Free Comic Book Day 2010: War of the Supermen #0

War of the Supermen #0, DC Comics

by James Robinson, Sterling Gates, Eddy Barrows, J.P. Mayer, Rob Reis, John J. Hill

Who cares about Superman?

I mean, really? Superman is to comics like The Simpsons is to South Park -- just when you think you've thought of something new for a superhero to experience, you realize Superman has already done it. First of all, he's comics' first orphan, so the whole "avenge me" theme is taken -- and technically was before even Batman, as you can say Supes' heroism is his attempt to make sure another planet isn't destroyed under the weight of its own ignorance. Further, how many times has Clark Kent's identity nearly been compromised? That story's been done to death. The love triangle? The fallen teammate? The reformed nemesis? Death itself? Superman's been there, done that . . . and survived, not only as a franchise, but as the first and most well known superhero of all time. So, why should I care about him? No matter what you throw at the Man of Steel, I know he'll pull through.

Enter War of the Supermen.

I haven't read a Superman title in years, but based on this Free Comic Book Day preview, I understand that the bottle city of Kandor recently burst from the bottle and a full fledged civilization again, somehow ruled by Superman's enemy, General Zod. Therein lies a blatant defiance of one of Kal-El's trademark characteristics -- he is no longer unique. Sure, readers were introduced to Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, a few super cats and horses and monkeys here and there, but Superman was really the one and only of his kind, an alpha male with god-like powers among men. Zod and the thousands of other Kandorians now affected by Earth's yellow sun diminishes that strength completely! When everyone else is super, too -- you're really just a man, Superman.

Now, these Kryptonians are waging war on Earth. Even the Justice League has just one Superman, so what hope do they have against an army? And will Superman be willing to take the life of a fellow Kryptonian in battle, knowing every casualty marks one more step toward his being an endangered species -- again? Perhaps that's what's best, after all -- not so much "a world without a Superman," but a world with only one Superman, the one with the moral compass that points in humanity's favor.

This free zero issue doesn't address these questions directly. No, it's just the launching pad for the inevitable multi-title epic assured to consume the Superman titles this summer. Sure, Zod and Supes bandy about punches and philosophies, but asute readers can tell some crises of conscience are on the horizon, and with writer James Robinson at the helm, I hope the best is yet to come. Yes, I'm interested. I actually care about Superman again.

More Comic Book Movie News . . .

. . . this time, of the blue-and-red tights variety. Christopher Nolan is at the helm of the latest Superman film, as Warner Brothers decides to put the world's finest golden eggs in one basket.

Superman Pop Toppers Candy

The earthquake in Chile knocked the earth off its axis. If that doesn't sound like the fruits of a Dr. Doom plot, I don't know what does.

Before the world ends, enjoy this shot of some Superman lollipops at my local 99 Cents Store.

If I Had $1,000,000 . . .

An original issue of Action Comics #1 sold for $1,000,000 this morning.

That is all.

World's Finest Statues

Couples around the country are celebrating Valentine's Day this weekend by taking in a movie, and my galpal and I are no exception. Last night at the Pollack Theaters in Tempe, Arizona, we were on a double date . . . with the world's finest statues.

DC Universe Classics Eclipso

I hope the first week of A Comic A Day was indicative of this year's direction, what with mini reviews of issues old and new, a little superhero TV, reflections of comics' parallel with current events (a la the Superbowl), and of course the random merch that thrusts comics in our faces every day. This week starts a little differently, furthering the eclectic flair with a glimpse of my extensive action figure collection!

A few weeks ago, I had an apartment warming party at my new digs in Arizona, and a fellow fanboy friend of mine gifted me a Mattel DC Universe Classics Eclipso. I opened the figure tonight, and despite my general apathy toward the character as a whole I'm pleased to add him to the shelves in my living room. First of all, he's a bad guy, and I learned to appreciate villains when my grandparents first gave me my Super Powers Superman and Batman back in the day, and they had nobody to fight. Had Eclipso been a part of the picture, he could've turned them against each other with his evil black diamond . . . before defeating the true baddie together, of course!



Secondly, Eclipso is a well sculpted figure, and though I'm usually against props built into the character (think Two-Face's coin), this one makes sense, especially since it's so small and critical to his persona. If children are actually still playing with toys like this, they need that diamond to make Eclipso the formative foe he was meant to be.

Alas, if Eclipso clouds my collection in any way, it's in his driving me to collect the rest of the figures in his wave and complete the Darkseid their respective loose parts build. Aw, who am I kidding . . . Even without Eclipso, I'd still be a man possessed.

Putting the Super Back in Superbowl Sunday

DC Comics Presents Superman #1, by Stan Lee, Paul Levitz, Darwyn Cooke, J. Bone, Al Milgrom, Dave Stewart, Jared K. Fletcher, Ken Lopez, and Lovern Kindzierski

Continuing the Superbowl Sunday tradition I kicked off (heh heh) with my reviews of NFL Superpro #3 and Strange Sports Stories, I'm pleased to review DC Comics Presents Superman #1, a football-oriented comic book remembering the dearly departed Julius Schwartz's impact on the medium. In this issue, a dream team of writers and artists tells two tales inspired by the Schwartz-helmed cover of Superman #264 originally illustrated by Nick Cardy.



Firstly, Stan Lee, Darwyn Cooke, and J. Bone tell the story of Professor Harold Gorky, who, fed up with society's glorification of muscleheads like superstar quarterback Tank Torgan and charitable-guest referree Superman, creates an invisible robotic football player to best them both in the field and win the heart of his secretary Tiffany. He succeeds, and when Superman gets to the bottom of things, he decides no punishment is better for the borderline mad professor than letting him win the vapid vixen of his dreams. Darwyn and Bone's definitively retro art is the perfect compliment to Lee's cooky script, creating a nostalgic yarn that respects the power of the mind -- in the midst of a game that celebrates getting one's skull bashed in.



The second story is pretty heavy by comparison, as a washed up football player ups his dose of experimental steroids to become an energy-crackling juggernaut, but fortunately Superman is in the neighborhood and uses his cosmic treadmill to run the wayward runner's energy out. Levitz and Giffen tell an engaging tale, with campy Silver Age staples that shine under an otherwise potentially dark fable about faded glory. I suppose any of us are just a washed up career away from becoming the phantom quarterback.

In conclusion, Wanda Sykes mentioned me on her Fox talk show last night, describing folks like me that watch the Superbowl for the commercials "like someone that orders pizza for the box." Hey, the game itself is really just one long commercial for spandex-clad team-ups . . . and we comic books geeks certainly understand that.

Smallville Does Justice to the JSA

Last night's television debut of the JSA on Smallville was just campy enough to dissuade superhero naysayers, and just reverent enough to make fanboys like me absolutely ecstatic with the sweeps-snagging episode. Consider Stargirl, the babe (in youth and looks) of the veteran group, one moment swinging her predecessor's gaudy light staff with the straightest of faces, and the next claiming that "Stripesy" is indeed the worst sidekick name ever. If that doesn't represent a realistic portrayal of the superhero myth, I don't know what does. The Justice Society saved the CW's Friday night ratings, too, a responsibility Smallville has grown accustomed to carrying. In fact, writer Geoff Johns might've symbolized both the mantle of heroism and the weight of supporting a whole TV network when Green Arrow said of Hawkman's mace, "It's heavier than it looks."

The winged warrior responded, "You get used to it."

My only criticism was the length of the episode -- not that I minded two hours of superhero TV, but that the reverence of the whole thing demanded so much of its own screen time. Clark soaking in the JSA brownstone, its trophies . . . I guess since the show took the time to make the props, producers didn't want to relegate them to mere background Easter egg fodder. Further, the final showdown was a bittersweet moment, a perfect slow motion panorama of what could've only been 30 real-time seconds of battle. Still, to see Superman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, and Green Arrow fight the Icicle wearing Dr. Fate's helmet . . . it reminded me of the days spent on my bedroom floor enacting similar scenes with my Super Powers action figures.

Like the JSA themselves, it reminded me of earlier, better days. It did those old superhero fantasies justice.

Superman, Tights and Flights

Daniel Tosh's Comedy Central special reran for the umpteenth time last night, in which he jokes (and I paraphrase):

"How does Superman fly faster? I get that he flies, but how does he do it faster? Is it just more -- (extends hands outward)? I know some geek will come up to me after the show and explain, 'You see when the planet exploded . . .' Then I'll describe to him what a vagina feels like."

Ha ha.

Well, folks flipping through prime time tonight will see the Justice Society's television debut on Smallville, complete in their costumes, a niche the WB has avoided in their attempt to attract a mainstream audience. I'm pretty excited about it -- a feeling Tosh would never understand.

Superboy #189

Halloween has long been my favorite holiday, so I’ve decided to return to reviewing comic books with some regularity this month. Every week this month, I’ll post at least one special Halloween-oriented review, criticizing the issue based on its reverence for this hallowed holiday season through four distinct categories worth up to five points each. The comic that earns the total possible 20 points could be one of the best Halloween issues ever!

Superboy #189, August 1972, DC Comics

creators uncredited

PREMISE: Just before the planet Krypton exploded, scientist Jor-El rocketed his son to Earth safely, where . . . Oh, everybody knows the “premise” behind Superman. Now, this issue of Superboy (about Superman’s teenaged years, of course) isn’t a Halloween issue per se, but it does feature a curse on the Kent household that retains a definitive creepiness appropriate for this hallowed holiday season. Sure, ghosts and monsters are tangible mascots for Halloween, but let’s not forget the importance of those strange forces in the universe that have it out for man -- the intangible curses and oddities that made The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits so endearing. Still, I’ll give this issue an average three out of five points, until you’re convinced . . .

STORY: Shortly after Superboy receives and extra-sensory projector that allows folks nearby to send mental messages, his father Jonathan is attacked by a noose. Of course, the Boy of Steel saves his dad, who explains that the Kent family was cursed when their ancestor, Judge Julian Kent, was gallows-happy with anyone brought before him in court. Every 50 years, the man of the Kent household is mysteriously hung, so Superboy decides to protect his family to thwart the curse. Unfortunately, other global disasters distract our young hero, though he returns just in time to save Jonathan from a villainous garden hose and an ivy vine, until he realizes that General Zod and the other Kryptonian convicts in the Phantom Zone are using his new extra-sensory projector to manipulate things in the real world. (Ghosts! That’s Halloween-y, right?) The curse is lifted when Superboy destroys the alien device . . . or is it? When a wayward roll of cable wire almost takes out Jonathan at the end of tale, Clark realizes, “. . . there may be dark forces in this world not even I can understand!” “Dark forces” that render even the world’s greatest superhero helpless? Are you scared yet? I give this issue four out of five points for making my fanboy skin crawl.

ART: This issue is drawn is all the campy goodness one might expect from a ‘70s issue of Superboy. I failed to mention the back-up Superbaby story in this issue, which is more notable for its art anyway, as it takes itself a little less seriously than the feature and strikes me as just this side of Mad magazine caliber. I’ll give this issue a three out of five points for the sheer variety.

PACKAGING: This issue’s cover is what inspired me to consider Superboy #189 as a potential Halloween issue in the first place. The silhouette of a hanging Jonathan Kent is frightening -- just take a gander at Superboy’s horrified face. Anything that can freak out the Boy of Steel is worthy of Halloween holiday, don’t you think? Four out of five points, I say!

TOTAL: Superboy leaps the tall expectations of the Halloween season in a single bound with fourteen points, dutifully earned by the creators’ undoubtedly challenging call to generate compelling stories from the hero’s youth that didn’t affect the Superman titles too direly. What, you don’t see it? Just picture an episode of Smallville dedicated to the “Curse of the Hangman’s Noose!” A special Halloween episode starring Tom Welling wrestling with a garden hose? Okay, now that’s scary . . .

Superman: More Powerful than a Loco Movie?

Last week's pictorial revelation of a Tim Burton-directed Nic Cage Superman had fans hypothetically reminiscing about the horrors of what could've been, and perhaps further musing that Bryan Singer's Superman-as-deadbeat-dad maybe wasn't such a bad idea after all. However, this image remains a cautionary tale of what yet may come, as our beloved comic book icons are forever susceptible to any Hollywood producer's or director's drive to make their mark on characters and mythologies with such universal appeal. So, why shouldn't a humble blogger like me do just the same? The following is my list of recommendations/expectations for the next Superman movie, in the hopes of remaining faithful to the character while making Big Blue appealing to mainstream and hardcore fanboy audiences alike.

1. No more Lex Luthor! This is my first and most emphatic plea. Lex Luthor is an excellent archnemeis, but like Coldplay overexposure has dulled his wit and softened his ruthlessness. Further, excluding Superman's fight with General Zod, mainstream movie-going audiences have yet to see the Man of Steel achieve his full potential as the most powerful human being on Earth. So what if a bullet bounces off of his eyeball? Let's see him take a whooping, so we know that when he delivers one in kind it actually hurts. This was why the advent Doomsday was an effectively marketing ploy and could be an adequate choice for an antagonist on film. However, might I sugges . . .

2. Go Bizarro! First of all, Bizarro has become a household term, even if most folks don't know he's a twisted Superman doppelganger. Further, doppelgangers are all the rage in comic book movies lately. Spider-man's Venom, Iron Man's Iron Monger, Hulk's Abomination . . . all arguably dark reflections of their respective heroic foes. Bizarro would match Superman's strength, but he could also provide the strange psychological edge that comes from fighting oneself, or who "I could've been!" Plus, the studio could pay just one actor to play both roles, with a little CGI assist. You're welcome, Hollywood.

3. Subplots involving the supporting cast. One of the reasons I like the Daredevil director's cut so much more than the theatrical release is the Foggy Nelson subplot, as he battles the Kingpin in court while Matt Murdock gets down and dirty in the streets. Foggy becomes a character of true dimension and conviction when he isn't just the bumbling, shallow sidekick or comedic foil -- which is exactly what Jimmy Olsen and Perry White have suffered from since even the 1950s, in the original black and white Superman television show. Perry, the gruff newspaper editor, and Jimmy, the gee-willikers pal, have become so much more in their native comics, and writers can easily develop a plot that involves their investigative prowess . . . perhaps why S.T.A.R. Labs would create a Bizarro, or something? Alas, this is just a recommended list, not fan fiction, so I'll move on.

4. Lois Lane. Superman loves her madly, and always will. We get it. It isn't even story-worthy anymore, hardly even a romantic subplot. If Lois and Clark can't be married on film by now, or at least partners via her knowledge of his double life, give Supes someone else to ogle. I don't mean Lana Lang, either, because we've seen that in Superman III and Smallville. Come to think of it, Maxima, the warrior woman that stalks and lovingly fights Superman, would be a great villain, as her crazy affection might challenge Lois to become more than the damsel, or even more than just a hard-headed journalist, the 21st century woman. In those efforts, she's always worked against Superman by giving him more to worry about -- who knows how appealing she might be as a legitimate, at least equally motivated ally?

5. The moral dilemma. Obviously, a morally righteous character like Superman must experience the gray area of the law from time to time, but seeing him operate as a vigilante is still controversial enough for mainstream audiences to enjoy. The animated series episodes in which he's brainwashed by Darkseid, and consequentially wanted by the military, are extremely compelling, or even now in the comics as the world lobbies against him. What if an innocent attempt to helps overseas troops go awry, and the government bans his flagrant do-gooding? How cool would an undercover Superman be, on film? Seeing a subversive Clark Kent makes that alias more than the corn-fed, bumbling Kansas boy he's always been . . .

. . . which may be our hero's biggest weakness. Superman is always best as Superman because that's how we've always seen him. A little stretching of the creative muscles can offer a different Superman story that still operates within hardcore fans' expectations. After all, it's only 90 minutes, compared to decades' worth of comic book literature. Hey, but you know what they say about the pictures. They're worth a thousand words.

The Twelfth Day of Comic-mas: Twelve DC Drummings

Finally! "The 12 Days of Comic-mas" is officially the most overdue holiday celebration ever (in writing, anyway), and I'm as eager for it to end as you are! We have a whole new year of graphic goodness to tackle, and with an upcoming President appearing in comic books as frequently as Wolverine guest-starred in every Marvel title from the '90s, we're on the verge of truly experiencing a comic a day in one way or another. Still, first things first: this season's DCU Holiday Special, which, ironically, coincidentally, or both, boasts twelve stories on its table of contents (excluding the beautiful cover by Frank Quitely, and crisp table of contents by letterer Travis Lanham. Since this is the most bountiful anthology I've ever reviewed (not necessarily in page length but in said titled content), I've decided that the most effective way of reviewing this issue is through a succinct "top 12" countdown, like the very twelve days of Christmas that inspired this snail's pace series of entries.

Here we go!

12. "Introduction" -- A splash page featuring the Kents: Ma and Clark greeting a dressed-as-Santa Supergirl at the front door, while in the background Lois and Lana pet Krypto by the tree. I assume writer Sterling Gates simply told artist Karl Kerschl what to draw, and that it didn't sound much different than, "A splash page featuring the Kents: Ma and Clark greeting a dressed-as-Santa Supergirl at the front door, while in the background Lois and Lana pet Krypto by the tree."

11. "The Man in Red" -- Beautifully illustrated by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, this allegory likens Superman's origins to Santa's, from the powers of flight and "seeing when you are sleeping" via X-ray vision, to the benevolence of selfless do-gooding, to even the arctic hideaway, a parallel I hadn't considered before. Still, this ambitious tale is purely conceptual, and considering its beautiful renderings, I would've appreciated a little more linear substance, i.e. a story.

10. "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" -- Aquaman summons a huge octopus to vanquish some pirates that have tried to hijack a man and his pregnant wife at sea. A good old-fashioned Aquaman story like this would've been a gift in itself, but that the woman's unborn child is somehow royal, and that our hero inadvertently becomes one of the "three kings" paying respect to him, is a holiday twist that pulls off such allegory a little better than the previous tale.

9. "Good King Wenceslas" -- I'll never bad mouth Paul Dini. Ever. But this Batman-oriented fairy tale confused me. Dustin Nguyen's painted artwork is breath-taking, though -- a visual masterpiece that elevates the whole anthology.

8. "A Day Without Sirens" -- Joe Kelly has found another fan in me this year, between I Kill Giants and the potential of Four Eyes. In this short story, Gotham City Police actually experience an entire day without a single 911 call, an initiative advertised by a private party that pull off an emergency-free twenty-four hours. I won't spoil it only to say that the responsible party has a special interest in Gordon's and Batman's happiness. Consequently, I felt some, too.

7. "It's a Wonderful Night" is a cheesy Nightwing/Robin story that seemed a few years behind the times, if not for Tim's grief over the death of his father. Nightwing's Christmas gift for him is lame, something a new Robin would never really need and could frankly see in the Batcave anytime he wanted.

6. "Christmas with the Beetles" -- I've heard of a few comics coming out this year that spotlight or are told from the perspective of villains, and this story kicks off that trend effectively with one thug's family legacy of encountering the Blue Beetle legacy! It's a quaint tale of redemption and intervention, one that addresses the concept that, if heroes experience different incarnation and identities, so must even the lowest of goons. And change could be for the best.

5. "An Angel Told Me" -- In this Huntress story, her alter ego is the real hero. A high school teacher by day, the Huntress decides to guide a bully toward responsibility by taking down his abusive father and supervising his community service, which she swerves to actually serve him. By day, I work with children, too, so I was touched by this story's heart, and the acknowledgement that some heroics can be accomplished without fisticuffs, before nightfall, and after school.

4. "The Night Before Christmas" -- I haven't been following the Teen Titans latest series, let alone their latest roster, so this story, mired in their continuity, starred a bunch of strangers to me. Robin, Wonder Girl, Blue Beetle . . . sure, I know them, but I wonder how influential the Teen Titans relationships really are in comparison to these youngster's respectively solo tales. As apparently easy as it is for the entire DCU to fight a cosmic crisis, try getting something as simple as a romance to transcend a single writer's motivation.

3. "Party Animal" -- This current Justice League tale reads more like a classic Justice League International yarn, thanks in large part to Kevin Maguire's expressive art, but writer Alan Burnett spares no comical expense in detailing the Shaggy Man's happenstance participation in our heroes' annual Christmas party. Simple, fun.

2. "Let There Be Light" struck me as more of a pitch for a solo Dr. Light series than a contribution to a holiday anthology, and I wish it preceded the Justice League story rather than end this otherwise generally enjoyable issue. Not that the story wasn't good, but it wasn't good enough to wrap things up, nor was it comprehensive in spirit or scope. Rodolfo Migliari's photo-realistic art was muddy at times, too, seemingly incomplete at times -- actually pretty dark for a story about light, but that might've been the point I missed.

1. "Ending" -- This issue ends as it began, with a pin-up. From one lookout point in the orbiting Justice League satellite, Superman and Stargirl smile upon Green Lantern and Hawkman, in another wing of the Watchtower. Sans some hanging ribbon and DC's corporate good tidings, the scene is actually pretty creepy . . .

Yet perhaps this page is also indicative of the superhero holiday anthology phenomenon, and how the characters we know and love can only touch upon the spirit of Christmas, watch it from a safe distance, lest one of the two mired mythologies consume the other in a tale of imbalanced fantasy. Superman, Batman, and company are like any family that visit for the holidays; it's great to see them, but after awhile, you just can't wait for them to leave so you can really enjoy the yuletide. Even superheroes can only save the day . . . by flying away!

DCU Holiday Special was published for February 2009 by DC Comics and was written and illustrated by too many talented contributors to list here!

Microwaves Are Just Too Slow

My girlfriend surprised me with this shirt from Threadless.com. You want to talk about a final crisis? Not getting a Hungry Man warmed up in time for The Simpsons. Can't miss that couch gag!

Obama-El

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7675927.stm

'Nuff said!