Mild Mannered Reviews - Regular Superman Comics

Adventures of Superman #581

Adventures of Superman #581

Scheduled to arrive in stores: June 14, 2000

Cover date: August 2000

2000 Shield No. 31

Writer: J. M. DeMatteis
Penciller: Mike Miller and Jose Marzan Jr.
Inker: Walden Wong

"Adversaries"

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



In The Grand Canyon Superman is practising some new Kryptonian martial arts to help centre his body and remove the last remains of the Kryptonite poison.

In Metropolis, Lex Luthor declares his intention to run for President of The United States. Lois and Jimmy, who are in the crowd are shocked to say the least. Just as the crowd begins to cheer his name, The Adversary swoops down and kidnaps him. Then Superman arrives. Adversary drops Lex, and Superman catches him and takes him to safety. A massive fight covering three and a bit ensues, with Superman triumphant.

We are then treated to a short history of Oswald Loomis and how he had an abusive childhood. Then, after poisoning Superman he comes into contact with a horned fella - looks a little like Satanas, but you know comics, they always try to mislead us.

At 1938 Sullivan Street, Lois and Clark bump into neighbour Colin Thornton and later a boy called Cary who catches our lovers kissing. They stop for a chat and then Lois gets her husband home so she can be a very bad girl.

In Little Italy (the italian quarter of Metropolis) a mafia boss is raided by The Thorn. With a few cool moves, including one with a table fork, Thorn delivers her message to stay out of Metropolis, and leaves.

Across town, Adversary wakes up from his fight with Superman. He shouts very loud til he gets Superman's attention. Then they fight again, Superman wanting to know why, and wondering why The Adversary's body grows and distorts.

In his home, Cary watches the fight on TV. He seems more interested in the bad guy than Supes. Laura, his carer (Cary is in a hitech wheelchair) tells him Superman will win. On the floor, almost like a harbinger of doom, lies a broken Superman toy.

As the fight continues, Superman continues to goad Adversary whilst he gets ready with the power he practised at the beginning of the story. When he's ready, Superman allows himself to take the punch and crashes in China. Once he thinks he has won, Adversary disappears!

Back in Metropolis, Rose Forrest awakes and she doesn't feel rested. The Prankster is waiting for her in her bathroom and he knows she's The Thorn. 4Story - 4: I give this a four simply because it has The Thorn in it. It's been a while since we have seen her and she is one of Metropolis' more interesting supporting characters. I hope she sticks around for a few more issues at least, if not take a bigger role like Steel. Another thing I really liked was the continuing "adult" nature of Lois and Clark's relationship. Not as good as Superman #159 though. The mystery of The Adversary continues and grows. I thought he was a waste of space the last time he appeared, but his disappearing act at least gives the character a little interest. Where did he go? Why did he go?

4Art - 4: The art was top notch in this issue as well. There were some great Superman poses - his arrival on page 5, and his arrival on page 15. Both classics. Whether this was down to art or writing, but I liked Luthor's collar. Made him look like a priest. Someone we can all trust - right?

3Cover Art - 3: The thumbnail of this in Superman #159 looked great. However, I really don't like the blacked out face. Stop trying to make Superman dark and moody. He ain't!



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