Adam Graham's Blog: Christians and Superheroes - Posts Tagged "superman-beyond"

Fantastic Four, Volume 1, #88:

With the five members of the Fantastic Four back together (the original plus Crystal who was replacing the Invisible Woman at this point), the FF move from taking on Doctor Doom to a truly daunting task: house hunting. They've concluded that the Baxter Building isn't the safest place to raise a new baby and have decided they need something that'll not be such a target for their enemies and head out to look out at a mysterious property that meets their specifications. However, everyone begins to get a strong foreboding about the new property and Lee and Kirby build up a lot of suspense and tension before telling us why in a very solid first part of this story.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5.0

World's Finest #6

With the five members of the Fantastic Four back together (the original plus Crystal who was replacing the Invisible Woman at this point), the FF move from taking on Doctor Doom to a truly daunting task: house hunting. They've concluded that the Baxter Building isn't the safest place to raise a new baby and have decided they need something that'll not be such a target for their enemies and head out to look out at a mysterious property that meets their specifications. However, everyone begins to get a strong foreboding about the new property and Lee and Kirby build up a lot of suspense and tension before telling us why in a very solid first part of this story.

Rating: 2.75 out of 5.0

Superman Adventures #45

This was the first of the four post-Mark Millar issues of Superman Adventures that I actually enjoyed. The plot centers around three precocious girls who have left the suburbs to go to Metropolis and find a husband for their mom and the focus centers on Clark Kent and then later Lex Luthor. What becomes clear from the girls' conversation is that they also want a dad in their lives. On the surface, some of their hopes are selfish, but Grubb clearly brings out some deeper needs. An emotional fun story that's more about the girls and the Superman cast, but Superman is able to do some pretty awesome things in the end.

This wasn't a perfect comic with a little stereotypical dialogue. And maybe we could have used a little more of Superman, But overall this is an enjoyable and heart warming read.

Rating: 3.75 ouf of 5.00

Batman Beyond #23 (2012-13);

After Issue 22, I thought I knew where the story was going, but kudos to Adam Beechen on adding some interesting twists as we learned that the technology used by the rebel was from old superhero/supervillain hideouts and we're left wondering where this came from as the issue ends.

The downside is that an entirely unnecessary scene is included in which Dick Grayson wakes up in a bed with a woman he's not married to and has a conversation. Not only was this unnecessary but this comic rated for nine year old kids. Also too much credence is given to the hopelessness of the Rebel.

Still some great action and a good mystery still make this a fun read

Rating: 3.75 ouf of 5.0

Heroes Against Hunger (1986 Live Aid One Shot);

Really could have been heroes and villain against Hunger as this book is a three way team up between Batman, Superman, and Lex Luthor. The book has a big problem: It's message (as delivered by a very annoying character) is that this isn't the type of problem that can be solved by comic book heroes but then most of the story is spent involving a fight against the typical comic book villain, the Master (not to be confused with the Doctor Who villain of the same name) who feeds on entropy.

The more interesting part is the reaction of Luthor, who in his pre-Crisis incarnation had a soft spot. Despite being an evil supervillain, he was moved to tears by the whole situation just as Doctor Doom would be in the Spider-man issue after 9/11. It's not a bad read and certainly was well-intentioned.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5.0

Doc Savage #3

he art on this book is amazing right from the beautiful cover to the Interior art work. The story was horrible and part of me wanted to give this issue 1 star but the art was too good for that.

The book begins in 1961 as Doc announces he's found the Panacea, medicine that would allow everyone to live forever. However, a madman is determined to stop him because he's evil and he runs a pharmaceutical company.

This issue is the point at which I really begin to wonder if the author gets Doc Savage. Doc is the swashbuckling man of bronze with stories that are full of action, adventure, and intrigue. What Roberson gives us is a story that has an almost impossible scientific discovery that's in jeopardy because (apparently) Doc failed to write it down and this story ends on a very down note for Doc Savage.

The art through flashbacks captures some scenes of Doc on an adventure and that's what belongs in a Doc Savage comic book. What Roberson seems to be doing is a Doc Savage version of John Byrne's Superman-Batman Generations, only with Doc Savage (with each issue jumping forward about fifteen years). While I didn't like Generations, it had more point than this joyless book does.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5.0


Superman Beyond #20:

I'm left with real mixed feelings because this isn't a bad book, but it's kind of mediocre end to the series. There's a good ticking time bomb that's resolved but the key to giving us a feeling of a positive ending is having Superman deliver a cliche-ridden speech. I mean if you're going to give a speech, make it a good one.

This book signaled the end of Superman Beyond and that was a shame. Superman is a great character and this book highlighted his timeless character and the type of person he is, even if not all the concepts were explored fully.

Rating: 2.75 out of 5.0