Action Comics #845 (January, 2007)
"Last Son, Part Two"
Writers - Geoff Johns & Richard Donner
Artist - Adam Kubert
Colorist - Dave Stewart
Letterer - Rob Leigh
Associate Editor - Nachie Castro
Editor - Matt Idelson
Cover Price: $2.99
It's been a little while since we discussed Part One of "Last Son"... guess I got sidetracked by other stuff. Kinda poetic in a way though, considering how the story itself was plagued by infuriating delays the first time around too! Hey-yooo...
Anyhoo, delays aside... I think this will be a fun one to revisit. Let's do it!
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We open at the Fortress of Solitude where Superman is presenting the recently-arrived Kryptonian Boy to the crystal computer simulation of Mr. Oz. He's looking for answers, unfortunately... the Jor-El simulation doesn't have any. I mean, whattaya expect? Anyhoo, Superman then asks the lad (in Kryptonese... translated Kryptonese!) if he'd like to learn how to fly.
We move ahead to Smallville... where Lois and Clark are chatting up the Kents about what they ought to do with the little feller. Pa suggests that they... adopt him. Lois doesn't appear too keen on the idea, though Clark seems to be on board immediately. The lad floats into the Kent kitchen and asks Lois why she doesn't feel like she and Clark could be his parents... and he does so, in English!
Later and Elsewhere, Lex Luthor is attempting to tap a phone call between Superman and Sarge Steel. He manages to break through, and learns where the pair are going to meet and decide the fate of their strange little visitor. Lex then frees his "backwards friend"... that, ya know... the cover has already spoiled.
We shift ahead to the meeting site, which to Sarge Steel's surprise... is a full-blown press conference. This makes complete sense, as it inhibits Sarge's ability to conduct himself in an underhanded manner. Smart stuff here! Unfortunately, just as Superman is about to announce his plan for the Super-boy... an uninvited guest appears to crash the party.
In a really brutal bit, Bizarro scans the crowd looking for the Super-boy. He grabs one, believing it to be the right one... and snaps his arm to test him! When the bone breaks, Bizarro realizes he's got the wrong one... and so, he just hurls him away! I really like this... it ups the danger-factor on Bizarro in a big way. This isn't the (almost) lovable goof Bizarro... this is a scary monster!
Following some mighty impressive panels depicting Bizarro's city-wide rampage, he hurls a school bus in Superman's direction.
The bus... gets some really good hang time... flying through a nearby building, and landing right on top of the Super-boy!
Lois approaches the crushed bus and finds the Super-boy standing inside... he is unharmed, but clearly shaken. Nearby, Bizarro attempts to break his own car-toss record by hurling a truck at the Daily Planet globe...
Acting fast, the new Super-boy leaps into action... catching the Daily Planet globe before it crushes Lois Lane. By this point, Superman has already neutralized Bizarro... using his super-breath to freeze him where he stands.
Shifting ahead, we rejoin Lois and Clark in the park (rhyme!). Lois has come around to the idea of adopting the lad... and even gives him the name Christopher. I think that's a mighty fine name... and thankfully, so does her husband.
We close out this chapter... with the arrival of Chris Kent's biological parents... General Zod and Ursa... the (no longer dead) Phantom Zone Criminals.
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The thought that keeps flashing through my head is that this is "Decompression Done Right".
Sure, there's a bit of padding here (you could probably read it in less than five minutes)... but also, more than enough actually happens in the issue to make it feel worthwhile. I mean, I could've done without the Fortress of Solitude/Jor-El crystal computer pages... and the four-pages spent on introducing General Zod were a bit much, but still... we actually got a fair amount of story-progression here.
I'm not going to mention... or, at least I'm going to try not to mention all of the delays this story faced a decade ago. Anybody tracking these issues (or trades) down today won't have the proper frame of reference for that anyway. When we discuss "Last Son", I'm going to try and focus the commentary on only what's inside the book.
So... what do we get? Let's start with Bizarro. A character I feel I really need to be "in the mood" for. I really don't get the gag... and I gotta be looking for a certain type of story to really appreciate him. Here, however... he's depicted as goal-oriented and scary! He has his orders... and goes so far as to break a young boy's arm just to see if he's the Super-boy he's looking for! That's a scary villain... and illustrates the potential (non-silly) Bizarro stories really have!
The adoption story... kinda just happens. It's been... a long time since I read this last, so I don't remember how/if they explain it. It's not that I have a real problem with it... it's not like it's permanent. Even back in ye old 2007, I think we knew that. Although... Kon-El was dead at this point... and we didn't actually have a Super-boy in the world. Also... Superman himself was adopted... so there is a parallel there. Ehh... maybe there is an argument to be made... and maybe some folks thought it might be permanent.
We get a look at just how, I dunno... small the DCU is perceived to be. Lois and Clark worry that people will connect the dots between the Kryptonian castaway and their new adoptive Son. I mean, aren't there millions of people in Metropolis alone? Noting (and running with) commonalities like this is taking an awfully big leap. Maybe it's just me. I think these are "coincidences" that we readers should notice... but really shouldn't be brought to light inside the books.
My only complaint would be that the scene transitions feel a bit disjointed. I'm not sure if this was a Donner thing... where he was picturing a movie transition, which might be accompanied by sweeping camera work and a soundtrack... because this feels unlike a "normal" Geoff Johns book in this regard. It didn't completely pull me out... but I did notice the wonkiness.
Overall... this was a fine chapter... featuring some wonderful Adam Kubert art. It's the cliche "feast for the eyes"... discounting Clark (and Bizarro's) emo haircut, this was really great stuff! I think I'd certainly give this storyline a recommendation. It's well worth a look.
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Justice League Unlimited #28 (February, 2007)
"Season's Beatings Justice League!"
Writer - Mike McAvennie
Penciller - Sanford Greene
Inker - Nathan Massengill
Colorist - Heroic Age
Letterer - John J. Hill
Editor - Michael Wright
On this, the Seventh Day of Christmas on Infinite Earths, we're going to get a bit animated!
I know the last time we chatted up a book based on an animated series I mentioned that I'm not the biggest fan of the animated "style" in comics. I'm cool with it on TV, but really don't think it works in the books. Let's see if this Holiday issue changes my tune!
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We open with the Flash being knocked into a Christmas Tree by... Santa Claus?! Well, no... it's actually just Clayface in a Santa suit. Batman runs in... because that's what he does, and slings a 'rang at the baddie. What we don't immediately realize is that the Atom hitched a ride on the 'rang and was carrying a freezing compound which turned Clayface into an oddly-shaped Popsicle.
With Clayface out of the way, Batman turns his attentions toward... well, Wally. He lays into him for failing to secure the perimeter. He's got a really good reason though... ya see, he had a hot tip on a store that has Playtendo 720 in stock! Batman boots Wally off monitor duty and tasks him with tracking down one of Clayface's "little helpers" who had gotten away.
And so, Wally shuffles off... dissing the Bat with every step. As luck would have it... he just so happens to wander into the path of a Stranger. A Phantom Stranger, even (as if the cover didn't spoil it!) The Stranger tries to explain to the Flash why Batman is the way that he is... and when that doesn't quite work, he decides to show him!
Their first stop is Christmas a few years earlier in Smallville. Superman and Batman had a bet... which Batman lost... which means he spends Christmas with the Kents! It's about as awkward as you might imagine.
Later that evening, Clark and Batman (still in costume) begin to trim the tree. Clark shows off his collection of superhero ornaments... which includes one of the Gray Ghost. Folks might remember the Gray Ghost as the sorta amalgamated "pulp" character from that episode of Batman: The Animated Series... he was voiced by Adam West.
Suddenly, Batman gets a distress call from Gotham City... and has to take his leave. The Phantom Stranger informs Wally that there was no trouble... it was just Bruce's way of gittin' while the gittin' was good. He was too uncomfortable to remain in this "greeting card" version of Christmas... more on that, well... right now.
Next stop for Wally and the Stranger is Wayne Manor... the first Christmas following the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Young Bruce is anything but excited to open his gifts... but Alfred manages to convince him.
Young Bruce opens his presents... and isn't impressed in the slightest. That is, until he opens one containing a Gray Ghost action figure and Flyer!
He immediately gets down to playing... soaring the flyer through the living room... running about, having fun. That is... until he notices the portrait of his parents on the wall. At that point he stops playing... and even apologizes! Ya see, it was the first time he ever took his eyes off the prize of avenging his folks... and it kinda shook him.
Wally tells the Stranger that he's seen enough... and is dropped back into the present. As luck would have it, right outside a toy store... that is being robbed by that rogue elf!
The Flash zips in and kayos the baddie in no-time flat.
The toy shop owner thanks the Flash... leading Wally to ask for a favor. We rejoin him on board the Satellite... where he apologizes to Batman... and gives him a Christmas gift. You know where this is going, right?
Batman smiles... and tells Wally that his gift (a Playtendo 720!) is under the tree waiting for him.
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Well, this was a really nice story! I didn't even mind the art style!
This feels like something that would've made a really nice Christmas episode of the animated series... and for all I know, it was! I never really got into the 'toons... though, I'd be tempted to check this episode out should it actually be a thing.
When I first started reading, and saw Batman immediately step in to save the day... I gotta admit, I groaned. That's one of the unfortunate constants between the cartoons and the comics, Batman is always the coolest, smartest, toughest guy in the room. So, when the Stranger showed up and took us back to the past, I was very much relieved!
Sure, it's still a very Bat-centric story... but it's one that shines a light on his vulnerability and weakness. His faking a trouble-call to skip out on a Kent family Christmas is pretty uncharacteristic. I was happy to see it there... as it humanizes him, and definitely shows that there is a room somewhere on the planet where he's not the coolest occupant!
The Christmas morning scene at Wayne Manor... well, it worked and it didn't. I think it was a bit heavy-handed... and seeing a very tiny Bruce Wayne already driven toward vengeance was a bit weird. I think I always glossed over these early years... and automatically "jumped" Bruce to adolescence, and his world tour of training. Never really considered how he'd act while still a child. Maybe I just assumed more "catatonic" than "cynical". Dunno.
The Gray Ghost bits were neat. That was one of the episodes I remember watching from the original run of Batman: The Animated Series... and it's one I remember fondly. I think it resonated with a lot of fans... almost to the point where I'd list it as "cheap heat". Not that it's over-used or anything... but to me, it feels like it's inclusion is just to tug on our nostalgia. That's not a bad thing... it's just a thing that is. And hell, I've never dodged the possibility that I'm just projecting!
The art here was a fine blend of animated style and western comic style. Looking at it (very) quickly reminded me of Scott Kolins' work... which is a good thing.
Overall... I'd definitely recommend checking this one out... this feels like a good one to revisit every holiday season. It's available digitally... for only 99-cents!
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(Sorta like the) Letters Page:
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Superman #666 (October, 2007)
"The Beast From Krypton"
Writer - Kurt Busiek
Artist - Walter Simonson
Letterer - John Workman
Colorists - Alex Sinclair & Lee Loughridge
Associate Editor - Nachie Castro
Editor - Matt Idelson
Cover Price: $3.99
Hello friends! Welcome to the six-hundred sixty-sixth daily discussion and review. Figure we'll commemorate the beastly event by telling Superman to "Go to Hell!"
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Six weeks ago, the crows began acting strangely... Hawkman knew he was coming for Superman. Six days ago, the animals followed... Animal Man then knew he was coming for Superman. Finally six hours ago, the fish... and Aquaman also knew. He's coming for Superman.
After that ominous open, we shift scenes to the Daily Planet Building. Jimmy and Clark are discussing whether or not to go see a Monarchs game, when... a Stranger approaches. The Phantom Stranger informs Clark that they have much to talk about... and the pair vanish. When the ethereal dust settles, nobody remembers that Clark even arrived that day.
After a brief aside about the destruction of Krypton, we rejoin Clark who is working late at home... on a typewriter! How 'bout that! He wraps up his story... or at least enough of it to keep Perry off his back for another day, and joins Lois in bed. There, he dreams of a world in which he rules with an iron fist.
It's a world where those who matter wear his "mark". It's also a world where the other heroes do his bidding.
Clark wakes up. Thinking that was a rather odd dream, he heads out for some (literal) air. Before he leaves, however, Lois asks him to bring back some pickles and ice cream. Hmm...
At the store, Superman lashes out... smashing the display of pickles! I mean, $2.98 for a jar of pickles isn't too unreasonable, right? He is joined by Zatanna in her astral form, and she's definitely concerned. Superman informs her that he's most certainly still dreaming. He cites Lois's request for "pickles and ice cream" to be too much of a cliche to be real.
He uses his super-breath to blow her away, before delivering a doozy of an insult. Might be the line of the issue!
He heads outside, where he finds himself surrounded by panicked Metropolitans. Turns out that Lex Luthor (in a giant mech-suit) is terrorizing the city. Superman, tired of this never-ending crap, simply spits through Luthor's head... killing him! Whew, finally.
Then... Brainiac arrives. Superman claps his hands, then runs them up and down to create super-friction, which in his words leads to "shakkaboom". Brainiac is toast.
If that's not enough... Superman's entire rogues gallery arrives on the scene next, including Doomsday (and frickin' Conduit)! The Man of Sleep makes short work of them.
When the dust and guts settle, he hears a familiar sound... the zeezeezeeezeezeezee of Jimmy Olsen's signal watch. So, off to Jimmy he goes... finding him pinned under some rubble. Rather than saving his pal, he lets him know just how annoying the signal watch is... before popping the poor boy's cranium with a high-pitch super-whistle! I mean, this is definitely a dream, but c'mon... who didn't wanna see this?
Perry White's the next to fall... then, Lois (and their unborn dream baby)!
Superman then flies to Washington, D.C. where he topples the Washington Monument and evicts Honest Abe from his own memorial! Crazy!
Much like his (initial) dream, Superman now lords over the Earth. The military launches missiles at him, but c'mon... that's not gonna do anything more than annoy him at this point. He is once more joined by Zatanna. He freezes her with his super-breath, then shatters her body on his way to... Smallville.
Now, he goes to Smallville in order to... ya know, destroy Smallville. Or at least punch a giant hole in it. While his friends and family call out to him, he enters into the lava pit and descends ever downward...
... all the way to Hell! Where he meets... the Demon!
Superman casually tosses ol' Etrigan out of his way. He's got bigger fish to fry, it seems. He approaches the throne of Hell, and tells its current occupant that he's in his chair.
This is Rakkar, and he shares a story. Ya see, when Krypton exploded, so too did Krypton's Hell. Rakkar was able to grab on to baby Kal-El's rocket and hitch a ride to Earth. Man, a devil and Beppo the Super Monkey! That was one crowded rocket! Rakkar continues, claiming that he is pressed with corrupting the Man of Steel... and he was able to take a foothold once Superman resorted to killing.
Superman claims to never have taken a life... so, I guess the whole Phantom Zone criminals thing never happened post-Infinite Crisis, huh? Rakkar's cool with that, however... because Superman didn't need to technically murder anybody for this to work. Just the fact that he dreamed it is enough! Rakkar lunges, transforming Superman into a Beast of Hell!
This victory, however, is short-lived. Superman punches right through the Hell Beast's chest. He reveals that the Phantom Stranger divided his soul... making one corruptible and the other clean. He flings Rakkar over his shoulder and delivers a stirring speech to the Hell Golems.
Back in Metropolis, Zatanna goes to high-five the Phantom Stranger for a job well done. As you might imagine, he leaves her hanging.
Clark returns home with some pickles and ice cream, prompting Lois to wonder if she's been somehow transported to a horrible sitcom. He asks her if he's ever killed before, and she says "of course not, don't be ree-deke-o-los". We wrap up, back in Hell... where Rakkar the Nothing still lives!
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Had a lot of fun with this one... and I really didn't think I would!
Of course, it's a throwaway one-off issue just playing into the issue number. Then again, this is a throwaway one-off blog post doing the same thing! It was fun (and a little bit scary) to see what a Superman who "gives no effs" might be like. Dude was just ruthless, aloof, dismissive... sarcastic. Really made for an interesting read!
What's more, being as though this was a one-off, we didn't have to meander through a half-year's worth of stories to get here. This wasn't a Superman becoming slowly corrupted... or a Superman from another Earth invading, this was Superman taking advantage of the fact that he knew he was in a dream. And really... tell me you wouldn't kill Jimmy Olsen if you knew you were dreaming!
The idea that Krypton also had a Hell was an interesting one... one I hadn't even considered. If we look at "Hell" as being planet-specific, that opens up a whole lot of storytelling possibilities. Imagine hundreds of Hells joining forces to take on the Justice League!
It kinda sucks that the Phantom Zone Criminals bit appears to have been wiped away in Infinite Crisis. I feel like that was a defining story for the character... leading to an arc of self-discovery, penance, and Superman's acceptance that there are "no win" situations out there.
Some really powerful visuals here... including, perhaps especially, Superman sitting in Abraham Lincoln's chair lording over the Earth. Really enjoy Walt Simonson here, his rougher style really makes this story stand out.
Overall, I think there's a lot of fun to be had with this issue. It's well-written, and features several (no pun intended) dream scenarios. Well worth checking out... it's been collected in Superman: Redemption and is available digitally.
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It's been a little while since we discussed Part One of "Last Son"... guess I got sidetracked by other stuff. Kinda poetic in a way though, considering how the story itself was plagued by infuriating delays the first time around too! Hey-yooo...
