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Superman vs The Terminator #2

Superman vs The Terminator #2

Cover date: January 2000

Writer: Alan Grant
Penciller: Steve Pugh
Inker: Steve Pugh

"Death to the Future - Part 2"

Reviewed by: Gareth Baker (GHLBJEDI@aol.com)


It's Metropolis 2032 and a wrinkled, grey bearded Steel gives Superman the American flag to cover up his naked self. Steel explains that when they brought Superman into the future, they were actually trying to bring back an advanced Terminator. To do that they had to take over Skynet's time displacement facility, which is where they are. Skynet doesn't know they are even there because Steel has rigged the computer to send back false information. Superman is introduced to John Connor, now a grown man in his late thirties, early forties. Steel begins to explain that he always wondered why Superman disappeared in 2000. Superman wonders if that means he doesn't go back.

The two friends fly out through the night sky and look at the remains of the devastated Metropolis. Steel explains that not many heroes survived Skynet's take-over. Soon the pair arrive outside the remains of the Daily Planet building. Suddenly a net is thrown over them, and cannibals attack them. Superman soon rips the net open, and Steel frightens the men off. They climb inside the Planet and Steel gives Superman one of his old costumes. He had kept it as a symbol of hope.

In a Bistro in Metropolis, back in good ol' 2000, Lois Lane meets up with the Connors. Sarah has already filled Lois in on the details, and after making some calls, Lois asks after Superman. Lois suggests that they all stay at her apartment, as her husband is away on business.

Outside a policeman has identified his target. He walks inside the bistro and walks over to the table that Lois and the Connors are seated at. Sarah uses the table as a shield, but it doesn't last long. The Terminator begins to aim at Sarah, when Lois grabs a fire hose and blasts the Terminator with the water from it. Lois is unable to control the hose as the pressure is too strong, and the Terminator shoots the water supply out. As the Terminator begins to move in for the kill, the window is smashed open and Supergirl flies in. A brief struggle and a telekinetic blast put down the android.

Elsewhere, The Cyborg meets with a Terminator himself, though this one is blonde and female. The pair team up. Wave after wave of Terminator will be sent back, leaving the female Terminator and The Cyborg open to strike. They mount up on their motorcycles and with maniacal laughter in tow, speed off.

2032 - Superman, Steel and the resistance all attack a Skynet Terminator production factory. It is well protected but they get inside, if they can capture it undestroyed, maybe they can use it themselves.

2000 - The Terminator is defeated, but John has disappeared. As the three women walk outside the bistro, they are attacked by yet another Terminator and it's after Supergirl. Her flame wings appear, she grabs the android and flies him up high above the streets and then drops him as he smashes on the floor below.

2032 - When the group of heroes get inside, they meet up with a giant robot. He is the living embodiment of Skynet power - Sky-1 and he's been waiting for them. As Steel goes in to attack, he is zapped and left a heap on the floor. Superman suffers similar treatment as he attacks. As much as he tries, Superman cannot defeat Sky-1 so he attacks the machines around it instead. Then Sky-1 releases its ultimate weapon - Kryptonite!

3Story - 3: I'm sad to say that this one didn't quite cut the mustard, and I did not have the same feeling of "it was better upon a second read" that I had with part 1. Nothing appeared to happen in this issue - Superman gets a costume and falls into a trap; Lois is harassed in year 2000; and The Cyborg starts scheming. HOWEVER, having said all that, the ending was good. I predict Steel isn't really out of it and he uses the hammer or JC saves the day.

4Art - 4: Pugh did his own inks on this one, or at least no inker is given a credit. The art does look different, it is not so crisp this time. Things look rougher, not that that is a complaint. Again, colour was used very effectively in this issue, from the foreboding sky to the drab military clothing of John and Co.

4Cover Art - 4: Far better cover on this issue than last. Again the same design was used, alone with Steve Pugh's painting. The Cyborg looks nice and menacing and I love the ripped "S".


Other relevant reviews:

Mild Mannered Reviews

2000

Note: Month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic was on sale.

January 2000

February 2000 March 2000 April 2000 May 2000 June 2000 July 2000 August 2000 September 2000 October 2000 November 2000 December 2000 Annuals

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