Collections: Alan Moore - Superman Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow?

I've had this hard back collection of DC Universe by Alan Moore for quite a while now but haven't had a chance to read it until recently and I have to say, I'm super impressed.  Obviously Alan Moore is a HUGE name in comic books but outside of Watchmen I haven't really read much of his work.

This collection is mostly single or back to back issues that have self contained stories from Detective Comics, Green Lantern Corps, Phantom Stranger, Vigilante and more.  Each of these is unique and stand out from nearly any other comic plot you would have read in those particular titles at the time, which is what makes these SO good.  The stand out story for me though? Superman #423 and Action Comics #583: Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow?

This was a very candid look at the Superman Mythos.  While some of it takes a more comical look at some of the more ridiculous aspects of the Superman story like his highly sophisticated disguise:

The story really digs into Superman's psyche when, along with all his enemies finally taking off the kid gloves, he gets an ominous visit from some friends from the future and he begins to realize that something more than the standard evil plot is afoot:

Can you imagine Superman crying?!?  This is something that, to me, does something it's very hard to do with Superman, it humanizes him.  Another thing that lends an amazing edge to this story is the fact that it's all coming from a newspaper interview between a Daily Planet writer and the one and only Lois Lane.  This fact allows for the perfect pacing, hitting all the highlights and moving the story forward without the reader feeling like they've missed too much detail in between.

Part two moves us back into the more typical feeling of Superman plots, which isn't to say it's less than part one but it moves us into the fight for Superman's life and the battle ensues!  Supe's is trapped under an impenetrable energy done (naturally) with only his friends.  So we see Jimmy and Lana power up and give us a flash back to some team ups from the past:

Next the most surprising of all the fight scenes, sweet Lana damn near karate chops Luther's head off!

However the victory is short lived and after the defeat of Jimmy and Lana, next we see the most courageous and saddest two panels ever:

First Superman is crying, now I'm crying!  How am I supposed to keep reading after this!?!  I don't remember how but somehow I wiped away the tears and pulled myself together enough to keep turning the pages.

Now after all the above amazingness the story ends with a bit of a cliche in my opinion.  We find out that the little funny midget from the 5th dimension is actually a super demon who's orchestrated this entire production...

 ...and to save his friends our hero is forced to murder the little bastard.  Now while you and I would do this with no shame and sleep like a baby afterwards, Superman cannot bear that he's taken a life and makes his decision to end it all:

So it seems we've seen the last of Superman.  Or have we?

So, after a spectacular story that examines the humanity of a super powered indestructible alien and his impact on his adopted homeland including the people he loved, the story falls a little flat in the end.  But all good things must come to an end (don't you hate that saying?!).  Don't take my word for it though, go find it in your local comic shop and see what you think.  I for one will be checking out some more of Alan Moore's work thanks to this collection.

(I couldn't decide which sign off to use so I'm writing them both and you can choose)

Praying that if I have children they can make diamonds out of coal,
or
Hoping that I never have to decide to trade my super powers for a porn stash,
~Steve

Jack Kirby's Forth World - The New Gods

Recently I've been reading some of the many stories that have come out of Jack Kirby's Forth World.  Stories of The New Gods!  I still don't really know where to rate many of these characters in the DC Universe since among the other more well known main stream characters some of them seem abstract at best but some of these stories are really great.  Darkseid is the most well known of the characters in these stories since he's been the big bad in many huge DC plots but some of these other lesser known characters like Big Barda, Orion & Mr. Miracle have really been amazing to read.  Anyways not much to really say here except if you haven't checked out any stories of the New Gods you definitely should, especially if you're a Kirby fan!  Here are some nod's to Kirby's work that can be found in a collection of art done by some other well known artists in dedication to Jack Kirby and his amazing work on these characters called Jack Kirby's Forth World Gallery:

As always wishing I could actually draw,
~Steve

1991 Marvel Universe II Trading Cards

I was so stoked to see a list from CBR rating the best of the 1991 Marvel Universe Trading card sets!  I absolutely loved to collect these when I was a kid.  Remember this was before the craze of "collectible card games" hit the comic shop scene.  These days when someone says "Magic" in a comic shop you can be pretty sure they're talking about Magic The Gathering card game but in those days either someone was talking about a Dr. Strange comic or a dude making a living pulling a rabbit out of his hat at kids parties.

I remember it like it was yesterday (I know that is a common saying but now that I really think about it, as I recall this memory I'm VERY aware it was over two decades ago): saving my lunch money to buy a card pack next time I get to go to the comic shop, going through the box to try to pick the pack that for sure has the cards you don't already have, opening it to be overwhelmed by the smell of new cardboard and ink, rushing through the cards to see which new ones you got and then meticulously reading every word and carefully adding it to your collection making sure not to bend the corners as you put it in it's designated sleeve. *sigh* Good times.

This particular card set had a special detail added that was new: character power ratings!  Not only was it a cool new feature but these cards became the ultimate resource to consult when arguing with your buddies about who would beat who in a battle to the death between your favorite heroes and villains!  So when some jerk would come along and say Daredevil could totally beat up Spider-Man BAM!  Immediately race to the geek cave to consult the cards!  All these kids with their smart phones and tablets don't know what fun they're missing ;)

Check out the articles Marvel Trading Cards: 15 Greats from Marvel Universe II and Marvel Trading Cards: 15 Greats from Marvel Universe I for more info and pictures!

Am I ashamed of the fact that I own every single card in this series and the 1990 series?  NO!  But if you ask my wife she might give you a different answer.

Going home to flip through the collection and reminisce,
~Steve

The History of Dr. Strange Master of the Mystic Arts

Other than the fact that he spells his name incorrectly I love Dr. Strange!  Like every Marvel character he's had some rough story lines during his time but there is just something about him that keeps me constantly rooting for this M.D. turned Mystic to play a larger more awesome role in the MCU.  With the movie coming out he's getting more of the attention he deserves and this article does a great job of summarizing some of his cool and unusual history and plot lines:

STRANGE HISTORY: THE LONG, STRANGE JOURNEY OF DOCTOR STRANGE

Looking forward to seeing Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange on the BIG SCREEN,
~Steve

Do we still need Wonder Woman after 75 years?

I read the title of this CBR.com article and thought to myself: Why is this even a question?  The answer is obviously YES!

Immediately I was wondering if they might actually be arguing that we don't need her but was very happy to see that wasn't the case.

Wonder Woman has a much bigger problem than people framing her as a sexualized pin-up girl draped in the American flag, however. She has a reputation for being — dare I say it — boring. Boring to the point that people have published lists of exactly why she is boring, with complaints centering on a boring supporting cast, boring villains, boring weapons and overall boring stories.  

In the era of Ms. Marvel, Maps Mizoguchi, America Chavez and Faith, do we even need boring old Wonder Woman anymore?

The answer is a simple one: Yes. We need Wonder Woman just as much today as we did in 1941. Although at first glance she might feel like a throwback, with connotations of second-wave feminism, she remains genuinely radical, and it is precisely that radicalness that makes her unique in superhero comics.
In a genre defined by violence, Wonder Woman is, at heart, a pacifist. Her earliest adventures literally pitted her against War, personified in the form of the Greek god Ares. Diana’s lasso of truth might seem a puny weapon, but that’s precisely the point: it is meant to enlighten, rather than harm. Truth wins out over War and Deception.

Check out the whole article Do We Still Need Wonder Woman After 75 Years?  for some more interesting takes on this timeless Amazonian Warrior!

As another testement to the need of Wonder Woman, how can a character that inspires adorableness like this not be needed?  Pint Sized Wonder Womans Dad takes to Photo Shop

Here's to another 75 years,
~Steve

Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows

It's no secret, I'm a huge Spidey fan but byass aside (if that's possible) the mini series Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows was simply fantastic!  There is a ton to say about how well Dan Slott and Adam Kubert nailed the essence of Peter Parker through the art and writing in this story but instead of doing that I'm just going to say go read it and share some of my favorite panels. 

I know what you're thinking and yes I wish Stan Lee officiated my wedding too!
~Steve