Mild Mannered Reviews - "Superman Adventures" Comics

Superman Adventures #2

Superman Adventures #2

Cover date: December 1996

"Be Careful What You Wish For..."

Writer: Scott McCloud
Penciller: Rick Burchett
Inker: Terry Austin

Cover: Rick Burchett and Terry Austin

Reviewed by: James Lantz



Metropolis is still buzzing to get news and gossip on Superman after his recent battles with the Toyman, the Parasite and Metallo. Meanwhile, a woman named Kelly is claiming to be the Man of Steel's girlfriend. Earlier, she had called for help just to see him and thanked him for flowers so people could hear her. Metallo, who has resurfaced from his watery prison after his previous battle with the Last Son of Krypton, even listens while Kelly is speaking to a Hob's Bay pretzel vendor named Sol. Now, the Kryptonite powered cyborg has just captured the young lady in an attempt to set a deadly trap for his alien foe.

For the past three nights Fleischer Import Export has had weapons stolen from their shipping yards. No matter what security is used, the thief has been able to get past it as it weren't human. The foreman is telling Lois Lane and Clark Kent that one of his security guards went to follow a possible suspect to green houseboat, but he never returned for work. All evidence points to John Corben, the mercenary terrorist who became Metallo. Lois theorizes that Metallo's gun running is to finance parts for his robotic body. The pair of reporters then goes to the pier where Metallo's ship is docked. They find that Kelly is Corben's hostage. The cyborg then takes the young woman away as he knocks Lois into the water. Metallo has just escaped with Miss Lane later in pursuit. Superman has his work cut for him.

Lois, Corben, and perhaps the entire world, believes that Kelly is Superman's girlfriend. Metallo has just climbed to the top of Metropolis Bridge with his captive. He calls out to the Man of Steel, who answers the challenge. The two titans trade punches while Lois wants some answers. Unfortunately, the Last Son of Krypton has no time to explain. Metallo has knocked him directly into a police helicopter and is a about to push the young woman Kelly to her doom. Suddenly, the falling chopper strikes the Kryptonite powered villain causing everyone involved in the incident to plummet into grave danger.

Superman has saved the aircraft's police officers and Kelly. However, there is no sign of Metallo. He has apparently fallen into the murky depths of the river. Superman's enemy may have been defeated, but his troubles are just beginning. Kelly has told Angela Chen that she is no longer the Man of Tomorrow's girlfriend because she saw the caped hero with Lois. Now, both Lois and Superman are left to clear up the confusion from the mess Kelly has made.

4Story - 4: The ending feels a bit off to me, but otherwise we have a nearly perfect follow-up to "The Way Of All Flesh" that doesn't contradict the events of "Action Figures." The small nod to the Fleischer cartoons is also pure genius. This issue was slightly better than the previous one, and it made look forward to the third one. I wish more books were as fun to read as this was.

5Art - 5: Burchett has done a great job once again. His Metallo is especially incredible. The art alone makes this comic a "must have" for any fan of Superman: The Animated Series.

5Cover Art - 5: This is what I expected from the previous issue's cover. It's downright stupendous and makes the buyer want to read what's inside.


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