#2.

... ed and had lots of fans. Two notable stories during this period are the Zero Hour issue, _Superboy_ #8 and the 1995 Year One themed _Superboy Annual_ #2. With all of the strange events happening during Zero Hour, probably the most welcome was the return of the Silver Age Superboy. A freak storm forces a plane carrying Superboy, Dubbilex, and Krypto to land outside Smallville. The original Boy of Steel materializes and helps rescue the plane. With neither Superboy aware of the other, they both head into Smallville. While the current model shows off for the locals, young Clark Kent strolls down the street to encounter all kinds of strange changes, ...

... Scott Devarney continues his look at the Superman Specials of the mid-eighties, this time reviewing the imaginary Brainiac story of Superman Special #2. Section 3: Superman Stories The Eradicator In light of the character's recent return to the pages of the Superman comics, Sean Hogan relates the history of the malevolent artifact from Krypton's past. Section 4: New Comic Reviews The Triangle Titles Superman #152, by Thomas Deja Adventures of Superman #574, by Jeff Sykes Superman: The Man of Steel #96, by Mike Smith Section 5: New Comic Reviews The Triangle Titles (cont) Action Comics #761, by Shane Travis Super-Family Titles Superboy #70, by R ...

... nning a story, asking "Who is Strange Visitor?" -- even though that question was answered months ago for anyone who picked up _Superman Secret Files_ #2. It's one thing to hint at what's going to happen, but it's something else all together to outright *tell* what's going to happen. Finally, I *hate* mail order. It's not the service -- in fact, Westfield has so far provided exemplary service. It's about missing the interaction and flexibility a reader has when visiting a comic shop each week. It's about getting all of your books several weeks after everyone else, never mind the catch-up time it takes to read several weeks' worth of comics. It's ...

... uch of set-up for their upcoming 2-part guest-starring stint, the Young Justice kids make a cameo appearance in the pages of _Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E._ #2. Ratings Panelists: ----------------- BS: Brian Seidman GD: Gavin Douglas SDM: Simon DelMonte CoS: Cory Strode GR: Gary Robinson SI: Seth Isaacs DWk: Douglas Wolk JB: Jeremy Bleichman SL: Sebastian Lecocq EJ: Enola Jones JSy: Jeff Sykes ST: Shane Travis EM: Edward Mathews MS: Mike Smith SY: Steven Younis GC: Glenn Crouch RG: Rene' Gobeyn TD: Thomas Deja 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 s ...

... 0, written by Dan Jurgens. The story was part of the "Ghosts" annuals that had members of the JLA being haunted by phantoms, ending with _JLA Annual_ #2. The focus of the Superman story is on the moral issue of capital punishment (with the impending execution of a convicted killer) rather than on the morality of Superman's execution of the Kryptonian villains. The capital punishment angle is dealt with in a heavy handed manner. Questions are raised, such as when Lois asks Clark if he is investigating the convict's story, "because you think he might be innocent ... or because you don't like capital punishment?" But neither the questions nor the d ...

... ower changes or how he reverted to normal. (Note that DC is still trying to explain this, as evidenced by the recent story in _Superman Secret Files_ #2.) The worst of these, and the "winner" of my vote, is the Millennium Giants arc. I've still no idea what role the Supermen played in the coming or defeat of the Giants, and how these events led to Superman's restoration. That eight issues didn't provide enough room to provide that explanation is inexcusable. ST: Hmm... Millennium Giants. I guess I'd sort of blocked that one from my mind, the way one might forget the details of a traffic accident. Still, I don't think anyone *expected* great lite ...

... ne covers. I have no clue who did them -- he or she signs their work "CAJ" -- but the exterior art outshines the innards, especially for _MOS Annual_ #2. Capsule review: Gory and awkward, with sub-par artwork. Story: You can see where Simonson was going, but the way is obscured by blood. 1.7 Shields out of 5. Art: Good layouts, but not much else worth looking at. 2.0 Shields out of 5. Overall: 1.8 Shields out of 5. The _Superman Annual_, however, is more interesting. A lower violence level makes room for the Comics Code shield on the cover, and strong connections with the rest of the Superman mythos makes room for a more intriguing story. After ...

... hy I've already won." He also reveals the origin of Ellie Lane's illness. Now that's a villain! Luthor's ruthlessness is well showcased in _Superman_ #2. He rips out Metallo's kryptonite heart (using it to make a ring), has Lana Lang kidnapped and tortured, and does some very nasty things to his employees. All to manipulate Superman. In these early stories, Luthor comes across as a chess master -- sacrificing some pawns and losing some moves, but confident of his overall strategy. An untouchable spider in a large and growing web. The tide finally begins to turn in _Action Comics_ #600. Luthor, while trying to intimidate Captain Maggie Sawyer, sl ...

... e _Batman_, _Flash_, _Wonder Woman_, _Aquaman_, _Green Lantern_, _Superman_, and _Martian Manhunter_ annuals, leading to a conclusion in _JLA Annual_ #2. Each issue will find the featured member facing de- ceased friends, lovers, ancestors, and enemies in a plot masterminded by Felix Faust. Each "Ghosts" annual features a unified cover design, with cover art by Bernie Wrightson. ** In September, DC travels to the 853rd century in _DC One Million_, this year's crossover event. The weekly, four-issue miniseries is written by Grant Morrison with art by Val Semeiks, and each DC Universe title will feature its one millionth issue. Not only will reade ...

... nk I'd agree with you. In fact, I think I might put it even below _Genesis_ in terms of readability, although Superboy did show some heroism in issue #2. Part 5 made much of the preceding crap worthwhile, though, so much so that... aaah, but I'm getting ahead of myself here. SF3: Best Cover from a Superman Family Title ============================================ JS: There were quite a few good covers in the family titles, but none that were truly spectacular. The cover of _Superboy and the Ravers_ #8, however, depicting Superboy and his gang trying to worm his way into Guy Gardner's joint using a Superman ID card, managed to perfectly capture t ...