse at the idea of
Perry White saying ÔGreat Shades of ElvisÕ instead of ÔGreat CaesarÕs ghostÕ,
they can comfort themselves with the knowledge that this affectation may be
temporary, along with Lois LaneÕs resemblance to actress Teri Hatcher.
However, if these changes become canon, the children of the current fans may
chagrin their parents one day by looking back at those cherished old issues
and spout off at how dumb it sounds having Perry say ÔGreat CaesarÕs ghostÕ.
If comic fans look back to Superman issue #43, they will note that Lois
LaneÕs resemblance to Teri Hatcher is nothing new. This may in fact be where
the creators of the television series got the idea of how Lois Lane should
look (right down to the hairdo). Actor Dean Cain took a lot of heat because
he looked too young to play Superman, but he has worked tirelessly to make
his twenty-something Superman viable and real. He also penned one of the
more popular episodes this season which, more than anything else, resembled
a tribute to the sweet, sentimental Christmas Superman issues DC Comics used
to do so well. He even gave Clark Kent a middle nameÑJerome, no doubt a
tribute to Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel. Will this middle name find its
way into the comics? I canÕt say, but I will say it wouldnÕt surprise me
if it does.
==========================================================
AND WHO DISGUISED AS...:
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by J.D. Rummel (rummel@phoenix.creighton.edu)
A Christmas Wish
I havenÕt been watching _Lois & Clark_ lately.
Why? Because itÕs not as good as its competition. ItÕs up against _The
Simpsons_ and football-delayed reruns of _The X-Files_, two shows which
on the whole are many times superior to L&C. _The Simpsons_ is incredibly
consistent, having found a groove, the writers are working it brilliantly
for an incredible fifth season. _The Simpsons_ is high art and has earned a
place in the television hall of fame. _The X-Files_, (which I came to late
in the middle of its first season, hence the watching of reruns) is off to
a questionable start this season, but is regaining its momentum with truly
startling moments, periods of almost-over-the-line paranoia, atmosphere,
and even the Òhotsy tangoÓ of unspoken sexual tension.
When compared with these vehicles, _Lois & Clark_ is... embarrassing. A
friend who knows I write for the KC, started watching the show when I
recommendedit last year. He asked me the other day, ÒWhatÕs with _Lois
& Clark_? ItÕs not very good. I tried watching it the other night, and it
was so stupid.Ó
Yep, it sure is. Episodes like ÒThat Old Gang of MineÓ were so brain-dead
as to be almost cadavers of entertainment. The Òplot ideasÓ it put forward
have dirtied enough keyboards and wonÕt get a chance at mine. There have
been decent moments. One was the light comedy of the episode with
Resplendent Man. It worked for the most part, because of his less than
ideal qualities. Resplendent was most of us with super powers. Others
would be the excellent floating dance that concluded one installment, and
the charm of the Cain-penned Christmas episode. But these sterling moments
do not redeem the mess that _The New Adventures of Superman_ has become.
As I consider it, it is rare that Superman has ever been done to his full
potential. The movies generally didnÕt, nor television. Even the comics
usually have a bad odor of brains unused and spoiled. I suppose it is very
hard for a committee to produce quality work on a weekly basis 52 weeks a
year. I understand that consistent brilliance would be hard to maintain in
any medium, but in my heart I believe it is possible to do a truly moving
series about a guy in a cape who represents the best of humanity. Why
canÕt we have a show that uses the fantastic to illuminate the real? Not
with winking bedtime stories of true love, but tales about how such things
arenÕt all there is to life.
My Christmas wish, along with improvement in really important matters,
like people who are frightened, homeless and hungry, and whatever
problems may loom over each of you in the real world, is that _Lois
& Clark_ will try to put down the fairy dust and treat us to some stories
about an orphaned alien being who is in love with an Earth woman.
Merry Christmas to all and,
Away.
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EPISODE REVIEWS:
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Episode #6: ÒOperation BlackoutÓ
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By Marta Olson
US Airdate: October 30, 1994
Guest Starring: J.T. Walsh, Melora Hardin, Bill Erwin,
and Charles Rocket as ÒRyan WileyÓ
Written by: Kate Boutilier
Directed by: Michael Watkins
Operation Blackout is a typical episode in the sense that it incorporates
the changes the new producers wished to bring to Lois and Clark at the
beginning of this season. The romance is absent, and although Superman is
not shown much more, he is a larger part of the story.
The show opens with Lois, Clark, and Jimmy attending a military demonstration
of a new weapon, the ATAS (All Terrain Automated Soldier). At one point
during the demonstration, the ATAS appears to misfire and General Marshall is
killed while everyone else takes what little cover they can find. Superman
shows up and takes control of the situation. It was interesting to me to
note that although Superman helps Lois up from where she was taking cover,
she immediately began to look for Clark.
Back at the planet they find out that not only did Jimmy get pictures of
everything from his own feet to very blurry people, he also managed to get a
picture of a man who has been ÒdeadÓ for over a year Ñ a man who just
happened to be the fiancee of a college friend of Lois. The best lines in
this episode are when Lois and Clark are on their way to see Molly Ñ Lois
says, ÒSo what am I supposed to tell Molly? ÔYour boyfriends back, we think
heÕs causing trouble. Hey la Dey laÕ?Ó For those of you that may not be
familiar with it there is a song called My BoyfriendÕs Back and this fits
the song perfectly.
Molly was a computer programmer, but when her fiancee Ryan was killed while
they were working on the Hawkeye missile project (death from outer space),
she turned her back on technology and opened a new age store. She also wrote
a book about how technology is killing us. This opens an interesting debate
between Lois and Clark regarding technology and how it isolates us.
The basic premise for the story is that Ryan and Col. Fain, the second-in-
command at the military base are going to take over the Hawkeye, first by
destroying the base. In order to get as many troops as possible out of the
base and into Metropolis, they create chaos - all 10,400 traffic lights turn
green at the same time. Superman saves Jimmy from being run over and then
proceeds to stop all near disasters. There is a note left using quotes from
MollyÕs book about technology. Next, to add to the chaos, all phones and
computers shut down with more quotes from MollyÕs book.
Lois and Clark are convinced that Molly is involved. They go back to the
bookstore only to discover an empty apartment in the back with RyanÕs special-
order beer in the refrigerator. Clark hears screams and leaves while Lois
goes home. Superman delivers a baby and flies the baby, mother, father, and
car to the hospital. Lois is pushed from her apartment window just after all
the lights in Metropolis go out, but she manages to catch hold of a flag pole
with help from her purse strap until Superman can help her down. Which brings
up the question - What floor does Lois Lane really live on?
Lois steals a jeep, and she and Clark sneak onto the military base. Clark is
caught and put into the stockade while Lois finds the command center. Also
in the command center is Molly, who is tied up and was not part of the plan -
or at least not all of it.
There is an interesting scene where Superman flies alongside the jeep that
Ryan and Col. Fain are escaping in while citing why they are under arrest.
The power comes back on and life continues as if nothing had happened.
There are times when the dialogue between Lois and Clark seems a little
forced, itÕs more of a put-down type than the teasing we are used to. Clark
seems to enjoy hearing about how Lois was in college and re-emphasizing how
she really hasnÕt changed much.
The subplot to this story seems to be that once the computers go out, Perry
is able to call in Andy Tucker, who used to run a linotype and is very hard
of hearing in order, to still get the Daily Planet out. He also uses a short
wave radio to contact a source in Washington D.C. - Storming Norman -
Haverstapser that is. Jimmy gets to see that side of the business also and
starts building some of the camaraderie with Perry that was missing from last
year.
Although this was not the best episode I have seen this year, it was also not
the worst.
==========================================================
Episode #8: ÒA Bolt From The BlueÓ
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by Leigh Raglan (leigh4ck@aol.com)
US Airdate: November 20, 1994
Guest Starring: Leslie Jordan, Denise Crosby,
and Cindy Williams as ÒWandamaeÓ
Written by: Kathy McCormick
Directed by: Philip J. Sgriccia
Basic Plot
Lois Lane and Clark Kent pay a late night visit to the Perpetual Pine
Cemetery to check out a tip Lois received from Mrs. Cox concerning Lex
Luthor. Clark sees a man, Waldecker, about to commit suicide; Superman
grabs the man by the wrist as he raises a revolver to his head. At this
very instant, they are struck by a bolt of lightning and electricity
passes between them. After bending WaldeckerÕs revolver in half and
advising him to seek professional help, Superman flies off. Waldecker
drops the gun on the ground and gives it a kick... a SUPER kick which
literally sends it out into space. A woman we recognize as Lex LuthorÕs
physician from ÒMadame Ex,Ó Gretchen Kelley, observed this.
A day or so later, Lois is nearly run down by a car, but an instant
before Clark reaches her, a new superhero swoops her out of harms way.
Metropolis has gotten itself a new superhero Ñ one who charges for his
services; Lois receives a bill for $32.50 with the message, ÒA small
price to pay for being plucked alive from the snapping jaws of certain
death.Ó After unsuccessfully confronting Waldecker as Superman, Clark is
dismayed that ÒThis little guy just does not understand the
responsibility.Ó He also does not have a clue how his powers could have
gotten transferred to Waldecker since he had been struck by lightning
before without this happening.
Perry White wants the story on this guy and how he got his powers, but
Clark tells his parents, ÒI canÕt tell anyone (what happened) because I
donÕt want anyone else to know. Can you imagine every time that Superman
touched down he would be mobbed by people wanting superpowers.Ó
Meanwhile, Gretchen realizes that if she can duplicate the conditions
using electricity and a conductor, both she and Lex Luthor, who is still
deep-frozen in a glass coffin-like case, can have superpowers, too.
* * * * * *
The idea that ClarkÕs superpowers can be transferred by electricity to
someone else is obviously farfetched when you consider that Clark
himself only has powers because heÕs Kryptonian, and developed them over
the course of his lifetime through exposure to EarthÕs yellow sun. Aside
from this, the other problem with the story is how quickly and seemingly
effortlessly Waldecker adapts to having superpowers. When Clark got
amnesia in ÒAll Shook Up,Ó he had no recollection he had superpowers or
how to use them; even with prodding from his parents, he couldnÕt
remember how to fly, indicating that he had to learn how to use his
powers. Yet, by contrast, within a day or so after Waldecker got his
superpowers, he seemed pretty much in control of them. These kind of
inconsistencies in this show are what can drive fans absolutely bananas.
Despite this, in terms of pure entertainment, ÒA Bolt From The BlueÓ is
certainly the funniest episode in the ÒLois & ClarkÓ series. Just
hearing the words ÒResplendent ManÓ makes me laugh! Chock full of witty
dialogue and a sense of fun throughout, this is one of those episodes
which holds up to repeat viewings as long as you donÕt take it
seriously.
Anyone who saw last seasonÕs episode, ÒIÕm Looking Through You,Ó may
recall Leslie JordanÕs appearance as Alan Morris, the invisible man.
A few fans have already complained about a guest star making a
reappearance on the show in a different role as if this is a violation
of some unwritten casting rule (actually, even in the 1960s it was quite
common for the same guest stars to reappear in different roles in a
series). But I found Jordan as William Wallace Webster Waldecker to be
the perfect casting choice for the role. Just the visual contrast
between JordanÕs slightly pudgy five foot-plus Resplendent Man and Dean
CainÕs athletic six foot Superman is funny, while the concept of a
misfit becoming superpowered is a delight.
Humor abounds in the episode. In one scene, Clark even whistled the
opening bars to the ÒLois & ClarkÓ theme. In another, when Perry White
ordered Lois to drop what sheÕs doing to cover the Superman/Resplendent
Man fight, he told her, ÒI donÕt care if youÕre in the middle of the
Atlantic in a leaky lifeboat...Ó There was a scene when Superman
furiously told Resplendent Man, Ò...you do NOT use your x-ray vision to
spy on women in a locker room,Ó eliciting the response, ÒOh please, what
planet are you from?Ó Another amusing sequence had Waldecker asking
Superman, ÒWhere do you carry things like money in that outfit?Ó
without, unfortunately, getting a response we would all like to hear.
In his first encounter with Superman in the cemetery, Waldecker told
him, Ò...DidnÕt anyone ever tell you that two primary colors just do not
work together?Ó Shortly thereafter, Waldecker appears on the scene in
his own skin tight costume of light blue and orange with black boots.
Not since ÒVatman,Ó when Lex Luthor unleashed his Superman clone, has
Clark faced such a dilemma because, as with the clone, Waldecker is
physically his equal. Consequently, there is nothing Clark can do to
control him beyond trying unsuccessfully to reason with him. As far as
Waldecker is concerned, ÒIÕm just plying a legitimate, if somewhat
unique, trade to an increasing service-oriented economy. I would think
you would welcome the help.Ó But WaldeckerÕs TV ad offering a 900 number
to call if you are, ÒIn trouble, need help no mere mortal can
provide...Ó infuriates Clark. His behavior violates ClarkÕs sense of
integrity and morality, and he sets out to educate Waldecker on how to be
a superhero, ÒYou will take this to heart, you will memorize it, you
will live it...Ó Yet, despite WaldeckerÕs opportunistic ways, he remains
sympathetic because he is trying to raise money to pay for his sister
WandamaeÕs care in a rest home (A place for the mentally challenged, she
believes sheÕs Mrs. Lincoln).
Very little in this episodes takes itself particularly seriously beyond
ClarkÕs genuine dismay about WaldeckerÕs selling his services and his
extreme worry about the consequences of people learning that Resplendent
Man got his powers transferred from Superman. There is also a certain
amount of suspense as Lois is hot on the trail to uncover WaldeckerÕs
story.
When she does find out the truth, I found it dismaying that LoisÕ first
inclination was to publish the story regardless of the consequences.
Until she actually saw a demonstration of what could happen if
SupermanÕs powers were transferred to the wrong person, she seemed only
intent on doing her job as a reporter. This portrayal, especially when
it directly affected a man she professes to be Òcompletely in love
with,Ó not only revealed a certain lack of ethics on her part, but also
made Lois appear to be callous.
ClarkÕs occasional erratic behavior and inexplicable disappearances this
season have become increasingly obvious. While providing comic relief,
they are starting to make Lois look like a total idiot. Clark is struck
by a jeep, dragged under it, emerging with the entire back of his jacket
in shreds. Lois later sees the photo Jimmy took of Clark emerging and
she also saw the back of his jacket. Lois also knows that Clark seems to
be the only person who can contact Superman but never questions how or
why. Moments after mentioning to him that she needs to speak with
Superman, but does not feel like falling out of a window to attract his
attention Ñ a comment which really illustrates how infrequently she
encounters him Ñ Clark excuses himself on the pretext of getting his
mail saying, Ò...IÕm expecting my... ah... CHEESE of the month
shipment,Ó and dashes downstairs. The second heÕs out of view, Superman
lands, commenting that she doesnÕt need to fall out of a window. As soon
as Superman flies off, Clark reappears commenting, ÒNo cheese.Ó
The lack of romance in ÒA Bolt From The BlueÓ is disappointing. There is
no romantic continuity from the previously aired ÒThat Old Gang Of MineÓ
in which Clark got Òkilled.Ó I would have expected LoisÕ relationship
with Clark to have now been far warmer and closer, especially in the
scene in LoisÕ apartment when Clark arrives while she is interviewing
Waldecker. Although relieved to see Clark, Lois simply introduces Clark
as her work colleague, leaving Clark to announce that theyÕre friends.
Under the circumstances, I would have expected her to have treated Clark
as her boyfriend and for him to have pretended to be her beau as he did
back in ÒThe PranksterÓ when they met her old school friend, Loomis.
Considering the circumstances, ClarkÕs comment to Waldecker, that there
was nothing romantic between them, was rather odd.
The ending is overly long Ñ we do see a few too many power transfers by
Gretchen trying to get superpowers from Waldecker Ñ but is reminiscent
of the lab scenes in Mel BrookÕs ÒYoung FrankensteinÓ (Denise Crosby
even wears goggles similar to the ones worn by Gene Wilder in the film).
One loose end in the episode was that the SuperRat was not caught,
although I suppose one can assume that Clark eventually captured the
rodent, put in back on the transformer, reversed the transfer, and
removed itÕs powers. One thing is certain, it looks like we will be
seeing more of Lex Luthor in future episodes. Great shades of Elvis!
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End of Issue #8b
