Mild Mannered Reviews - Regular Superman Comics

Superman #162

Superman #162

Scheduled to arrive in stores: September 6, 2000

Cover date: November 2000

2000 Shield No. 43

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciller: Ed McGuinness
Inker: Cam Smith

"The American Dream"

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



Lois mumbles in her sleep about Lex running for president when she suddenly wakes up. She begins to tell Clark that she had the strangest dream, when she looks at the TV and sees Lex Luthor in Smallville ready to announce his running mate. Clark and Lois look on as Luthor introduces Pete Ross to America. As Clark tries to figure out why Pete would do such a thing, Lois suggests a trip to Kansas. A minute later Clark appears on the television, Luthor calls Clark up to the front and proudly announces that this is the American dream.

In the soda shop, Clark and Pete talk in the corner. Clark asks Pete why he would do such a thing. Pete reminds Clark of the charm that he used to rub and wish for a million dollars. Pete finally stopped rubbing it. He didn't give up the money, he gave up on wishing. Pete feels that Luthor can win, and make him a winner too.

In the Kent kitchen, Ma and Pa discuss the recent news with Clark. Ma warns Clark to think about Lana before he trashes Pete.

In the Daily Planet, Jimmy is awestruck by the sudden appearance of Lori Lemaris. She asks for Clark, but since he's not there Jimmy offers to show her around the city. She declines. In Perry's office, Lois gets scolded for not being on top of the Luthor story, and for her husband being in every picture with Pete and Luthor.

Over the ocean, Superman flies out to see what has been disturbing a Lexcorp rig. He finds a huge monster emerging from the sea, attacking the rig. Superman hoists the monster up and hurls him over the horizon. Spotting Aquaman, Superman dives beneath the surface to talk with the king of the seas. Aquaman denies having anything to do with the attacks, but he also didn't try to stop them. The rig has been transmitting strange signals that change the behavior of the aquatic life. Arthur promises that since they both know Luthor is responsible, this action demands punishment.

In his dark office, Perry talks about Luthor's presidency with a shadowy figure, Perry's mysterious helper.

At Luthor's press conference, Lois and Lana talk when Clark turns up. Suddenly Aquaman appears, riding a hover bike. He quickly ensnares Luthor in a net and blasts away. Superman flies after him, but is stopped by an Atlantean force headed by Tempest. Tempest threatens Metropolis if Superman pursues. 4Story - 4: This was a good story, but it won't be great until we get the next chapter. It's nice to see the books back to a monthly storyline rather than linkage. The Lex 2000 storyline is getting more important as the books go on and I can't wait to see where it is going. Another quality story by Loeb.

5Art - 5: I don't really see a need to justify this, it's McGuinness. Just check out the last page, the splash of Superman confronting Tempest, and you will see why this deserves a five.

4Cover Art - 4: This cover is awesome, because it's Ed, but it could have been so much better. There are so many more possibilities for the cover with this story. Still, it was decent.



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Mild Mannered Reviews

2000

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