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The Kryptonian Cybernet Issue 33
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T H E K R Y P T O N I A N C Y B E R N E T
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http://www.ms.uky.edu/~sykes/kc
Issue #33 - December 1996
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CONTENTS
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Section 1: Superscripts: Notes from the Editor
And Who Disguised As...
J's Comic Shop Adventure, Or, The Never Ending Battle
by J.D. Rummel
Superman: The Serial
Chapter 5: A Job For Superman!
by Steven Younis
Section 2: 1996 Superman Comics: The Year in Review
An index of Superman comics from the past year
Section 3: New Comic Reviews
The Superman Titles
Adventures of Superman #541, by Anatole Wilson
Action Comics #728, by William J Nixon
Superman: The Man of Steel #63, by Matt Combes
Superman #119, by Shane Furlong
Section 4: New Comic Reviews
The Superman Titles (cont)
Adventures of Superman #542, by Anatole Wilson
Super-Family Titles
Showcase '96 #12, by Rene' Gobeyn
Steel #34, by Dick Sidbury
Superboy #34, by Jeff Sykes
Superboy and the Ravers #4, by Jeff Sykes
Section 5: New Comic Reviews
Super-Family Titles (cont)
Supergirl #5, by Patrick Stout
Superman Adventures #3, by Cory Strode
JLA #1, by Matt Combes
Miniseries
Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy #2, by Rene' Gobeyn
Superboy/Robin: World's Finest Three #1, by Rene' Gobeyn
Section 6: The Phantom Zone
Super Friends
DC Comics Presents #67, by Joe Crowe
Rich Reviews: Superman #183, by Rich Morrissey
The Mailbag
Section 7: AfterByrne
The Spirit of The Season
Adventures of Superman #462, by Mark Lamutt
Manuscripts of Steel
Superman Vs. Aliens, by Denes House
Section 8: Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
The Script-ures, by Zoomway
Merchandise
Section 9: Coming Attractions
STAFF:
------
Jeffery D. Sykes, Editor-in-Chief
Arthur E. LaMarche, Executive Coordinator of Reviews
Nancy Jones, Executive Coordinator: Lois and Clark, S:TAS sections
Editors:
Chip Chandler Curtis Herink William O'Hara
Joe Crowe Bill Meeks Shane Travis
Steve Hanes Steven Younis
LEGAL DISCLAIMERS:
-----------------
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 information.
All original material published in The Kryptonian Cybernet, including but not
limited to reviews, articles, and editorials, are copyright 1996 by The
Kryptonian Cybernet and the respective authors. Reprinting in any format is
expressly forbidden without the permission of The Kryptonian Cybernet and the
contributing author.
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 can be distributed, in whole, 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.
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Back issues are available via ftp at oasis.novia.net. These archives can also
be reached via the Kryptonian Cybernet Homepage:
http://www.ms.uky.edu/~sykes/kc
_________________________________________________________
SUPERSCRIPTS: Notes from the Editor
------------------------------------
No editorial this month, so you won't have to put up with me griping about
things until at least January. As our subscribers recently learned, my family
has been going through some difficulties, and amidst these, I've been unable
to go home and spend time with them. The emotional strain has been great, and
it's caused me to let everything in my life slide for the past month and half,
especially the magazine. I'm finally going home (tomorrow morning!) and will
hopefully be able to restore some sense of order to my life.
Anyway, this has been the reason for the lack of a new issue until now. And
to be honest, I'm still not completely caught up. I'm going to go ahead and
publish for December everything that we have ready to go, and I'll begin
catching up a bit more when I return in January.
Next month, you can look forward to new reviews and articles about LOIS AND
CLARK and SUPERMAN, the animated series, as well as the Kaycees for 1996. It
may take a few months for us to get back onto a normal schedule, so please
bear with us.
I apologize for the delays, and I also thank those of you who have already
contacted me with your sympathy and support -- it means more to me than you
can possibly know.
In the meantime, everyone have an absolutely wonderful holiday season and best
wishes for the new year!
See you again in 1997, Superman's 59th year!
Jeff Sykes
Editor
_________________________________________________________
AND WHO DISGUISED AS...
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A Column of Opinion by J.D. Rummel (rummel@creighton.edu)
J's Comic Shop Adventure, Or, The Never Ending Battle.
My guess is that most of us buy our comics from one place. I buy mine at the
Merchant of Venus bookstore. I have been buying them there consistently since
probably 1979. "So what?" you may ask. Well, the Merchant is a science fiction
bookstore and over the years has been cutting back on its comic stock,
unwilling to do the market dance as comics have proliferated in a way that
only success and greed can explain. This didn't really occur to me clearly,
and I went about the business of living and getting an education in so many
other ways. As tomorrow and tomorrow did its petty pace thing, comic buying
became kind of a hobby instead of a lifestyle. Oh, I went to a few comic
conventions during the last seventeen years, and stopped off at some other
stores when out of town, but slowly I became pretty disenchanted with comics,
particularly Marvel and its mercenary view. I really put the mags on a back
burner. Over time, my set list of purchases distilled down to the archetypes
from which all comic heroes spring: Superman and Batman.
Anyway, two weeks ago or so, I listened to that little voice we so often
ignore. No, not the one that tells us to kill everyone in the house (if you
are hearing that one, I adjure you to seek help). No, this little voice said
to me: "Hey, that comic store down there in the strip mall is probably open,
check it out." And so, I swung the old red Nissan to a parking stall and
stepped into a place that once only occupied my dreams. Yes, my dreams. When I
was younger, actively reading, enjoying, even living my comic books, I dreamt
of places like this. A place of comics on the walls, cards and posters
everywhere. A place where the titles and covers were totally unknown to me.
If I had entered such a place in my youth, I would surely have suffered
apoplexy at the sight of the incredible spread before me.
On the walls above were comics from the sixties and seventies. I owned my own
copies of most of them, and the adult in me noted the asking prices, seeing
how my investment had grown. Behind me were bins with priced and mylar bagged
issues going back from last month to several years ago. On the wall racks were
current issues from many companies. I was most stunned by the number of
Spider-man and X titles. I knew there were a lot of mutant books, but I had
never really seen them all gathered in force. Then my eyes wandered across the
issues of the revised Avengers, Captain America, Fantastic Four, and Iron Man.
There was a lull in the hum of Saturday business, and the young man working
the counter was kind enough to explain some of the Marvel universe's recent
history to me. Apparently, some ridiculous menace called Onslaught was
succeeding where Galactus, Dr. Doom, and the God of Mischief had failed.
Actually, Onslaught didn't destroy these heroes, tired creative practices and
basic business did. The titles weren't selling well anymore. The writing and
art stopped setting trends and started following them. Marvel was
restructuring, much the same way DC had ten or so years ago. The flagship
titles had gotten lead heavy with accumulated legend. Thirty plus years of a
monthly schedule had taken a toll on the Bullpen and the Marvel age of comics
was long past. Now, the artists who built Image comics were being called back
by their former employers to breath new life into the company. As I looked at
the titles with their Image style art, I couldn't help but reflect on Superman
and the changes that came about when the fan boy icon of the eighties, John
Byrne, got his shot at rebuilding a legend.
I hope that Marvel does a better job than DC did. John Byrne over-extended
himself and instead of putting in quality work, he adhered to a schedule. I
understand how it happens, but it's still sad to see. Within two years he was
burned out, and whatever responsibilities he had for Superman got passed on to
a handful of other folks.
Superman today has lost most of the steam that the Byrne send-off gave him.
Today, to generate excitement (and a buck) they produce event issues like the
one killing him. Frankly, that's why they married him off, too. The whole
thing is pretty much motivated by money. I decided.
Bitter? A little. No understanding of how the world works? Not likely. No, I'm
just saddened to see a personal hero take a beating at the hands of his
keepers. Still, I've ranted here before about things. And you must know what I
did in the end. I spent some money on the revised titles. Ya gotta keep
hoping. That's the nice thing about being raised on Superman: one knows that
the battle is never ending.
Away
And Who Disguised As... is copyright 1996 by J.D. Rummel. Copying this
document in any format is expressly forbidden without the written permission
of the author.
_________________________________________________________
SUPERMAN: THE SERIAL
------------------------------------
by Steven Younis (younis@dot.net.au)
Let's get straight into it...
*CHAPTER 5: A JOB FOR SUPERMAN!*
Narrator: "At the Spider Lady's hideout, Professor Leed's Assistant, Morgan,
has revealed the fact that Superman is vulnerable to the meteoric Kryptonite!
He is then disposed of. The Spider Lady now considers the fate of her other
prisoner, Lois Lane..."
Lois is brought forward and begs the Spider Lady to set her free as she's been
blindfolded all the while and couldn't possibly tell anyone who the Spider
Lady was or where her hideout was located. The Spider Lady informs Lois that
she may well have let her go...if Lois wasn't a reporter. (Unknown to Lois,
they'd pulled a Daily Planet business card out of her purse.) One of the men
puts Lois up near the spider web (and I noticed quickly moved away). Again
flicking switches, the Spider Lady watches as Lois is drawn into the web. As
electricity painfully zaps Lois, she begins to scream, and the Spider Lady
stops the electrocution before it kills her, explaining, "I don't plan to
finish her here, I just want her to realize my power!" The Spider Lady's men
carry the unconscious Lois away.
Meanwhile, a groggy Jimmy (he was knocked out by the Spider Lady's men when he
tried to stop them from taking Lois and Morgan in Chapter 4) asks Lois'
informant, Hawkens, if there's a phone nearby.
Back at the Daily Planet, Perry's sarcasm is ripe as he compliments Clark on
how he's handled the "Love Lorn" assignment he gave him (last chapter, this
assignment prevented Clark from following Lois and Jimmy). The phone rings,
and Perry listens while Jimmy catches him up on recent events. Perry ends off
by telling Jimmy he'll send Clark right away. Before he can even hang-up the
phone, Clark is headed for the door. Perry calls him back asking him where
he's going? Much to Perry's surprise, Clark says he heard Jimmy say he was
down at "3rd and Front street". :)
The Spider Lady tells her men to take Lois to the warehouse in the city, even
though (as one man points out) the hideout's walls are made out of lead, the
Spider Lady insists that Superman won't get there in time to save her. Again
Lois' unconscious form is carried off.
Clark meets Jimmy on the street. They get in the Daily Planet car and while
Jimmy drives, he tells Clark that after meeting with Hawkens, who told them
that Morgan was looking to pass off information to the Spider Lady, two men
kidnapped both Morgan and Lois.
As Jimmy and Clark drive along, the Spider Lady's men drive by them in the
opposite direction. Clark (obviously using his X-Ray vision) excitedly tells
Jimmy that Lois was in that car -- blindfolded! Jimmy says, "I didn't see
her!" "But I did!" replies Clark, "Turn around!"
Clark instructs Jimmy to let him off at the next farmhouse so he can inform
the police. He tells Jimmy to keep on the crook's tail, not to let them out of
his sight.
As soon as Jimmy has driven off, Clark ducks behind a large rock formation and
reappears as Superman! Using his telescopic vision, Superman locates the
crook's car and flies after it. Grabbing hold of the tail-gate, he prevents
the car from going any further. One of the men jumps out of the car, shooting
a volley of bullets which all bounce off Superman's chest. The second man
jumps Superman from the side, but he's just thrown straight onto the other
man. Superman picks them up by the collar and knocks their heads together.
Using the car's rear bumper-bar, he wraps up the two unconscious men and
attends to Lois.
Once free from her bonds, Lois tells Superman that she thinks the Spider
Lady's hideout is in a cave somewhere, but as she was blindfolded, she has no
idea just where. She also tells him that the Spider Lady most likely killed
Morgan after he informed her of the effect Kryptonite has on Superman.
As Jimmy pulls up, Superman tells Lois to take the two men to the police. As
Lois runs to Jimmy, he asks her if she's okay.
"Yes, thanks to..." as she turns around, Superman is no longer there.
"Who?" ask Jimmy.
"Superman, he was here a minute ago!"
Jimmy can't see him anywhere, and wonders if Lois is really okay. :)
Back at the Daily Planet, Perry, having been filled in on the whole story by
Lois and Jimmy, insists that even though Lois was blindfolded she may be able
to remember the directions to the Spider Lady's hideout. Lois doesn't think
so. Jimmy thinks that maybe he and Clark could find the hideout, to which Lois
retorts, "Clark Kent couldn't find his way in out of the rain!"
"Someone mention my name?" Clark walks in smiling.
"It's safe enough for you now Mr. Kent, the danger has passed," Lois
sarcastically remarks.
"Well I'm glad to see you unharmed Lois. I let Jimmy use the car while I
phoned the police."
"That's one way of avoiding danger!" she replies.
Jimmy jumps in, "Oh don't be like that Lois! Clark did the best he could."
"Perhaps," she agrees, then to Clark, "But while you were out looking for
help, Superman came to my rescue!"
"Superman!" repeats Clark, "Quite a chap!" :)
Perry's phone rings, and when he hangs up after talking, he tells Clark to
turn the radio on to the police wave-length.
"Attention Superman! This is the Spider Lady. Something of great importance to
you will be stolen from the Metropolis Museum tonight. Nothing you can do will
prevent it. I tell you this because I've discovered your one weakness. You
will not dare interfere with my plans."
While Perry calls the Chief of Police, the others speculate whether or not the
message is a hoax.
Two policemen stand guard outside the Metropolis Museum, Lois walks up to the
policeman at the door. Once showing him her Press Pass, she's allowed up to
Professor Leed's office.
A fake car crash is staged up the road from the Museum. Hearing the noise and
a women's scream, the two policemen leave their positions outside the Museum
and rush to the scene. Two of the Spider Lady's men take their cue and break
into the Museum using some kind of electronic gadget. They make their way into
the Professor's office (the Professor and Lois are in the next room), and
using the same gadget, break into the safe.
As they grab the lead box containing the Kryptonite, Lois and the Professor
walk in. Professor Leeds struggles with the men.
The two policemen and a growing crowd have as yet been unable to get close to
the burning car involved in the crash, when Superman arrives on the scene. As
the woman's scream continues, Superman uses his Super-breath to blow out the
flames.
Back in the Museum, Professor Leeds is knocked to the ground. Lois also tries
to stop the men, but she too is thrown to the ground, knocking her head on a
nearby desk. The two men escape with the lead box, leaving their electronic
gadget behind. The gadget has a hose-like extension, which is jumping around
wildly (much like a loose garden hose turned on at full force).
Superman reaches into the smoldering wreck and pulls out a record player which
is the source of the female screams. There's nobody in the car. "We've been
tricked!"
Racing out of the Museum, the two men are picked up by a third man in their
get-away car, but Superman spots them and takes pursuit.
Meanwhile back in the Professor's office, the gadget continues to snake about
menacingly, heading ever closer to Lois.
On foot, Superman continues to chase after the get-away car.
Narrator: "Is Superman unaware of Lois' danger? Are the Spider Lady's men to
escape with the Kryptonite? See what happens in SUPERMAN IN DANGER - Chapter
Six of SUPERMAN at this theater next week!"
Be sure *you* see the next review in this e-zine next month!
A very fast paced episode! The scenes jumping back and forth between the
action in the Museum and outside with the car crash were handled very well. I
was a bit surprised at the Spider Lady's less than wise decisions in this
episode. She let Lois survive (thank goodness) and then told her men to take
her to the warehouse in the city, insisting that Superman would not have time
to intervene - which of course he did! And then tipping her hand by announcing
that she'll steal the Kryptonite from the Museum seemed a bit dumb, although
she did get away with it (so far)! :)
See you next month when I'll review "Chapter 6: Superman in Danger"
Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at any time with your thoughts and
reactions to my column.
You'll find the "Superman: The Serial" Theme Music and other Superman related
sounds for you to download (in .wav format), along with a number of Superman
gif files in the BITS & PIECES section of my Web of Wonders homepage at:
http://www.dot.net.au/~younis/web_of_wonders.html
I've also designed a puzzle called "Mr Mxyzptlk's Mix-Up Puzzle" that's
updated weekly. You'll find it in the GAMES & PUZZLES section there.
BTW, I am now maintaining a Superman Homepage at
http://www.dot.net.au/~younis/superman You'll find all the information about
Superman in the Comics, TV, L&C, Cartoons, Broadway, FAQs, Images, Sounds, a
complete Comic Index since 1986, Who's Who, Profile, Links, Icons and much
more!
Later!
Steven Younis
younis@dot.net.au
The "Superman: The Serial" Review column is Copyright (C) 1996, Steven
Younis. All rights reserved. Making copies in any format is expressly
forbidden without the written permission of the author.
_________________________________________________________
1996 SUPERMAN COMICS: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
----------------------------------------
Here it is gang -- a nearly complete list of the DC comic books which either
featured or guest-starred the Superman family in 1996. This is an almost
exhaustive list, though it's possible there are still a few minor gaps --
please contact me if you have further information! For further information,
including complete credits, reviews, ratings, and cover images of most issues,
see the web edition of the 1996 Year in Review (coming in January).
THE TRIANGLE TITLES
-------------------
1 - ACTION COMICS #717, "H'tros City!"
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Kieron Dwyer and Denis Rodier
THE TRIAL OF SUPERMAN - Superman versus the Cyborg and H'tros technology
2 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #52, "Crime and Punishment"
Story by Louise Simonson
Art by Jon Bogdanove and Dick Giordano
Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
THE TRIAL OF SUPERMAN - Superman defeats the Cyborg
3 - SUPERMAN #108, "No Escape!"
Story by Dan Jurgens
Art by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Cover by Dan Jurgens and Joe Rubinstein
THE TRIAL OF SUPERMAN - Mope sacrifices himself for Superman
4 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #531, "Justice!"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
THE TRIAL OF SUPERMAN - Heroes defeat the Cyborg (again) and return home
5 - ACTION COMICS #718, "By Darker Reason"
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Kieron Dwyer and Denis Rodier
New vigilante Demolitia arrives on the scene, Superman doesn't approve
6 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #53, "The Game"
Story by Louise Simonson
Art by Jon Bogdanove, Denis Rodier, and Dick Giordano
Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Denis Rodier
Superman faces Brawl, Lex and the Contessa reunite, Bibbo earns his shot
7 - SUPERMAN #109, "The Kill Fee!"
Story by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Ex-member of Team Luthor plans to kill Superman to help sell his book
8 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #532, "Troubled Waters"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Lori Lemaris returns, sparks jealousy in Lois
9 - ACTION COMICS #719, "Hazard's Choice"
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Kieron Dwyer and Denis Rodier
Superman and Batman race to save Lois from the Joker's toxin
10 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #54, "Ghosts"
Story by Louise Simonson
Art by Denys Cowan and Dennis Janke
Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
Superman and The Spectre battle a Native American spirit
11 - SUPERMAN #110, "The Treasure Hunt Caper"
Written by Dan Jurgens and Jerry Ordway
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Superman and Plastic Man team up to prevent a weapons test, sort of
12 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #533, "Scavenger Hunt"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Superman and Impulse foil yet another scheme of the Scavenger
13 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF TOMORROW #4, "...The World's Mightiest Mortals"
Written by Roger Stern
Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Brett Breeding
Superman and Captain Marvel battle the spread of DMN, the monster drug
14 - ACTION COMICS #720, "Love Breaks"
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Kieron Dwyer and Denis Rodier
Lois breaks off the engagement
15 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #55, "Something Fishy"
Story by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
Post-breakup, Jeb and Lois investigate mob dealings at the docks
16 - SUPERMAN #111, "Divisions"
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Ron Frenz, Denis Rodier, and Brett Breeding
Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Clark tries to reconcile, Superman and Lori search for Jeb's body
17 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #534, "The Demon Within"
Written by Stuart Immonen
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Superman angst, resolution of DMN story line
18 - ACTION COMICS #721, "The Fortune Plague"
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Kieron Dwyer and Denis Rodier
Metropolis is swept up in a run of extraordinarily good luck
19 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #56, "Mxyzptlk's Back...and he's in the money!"
Story by Louise Simonson (With a tip o' the hat to Jon Bog)
Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
Mr. Mxyzptlk tries to get Lois and Clark back together
20 - SUPERMAN #112, "Superman's Ex-Girl Friend Lois Lane"
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Cover by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
After capturing Killgrave, Superman takes Lois to Mt. Fuji to talk
21 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #535, "Love and War"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Lois and Lori chat, Alpha Centurion is discredited by Luthor
22 - ACTION COMICS #722, "Courageous Intent"
Written by David Michelinie
Art by Darick Robertson and Denis Rodier
Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
Lois discovers Contessa's wedding plans, tornadoes hit Smallville
23 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #57, "Blown Away!"
Written by Roger Stern
Art by Roger Robinson and Dennis Janke
Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
Superman and the Golden Age Flash battle the twisters
24 - SUPERMAN #113, "Secrets"
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Lois discovers Lex is marrying Contessa, Superman visits S.T.A.R.
25 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF TOMORROW #5, "To Have and to Hold?"
Written by Roger Stern
Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Brett Breeding
Superman tries to scuttle Luthor's wedding, but Luthor's a step ahead
26 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #536, "Identity Crisis, Chapter One: Cages"
Written by Tom Peyer and Mark Waid
Art by Chris Renaud, Curt Swan, Steven Butler, Chris Marrinan, Dick
Giordano, and Pam Eklund
Cover by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer
IDENTITY CRISIS - Brainiac plays hide the brain and takes Supes' body
27 - ACTION COMICS #723, "Identity Crisis II: Keys"
Written by Tom Peyer and Mark Waid
Art by Chris Renaud, Curt Swan, Chris Marrinan, Steven Butler, Dick
Giordano, and Pam Eklund
Cover by Dave Johnson
IDENTITY CRISIS - Brainiac tests his new powers, Supes/Chas escapes
28 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #58, "Identity Crisis III: Snares"
Written by Tom Peyer and Mark Waid
Art by Chris Renaud, Curt Swan, Steven Butler, Chris Marrinan, Dick
Giordano, and Pam Eklund
Cover by Howard Chaykin
IDENTITY CRISIS - Brainiac usurps the brains of Metropolis' citizens
29 - SUPERMAN #114, "Identity Crisis IV: Worldwide Web"
Written by Tom Peyer and Mark Waid
Art by Chris Renaud, Steven Butler, Curt Swan, Chris Marrinan, Dick
Giordano, and Pam Eklund
Cover by Kieron Dwyer
IDENTITY CRISIS - Chas helps Superman defeat Brainiac
30 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #537, "Creatures on the Loose!"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Doc Parasite breaks loose the monsters at S.T.A.R. Labs
31 - ACTION COMICS #724, "Losing Brawl!"
Written by David Michelinie
Art by Tom Morgan and Denis Rodier
Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
Superman and Burton Thompson recapture the monsters, Brawl resurfaces
32 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #59, "Prey"
Story by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
Superman interrupts Lois and the SCU's attempt to capture Doc Parasite
33 - SUPERMAN #115, "Love hurts"
Story by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Misa tries to mind-control Superman, Lois leaves the country
34 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #538, "Fatal Obsession"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Jimmy's ex-girlfriend tries to make Superman love her, Perry has cancer
35 - ACTION COMICS #725, "Variations on a Scheme"
Written by David Michelinie
Art by Tom Morgan and Denis Rodier
Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
THE BOTTLE CITY: Part 1 - Tolos returns to relocate the Man of Steel
36 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #60, "Shattered Lives"
Story by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
THE BOTTLE CITY: Part 2 - Superman continues to fight the inhabitants of
Kandor, Perry tells Alice about his cancer
37 - SUPERMAN #116, "Sacrifice for a Superman"
Story by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
THE BOTTLE CITY: Part 3 - Cil Gand sacrifices himself to defeat Tolos
38 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF TOMORROW #6, "Going to Extremes"
Written by Roger Stern
Art by Paul Ryan and Brett Breeding
Cover by Tom Grummett and Brett Breeding
The vigilante known as the Jackal returns to Metropolis
39 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #539, "Doppelgangster"
Written by Karl Kesel and Jerry Ordway
Art by Ron Lim and Klaus Janson
Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
A Cadmus security guard may have become the new villain, Anomaly
40 - ACTION COMICS #726, "Arms!"
Written by David Michelinie
Art by Tom Morgan and Denis Rodier
Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
Barrage returns to exact vengeance on Maggie Sawyer
41 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #61, "Losin' It"
Story by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
Introduction to Riot, Superman and Prof. Hamilton rush to the Fortress
to save Kandor
42 - SUPERMAN #117, "Sanctuary"
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
FINAL NIGHT Tie-in - The Fortress is none too welcoming...
43 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #540, "Curtain Call"
Written by Karl Kesel and Jerry Ordway
Art by Terry Dodson and Karl Story
Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
FINAL NIGHT Tie-in - Introduction of Ferro
44 - ACTION COMICS #727, "Cold Comfort!"
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
FINAL NIGHT Tie-in - Weakened Superman attempts to stop survivalist
group from stealing weapons
45 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #62, "To Build a Fire"
Story by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
FINAL NIGHT Tie-in - Superman gives the last of his strength to help
restore power to the city
46 - SUPERMAN #118, "From the Heart"
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Lois comes to realize that she does love Clark and wants to marry him
47 - SUPERMAN: THE WEDDING ALBUM
Written and Illustrated by way too many people to list here...
The wedding of the century
48 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #541, "Happily ever after"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art by Stuart Immonen, Jose Marzan, Jr., and Joe Rubinstein
Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Lois and Clark go on honeymoon in Hawaii, help Superboy
49 - ACTION COMICS #728, "I Killed Superman!"
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
While held captive, Clark flashes back to an earlier adventure
50 - SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #63, "Fireworks"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
Commando Lois frees Clark from his captors
SUPERMAN ANNUALS
----------------
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN ANNUAL #8, "Superman Forever"
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Derec Aucoin, Mike Collins, Jason Martin, Karl Story,
and Barb Kaalberg
Cover by Jerry Ordway
"Legends of the Dead Earth" - An alien thinks he's Superman after seeing
Jor-El's message to his son
SUPERMAN ANNUAL #8, "The League of Supermen"
Written by David Michelinie
Art by Kevin J. West, Tom Grindberg, Barb Kaalberg, John Lowe,
and Bill Anderson
Cover by Jerry Ordway
"Legends of the Dead Earth" - A group of heroes, each endowed with only
one of Superman's powers
ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #8, "A World of Hurt"
Written by David Michelinie
Art by Kieron Dwyer
Cover by Jerry Ordway
"Legends of the Dead Earth" - Bizarro's World!
SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL ANNUAL #5, "The Never-Ending Battle"
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Paul Ryan and Joe Rubinstein
Cover by Jerry Ordway
"Legends of the Dead Earth" - A Superman is found to lead the rebels
against the evil Lex Luthor (kept alive by cloning)
STEEL
-----
23 - "Wired!"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art by Phil Gosier, Rich Faber, Howard Porter, and Ron Boyd
Cover by ???
Tyke betrays his uncle, making Steel's family a target
24 - "Countdown to Destiny"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art by Lee Sullivan, Prentis Rollins, Drew Geraci, and Rich Faber
Cover by Phil Gosier and Rich Faber
Steel defeats Hardwire, reveals his identity to the media
25 - "Deadly Weapons"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Phil Gosier and Rich Faber
FAMILY FEUD: Part 1 - His identity exposed, both Hazard and the
government come after Steel
26 - "Buried Treasures"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Phil Gosier and Rich Faber
FAMILY FEUD: Part 2 - Steel takes it to Hazard and company
27 - "Fire Fight"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art by Phil Gosier, Keith Champagne, and Rich Faber
Cover by Phil Gosier and Rich Faber
FAMILY FEUD: Part 3 - Hazard and cronies are defeated by Steel and Nat
28 - "The Drowning Room"
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Andrew Robinson, Jim Royal, and John Dell
Cover by Phil Gosier and Keith Champagne
Plasmus kidnaps Nat to force Steel to make him a suit of armor
29 - "The Price"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Phil Gosier and Rich Faber
Doc Parasite and Dr. Polaris come for Steel's plasma weapon
30 - "Split Personality"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art by Phil Gosier, Ken Branch, and Rich Faber
Cover by Howard Porter
Steel mourns his grandmother, discovers Hazard's cronies are alive
31 - "Possession"
Written by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Phil Gosier and Rich Faber
Steel and Hazard's cronies battle an armorbeast
32 - "Herculean Labors"
Written by Darren Vincenzo
Art by Roger Robinson and Ken Branch
Cover by Roger Robinson and Dennis Janke
Steel is tested by the villain Blockbuster
33 - "Withdrawal Symptoms"
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Jim Aparo and Dick Giordano
Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke (?)
Steel helps Nat defeat the tar and his grandmother to rest in piece
SUPERBOY
--------
23 - "The Limits of Power"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art by Tom Grummett, Steve Erwin, Doug Selogy, and Ken Branch
Cover by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
Superboy battles the Technician
24 - "Like Damocles' Sword"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art by Tom Grummett and Doug Hazlewood
Cover by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
Superboy and Knockout team up against the return of Silversword
25 - "Whom The Gods Would Destroy!"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art by Tom Grummett, Jeff Moy, Dean Zachary, J. Calafiore, Doug
Hazlewood, Keith Champagne, Dan Davis, and John Lowe
Cover by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
LOSIN' IT: Part 1 - Knockout and Superboy battle the Female Furies
26 - "Strange Bedfellows"
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art by Staz Johnson, Dan Davis, and Doug Hazlewood
Cover by Tom Grummett and Doug Hazlewood
LOSIN' IT: Part 2 - Versus B.E.M., police begin search for Knockout
27 - "Ensnared!"
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art by Chris Gardner and Phyllis Novin
Cover by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
LOSIN' IT: Part 3 - Snare and the SCU try to bring in Knockout
28 - "Tough Love"
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art by Chris Gardner, Jason Armstrong, and Phyllis Novin
Cover by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
LOSIN' IT: Part 4 - Supergirl gives the Kid a talking to
29 - "Imminent Eruption!"
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art by Staz Johnson, Doug Hazlewood, and Dan Davis
Cover by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
LOSIN' IT: Part 5 - Knockout and Superboy meet Victor Volcanum
30 - "Lost & Found"
Story by Karl Kesel
Art by Tom Grummett and Doug Hazlewood
Cover by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
LOSIN' IT: Part 6 - Superboy realizes the truth and turns on Knockout
31 - "Summer Fun!"
Written by Eddie Berganza
Art by Paul Ryan and Vince Giarrano
Cover by Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
Bounty hunter comes for symbiotic organism giving powers to local geek
32 - "So, Tell Me About Superboy."
Story by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
While Superboy fights King Shark, Tana highlights the Kid's history
33 - "Running Hot and Cold!"
Written by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
FINAL NIGHT Tie-in - Love is confessed, volcanoes erupt
34 - "Going Mental"
Written by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
Rex leaves and Dubbilex's powers return
SUPERBOY ANNUAL #3, "Fathers and Suns"
Written by Barbara Kesel
Art and Cover by Anthony Williams and Andy Lanning
"Legends of the Dead Earth" - A Superboy and Superman on a planet
based on the ancient Aztecs
SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS
-----------------------
1 - "The Never-Ending Party"
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
HOUSE RULES: Part 1 - Sparx takes Superboy to The Event Horizon
2 - "This Ain't No Party!"
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
HOUSE RULES: Part 2 - Superboy battles Kaliber, Sparx and Hero go
exploring
3 - "Illegal Aliens"
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
HOUSE RULES: Part 3 - Battle with the Red Shift, trip to Rann
4 - "Political Party"
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
HOUSE RULES: Part 4 - Ravers band together to help battle Hyathis
SUPERGIRL
---------
Annual #1 - A "Legends of the Dead Earth" Annual
Three stories and creative teams
Cover by Ron Wagner and Bill Reinhold
1 - "Body & Soul"
Written by Peter David
Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
Supergirl and Linda Danvers somehow merge, becoming one person
2 - "Cat's Paw"
Written by Peter David
Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
Supergirl battles the cat demon Chakat
3 - "And No Dawn to Follow the Darkness"
Written by Peter David
Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
FINAL NIGHT Tie-in - Gorilla Grodd takes over Leesburg
4 - "Belly of the Beast"
Written by Peter David
Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
Supergirl overcomes her savage side and defeats Gorilla Grodd
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
-------------------
1 - "Men of Steel"
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
Cover by Bruce Timm
Luthor creates a robot which duplicates Superman's powers
2 - "Be Careful What You Wish For..."
Written by Scott McCloud
Art and Cover by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
Metallo kidnaps a girl claiming to be Superman's girlfriend
SHOWCASE '96
------------
1 - STEEL and WARRIOR in "Friends, Foes, and The Other Guys"
Story by Beau Smith
Art by Sergio Cariello and Rob Leigh
Cover by Sergio Cariello
2 - STEEL and WARRIOR in "Good Guy, Bad Guy, and the Other Guys"
Story by Beau Smith
Art by Sergio Cariello and Rob Leigh
Cover by Howard Porter and Chip Wallace
3 - LOIS LANE, BLACK CANARY, and ORACLE in "Birds of a Feather"
Written by Jordan B. Gorfinkle
Art by Jennifer Graves and Stan Woch
Cover by Gary Frank and John Nyberg
4 - GUARDIAN and FIREBRAND in "The Devil's Own"
Written by Brian Augustyn
Art by Scot Eaton and Prentis Rollins
Cover by Lee Weeks
5 - GREEN ARROW and THORN in "Fathers and Other Strangers"
Written by Darren Vincenzo
Art by Steve Erwin and Gerry Fernandez
Cover by Mike Zeck
6 - THE DEMON and SUPERBOY: THE ANIMATED SERIES in "Supersymmetry"
Written by Kelly Puckett
Art by Mike Parobeck and Ande Parks
Cover by Mike Parobeck and Howard Porter
7 - GANGBUSTER and CAPTAIN (MARY) MARVEL in "Playing With Fire"
Written by Jerry Ordway
Art by John Statema and Mike DeCarlo
Cover by William Rosado and Klaus Janson
8 - SUPERMAN and SUPERBOY in "The Hard Way"
Written by Karl Kesel
Art by Tom Grummett and Joe Rubinstein
Cover by Tom Grummett and Doug Hazlewood
SUPERGIRL in "Limited Resources"
Written by Peter David
Art by Terry Dodson and Karl Story
9 - SHADOWDRAGON and LADY SHIVA in "Honor Bound"
Written by Joan Weis
Art by Kevin J. West, Keith Champagne, and Ken Branch
Cover by Ron Frenz and Brett Breeding
10 - BIBBO in "The Bridges of Metropolis County"
Written by Paul Castiglia
Art and Cover by Denis Rodier
11 - BRAINIAC and THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES in "Brain in Vain"
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Derec Aucoin and Jason Martin
Cover by Steve Lightle
12 - BRAINIAC and THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES in "Roots"
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Derec Aucoin, Jason Martin, and Ken Branch
Cover by Steve Lightle
MINISERIES AND SPECIALS
-----------------------
SUPERMAN/TOYMAN #1, "Big Fun!" (Jan 96)
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger
The Toyman debuts Kenner's new line of Action Figures...
LEAGUE OF JUSTICE (Two issues, Jan 96 - Feb 96)
Written by Ed Hannigan
Art and Covers by Ed Hannigan and Dick Giordano
Mystical/Medieval versions of Superman, Wonder Woman, et al
DC VERSUS MARVEL/MARVEL VERSUS DC (Four issues, Feb 96 - May 96)
Written by Ron Marz and Peter David
Art and Covers by Dan Jurgens and Josef Rubinstein,
and Claudio Castellini and Paul Neary
Comic companies collide...
SUPER SOLDIER #1, "Secret of the K-Bombs" (Apr 96)
Written by Mark Waid and Dave Gibbons
Art and Cover by Dave Gibbons
AMALGAM combination of Superman and Captain America
SPIDER-BOY #1, "Big Trouble!" (Apr 96)
Written by Karl Kesel
Art by Mike Wieringo, Karl Kesel, and Gary Martin
Cover by Mike Wieringo and Karl Kesel
AMALGAM combination of Superboy and Spider-Man
KINGDOM COME (Four issues, Jul 96 - Oct 96)
Written by Mark Waid and Alex Ross
Painted Art and Covers by Alex Ross
ELSEWORLDS - Apocalyptic tale of DC Universe's future
ERADICATOR (Three issues, Aug 96 - Oct 96)
Written by Ivan Velez
Art and Covers by Roger Robinson and John Lowe
The Eradicator learns of his true nature
JUSTICE LEAGUE: A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE (Three issues, Sep 96 - Nov 96)
Written by Fabian Nicieza and Mark Waid
Art by Jeff Johnson, Darick Robertson, Jon Holdredge,
and Hanibal Rodriguez
Covers by Kevin Maguire and John Dell
The big seven team to stop Dr. Destiny and the Know-Man
ALPHA CENTURION SPECIAL #1 (Sep 96)
Written by Barbara Kesel and Stuart Immonen
Art by Dean Zachary, Wade von Grawbadger, and Pam Eklund
Cover by Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger
The aliens who empowered Marcus return to Earth
THE FINAL NIGHT (Four issues, Nov 96)
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Covers by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Earth's heroes try to save Earth when the Sun goes out
GUEST APPEARANCES
-----------------
GREEN LANTERN/SILVER SURFER: UNHOLY ALLIANCES (Feb 96)
Written by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Darryl Banks and Terry Austin
The Cyborg appears briefly, leads into DC VERSUS MARVEL
NEW GODS #10, "Sacrifice of the Gods" (Aug 96)
Written by Rachel Pollack
Art by Stefano Raffaele and Brian Garvey
Cover by Stefano Raffaele
Superman is enlisted by Highfather to help battle S'ivaa
NEW GODS #11, "Restoration" (Sep 96)
Written by Rachel Pollack
Art by Sergio Cariello and Brian Garvey
Cover by Stefano Raffaele
Superman and Orion continue to battle S'ivaa
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #85-86 (Oct 96 - Nov 96)
Written by Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw
Art by Lee Moder and Ron Boyd
Cover by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer
Superman meets the time-lost Legion, they help during FINAL NIGHT
PARALLAX: EMERALD NIGHT #1 (Nov 96)
Written by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Mike McKone and Mark McKenna
Hal Jordan destroys the Cyborg before saying his good-byes
POWER OF SHAZAM! #20 (Nov 96)
Written by Jerry Ordway
Art by Pete Krause and Mike Manley
Painted Cover by Jerry Ordway
FINAL NIGHT - Superman helps out Captain Marvel in Fawcett City
GREEN LANTERN #81 (Dec 96)
Written by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Darryl Banks and Romeo Tanghal
Superman speaks briefly at Hal Jordan's funeral
_________________________________________________________
NEW COMIC REVIEWS
-----------------
Ratings Panelists:
AW: Anatole Wilson JG: Jack Grimes RG: Rene' Gobeyn
CS: Cory Strode JS: Jeff Sykes SF: Shane Furlong
DC: David Chappell PS: Patrick Stout VV: Vic Vitek
DS: Dick Sidbury WN: William J Nixon
As always, the first rating given after the average is that of the reviewer.
The average rating given for each book may correspond to a larger sample
of ratings than what is printed following the average.
=======================================================
THE SUPERMAN TITLES:
-------------------
48. ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #541, "Happily ever after"
Written by Karl Kesel
Pencils by Stuart Immonen
Inks by Jose Marzan, Jr. and Joe Rubinstein
Letters by Albert De Guzman
Colors by Glenn Whitmore
Separations by Digital Chameleon
Pooped: Mike McAvennie
Still Recovering: Joey Cavalieri
Cover by Stuart Immonen, Jose Marzan Jr, and Patrick Martin
December 1996
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.4/5.0 Shields
AW: 4.0 Shields - Nicely paced adventure introduces Mr. and Mrs. Superman to
the world.
MC: 4.0 Shields - I'm still on the rush from the marriage, and so this whole
issue looked real good, actually (I'm not a big Immonen fan). My
favorite part, no doubt, had to be the final scenes. It seemed like
something out of a cool spy/action thriller! Oh, and hey, don't
forget my awesome letter...best one in there, of course!<g>
DS: 3.0 Shields - I suppose turn about is fair play -- Capture Clark to
get to Lois.
JS: 3.4 Shields - Some of the art looked a tiny bit rushed, but I enjoyed the
story. Especially nice moments were Lois blowing off Lex, Clark's
"blacking out," and Professor Hamilton being right at home in the
Fortress.
VV: 2.5 Shields - Okay, so the story was rushed. At least it was different,
as Superman doesn't face the "bum of the month" club; Superboy does.
And seeing Clark get kidnapped really provides a twist on why
Superman put off marrying Lois all those years. No one ever
mentioned that *CLARK* might be in danger being married to an
investigative reporter who obviously made some very dangerous
enemies because of her stories and actions.
What an honor! I get to review the very first non-imaginary, non-Earth 2,
non-Elseworlds -- in other words, the first "real" Mr. and Mrs. Superman
story. And I'm happy to say this story was not only interesting in itself,
but introduced some new developments that should be interesting in the future.
Before I discuss AOS 541, I'd like to digress and correct some things I said
in my last review. I tried to relate the history of Ferro Lad as I remembered
it, but a couple of readers -- most notably Derek McCaw -- wrote in to set me
straight. Ferro Lad not only appeared in the Adult Legion story I mentioned,
but then appeared a few months later in a story which also introduced Princess
Projectra, Karate Kid, and Nemesis Kid.
As Derek further wrote:
That original Ferro Lad was 30th-century resident Andrew Nolan, who had
the ability to change his body to iron, but had to wear a mask because
of his "non-human" face. He, too, had a brother Douglas who shared the
mutation.
Ferro Lad died saving Earth from the Sun-Eater (a feat which was echoed
in last week's Legion book) by carrying a bomb into its heart. His
ghost (yes, his ghost) appeared a few times after that.
Thanks for setting me straight, Derek. Now back to our regularly scheduled
review.
As AOS 541 opens, Clark and Lois are still being pelted with rice at their
wedding reception. As Jimmy sings a touching rendition of "High Hopes," Lois
and Clark decide (wisely) to make a break for it. As they say their
good-byes, it's clear that Lois' father is still ticked off at Clark, while
the Kents couldn't be happier with their new daughter-in-law. Perry White is
too sick to make it to the wedding, and Lois' sister Lucy (the ex-airline
stewardess) gets the couple two tickets for Hawaii. As the couple leave, they
encounter Lex Luthor, who makes an honorable gesture by giving them his limo
and driver for the evening. They decline the offer, taking instead Lois' new
Lamborghini, a story to be told another time. ("Report 1" license plates! I
love it!) These scenes were nice -- a finishing touch to the (dare I say it)
wedding of the century. I won't even question that a couple of issues ago,
Superman practically got Professor Hamilton killed trying to capture Luthor,
yet he doesn't even give Luthor a second glance here -- given the same
circumstances, I'd've just jumped in the Lamborghini myself.
So who here thought Clark and Lois would have a quiet honeymoon, especially
since Clark no longer has any super-powers? Me neither.
Oh, it starts quietly enough -- even the most talked-about consummation in
history goes by unremarked (thanks for the good taste, guys!). But any island
that can boast being the home of Superboy is unlikely to stay peaceful too
long. That stony being blowing up buildings is Kekona, who believes itself to
be the last of the Menehune -- legendary builders of Hawaiian folklore, sort
of like gnomes. Kekona believes that the new resort complexes are below its
standards, and sets out to destroy it.
Clark isn't able to give aid as Superman, but Lois -- always the reporter --
reminds him he can do plenty without powers. They follow, observe, and at a
key moment pass on a message from a shadowy figure that convinces Kekona that
it isn't the last of Menehune.
With Kekona out of the way, Lois and Clark set out to enjoy their honeymoon
again, but you and I know it's just not that easy. As they embrace, Clark is
shot and falls into the water. The bullet was actually meant for Lois, as
we're told by the gangsters in a motorboat who pick Clark out of the water and
speed off with him. Little do they know what trouble they're getting
themselves into; for, as Lois says, they're not just dealing with "Mrs. Kent,"
they've crossed "Mrs. Superman." Shivers of anticipation.
So yes, I liked this story -- there were many nice bits of characterization
and humor without getting schmaltzy, and the story was nicely paced. I
especially liked the Menehune, and I hope they'll show up again in SUPERBOY.
What was even nicer was that Lois and Clark were clearly partners in this
adventure, neither outshadowing the other. It bodes well, both for future
storylines, and for the happiness of this couple.
I wasn't as happy with the art -- Immonen's habit of morphing faces so they
look different in each panel was particularly distracting this issue.
However, the Menehune were visually distinctive and almost other-worldly.
I've never seen anything like them in my many years of comics reading; that's
a pretty spectacular achievement.
The Adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Superman have gotten off to a great beginning.
I'm looking forward to finding out who the mysterious gunsels in the boat are.
Anatole Wilson (awilson@vnet.ibm.com)
==========================================================
49. ACTION COMICS #728, "I Killed Superman!"
Written by David Michelinie
Art by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
Letters by Bill Oakley
Colors by Glenn Whitmore
Separations by Digital Chameleon
Associate Editor Mike McAvennie
Editor Joey Cavalieri
Cover by Tom Grummett, Denis Rodier, and Patrick Martin
December 1996
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 2.25/5.0 Shields
WN: 2.5 Shields - Flashback tale amidst the honeymoon in a disappointing
issue.
MC: 3.5 Shields - The flashback seemed like nothing more than filler space
because their honeymoon storyline wouldn't last a whole three issues
without it. Regardless, it was quite an original story, with only
Rodier's inks still taking points off.
JS: 2.0 Shields - Again the art looks a little rushed (can't wait til we get
back to our "regularly scheduled stories"), but it's a minor problem
compared to the story here. A conveniently timed addition to Clark's
past provides very un-subtle foreshadowing for his attempted escape.
Did we *have* to have one of the couple kidnapped on the honeymoon?
VV: 1.0 Shields - A long, long flashback that just goes to show that
(a) Clark can hold his breath for a long time, and (b) he is in
a sub. The first isn't necessary except as a plot device to get
to the second. And as it turns out next week, the *second* isn't
even necessary.
ACTION COMICS this month follows Clark as he lies kidnapped and powerless in a
prison cell. The cover has a gung-ho wannabe brandishing Kryptonite above a
fallen Superman. For the most part this issue was set in the heady early days
of Lois and Clark's engagement. The amount of cover space Lois gets, i.e. the
top right corner, is a reasonable representation of the amount of space she
gets inside.
Clark is being held by Rajiv Naga, brother to the man Lois had incarcerated in
THE WEDDING ALBUM. The cell is wired with sensors which track heartbeat and
respiration so that his captors can keep an eye on him. Well at least half an
eye.
Meanwhile Lois has a small walk-on part as the aggrieved wife. She was
mistakenly arrested for Clark's shooting and, now freed, has vowed to track
him down. There is something almost self-conscious about the references to
husband which Lois makes, but a married friend has told me that that's the
great thing about the honeymoon. It's the ideal time for a new married couple
to get used to their new status.
Trapped as he is, and without his super powers, Clark thinks back to a similar
time when his powers would not have helped him -- cue flashback. It's the
early days: Lois and Clark are newly engaged, the secret identity has been
revealed, and Clark is meditating. His mind and body are at one as taught by
the Yogi of Bhutran.
A 'Nobody' has wired a building with C-4 to help him fulfill some sad ambition
to be known as the man who killed Superman. He blows up an abandoned building
to show he isn't joking. Superman attends to it and returns with a lead lined
box. Attached to a heart monitor, he opens the box to reveal Kryptonite and
the 'Nobody' watches him flatline. Flushed with success, the killer emerges
only to discover that the Kryptonite was fake and Superman remains alive.
In the present, Clark fakes his own death to lure his captors into his cell.
He makes a bid for freedom, only to discover that he is aboard a submarine.
To be continued...
I have to admit that I was disappointed with this issue, coming as it did
after the heroics of the FINAL NIGHT and then THE wedding. The flashback tale
felt like filler as everything else in the Super-universe was put on hold. It
was laced with irony, of course ("It's good to know there'll never be a
conflict between what she [Lois] wants and what I have to do"), but it didn't
grab and hold my attention in the same way the last couple of Super-issues
have. It was well-constructed but felt as self-contained as Clark's cell.
The flashback solved the "appearance of Superman problem," but I would have
been happy to see more of Clark, or Lois' attempts to find him.
Grummett and Rodier delivered the short back and sides for a Superman without
long hair. I think this was the most jarring element for me. I have become
so used to seeing Superman with long hair that it will take a couple of issues
to get used to the old look. I have to admit that I was firmly in the "long
hair" camp, but times change and it's been a good run.
William J Nixon (W.J.Nixon@lib.gla.ac.uk)
==========================================================
50. SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #63, "Fireworks"
Story by Louise Simonson
Pencils by Jon Bogdanove
Inks by Dennis Janke
Letters by Ken Lopez
Colors by Glenn Whitmore
Separations by Digital Chameleon
Associate Editor Mike McAvennie
Editor Joey Cavalieri
Cover by Jon Bogdanove, Dennis Janke, and Patrick Martin
December 1996
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 1.7/5.0 Shields
MC: 2.0 Shields - Bleh. Lois & Clark meets Rambo. Gimme a break. I like
Lois as a feisty, no-nonsense, on-her-own woman, but this is
ridiculous.
JS: 1.0 Shields - Worst issue of MAN OF STEEL in a *long* time. Substandard
art, even for Bog and Janke, and Louise Simonson gets stuck writing
an unbelievable action story. I don't remember Lois having *this*
level of commando skills...
VV: 2.0 Shields - This rating aided by knowing that this is the end of the
arc. Lois gets incredible muscles in this story. It is good to see
that she is a good little scrapper, but overall not very interesting.
Well lookie here ... it's Mission: Impossible meets Rambo meets Superman.
Whoop-dee-doo.
First, the quick summary: This is the final installment of the honeymoon
storyline in the Superman titles. Clark is powerless from the sun snuff-out
back in Final Night, and he still hasn't regained his powers. He's been
captured by a man named Rajiv, brother of the guy Lois set up in the opening
pages of SUPERMAN: THE WEDDING ALBUM. He really wants Lois because she has a
special knife that one of Rajiv's brother's men had, andit contains a special
program hidden in the hilt. He's using Clark as a hostage to draw Lois to
him. She gets some inside info of her own and makes her way to the place
where they're hiding out. Using her Metropolis S.C.U. training, she fights
her way through the baddies until she gets to the main HQ. She distracts
Rajiv by blowing up the munitions warehouse, frees Clark, and they begin to
escape -- only to get caught again and tied to a post. Blasting caps Lois had
set earlier go off, and everyone thinks it's the Marines. Lois uses some
fancy footwork to let her and Clark escape again, and they are rescued by the
Coast Guard.
Gimme a break. Really. I love Lois and all, but this is really ridiculous.
I haven't *really* enjoyed a good story since "Reign of the Supermen" until
the wedding came along and the beginning of the honeymoon took place. The end
of the first issue (ADV #541) had me really interested because it almost felt
like a kind of spy/espionage thriller storyline. And now I had to go and be
disappointed. Way of the world, I guess.
Lois may have been trained by the S.C.U., but she isn't a one-man army. MOS
#63 made her out to be the female Rambo. Kicking and punching her way through
the bad guys (who had guns, I might add), she's suddenly MacGyver. Using
99.9% of her brain, she sneaks into a munitions warehouse (apparently guarded
by like one person) and takes a box of explosives, turns around, and blows up
the shed. Somewhere between then and the time she sneaks through the window
to save Clark (dressed in camo pants, a tanktop, and a baseball cap ...
yeesh), she places these explosives by a generator shed -- just "knowing" that
she might have to use them later. After getting caught helping Clark escape,
they're both tied up, and then all of a sudden, *blasting caps* she had placed
earlier (also off-panel) go off at *just* the right moment. Boy, that Lois
... what a catch, huh? Wonder if she can make a bomb out of gum and a paper
clip, too.
There was some speculation and concern surrounding this issue from preview
comments that said Clark was going to reveal his secret identity under the
influence of truth serum (ahem ... a la "True Lies"). No big deal here,
though -- after all, void of his powers, Clark doesn't exactly fit the
stereotype everyone has of Big Blue. I guess since *human* truth serum seems
to affect Kryptonians in the same way, there doesn't need to be any discussion
when it comes to the "can they or can't they?" debate. Except for these
little things like flight and super-strength, I would think that Kryptonians
and humans are one and the same...
Well, anyways, Bogdanove's art hasn't grown on me any more than before. It's
still too cartoony for me. That's great for all the times when Mxyzptlk
appears, but then again, how often does Mxyzptlk appear? <g>
I was really disappointed with this issue. Let's hope Simonson doesn't turn
out anymore of this really far-fetched stuff. Clark is Superman, he does the
heroics. Lois is Lois, she does the hard-core investigative journalism and
gets herself into trouble. She doesn't become Arnold Schwarzenegger. And all
you PCers (that would be politically correct, not the computer platform) that
want to get on my case about women doing everything just as good as a man,
etc... hey, fine. But when Lois starts sporting a bandanna and carries a
machete to work, I'll know it's time to give up the Superman titles...
Matt Combes (MrNandoX@aol.com)
==========================================================
(BEGIN 1997 TRIANGLE NUMBERS)
-----------------------------
1. SUPERMAN #119, "Sunburned!"
Story by Dan Jurgens
Art by Ron Frenz and Joe Rubinstein
Letters by John Costanza
Colors by Glenn Whitmore
Separations by Digital Chameleon
Associate Editor Mike McAvennie
Editor Joey Cavalieri
Cover by Ron Frenz, Joe Rubinstein, and Patrick Martin
January 1997
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.3/5.0 Shields
SF: 4.0 Shields - Really a nice issue. Good story, great art, the whole
package.
DC: 3.4 Shields
MC: 3.9 Shields - Lex a father, eh? Nice to see the Luthor name will live on
without sticking the original in one new body after the other. I'm
finding this "Power Struggle" storyline interesting -- I have
absolutely no idea why he doesn't have his powers back, which is
different from the usual problems the titles pose, wherein it's so
easy to have it all figured out before it comes to a conclusion.
DS: 2.0 Shields - Somehow seeing Superman as a liar and a sneak thief
doesn't inspire me.
VV: 3.0 Shields - Good to see the Legion involved, although you'd think that
they would catch on a little quicker that the cure may be worse than
the disease. Of course, what is Luthor still doing walking around
free?
Synopsis:
This issue is concerned with Clark trying to get his powers back. He enlists
the help of the time-lost Legion of Super-Heroes, especially Brainiac 5.
There is a nice contrast in the beginning of the story with Clark feeling
powerless and Perry feeling the same way while undergoing chemotherapy. Clark
and the LSH both have the same idea -- go to Lexcorp and see if the technology
they have there can help them get what they want.
Lex has problems of his own, as his new bride informs him she is pregnant.
She's not happy about it, but Lex seems pleased. Clark is unable to sneak in
without setting off alarms, and Lex is alerted but allows him to borrow a
spaceship, and to make use of the Lexcorp space station to perform experiments
on the sun. Jurgens manages here to throw in reference to the SUPERMAN VS
ALIENS miniseries and maybe lay to bed whether it is or is not in continuity.
The real reason is that Clark wants to get closer to the sun and hopes that
with Brainy's help he can get his powers back. The attempt fails and Brainy
is at a loss to explain why. I think there is more to this power loss than
Final Night. If you go back to SUPERMAN #117, there were hints given that all
is not as it seems with Clark when the robots in the fortress couldn't
recognize him. Anyway, in the end Clark walks away from Lexcorp dejected, and
Luthor's curiosity is peaked over what exactly is going on.
Story: 3.5 Shields
Really not a lot of action, but a satisfying story none the less. No jumping
from scene to scene too much. For this issue they left some of the sub-plots
to stew. I'm not sure I agree with the morality of Clark lying and sneaking
into Lexcorp, even it is to Luthor. Jurgens does give a nice contrast with
Perry's illness and really manages to impart the helplessness and depression
overtaking Clark without his powers.
Art: 4.0 Shields
Another sterling effort from Frenz and Rubinstein. The cover was fantastic.
One 20th century technology that Brainiac seems to have discovered is the
Perfect Abs machine. The Legionnaires were drawn well also. The splash page
on page 18 was particularly nice. The colors were also great.
Shane Furlong (Shane.Furlong@evolving.com)
_________________________________________________________
THE SUPERMAN TITLES (cont):
--------------------------
2. ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #542, "Power Trip!"
Written by Karl Kesel
Guest Pencils by Paul Ryan
Inks by Jose Marzan, Jr.
Letters by Albert De Guzman
Colors by Glenn Whitmore
Separations by Digital Chameleon
Associate Editor Mike McAvennie
Editor Joey Cavalieri
Cover by Stuart Immonen, Jose Marzan Jr, and Patrick Martin
January 1997
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 2.8/5.0 Shields
AW: 2.5 Shields - Flashes of fun and intrigue inspire an otherwise
pedestrian issue.
DC: 3.2 Shields - Too much flashback; too little current story. Elaborate
scheme to explain a new "power" for Clark.
MC: 3.5 Shields - I like watching how Clark handles being Superman without
powers. His own determination and will let him still handle the role
of a superhero even without super-strength, flight, or any of the
other things. The Misa story was okay. But for some reason I didn't
enjoy Ryan's art as much I do in MOT.
JS: 2.0 Shields
Good and bad vibes from this issue, folks. We've got hoodlums and Hairies,
Cadmus and conspiracies, Guardians and gizmos. With such a wild combination
of happenings, you're bound to have mixed results.
So here's what happened:
A non-powered Superman stops a robbery with a little muscle and a lot of
bluffing. Then he heads on in to a warehouse that is actually a secret
entrance to Cadmus laboratories, with the hope that they can figure out how to
restore his powers. Unfortunately, an appearance from Jude, Sky, and the
Hairies Interrupts their experiment. They're interrupted in turn by Misa, who
twists Sky's psychedelic SLD (Synapse Link Device) into an MVT (Misa's Virtual
Terrain).
Meanwhile, conspiracies are afoot. Lex Luthor turns himself in, expecting to
be exonerated after his "heroic" efforts in saving the world from Final Night.
But he's double-crossed by his wife, the Contessa, who has planted evidence
linking him with the also-trumped-up charges that Lori Lemaris is dealing in
illegal artifacts. I'm not sure I understand what it's all about, other than
the Contessa wants to keep Luthor occupied until their child is born. How
this involves Lori is something we'll find out in the future.
Another set of secret happenings involves Floyd Barstow, AKA Anomaly. He's
taken to hiding when his Anomaly persona takes over and begins destroying
things, but a shadowy figure finds him and offers him hope -- for a price.
Superman overloads Misa's MVT device, but her little game damages the Cadmus
equipment. The issue ends with Superman borrowing the Whiz Wagon to travel to
his Fortress of Solitude, and with Floyd meeting his shadowy "benefactor."
So now the good stuff -- Superman bluffing out the two muggers, who have to
weigh their desperation against the chances of beating Superman. And there
was a cute -- if somewhat slightly obvious -- pun in the hoodlum's names: I
guess Vinnie, Vedi, Vicki translates into "We came, we mugged, we got our
butts kicked."
It was also nice to see Luthor outmaneuvered in court. I've given up hope of
seeing Superman directly beat Luthor (an impossibility with the post-Byrne
Superman -- and no, I don't count the happenings around ACTION #700 as a
direct beating), but at least I can take satisfaction in watching Luthor get
his comeuppance once in a while.
The bad stuff -- I've never been a big Kirby fan, so every time I see his
outdated, alliteratively-named creations, I just turn off. Misa isn't a
danger, or even much of a menace. She's just a pain. And her interference at
Cadmus just seemed to be a contrivance to kill an issue. If we're going to
have to sit through stories where the conflict is trivial, at least let's make
the story worth reading. The journey should be just as interesting the
destination.
It didn't help that the art was uninspired. Kirby or Ditko (or Walt Simonson
or Marshall Rogers) could pull off a psychedelic virtual reality with giant
mouths chasing scientists around -- here it just looked silly.
I enjoyed this issue. A lot went on, and the humorous touches kept me
interested. At the same time, the creative teams often forget the principle
that made "The Fugitive" so popular for so many years: He never got any closer
to the one-armed man, but every story had a human element that made it
important in itself. The audience never felt like they were just being put
off. To me, Misa is inconsequential, and the "struggle" meant little or
nothing to either her or Superman. Nobody won.
So I give credit to Kesel for keeping me interested in a throwaway issue. I
wish the main events were more interesting, but the side events gave this
issue its own special character.
Anatole Wilson (awilson@vnet.ibm.com)
=======================================================
SUPER-FAMILY TITLES:
-------------------
SHOWCASE '96 #12, "Roots"
Featuring Brainiac and the Legion of Super-Heroes
Written by Tom Peyer
Pencils by Derec Aucoin
Ink by Jason Martin and Ken Branch
Colors by Adrienne Roy
Letters by Ken Bruzenak
Associate Editor Chris Duffy
Editor Frank Pittarese
Cover by Steve Lightle
Winter 1997
$2.95 US/$4.25 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.4/5.0 Shields
RG: Story: 3.5 Shields - Good use of all of the characters.
Art: 4.0 Shields - Good perspectives and shading.
DC: 3.4 Shields - Nice to see all the Brainiacs, but the ending was rushed.
JS: 3.6 Shields
VV: 3.0 Shields - A little confusing at times, but overall, a good follow-up
to the last issue. For Legion followers, it sets up a lot of
potential stories as far as what will be done when Team20 returns to
the 30th century, now that Brainy knows about Colu's millennium of
stagnation.
Overall the three stories in this issue are some of the best that have been
done in this book. As this is the last issue of this title, it's nice to see
that they are going out with a little style.
Vril Dox (Brainiac 2) has decided to go to Colu to free the planet from his
father, in his usual devious and underhanded way. Since retiring from
L.E.G.I.O.N. he has taken up Botany. He requests LEGION to send one of their
agents (who is an intelligent plant) to take him to Colu. He neglects to tell
the agent his plans, and about the level of planetary defense that Colu has
around it. They are shot down and crash into the city just as the Legion
escapes. (The scene where Shvaughn convinces the prison guard to give her
back her gun is priceless.) Dox convinces the Legion to run a diversion while
he and the LEGION agent go to confront Brainiac.
Once inside, he gives the LEGION agent a drug that causes it to grow
uncontrollably. This has the effect of shutting down all of Brainiac's
equipment and (incidentally) freeing Brainiac 5. While Brainiac is fighting
with Dox, Brainiac 5 takes a more direct approach and knocks out Brainiac with
a branch.
The story ends with Vril Dox, the Legion, and Brainiac 5 being kicked off the
planet. The Coluans decided that they will ban all further technical
development in favor of pure research. Vril Dox and the LEGION agent take the
Legionnaires back to earth.
"Overrun"
Starring Jesse Quick
Story by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn
Art by Oscar Jimenez and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Letters by Spike
Colors by Tom McCraw
Edited by Ali Morales
No "Super" content - not rated
An excellent, fun story. My favorite in the book.
Jessie Quick loses her speed power. Unfortunately she had started to depend
on her powers to get through her day. She quickly learns that this was a
mistake.
"Rough Air"
Starring King Faraday and Sarge Steel
Written and Pencilled by Stuart Immonen
Inked by Dick Giordano
Lettered by Willie Schubert
Colored by Chris Chuckery
Edited by Mike McAvennie
No "Super" content - not rated
Good solid story, I enjoyed it.
Steel and Faraday are responsible for getting some foreign diplomats to
Washington for a summit. When the plane is stolen by terrorists acting as the
crew, Faraday and Steel must work together to get back in control. It's not a
good working relationship.
Rene' Gobeyn (gobeyn@kodak.com)
==========================================================
STEEL #34, "Bang"
Written by Christopher Priest
Layouts by Denys Cowan
Finishes by Tom Palmer
Letters by Pat Brosseau
Computer Colors by Stu Chaifetz
Associate Editor Chris Duffy
Editor Frank Pittarese
Cover by Dave Johnson
January 1997
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.0/5.0 Shields
DS: 2.0 Shields - The start of a new creative team. I'm trying to give
them the benefit to start out, but so far it's not promising.
JS: 4.0 Shields - Wonderful dialogue and characterization from Priest, but
it's going to take some time to get used to the Cowan/Palmer art.
Story:
Steel moves to New Jersey. This issue is a very low-key issue in which
nothing much (in the way of action) happens. We are introduced to the cast of
characters, new characters in Jersey City and old characters with new slants.
The story opens with a splash page showing Steel's hammer imbedded in the
engine block of an automobile in the middle of the street. Murray, the driver
of the cab is hunched over the steering wheel with blood streaming out of his
face. The driver was stealing the cab to use as a getaway car from a holdup
when he wrecked it. The cabbie comes out (from where ever he was) and sees
this. He pulls a gun and threatens the driver, when one (or more) concerned
citizen(s) say: "Hey -" "Woah -". The cabbie turns around and threatens the
crowd with his pistol and EVERYONE in the crowd draws iron, including a nun
(or at least a woman dressed as a nun). While the crowd distracts the cabbie,
the perp knocks the gun out of his hand and inadvertently spills his blood on
the cabbie, who freaks out about touching strange blood given the possibility
of AIDS. The entire crowd disperses in panic over HIV. Murray then notices
Steel standing in front of the car with his new costume splashing up a full
page. The new costume has a stylized S-Shield attached to the costume with
two rivets whose heads are about the size of your chin. He is wearing a cape
that is longer than any Todd Macfarlane or Kelly Jones Cape has ever been.
There are also a bunch of flexible (pardon the term) conduits running around
the costume in a way that makes them resemble muscles and tendons. And
Steel's eyes have turned pink, although they are still slits, a la Batman.
Murray shoots Steel in the new costume which of course does no good, except to
cause the bullets to ricochet into bystanders. In this case the bystander is
Murray and the ricochet is fatal. The cops show up at the scene and try to
arrest Steel, who then threatens the crowd and the cops with his heat vision.
Since no one in Jersey City reads comic books they didn't know that Steel has
no heat vision and so they back off.
Up steps a short fat broad, named Margot, smoking a cigar. She's a cop.
Based on my first impression, she's also probably a clone of Amanda Waller (of
Suicide Squad fame). She runs the city. John flies away after promising to
return to get his hammer and fill out some reports.
He changes into a business suit to attend a meeting of the GSMC where he is to
be introduced to the press. He has trouble getting through the door to the
medical center because the security guard will not open it. It seems that
John Henry has inadvertently insulted the guard. Meanwhile a bunch of
lowlifes try to hit on Steel for a handout as he tries to find another way
into the building.
Meanwhile, Natasha is at their new apartment, which is about the size of a
hotel. There is a lobby area with a stylized S-Shield in the floor where Nat
is standing. She is looking up at the workers on the second floor hall which
runs around the lobby area. Above you can see the sky light. Holding up the
second floor hall are a bunch of marble pillars about 10 or 15 feet tall each.
John Henry must have made a LOT of money back when he was designing arms or
he must be getting a VERY large salary at his new job. The building is being
remodeled by Gene Rabuzzo, who built the Justice League Task Force building in
Boston. This home will be very high tech.
Nat leaves the house in disgust when she discovers that the interior of her
room is visible from anywhere in the house. Out on the street she makes smart
teenage talk to the local denizens -- the kind of wise-ass comments that seem
smart in comic books, but which would probably get a knife stuck into you or
me if we said them in similar circumstances.
A teenage boy sees Nat sitting on the steps and invites her to go to the ice
cream parlor with him. She calls him Boris even though his name is Paul.
Someone is a fan of Rocky and Bullwinkle.
Meanwhile, back at the Medical Center, its director, Dr. Villain (the name is
French and is pronounced Will-Hane), is hanging on some bars by his feet and
is talking to someone via intercom. They are trying to locate John Henry
since he's an hour late for the press conference. John Henry enters through
Villain's window dressed in his suit and rocket boots. It was the only way he
could find to get into the Medical Center. They make small talk for about a
page in preparation for the press conference.
Meanwhile, Nat and Paul are having ice cream. They are making witty comments
to each other.
Back at the medical center, Villain is introducing Dr. Irons while John Henry
is whispering with Amanda about how she convinced him to move to Jersey City.
John is complaining about the conditions, and Amanda is reminding him that DC
was not the place for him. John Henry speaks to the reporters. They ask him
about his new S-Shield on his costume. He spends three pages saying that
Superman not only approved of the change, but was sorry that he had ever taken
it off in the first place.
The next to the last scene takes place in the police impound late at night
with Steel and Nat trying to remove his hammer from the engine block. Margot
is there. She informs Steel that the charges against him have been dropped
and thanks him for his statement. She seems very willing to co-operate with
Steel. Maybe she's not a broad, maybe she's not Amanda Waller, maybe she's
Commissioner Gordon back when he was only a cop.
The final scene shows John Henry and Natasha in the lobby of their new
headquarters, with the engine block with the encased hammer hanging from the
rafters as a modern Excaliber-like sculpture. Steel tells Nat that there is a
switch in her room that seals it off when she wants privacy. She leaves to go
out, apparently with Boris, and promises to return in a day or two. John
tells her to bring a newspaper and ends up standing on the S-Shield on the
floor as the curtain comes down on the first Priest/Cowan/Palmer episode.
As I prepared this review, I read the issue four or five times and it got
better and better with each reading. On the other hand, it wasn't very good
on the first one so it had a long way to go. Priest attempts to capture the
feel of the city by the speech of its inhabitants. For example, he uses
'rekanize' in one dialogue balloon so that the reader will know how Murray
pronounces 'recognize'. In general, I don't like this technique because it
makes me conscious of what's being done and interferes with the flow of the
story.
Art:
Personally, I don't like the artwork in this issue. Many of the backgrounds
are empty, especially those involving close-ups of the characters. Neither of
the splash pages has any background. It seems to me that each panel is laid
out to try and focus on one particular spot and the rest of the panel has most
of the detail left out or indicated by a few lines. The coloring is up to
Chaifetz' usual high standards. The pages with Superman have a bright orange
and yellow theme while the rest of the book seems to be more subdued with
purple and blue. It gives Jersey City a dreary feeling.
The cover, by Dave Johnson is striking: John Henry is forging a new S-Shield
for his costume -- His safety goggles make him resemble Dr. Sivana, Captain
Marvel's arch-enemy.
Summary:
John Henry settles down in Jersey City, a dreary city riddled with crime,
corruption, and prejudice. But there are a few good people there: Margot,
Amanda, Paul (aka by Natasha as Boris). We'll see what the future brings for
Dr. Villain
Dick Sidbury (sidbury@cs.uofs.edu)
==========================================================
SUPERBOY #34, "Going Mental"
Written by Ron Marz
Pencils by Ramon Bernado
Inks by Doug Hazlewood
Colors by Tom McCraw
Letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Mind Reader: Chris Duffy
Amazing Psychic Powers: Frank Pittarese
Cover by Ramon Bernado, Doug Hazlewood, and Patrick Martin
December 1996
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 2.6/5.0 Shields
JS: 2.8 Shields - Much better than Marz's first two efforts, but I'm *really*
starting to hate Bernado's art -- too much T&A. Rather than assisting
in the storytelling, it distracts the reader from it.
VV: 2.3 Shields - I might scan #35 at the store to see if it is good, but
this title isn't doing much for me now. And if Rex doesn't get into
trouble with his former friends within three issues, and require
Superboy's help, I would be *incredibly* surprised.
In a nutshell, Rex leaves to go right all of his past wrongs, leaving Roxy in
a bit of a state -- especially when compounded with the rejection she received
from the Kid during THE FINAL NIGHT. She and SB have a brief chat about just
that, but nothing really seems to be resolved.
Later in the day, Dubbilex's powers return in a big way, and seemingly in such
strength that he can't control them. After Superboy gets knocked around the
compound for a bit, Roxy returns and uses the crisis management techniques
she's been learning in her SCU training to talk Dubbilex into control.
(Psychic powers can be controlled by a strong mind, dontcha know.)
Superboy and Roxy use this turmoil to start rebuilding their relationship, but
they don't get very far before an armored team appears with intentions of
taking the Kid with them -- whether he wants to go or not.
The story and characterization here were much better than what Marz gave us in
his first few issues, and were it not for the art, I would even have given
this issue a 3+ rating. However, the art is so distracting from the story
that it can't be ignored. Everything is cheescake T&A. And unattractive T&A
at that. Rarely will I forego a title simply because of the art (remember how
I've bashed Bog/Janke on MOS and Guice/Rodier on ACTION in the past), but
SUPERBOY may join that exclusive club.
Jeff Sykes (sykes@ms.uky.edu)
==========================================================
SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS #4, "Political Party"
House Rules: Part 4
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Pencils by Paul Pelletier
Inks by Dan Davis
Letters by Kevin Cunningham
Colors by John Kalisz
Associate Editor Chris Duffy
Editor Frank Pittarese
Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
December 1996
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.3/5.0 Shields
JS: 3.0 Shields - The ending was a little abrupt, and there were instances
where the art was just plain too busy for its own good. But in all,
this was a nice wrap-up to the introduction, so now let's get on to
learning about our new friends!
MC: 4.5 Shields - Still as good as ever. The villain was just a little bit
campy, but I guess it's kind of fitting given the premise of this
title and its core characters. I loved Kaliber's "newfound" power
jumping in at the nick of time, along with the many great lines that
Kesel and Mattsson stick in to make for some witty banter.
VV: 2.5 Shields - Since I used to read "Dial H for Hero" when it was part of
"House of Mystery", I'll give this book another chance. Maybe I am
just too old for it, but it isn't clicking with me. I just don't
see this group as a team, especially if you compare it to the Legion.
Gonna keep it short this month, so here's the extremely brief plot synopsis.
The locals, the Darkstars, Superboy, and his amazing new friends put aside
their differences and search for Aleea. They find that Adam Strange, Aleea,
and Kaliber have all been captured by Hyathis, who controls the planet's
vegetation.
A long fight ensues, Hyathis and her plants are defeated, a few new tidbits
are learned about the soon-to-be Ravers. (At least Kesel and Mattsson have
enough guts to poke fun at their own choice of the team's name...)
There's just too much going on for the art to stay as clean as it was for the
first three issues. Now that the team has been formed, maybe we'll focus on
the members a bit more, allowing Pelletier and Davis a break from the pages
and pages of large group shots.
Much of the story here is clouded by a large fight scene, but Kesel and
Mattsson manage to keep it somewhat fresh with good dialogue and a few
interesting bits of new information. For example, betcha didn't know Kaliber
could grow real big. And it's a really useful power when one is being eaten
by a carnivorous plant! Oh, yes, and he's also got this fear/respect thing
for Sparx, who is apparently the spitting image of a Qwa-angel, stories about
which are used to frighten Qwardian children. Looks like these two could have
some interesting dynamics...
Now let me leave you with one quick question that's kind of bugging me. How
does Rex teleport to and from the rave with Hero? I haven't seen a paw stamp
on him... :)
Jeff Sykes (sykes@ms.uky.edu)
_________________________________________________________
SUPER-FAMILY TITLES (cont):
--------------------------
SUPERGIRL #5, "Chemical Imbalance"
Written by Peter David
Pencils by Gary Frank
Inks by Cam Smith
Letters by Pat Prentice
Colors by Gene D'Angelo
Color Separations by Digital Chameleon
Edited by Chris Duffy
Cover by Gary Frank, Cam Smith, and Patrick Martin
January 1997
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.6/5.0 Shields
PS: 5.0 Shields
DS: 1.5 Shields - I'm really trying hard to like this series since the
creative team should make it really nice, but so far it's tough
getting into the story.
JS: 4.0 Shields - The beginning of this issue really had me worried, because
there is no way Jon and Martha would be attending this kind of farce
as worship. But PAD quickly points reinforces this fact. But this
scene brings up another identity question. Do people in Smallville
know Mae? If not, then isn't it a bad idea for Supergirl to be
seen in public with the Kents?
VV: 4.0 Shields - A really good philosophical issue, and the beginning where
Supergirl tries to take the evangelist down a peg or two and having
it backfire read true to me. This one story *should* have
repercussions down the line, and I hope PAD follows through on it.
It was also good to see a nod to pre-Crisis Supergirl and her
sometimes boyfriend, Dick Malverne.
This is the best story in the series so far, in my opinion. First, it is the
only self-contained story in the run (the others were two-parters to [1] set
up the series and [2] do and undo "Final Night"). Second, it avoids the
supernatural and death cult overtones of the previous issues (which many
readers had indicated was a turnoff for them). Fourth, the art by Gary Frank
and Cam Smith is clean, bright, and gorgeous. Fifth, the script by Peter
David is full of rich characterizations and contains a thought-provoking
moral.
The original Metal Men "villain" Chemo takes center stage in this story.
After the events of ACTION COMICS #590, the essence of Chemo has found its way
into the Leesburg Waste Recycling Plant. Frank's quarter-page splash panel
showing the rebirth of Chemo is terrific, and should immediately provoke the
pro and con thoughts concerning non-human intelligent life that David nails
dead-on at the story's conclusion.
What some might consider an amusing interlude, but which really gets to the
heart of the issue of intelligent life in its own way, involves Supergirl's
attendance at a revival meeting in Smallville. The weirdness of Leesburg, and
possibly some remnant thoughts from the old evil Linda, has caused Supergirl
to return for the comforting counsel of Ma and Pa Kent. Angered at the
apparent ostentatiousness of the evangelist, who wears a ruby ring and Rolex
while urging his audience to "Give!", she levitates him and then drops him
back to the floor. Supergirl is then frustrated by the fact that the man
claims that "a miracle" has happened and collects even more money.
Pa Kent later said he took Supergirl to the tent meeting because he felt she
was obsessing over souls and religion, and that she needed to see those issues
treated in what he felt was an "over the top" presentation. As Ma Kent
summarized, "That's not religion so much as a circus."
The reader learns much, much more about the personalities of Mr. and Mrs.
Danvers, Linda's parents. Peter David makes clear this issue what most
readers could probably surmise from the previous issues: Mrs. Danvers, the
church lady, sees people as good and caring -- Mr. Danvers, the cop, sees
people as either evil or naive. The reporter Cutter Sharp gets dirty looks
from both with his attempt at on-the-spot personality analysis: Holding up a
glass of water, he says, "Quick quiz: Half empty or half full?"
Readers of the original Supergirl series may be going "uh-huh" with the
introduction of a new character, Richard Malverne. Dick Malverne was Linda
Lee Danvers' boyfriend in the Mort Weisinger days. But is this new "Richard
Malverne" a new character, or a new version of someone else to whom we've
already been introduced? To put it bluntly, is this Buzz or someone like him?
The comment about taking over the electronics store because the previous
owner "had a...mishap" seemed a little chilling to me.
The artwork is both exciting and stunning in the scenes where Supergirl
battles Chemo, getting sucked into the creature's body. It is at this point
that Peter David makes us realize that Supergirl is, in her modern origin, a
piece of protomatter as she and Chemo telepathically bond. At this point, the
four final story pages should take any sensitive reader through a mental
odyssey of what it means to be alive. Chemo believes that he and Supergirl
are alike; Supergirl believes that she is part-human but that Chemo cannot be.
Supergirl tells the creature that he can never be more than a collection of
chemicals and, at that news, he erupts into the sky with a scream of anguish.
With the interaction of Chemo's liquid composition with the clouds above,
Leesburg is covered with a gentle rain which washes away the troubles caused
by Final Night and brings dry flowers back to life. As Supergirl watches, she
thinks, "I lied. I lied to a creature in need....I was faced with a being,
like me, wanting more...and I turned away."
"Rabbi" David's sermon is very wise this month. We all should take it to
heart.
Patrick Stout (mfpms@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu)
==========================================================
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #3, "Distant Thunder"
Written by Scott McCloud
Pencils by Rick Burchett
Inks by Terry Austin
Colors by Marie Severin
Letters by Lois Buhalis
Edited by Mike McAvennie
Cover by Rick Burchett, Terry Austin, and Marie Severin
January 1997
$1.75 US/$2.50 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.2/5.0 Shields
CS: 2.5 Shields - A nice examination of Superman's connection to his lost
home planet Krypton, marred by sloppy plotting.
DC: 3.5 Shields - Nice unto itself, but I dislike the creation of a "new"
Brainiac for the cartoon.
DS: 3.9 Shields - A good story but may not make much sense to those who
do not follow the Saturday morning cartoon.
JS: 3.0 Shields - An interesting story which leads me to believe we may
see different physical forms for Brainiac in the future. Great
news for Kenner, huh?
One of the big changes to the Superman origin in the current animated series
is the addition of Brainiac to the destruction of Krypton. While I don't know
if this was a good change, it does figure heavily into this story. "Distant
Thunder" also deals with the same theme as the final issue of John Byrne's
revamp of Superman. Is Superman the Last Son of Krypton or Earth's Mightiest
Hero?
The story starts with Superman able to see the history of Krypton by holding
onto a device. We see the destruction of Superman's home planet as he gives a
narration of the events he is witnessing, giving the reader a quick
introduction to Superman as well as Brainiac. Too many comics feel that the
background of a character is a waste of time, but this series has been very
good at giving new readers everything they need to know what's going on.
Compare this with the average super-hero comic where you might not even know
who is the good guy, who is the bad guy, and why they have spent 22 pages
fighting.
The first five pages of the story are spent with Superman witnessing Krypton
in some way. McCloud has Superman relate to it, not as someone who misses a
lost home, but as someone looking at it from a distance. When Superman
assumes his Clark Kent identity, the Daily Planet is buzzing. It seems that
black cats have been crossing everyone's path
This being a super-hero comic, all is not as it seems, and Superman is drawn
into battle with Brainiac. The battle itself, though is not the issue.
Brainiac wants to use to orb to gather the knowledge of Krypton for his own
purposes. The story turns on a scene wherein Lois is being held by Brainiac
and Superman threatens to destroy the orb if Lois isn't released.
While there were a number of very nice aspects to the story, there were a
number of problems as well. The Black Cat part of the story was introduced,
then quickly dropped for a "Superman fights robots" battle scene. Lois walks
up to Brainiac in the middle of the fight in order to set up the scene for
Brainiac to choose between his hostage and the orb. We are never told what
Brainiac would do with the orb that makes it something Superman wants to stop,
and the defeat of Brainiac feels too easy in a dramatic sense.
The positive aspects were how Superman's feelings toward Krypton were handled.
I've always thought that Byrne's dismissal of Krypton in the "Man of Steel"
mini-series was too quick. This story's grace note of Krypton's memories
living on through Superman was far more satisfying. The art was, as always in
this book, wonderful clean and dramatic. Burchett understands how to portray
the power of Superman, page 21 being a great example of using a full page for
dramatic effect. Sadly, as I re-read the story, the plot flaws jump out at me
much more than they did on the first reading, and the black cat bit could have
been a nice story in and of itself, but was glossed over for a fight scene.
Cory Strode (c.strode@genie.com)
==========================================================
JLA #1, "Them!"
Written by Grant Morrison
Pencils by Howard Porter
Inks by John Dell
Colors by Pat Garrahy
Separations by Heroic Age
Letters by Ken Lopez
Edited by Ruben Diaz
Cover by Howard Porter and John Dell
January 1997
$1.95 US/$2.75 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.8/5.0 Shields
MC: 4.8 Shields
DS: 3.0 Shields - Some choice tidbits here -- so now Batman has a device
to mask his heartbeat from the super-hearing of Supes.
JS: 3.7 Shields - Anyone catch the Marvel characters getting fried on
page 10? Superman, while the heavy-fitter of the group, has little
team experience. I hope Morrison realizes that as a team leader,
Supes should be little more than a public figure -- at least for
now. Martian Manhunter, Batman, and Wonder Woman have much more
experience in this area.
VV: 3.6 Shields - I liked this version of the JLA, especially since everyone
recognizes Superman as the main man. Of course, the hair is wrong,
so those who try to fit things into continuity will have a field day
here.
Bravo for my comic shop. Due to an error of some kind, I wasn't able to get
JLA #1 the week it came out -- and I'm being forced to review this issue using
a black and white copy I received at this summer's San Diego Comicon (I refuse
to call it by that pathetic new name ... but that's getting off-track). So
unfortunately I won't be able to comment on the beautiful/crappy colors in
this issue. But at least the rest is there, and hopefully my local shop will
have learned from their mistakes by the time #2 comes out.
Anyways, on to the issue. Obviously the first thing you think of when you
check out the first two pages is that there are some "Independence Day"
implications. Seeing as how this was written before ID4 was even released,
though, negates that idea. Nonetheless, the Hyperclan premise gave more than
I expected. Granted, I first read this about 4 months ago during the big
comic hoopla of the comicon, and that could have influenced all this *just* a
little bit, but even reading over it now I find it a compelling story.
Grant Morrison was an *excellent* pick for this monthly title. He pulled all
the plotlines together into one, evenly giving considerations to each. I
loved the "Next Generation" tie-in used as the theme in this issue; The
apparent passage of the old super-heroes to the new, more pro-active Hyperclan
and the change of the old Justice League to the new, more powerful and popular
JLA.
I guess I would have to say I would take Superman's position on this matter if
I were him. A group of aliens comes out of nowhere to offer their services
and rid the world of its problems -- and as a way to prove it, changing the
dry Sahara desert into acres of lush green. With a rising tide of support
from the public for the Hyperclan and dissatisfaction with Earth's
super-beings in general, Supes and the rest are considered outdated and cast
to the wayside. Then the Hyperclan start to execute super-villains, forcing
people like the Joker and Dr. Polaris into hiding (by the way, isn't that Dr.
Doom, Cable, and Wolverine tied to those posts on page 10? Without color on
mine, it's hard to tell, but perhaps Porter has a little thing against Marvel?
<g>). Finally the Hyperclan show their true colors when they attack the
Justice League satellite. Green Lantern and Wonder Woman escape without harm,
while the rest (part of the old JLA) end up severely injured as they go on a
crash-course to Earth. The Hyperclan's next actions, disclosed only to
themselves and the readers, hint at a diabolical plot. The new JLA (sans
Aquaman) gathers, and then ... to be continued! (Whew!)
This couldn't have gotten much better, really. I don't know how long I've
waited to have all these big-shots together in one title -- and monthly, at
that! And what better way to bring them all together (besides the events of
Midsummer's Nightmare) than a big thing like this? The Hyperclan looks like
it could definitely hold its own against the JLA, especially with whatever
that gigantic thing was in the Arctic. Morrison gave us just enough to
tantalize, but not give everything away. On the artistic side of things,
Porter gave us a lot of eye candy, which was good. Dell's inks were a little
too on the heavy/shady side for me, but it wasn't as if it was a complete
mismatch with Porter's pencils. Perhaps they'll look better in color.
My only complaint with this first issue is the fact that it had to wrap things
up with the old JLA and get them out of the picture. I'm much more looking
forward to #2 when we can see all 7 of the new team members back in action
together against whatever scheme the Hyperclan has cooked up. Chemistry is
definitely cooking in this title, and I wouldn't be surprised if DC finds that
it becomes one of their top sellers in the coming months. I'm not exactly
excited about adding onto the ranks of this brand-new team already (Green
Arrow is scheduled to join, and I've heard rumors about Plastic Man, though
I'm not sure about that one), but if things keep the way they are now, I'm
sure it won't be too hard on me.
JLA is a great title so far. If you aren't getting it, work a little later,
mow a few more lawns (or shovel some more snow as the case may be) -- whatever
it takes to get that extra $1.95. Trust me, it's worth it.
Matt Combes (MrNandoX@aol.com)
=======================================================
MINISERIES:
----------
SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN: WHOM GODS DESTROY, "Book Two: The Hunt"
Written by Chris Claremont
Pencils by Dusty Abell
Inks by Drew Geraci
Coloring by Gloria Vasquez
Lettering by Tom Orzechowski
Color Separations by Digital Chameleon
Associate Editor Chris Duffy
Executive Editor Mike Carlin
Cover by Dusty Abell, Drew Geraci, with Gloria Vasquez
January 1997
$4.95 US/$6.95 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 3.1/5.0 Shields
RG: Story: 4.5 Shields - Moving quicker, starting to fall together.
Art: 4.0 Shields - Nicely done, but a bit too stylized for me.
MC: 3.0 Shields - Well the writing was just as good as it ever was, but this
issue got so much more confusing. Even reading it twice I couldn't
understand some parts. All of a sudden Lois knows Artemis and
Athena? They're fighting Adonis, a Nazi leader? Wha? But even if
I didn't understand a lot of it, Claremont's writing still came
through, and Abell's art accompanied it wonderfully.
DS: 2.0 Shields - This is a major disappointment (storywise) after the
brilliant beginning last issue. The art is still good. The key
to a mini however is the resolution, and next issue will be make
or break.
JS: 2.5 Shields - Boy, am I confused...
VV: 3.5 Shields - A bit confusing, but the scene at Auschwitz rang very true.
I had the opportunity to visit a WWII Concentration Camp, and on a
grey, overcast day I could almost hear cries for mercy. I'm not up
on Greek Mythology, but it looks to be a big battle coming up. It
should be interesting to see how Chris Claremont has extrapolated
the Third Reich after it "wins" the war.
The premise behind the DC Elseworlds stories is that of taking familiar heroes
and people and placing them in situations that are very different from the DC
universe we know. In perhaps one of the most overused alternate histories
(Nazi Germany wasn't destroyed at the end of W.W.II) we get an alternate
vision of Superman and Wonder Woman. In this book, we get a bit more of the
history of this world and what has come about to make this story.
Here we have a Superman who actually came to Earth at the turn of the 20th
century (about 1916, he graduated from high school in 1932 -- you do the math)
and never aged much beyond his early twenties. He has had to stand back and
watch as his friends and family have aged and died and more and more left him
alone. It's little wonder that he has begun distancing himself from humanity.
In this world it seems that he is alone as a hero, there is no evidence that
any of the heroes (DC's or any others) have ever existed. We do learn that
Bruce Wayne had considered becoming Batman, but that his reading of the life
of Superman (as reported by Lois Lane) had convinced him that he could do more
by turning his talents to helping to make the world better for everyone, than
by fighting crime one-on-one.
Superman never seems to have come in contact with Kryptonite (or at least
nothing in the story suggests that he knows of any weakness), or magic. He is
coming to realize that there is 'something' that can hurt him, but it is all
new to him. Unfortunately, his enemies in the Reich seem to have figured it
out for him.
Last issue we learned that Germany had exploded an atomic bomb in Metropolis,
destroying the city and killing most of Superman's support group (and
President Bruce Wayne's wife). Everyone, it seems, except Lois and Lana.
This is where the story really begins. We get more of the story as to why
Superman has pulled back and away from humanity. We also learn that
Superman's withdrawal was not by his choice. While he has withdrawn, he
hasn't exactly been inactive. This book is filled with flashbacks, not all of
them are labeled, and some of them are just a little confusing. We sometimes
have a little difficulty in figuring which is present day, and which is a
flashback.
As this story progresses, things that made little sense to me in the first
book are beginning to come together. As with much of Claremont's past work,
the gods and pantheons of past civilizations are still around, and still
intimately involved in the affairs of man. I suspect that not all the players
in the story are on stage yet, but those that are have begun to define the
true story.
The art in the book is wonderful, nicely detailed and well inked. I loved the
coloring and the foreground details. My only complaint is that the figures
are a bit too stylized for my taste.
There are actually three stories being told here; Superman's, Lois's, and
Lana's. Each seems to be showing a part of the big picture, and they are on a
rapidly converging course. Superman's story is (to me, and only so far) the
least important. His actions seem to be almost peripheral to what is really
happening.
Lois and Clark (her assistant) are in Nazi controlled Europe looking for Lana,
who ran off last issue for no apparent reason. Since Superman is banned from
German-occupied Europe by international treaty, Lois and her assistant Clark
are making the trip to look for her. At the end of last issue, the plane they
were flying in was attacked by harpies. Superman was barely able to drive
them off and save the plane. As this story opens they are being taken in for
questioning by the German military. For some reason, they don't take the
harpies seriously.
As the story progresses, Lana meets up with Calliope (one of the Muses) and
the Oracle of Delphi, who somehow managed to get Lana to come to her.
Calliope has put Nessie (the oracle) under the spell of her voice. Lana (who
needs hearing aids) knocks Calliope out, freeing Nessie.
Lois meanwhile meets Adonis (saving his life), Atalanta, Artemis, and Athena
(and her niece Calisto). Calisto has gone over to the Germans, and seriously
wounds Athena. Lois saves Athena and kills Calisto, only to be rescued from
Adonis and Atalanta by Artemis.
Superman rescues Nessie (who he mistakes for Lana) from the Chimera and the
Nemedian Lion, only to have her stolen from him by a sea serpent sent by
Typhon (one of the original Titans). Superman then battles Typhon and is
stripped of his powers, beaten, and captured. As the book ends, Athena dies,
gifting Lois with the power of Wonder Woman.
Rene' Gobeyn (gobeyn@kodak.com)
==========================================================
SUPERBOY/ROBIN: WORLD'S FINEST THREE #1 (of 2)
Written by Karl Kesel and Chuck Dixon
Pencils by Tom Grummett
Inks by Scott Hanna
Letters by Ken Lopez
Colors by Scott Baumann
Computer Separations by Heroic Age
Special thanks to James Grummett
Associate Editor Chris Duffy
Editors Frank Pittarese and Jordan B. Gorfinkel
Cover by Tom Grummett and Scott Hanna
December 1996
$4.95 US/$6.95 CAN
RATINGS:
Average: 4.7/5.0 Shields
RG: Story: 4.5 Shields - Tightly written, great use of the characters.
Art: 5.0 Shields - Clean, well-detailed, good use of backgrounds.
MC: 4.7 Shields - I've been waiting for this ever since the cover was shown
at the San Diego Comicon. It's certainly lived up to expectations.
Superboy and Robin are as complete opposites of each other as
Superman and Batman are. They each go about things different ways,
and that conflict makes a great story.
JS: 4.5 Shields - Salvages a mediocre to poor three-week stretch of
post-wedding comics. Gorgeous art by Grummett and Hanna, including
lots of detail and incredible use of Metallo's new abilities. Great
start, and I'm anxious to see if they've decided Kryptonite can
affect Superboy.
Overall, this is an excellent and well-done book, and one that I feel I can
recommend. I just hope that part 2 will be as well done.
This is a book that has been far too long in coming. As the DC Universe
becomes ever more crowded with new versions of old characters, we have the
chance to see all the old, overwhelmingly popular team-ups redone with a fresh
perspective. In this story, the old World's Finest team of Superman and
Batman gets a fresh new look through the use of Robin and Superboy.
No one who knows anything about the characters of Superboy and Robin would be
surprised in the way the two characters work together. The VERY different
approaches they use in solving the problems they are faced with should come as
no real surprise. Comparing Robin's careful, detailed, step-by-step approach
with Superboy's in-your-face, aggressive approach was wonderful. What was
even better, though, was the way in which both of them retained their
personalities and style, while still managing to work together.
What can I say about the artwork, except that it was some of the nicest I've
seen. Grummett and Hanna did an absolutely beautiful job. That neither of
them do regular work with either of the characters is almost a crime. The
rich detail and careful attention to detail in the perspectives and shading
added depth to the art that is missing in so many other books. The cover of
the book is wonderful, giving us more than a little insight into the story
before we even open it. The front cover shows Superboy and Robin against the
Gotham skyline, while the back cover shows Poison Ivy holding Metallo's head
in what looks to be a jungle setting.
The conflicts in the book work on many different levels: Superboy vs. Robin
(approach and personality), Robin vs. Metallo (Robin way out of his league),
Superboy vs. Poison Ivy (Ivy plays well to Superboy's weaknesses), and even
Poison Ivy (nature) vs. Metallo (the ultimate machine). Each of the conflicts
are well-handled. The strengths and weaknesses of each are clearly shown and
developed. What is clear is that it will only be through compromise and
cooperation that good will triumph.
This is not to say that I don't have a few small problems with the book, but
my problems stem more from the subject, rather than the execution.
Why does DC feel that just because they are using Robin and Superboy in a
team-up that they also need to use a stock villain from each character's
mentor? Don't get me wrong, Metallo and Poison Ivy are excellent choices for
villains, each plays to the strengths and weaknesses of the heroes. My major
complaint is that it is THE formula plot for DC's team-ups of late.
Villain A decides to go to Hero B's city because s/he is tired of being beaten
by Hero A. Hero B calls in Hero A to help defeat villain A because (fill in
the blank). Hero A beats villain A, when Hero B couldn't. Somehow/meanwhile
villain B enters the picture and proves to be a match for Hero A. The fight
then moves to Hero A's turf and Hero B needs to step in and rescue Hero A.
It's the same rough plot over and over. As a formula plot it works well for
these forced team-ups, but I would just like a bit more variety.
Metallo comes to Gotham City to steal a reactor from a nuclear submarine.
Robin sees this happening (Batman is out of town) but knows that Metallo is
way out of his league. Superman in unavailable to help, but Alfred knows how
to reach Superboy. Superboy is engaged in charity work (read the book to see
how, it's great) but goes to Gotham to help. Meanwhile Poison Ivy has broken
out of jail.
Superboy manages to destroy Metallo almost too easily, but Poison Ivy easily
manages to brain-wash Superboy and has him take her to Hawaii. Robin feels he
has no other choice, and gets the Kryptonite ring from the Batcave so that he
has a chance against Superboy. The story continues in book 2.
Rene' Gobeyn (gobeyn@kodak.com)
_________________________________________________________
THE PHANTOM ZONE: Reviews of the pre-Crisis Man of Steel
------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPER FRIENDS
---------------------------------
by Joe Crowe (j.crowe4@genie.com)
DC COMICS PRESENTS #67
Superman and Santa Claus in "'Twas the Fright Before Christmas"
Co-Plotters: Len Wein and E. Nelson Bridwell
Scripter: Len Wein
Illustrators: Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson
March 1984
Rating: 3.0 Shields
Here's a seasonal surprise for everybody. It's the holidays. Maybe the
marketing people were thinking that linking up two of the most recognizable
and popular characters in the entire world would produce an X-sized smash.
Needless to say, that didn't happen. Santa didn't get a foothold in the comics
business, so no crossovers with X-Men (or Star Trek, or Mars Attacks, or
Spawn). Anyway, here's what went down in this little story.
On Christmas Eve, Superman stops a kid from shooting a sidewalk Santa (?!).
Turns out not only doesn't the kid believe in Santa, but he's a pawn of one of
the most colorful villains in Superman's rogues' gallery, the Toyman. Superman
fixes the kid up at the Fortress of Solitude, which is in the North Pole.
Are you seeing where this is headed yet? Me too, but I'm digging it. On the
way out of the Fortress, the rigged toy zaps Superman with white dwarf star
energy, and he collapses in the snow. The poor kid is protected by Superman's
super-cape, but he's still stuck in the North Pole...until some elves show up
to help out. Superman awakes in a toy shop and meets...
...well, duh. He meets Santa Claus. Santa, of course, knows all about who's
been naughty -- particularly the Toyman, who is booby-trapping toys! What kind
of crap is that? Superman is still weak from the ray beam, and Santa has to
go out to do his job that night anyway. So Superman tags along. The Toyman
gets dispatched in roughly 2.5 seconds. Then Superman and Santa replace
Toyman's evil toys with real elf-made good ones. Then Superman wakes up in the
arctic tundra with the kid...who now believes in Santa.
Superman flies back to Metropolis and goes to change his clothes. He finds his
favorite Kryptonian toy from his babyhood in his cape...and a big "thanks"
from Mr. Kringle. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
This was a really sweet story. I enjoy special Christmas episodes of TV
series. They always set up one of the main characters as a non-believer, then
some mysterious somebody does something Santa-like. In the end, you hear
sleigh bells in the distance and the lead actor goes "Nah." Or, if it's one of
those Full House-type shows, the whole audience goes "Awwww." The point being,
of course, that the spirit of Christmas is a good and fun thing. Or something
like that.
Anyway, superhero comics are all about good guys, and who's a better good guy
than Santa? It's only natural for him to show up in comics. I've seen the
above plot several times in the world of super-heroes, but I don't recall
anything as literal as this story. In the DC Universe, Santa is real and he
likes to kick super-villains' butts.
What I said up top about Toyman being one of Superman's most colorful foes is
all too true. He was the natural enemy for this story, but we need some depth
in the old lineup. Maybe the new year and the marriage will bring
Super-enemies whose names are not synonyms for "Fight" or "Kill." Toyman and
the Prankster are in Supes' top 5, for Pete's sake. Worse than that, they are
two of the few comics villains to make the jump to LOIS AND CLARK. And they
were played by George Jefferson and Balki! Come on! I digress.
There's no place that unrelenting sappinessis tolerated except at Christmas.
Super-heroes should meet Santa more often. Maybe the X-Men could pull his
sleigh ("On, Bishop! On, Gambit!"). And with that, I need to nestle snug in my
bed. Happy Holidays, everybody.
_________________________________________________________
RICH REVIEWS: SUPERMAN #183
---------------------------------------
By Rich Morrissey (RMorris306@aol.com)
SUPERMAN #183 (January 1966):
"The Case of the Funny-Paper Crimes"
Story: Jerry Siegel
Art: John Sikela
Originally published in SUPERMAN #19 (1942)
This was the Silver Age issue that introduced me, and many of my generation of
fans, to the Golden Age Superman. How so? Because it was a reprint Giant, the
first to include Golden Age stories, a fact announced by Superman himself on
the cover. Curt Swan's Superman figure is holding the splash pages from three
of the stories inside the issue, announcing, "Readers, now you can read
Superman stories published before you were born!" Less than 100 copies of this
issue are in existence! And...this story is so rare, collectors will pay
$30.00 and up for a perfect copy! (Actually, it's a bit deceptive, since the
two stories he refers to...which I'll get to shortly...were both from the same
issue, SUPERMAN #19.) And, alas, it's also been 30 years (this reprint
collection is far, far older, I realize with a shudder, than SUPERMAN #19 was
when I first read the collection) since one could get a perfect copy of
SUPERMAN #19 even for $30. (The most recent Overstreet Guide gives the price
of a perfect copy as $1,100.) Even this comic in front of me would cost $40 if
it were a "perfect copy..." which, needless to say, after all the rereading
it's had since I was 12 years old, it no longer is.
The Giant leads off with the lead story from SUPERMAN #19 (1942), "The Case of
the Funny Paper Crimes." In the years since it's come out, I've learned a lot
more about the original issues (though, not having an extra $1,100, I still
don't own them), the writers and artists, and the changes made in the stories.
The only change made in this story, as with the other two Golden Age stories,
is the elimination of the opening credits to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster...
this collection having come out during one of their lawsuits against DC. In
this case, the credits were only half accurate, anyway; Siegel did write the
story (and all, possibly excepting one or two, Superman stories before he was
drafted in 1943), but the art is by one of Shuster's more prominent ghosts,
John Sikela. Sikela remained a major Superman artist until Siegel and Shuster
left DC in 1948, returning to DC the following year to draw Superboy stories
until 1960.
The splash page depicts Superman confronting villains from the comic strips,
against a comic-strip background...none other than Superman's own contemporary
Sunday strip (which day I haven't yet been able to ascertain). In the story
itself, Clark Kent and Lois Lane begin by discussing the newspaper comics,
with an entire page from the Daily Planet being reprinted (in color, even
though these are *daily* strips) to set up the strips and their characters.
All seem to be pastiches of real strips of the time, "Prince Peril,"
"Detective Craig," "The Solitary Rider," "Streak Dugan," and "Happy Daze." The
first four are traceable to Prince Valiant (another departure from reality;
Hal Foster's strip ran only on Sunday), Dick Tracy (by Chester Gould), The
Lone Ranger (by Fran Stryker), and Flash Gordon (by Alex Raymond), but Happy
Daze's original isn't clear...possibly Li'l Abner, by Siegel's friend Al Capp.
(The people credited with the fictional strips also may include in-jokes;
Prince Peril is credited to Hugh Langley, a past pseudonym of Siegel.)
Just as Clark, with an extra bit of irony considering who *he* really is, is
remarking how no such character as Torgo the Giant (the current "Prince Peril"
villain) could actually exist, a radio message reports that, on the contrary,
he not only exists but is robbing a bank. He's also grown in his transition to
reality; the strip villain was only twice as big as a man, but the "real"
Torgo towers over buildings. Clark sends Lois ahead, saying "It sounds like a
hoax to me!" and, of course, immediately switches to Superman to investigate.
Superman chases Torgo to the hills outside Metropolis, where a tyrannosaurus
rex suddenly materializes alongside him. But when he attempts to fight the two
monsters, he zips right through...and, looking back, he finds them replaced by
a disembodied yellow cartoon head. "Yes, you poor, helpless and bewildered
ex-Superman...*gone!*" The grinning head identifies himself as "Funnyface" and
then disappears as well...
Cut to the Daily Planet, with Clark attempting to get Perry White (looking
some years younger than he'd be by the '60's) to believe him. "Absurd!" says
Perry. "I suppose next you'll be telling me that Detective Craig's foe,
Machine-Gun Mike, is running wild!" Alas for Perry, in the next panel the
radio announces that Machine-Gun Mike is robbing the Minton Museum..."Only one
explanation, boss!" says Clark. "You're psychic!"
Like Torgo, Machine-Gun Mike is a giant much bigger than his comic strip
incarnation, who stands guard outside the museum as his henchmen rob it.
Superman captures his men and saves the paintings, but Machine-Gun Mike, once
again, is intangible when Superman tries to hit him...but all too tangible
when he attacks, as are his bullets, which nevertheless bounce off Superman's
chest. He too vanishes, and Superman switches back to Clark.
Lois Lane catches up to him at this point, and Clark's comment about someone
using the comics page as a chart for crime inspires her to consider where the
next villain, the Black Raider, might strike. Sure enough, like his
counterpart, he's striking at the Metropolis stockyards, and again Superman
stops the giant outlaw's henchmen, but not the villain himself, who kidnaps
Lois before he rides off. Superman's attempt to pursue is stopped by
Funnyface...several Funnyfaces, in fact, who materialize long enough to allow
the Raider to get away. Superman is barely able to catch a glimpse of the
fourth villain, Goola from "Streak Dugan," before multiple Funnyfaces
interfere again.
With only one villain left, Superman investigates the Old Folks Home, whose
fictional counterpart Happy Daze's foe Viper was attempting to rob. In a
confusing pair of panels, the "old lady" who opens the door grows to towering
height; "Your warning was unnecessary. Because I am Viper!" Next instant
Viper's head is replaced by Funnyface's, "Ta-ta!" It's been fun outwitting you
again!" Viper/Funnyface again vanishes, but not before Superman notes a
message written on his clothes, "Carter's Canyon."
Cut to Carter's Canyon, where Lois is a captive of the real Funnyface...a man
wearing a spherical mask that still, in its inimitable way, shows his
expressions. Funnyface has just noticed the message Lois wrote, and realizes
Superman will soon be coming...but uses his ray, which brings drawings on
paper to life, to materialize all the villains at once to fight Superman. But
while he isn't looking, Lois restores the balance by using the ray herself,
bringing Prince Peril, Detective Craig, the Solitary Rider, Streak Dugan, and
Happy Daze to giant-sized life to fight their foes. With their aid, Superman
makes short work of the villains and turns her attention to Funnyface, who's
reversed the ray to turn Lois into a drawing on a piece of paper! Superman is
momentarily stymied, but Prince Peril says, "Let us attend to him!," and the
five comic strip heroes work Funnyface over until he restores Lois to life. "I
suppose all of you are anxious to get back to your make-believe world!" says
Superman, and receiving an affirmative answer, restores the heroes and
villains to the comic-strip page and smashes the machine.
Superman then unmasks Funnyface, who proves to be a frustrated cartoonist: "I
wanted to be a celebrity...the creator of a famous comic strip...but no one
would buy my strips. My dimensional experimentation enabled me to bring comic
characters to life." Like so many obsessive comics villains, Funnyface set out
to use an invention that might have made him millions in legitimate money for
illegal means, and inevitably ended up behind bars. In an ironic in-joke that
underscored the frustration of the story's writer (especially at this time,
with even his name erased from the reprint), the unnamed Funnyface was a
double of Jerry Siegel.
All in all, a fascinating look at the relationship between reality and
fantasy, and the way Superman and an occasional villain would bridge the gap.
The second story from this issue reprinted in #183 would cross the border of
fantasy even further, but, with space and time as limited as it is, I'll save
that for another time.
_________________________________________________________
THE MAILBAG
-------------------------------------
(sykes@ms.uky.edu, KryptonCN@aol.com)
KC Responses are indented and begun with ****
=======================================================
From: Dan Jurgens
I wanted to reply to this particular charge from the latest issue of KC
because overlooking Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson is something we would never,
ever do. I think anyone who has read the number of interviews I've given
praising Curt Swan's art (he was my first favorite artist, for crying out
loud!) would know that. Nevertheless...
[Dick Sidbury commented about THE WEDDING ALBUM:] "But where was Curt Swan at
the ceremony? Surely he was more important than Jurgens' kids."
Two points: One, I felt that there should be some children at Superman's
wedding because, well...it just seems right. This is Superman, after all, a
character who means so much to children all over the world. For that I chose
my own sons as well as Jon Bogdanove's.
Second: Take a look at page 84. That's Curt, behind the bald man, and Murphy
Anderson, just to the right of Clark.
**** In addition, in case anyone else is wondering, the DCU "Watch This Space"
appearing in DC books the week of the wedding (or maybe the week after)
contained a legend for all of the creators pictured in the ceremony
scene. If I hadn't stumbled across that guide, I'd have not known more
than three or four of the creators (of the guests, I've only met Louise
Simonson, Roger Stern, and Stuart Immonen).
=======================================================
From: Joshua Friedman (Masmune1@concentric.net)
Personally, I'd like to say that I completely disapprove of the suggestions
of sex in LOIS AND CLARK. I know what you're thinking, but it's not a
personal beliefs problems. It's that it's physically impossible for Superman
and Lois Lane to have sex. I think the writers for the show should have
looked at Larry Niven's little essay entitled "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex"
(http://plus.idci.net/humor/niven_superman.html). Although intended as
humorous, Niven raises interesting points. The reason I'm upset is because
the show has obviously disregarded science, or even logic for cheap plot
elements. Especially since the elements are not necessary to the show. I
hope that the writers will think more in the future.
**** Okay, the issue of sex between Superman and Lois is a bigger hotbed
(no pun intended) than just as it applies to the TV show. But for
the record, here's my take. From a beliefs standpoint, I was absolutely
thrilled that LOIS AND CLARK chose to have the couple wait until they
were married. I am perfectly satisfied that the comics never made a
statement on this subject one way or the other, simply allowing the
readers to believe what they will.
But I think citing Mr. Niven's essay as a reason for the couple's
incompatibility is a bit ridiculous. Isn't it amazing how we choose
ignore what we know of the laws of physics when it applies to Clark's
powers, but we balk at the issue of cross-species sexual relations
(and I'm not even addressing the reproduction issue here)? The key
thing to remember here is that we have to suspend some notions of
what we know for this to work -- the writers should be able to ignore
science fact from time to time if it helps tell a good story, as long
as they don't contradict themselves from tale to tale.
It just bugs me that people will accept super-strength, x-ray vision,
super-speed, heat vision, and flight, but they won't buy that Clark
has enough "control" to have intercourse with a human. Sorry if I
sound a bit testy, but there comes a point when being *so* picky does
nothing but ruin your enjoyment of a good story. I know because I've
been there.
=======================================================
From: Rich Morrissey (RMorris306@aol.com)
About Denes House's review of the Parasite episode [of STAS], the villain's
original color *was* purple, when Jim Shooter and Al Plastino introduced him
in ACTION COMICS #340 in 1966. He was one of the pre-Crisis Superman villains
John Byrne initially had no intention of bringing back (probably because
Byrne's opinion of Shooter, who had been his boss when both men worked for
Marvel, wasn't very high), so John Ostrander brought him back in, of all
places, FIRESTORM. The character was slightly changed (not only was he green
instead of purple, but his name was now Rudy Jones rather than Raymond Maxwell
Jensen), but was specifically said to be the original (even the "Rudy Jones"
name looked relettered), changed though the machinations of Darkseid, one of
the few DC Universe characters (others including Shazam and the Psycho-Pirate)
who remembered the pre-Crisis universe.
=======================================================
From: Denes House (dhouse@itsmail1.hamilton.edu)
Superman fans,
For my 24th birthday, I took a trip to Toys 'R Us, just to look :o). I saw,
for the first time, the new Superman: The Animated Series line of action
figures. I fell in love...
I bought Quick-Change Superman, Capture Net Superman, and Neutron Star
Superman (the only other figure available was Deep Dive Superman, who I didn't
like at first, but I'm beginning to warm to him, and may end up buying it
later). They are all cool -- and I recommend that anyone who likes playing
with action figures...er, I mean "serious collectors" pick them up without
delay.
Quick-Change Superman has a CLOTH CAPE, a Clark Kent disguise piece, two leg
disguise pieces, and a backpack (to fold the cape into). The Clark Kent
disguise looks good (from the front), and the cloth cape is key.
Capture Net Superman comes with a plastic cape (Boo!) and a launcher that
fires two missiles attached to an S-shield shaped net. The net itself is a
cool enough accessory to warrant buying the whole figure.
But Neutron Star Superman is my favorite! Clad in the Space Suit depicted in
the series, he comes with a removable helmet (with a cool crystal-clear
elastic to hold it on) detachable variable-geometry wings, and detachable
gauntlet missile-launchers that themselves have several cool features. The
figure is nicely detailed, well-designed, and looks AWESOME. I think this may
well be the best-looking figure I've owned (Except possibly for Retro-Batman
from the B:TAS line...No, NS Superman IS the coolest!)
**** And what makes it even better is that there's precedence for the
figure in that it *has* appeared in the series. Unlike several of the
Man of Steel line.
Evil Brainiac looks like a great figure from the picture on the back of the
card -- and I'll be keeping my eyes open for the Luthor figure in his
Battlesuit.
Anyhow, it's a cool figure line, and well worth checking out.
**** And check the Merchandise section. There's a whole slew of new figures
coming in January, including Supergirl and the Flash!
Now, unfortunately for the rest of you, Denes has given me yet another
excuse to trash the toy biz. These cool figures are very scarce, at
least at this point, while there are still hundreds of Star Wars and
Batman: Total Justice figures arriving daily. And the other day, after
the local Toys R Us finally got its second case of STAS figures in (I
just happened to arrive at the right time), I discovered them hidden
behind ten to fifteen of the old Steel figures which *still* haven't
sold. Wonderful way to promote the line, huh?
And of course, I'm beginning to wonder if Kenner has completely given
up on the Man of Steel line. Sigh. Maybe I should set myself up as
a distributor and buy direct from Kenner :)
-- Jeff Sykes
_________________________________________________________
AFTER-BYRNE: Reviews of the post-Crisis Man of Steel
----------------------------------------------------
THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
----------------------------------------------------
by Mark Lamutt (markdl@netcom.com/mdlamut0@wcc.com)
THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #462
Written by Roger Stern
Art by Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert
Cover by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding
January 1990
$0.75 US/$0.95 CAN/50p UK
To celebrate the holiday season that is once again upon us all, the AfterByrne
column takes a slightly different turn this month. Rather than summarizing
and reviewing this issue, let me take a moment to pull out some thoughts so
beautifully written by Roger Stern to remind ourselves what the spirit of this
time of year is all about.
The Giving Season
an Editorial by Perry White
For a few weeks every December, we all seem to go a little crazy. Or
perhaps it's the rest of the year when we're crazy, and this is the season
when we regain our sanity. Whatever the case, we act as if we've suddenly
found something good in all of us. We want to laugh and sing and
celebrate our wonderful discovery. Then, come the first of the year, the
celebrations abruptly end and we go back to grousing about our jobs and
our taxes and what a rotten deal we've got.
But it doesn't have to be that way. With a little effort, we can hang
onto this feeling of good will. With a little thought, we might realize
how lucky most of us are.
Look around, and you'll see that some of us are not so well off. Some
have no jobs to grouse about. Some do not have enough to eat. Others
sleep huddled in doorways or over gratings, using copies of this paper to
keep warm. These unfortunates are our brothers and sisters. But all too
often we look away as they pass.
It's about time we stopped doing that. It's about time we reminded
ourselves that the shabbily dressed stranger shuffling by us another
human being. Maybe he's not a "worthless bum"...maybe he's just had a run
of bad luck. But we'll never know unless we make an effort to find out.
Every day, our newspapers and television bring us news of suffering around
the world, and it often seems to much to take. Perhaps that is why we try
to ignore the misery closer to home. Perhaps we look away out of guilt or
embarrassment or anger. And perhaps some of us look away out of fear --
that little more than a single paycheck keeps us from joining the ranks of
the homeless. But whatever our reasons, we cannot continue this way.
Precious lives are being wasted, and it diminishes us all to allow such a
thing. This is our problem, and we must not run away from it.
A frightening, growing percentage of our city's homeless are families,
often single-parent families. Imagine what it's like to be that child.
Imagine what it's like to have no home for your child at Christmas. What
hope is there for these new homeless?
By now, a lot of you are probably throwing your hands up in despair. "I'm
not Superman!" you cry, "What can I do??" The answer is simply: whatever
you can! No one is asking you to save the world, and it's not necessary
that you be able to fly. People like yourselves are already working with
a score of organizations -- from the Metropolis Human Services Coalition
to the Salvation Army. These organizations do as good a job as they can,
but they could do better with your help. The kitchens and the missions
work with the most needy, providing food, shelter, and warm clothing.
Your donations of clothing can give Christmas to those who would have
missed it. Your donations of food can help give homeless people the
strength to go on another day. And your donations of time will keep these
organizations running, as will your donations of money. Whatever you can
give, whatever you can do will help. But, please, don't think that you
can just write a check and forget about the homeless for another year.
This is a problem that will not be solved overnight...not even with
Superman's help.
Some of our city's homeless are tormented by mental problems...it will
take an extra effort to win their trust. Others cannot turn their backs
on drugs or alcohol...For them, we may be able to offer little more than
our prayers.
Metropolis is a prosperous city, but with each passing year good,
hard-working men and women find it more difficult to find affordable
housing here. Every year, there are more luxury condos and fewer row
homes. This, too, is part of the problem that we must not forget when
January arrives.
There are many ways we can attack the problem. We can petition our city
council to create incentives for the construction of more low- and
middle-income housing. We can donate time and labor to organizations such
as Habitat for Humanity or the Bakerline Neighborhood Housing Service.
But we must do something....
A joyous and safe holiday season to everyone, and a happy and prosperous new
year! Next month, we bring in the new year by going back and reviewing some
of the very first stories written about the Man of Steel after John Byrne
revamped our hero. Stay Tuned!
_________________________________________________________
MANUSCRIPTS OF STEEL
------------------------------
Reviews of After-Byrne Superman Special Stories
by Denes House (dhouse@itsmail1.hamilton.edu)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPERMAN VS. ALIENS
BOOKS I - III
Story and Layout Art by Dan Jurgens
Finished Art by Kevin Nowlan
Coloring by Greg Wright
Color Separations by Android Images
Lettering by Bill Oakley
1995
Prestige Format, $4.95 US/$6.95 CAN (each)
Rating
------
4.6/5.0 Shields
---------------------------------------------------------
In space, no one can hear Superman scream.
"Okay, so what happens on page *two*?" That was the response from many comic
book fans on hearing news of the upcoming Superman/Aliens crossover. The idea
seemed almost laughable. Superman versus *Aliens*? Sure, they're nasty, but
Superman's invulnerable, has heat vision, and is Super-strong! He'll mop the
floor up with their acid blood.
And, I'll confess, I had my doubts. Sure, I loved ALIEN and ALIENS (don't talk
to me about ALIEN3). Sure, I love Superman. But how exciting can a matchup be?
What can I say? Even I am wrong once in a while.
The story opens with a space probe hurtling into the Earth's atmosphere.
Lexcorp surveillance satellites detect its fiery entrance, and Dr. Kimble, the
head of Lexcorp's space program, is notified.
The scene changes. Clark Kent and Lois Lane have been reluctantly invited
along for the ride as Kimble helicopters over the sea to intercept the probe.
En route, Kimble allows Clark to listen in on the probe's transmission. It is
ionizing Earth's oceans, causing dense cloud cover. No, wait -- that's STAR
TREK IV. This probe is speaking *Kryptonian*!
The stunned Clark uses his heat vision to create a minor technical glitch,
forcing the helicopter to land on a nearby island. This allows Kent to dash
into the woods and emerge clad in the red-yellow-and-blue garb of Superman!
Superman intercepts the probe. Markings on the probe's surface are written in
Kryptonian! The metal feels like the matrix-chamber that brought baby Kal-El
to Earth. And when Superman lands the probe on the deck of a Lexcorp recovery
vessel, the probe links telepathically with his mind!
The probe tells of its home planet's impending destruction. The world's
scientists devise a plan. They build a sturdy crystal dome over a city, and
set off explosive charges strategically placed beneath it. When the planet
explodes, the city is thrown clear, intact, floating through space.
But the city's inhabitants are dying, their resources exhausted. The probe is
a distress buoy! It relays the coordinates to Superman, and then dies.
Dr. Kimble, newly arrived on the ship after repairs on the helicopter have
been made, angrily confronts Superman. He tells her the probe's story, holding
back his suspicions about its Kryptonian origin and the coordinates for the
city. Kimble agrees to equip Superman for a lone space journey, in exchange
for first look at any technology he can bring back.
Lexcorp provides Superman with a spacecraft and teaches him how to use it.
Superman argues for Lois being able to be on board Lexcorp's orbiting space
station, his launching point for this journey, to report on the story.
Superman departs, inputting the city's coordinates into the navicomputer.
While traveling through hyperspace, Superman reflects on his heritage as
Krypton's last survivor. He also recalls his difficult decision to kill three
Kryptonian genocidal criminals in a pocket universe (SUPERMAN #22) and wonders
-- if there are other Kryptonians living in the city, will he be forced to
make the same decision again?
No. Superman reaffirms that he will not kill. That is a line he will not
cross, no matter what.
He arrives at the city, which appears Kryptonian. It has a bit of an
atmosphere clinging to it. But Superman realizes that, far from a sun, his
powers are beginning to wane a bit. Scouting the outside of the city dome, he
spots several airlocked entry points. With his x-ray vision, he sees that the
doors are barricaded inside. There are strange scratches on the doors.
Superman finds an abandoned crashed bus. Prying open the welded-shut doors,
Superman discovers four wounded and unconscious humanoids. They need medical
attention, so Superman sends his spaceship back to the space station with them
in it. He will be trapped here until Kimble can return the ship to him.
Along the way, Superman comes across a crab-like alien creature, dead. He
discards it.
Not wanting to disturb the dome's air system, Superman tunnels under the city,
and arrives in a vast cavern, filled with what the reader knows are Alien
eggs. Superman flies on, feeling a little bit creepy. This is nothing like the
Krypton he knows.
Suddenly, he is attacked by an Alien. Superman tries to communicate, and
consistently underestimates the creature, and so ends up getting bitten in the
forehead by the Alien's inner jaws! He takes off the gloves, and punches the
Alien hard. Its blood spills all over his eyes, the acid blinding him! He
fights on, though feeling desperation for the first time. A blond girl
speaking Kryptonian fries the alien with a flame-thrower, saving him.
She is stunned that he is alive after a tussle with an Alien, and leads Kal to
an infirmary. As they travel through the deserted corridors of the city, she
tells him a little of the city's history, and its name - *Argo!* Superman
tells her his name is Kal. She replies, "I'm Kara."
Meanwhile, Superman's spaceship flies on through space, while a chestburster
punches its way out of one of the survivors!
Can Superman survive on Argo? Is this Kara *our* Kara? What will happen with a
full-grown Alien on Lexcorp's space station? With his dwindling powers, can
Superman survive being *implanted* by an alien egg? AAAAAAAAAARRRGH!
I'm as nervous as a nine-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs just
*WRITING* that! And I know how it turns out!
If you don't know how it turns out, then definitely go out and buy the
miniseries, or the trade paperback that collects the whole story.
Why?
1. The writing. I have criticized Jurgens' writing in the past, and I stand by
my criticism. But with this concept behind him, Jurgens does a masterful job.
He develops a plausible reason why the Aliens could be a real threat to
Superman, and then takes that reason to town, throwing in Kara, Argo, and a
real threat to good old planet Earth, as well.
Jurgens scares us on many levels. The thing is, we *know* what the Aliens are,
and what they are capable of, but Superman *doesn't*. Thus, Jurgens' use of
thought captions here functions perfectly, while it bombed in
SUPERMAN/DOOMSDAY: HUNTER/PREY. They form the equivalent of a monster in the
closet -- they enable the audience to scream, *"Don't go in there!"* and then
feel the chills as he does go in there.
Jurgens also wisely misdirects the audience as to the actual origin of Argo
and Kara until we have formed an emotional attachment to them. A blonde girl
named Kara who is completely unrelated to the Superman mythos holds little
appeal, but once the bonds have been formed, the misdirection can be cleared
away and the ties will remain intact.
The writing also supplies a heavy amount of dramatic *tragedy* in the story of
Kara, and her eventual fate. This is, in the end, a sad story -- and one that
leaves the reader wistful, if not begging, for more.
2. The Art. I have also criticized Jurgens' pencils in the past, and again, I
stand by my critique. But here, striving for creativity by portraying Superman
in unaccustomed locales and situations, Jurgens is stretched as an artist, and
rises to the challenge.
Undoubtedly helped along these lines by the lush inks of Kevin Nowlan, Jurgens
creates a moody, dark, nervous atmosphere that heightens tension and draws the
reader in. Here, Jurgens' love of thin vertical panels is put to good use,
compressing time for the reader and making us feel claustrophobic. He uses
sharp diagonals with heavy blacks for the same reason, keeping readers
off-balance.
Nowlan's inks are a revelation here. His Superman is powerful but human, and
the Aliens emerge from the moody darkness like ghostly apparitions that are
all too real.
Greg Wright and the folks at Android Images also do well to emphasize the
dark, unearthly power of the artwork with eerie greens and slightly weird
backgrounds. Argo is a dead city, and none of the colors show signs of life.
Only Superman's costume and Kara's blonde hair show any release from the
impassive grey and dark blues and blacks of Wright's palette.
Not surprisingly, I do have some nits to pick, and I will address them
briefly. First, Superman's powers seem to fade too rapidly. I realize that
this is a necessary evil of the story, so I put up with it gladly, but it
could set a dangerous precedent.
Secondly, there is the recurring problem of Jurgens being unable to find the
right "look" for alien settings. Superman muses that Argo looks Kryptonian,
but I really can't see it, except in the very first, shadowy glimpse we have
of it. Otherwise, Argo and its technology seem to look like Jurgens' picture
of Apokolips, which looks like every other advanced technology Jurgens draws.
Now, it's possible this is a clue Jurgens is leaving for us that Argo is not
what it seems, but then it gives us a Superman who can't even remember what
Kryptonian tech looks like, even though he's got a cavern full of it back
home.
But despite those reservations, SUPERMAN VS. ALIENS is a scary story with
spectacular artwork and a compelling plot. I loaned it to a friend who hadn't
seen any of the Aliens movies, and whose only exposure to comics were my Death
of Superman, World Without a Superman, and Return of Superman trade
paperbacks. She was gripped, and scared out of her gourd, screaming "OH NO!"
every once in a while even though there were lots of people around.
This one is not for the weak of stomach; there are some gross and violent
parts, but it is an excellent read, and a chilling way to spend an afternoon.
Capsule Review:
Story: Scary and compelling, with great suspense and well-done plot twists.
4.5 Shields out of 5.
Art: Dark and moody, and quite fresh and innovative, with Jurgens' pencils and
Nowlan's inks well-complemented by the eerie coloring. 4.7 Shields out of 5.
Overall: A dark, scary, spine-tingling tale of the Man of Steel. Buy it as
back issues, or pick up the trade paperback with a great introduction by Chris
Claremont. 4.6 Shields out of 5.
Next Month: Superman and the Super-gun take on Hitler clones at The Earth's
End.
Denes House
December 1996
_________________________________________________________
LOIS AND CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN
------------------------------------------------------
THE SCRIPT-URES
---------------------------------
by Zoomway (Zoomway@aol.com)
Over the seasons a lot of fans have asked what the "A plot" or "B plot" is
when discussing the episodes, and so I hope this short article will be helpful
in explaining how the show's scripts are put together, and what constitutes a
well constructed script and why.
LOIS AND CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN is a show that has lead
characters, and in this case the title characters. In this type of show, the
other cast members are known as the *supporting cast* -- as opposed to a show
such as ER, which is an *ensemble cast*. LOIS AND CLARK is also a
character-driven show as opposed to a plot-driven show such as THE X-FILES.
The plots on LOIS AND CLARK are driven and defined by the villain. The
villain plot is the A plot/story. The villain sets up the maze that has to be
navigated by Lois and Clark to bring resolution to the story. Lois and Clark
are the B plot/story, and mainly in the sense of what we find out about them
as characters, their relationship, or what they do that is true to character
that leads to the resolution of the A plot. A story involving the supporting
cast, such as Perry's divorce, or Jimmy wanting to prove himself as a
reporter, comprise the C plot.
I think the best constructed script was "Strange Visitor", written by Bryce
Zabel. I am *not* saying that any script following it was a pale reflection.
I'm not even saying that being the best constructed makes it the best episode,
because in my opinion it isn't, though I'd rank it one of the best from first
season, and in the top 25 from all seasons. I'm just saying that the script
had many plots and subplots to juggle, and never dropped any of them, and kept
them all interesting.
We had Trask looking for Superman, the alien, and we had Clark thinking about
his "alienness". Lois and Clark are a bit like Scully and Mulder in this
episode, though Lois seems more contemptuous than skeptical, and Clark acts
more on the suspected facts about himself rather than on faith. The A plot in
this episode also has background leading all the way back to the day Clark's
spaceship landed in Smallville, Kansas in 1966. It creates a history of
Bureau 39 going back at least that far.
This episode had the *feel* of a good X-FILES episode (even THE X-FILES could
use a good X-FILES episode this season). There was a group photo, and in the
photo is Trask and others that are somehow connected to a secret bureau. We
get a character like Deep Throat who has lost his passion for what Bureau 39
is doing, feeling it has been perverted. He helps Lois and Clark, but makes
it clear he's dangerous, and what they get from him is all they will get from
him, and no questions asked. We see a Skinner type who has less control than
he thought, and is murdered by Trask, who is now completely out of anyone's
control, and yet he still commands great power. Trask was not a gamesman like
Lex Luthor; he was not in it for the "fun". He wasn't in it for glory, power,
or money. He was a xenophobic zealot who believed that killing the "alien"
would preserve mankind, and didn't care how much of mankind he had to destroy,
just to get to that one alien.
This episode contained insight into Lois Lane as well. She was writing a
romance novel about a woman who dies without ever knowing her true love. It
also contains one of Lois's most heartless moments. She hugs Clark with great
enthusiasm when she finds him alive only because that means Superman is alive.
Lois has no more thought of how that would hurt Clark (or anyone for that
matter) than the thought put behind swatting a mosquito. This episode nailed
most of Lois Lane's early character traits; self-absorbed, romance-starved and
romantically clueless, judgmental, work-centric, and Superman-obsessed. It's
a great episode to reference back to when charting the progression of Lois
Lane's character development.
The C plot in "Strange Visitor" dealt with a "spin" on a character stereotype.
Throughout the history of television there have been women who have either
had their virtue compromised, or some unscrupulous man who spread rumors
indicating a compromise had taken place. In Strange Visitor, it is a man,
Clark Kent, who becomes the object of rumor regarding compromised virtue.
What makes this scenario work is an understanding of Clark Kent's character.
Most men would probably have thought little of the rumor, or as Jimmy Olsen
was depicted in the episode, be *impressed* by the rumor. However, drawing
Clark Kent as someone who would not compromise his virtue, nor stand for
rumors being spread, the humor is derived from his rather frustrating attempts
to convince everyone that Cat Grant is lying, and he is telling the truth.
This too becomes a standard of characterization for an element of Clark Kent
that can be charted through the show's history, culminating with Clark
confessing his virginity to Lois in "Virtually Destroyed". When
characterization is carried true through each season, a confession such as
Clark's becomes an affirmation of a suspected fact, rather than a surprise,
and that's how good character development should be.
"Strange Visitor" was the best constructed script in the sense of conventional
style. Everything was played by the book, so to speak. The best script of
unconventional structure, and still one of the best executed episodes, was
"Whine, Whine, Whine", written by John McNamara and Kathy McCormick. The A
plot was so nonlinear in design that it seemed more a catalyst to the B plot,
rather than a framework in which the B plot was explored. There was Calvin
Dregg, a rock guitarist wannabe who claims to have been injured by Superman
during a rescue, and so decides to sue the man of steel. Splitting off from
this A plot line is a B plot with its very own A plot villain and story.
Lois Lane is torn three ways in this episode. She obviously is in love with
Clark Kent, but he keeps disappearing in the middle of serious conversations,
leading her to believe that he has a fear of commitment (not knowing he is
running off to do his job as Superman). She has been casually seeing DEA
agent Dan Scardino, who at least lets her finish whole sentences, but he is
very close-mouthed about his work. He believes that because Lois is a
reporter, there is a conflict of interest. There is still Superman. Lois has
tried to put aside the Superman fantasy, but as she tells her therapist Dr.
Friskin, she's "conflicted". Her head has put Superman aside, but her heart
has not. Lois, in an attempt to prove to Dan that she would never exploit a
friend's secrets for a story, follows Dan while he's on an undercover
assignment, and then angrily hands him all the notes she made during her
investigation, proving to Dan that she was sincere about not exploiting a
friendship. Unfortunately for both Lois and Dan, the conversation was bugged,
Dan's cover is blown, and now both Lois and Dan are targets for assassination.
The ephemeral A plot, involving the nuisance suit from Calvin Dregg, causes
all factors in Clark's life to free fall. He rapidly loses his ability to
cope with the snowballing events. The nuisance suit requires him to be
Superman too often in a quest to find a lawyer to represent him. Being
Superman too much compromises his work at the Daily Planet. Worst of all,
believing he's lost Lois' love, he loses even the desire to continue on as
Clark Kent, "I can't keep being two people anymore." He decides he will
continue only as Superman. A disguise he created to allow him to have a
normal life has now destroyed every aspect of a normal life. It is the
cruelest of ironies.
Fortunately for Clark, just as he is losing his focus, Lois is finding hers.
Friskin tells her, "You're not a victim, Lois, so stop acting like one. You
know who you want to be with, you've known all along. Problem is, he's just
as scared as you are. So, who's going to be the first to step up and say the
scary words?" Lois decides it will have to be her. Lois waits throughout the
trial where the nuisance suit is finally dismissed and Superman is vindicated.
She kisses Superman on the cheek and congratulates him. She then dismisses
the fantasy to his face. She relegates her fantasy love to friendship and
tells Superman that there is someone else. Clark (as Superman) is tempted to
tell her that he needs her, but simply plays the brave hero and walks off.
Lois, later visiting Clark at his apartment, tells him she has dumped her
Superman fantasy, and though Clark rapidly jumps to the conclusion that she
has done so for Dan, Lois stuns him completely by saying she has dumped Dan as
well. Lois Lane, in a very true sense, rescued Clark Kent in this episode.
Clark now has the love he's always wanted, and Lois burned every bridge and
avenue of retreat behind her to give Clark this love.
This episode also had some clever elements that no episode previous or
following has ever been quite able to match. There was the Nature Station
running programs throughout the episode with animal behavior paralleling the
human behavior, and a video montage played out to the Eric Clapton song "Old
Love", wherein the frustration of love and the like-mindedness of Lois and
Clark are played out beautifully.
"Strange Visitor" and "Whine, Whine, Whine" remembered the most important
elements of LOIS AND CLARK. Both stories remembered that the show works best
when the unique situation of Superman and the complications he can cause the
*normal* life of Clark Kent and the normal life of Lois Lane is exploited.
There have been some memorable episodes throughout the years, but these two,
from a scripting standpoint and maintaining the theme and spirit of the show,
are the best.
_________________________________________________________
SUPER MERCHANDISE
-----------------------------------------------
Information on Forthcoming Superman Merchandise
Descriptions courtesy of PREVIEWS catalog, copyright 1996, Diamond Comic
Distributors. For further information on (and in many cases, pictures of) the
below merchandise, see recent issues of PREVIEWS!
THESE ITEMS ARE NOT FOR SALE BY THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET or by anyone associated
with it. For information on purchasing any of the merchandise listed below,
contact your local comic shop.
ABBREVIATIONS:
-------------
FC: Full color
HC: Hardcover
PB: Paperback
PI: Inquire about price
SC: Softcover
Unless otherwise indicated, the product is from DC Comics.
Also keep in mind that dates listed are when Diamond will be able to
distribute the product in question. For some merchandise (books and toys
especially), you may be able to find the item at a retailer earlier
than this given date.
These monthly updates only list new merchandise solicited by PREVIEWS.
For a full listing of Superman-related merchandise, visit the Kryptonian
Cybernet Homepage!
=======================================================
JANUARY:
-------
JLA RETAIL POSTER
Illustrated by Howard Porter and John Dell
DC's premier super-hero team dynamically rendered by the awesome art team
of the new JLA monthly, Howard Porter (JLX, UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED) and John
Dell (JLX, BLACK CANARY/ORACLE: BIRDS OF PREY)! Superman, Batman, Wonder
Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter. The World's
Greatest Heroes! This poster magnificently captures the grandeur and the
majesty of the revamped JLA.
Scheduled to arrive in stores January 15
FC, 22" x 34", $5.95
TOTAL JUSTICE FIGURES WAVE TWO
(Kenner/Hasbro)
The world's mightiest super-heroes team up with Batman to combat a new
force of super-villains. Equipped with revolutionary Fractal Tech Gear
for powers greater than ever before, these figures are tough! Each figure
includes individualized, high-tech action accessories. Scheduled for this
release are up to four new figures -- Fractal Armor Batman, Superman,
Hawkman, and Despero -- as well as the previously released Batman, Robin,
Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Darkseid.
NOTE: Not available outside North America.
CAUTION: May not be available in some areas due to licensing restrictions;
All information subject to change, but should ship no later than 90 days
past scheduled shipping date.
PI
SUPERMAN ANIMATION FIGURES WAVE TWO
(Kenner/Hasbro)
Now you can create multiple Superman adventures with heroes and villains
from the animated TV series! Each figure features shooting launchers,
specialized snap-on gear, or some other sort of action accessories.
Scheduled for this release are up to eleven new figures -- Flash,
Brainiac, Darkseid, Supergirl, Metallo, Strong Arm Superman, Capture Claw
Superman, Capture Cape Superman, Electro Energy Superman, Anti-Kryptonite
Superman, and Fortress of Solitude Superman -- as well as the previously
released Neutron Star Superman, Lex Luthor, Capture Net Superman, Quick
Change Superman, and Deep Dive Superman.
NOTE: Not available outside North America.
CAUTION: May not be available in some areas due to licensing restrictions;
All information subject to change, but should ship no later than 90 days
past scheduled shipping date.
PI
SUPERMAN DELUXE FIGURES
(Kenner/Hasbro)
These deluxe figures are designed in animation and comic book styles!
Scheduled for this release are some of the following: Heat Vision Superman
(with electronic light and sound), Blast Hammer Steel (with firing hammers
and ratchet sound), Speeding Bullet Superman (who glides over 25 feet),
Vision Blast Superman (with launcher and light-up S-shield), City Stealth
Superman (with flight pack and capture gear), and Steel Justice Superman
(with launching cyber-cuffs and "metallic" gear).
NOTE: Not available outside North America.
CAUTION: May not be available in some areas due to licensing restrictions;
All information subject to change, but should ship no later than 90 days
past scheduled shipping date.
PI
SUPERMAN POCKET PUNCHER
(Company not indicated)
This wild action game pits Superman against the evil Darkseid! Throw jabs
and punches by pushing your two control buttons. Score by knocking down
your opponent with a blow to the chin. First player to score 5 is the
winner! Ages 4 and up.
CAUTION: All information subject to change, but should ship no later than
90 days past scheduled shipping date.
PI
SUPERMAN SPACE SHOOTER
(Company not indicated)
Launch discs up to 20 feet with precision accuracy. Includes targets,
shooter sight, and 20 foam discs.
CAUTION: All information subject to change, but should ship no later than
90 days past scheduled shipping date.
PI
=======================================================
FEBRUARY:
--------
SUPERMAN COLLECTOR'S SET
This attractive boxed set includes three complete tales contained in
SUPERMAN #114-115, ACTION COMICS #723, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #536-537,
and SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #58. Superman is trapped without his
powers in the body of a mentally traumatized teenager -- but he can't let
that stop him from defeating Brainiac. The Man of Steel then meets
Obsession, a super-powered young woman who believes that she and Superman
are destined to be together, and a dangerous gang of unearthly bikers
from The Wild Area. The set also contains a trading card.
CAUTION: Quantities are limited, and orders may be allocated if they
exceed available supply. The comics in this set may not be first
printings.
Scheduled to arrive in stores February 5
PI
SUPERMAN: THE WEDDING COLLECTOR'S SET
This attractively boxed set contains the momentous beginning of a new
chapter in the world's most famous and enduring love story! These five
comics contain the entire story: the proposal, the plans, the wedding
dress and tuxedo, the shower, the bachelor party, the last-minute jitters,
and, of course, the wedding and the honeymoon. Included is the
Collector's Edition of the 96-page SUPERMAN: THE WEDDING ALBUM, a once in
a lifetime classic by some of the greatest talents in comics today, with
an enhanced cover. Also included are SUPERMAN #118, ADVENTURES OF
SUPERMAN #541, ACTION COMICS #728, SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #63, and a
special wedding invitation.
CAUTION: Quantities are limited, and orders may be allocated if they
exceed available supply. The comics in this set may not be first
printings.
Scheduled to arrive in stores February 19
PI
DC COMICS SUPER-HEROES: ATTACK OF THE ROBOT BOOK AND TATTOOS
(Golden Books)
Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and Green Lantern join forces to
combat a destructive enemy no single superpower on Earth could battle
alone! Comes with 27 temporary tattoos. Art by Erik Doescher and Tim
Harkins. For ages 3-10.
SC, $3.99
DC SUPER-HEROES: STICKER FUN
(Golden Books)
Each page is a black and white piece of art featuring a DC super-hero
(Superman is pictured on the cover), ready to be colored in! As a bonus,
there are pre-cut stickers with the book that fit into special places on
each page, to provide a bit of color to start with! For ages 5 and up.
SC, $1.99
SUPERMAN: CARNIVAL CHAOS SOUND STORYBOOK
(Golden Books)
by Louise Simonson, John Delaney, and Dave Cooper
A carnival sounds like fun for Lois and Clark until the rides and
attractions come to life. Who could be behind this evil trickery?
Superman finds out that it is none other than Mr. Mxyzptlk, the evil imp
from the Fifth Fimension. Superman must use his intelligence as well as
his super-strength to save the carnival and get rid of Mxy. Press the
SoundPicture buttons to hear Superman's heat vision, Mxy's impish laugh,
and the screech of carnival rides coming to life. Also includes fun
activity pages. For ages 3 and up.
SC, $12.99
DC COMICS OVERPOWER CCG STARTER DISPLAY
(Fleer)
A major expansion to the Marvel OverPower Collectible Card Game -- DC
OverPower! These completely playable (and fully compatible with the
Marvel Cards!) Starter Decks contain a random assortment of Heroes and
Villains found in the DC Universe, including Superman and Batman! An
introduction of a new power type not previously found on Marvel OverPower
Cards (Intellect) allows players to add variation in deck building
strategies. Also, new Ally cards feature such characters as Alfred
Pennyworth and Lois Lane, adding yet another dimension to strategy. With
original artwork by DC's top pencillers and inkers (including John Byrne,
Tom Grummett, and Mike Wieringo), and easy-to-learn game mechanic, and
new features, these cards are sure to be brawl-to-brawl fun!
69 cards per deck, 12 decks per display.
Display, $107.40
DC COMICS OVERPOWER BOOSTER DISPLAY
(Fleer)
Expand your character base with these cool booster packs, designed to
give your OverPower deck more of the DC Comics cards you need! All cards
in the booster pack are fully compatible with the Marvel OverPower CCG.
9 cards per deck, 36 decks per display
Display, $63.00
DC OVERPOWER JUSTICE LEAGUE EXPANSION SET
(Fleer)
Here at last is a new 197-card expansion set that's fully compatible with
existing DC and Marvel game packs. It introduces 20 new characters,
including Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash, each with an inherent
ability. Additional allies included are Guy Gardner and Firestorm, plus
there are additional Special cards, and a whole new type of card is
introduced -- the Tactic card.
15 cards per pack, 36 packs per display
Display, $106.20
SUPERMAN BASEBALL JERSEY
(Company not indicated)
A heather grey with red sleeves baseball jersey with the world-famous "S"
logo on the front over the left breast, and Superman flying on the back.
XL, $30.00
SUPERMAN SHIELDS SILK TIE
(Company not indicated)
A multitude of Superman's classic "S" shields graces this silk tie. Lex
Luthor would be envious!
$25.00
SUPERMAN 1 SILK TIE
(Company not indicated)
This silk tie features multiple images of the Man of Steel himself! Wear
it and become invincible!
$25.00
DC SUPER-HEROES MOUSE PADS
(Company not indicated)
Mousing around the computer is pretty easy, but sometimes you need a
little help. The heroes of the DC Universe are here to answer your call!
CAUTION: All information subject to change, but should ship no later than
90 days past scheduled shipping date.
Clark Kent/Superman, $12.45
Superman Logo, $8.95
_________________________________________________________
COMING ATTRACTIONS!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A List of Upcoming Comics Featuring The Superman Family of Characters
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.
Descriptions courtesy of PREVIEWS catalog, copyright 1996, Diamond Comic
Distributors. Diamond is the exclusive distributor of DC Comics!
NOTES
---------------
SOVEREIGN SEVEN issues #19-23 contain a five-part backup story in
which Clark Kent (and probably Superman) interacts with S7's Cascade.
The backup story is written by series writer Chris Claremont and
pencilled by Dave Cockrum. (These issues do not appear in the list
below.)
Dan Jurgens returns as penciller for one issue in SUPERMAN #121, the
second week in January. Sal Buscema provides guest art for SUPERMAN: THE
MAN OF STEEL #65 and SUPERBOY #37, both in January.
DC is issuing two new collector's sets of Superman back issues. Check
the Merchandise section for more information.
Superman guest-stars in AZTEK: THE ULTIMATE MAN #9, in February. This
character will be interacting with the Man of Steel on a more regular
basis when he joins the JLA in a few months, so you might want to get
to know him here first.
You did know that the new Teen Titans operate out of Metropolis, didn't
you? Expect some character overlap, since Dan Jurgens writes both TITANS
and SUPERMAN. For example, Bibbo appears in February's TEEN TITANS #7!
(This issue does not appear in the list below.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIST OF TITLES BY EXPECTED ARRIVAL DATE
---------------------------------------------
Arrival Date: Comic title and information:
------------ ---------------------------
December 4: JLA #2
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Howard Porter and John Dell
$1.95
Steel #35
Written by Christopher Priest
Art by Denys Cowan and Tom Palmer
Cover by Dave Johnson
$1.95
Superman Adventures #4
Written by Scott McCloud
Art and Cover by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
$1.75
Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #7
Written by Roger Stern
Art and Cover by Paul Ryan and Brett Breeding
$1.95
December 11: Supergirl #6 (Superman)
Written by Peter David
Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
$1.95
Superman #120
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Josef Rubinstein
$1.95
Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy #3 (of 4)
Written by Chris Claremont
Art and Cover by Dusty Abell and Drew Geraci
48 pgs, Prestige Format, $4.95
December 18: Adventures of Superman #543
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
$1.95
Superboy #36
Written by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
$1.95
Supergirl Plus #1 (of 1)
Written by Peter David
Art by Mike Manley, John Nyberg, and Jennifer Graves
Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
48 pgs, $2.95
December 26: Action Comics #730
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
$1.95
DC/Marvel: All Access #4 (of 4)
Written by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Jackson Guice and Josef Rubinstein
48 pgs, $2.95
Superboy & The Ravers #6
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
$1.95
Superman Plus #1 (of 1)
Written by Tom Peyer
Art by Bernard Chang and Bob McLeod
Cover by Chris Sprouse and Terry Austin
48 pgs, $2.95
The Teen Titans #5 (Supergirl)
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Dan Jurgens and George Perez
$1.95
January 3: JLA #3
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Howard Porter and John Dell
$1.95
Steel #36
Written by Christopher Priest
Art by Denys Cowan and Tom Palmer
Cover by Dave Johnson
$1.95
Superman Adventures #5
Written by Scott McCloud
Art by Bret Blevins and Terry Austin
Cover by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
$1.75
Superman: The Man of Steel #65
Written by Louise Simonson
Art by Sal Buscema and Dennis Janke
Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
$1.95
January 8: Supergirl #7
Written by Peter David
Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
$1.95
Superman #121
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Dan Jurgens and Josef Rubinstein
$1.95
Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy #4 (of 4)
Written by Chris Claremont
Art and Cover by Dusty Abell and Drew Geraci
48 pgs, Prestige Format, $4.95
January 15: Adventures of Superman #544
Written by Karl Kesel
Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
$1.95
Superboy #37
Written by Ron Marz
Art by Sal Buscema
Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
$1.95
January 22: Action Comics #731
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
$1.95
January 29: Superboy & The Ravers #7
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
$1.95
Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #8
Written by Roger Stern
Art by Paul Ryan and Brett Breeding
Cover by Paul Ryan
$1.95
February 5: JLA #4
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Howard Porter and John Dell
$1.95
Steel #37
Written by Christopher Priest
Art by Denys Cowan and Tom Palmer
Cover by Dave Johnson
$1.95
Superman Adventures #6
Written by Scott McCloud
Art and Cover by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
$1.75
Superman: The Man of Steel #66
Written by Louise Simonson
Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
$1.95
February 12: Supergirl #8
Written by Peter David
Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
$1.95
Superman #122
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Josef Rubinstein
$1.95
February 19: Adventures of Superman #545
Written by Karl Kesel
Art by Scot Eaton and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
$1.95
Aztek: The Ultimate Man #9
Written by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar
Art by N. Steven Harris and Keith Champagne
Cover by Steve Lightle
$1.75
Superboy #38
Written by Ron Marz
Art and Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
$1.95
February 26: Action Comics #732
Written by David Michelinie
Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
$1.95
Superboy & The Ravers #8
Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
$1.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPOILERS
------------------
January 3:
---------
JLA #3
"War of the Worlds" finds our heroes suffering at the hands of the evil
Hyperclan! With Superman held powerless by Kryptonite, Martian Manhunter
defecting to the dark side, and most of the team helpless in the Flower of
Wrath, it's up to Batman to single-handedly stop a group of creatures
powerful enough to take down the JLA!
Steel #36
Combing the sewers of Jersey City looking for the creature that nearly
killed him, Steel encounters a maniacal band of crack addicts armed to the
teeth and ready to ignite! Meanwhile, niece Natasha spends a night out on
the town -- in her *own* suit of armor!
Superman Adventures #5
SUPERMAN TV storyboard artist Bret Blevins, who designed the animated
version of Livewire, is guest penciller! Feeling that women have been
dominated in this "man's world" long enough, the electrically-charged
Legion of Superheroes' villainess Livewire surges ahead with a new
cause -- the complete and utter downfall of all men! Only the Man of
Steel has a chance of stopping her, provided she doesn't send a permanent
shock to his system first!
Superman: The Man of Steel #65
Misa. Maxima. Riot. Barrage. Anamoly. Together they are the Superman
Revenge Squad! Hellbent on settling the score, will they succumb to the
Man of Steel's wrath or will they escape it? And what does their sinister
mastermind have in store for the beleaguered Kryptonian?
January 8:
---------
Supergirl #7
As Supergirl rummages through Linda Danvers' grotesque pre-Supergirl art,
many questions are answered about her new identity's past, bringing her
even closer to a showdown with the mysterious and powerful Buzz. Also,
Richard Malvern makes a deal and misses a date.
Superman #121
Dan Jurgens writes and pencils "They Call It Suicide Slum," a special look
at the seldom seen dark side of Metropolis. When Superman gets involved
in the life of a mother and her child, marked for death by a gang that
controls their neighborhood, he faces the toughest challenge of his
career! What can this gang do that can frustrate the best efforts of The
Man of Steel?
Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy #4 (of 4)
The mythic conclusion to the romance of the century! Superman and Lois
Lane overcome obstacles of legendary proportions to thwart the gods at
their own game. And in the end, their fated love literally conquers all.
January 15:
----------
Adventures of Superman #544
Who killed Clark Kent in broad daylight in front of the Daily Planet?
This tantalizing mystery is only the beginning of the latest menace to
face Metropolis -- the rise and return of Intergang!
Superboy #37
Superboy is in for the fight of his life when Sledge washes up on the
shores of Hawaii, looking to kick some major butt! This bas guy has held
his own against the likes of Green Lantern and Warrior ... and the Kid
may be out of his league!
January 22:
----------
Action Comics #731
It's the riotous return of the villain called Cauldron! Originally, he
was Project Cadmus' first foray into law enforcement, created to prove
that DNAliens were not inherently evil. But someone's stolen the
development data and programmed a version with his *own* sinister agenda!
Will Cauldron version 2.0 have more humanity than its cyber predecessor?
January 29:
----------
Superboy & The Ravers #7
Part 1 of the 3-part "Road Trip" guest-starring Impulse! The Ravers are
leaving the party life behind, and taking a trek across the DC Universe.
They're on a quest to meet as many of their favorite heroes as possible.
First stop: Keystone City, where they run into -- Impulse!?! Plus,
Aura's loyalties are torn as she continues her secret mission for Marx.
Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #8
A villain called Carbide is running rampant throught Metropolis. His
unique and strange abilities, coupled with his rock-hard exterior, make
him a formidable foe for The Man of Steel. But that's only the beginning!
A new underground criminal element is being born in the city, and Carbide
just might be its mightiest member. It's a true test of Superman's
newly-recovered strength as he faces his latest challenge!
February 5:
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JLA #4
It's the epic conclusion to the first battle of The World's Greatest
Heroes! The Hyperclan's sinister identities are revealed to the world!
The JLA must confront a legion of intergalactic warriors determined to
enslave the Earth. The newly-formed team faces its greatest challenge
yet -- against seemingly impossible odds!
Steel #37
A hellish love triangle is formed when John Irons finds himself drawn to
Amanda Quick. She's being courted by the diabolical Skorpio, a costumed
menace with bio-mechanic weaponry. Aside from romance, Skorpio has one
other hobby -- murder -- and Steel's his next target!
Superman Adventures #6
A blinding flash of white light, and suddenly, Metropolis is in ruins!
Even more mysteriously, everything begins moving backwards in time! Can
the Man of Steel prevent the chain of events that caused this catastrophe?
The cover features an actual background from Kids WB's SUPERMAN.
Superman: The Man of Steel #66
Superman's "S" shield represents many things to the citizens of
Metropolis, and those meaning are explored in this moving story! The
Daily Planet does a special feature on the Man of Steel -- while Rajiv,
the villain who wrecked Lois and Clark's honeymoon, rains terror on
Metropolis from an orbiting satellite!
February 12:
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Supergirl #8
In the first of a 2-part story that wraps up Supergirl's first major
story arc, Buzz manages to get a blind date with Supergirl by chumming
it up with Linda's mom! What kind of mind games does he have planned for
this mystery date? In the process, much is revealed about Buzz's
mysterious origins. Also, Richard Malverne's deal with Buzz comes home
to roost when he is transformed into something more than human!
Superman #122
What caused the rebellious young prince of Kandor to phase out of the
bottle city? What kind of trouble can befall an entire city whose
population is comprised of oddly-gifted aliens? Plus, Lois visits the
Fortress of Solitude for the first time!
February 19:
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Adventures of Superman #545
The Atomic Skull has returned to menace Metropolis! What's he after?
Plus, something's made Superman completely and utterly phantom-like!
He's falling through walls and radiating an odd static electricity!
This issue features guest-penciller Scot Eaton.
Aztek: The Ultimate Man #9
Guest-starring Superman! A comatose child's only hope of recovery lies
in the encouragement of his hero, Superman. But when Aztek goes to
Metropolis to ask the Man of Steel for his help, he runs into a bigger
problem -- the deadly Parasite!
Superboy #38
In Part 1 of the 3-part "Meltdown": Bad skin means bad news for Superboy
when the zit on his cheek spreads. Is this a bad case of acne... or
something worse? After having his DNA tampered with to create Match, the
Kid's cellular structure is breaking down -- and there might not be a
cure!
February 26:
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Action Comics #732
The Atomic Skull continues his mad rampage through Metropolis! If he
wasn't capable of enough destruction, a Kandorian prince with bizarre
super-powers has phase-shifted to our world as well!
Superboy and the Ravers #8
Guy Gardner guest-stars in Part 2 of the 3-part "Road Trip." As the
Ravers' road trip through the DC Universe continues, the gang makes three
stops: The Coast City memorial, Gotham -- where they don't meet Batman --
and finally Guy Gardner's bar, Warrior's. But the Ravers are all
underage, and when they sneak in... well, let's just say that Guy hates
it when people break the house rules.
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End of Section 9/Issue #33
