Mild Mannered Reviews - "Superman Adventures" Comics

Superman Adventures #5

Superman Adventures #5

Cover date: March 1997

"Balance of Power"

Writer: Scott McCloud
Penciller: Bret Blevins
Inker: Terry Austin

Cover: Rick Burchett and Terry Austin

Reviewed by: James Lantz



Thanks to the electricity from a radio in her room, Livewire has escaped. This time, however, she's using her powers to help the women of the world have their time in the sun. She has taken control of all the major media outlets. Female reporters such as Lois Lane and Angela Chen are covering major news stories, while the men such as Clark Kent have had stories refused in Livewire's new world order.

Lois and Angela are now debating about Livewire's change in the status quo. Lois, who has worked hard to get newspaper scoops, believes that men and women should be equal in the work place. Angela, on the other hand, seems to want to use this situation to become the top anchorperson on television.

Superman has had no luck in capturing Livewire. He is forced to work with Lex Luthor to stop the electrical villainess. Despite enjoying the recent humiliation of the Man of Steel, Lex admits that Livewire must be stopped because his entertainment division is losing money. All that's needed is a way to lure Livewire into a trap.

Superman has challenged Livewire to a fight at the Metropolis Music Hall. LexCorp has set up some electromagnetic wave disruption equipment. Lex himself also has a surprise for the electrical enchantress. He fires a weapon that knocks out Livewire. Superman then becomes angry when he sees that his nemesis has been seriously hurt. Paramedics are called to take Livewire to the hospital, and Superman is saddened to see that a male newscaster has taken the microphone away from Angela Chen before she can finish reporting on the recent events. Meanwhile, Lex's bodyguard Mercy Graves looks at Livewire with sadness and pity.

The ambulance crew is discussing Livewire and a woman's place in the world. At the same time, small sparks of electricity emerge from the seemingly unconscious former shock radio host. Will Livewire return to make the lights go out in Metropolis? Only time will tell.

2Story - 2: Like Livewire, McCloud's intentions were good. However, the execution leaves a lot lo be desired. His normally good characterizations feel like they are a bit off base. The story also feels dated. Much of the dialogue made me believe that I was reading something from 1955. Scott McCloud really dropped the ball with this one.

3Art - 3: Superman looks strange in quite a few panels. Plus, the art merely tells the story. Nothing really stands out too much.

5Cover Art - 5: This image is the saving grace of the entire issue. The "Livewire" electrical lettering especially makes it look amazing. It's too bad the rest of the book wasn't as good as the cover.


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