Mild Mannered Reviews - Regular Superman Comics

Superman Emperor #1

Superman Emperor #1

Scheduled to arrive in stores: August 18, 2000

Cover date: October 2000

2000 Shield No. 38

Writer: Jeph Loeb and Joe Kelly
Penciller: Duncan Rouleau, Todd Nauck, Carlo Barberi, and Scott McDaniel
Inker: Marlo Alquiza, Jaime Mendoza, and Richard Bunk

"It's A Joker World, Baby, We Just Live In It"

Reviewed by: Nick Newman (Nnewman8283@yahoo.com)



In the Watchtower, Superman and Steel look on in shock at the world, reshaped in the Joker's image. Realizing that they have to do something to save the world, the two heroes and Mr. Mxyzptlk get on a shuttle and head for the Earth. On the moon's surface, however, Ignition has other plans. He raises a cannon, and blow the ship out of the sky.

On a Metropolis street, Supergirl struggles to keep her thoughts about her, when suddenly a school of Joker piranhas attacks her. She is saved at the last moment by Superboy. She insists that they have to find Superman now.

Superman wakes up to Lois' voice amid flames. He's in Smallville, as are Steel and Mxy. Superman demands to know what happened to his world, and Mxyzptlk proceeds to tell the story. He found Joker and offered him a small portion of power to toy with the world, but Joker tricked him into giving him almost all of his power, and then proceeded to remake the world. Superman and Steel realize that the only way they are going to win back the world is to reunite the JLA, the real JLA.

In Metropolis, the four stand outside of the Hall of Jerkos!, where the JLA stays. Superman asks what has happened to his teammates, and Mxy tells him their fates. Aquaman is a fish that prohibits people from using the water, Wonder Woman a champion for woman's rights, The Flub is the fastest fat man alive, Martian Manhunter is a dwarf who longs to destroy Earth, Plastic Man is a living credit card, and Yellow Paper Lantern makes living shadow puppets. Entering the building, Superman is assaulted by his former friends. Superman finally gets them to stop for a second, when Superboy and Supergirl bust through the roof. The ceiling begins to collapse, but Superman comes to the rescue and catches the falling debris.

In space, Darkseid appeals to the quintessence. Joker has taken the anti-life equation and Darkseid demands that it be given back to him. The quintessence, however, is already under the Joker's power. Suddenly, Joker appears and soon Darkseid falls under his power.

On Earth, Superman attempts to convince the JLA to join him and fight Joker. As he speaks of their commitment, something begins to happen. By the time he is done with his speech, Team Superman stands proudly in their true costumes. The JLA is still reluctant, but Diana seems to be changing. Superman realizes that there may be hope after all.

In Joker's base, Luthor begins to laugh at Joker, saying that he has lost. Joker responds by shooting Lex, killing him. 5Story - 5: This was really entertaining. Getting Loeb's epic storytelling mixed with Kelly's humor was great, and this story is really turning out well. I am really pleased with the way it is going. The JLA was hilarious and Joker was very well done. I can't wait for more.

3Art - 3: It really jumped around in this issue, with all of the different artist and all. I know that it must be hard to draw a full issue this big, but the multiple pencillers is just a pain. The art was decent though, it just didn't flow.

5Cover Art - 5: Up there with all of the other playing card covers, this one was great, probably the best of the bunch. McGuinness's art is always great.



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Mild Mannered Reviews

2000

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