Adventures of Superman #424 (January, 1987)
"Man O' War!"
Writer - Marv Wolfman
Pencils - Jerry Ordway
Inks - Mike Machlan
Letters - John Costanza
Colors - Tom Ziuko
Editor - Andy Helfer
Cover Price: $0.75
Yesterday we discussed Superman (vol.2) #1... so I sez to myself, "Self, mebbe we ought to talk about that other Superman book coming out at the time."
If you read yesterday's piece, you'll know that one of my sole... well, not so much "complaint", but maybe "neutral observation" regarding Superman #1 was that it didn't feel like a real "#1" issue. I didn't mention it yesterday, but the cover for that issue (while I like it) didn't really feel like the start of a whole new volume either!
This issue, on the other hand, has a spectacular cover... totally worthy of ushering in a whole new direction. Let's see how the insides hold up.
--
We open with the Lane family... that is Sam, Lois, and Lucy huddled around the hospital bed of Lois' mother, Elinore. Having been in an accident, she's in a pretty bad way... and it doesn't look like she's going to make it. There's definitely some tension between Lois and Sam... might be due to the fact that Lois addresses her folks by their first name. I know that would grind on my gears too! Meanwhile across town, a meeting of distinguished fellows regarding oil ends poorly... and so, a Quraci representative excuses himself... and blows up the building.
We shift scenes over to the Daily Planet, where Clark Kent has a chance meeting with a beautiful blonde woman. He "oafs" if up a bit, getting his foot caught in an elevator door... and when she helps wriggle him free, he winds up on top of her. If Kelly Kapoor can be trusted, I think the kids today would call that a "meet cute". If I ever use that term again, please shoot me.
Later that morning, Lois and Clark are called into Perry White office, where they meet the newest member of the Daily Planet staff... it's that same blonde Clark just went ass-over-teakettle for, Catherine Grant!
During this meet and greet, Clark gets a call from a Gunderson asking if he might be able to contact Superman. Before this goes anywhere, however, Cat swoops in and suggest the two of them grab lunch at the Cossak Tea Room... I hear their $30 cup of soup is to die for! This leaves Perry and Lois alone in the office... the Chief asks how Lois' mother is doing... but she ain't in the mood to chat.
On their way to a very pricey lunch, Lois and Cat drive by that building that was blowed up earlier in the issue. They hop out of the car and try and take a look around. An Officer shows them a note found at the scene, wherein an outfit called the Freedom League takes full credit for the boom. Clark uses his x-ray vision to scan the wreckage, and suggests that the First Responders keep digging for survivors.
As Clark and Cat hop back in the car, the former uses his telescopic vision to try and get a better read on the situation. He can see "grappler marks" on some of the stone, which tells him this wasn't an ordinary explosion. Speaking of explosions... City Hall is next!
A giant tank burrows from out of the ground and attempts to blast right through City Hall. A note wafting across the foreground implicates that Freedom League again. They seem really annoyed at America.
We return to Clark and Cat who are following up on a fellow in Suicide Slum. It's Professor Emil Hamilton, a sci-guy who was shunned and discredited by the United States Government. Ya see, he's got this invention that we's sure will keep the country safe... it's a force-field of sorts, which he demonstrates on Clark. Clark is shocked at the strength of the thing... even with his super-strength he is unable to break out. Then, Emil pulls out a gun and fires it directly into the field... which further proves its strength (good thing it didn't ricochet!).
While Cat and Emil chat, Clark overhears everything that's going down at City Hall... and so, he makes a hasty exit. Cat doesn't even notice until he's already gone. After "suping up" he rushes right in to punch up that tank. This doesn't go so well.
Inside the tank, we meet a bunch of Freedom League members. It's heavily implied (but not said outright) that these folks are on a suicide mission. They might not be expecting to come out the other end of this.
Superman continues to fight the tank... until it runs him over!
We shift back over to Lois, who is on the phone with her sister. Lucy is pretty frantic about what's going on with their mother... and Lois fears that if the worst comes to be, Lucy won't be able to get through it. As she leaves the Daily Planet Building, she is ushered forced into a Town Car by one of Lex Luthor's goons chauffeurs.
Back at City Hall, Superman pulls himself up out of the wreckage (seems to do that a lot post-Man of Steel). Before heading back over for Round Two with the tank, he pulls a survivor out of the debris.
After saving the Officer, Superman heads over to the Metropolis Police Department to chat up Inspector Henderson. It's there that he learns that the Freedom League is likely tied up with the Qaraci Government. He heads back out into the fray... somehow convinced that Lex Luthor is actually the one behind this. Seems our Man of Steel has himself a bit of a fixation.
Back to Lois. She's loaded into one of LexCorp's jets where she is met by a waiting Lex Luthor. He offers her champagne, and suggests that by the end of this chat, they might become friends.
Ya see, the accident Elinore Lane was in happened at a LexCorp subsidiary... a branch of LexCorp Mistuh Luthuh himself didn't even realize he owned! He feels, in part, responsible for what went down... and so, at his own expense, enlisted the aid of some top scientists to concoct a serum to keep Lois' mother alive and kickin'. Only catch is, she's gotta come to Lex once a month for the dose. Lois begrudgingly decides to have dinner with the man so they can talk out the particulars.
Back on the street, Superman continues fighting the tank... until other bits and pieces of terroristic tech show up... combine with the tank, and become like this giant mechanical hybrid of a grasshopper and scorpion?
We wrap up back with Lex Luthor, who is celebrating his "victory" over Lois Lane. Ya see, not only did Luthor know about the accident that nearly claimed Elinore Lane... he was responsible for it! He knew Lois would need him to come up with a cure... and, get this, the cure could have been administered in a single dose... but where's the fun in that?
--
I tell ya what... they sure didn't skimp for story back in the 1980's! A story like this would take 4-6 months to tell nowadays... and would still wrap up with a non-ending! I really enjoyed the issue... though, like its "sister book", Superman (vol.2), it doesn't feel much like a "first issue". I mean, it's not a "#1", but still...
If you're a new reader to the Superman family of titles and were maybe lured in by the cover (it's certainly a strong enough cover to do so!), and didn't know to pick up Man of Steel, you're probably going to feel a bit lost. Whereas the Byrne book might've gone overboard with the exposition... this one may not have given us enough. I'm sure there could've been a happier medium between the two.
I've never been a fan of the Qarac stuff that seemed to worm its way into so many post-Crisis DC books. I get that they're going for a "real world" sort of thing, but really, I'd rather a more fantastical threat...
Speaking of threats... they sure did power Superman way down, didn't they? I mean, he's getting beaten up by everything in these early issues! I've read that one of the complaints about this era was the "Marvelization" of Superman... they reduction of his powers to make him feel more fallible. I don't have a problem with that... though, I could see why some might.
Keeping the threats coming... Lex Luthor.
Before we look deeper into him, I wanna talk about Superman assuming he's the "big bad" behind everything. I mean, it's only the once so far, but it just feels a bit silly. Inspector Henderson suggests that Qarac is (secretly) behind the bombings... but Superman is still sure it's Luthor. Not sure if any of you remember A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, that show where the Scooby Gang are all little kids? I don't remember much about it... but I do recall that anytime anything would happen, Fred would insist that a kid named "Red Herring" (get it?) was behind it. Of course, he never would be... but Fred just wouldn't give it up. I got definite "Red Herring" vibes from Superman's insistence here.
Now, Lex's plan to get a "win" over (and to "win over") Lois. It's a really good look at what a slimeball Lex is... and how he isn't above using people as pawns to get what he wants. The "accident" he orchestrated could've very easily resulted in Elinore's immediate death... but that didn't matter to him, so long as there was a chance he'd be able to get Lois under his thumb (to say the least). I like this Lex... sometimes a "heel" has just got to be a heel.
The art here is great. Love that Jerry Ordway was given the opportunity to be a part of this launch, he never disappoints! My only minor quibble (which has nothing to do with the quality of the art) is that his Lois looks different from Byrne's. What I mean is, they have completely different hairstyles... which, I mean... we're not even a month into this thing, and we've already got conflicting style-guides? Hey, maybe this really is the Marvelization of the DC Universe!
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. I'd definitely suggest having a bit of familiarity with what went down in Man of Steel before jumping into this one, but even if you don't, I doubt you'd be all that lost here. This issue has been collected in one of those Man of Steel trades, and is available digitally.
--
Et-Cetera:
--
Interesting Ads:
1077
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.
--
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...
--
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!
--
(Not the) Letters Page:
--
Interesting Ads:
1076
Batman and Robin #1 (August, 2009)
"Batman Reborn, Part One: Domino Effect"
Writer - Grant Morrison
Art - Frank Quitely
Colors - Alex Sinclair
Letters - Patrick Brosseau
Assistant Editor - Janelle Siegel
Editor - Mike Marts
Cover Price: $2.99
As a fan of a certain age, I sometimes find myself playing that game. You know the one... where you look at a cover-date of a book... subtract it from now, and realize just how much time has passed since the thing hit shelves/the first time you read it. It's a horrid little game, and I recommend nobody ever play it.
Well, okay... just this once. I'm sitting here pretty dumbfounded that this issue came out... a decade ago! Holy cow. I mean, it's pre-Flashpoint, so it's at least seven-eight years old... that much I ought to know! But seeing the date there... starin' at me. It's enough to make one question what they've done with their life!
Or maybe I'm projecting.
Also, the cover reminds me of McDonalds... maybe I'm just talkin' out my backside at this point so let's just get to it!
--
We open during Mr. Toad's wild ride... ya see, there's this frog-faced fella called Mr. Toad, and he's trying to evade the Batmobile. Unfortunately for him, there have been some improvements made to the ol' rig... for instance, it can fly now!
We hop inside the Batmobile, where Batman (Dick Grayson) is apologizing to Robin (Damian Wayne) for ever doubting the enhancements made to the car. They wind up running Mr. Toad off the road, and into the drink. Our amphibious new friend emerges from the drink holding a briefcase...
... unfortunately for him, he does this right at the feet of the new Dynamic Duo! They wallop him with their fists... which sends the contents of his briefcase flyin' all ova da place! Turns out, the case was full of... dominoes?
When Mr. Toad wakes up, he is blindfolded and is being dangled by his ankles high above Gotham City. Well, he thinks he's high above Gotham... he's actually just a couple of feet off the ground. Dick tries getting some information out of him... and, while I'm not sure what this geek is muttering about, he seems to get it (we later find out that it's "circus-speak". He drops Toad on the dock and takes off.
We flash back to a scene at Wayne Manor. Dick and Alfred are talking about the recent passing of the Man of the House. Dick comments that he never really considered being "next in line" for the cape and cowl (despite all that Prodigal stuff). After a trip to the cemetery, Alfred assures him that Bruce is and was always proud of him.
Back to the present, and we're at the Wayne Enterprises Building. Dick and Damian are in the down-below taking care of some Bat-Business. While Damian tinkers s'more with the Batmobile, Dick continues expressing trepidation about being Batman... and also, doing some research, while images of "ferocious" chicken and jalapeno sandwiches dance in his head. Damian notes Dick's reluctance and offers to take up the Bat-mantle himself. Yeah, not yet kid.
As Batman and Robin head into out, we briefly check in on a Toad-hauling paddy-wagon. Mr. Toad warns the Officers that he's got friends... and Gotham City will soon belong to them. Meanwhile, some creepy-looking people in Raggedy Ann masks emerge from a carnival tent.
We hop over to the roof of the GCPD, where Commissioner Gordon has illuminated the Bat-Signal. He is joined by a pair of incredulous Officers... they've lit the thing every night for months at this point, and nobody ever shows up. Well, that all changes tonight.
As Batman and Robin show up on the roof, down below a... burning man (Phosphorous Rex) arrives on the scene. Officers rush over to give him a hand (remember, he's on fire)... and get burned out for their troubles.
We shift scenes to the tiny apartment of an immigrant family. We meet a man, who was an associate (and passenger) of Mr. Toad... who happened to get away after they were run off the road (earlier this issue). He is frantically packing and telling his daughter, Sasha that they've got to beat a hasty retreat. He's escaped Batman once... and he's not interested in tempting fate.
He is interrupted by a knocking at the door. He goes to answer it... and sees that it's his brother (and fellow Toad-ssociate) Lev. He opens the door wider, and discovers that it's actually those Raggedy Anns from the tent!
Next thing we know... the fellow wakes up strapped to a table. He's approached by a man in a butcher's smock and a grotesque Pig mask. This is Professor Pyg. He waited for the man to wake up before performing his "de-uglifying" process, during which he places a white-hot doll mask on his face. It's an absolutely brutal-looking process.
Ya see, Pyg sees his doll-faced army as being the embodiment of "perfection"... which might tell ya just a little bit about how twisted this guy is.
What's more... he ain't done yet! He tells the fella that his daughter, Sasha... is next! Oh, and also... that he's going to assist with the "perfecting" process!
--
Pretty excellent first outing here!
This was one I recall being excited for back in... ye old 2009. I loved the idea of the Batman and Robin dynamic to be sorta turned on its ear. Having a super-serious Robin in Damian alongside a more lighthearted Batman in Dick was definitely something I was ready for... and it delivered. Rather than being a student-teacher, or superior-subordinate relationship... these are two fellas learning their way... together. Damian as a hero, and Dick as the hero.
Professor Pyg is one of the only villains in comics that actually kinda makes my skin crawl. This is a creepy and twisted dude. There's that saying that the best bad guys actually believe themselves to be good guys. Here, we have Pyg trying to impose his version of "perfection" on people... he truly believes he's bringing people to their "best possible form".
It's a visceral, brutal... and permanent change, and somehow, despite only knowing Sasha Whatsherface for like two pages, we fear for her! It's some pretty great work. Speaking of great work, I can't believe we're one-thousand and seventy-five days into this blog... and we've never featured Frank Quitely! The sheer terror on Sasha's face really tells the tale here... a truly excellent (and horrifying) scene!
Really, this was a top-flight book. Excellent production all around... really feels like the "standard bearer" for DC Comics at the time. Suppose I wouldn't be me if I didn't kvetch about the Morrison Bat-Epic being derailed by the cosmic toilet flush that was The New-52!, right? Of course, if we were to go by DC's official stance, the reboot was already well in the planning stages by this point anyway. Ahem... of course.
Overall, this is one I'd certainly recommend checking out... probably best read in trade form (aren't they all this side of 2000?). Available digitally.
--
(Not the) Letters Page:
--
Interesting Ads:
1075
