Mild Mannered Reviews - "Superman Adventures" Comics

Superman Adventures #8

Superman Adventures #8

Cover date: June 1997

"All Creatures Great and Small" - Part Two

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

Cover: Rick Burchett and Terry Austin

Reviewed by: James Lantz



The gigantic Jax-Ur is rampaging through Metropolis as Professor Hamilton is repairing the Molecular Scaling Generator to bring Superman back to normal size. He is able to use the machine while the shrunken Man of Steel fights with Mala. Unfortunately, the beam hits Mala. She wishes to be gargantuan like her general, but Jax-Ur swallows the Molecular Scaling Generator. He wants to be the only Kryptonian of towering proportions. Now, Jax-Ur and Mala are carving a path of destruction throughout America. Their target: Washington, D.C.

Dan Turpin was injured trying to battle Jax-Ur. He is now talking to the still tiny Superman, who feels helpless to stop the Kryptonian general. Turpin tells the Man of Steel that Jax-Ur is like everyone else deep down inside. This gives Superman a plan. All he has to do is hope he can act on it before Jax-Ur reaches Washington.

Jax-Ur and Mala are edging closer to Washington. A small, armored Superman flies into the area as the military battles the goliath general. Jax-Ur's mouth opens, and Superman enters to retrieve the Molecular Scaling Generator. He's found the device, but Jax-Ur tries to keep is mouth closed to prevent Kal-El's escape. Superman tickles the roof of Jax-Ur's mouth until he is able to exit with Professor Hamilton's machine. Now, both Jax-Ur and Mala have been shrunken to a more manageable size. They are currently in a cell bombarded by solar energy from a red sun. In the meantime, Superman thanks real heroes like Dan Turpin for inspiring him. Turpin, however, says that he's only doing his job to protect the common man.

4Story - 4.5: There are no plot holes, and the story is well written. However, something I can't quite put my finger on prevents it from getting a full five points. It's better than the Livewire issue, yet not as good as the Mxyzptlk one. Still, I found it enjoyable like the majority of McCloud's run on Superman Adventures so far. It was especially great to see Jax-Ur and Mala in these pages. They're among my favorite villains in the animated series.

5Art - 5: As always, we have another comic book with stunning visuals that continue to make the reader feel the magic of Superman: The Animated Series. I was floored by the incredible way everything looked on every page.

5Cover Art - 5: This one really made me curious about the story inside and had some great artwork. It's amazing.


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