This cover brings to mind one of my favorite Superman stories ever - and it isn't from a comic book. "Hereafter" is a two-episode saga from the Justice League animated series, and it really showcased a lot of what I love about the character. Superman is seemingly vaporized in a battle with a villain and the JLA has to deal with the loss of the Man of Steel - and with Lobo, who wants to be his replacement (this two-parter is also notable in that it is one of the few times I have enjoyed that particular character). In actuality, Superman has been transported to the distant future, where he finds himself powerless. Through sheer determination and an alliance with a now-reformed Vandal Savage, he attempts to return to his own time. It's a great story that reminds the viewer that Superman is much more than just his powers.
That was a great episode!
ReplyDeleteLess is more with Lobo. Lobo is like the Tasmanian Devil: a simple, basic force of destruction and mayhem. I saw his redesign. They made him look like he stepped out of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight! Ugh!
Great cover! Is that a Kryptonite or magic sword?
Just a regular sword. As the text says, Superman is depowered.
ReplyDeleteI agree with AirDave I hate the new Lobo he looks like a wuss bring back the main man
ReplyDeleteHow many readers remember what Lobo looked like in his first appearance?
ReplyDelete@Bob Buethe - I remember that issue. It was also the Pre-Crisis Lobo here. His 1st appearance in the Giffen
ReplyDeleteled Justice League is the one everybody remembers him for, Ross this is a boss cover. Can't go wrong with big John B. any time.
All this about Lobo; but about Superman: You're quite right in that it's not the powers that make the hero, but the man within. I recall a story arc with Green Lantern Hal Jordan where he was cut off from his lantern and marooned in the tundra, but managed to survive and come back -- half-starved and half-snowblind, but still coming through things like a real hero. In the 1960s Wonder Woman went through a time without superpowers, in the 90s Batman famously came back from a broken back, and even the Road Rovers had an episode where they had to deal with a situation while still in the form of regular (if highly intelligent) dogs. Some of the best stories are about the hero within.
ReplyDeleteNow, a complete change of topic: How about Mighty Mouse vs. Pinky and the Brain?
Heh. I bought Lobo's first appearance when it came out- I was buying Omega Men at the time. I may still have it somewhere.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover! Also that episode was inspired by the Silver-Age story "Under A Red Sun" by Otto Binder and Al Plastino. Haven't read it since I was a kid, but I remembering loving that tale. Lol
ReplyDeleteI remember a two-part "Elseworlds" tale in which Superman did lose his powers. And, the Lois Lane in that story basically revealed she had only been attracted to him because of his powers! I prefer to think that such a superficial attitude was unique to that particular counterpart (as opposed to secretly abiding in the mainstream Lois).
ReplyDeleteAs for the Conan half of the cover? Well done! Reminds me of the classic "What If..." issue in which he met a time-travelling Thor.
Reminds me of the "What If..." where he met Wolverine.
ReplyDelete