Superman (vol.2) #1 (January, 1987)
"Heart of Stone"
Story & Pencils - John Byrne
Guest Inks - Terry Austin
Letters - John Costanza
Colors - Tom Ziuko
Editor - Andrew Helfer
Cover Price: $0.75
Here's one that's a long time coming... I'm actually a bit surprised we haven't discussed this one before.
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We open with Superman busting through the wall of a lead-lined laboratory in search of his stolen rocket/birthing matrix. This is hot off the heels of Man of Steel, so the whole "strange visitor from another planet" bit is all pretty new to him. For that matter, so is wearing an outfit equipped with a cape. Anyhoo, he continues through the seemingly abandoned lab, until he comes across a whole lot of data... about himself!
He walks around looking at all of the pictures and information regarding him, and uses that as an excuse to mentally expound and drop a whole lotta exposition... f'r instance, in his civilian identity he goes by "Clark Kent"... and he grew up in Smallville... and now works for the Daily Planet in Metropolis. Before getting too wrapped up in his own life story, Superman happens across the long-dead body of a scientist. He deduces the fella had his neck snapped, and has been dead for several weeks at this point. After scanning his fingerprints, Superman's more or less convinced that this is the guy behind the Birthing Matrix theft.
Before heading outside, Superman notes the presence of a vat of acid. After grabbing a scoop of the stuff, he observes that there are bits of human bone in the soup.
Realizing he's late for a civvie-situation, and not wanting anyone else to happen across the lab.... Superman just plucks a whole bunch'a Earth around it, and takes it to the Lagrange Point between the Earth and Moon... that's where the gravitational pull between them is equal, and so the lab should stay put while he attends to other matters...
... matters like, going for a jog with Lois Lane! After a quick change of clothes and a lambasting from Lois for being "four minutes late" for their run... they finally get to it. Something I'd forgotten in the years since, Lois and Clark were pretty flirty here! It's kind of Moonlighting-ish, which I suppose makes sense considering the year.
As they jog along, they pass by a bank. Naturally, the bank is being robbed. Well, not so much robbed, but occupied by a big ol' brute with a very stylish rat-tail. Lois' nose-for-news gets the best of her, and she tries to get a closer look. This works out just about as well as you might imagine.
Clark rushes in for the save... but, since he's not in his "work clothes", has to pull his punch. What's more, he has to roll with the punch he receives in return! This allows enough space for Clark to "supe up" and confront his follicly-fashionable foe.
After demanding this guy "unhand that woman", Superman grabs the baddie by the... well, not so much "collar", but the upper portion of his open vest. I tell ya, this dude dresses for success. They say don't dress for the job you have... dress for the one you want. From the looks of it, this fella wants to be Bayou Billy. Anyhoo, shockingly the big guy hurls Superman through a wall!
Superman lunges back in, and Lois runs off looking like she's trying to get to the bathroom before having an accident. I mean, she's really clenched here... or, maybe just she's skating and forgot the wheels, I dunno. She's actually just looking for Clark. When she doesn't find him, she assumes Superman already swooped him away to safety.
The baddie, self-identified as Metallo, continues pummeling Superman... and vows to kill him. Superman, beaten and battered, asks why. This takes us into a neat "split-screen" sort of situation, where we see that Metallo had been working with the scientist from earlier... and by "working with" I mean "was experimented on by".
As Metallo continues to choke Superman out, the police bust in... and unload several shots into the villain's chest!
Lois rushes to Superman's side to check on him. He's certain the threat is over... since he can't detect Metallo's heartbeat. Well, not so fast, kemosabe... Metallo is alive and well, because, ya know... instead of a heart, he's got a hunk of Kryptonite in his chest.
We jump back into flashback mode, and watch as the scientist rants on and on about Superman being an alien invader. He speaks of twenty-eight years prior when he watched a spaceship crash down in Kansas... the very one he'd eventually steal. Along with the ship was a message from Jor-El. From this, the scientist deduced that Superman originally hailed from Krypton... and also, that chunks of his home planet were harmful to him. Where he got that second part, I haven't the foggiest. The Green-K is implanted in Metallo's chest... and, seeing as though he's now powerful enough to kill Superman, Metallo goes on ahead and snaps the Doc's neck.
While Superman and Metallo resume combat, we jump over to the LexCorp Building, where Mistuh Luthuh is brought up to speed on everything going on. He is not pleased to hear that someone else might wind up taking Superman down before he gets the chance.
Back at the bank, the battle brings the house down! Lois tries to head over to check on Superman, but is restrained by the police. From the rubble rises... a less-human-looking Metallo, and he's holding Superman's torn cape!
Superman pulls himself out of the wreckage as well... and drags himself up Metallo's body, which the baddie finds both humorous and pathetic. At this point, Metallo's chest opens... revealing his Kryptonite Heart. Feeling the effects, Superman immediately recoils.
Just when it looks like all hope is lost, Metallo... vanishes?!
Lois rushes by Superman's side, and explains that one second, Metallo was standing there... the next, there was a great big shadow... and then, Metallo was gone! Superman has a sneaking suspicion who might've been behind that...
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I can't remember the last time I even looked at this issue... probably at least twenty years. It feels kinda weird as a "first issue", until you take into account that this could more or less be Man of Steel #7. Not sure what you'd be thinking if you were a long-time fan of the character at this point, and somehow missed out on the status-quo shifting miniseries before reading this. I guess you'd probably be thinking "I'd better track down that status-quo shifting miniseries."
Looking back on this some thirty-something years later, I'm trying to figure out if this was a more staggering change to the Superman-faithful than subsequent reboots/relaunches/new takes. Considering that this sort of thing didn't happen all that often back in the long ago, I figure it probably was. I feel like, as fans today, we're always kinda bracing for the announcement that "everything we know is wrong"... it's just a well the creatively bereft go to a little too often anymore. I'd assume there was definitely more of a novelty to such an endeavor in the mid-late 1980's.
Since Man of Steel, I can think of nearly a half-dozen re-takes on the character... and we've discussed all of 'em here! Heck, I'm sure I'm probably leaving a few out!
- Return to Krypton
- Superman: Birthright
- Superman: Secret Origin
- The New-52!
- Superman Reborn
So yeah... with our jaded and tired 2019 eyes, it might not be so easy to note what a seismic shift this book was to fans of the Silver and Bronze Ages.
It's probably safe to assume that Superman was de-aged a little bit for this. We're given an age of 28... which maybe makes him less of your "dad", and more of your "cool uncle"... which is fine. He's old enough to be considered an "adult" without being seen as "over the hill". Also, 28 in 1987 is probably a tad bit different than 28 in 2019. I think late-20's/early-30's is probably the best age for pre-married Superman.
Speaking of "pre-married", I was almost taken aback by Lois and Clark's awkward sorta-kinda adversarial flirting during their jog. Like I said, it's been forever since I'd read this... but this was something I didn't really recall. I just assumed their relationship started here the same way it always seems to. Wasn't expecting Clark to try and lay on the charm... but was pleased to see that he did!
The art here is classic Byrne, which... to me, Byrne in the 80's was like the prototypical comic book artist. Like the old "dictionary definition" of a comic book artist. Very clean, easy to follow, not over-drawn. His writing... it's pretty wordy. Not a bad thing... and it would likely be enough to keep a kid quiet for a leg of road-trip... but, it's definitely noticeable. Feels like he's competing with Claremont for words-per-page!
I suppose much of the exposition was necessary... however, I feel like it might've been better presented in captions rather than having Superman "think" everything. It just came across as pretty clunky... not sure anybody thinks so "clunkily".
Overall, this is certainly an important issue, and starts to establish the new status-quo. Like many "first issues" of the day, some of the more interesting (to me) stuff is in the essay that occupies the "letters page" (included below). Lots of neat stuff from Byrne in there... it feels like he was really hankering down for an extended stay with the character! This issue is available digitally... though, if you search for "Superman #1" over at DC Digital, you're going to be searching for awhile!
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Superman (vol.2) #174 (November, 2001)
"Every Blade of Grass"
Writer - Jeph Loeb
Guest Art - Steve Lieber
Colors - Tanya & Richard Horie
Letters - Richard Starkings
Assistant Editor - Tom Palmer, Jr.
Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $2.25
Going with a random pick today, from whichever longbox is closest... sometimes that's fun to do!
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It's the wake of Our Worlds at War, and much of Kansas has been rocked... and that includes a certain little town. Many of her citizens have gone missing... and that includes a certain little family. We open with Lois and Clark at the remains of the Kent farm, with the former digging through the rubble for one thing in particular. Lois manages to find Ma Kent's old journal, which she reads from aloud while Clark rebuilds the place.
Lois takes a look and misspeaks when she says Ma "kept" a journal, past tense. Clark is quick to correct her as he continues occupying his mind with work. This process continues for several days... and nights.
Clark is just about done with his construction project... which includes taking care of such things as pipes, and even the septic tank (which is a nice touch... details we might not always think about). Lois pops in to let him know they're about to have company... in the form of the Vice President of the United States of America... and the Second Lady!
Pete is a complete chucklehead here... almost feels like a middle-aged Eddie Haskell with the way he's talking... "What d'ya hear, what d'ya say?" So weird. Lana pulls Lois aside to ask the question that she's sure is on Lois' mind as well. Will Clark ever take up the cape again? Lois is unsure, but says that he hasn't outright ruled it out.
Back to Clark and Pete. The Veep claims that there are over a million displaced Americans... in Kansas alone! Which means, the likelihood of tracking down Jon and Martha Kent might be slim. Clark ain't about to take this lying down... not that he really has much of a choice, unfortunately. He tells Pete he'd best talk to his boss... or else he will.
After the Ross's leave, Lois begins to hint that Clark really ought to consider being Superman again. She brings up the fact that she'd lost her own father during Our Worlds at War... and knows that this isn't the right time to take a step back. The nearly-contentious conversation is interrupted by the arrival of a stranger passing through. He calls out to Clark and asks him if "Beef Bourguignon with Ketchup" means anything to him. Well, I'll say it does!
Clark learns that someone important to him is recovering at the local Red Cross Hospital... and so, he has himself a shave and heads off for a visit with Ma!
What he's not prepared for... is Ma's first question. "How's your father?" Clark is taken aback... he'd assumed Pa was here with her!
Clark brings Ma home to her rebuilt house... and gets right back to work keeping his mind off of "things". Lois calls him in to let him know that Perry White called. Clark shrugs it off. Ma suggests that it's be best for her boy to return to the real life... but he shrugs that off too, insisting that Pa is still alive.
Hey, wouldn'tcha know it... Clark's right! We shift scenes to Jonathan Kent hitching a ride on a big rig to head "north". Stands to reason he'd want to get away... he likely believes Martha to be dead.
Back at the farm, Ma gives Clark one of her trademark pep-talks. She assures him that there is a way to move on as Superman while honoring those lost during Our Worlds at War. Slowly but surely, her son comes around.
After checking in with Lois, Superman heads back into the Never-Ending Battle... with a slightly-altered "in memorium" uniform.
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Sometimes the "random pick" method will bite us in the backside... other times, I get a chance to revisit something I probably should have already revisited by now! Today was very much the latter.
The Our Worlds at War era of the Super-books kinda marked my going "all-in" after an extended time away. I'd popped in here and again... and kinda traced my finger around the edges of the Super-books going into the turn of the century, but was afraid of making such a large (and potentially daunting) commitment to a family of titles.
With Our Worlds at War, I found myself hooked! Sure, in hindsight the event was maybe a bit on the bloated side, and probably had a few too many tie-in one-shots and the like... but, back in 2001 I was all about it. This "quiet" reflect-y issue was a really good capper... and, just like the Super-book we discussed yesterday, didn't just tie a bow on everything that came before... but also spurred on a few story threads.
Of course to fully appreciate this issue we need to kinda suspend our disbelief. I have trouble reconciling the fact that Ma was holed up so close by at the Red Cross Hospital, and Clark didn't know it. Sometimes he can zero in on a particular heartbeat or voice... and sometimes he can't. Guess we just gotta roll with it.
The costume alteration to include the black shield? Gotta say, I really dug this touch. Heck, I was a bit bummed out when they reverted back to yellow! The black shield was a very striking touch... and a really neat way to pay tribute to those lost during Our Worlds at War... and, in the real world, to those lost during the 9/11 attacks.
Our guest-artist is Steve Lieber, and... while I'm not sure I'd like this kind of art in a "regular" action-heavy issue of Superman... for a quiet issue like this, it does the job. The (McGuinness) cover is also pretty great!
Overall, I definitely recommend this, though with the caveat that you'd probably want to have some familiarity with the events of Our Worlds at War to fully appreciate it. This issue (and many chapters of Our Worlds at War) is available digitally.
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Superman (vol.2) #153 (February, 2000)
"Say Goodbye"
Writer - Jeph Loeb
Guest Pencils - Mike McKone
Guest Inks - Marlo Alquiza
Letters - Comicraft
Colors - Tanya & Richard Horie
Associate Editor - Maureen McTigue
Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $1.99
Welcome to the penultimate day of our Third Annual Twelve Days of Christmas on Infinite Earths! I hope you've all enjoyed 2018's trip down Santa Claus Lane.
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It's Christmas Eve (just like in real life!), and Lois Lane is trimming the tree at the Kent Family apartment... talk about waiting til the last minute, right? She is lost in thought, and shares with us some "journo code". Ya see, Perry would always put a "-30-" at the end of her pieces when they were ready to print... I guess that's something folks in newspapers understand... and something that Jeph Loeb really wanted us to know that he knew as well? Fair enough.
We shift scenes over to the rooftop of the Daily Planet, where Jimmy and Superman are having a pow-wow. This is right off the heels of Jimmy running a story about there being a "Mrs. Superman"... which is something he is very sorry for. Superman shrugs it off, and reveals to his pal a wedding band. Ya see, Jimmy, Superman is married... so, quit makin' waves. Of course, Superman doesn't share the who's and how's of the situation.
Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of... Mongul! Well, Mongul's son... who is also named Mongul. Uh, not the guy behind the destruction of Coast City... nor the guy from For the Man Who Has Everything... but the son of that guy... ya dig? Whole thing would be easier if we could just call him "Junior", so we're gonna.
Mongul (Jr.) informs Superman that he needs his help. Turns out the world-eating Imperiex is heading toward Earth... and if they don't stop him, billions of lifeforms will die. Superman turns to Jimmy and gives him the phrase that pays, "Beef Bourguignon With Ketchup"... he tells him to go find the Kents and repeat that phrase to them.
Superman and Mongul, Jr. arrive in deep space... might be Saturn... might be another ringed-planet in another galaxy (I assume there might be one or two, right?). Suddenly the planet explodes... I think... so, yeah, probably not Saturn then? Amid the boom, we can see Imperiex's tremendous warship.
Imperiex doesn't seem all that worried when he notices Superman and Mongul, Jr.... in fact, he just goes about his work until it becomes clear that they probably won't be leaving him alone. Despite getting nailed by a tremendous blast from the baddie, Superman maintains that he and Mongul ought to remain diplomatic... and attempt to negotiate.
Junior ain't havin' none of it... he tells Superman that it's fight or flight at this point, the time for talking has passed... if, in fact it was ever there to begin with! They pile on Imperiex... and manage to stagger him... if only a bit. The baddie then launches Junior out of the fray!
Back in Metropolis, Jimmy passes the phrase that pays over to Lois. We learn that this is sort of an "I'm okay, and I'll get home as soon as I can" sort of message, that has origins in tornado alley, where Clark grew up. It was a special way to let family know you were still kickin'.
Back in space, Superman lunges after Mongul to save him from... I dunno, crashing into another planet or something. This ticks Junior off in a big way... he scolds Superman for taking his eyes off the prize.
And indeed, as Superman makes his way back to the site of the battle, Imperiex has already bugged out. At this point, Round 2 can begin... Mongul, Jr. attacks Superman from behind! He's still ticked that Superman had often humiliated his father.
They fight for a bit, and Superman winds up winning... duh. At that very moment, it just so happens that the Main Man is riding by! He notes that Mongul's got a pretty large bounty on his head... and so, Superman hands him over as a sort of Christmas gift. Okay, that was pretty funny.
We wrap up back at the Kent apartment where Superman has arrived just in the nick of time to grab a Christmas Eve kiss from his wife.
But then... an Epilogue! Imperiex returns to his home base... and we learn that, the being that fought Superman and Mongul, Jr. to a standstill wasn't Imperiex at all... only a probe of the real Imperiex!
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I feel like I'm using the word "breezy" as a descriptor a bit too often these days. Maybe I'm just looking at too many post-2000 books in a row... but, that feels like the right word to use. This doesn't necessarily feel decompressed, as it (for the most part) is a self-contained story... and doesn't so much seem like it's being stretched to fill space... the pacing, though, is smooth and fast. Might have something to do with Loeb's screenwriting background.
A few days back I talked about how much I enjoy those "quiet" downtime issues... and while this one was chock-full of action, it was very much a transitional issue... bridging between the first "beat" of the Berganza era and Y2K era "City of Tomorrow" Metropolis. It allowed us to both catch our breath and get a taste for what's to come. Really well done.
Let's look at Imperiex. Love this design! There's just something about it that feels, I dunno... substantial. Just looking at him, you know he's going to be a force to be reckoned with. Superman needed more threats like him at the time!
I always talk about these grand "rereading projects", and this era (through Our Worlds at War) is always toward the top of my list. It'll likely never happen... not anytime soon, anyway... but, it's always scratching the back of my brain. Rereading this issue makes me want to pull the trigger all the more!
The Lobo cameo really cracked me up. I'd completely forgotten that he makes an appearance here... and it's such a silly thing. Superman just hands Mongul, Jr. over to him as a Christmas gift. How cool is that? Loved it!
Overall, a pretty great issue. Mike McKone, who, back in the long ago, wasn't my cuppa tea... puts in some great work here. It fits in with the bubbly bombastic tone set by (series regular) Ed McGuinness, and I really dug it! This one's certainly worth a look... and it's available both digitally and collected in Superman: No Limits!.
Remember to come back tomorrow, if you can fit it into the festivities and we'll wrap our Third Annual Holiday celebration up!
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On the Eleventh Day of Christmas on Infinite Earths, I gave to you, Superman (vol.2) #153, Spectre (vol.4) #12, Batman #598, Batman #596, Flash (vol.5) #17, Batman and the Outsiders #31, Captain Atom #13! Scooby-Doo! #139, Superman #369, Impulse #34, and a Flash (vol.2) #73 Discussion and Review.
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