______________________________________________________

                T H E    K R Y P T O N I A N    C Y B E R N E T
                _______________________________________________


                       http://www.ms.uky.edu/~sykes/kc

                       Issue #31 -- Early October 1996

______________________________________________________



CONTENTS
--------
Section 1:  Superscripts: Notes from the Editor
               Have You Been To Metropolis Lately?
            News and Notes
            Superman: The Animated Series
               Episode #6: "Feeding Time"
                  Reviewed by Denes House

Section 2:  Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
               Episode #4-01: "Lord of the Flys"
                  Reviewed by Marta Olson
               Episode #4-02: "Battleground Earth"
                  Reviewed by Shane Furlong
            Merchandise

Section 3:  New Comic Reviews
               The Superman Titles
                  Action Comics #727, by William J Nixon
                  Superman: The Man of Steel #62, by Arthur LaMarche
               Super-Family Titles
                  Superboy #33, by Arthur LaMarche
                  Superboy and the Ravers #3, by Jeff Sykes
               Other Super-Books
                  Superman Adventures #1, by Arthur LaMarche

Section 4:  New Comic Reviews
               Other Super-Books (cont)
                  Superman: The Man of Steel Annual #5, by Arthur LaMarche
               The Final Night
                  Series Review by Rene' Gobeyn

Section 5:  Superman: The Serial
               Chapter 4: Man of Steel, by Steven Younis
            The Mailbag

Section 6:  After-Byrne
               Manuscripts of Steel
                  Superman: Kal, by Denes House
            Coming Attractions


STAFF:
------
Jeffery D. Sykes, Editor-in-Chief
Arthur E. LaMarche, Executive Coordinator of Reviews
Nancy Jones, Executive Coordinator: Lois and Clark, S:TAS sections

Editors:
   Chip Chandler         Curtis Herink         William O'Hara
   Joe Crowe             Bill Meeks            Shane Travis
   Steve Hanes                                 Steven Younis



LEGAL DISCLAIMERS:
-----------------
Superman and all related characters, locations, and events are copyright and
trademark DC Comics.  Use of the aforementioned is not intended to challenge
said ownership.  We strongly suggest that each reader look to the media sources
mentioned within for further information.

All original material published in The Kryptonian Cybernet, including but not
limited to reviews, articles, and editorials, are copyright 1996 by The
Kryptonian Cybernet and the respective authors.  Reprinting in any format is
expressly forbidden without the permission of The Kryptonian Cybernet and the
contributing author.

Opinions presented within this issue belong to the authors of the articles
which contain them.  They should in no way be construed as those of any other
particular member of the editorial or contributing staff, unless otherwise
indicated.

This magazine can be distributed, in whole, freely via e-mail.  Should you
desire to share this publication with other on-line services, please contact me
at sykes@ms.uky.edu for permission.  Feel free to advertise subscription
information on other on-line services which have internet mail availability.

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        end

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Back issues are available via ftp at oasis.novia.net.  These archives can also
be reached via the Kryptonian Cybernet Homepage:

        http://www.ms.uky.edu/~sykes/kc

______________________________________________________


                      SUPERSCRIPTS:  Notes from the Editor
                      ------------------------------------


HAVE YOU BEEN TO METROPOLIS LATELY?

LOIS AND CLARK used this theme to advertise the show in its earlier seasons,
and the answer from the general public at that time was that they had not.  But
then something magical happened midway through the second season.  The new
production team stopped trying to make the show an action/adventure hour to
compete with SEAQUEST, and the romance subplot was reborn -- back to the
original plan of the series' creator.

Deborah Joy LeVine intended for Lois and Clark to fall in love and eventually
marry in the series.  But time and time again, the writers, the producers,
and/or the suits at ABC kept sidelining romance for this, that, and the other
thing.  They kept *telling* us what we wanted to see when they should have been
*asking* us what we wanted to see.  Because, you know, we were right.

Almost from day one, the ratings have indicated that the fans enjoy LOIS AND
CLARK much more when it focuses on the relationship between the title
characters.  We don't want to see a string of comic book villains thrown at us
(Metallo, the Prankster, and versions of Intergang, the Toyman, and Bizarro --
to name a few).  We can go to a comic shop for that.  We don't want to be
teased and jerked around with long storylines and cliffhanger endings each
week.  We can watch any number of soaps for that.

For approximately one year, they finally caught on to this.  From the second
season's "The Phoenix," in which Clark finally asked Lois for a date, to the
beginning of the so-called "non-wedding arc" in the third season, almost every
episode was used to advance Lois and Clark's relationship.  Even when they were
apart and feuding at the beginning of the third season, they grew as characters
and begin to realize what they had in each other.  And you know what?  LOIS AND
CLARK became a smash hit, destroying almost everything in its path.

But then the soap format came along.  And the comic book stories returned.  We
went from mature adults planning their wedding to clones eating exotic frogs,
amnesiac alternate personalities, evil psychiatrists, shrinking potions, and
finally aliens invading the Earth.  And the ratings have been sinking
throughout this ordeal.

Now here we are, at the beginning of yet another new season, and we're back in
almost the same ratings pothole we occupied two years ago.  The fans who helped
establish the show have left in droves.  There are a *lot* of television
viewers who have not been to Metropolis lately.  But with the wedding and
married life upon us, it appears that the producers are finally going to go
listen to the fans once again.  Plans for the series seem to indicate that
future storylines will focus on Lois and Clark as a married couple, and how
Clark's other job could affect their relationship.  The "marriage obstacle of
the week" is finally behind us.

LOIS AND CLARK has always been at its best when it sticks to as few fantastical
premises as possible.  When the show focuses on the loving relationship between
our dynamic duo, it can be warm, funny, and charming.  Certainly they shouldn't
forget that this show is also about a super-powered alien, but having him fight
the villain of the week has never been very interesting.  When they explore how
Clark's special abilities affect him and Lois, they hit home runs.  Heaven
knows they could use a few homers right now.

The jerking around of the viewers last season is very akin to the baseball
strike which killed the 1994 World Series.  It's going to take a lot of healing
for the fans to return, and it won't happen overnight.  But if the intentions
of the writers and producers are what they appear, then there's still hope. 
Now what we have to do is decide whether or not we can muster up enough faith
to give them a chance.  

If you were one of those fans who left en masse late last year, I urge you to
give the show another try.  And for those of you who have hung with it through
this dark period, tell your friends that it might be time to visit Metropolis
again.

Jeff Sykes
Editor

______________________________________________________


                                 NEWS AND NOTES
                                 --------------


CHOOSE OR LOSE!

    A reminder that through the next issue, this semi-monthly schedule is
    only a temporary thing.  Whether or not we continue to publish twice a
    month is going to be largely up to you.  Is splitting up the issues a
    good thing or bad thing?

    Once you've decided, send an e-mail message to KCVote@aol.com.  In the
    subject of the message, simply put either the word semi-monthly or the
    word monthly, to specify which publication format you prefer.  These
    messages will not be read, but simply tallied according to the subject,
    so you shouldn't put anything in the body of your message.  We will
    count only one vote per person.  

    Or if you're simply too lazy to send this simple e-mail message, drop by
    the KC homepage, so that you can register your vote simply by clicking a
    button on a form.  Voting will remain open until 11:59 PM EST, Thursday,
    October 31, 1996.  A decision about the publication schedule will be
    made the following weekend.


MORE TO KINGDOM COME

    Comic Shop News reports that DC Comics *is* planning to release a 
    hardcover compilation of Mark Waid and Alex Ross' wildly successful
    KINGDOME COME miniseries.  The hardcover will collect the entire four-
    issue miniseries, along with sketchbook and trading card art, magazine
    covers, and more.  But the true highlight will be the addition of 12
    new pages of story and art, including a final revelation!

    Also in the works for 1997 is a KINGDOM COME hardcover novel, written
    by Elliott S. Maggin with Alex Ross and Mark Waid.  The novel will expand
    on the backgrounds of the characters and will feature eight new paintings
    by Alex Ross.

    And if that isn't enough for you, look for 1997 to also bring KINGDOM,
    a new ongoing series written by Mark Waid with Alex Ross consulting,
    covers by Ross, and interior art by Gene Ha.  According to Paul Levitz,
    "KINGDOM is set in the DC universe, presenting events that may or may
    not lead to KINGDOM COME."


LOIS AND CLARK: TAKE 5

    Seasons that is.  Despite the poor ratings LOIS AND CLARK have received
    this season to date, word has it that ABC has already promised renewal
    for a fifth season as part of a package deal to keep Rosie O'Donnell's
    hit show on ABC owned-and-operated stations in several large markets.
    Now let's just hope that the show can take advantage of this gift to
    turn things around and bring the fans back in!


MISS POPULAR!

    DC sources indicate that the first issue of the new SUPERGIRL series has
    gone back to press for a third printing!  They also mention that this is
    the first time DC has gone back for a third printing since SUPERMAN #75
    and its "Death of Superman" story!

______________________________________________________


                         SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
                    ---------------------------------------


S:TAS has caught the rerun bug!  But we really have to expect this until next
season, when the show moves to a daily time slot.  In the meantime, note that
WB has changed the lineup for its weekend kids programming, and SUPERMAN has
received an earlier time for airing.  Apparently, the new time slot for WB
channels carrying the exact schedule is Saturdays at 9:00 AM Eastern.  WGN has
moved the show to Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM Eastern.  Check your local
listings for the new time in your area!

======================================================

Ratings Panelists:

  CH: Curtis Herink         DS: Dick Sidbury           NO: Neil Ottenstein
  DH: Denes House           JS: Jimmy Stewart          SD: Scott Devarney
                            MC: Matt Combes

The first rating given after the average is that of the reviewer.  The average
rating given for a particular episode may correspond to a larger sample of
ratings than what is printed following the average.  Given airdates correspond
to the date of first US airing as regularly scheduled on the Warner Brothers
Television Network.

======================================================


                           Episode #6: "Feeding Time"
           ----------------------------------------------------------
             Reviewed by Denes House (dhouse@itsmail1.hamilton.edu)


September 21, 1996
Written by Robert Goodman
Directed by Curt Geda
Music by Michael McCuistion

Guest-Starring: Rudy Jones/The Parasite  --  Brion James
                Professor Hamilton       --  Tony Jay
                Lebeau                   --  Robert Patrick
                Policewoman              --  Tasia Valenza
                Commissioner Henderson   --  Mel Winkler
                Guard                    --  Phil Hayes

RATINGS:

Average: 3.7/5.0 Shields

MC: 3.0 Shields - One major problem I'm having with the animated series is the
        lack of depth in these characters.  I understand the show's focus is
        Superman, but they're losing a big part of what this show can do by
        not fleshing out Clark and the others.  The villain was good and
        well-played.  I didn't enjoy Parasite discovering Clark's secret
        identity.  The menacing grin Parasite gave at the end didn't ease me
        any.
SD: 3.5 Shields - It was good to see Jimmy getting the spotlight, although it
        would have been nice to see some reaction at the Daily Planet in the
        aftermath of his finding the captive Superman.  It was a great idea of
        the Parasite to keep Superman in chains as a ready source of energy,
        but why choose an occupied and renowned place like S.T.A.R. Labs?
CH: 3.0 Shields -- Comments:  A bit disappointing due to the occasional
        loophole in the plot (Why did Superman wait for Jimmy to show up
        before seeking help?) and questionable logic in the Parasite's defeat.
NO: 4.0 Shields - The first half was mostly uninspiring, but it had a strong
        finish where I couldn't easily predict how Superman would save the
        day.  Very nice that the Kryptonite and special suit shown at the
        beginning were used at the ending.  Closing scene with the Parasite
        was effective as well.
DS: 4.6 Shields - Another classic-feeling episode.  Virtually no Lois and
        very little Clark, but a lot of Superman with Jimmy featured as the
        sidekick.  I prefer this Parasite to the one in the comics -- it's
        nice having the Parasite's powers wear off and to have his
        "benefactor" regain their strength.  This makes him a true menace
        but still defeatable.  The ending was excellent -- allowing for a
        return of this villain.
JS: 4.0 Shields - Extra points for creativity.  I wasn't following Superman in
        the comics when Parasite showed up, so I don't know how he got his
        absorbing powers ... this episode is as good an explanation as any.
        The special effects were great.  The irony of Green K saving Superman
        from the Parasite was a nice touch.


"GOOD EVENING, dinner!" -- The Parasite

What makes a monster?  Is it mutations and superpowers, or does monstrosity
come from within?  These are the questions touched on by this episode of
SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES.

SUMMARY

"Feeding Time" opens with Superman being confronted by a glowing chunk of
Kryptonite -- a great touch of continuity from the last episode, "A Little
Piece of Home."  Only this time, he is protected by an exposure suit made of a
lead-titanium alloy.  The suit was developed by Professor Emil Hamilton of
S.T.A.R. Labs, and was designed to take the kind of pounding Superman is likely
to give it in a typical day.  A quick side note: the space-suit version of the
exposure suit seen in the opening title sequence in Superman's encounter with
Lobo can be seen nearby in this scene and later scenes in this lab.

Meanwhile Rudy Jones, a dimwitted janitor at S.T.A.R., is helping smalltime
hood Martin Lebeau steal hazardous chemicals from S.T.A.R.  As guards rush to
stop the theft, a fire breaks out, bringing Superman to the rescue. 
Unfortunately, Lebeau escapes in his pickup truck with Rudy Jones and two
barrels of toxic chemicals in the bed.  Lebeau is frustrated with his partner
in crime -- "You messed me up for the last time, you stupid little parasite!"
-- and so tries to shake Rudy out of the back of the truck.  In so doing, the
barrels tip over, and Rudy is covered in fluorescent pink goop.  This gruesome
scene looks like Rudy is melting in the back of the truck, with his eyes and
mouth glowing.  The scene is truly horrific, as Rudy screams "Help meeeee..."
Lebeau manages to tip Rudy out of the truck and off a bridge, where he crashes
into unconsciousness on the ground below.  "Adios, freak."

Later, a policewoman on patrol spots Rudy crossing the bridge, and jumps out of
her patrol car to see what's going on.  Rudy leaps on her and both are
surrounded in a crackling nimbus of energy.  She collapses to the ground, and
Rudy talks to the Police dispatcher in the policewoman's voice -- he's absorbed
her memories!

The next morning, Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen are investigating the crime scene.
The woman is taken away in an ambulance, barely conscious (but not turned into
a skeleton as would be the case after an attack by the comic book Parasite). 
Commissioner Henderson discusses the attack with Kent:

Henderson: "She must have been delirious when our boys found her.  Said
something about being attacked by a purple monster!"  Jimmy Olsen (laughing):
"Was its name Barney?"  Henderson: "You here to make ha-ha, kid, or take
pictures?"

There is a funny bit where Kent bends down to touch a blob of the toxic goop
that had spilled over onto the roadway.  Henderson stops him -- "I wouldn't
touch that if I were you."  Of course, Kent is Superman, so the goop wouldn't
hurt him, but of course Henderson doesn't know that.

Elsewhere, the transformed Rudy Jones tracks down Lebeau on the docks in Hobs
Bay.  Tauntingly, Jones drains Lebeau bit by bit, torturing him with glee. 
Superman, acting on a tip from Henderson, stops Jones, who then turns on the
Man of Steel and drains his powerful energies.  He quickly beats the depowered
Superman, and flies off to begin a reign of terror over Metropolis.

During his depowered time, Clark Kent catches a cold -- his first -- which
really bothers him.  Word arrives that the policewoman suddenly came back to
consciousness in the hospital, fully restored.  It appears the now-nicknamed
Parasite's power drain is temporary.  Clark discovers his powers have returned,
and heads back to his apartment to change.

He is taken unaware by the Parasite, who drains him again, gloating, "That's
right, Kent!  I've got your powers, I've got your thoughts, and I've got your
secret!"

COMMENTS

This is a fine outing for the animated series, from the continuity touches, to
the character design, to almost every aspect of the show.

The Parasite's character design looks like a cross between the original green
dude created by Jim Shooter and the penultimate (pre-Doc Parasite) version in
the modern comics' world.  He wears an odd costume (where did he get that?  Who
cares?) and has round, glowing eyes that peer creepily out from his purple
face.  His face and other features are defined solely by a darker purple
shadow, making his fingers look blocky at times, but the effect is good.  We
even get to see a cameo of the old, green Parasite due to some important
lighting effects near the end.

Other character designs are rather standard, with the exception of a black
Commissioner Henderson, and a buff Ron Troupe.  Henderson's face is so full of
character that he hardly needs a good voice actor to make him interesting, but
fortune smiles on us and the character is written and performed with a wryly
acid wit.

Brion James does a capable job voicing the Parasite, showing more affinity for
the animation medium than many of the regular cast.  Voicing an animated
character requires a touch of overacting, since the actor has only their voice
to bring the effect across.  The line between slight overacting and cheese is
very, very fine.  Even capable actors like George Dzundza (Perry White;
previously on LAW AND ORDER, and in CRIMSON TIDE) find it difficult to make the
transition.  Tim Daly seems to be improving as time goes by, as is Dzundza
(incrementally).

The supporting cast is good, from Jimmy Olsen to Prof. Hamilton.  Mel Winkler
does a fantastic turn as the dry-humored Commissioner Henderson, and Tasia
Valenza does much more than necessary with the tiny part of Gina, the
Policewoman.

The special effects are good in this episode.  If you have a frame-advance VCR,
take a look at the scene where Superman whooshes off from the lab to respond to
the fire.  Most of the episodes where Superman uses his super-speed, either in
flight or otherwise, use fantastic effects to do the trick.  The scene where
Rudy melts in the back of the truck is horrifying, and the effects there are
more than up to the task.  Finally, during the climactic battle at the end,
lighting effects give us, for an instant, the original green Parasite, which is
a cool touch.

The background music is largely pedantic, making little emotional impact, but
at least not getting in the way of the scenes.

Finally, as to the question of what makes a monster, this has been asked on
screen many times and in many ways.  Kirk and Spock faced the Horta in "The
Devil in the Dark", THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME explores similar ground.
"Feeding Time" makes explicit that what makes Rudy Jones the Parasite is his
character, not just the chemicals that effect the physical transformation. 
Evil is from within, not from without.  A great lesson to challenge both kids
and adults, and it was made without sermonizing speeches or
hit-you-over-the-head "So what have we learned?" endings.

Who said cartoons are just for kids?

______________________________________________________

                 LOIS AND CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN
             ------------------------------------------------------


LOIS AND CLARK started its 4th season on September 22 and the KC is starting
its coverage of the 4th season with this issue.  It looks to be an exciting
year.  We see the end of the New Krypton arc in this episode and in the next
issue we will reviewing the wedding and honeymoon!  From the teasers that
have been released about future episodes, it looks like marriage won't keep
our favorite lovebirds out of trouble.  I look forward to an entertaining
season.

The entire KC staff would like to wish the cast, crew, and production staff a
good season.  I would also like to take some time to reacquaint everyone with
the regular cast and production staff for LOIS AND CLARK.  (For those who
don't know, most of the producers are also the staff writers or directors.)

The regular cast:

Dean Cain as Clark Kent/Superman 
Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane
Lane Smith as Perry White
Justin Whalin as Jimmy Olsen
Eddie Jones as Jonathan Kent 
K Callan as Martha Kent

Production Staff:

Executive Producers
Robert Singer
Brad Buckner 
Eugenie Ross-Leming

Supervising Producer 
Brad Kern 

Producers
Grant Rosenberg 
Jimmy Simons  
Philip J. Sgriccia
Chris Long

Executive Story Editor
Tim Minear 

======================================================

Ratings Panelists:

  D:   Demi                 JC:  Joseph Cowan          NO:  Neil Ottenstein
  DS:  Dick Sidbury         MC:  Matt Combes           SD:  Scott Devarney
  DSt: Debby Stark          MW:  Mike Williams         SDM: Simon DelMonte

The first rating given after the average is that of the reviewer, if one was
submitted.  The average rating given for a particular episode may correspond to
a larger sample of ratings than what is printed following the average.  Given
airdates correspond to the date of first US airing.

======================================================


                       Episode #4-01:  "Lord of the Flys"
                 ----------------------------------------------
                   Reviewed by Marta Olson (mgaleols@aol.com)


September 22, 1996
Written by Eugenie Ross-Leming and Brad Buckner
Directed by Philip J. Sgriccia

Guest Starring: Justine Bateman as Zara
                Simon Templeman as Lord Nor
                Mark Kiely as Ching
                Mark Lindsay Chapman as Jen Mai
                J.G. Hertzler as Trey
                Richard Grove as Colonel Cash
                Eric Allen Kramer as Drull
                Dan Hildebrand as Ran
                James Dumont as Ralph
                Mark Kretzmann as Lieutenant Small
                Special Appearance by Leeza Gibbons

RATINGS:

Average: 2.8/5.0 Shields

MC:  2.0 Shields - Terrible, really.  I wasn't caring for this whole New
         Krypton/Lord Nor arc anyway, so I didn't have high expectations, but
         it went even lower than my low expectations.  It was humorous,
         really, but that's almost its only saving grace.  The only other
         positives were the supporting cast of Lord Nor, Lord Trey, and the
         Kents.
SDM: 3.5 Shields - A generally entertaining if sometimes silly episode.  The
         idea of Kryptonian villains on Earth, if not original, is still a
         great one.  The acting was up to its usual standard, although I
         wonder what happened to Teri's husband.  Nor is a good villain, if
         completely derivative of Tempus.  I can't wait till the big
         conclusion.
SD:  4.0 Shields - Wow.  Dean Cain, Teri Hatcher, K Callan, and Eddie Jones
         all gave outstanding performances.  It was fun watching Clark's
         confusion and frustration at New Kryptonian customs.  Hopefully LOIS
         AND CLARK can avoid the "STAR TREK syndrome" of delivering a great
         setup but a disappointing conclusion.
DS:  2.0 Shields - It was an episode that didn't do much for me.  There was
         very little characterization and a lot of special effects.  During
         the show I thought about turning off my VCR.  I think the magic is
         no longer there for me.  The New Kryptonians showed me that they were
         not worth saving. I can't wait to see how they manage to convince ALL
         of the Kryptonians (except Kal-El) to leave Earth next week.
MW:  3.0 Shields - Seemed to be just a teaser for what is to come.  Hopefully,
         the show will continue to show the struggles of Clark and him coming
         to terms with his humanity, and Lois coming to realize that she must
         share her man with the rest of the Universe.


When last we saw them, Lois and Clark were separated by necessity and duty.  We
met Zara and Ching, Kryptonians who came to Earth in search of Kal of the house
of El, or as we know him, Clark.  They tested Clark to see if he would be
worthy to become the ruler of New Krypton.  After he passed the tests and Zara
and Ching revealed themselves to him, we became aware of Lord Nor, who was
trying to take Kal-El's place as the ruler of New Krypton and the husband of
Zara, Clark's birthwife.  In order to prevent Clark from making the trip to New
Krypton, Lord Nor hired an assassin named Tez to kill him.  Clark defeats Tez,
before making the most difficult choice of his life, so far -- to leave
everyone and everything he holds dear to try to save a planet he has never seen
and a people he has never met.  Lois was unable to accompany him because of the
effect the red sun would have on her.

The fourth season premiere opens as the as the third season finale ended. 
Clark is on a spaceship headed to the palace that is hovering, cloaked, above
the planet.  Before arriving, Ching and Zara are trying to acquaint him with
the various Kryptonian traditions he will need to know to be accepted by the
Council of Elders.  Meanwhile, Lois is on Earth trying to deal with Clark's
absence, and trying to explain where Clark has gone.  It's not long before
chaos breaks out.  Lord Nor and some of his followers have heard about having
super powers while on Earth.  This is too tempting for them to pass up, so they
leave New Krypton to conquer Earth.  Since both Kal-El and Tez arrived in
Smallville, that is where Lord Nor and his followers begin.  Upon arrival, they
construct a forcefield around Smallville, shut off all communication, food and
water, and take everyone in the town hostage, including Martha and Jonathan. 
Thus begins the war and an unexpected episode.

"From concubine to slave, is that a step down?" is just one example of the
unexpected in this episode.  We all had it figured out, right?  Clark would
somehow return to Earth, be reunited with Lois and live happily ever after.  I
don't know about the happily ever after part yet, but he did return to Earth
and he has been reunited with Lois.  What I didn't expect was how much this
episode impressed me.  There was romance, suspense, believable villains (or at
least as believable as a man who can fly), a workable plot, Martha and
Jonathan, and humor, lots of humor.

It also appears that we may have found Lois and Clark again.  Throughout last
season, Lois seemed to be almost an emotional cripple.  Who can blame her --
she's had amnesia (not once but twice); her fiance has been married twice, and
neither time to her; she was replaced and almost killed by a clone; the list
goes on and on.  This Lois is daring, sensitive, in love, and it seems as if
she has found her sense of purpose again.

During Season Two there was a phrase used that seemed to sum up many people's
feelings about Clark -- there was no snap in his Frito any longer -- meaning he
didn't seem to stand up for himself anymore, he was not assertive, he turned
almost milk toast.  This Clark continued throughout Season Three.  In this
episode the snap is back.  Although he may not be pleased with his role as the
ruler of New Krypton he does take his responsibilities seriously and with
authority.

Don't get me wrong, this episode is not perfect, but it is the closest to
perfect I've seen in quite a while.  I was fortunate to be able to watch this
episode with a group of people called the COFOLC (Colorado Fans of Lois and
Clark).  The general feelings of the group are expressed in this review. 
Several COFOLC were disappointed by the amount of violence in this episode. 
Yes, there is a war going on, and war is violent, but it seemed too casual.

The COFOLC also felted cheated when the episode ended, even though we knew it
was to be continued.  We can hardly wait until next week.  We also feel a sense
of sadness when thinking about next week because it may bring the end of
something we have come to enjoy -- Clark in the black suit.  Please, let the
suit stay somehow!  We also loved Clark in the baseball hat and would like to
see him in one more often.

Getting back to the unexpected happenings, picture Lois standing in the Daily
Planet news room, inappropriately dressed with what can only be described as a
'leash' around one ankle.  A strange man is holding onto the other end of the
leash, while Jimmy and Perry look on.  If you haven't seen it, you really need
to.

______________________________________________________


                      Episode #4-02:  "Battleground Earth"
                ------------------------------------------------
                  Reviewed by Shane Furlong (psf@evolving.com)


September 29, 1996
Written by Eugenie Ross-Leming and Brad Buckner
Directed by Philip J. Sgriccia

Guest Starring: Justine Bateman as Zara
                Simon Templeman as Lord Nor
                Mark Kiely as Ching
                Mark Lindsay Chapman as Jen Mai
                J.G. Hertzler as Trey
                Richard Grove as Colonel Cash
                Eric Allen Kramer as Drull
                Dan Hildebrand as Ran
                Julian Barnes as the messenger

RATINGS:

Average: 3.5/5.0 Shields

D:   4.3 Shields - In so far as I was concerned, the episode was really just
         over 6 minutes long and covered at the very end of the hour.  It
         isn't often, even in the most B-Plot driven episodes so far, that we
         have been able to see more then 6 minutes of relationship explored at
         one time.  I think I probably wasn't the only person who thoroughly
         enjoyed watching Lois Lane say so very much, by saying absolutely
         nothing while Clark proposed once again.
MC:  3.5 Shields - A big improvement over "Lord of the Flys."  Nor was still
         a great villain in this episode, and I wouldn't mind seeing him (and
         only him, not all the other thousand Kryptonians) come back again
         sometime later.  Lois seemed to regain some spunk in this episode,
         something's she's been missing for awhile. The humor surfaced once
         again as it did in "Lord of the Flys", and I loved that.
JC:  3.2 Shields - I enjoyed the interaction between Lois and Clark, to me
         the main delight of the program.  However, there were too many
         inconsistencies in the plot for me to maintain my "suspension of
         disbelief," and I was drug out of my mood by a "Say, WHAT?" when
         they occurred. Clark not being recognized by a single Smallvillian
         (he must have gone swimming at SOME time without his glasses), the
         Kryptonite gas not affecting him, etc.
SD:  5.0 Shields - Stellar performance by Dean Cain; he really came into his
         own as Superman with this episode.  This episode was a great
         conclusion to the whole New Kryptonian storyline.
DSt: 2.5 Shields - On the bad side, "Battleground Earth" was predictable,
         tedious, senseless in many parts.  On the good side, it was not
         horrid, the Ching teaches fighting scenes were fun, and this arc is
         now over and can be dismissed like the last one was.  CK's basic
         goodness was reaffirmed, but his need to learn a useful soft Chinese
         martial art has also been made clear.


This episode continues the New Krypton Saga started at the end of last season
as a two-parter and is itself part two from the season opening episode.  That
makes it really part four, and I must say it shows the inexperience of the
creative teams in working with this long of a story line.  This episode
struggles to maintain the momentum of the story.  Maybe this story went on one
hour too long.

This episode begins with the citizens of Smallville, along with Clark and Lois,
as prisoners of the evil Lord Nor.  Nor is intent on taking not only the throne
offered to Clark by Zara but Earth as well.  Clark has surrendered to Nor to
spare his parents and Lois, but Nor plans to do away with him legally (at least
legally to Kryptonians) by alleging that Clark and Zara are traitors to New
Krypton.

He arranges for a trial and plays recorded messages of Clark with Lois and with
Zara to prove that Clark never really intended to stay with Zara and consummate
their "marriage".  Clark protests but is found guilty.  The problem here is
that the writers have forgotten that Nor is right.  His methods were wrong and
he did attempt to kill Clark last season but the fundamental charge is true. 
Clark did not love Zara, he did intend to return to Lois, he was planning to
marry Lois after already marrying Zara, he did not plan to consummate the
marriage with Zara and produce an heir.  On these points of Kryptonian law
Clark was guilty.  Now it could be argued that Clark should not be held
accountable to Kryptonian law since he was raised on Earth, but instead the
writers had Clark lie.

Clark is saved from execution when Lieutenant Ching brings up the right of a
noble to challenge his accuser in combat.  Nor agrees to fight Clark in
Metropolis.  Metropolis did not surrender to his colonization "opportunity", so
Nor and his men are sacking the city.  Ching gives Clark pointers on fighting
with the "dray," a Kryptonian weapon, while managing to destroy Lois'
apartment.  Clark catches on fast, but Ching shows him one trick of which he's
not capable.  In some instances a Kryptonian is able to meld with the weapon
and focus energy from it.  Using this method, he will only think of killing his
opponent.  Clark assures Ching he will not kill, and Ching says then Clark will
lose.

The duel takes place in front of the Daily Planet building and as Perry, Jimmy,
and company watch, Nor begins beating Clark.  Lois is on the phone with STAR
Labs trying to find out what happened to their stash of Kryptonite.  She
discovers that Colonel Cash of the US Army has taken the Kryptonite and has
created a gas to use on Superman and Nor as they fight.  She tries to warn
Clark and almost costs him the duel.  He regains the upper hand in time to put
the killing maneuver (that Ching had taught him) on Nor.  Although it did not
kill him, Nor is hurt badly.  Clark goes to save Nor when his cronies close in
and the Army launches the gas.

Nor and his men are killed by the gas, but Clark survives the attack because
the others had fallen on top of him and absorbed most of the deadly gas.  When
he awakens from the gas, Clark tells the other Kryptonians that he will not be
going to New Krypton.  Instead he is staying on Earth with Lois.  As the
episode ends -- Clark and Lois are promising each other that they will marry
soon.

Besides my complaint about the trial, there were other problems with the
episode.  The culture of the Kryptonians was presented differently here than in
the beginning of this four-parter.  To put it in Star Trek terms, they started
out like the Vulcans with no emotions and logical ideas and ended up as the
Klingons full of warrior traditions, intrigue, and passion.  The biggest
problem with this episode, though, is the decision to have Clark employ the
killing blow on Nor.  Nor survived the attack, but the intent of Clark was to
kill him -- and I was disappointed with the casual way that Clark tossed aside
that conviction.  It would have been better if they had dealt with his
conscience over this issue in the wrap up of the episode

What was good?  Well, the final scene was one of the most romantic I've seen
for a series that has had plenty of romance already.  When Clark said he felt
complete the first time he met Lois, I felt the love in the statement.  Also,
the villain Lord Nor was particularly well-played and had the best lines of the
episode.  (Lois asks him, "What about Kal-El's appeal?"  Nor: "Well admittedly
he's well-built, but a trifle dull for my taste.")

Maybe I expected too much from this episode, but I was disappointed.  They
didn't deal with Clark's attempted killing of Nor; they dealt only slightly
with the US Army's attempt on Clark's life (blamed it on Cash alone); changed
the culture of the Kryptonians over a four hour period; and had Clark lie in
court.  They could have done better.

______________________________________________________


                               SUPER MERCHANDISE
               -----------------------------------------------
               Information on Forthcoming Superman Merchandise


Descriptions courtesy of PREVIEWS catalog, copyright 1996, Diamond Comic
Distributors.  For further information on (and in many cases, pictures of) the
below merchandise, see recent issues of PREVIEWS!

THESE ITEMS ARE NOT FOR SALE BY THE KRYPTONIAN CYBERNET or by anyone associated
with it.  For information on purchasing any of the merchandise listed below,
contact your local comic shop.

ABBREVIATIONS:
-------------
FC: Full color
HC: Hardcover
PB: Paperback
PI: Inquire about price
SC: Softcover

Unless otherwise indicated, the product is from DC Comics.

Also keep in mind that dates listed are when Diamond will be able to
distribute the product in question.  For some merchandise (books and toys
especially), you may be able to find the item at a retailer earlier
than this given date.

These monthly updates only list new merchandise solicited by PREVIEWS.
For a full listing of Superman-related merchandise, visit the Kryptonian
Cybernet Homepage!

======================================================

OCTOBER:
-------

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ARCHIVES VOLUME 6
    Written by Various
    Art by Curt Swan, George Klein, and George Papp
    Collecting ADVENTURE COMICS #350-358, the sixth volume in this enormously
    popular series of Archive Editions includes such classic stories as "The
    Fatal Five," "The War of the Legions," "The Ghost of Ferro Lad," and more,
    featuring the beautifully rendered, defining artwork of the late Curt Swan. 
    Scheduled to arrive in stores October 30
    HC, 7x10, 224 pgs, FC
    $49.95


DECEMBER:
--------

SUPERMAN: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW?
    Written by Alan Moore
    Art by Curt Swan, George Perez, and Kurt Schaffenberger
    Recolored and Separated by Tom McCraw
    Collected at last is the classic 2-part story recounting the Man of
    Steel's final days, touchingly written by the incomparable Alan Moore,
    with art by legendary great Curt Swan, with inks by George Perez and Kurt
    Schaffenberger.  Originally published in SUPERMAN #423 and ACTION COMICS
    #583, the final pre-Crisis Superman issues, this self-contained story
    stands as a moving tribute to a beloved character.
    Scheduled to arrive in stores December 4
    SC, 7x10, 64 pgs, FC
    $5.95

THE FINAL NIGHT COLLECTOR'S SET
    Boxed together is the entire saga of THE FINAL NIGHT, as the DCU copes
    with the loss of the sun's power.  The set contains the 4-issue
    miniseries, written by Karl Kesel, with art by Stuart Immonen and Jose
    Marzan, Jr.; the tie-in special PARALLAX: EMERALD NIGHT, written by Ron
    Marz, with art by Mike McKone and Mark McKenna; the Collector's Edition
    of the landmark GREEN LANTERN #81, also written by Marz, with art by
    Darryl Banks and Romeo Tanghal; plus, a trading card.
    NOTE: Quantities are limited, and orders may be allocated if they exceed
          available supply.  The comics in this set may not be first printings.
    Scheduled to arrive in stores December 18
    PI

JUSTICE LEAGUE: A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE TRADE PAPERBACK
    Written by Mark Waid and Fabian Nicieza
    Art by Various
    Cover by Kevin Maguire
    The popularity of the action-packed and intrigue-filled JUSTICE LEAGUE: A
    MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE, the prelude to the smash-hit JLA, took readers by
    storm.  In response to the ever-strengthening demand, DC Comics is
    relisting the JUSTICE LEAGUE: A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE trade paperback,
    originally rush-solicited for October 30.  Reprinting the three issues of
    the miniseries written by Mark Waid and Fabian Nicieza and illustrated by
    the art teams of Jeff Johnson and Jon Holdredge, and Darick Robertson and
    Hanibal Rodriguez, the collection features a new cover by Kevin Maguire,
    as well as an interior fold-out of Maguire's stunning triptych covers to
    the miniseries and an introduction by JLA writer Grant Morrison.
    Schedule to arrive in stores December 18
    SC, 7x10, 134 pgs, FC
    $8.95

LOIS & CLARK: A SUPERMAN NOVEL SIGNED EDITION
    (Prima Publishing)
    By C.J. Cherryh
    When Superman is called away to avert disaster in Eastern Europe, Lois
    springs into action, entering a collapsed hotel to save lives -- becoming
    a national celebrity in the process.  In the aftermath, Superman is
    accused of being remiss in his duty to protect Metropolis, and Lois'
    personal life is pried open for the world to see.  Faced with mounting
    professional and personal doubts and pressures, will the engagement
    between Lois and Clark succumb?  This limited edition hardcover comes
    signed by the author, SF legend C.J. Cherryh.
    CAUTION: All information is subject to change, but should ship no later
             than 90 days past its scheduled shipping date.
    HC, 6x9, 288 pgs
    $20.00

SUPERMAN 2 MOVIE PROGRAM BOOK
    (Offered Again by SQP)
    An original movie collectible from 1981!  Includes color photos from the
    film, as well as complete cast and credits to the sequel to SUPERMAN: THE
    MOVIE!  A rare Superman collectible available in limited quantities.
    Allocations will occur.
    FC, 8x11
    $30.00

______________________________________________________

                               NEW COMIC REVIEWS
                               -----------------


Ratings Panelists:

  AL: Art LaMarche            JS: Jeff Sykes          PS: Patrick Stout
  AW: Anatole Wilson          KM: Ken McKee           RG: Rene' Gobeyn
  DS: Dick Sidbury            MC: Matt Combes         VV: Vic Vitek
  JG: Jack Grimes                                     WN: William J Nixon
  

As always, the first rating given after the average is that of the reviewer.

The average rating given for each book may correspond to a larger sample
of ratings than what is printed following the average.


THE SUPERMAN TITLES:
-------------------
Uniform Credits:
    Colors:           Glenn Whitmore
    Separations:      Digital Chameleon
    Associate Editor: Mike McAvennie
    Editor:           Joey Cavalieri


44. ACTION COMICS #727, "Cold Comfort!" 
    A FINAL NIGHT Tie-in
    Writer:    David Michelinie
    Penciller: Tom Grummett
    Inker:     Denis Rodier
    Letterer:  Bill Oakley
    Cover:     Tom Grummett, Denis Rodier, and Patrick Martin
    November 1996
    $1.95 US/$2.75 CAN


RATINGS:

Average: 3.5/5.0 Shields

WN: 4.0 Shields - Michelinie delivers a strong tale of heroism superbly
        rendered by the work of new penciller Grummett and stalwart inker
        Rodier.
MC: 3.0 Shields - An average story.  Well kept and written by Michelinie,
        which is a surprise, since I am not really a fan of his writing style.
        I still prefer Grummett's pencils to his predecessors, but Rodier's
        inks really bring it down a level for me.
SF: 3.5 Shields - Good story with the juxtaposition of Superman and the
        ordinary man, but some weird art with Clark's glasses.
JS: 2.5 Shields - Pretty average, though it's *really* nice to see Tom
        Grummett back on a Superman title again!  And shocker of all shockers,
        Rodier actually complemented Grummett fairly well!
VV: 4.2 Shields - Nice story.  A good dilemma for the rapidly-weakening
        Superman, who comes to a decision that could have repercussions
        down the line.


First off, a big welcome to new regular penciller Tom Grummett.  After a
succession of excellent covers with Denis Rodier, we can now look forward to,
and enjoy the fruits of their labors inside as well as out.

Everyman and Superman are featured in this FINAL NIGHT tie-in.  As the
temperature in Metropolis continues to plummet, Superman's powers continue to
wane.  This issue echoed the heroic ideals and sentiments of this years ACTION
COMICS ANNUAL, and I liked the heroic theme which was woven through the
storyline.  In contrast to the altruistic tale in ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #540,
the spotlight here was turned on the more opportunistic and uglier aspects of
humanity.  Ultimately though, goodness, heroism, and "doing the right thing"
emerged as this issue's compelling messages.

It featured a Metropolis businessman.  An Everyman figure whose world is no
longer secure or normal.  Stranded in downtown Metropolis with no way home, he
believes he only needs to see the next couple of days through until the
government comes up with a solution.  In the interim, his drive for
self-preservation has awakened.  He secures food for himself and heads into
Centennial Park to hole up in a drainage tunnel.  He discovers thugs holding a
number of Metropolitans.  In the scuffle, he loses his food but finds a gun. 
He rationalizes that he needs the gun for himself and stumbles off.  In the
Park, he sees THE statue and is struck by Superman's heroism.  He overcomes his
fear and returns to save the people he left in the tunnel.  Good for him.  I
could understand his fears and instincts, and I hope that, ultimately, I too
would do the right thing.

The guys who stock up for the end of the world, if only for the chance to say
"I told you so" also reared their head.  "Survive Alive," a militant survival
group led by their cigar-chomping leader, made their move on an SCU warehouse. 
They stole Simm-Bots and went three on one with Superman.  With his powers
dwindling, Superman loses the first round but is able to rescue bystanders
caught up in the fight.  Distracted, Superman is pounded by a force beam and
sent flying into Centennial Park.  He too sees his statue, and it reminds him
that he cannot choose the wrongs which he can right.  He follows and defeats
the survivalists.  He also finds time to check in with Perry and ensures that
the Planet continues its unbroken printing history.

While most of the subplots were absent this month, Jimmy continued his
precipitous slide into jingoistic journalism.  His interview with Turpin about
the Simm-Bot theft as another "nail in Metropolis' coffin" was low and somewhat
unnecessary.  At least Clark gave some thought to Lois, and I'd like to think
he called her off-panel to say "Hi".  Just because he couldn't fly to her
doesn't mean conventional means couldn't be used.

As the issue closes, Clark believes that there will be a tomorrow -- not just
because of Superman or the other heroes, but because of the hero within each of
us who can do their own part to make it through the night.

The art was strong and well-realized.  Rodier's inks meshed well with the
pencils.  The rendition of Clark getting changed into Superman as Allie left
the office was wonderful.  I look forward to this artistic feast on a monthly
basis.

Congrats to Jeremy Davis who won a Baldy for his sharp observations on the
price of the Daily Planet.  Makes you wonder how much the "Night" editions were
going for on Metropolis' newsstands.

William J Nixon  (W.J.Nixon@lib.gla.ac.uk)

===============================================

45. SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #62, "To Build a Fire"
    A FINAL NIGHT Tie-in
    Story:         Louise Simonson
    Penciller:     Jon Bogdanove
    Inker:         Dennis Janke
    Letterer:      Ken Lopez
    Cover:         Jon Bogdanove, Dennis Janke, and Patrick Martin
    November 1996
    $1.95 US/$2.75 CAN


RATINGS:

Average: 4.1/5.0 Shields

AL: 4.0 Shields
MC: 3.0 Shields - I always enjoy the multi-story issues.  The cover was
        excellent Bog artwork, but the inside was a bit...bleh.
SF: 4.5 Shields - One of the best stories in the FINAL NIGHT cross-over.  The
        comparison of Clark and Jor-El was very well done.
WN: 4.0 Shields - Shades of the Superman movie with the Kryptonian Council and
        the globe in the Planet's foyer.  Another excellent tale of heroism
        and the power of the human spirit.  Perry White on a snowmobile?  Go
        Perry!  The art was powerful, Superman taunt with the strain of
        holding the power plant roof up was striking.
PS: 5.0 Shields - Loved the parallel origin recap, with Superman today and
        Jor-El in the past; but there was a third equally-important storyline:
        Perry White's heroic effort to get the Planet printed and distributed.


I guess if I had to summarize this issue, I would have to say it is about the
Triumph of the Human Spirit.  Technology fails, roofs fail, the floor fails,
regulation of cellular division fails, Superpowers fail, Leadership Councils
fail, and most of all the sun is failing.  But this issue has many interwoven
stories that all highlight how obstacles can be overcome.  It was a really
great story.

As the electricity of Metropolis begins to fail from the stress placed upon it
by the loss of the Sun's light, Perry overcomes the weakness brought about by
his chemotherapy to help get the paper out.  Elsewhere, Emil Hamilton watches a
replay of Krypton's final hours as Jor-El once again pleads his case to the
Science Council.  Superman's powers continue to fade, but he assists Metropolis
the best he can.  There is a wonderful sequence where a weakened Superman gives
his all to save the power station.  In his weakened state, he is unable to do
it alone.  But some quick-thinking engineers assist Superman, and together they
are able to restore full power to Metropolis.

This story is tight.  There are great parallels.  One panel shows Superman
entering the power station while Jor-El enters the Science Council's chamber. 
Nice!  Later, Superman is freezing and drowning under the ice, while elsewhere
Krypton begins to explode.  But luckily, there was a rocket and a power drill
created and operated by mere mortals.  This was good stuff.  It is the little
things that I love about the Superman books.

The art was also wonderful.  Bog can do it all.  He has so many different
styles.  I am always anxious to see what style he will use each month.  The
underwater scenes were exceptionally striking.  The colors and the details are
slightly washed out underwater, and then as the cold sets in, the lines become
blurred to convey the shivering.  But I should really tread lightly here.  Bog
and Janke are a team, and I do not know enough about the industry to separate
the inker from the penciller.

If you have not read this book, go do it!  If you have, I think it is worth
reading again.

Arthur LaMarche (DrArt95@aol.com)

======================================================

SUPER-FAMILY TITLES:
-------------------

SUPERBOY #33, "Running Hot and Cold!"
    A FINAL NIGHT Tie-in
    Writer:           Ron Marz
    Penciller:        Ramon Bernado
    Inker:            Doug Hazlewood
    Colorist:         Tom McCraw
    Letters:          Richard Starkings and Comicraft
    Associate Editor: Chris Duffy
    Editor:           Frank Pittarese
    Cover:            Ramon Bernado, Doug Hazlewood, and Patrick Martin
    November 1996
    $1.95 US/$2.75 CAN


RATINGS:

Average: 1.5/5.0 Shields

AL: 1.5 Shields
JS: 1.6 Shields - There's one flash of good writing when Roxy finally pours
        her heart out to SB, but the rest of this issue (both story and art)
        is crapola.  SUPERBOY looks headed for the drop list...
VV: 1.5 Shields - Nearing the drop zone for me.  No offense, boys and girls,
        but no matter how cold I got, going to a volcano would not be my first
        plan to warm up.  And just how would Hawaii deal with global cooling?
        How would any tropical area?


If this month's issue of SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL dealt with the triumph of
the human spirit, this month's SUPERBOY deals with some of humanity's short
comings.  Rex laments on the failures of his life, Roxy pines for Superboy, and
a minor character throws herself into a volcano.  I did not like the story
much.  Clueless, I mean Super, boy gets himself in the middle of another love
triangle.  This time with Roxy.  He turns his back on her during her time of
need to spend the remaining hours with Tana.  So much for communal living.

In the other story, a monster comes out of a volcano and Superboy instantly
attacks to fulfill the fight quotient for the issue.  But the "monster" is
really a scientist who fell into the volcano a couple of months ago.  The
scientist becomes one with the Lava and survives.  (Gee, where have we seen
this before?)  The scientist comes back for his wife, and the two of them jump
into the volcano to escape THE FINAL NIGHT.

Well, that is all folks.  When the going gets tough run away with your
significant other.  No one else matters, just you and that special someone. 
Even the rest of your family is irrelevant.  That is the prevailing moral of
this story.  Maybe it works for some, but it is not my path in life...

Arthur LaMarche (DrArt95@aol.com)

===============================================

SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS #3, "Illegal Aliens"
    House Rules: Part 3
    Writers:       Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
    Penciller:     Paul Pelletier
    Inker:         Dan Davis
    Letterer:      Kevin Cunningham
    Colorist:      John Kalisz
    Assoc. Editor: Chris Duffy
    Editor:        Frank Pittarese
    Cover:         Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
    November 1996
    $1.95 US/$2.75 CAN


RATINGS:

Average: 4.25/5.0 Shields

JS: 4.0 Shields
MC: 4.5 Shields - I'm still not finding any huge faults with this book.  The
        artwork is wonderful, and the writing is as it should be for a book
        with this premise.  We get the sense that this really is a team book,
        and not hanging on Superboy's popularity; I didn't even remember
        Superboy was involved in any of this until he reappeared more than
        halfway through the book.


Where to begin?  Aura, amidst her battle with Red Death and Whoon of the
Khundian Red Shift, has uncovered an alien spacecraft and its protector -- an
apparently dead teenager with the ability to regenerate his protoplasmic body. 
He's got a thing against aliens (they killed his family), so he's none too
happy to discover the Khunds aren't human.  Meanwhile, DC and Hero (with a
little help from Rex) are battling Klo and Drrt, the other members of Red
Shift.  The two conflicts crescendo and end in a mighty explosion, and it
appears that the Red Shift have destroyed the Ravers!

Unfortunately for the Shift, Kindred Marx shows up just as the Ravers emerge
from the wreckage.  To make examples of them, Marx reclaims the Shift's hand
stamps, returning them to Khundia in an apparently none too comfortable
procedure.  After Half-Life (the dead guy) learns that the rave travels between
planets, he signs up in order to search for his parents' killers.  Marx grants
him admission, and the Event Horizon teleports to Rann.

Apparently, Marx and company have targeted Rann because of an abnormally high
reading of some sort.  They discover that the source of the reading is Aleea,
daughter of Adam Strange -- but she is too young to suit their needs...  DC
(Sparx) finally calms Aleea, but only just as native forces *and* a group of
Darkstars arrive to take her away.

Superboy's sudden appearance ignites the tensions, and chaotic battle ensues. 
During the melee, Aleea runs off, and Kaliber (seemingly the only one who knows
who the girl is) rushes to protect her.  Marx transports the Event Horizon away
in the middle of the fight, leaving the Ravers behind.  Kaliber (with Rex's
help) rescues Aleea from a deadly plant, only to find himself staring down the
barrel of Adam Strange's weapon!

I hope this doesn't sound like complaining, but with all the new characters
being introduced in this series, should the first guest star have been Adam
Strange, a hero not really that well known by many comic readers?  And is it
really wise to have Superboy's name on the cover but to only have him in about
a third of the book?  *I* enjoyed the focus on the other characters, but I'm
not buying the book because of Superboy...

Anyway, the art by Pelletier and Davis is as gorgeous as the first two issues,
and John Kalisz really helps to accentuate the action with his colors.  There
was, however, one small problem.  In the second issue, Aura used her magnetic
powers to create a suit of armor around her.  The dialogue in this issue seems
to indicate that part of the armor is composed of a fragment of the alien
spacecraft, but the art doesn't portray this.  On the other hand, the team
manages to portray varying facial expressions incredibly, especially in Kindred
Marx and Kaliber.

There's one scene where one of the Darkstars (I believe it's supposed to be
Ferrin Colos) backarms Superboy.  In the background, Kaliber exhibits this
priceless cockeyed look of outrage, and in the next panel he sends the Darkstar
for a ride.  And in other brief scenes such as these, Kesel and Mattsson are
subtly forming the relationships between the members of the team.

We're now up to six members of the Ravers, though they're not officially a
"clique" yet -- Superboy, Sparx, Hero, Aura, Kaliber, and Half-Life.  Make that
seven if you count Rex.  And already we're seeing distinct and defining
personalities emerging strongly from each character.  But Kesel and Mattsson
are still stringing us along with several unresolved issues and unexplored
mysteries -- who is Hero and how did he hook up with Rex?  Will Hal-Life ever
find the aliens who killed his parents?  There are still tons of questions
about Aura's past, with new ones springing up on almost every page.

The only thing that worries me is that there are perhaps too many characters
and questions right now.  Many people complained about the beginning of
Claremont's SOVEREIGN SEVEN because it was raising more questions than it
answered.  However, I think Kesel and Mattsson have done a much better job of
defining the characters in SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS.

Full steam ahead!

Jeff Sykes (sykes@ms.uky.edu)

======================================================

OTHER SUPER-BOOKS:
-----------------

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #1, "Men of Steel"
    Writer:     Paul Dini
    Penciller:  Rick Burchett
    Inker:      Terry Austin
    Colorist:   Marie Severin
    Letters:    Lois Buhalis
    Editor:     Mike McAvennie
    Cover:      Bruce Timm
    November 1996
    $1.75 US/$2.50 CAN


RATINGS:

Average: 3.9/5.0 Shields

AL: 4.0 Shields
MC: 4.0 Shields - The thing I liked most about this is the fact that it didn't
        just copy directly from the premiere episode; it took on the last part
        of the premiere, and went on to a different story.  The silvery logo
        and wrap-around cover gave it a great overall look.
SF: 3.0 Shields - Story could have been a little more stand-alone.  Needed to
        see the first episode on TV to really get it.
DS: 4.8 Shields - Some of us believe that BATMAN AND ROBIN ADVENTURES is the
        best Batman series.  If you're in that camp you owe it to yourself to
        buy the best Superman regular series too.  Besides it's great to have
        a book that doesn't tie into other titles on a regular basis.
JS: 3.7 Shields - Nice tactic by Dini to have this story follow-up on the
        events of the series premiere, but not to make the premiere necessary
        to understanding this issue.  Good fun trying to ID the villains on
        the cover.


This is the first issue of the new comic series based on the new animated TV
Series.  And when I say based, I do mean based.  In fact, the beginning of the
first comic book issue overlaps the end of the television series premiere.  I
guess Big, I mean Warner Brothers, is really laying down the line
interconnecting the media to unprecedented levels.  Paul Dini does a very good
job in giving us a self contained story and providing a seamless transition
between the plots of the two media.

This issue begins with the defeat of Lex Luthor's Lexo-skel 5000 battle suit. 
The scenes then jump to the Daily Planet news room, Lex Tower, and to a small
farm in Smallville where the consequences of the arrival of Metropolis' strange
visitor are discussed.

Determined to control Superman, Lex Luthor manufactures a robot which will
emulate all of the known power levels of Superman, which he sends to destroy
the Kaznian embassy.  This will accomplish many of Luthor's agendas.  First,
the Kaznian government will learn not to double cross Lex Luthor.  Second, it
will draw out Superman, where the robot will quickly defeat him.  Lastly, it
may tarnish Superman's image in the eyes of Metropolis.

But Superman defeats the robot, and he returns its remains to Luthor.  Superman
can not prove that Luthor is behind the Robot, but he convinces Luthor that
Lexcorp accept the blame via a "disgruntled" employee -- which will shield
Luthor and clear Superman.  The book ends with a great speech by our hero. 
"Because today you really believed you saw me at the limit of my powers. 
Sorry, Luthor ... I was only at the limit of YOURS."

I enjoyed the premiere issue.  If you enjoy the animated series, or its cousin
starring Batman, you will enjoy this also.  The only thing the book lacks is
the cool music 8 ).  The artwork is the same, and it delivers the same fun.  My
only complaint is that the TV series and the comic book are too tightly
inter-wound.  The stories are self contained, but they are very closely
related.  In fact, the WB kids logo is right on the cover.  I wonder how long
it will be before one will have to follow both in temporal order to follow the
story?  With the synergy exhibited during the wedding, I do not believe it will
be long.

Arthur LaMarche (DrArt95@aol.com)

______________________________________________________

SUPER-FAMILY TITLES (cont):
--------------------------

SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL ANNUAL #5, "The Never-Ending Battle"
    Writer:            Kurt Busiek
    Layouts:           Paul Ryan
    Finishes:          Joe Rubinstein
    Colorist:          Gene D'Angelo
    Letterer:          Bill Oakley
    Color Separations: Digital Chameleon
    Associate Editor:  Chris Duffy
    Editor:            Mike Carlin
    Cover:             Jerry Ordway
    1996
    $2.95 US/$4.25 CAN


RATINGS:

Average: 4.4/5.0 Shields

AL: 4.0 Shields
DS: 4.7 Shields - I gave up on this summer's annuals but bought this one
        because of Kurt Busiek.  I'm glad I did.  This was a good story with
        only a few plot holes (why would Luthor not have a force field around
        his clone chamber?)
JS: 4.5 Shields - Fantastic story by Kurt Busiek and gorgeous art by Paul
        Ryan, whose art at times reminded me of both Swan and Grummett.  My
        only complaint is that maybe this should have been expanded into a
        couple of the annuals -- it seemed awfully busy.
VV: 4.5 Shields - Excellent story!  I wish Kurt could write a few sequels to
        it, to see what happens when Kaleb and crew defeat Luthor's hordes.


I have never been a big fan of the Annuals.  When I heard the title -- "Legends
of the Dead Earth" -- I was less than thrilled.  But I have been pleasantly
surprised.  I was expecting more garbage where Superman's personality would be
distorted too much for my taste.  But this year we get the archetype of
Superman in a different character.  There is enough similarities to keep it
familiar, but enough differences to maintain my interests.  In addition, since
new characters are involved, I find the differences easier to swallow, less
irritating, and more explainable by creative license.  With that, I will give a
brief summary.

In this annual, there is a galactic empire aspiring to domination of all known
worlds.  The empire feels threatened by a race of people scattered on different
planets.  These people are able to absorb solar energy and have it enhance
their physical attributes.  As has been shown so many times before, the
destruction of a perceived threat results in the eradication of the
establishment.  The empire is controlled by none other than Lex Luthor.  But
our Superman is no where to be found.  However, a new Superman is created by
Luthor's wrath.  With the help of some "rebels", this new Superman is able to
use his new-found "force" to defeat the empire.

For an annual, this was a good story.  I liked the artwork, and I thought the
writer did a good job mixing archetypes and genres.  It was a good combination
of the Bible, Star Wars, and our beloved Superman.  Oh, since this is The
Month, I would be remiss if I did not mention the splash of romance found in
this annual.  My summary is really light.  That is because I do not want to
ruin it for anyone who has not read the issue already.  This is worth it.  I
highly recommend it.

Arthur LaMarche (DrArt95@aol.com)

======================================================


                                THE FINAL NIGHT
                   -----------------------------------------
                             Written by Karl Kesel
             Art and Covers by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
                  Reviewed by Rene' Gobeyn (gobeyn@kodak.com)


Some say the world will end in fire, 
Others say in ice.
>From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if I had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

"Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost


What would you do if you were truly facing the end of everything you have ever
known?  The end of not just you, but the entire world.  That seems to be the
question DC is asking us to think about in the 1996 summer event.  I can't
really call it a crossover because while the event itself is the driving point
of the issues' plot, it is the way the heroes (and people) react to the event
that is the focus of the stories.

Like many comic fans, I've started to get more than a bit tired of the huge
company-wide crossovers that seem to come out every summer (DC is a bit late
this year).  I had made a decision last year that I would no longer go out of
my way to pick up every issue.  I got lucky this time -- only one book wasn't
on my regular list, and the owner of the shop I go to let me borrow that one. 
In the past few years I've noticed that, in general, these 'forced' events
usually don't work in the regular titles.  This one was a very pleasant
surprise.  DC didn't try to make every title a part of the event.  Only those
books where it could be worked in seamlessly were involved.  For the most part,
the stories weren't forced, and more than a few managed to work the event into
the ongoing continuity.  It was a well-planned event, and I think the extra
planning showed.  I really enjoyed this one as it was a truly well-done effort.

The premise of the event is that a multi-dimensional thing (doesn't seem to be
intelligence) known as the Sun-eater engulfs our sun, keeping any solar
radiation from reaching the Earth.  In doing so, it will also cause the sun to
go hyper-nova, completely destroying the planet.

Watching as the Earth's Heroes (and even a few villains) try, and fail
repeatedly, to find some way to defeat or drive off the Sun-eater was, for
some, a lesson in humility.  Watching how the basic nature of each hero is
stripped and exposed was entertaining, and in some cases enlightening.

As the event unfolds over a period of slightly less than four days, we are
given many different views of how people can react in the face of near certain
doom.  In the back of each of THE FINAL NIGHT limited series books is a time
line (given in the form of a WWW page) with a few glimpses of the research that
was done to make this as realistic as they could and still be able to tell the
stories that they wanted to.

I checked with a friend of mine who teaches Earth science at a local college
about the model used.  He isn't normally a comic reader but looked it over for
me.  He said that the model used was a bit simplistic and that there were other
factors that could swing things in one direction or the other, but overall the
order and progression DC gives was realistic enough.

The limited series itself focuses on what is being done by the heroes to either
drive off or defeat the Sun-eater.  The individual titles focus on the heroes
and the people they try to serve.  Help seems to come from several unlikely
sources.  Lex Luthor throws his not inconsiderable talents in with S.T.A.R.
Labs to try to find some technological solution.  Dr. Polaris tries to help the
team that attempts to drive the Sun-eater into a boom tube.

One of the better issues in this series is #3, where the Phantom Stranger takes
the alien Dusk on a short tour to show her how the Heroes and the people of
Earth are working together to survive.  The glimpses given are of how the
people and the heroes are working together and refusing to give up, even
finding some simple pleasures in just doing something rather than giving into
despair.

Still it's the stories in the regular titles that are (for me) the most
interesting.  Perry White, suffering from cancer, and others at the Daily
Planet struggling to put out a paper in the face of almost certain doom.  The
mail carrier that takes his oath so seriously that he continues to deliver the
mail.  The power station workers who stay at their jobs as the building roof
collapses from the weight of the snow, so others can maybe survive.  The police
and firemen who battle just to do their jobs when the very people they are
trying to serve no longer seem to care.  It was the story of the will to
survive in the face of near insurmountable odds, and the story of how low
people can sink when they see no hope.  It was also the story of how heroes can
appear in the most unlikely places.

It was the story of a world's faith in its heroes, who have saved them from
disaster time and time again, and the story of the heroes trying to live up to
people's faith in them.

I have only one minor complaint in the solution to the problem.  With the way
that the series ends, like most events, there will be no long-lasting
repercussions.  I suspect that there will be hardly any mention to the damage
and changes made because of THE FINAL NIGHT.  More's the pity.  There could
have been many excellent stories in the long climb back.

WEEK ONE:
--------
THE FINAL NIGHT #1: "Armageddon"
Karl Kesel writer, Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.

Superman and the Legion encounter an alien who crash-lands on Earth to warn it
of the coming of a Sun-eater, an unstoppable multi-dimensional energy-eating
entity that can consume a sun.  Naturally, the heroes of Earth try to stop it. 
Dividing into three teams, the energy-wielding heroes prepare a diversion, Mr.
Miracle and another team try to pull it into a boom-tube to an uninhabited
system, and the Earth-bound heroes try to maintain order on a panicking Earth.

The boom-tube collapses nearly trapping our heroes.  The back-up team tries to
draw the Sun-eater away, and it almost works -- but the energy they can
generate isn't enough, and when the Sun-eater turns on them it nearly kills
them all.  It continues on and envelops the sun.

GREEN LANTERN #80: "Light in Darkness"

In one of the worst cases of bad timing imaginable, the original Dr. Light
manages to escape from the Power Lantern, only to find himself fighting the
current Green Lantern, but having to face the possible death of the Earth.

THE POWER OF SHAZAM! #20: "Shelter from the Storm"

Superman guest stars in this issue.  The sun has gone out every where on Earth
except for Fawcett City.  Superman and Captain Marvel face the double problem
of trying to convince the wizard Shazam to extend the spell to protect the
whole planet (he can't), and keeping the ever more desperate people of Earth
from flooding Fawcett City's already strained resources.

SOVEREIGN SEVEN #16: "There's Nothing in the Dark"

The Seven do what they can to try to keep the people of Crossroads safe from
THE FINAL NIGHT.  Cascade decides to try to save the people of Earth by
transporting them to another dimension.  She is betrayed by Network, the only
one of the Seven who can navigate the dimensions safely.

SUPERMAN #117: "Sanctuary"

Superman battles the Kryptonian robots that are busy rebuilding his Fortress of
Solitude when they fail to recognize him as a true Kryptonian.  As THE FINAL
NIGHT envelops the Earth, Superman leaves Professor Hamilton behind at the
Fortress.

WEEK TWO:
--------
THE FINAL NIGHT #2: "Chaos"
Karl Kesel writer, Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.

As day two of THE FINAL NIGHT dawns, the heroes of Earth are no closer to a
solution to the problem of the Sun-eater.  The steadily-dropping temperatures
combined with overtaxed resources are driving the people to acts of
desperation.

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #540: "Curtain Call" introducing Ferro

While Metropolis (and much of the rest of Earth) is engulfed in a blizzard, we
learn more about Ferro's tragic past.

BATMAN #536: "Darkest Night of the Batman"

As THE FINAL NIGHT engulfs the Earth, the Man-Bat is over the edge and has
begun attacking humans in Gotham.  Even with everything else that is happening,
Batman begins to track him down. (Part 1 of 3)

GREEN ARROW #114: "The Thousand-year Night"

The passenger plane that is carrying Green Arrow and Eddie Fyers is forced down
by heavy snow in a rural Chinese area.  The local Red Army commander decides to
commandeer the plane to fly him and his men out.  Eddie and Connor resist.

SUPERGIRL #3: "And no Dawn to Follow the Darkness"

Supergirl tries to aid the citizens in her newly adopted town of Leesburg,
battling not only the elements, but the citizens themselves, whose minds have
been taken over by Gorilla Grodd and a magical artifact that only works during
a solar eclipse.  Grodd has decided that if he is going to die, he is going to
go out as the master of Leesburg.  Supergirl fights back, but is eventually
taken over. (Continued next issue)

WEEK THREE:
----------
THE FINAL NIGHT #3: "Shallow Graves"
Karl Kesel writer, Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.

The end of the Earth is only hours away, but the heroes struggle to keep hope
alive in the face of ever worse conditions.  People everywhere are being driven
by desperation to riot, murder, and suicide.

ACTION COMICS #727: "Cold Comfort"

A group of survivalists steal the SCU's powered armor.  A weakening Superman
and the SCU battle them in Centennial park.

AQUAMAN #26: "Twilight"

As the oceans slowly freeze, Aquaman battles to save the sea life, but he fails
to save his foster mother Porm from a death not caused by the weather.

DETECTIVE COMICS #703: "Howling in the Dark"

Driven to desperation by the cold and darkness, Gotham erupts in riots. 
Batman, Robin, and Nightwing struggle to maintain order, while a cynical radio
talk show host fans the flames with his messages of hopelessness.

SUPERBOY #33: "Running Hot and Cold"

People are flocking to the islands for what little warmth is available. 
Superboy is stretched thin trying to maintain some order in the face of
volcanic eruptions.

PARALLAX: EMERALD NIGHT #1
Written by Ron Marz, with Art and Cover by Mike McKone and Mark McKenna

If you get no other book in this series, this should be the one.  Hal Jordan,
with all the power of Parallax, steps in to try to defend the Earth in its hour
of greatest need.

It's really a chance to re-examine Hal as a character and a hero.  If you have
ever believed in Hal as a force for good you should really read this book.  As
Hal tracks down his friends to make his peace with them, we are given a brief
glimpse of the man Hal has become since the destruction of Coast City.  Oh, as
a bonus, we also get to see what I hope is the final defeat of The Cyborg.

WEEK FOUR:
---------
THE FLASH #119: "Pray for he Dawn"

The Earth is dying, and Flash tries to battle the panic when his girlfriend
Linda Park exposes the failure of the Earth's heroes to avert the coming
disaster as the sun begins to collapse in on itself prior to going nova.  One
of the best issues in THE FINAL NIGHT story line.

HITMAN #8: "The Night the Lights Went Out"

As the Hitman and his friends wait for the end barricaded in Nonan's bar, they
begin to talk about their closest brush with death as they wait for the end. 
All of them have lived hard dangerous lives, and they have been resolved to 
face death for years.  Strangely, none of them seem to regret the lives they've
lived.

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #86: "Heart of Iron"

A long awaited romance between Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy finally comes
together.  Meanwhile, the newest Legionnaire Ferro steals a space ship in a
desperate attempt to give Earth a chance to survive the coming nova.

ROBIN #35: "Iced"

Robin and the Spoiler team-up to stop the gangs of thieves that are trying to
take advantage of the situation to terrorize Gotham.

SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #62: "To Build a Fire"

Superman's powers continue to fade he continues to fight to save lives and
maintain some hope for the future.  He comes close to dying again as he tries
to keep the power plant going after the roof collapses.

TAKION #6: "Dark Dawn"

After his failed attempt to aid the other Heroes in their effort to send the
Sun-eater else where by boom tube in THE FINAL NIGHT #1, Takion tries to resume
his old life for what he feels will be the last time.  He ends up giving up
this last chance by fighting against a 'Dark Source' monster that is destroying
Brooklyn.

THE FINAL NIGHT #4: "Emerald Dawn"
Karl Kesel writer, Art and cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.

In the last chapter of the story, ex-Green Lantern Hal Jordan pulls it all
together for a last ditch effort to destroy the Sun-eater and restore the sun
just before it goes nova.  It's a fitting ending to both the story line, and
the life of one of DC's oldest and greatest silver-age heroes.  In the true
essence of the hero myths, Hal gives his all, so that his people can live.


THE SPECTRE #47: "Use of Power"

In a story that bridges the events told in THE FINAL NIGHT #1-4, The Spectre is
persuaded to help maintain the life force of the planet.


GREEN LANTERN #81: "Funeral for a Hero" - Highest recommendation

The Heroes of Earth gather to remember Hal in a memorial service attended only
by the heroes and a few of Hal's closest friends at the site of the Coast City
memorial.  While it isn't really a part of THE FINAL NIGHT, it is a direct
result of Hal's heroic sacrifice in saving the entire Earth.  I'm including it
here because otherwise it might get missed, and I think it needed to be at
least mentioned.  If I need a better reason, Superman, Superboy, Supergirl,
Steel, Alpha Centurion, and the Legion of Super-Heroes are all in attendance.

It is the finest book of its type that I've read, and one that I can highly
recommend.  It's a well-handled memorial service, not overdone, with various
heroes and friends talking about the Hal they knew.  It was pleasant to see the
characters speak of all the different personalities that Hal has exhibited over
the years.  Hal's growth as a person, from a shallow two dimensional character
to the misunderstood character of Parallax, has always been one of the things I
liked most.  The only thing that would have made this a little better would
have been if Oliver Queen (original Green Arrow) had been able to speak. 
Unfortunately he died last year.

Hal is the third of the old line DC heroes that have really died in the past
few years to make way for the 'next generation.'  Barry Allen, Green Arrow, and
now Green Lantern have all died for the greater good.  Their sacrifices are
still remembered, and all of these characters live on in the forms of their
successors, but they aren't the same (nor should the be).  I miss the heroes of
my (miss-spent) youth.  However, I have to admit that DC's decision to make
death real, even for some of their core heroes, is one that I have to agree
with.  However painful it is.  I just hope there won't be any more in the near
future.

Rest in Peace Hal, you went out in style.

Rene' Gobeyn (gobeyn@kodak.com)



THE FINAL NIGHT: CREDITS AND RATINGS
------------------------------------

THE FINAL NIGHT (Miniseries)
    Written by Karl Kesel
    Pencilled by Stuart Immonen
    Inked by Jose Marzan, Jr.
    Colored by Lee Loughridge (Issue #1) and Patricia Mulvihill (Issues #2-4)
    Lettered by Gaspar
    Edited by Dan Thorsland, Assisted by Ali Morales
    Covers by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.

RATINGS:

MC: 3.6 Shields - Not really the "big" event I was thinking it would be.  High
        marks for the realism, though, and the inclusion of most of the
        characters.  Immonen is okay as an artist, but I just didn't think
        that his pencils did Hal's "death" (and I use that term loosely)
        justice.  Many of the tie-ins were nice; I liked THE FLASH's a lot.
        The Supes tie-ins were predictable, but some had certain qualities to
        them that added to the issues.
SF: 3.5 Shields - Mostly a good series, especially the Immonen art and the
        treatment of Superman throughout.
WN: 4.5 Shields - Entertaining heroic epic and a great showcase for the DC
        Universe.  FINAL NIGHT delivered in story, art and characterization.
        It was good to see Luthor return to Metropolis (and ultimately show
        his colors) and Hal return to the fold.  The tie-ins which I have read
        were all very effective, in particular, the Superman titles.  Kudos to
        the various teams, in particular Kesel and Immonen who were the
        driving force.
JS: 4.0 Shields - When the miniseries and crossovers focused on the reactions
        to the impending doom, FINAL NIGHT was at its best.  Kesel gave us
        very strong characterizations of both terror and heroism, while Stuart
        Immonen and Jose Marzan gave us breathtaking art.  The only real downs
        about the event were some lackluster computer art effects and the fact
        that Hal Jordan is no longer with us...
VV: 4.5 Shields - Well, at least Hal might *not* be dead.  A very good read,
        especially because it did *not* focus on the Sun-Eater, but rather the
        people's reaction to it, and the various ways people will either pull
        together or pull apart in the face of impending doom.  I have just one
        phrase for the readers who asked why the heroes did meaningless
        actions -- "Rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic."  Meaning, if you
        are going to go down with the ship, then go down with your own heart
        and conscience clear that you did what was right for you.

______________________________________________________

                              SUPERMAN: THE SERIAL
                      ------------------------------------
                      by Steven Younis (younis@dot.net.au)


Before I continue my review this month, I have some more info on where those of
you in the U.S. can get the two Superman serial videos.  Many thanks to Kevin
Chorusey for his efforts in obtaining the following info! :)

---
Although Suncoast Video does not have a mail order division, the person with
whom I spoke kindly provided two telephone numbers of companies that sell
videos by mail.  Here they are.

CRITICS CHOICE:  1-800-367-7765

MOVIES UNLIMITED:  1-800-523-0823

Both companies are located in the United States.

Of the two, I have spoken already with Critics Choice.  The Superman serials
ARE available from them.  Callers can also request a catalog to see what else
the company has to offer.  Since they carry the Superman items, they probably
have a selection that will appeal to the comic book/fantasy/sf audience.

It seems that Critics Choice offers the first serial, SUPERMAN, as two separate
tapes for $19.95 each; ATOM MAN VS. SUPERMAN, however, comes as a two-tape set
for $59.95.

Of course, the best bet would seem to be locating the serials on the store rack
-- at Suncoast or any other video retailer -- since the price for the sets that
I saw was only $29.95 each.  Nonetheless, mail order may be the only way to go
for some people.
---

For those in Australia, the next Collector's Fair I'll be attending is in
November, so I'll supply you with info then.  If you have any info for any
country, place, city, or suburb where the Superman serials are available on
video, please contact me at younis@dot.net.au

Now...

Last month I reviewed Chapter 3: "The Reducer Ray".  In following the
adventures of Superman, we move on to...

*CHAPTER 4: MAN OF STEEL*

Narrator: "Clark Kent, Daily Planet Reporter, goes to the Metropolis Museum to
get a story on the mysterious meteoric fragment that has fallen to Earth.  In
the office of Professor Leeds, Director of the Museum..."

The Professor turns off the lights within his office and opens the lid of the
lead box.  A huge chunk of rock inside glows with its own inner light.  Clark
starts to swoon, his brow dripping with sweat, his eyes roll up, and he falls
backwards to the floor.

The Professor turns on the lights, bends down over Clark, feeling for a pulse,
jumps to the phone, and calls for the Coroner, "Clark Kent just died in my
office!"

Hanging up the phone, the Professor looks bewildered and confused.  He walks
over to the lead box containing the meteorite and replaces the lid.  Having
done this, he continues to pace the room in his anxiety when he notices Clark's
arms moving.  Even more bewildered, the Professor helps Clark to his feet,
telling Clark he just can't understand it -- a moment ago Kent had no pulse or
respiration!  Clark asks the Professor if he replaced the lid on the box while
he was unconscious, the Professor tells him indeed he did.  Clark asks him to
again remove the lid off the meteorite, and when he does Clark again begins to
swoon.

"Cover it quickly!" urges Clark, and the Professor rushes to do so.

More confused then ever, the Professor asks Clark how come the meteorite
doesn't affect him in the same way it does Clark?  Clark deduces that the
meteorite is from the planet Krypton and the Professor agrees, "That's why it's
so important!"  But Clark says even so, it must be destroyed!

"Have you lost your mind!?!"

"To convince you, I see I'll have to do something I've never done before.  Let
you in on a secret that's shared by no-one else in the world!"

Clark asks the Professor to turn out the lights, just as Morgan (the
Professor's assistant) comes up the stairs and approaches the office door. 
Seeing the Professor's shadow close behind the fogged window of the door,
Morgan stops outside and witnesses the lights go off within.  He waits and
listens.

Inside, we see the Professor peering in the darkness, while on the wall beside
him, Clark's shadow is cast as he takes off his suit (this reminded me of
similar "change" sequences from the Fleischer cartoons).  The Professor turns
the lights on again and before him stands... "Superman!"

Still doubtful, the Professor asks Superman to perform an X-Ray vision test. 
Superman attempts to see inside the Professor's closed closet, but for some
reason is unable to see through the wooden door!  Superman thinks that his
X-Ray vision has been destroyed by the meteorite (Kryptonite to us, although it
hasn't been called this in this series as yet).  The Professor puts his mind at
ease when he tells him that the door is lined with lead for experimental
purposes.  So Superman attempts instead to see into the Professor's steel safe,
and promptly lists off the contents within.  Professor Leeds is not satisfied
that he is really Superman.  Just to prove it further, Superman lifts the safe
off the floor! :)

Professor Leeds reassures Superman that his secret is safe with him.  Superman
continues to explain that for years he has thought that he was from the planet
Krypton, and now the meteorite proves it.  He also states that the Kryptonite
takes away all his Super-Powers and is a danger to his responsibility of
protecting the Reducer Ray as he has promised the U.S. Government.

The Professor gives his word that he'll only keep the Kryptonite for two days
for scientific research, after which he'll have it dropped into the ocean. 
Satisfied with this, Superman flies out the office window, "Up, up and Away!"
as Morgan sneaks away from the office door and exits the museum.

Superman flies back into the Daily Planet's...

(Sorry! I have to jump in here for a moment to get something off my chest! When
I watched Superman fly out Professor Leed's office window, I found myself
asking, "What happened to Clark Kent's clothes???"  I mean he changed right
there in the office and then he flies out as Superman and heads back to the
Daily Planet to change back into Clark Kent, but change back into what? 
Actually, this is probably a question I'll post in alt.comics.superman
(Superman Newsgroup): "What does Clark Kent do with his clothes when he changes
into Superman?"  I know as a long-time Superman fan that you have to sometimes
suspend belief when talking about Superman at all, but really, when you think
about it -- We know that Clark Kent wears his clothes over his Superman
uniform, but how on earth does he fit his shoes over those big red boots!!???!!
Anyway, back to where we left off...)

>From the Museum, Superman flies back into the Daily Planet's supplies room
window where he reverts back to his Clark Kent identity, while in Perry White's
office, Lois tells Perry and Jimmy that when she arrived at the Jones Farm,
someone had already taken the meteorite away.  Clark enters the office just as
Perry asks Lois, "Who took it?"  Clark answers for her, telling them that
Morgan and Professor Leeds took it back to the museum.  He also explains (lies)
that there was nothing unusual about the meteorite, as he's just come from the
museum himself.  Perry asks Lois how Clark knows all this when they were sent
out to get the story together?  Again Clark jumps in and lamely tells Perry
that "something came up and we had to separate."  Perry doesn't swallow it, but
before he can get anything more out of them, Clark excuses himself claiming he
has a headache.

"He has a headache?  I'm the one who needs an Aspirin!" exclaims an exasperated
Perry White. :)

As Lois and Jimmy leave Perry to hold his head in his hands, she voices her
suspicions to Jimmy that Clark is holding out on some information about the
meteorite.  Jimmy (catching some of Perry's cynicism) tells her she's always
thinking Clark is putting one over on her.

"And most of the time I'm right!" she boasts.

Jimmy gives her a "Big Deal" shrug and says, "So you're right!"

Meanwhile, the Spider Lady (minus her mask) approaches one of her men, holding
out to him a newspaper.  She points out a Personals column she's been reading
(must be lonely, leading the life of an Underworld Criminal).  He reads it out
loud: "Attention!  Anyone seeking a vital weakness of his or her enemy, contact
Box 501."  The Spider Lady presumes the ad is referring to Superman, and upon
being asked if she thinks it's "on the level" replies that she's willing to try
anything to get Superman out of her way.

Lois, sitting at her desk at the Daily Planet, answers her phone.  On the other
end is her "informer" Hawkens, a seedy-looking foreigner with a thick accent,
who (we are told) has given Lois tip-offs before.  He tells her there's a guy
on the street selling hot information and that he'll put her in touch with the
man for a price.  They organize to meet at the "usual place," and just as she
hangs up Jimmy joins her.

Upon telling Jimmy about the hot tip, she asks him to meet her outside.  Typing
away at his own desk a few feet away, Clark smiles to himself as he (obviously
using his Super-Hearing) picks up on Lois and Jimmy's conversation.  As Lois
passes his desk on her way out, Clark grabs his hat and is about to follow her,
when Perry calls to him from his office door.  Perry sarcastically orders Clark
to "Help Gladis with her Love Lorn column, it may give you another headache."
:)

Down on the street, Lois and Jimmy walk down an alley, where out from a hidden
nook Hawkens asks, "Lookin' for somebody?"  Jimmy looks alarmed, but Lois just
smiles, asking Hawkens where the man with the information is?  Rubbing his
finger and thumb together, he replies, "I could show you."  Lois responds by
handing over some cash and adds, "There'll be more if the tip is good."

Hawkens tells them that a "funny acting guy" walked into a local "rooming
house" a few days ago, and he offers to show Lois and Jimmy where the house is
located.  As they walk along, he explains that the guy was trying to get in
touch with the "Spider Lady -- Queen of the Underworld."  Lois wonders if this
will give them a lead on the whereabouts of the Spider Lady, but Hawkens warns
her to forget about that if she wants to stay healthy.

As they approach their destination, they see Morgan being escorted out of a
house by two men.  Recognizing Morgan, Lois and Jimmy rush forward, confronting
the two men.  Lois is pushed aside and Jimmy runs into a right hook to the
chin.  Coming back for more, Lois is shoved into their car alongside Morgan. 
One man tells the other to blindfold them as soon as they get out of town.  The
car drives off, and Hawkens comes out of his hiding spot and runs over to the
unconscious Jimmy.

The car speeds along a dirt road out in the mountainous country, and soon it
approaches a chain barricade.  A man stands guard, gun in hand.  Recognizing
the two men, he lowers the chain and the car drives on.  The dirt track leads
into a cave in the mountainside.

Upon parking the car, the blindfolded Lois and Morgan are lead to an elevator
and down to the Spider Lady's hideout.  The Spider Lady (now with mask on)
enters the room and asks, "Who's the girl?"  One of the men tells her that Lois
butted in ,so they had to bring her along.  Lois is taken aside for later
questioning, while Morgan is brought forward.

They sit Morgan in a chair, darken the room, and put a bright spot light in his
face.  The blindfold is removed and the Spider Lady introduces herself, telling
him not to bother trying to see her.

Hesitantly, Morgan tells her how the meteorite takes away Superman's powers. 
The Spider Lady figures that if she had the meteorite in her possession, she'd
be able to steal the Reducer Ray without Superman's interference.  She tells
her man to pay Morgan for his information, and Morgan is given $1.  Angry at
this insult, Morgan confronts the Spider Lady, who tells him that those who
join her will be rich and prosperous in time.  He starts to threaten her with
empty words until two of her men pull out their guns.  Morgan backs away from
them and towards the the spider web that decorates one wall of the room.  With
a flick of a switch, the Spider Lady turns on the gravitational pull of the
spider web and Morgan is drawn into it.  She flicks another switch and Morgan
is painfully electrocuted.  He slumps to the floor and the two men remove him
from the room.

Lois is brought forward and begs the Spider Lady to set her free, as she's been
blindfolded all the while and couldn't possibly tell anyone who the Spider Lady
is or where her hideout is located.  The Spider Lady informs Lois that she may
well have let her go ... if Lois wasn't a reporter.  (Unknown to Lois they'd
pulled a Daily Planet business card out of her purse.)  One of the men puts
Lois up near the spider web (and, I noticed, quickly moves away).  Again
flicking switches, the Spider Lady watches as Lois is drawn into the web.  As
electricity painfully zaps Lois she begins to scream and...

Narrator: "Is Clark Kent utterly unaware of Lois' fate?  Can even Superman
arrive in time to save her?  Don't miss A JOB FOR SUPERMAN!  The 5th smashing
chapter of SUPERMAN at this theater next week!"

Be sure *you* see the next review in this e-zine next month!

Just quickly, I sat mesmerized through this chapter.  So much was revealed;
Superman discovers his weakness to Kryptonite, Professor Leeds discovers Clark
Kent is Superman, the Spider Lady also discovers Superman's weakness, Lois Lane
is... well who knows? :)

We'll just have to wait until next month, when I'll review "Chapter 5: A Job
For Superman!"

Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at any time with your thoughts and reactions
to my column.

You'll find the "Superman: The Serial" Theme Music and other Superman related
sounds for you to download (in .wav format), along with a few Superman gif
files in the BITS & PIECES section of my Web of Wonders homepage at:

http://www.dot.net.au/~younis/web_of_wonders.html

I've also designed a puzzle called "Mr. Mxyzptlk's Mix-Up Puzzle" that's
updated weekly. You'll find it in the GAMES & PUZZLES section there.

Later!

Steven Younis
younis@dot.net.au

The "Superman: The Serial" Review column is Copyright (C) 1996, Steven Younis.
All rights reserved. Making copies in any format is expressly forbidden without
the written permission of the author.

______________________________________________________


                                  THE MAILBAG
                     -------------------------------------
                     (sykes@ms.uky.edu, KryptonCN@aol.com)


                 KC Responses are indented and begun with ****

     ============================================

From: Rich Morrissey (RMorris306@aol.com)

A few quick comments on the earlier issues...as always, I enjoy the reviews and
checklists, even if I do buy only the comics, not cards or action figures or
any other "collectible." I'm a little confused as to the inclusion of the
PARALLAX one-shot on the Superman checklist, though...since, as far as I could
tell, Superman wasn't in it, nor did he have any connection here. (My feelings
on the entire Green Lantern storyline aren't particularly relevant to this
zine, anyway, but suffice it to say that I didn't exactly welcome the new
writer on SUPERBOY with open arms.)

**** The slight connection to Superman was the confrontation between Hal and
     the Cyborg -- definitely a Supes villain -- but to be honest, that's not
     why I chose to include the PARALLAX special in the COMING ATTRACTIONS
     list.  The hype material published in PREVIEWS indicated (somewhat
     misleadingly, in my opinion) that PARALLAX: EMERALD NIGHT was an
     important part of the miniseries, so I choose to include it as a major
     part of the story line.  On occasion, I'm at the mercy of PREVIEWS, so
     things might get included or excluded erroneously.  For example, PREVIEWS
     didn't mention at all the significant role of Superman in LEGION OF
     SUPER-HEROES #86 in the last week of September...

The JIMMY OLSEN Giant that's been reviewed in recent issues was drawn almost
entirely by Curt Swan.  Swan's style looked a bit different in the early issues
of Jimmy's title (from which most of the stories were reprinted) due to the
heavy, rather lush inks of Ray Burnley, brother of Golden Age Starman artist
Jack Burnley.  "The Boy in Superman's Body" (or "The Non-Super Superman," as it
was called when it first appeared in SUPERMAN #111) was an exception -- not by
Wayne Boring, it was inked but not pencilled by Superman regular Al Plastino. 
The pencils were by Ruben Moreira, a mainstay of the DC supernatural titles of
the time, who did a few fill-ins, mostly inked by Plastino, on the Superman
books of the time ... most prominently, two of the three stories in SHOWCASE
#9, the first issue to feature Lois Lane.

As for the current issue, I like the new developments in LOIS AND CLARK (was it
only me, or did the opening serial remind me of the 1968 Superboy/Legion
classic "Mordru the Merciless," in which an alien warlord conquers Smallville
and cuts it off from the world?), and the new animated Superman series (though
why is it only three weeks old and ALREADY into reruns?).  I confess I'm not
enthralled by Priest's plans for Steel, though, and I'm afraid that's another
book I'm likely to drop. I mean, putting Philadelphia in New England is on a
par with Gerry Conway putting Detroit on the shores of Lake Erie in the early
'80's...!

**** Well, you see, that is ... ahem ... the New England slip-up was my
     mistake, not Priest's.  Call it a brain burp or whatever.  Sorry for the
     mistake.  As for S:TAS, we've only got 13 episodes to see this season,
     and from what I can tell, the 90-minute premiere counts as three of 'em.
     With that in mind, we'd already seen six of thirteen when reruns began...

     ============================================

From: Jack Grimes (LBMGMD@aol.com)

Anatole Wilson wrote in his review of ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN $540:

> So I'm confused.  This Ferro doesn't display any super-powers, although I
> would think pulling all those papers around would take some sort of
> super-strength, and there is one panel where Ferro's hand glows.  The
> Ferro in FINAL NIGHT has the ability to change into iron.  So are these
> two Ferros the same person?

As shown in LSH #86, Ferro's hand glows when his "iron skin" power activates. 
Notice the dialogue in the AOS panel where his hand glows, "...we must *steel*
ourselves!  We must become like *men* of *iron*!"

**** I think the introduction of Ferro was one of the few weak points of THE
     FINAL NIGHT -- not only were his powers not introduced properly in
     ADVENTURES #540 (the glowing effect did *not* convey changing into
     iron...), but there was absolutely no explanation of the costume which
     suddenly appeared on him for the remainder of the event.

     ============================================

From: Chip Chandler (chchand@pan-tex.net)

Anatole Wilson wrote in his review of ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN $540:

> For those who need a little background, the story behind Ferro Lad is one of
> the great mysteries of the Legion of Super-Heroes.  His first "appearance"
> was in the 1960s in a team-up between Superman and the Adult Legion.  They
> are in the hall where they've erected statues to honor fallen comrades, and
> one of the most prominent is the statue of Ferro Lad.  No explanation was
> given, but it set the minds of Legion fans to wondering, and they've been
> wondering ever since.

Actually, Ferro Lad first appeared in ADVENTURE COMICS #346, along with Karate
Kid, Princess Projectra and Nemesis Lad.  They were creations of then
13-year-old Jim Shooter.  Ferro Lad died in ADVENTURE #353 after flying a bomb
into the Sun-Eater.  What Wilson might be thinking of is Reflecto, who was
later retconned by Keith Giffen and Tom and Mary Bierbaum as a Rimborian hero
who tried out for the Legion but didn't make it.

Given the importance of Ferro Lad to the original Sun-Eater story, his
appearance was practically a must for THE FINAL NIGHT, as far as ADVENTURE
COMICS fans were concerned.

**** He got confused.  It happens to the best of us.  :)  Anatole has
     responded to the goof in his review of ADVENTURES #541, coming next
     issue.

     ============================================

From: Denes House (dhouse@itsmail1.hamilton.edu)

To address the points that Steve Kaplan made in his recent letter to the
Kryptonian Cybernet:

First, let me thank you for responding.  I will disagree with your letter in a
minute, but I wanted to start off by thanking you for stating your opinion.  I
appreciate feedback a great deal, even when I disagree with it.  I believe that
people can disagree and be civil at the same time.

> Let me begin by stating right away that I have always been a fan of both
> Jurgens' and Breeding's work for the very same reasons that Denes House
> seems to be opposed to it:

Let me just say that I am not opposed to Jurgens' or Breeding's' work *at all*.
I have been a Dan Jurgens fan in the past, and I like some of his present
work.  I felt that his work in HUNTER/PREY was extremely derivative, and
hastily and badly done.  I think Breeding is a fine inker (not one of the best,
but decent) but I don't think his inks complement Jurgens' pencils very well.

> It's a comic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> It's not meant to be realistic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> It's supposed to be over the top!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think if you'll re-read my review, you'll notice that I never contradict any
of these points, nor do I criticize Jurgens or Breeding for being unrealistic
or over the top.  Comic books need to be unrealistic, exaggerated, and
over-the-top to be good comics.  Those are not crimes, but virtues in a comic. 
Sloppiness? That's a crime.  Lack of creativity?  Ditto.

> Stop me where I missed the part which the aforementioned scenario was not
> meant to be fantasy.

I believe I have a healthy sense of fantasy.  And yes, Superman *is* fantasy. 
I don't think you'll ever hear me dispute that.

> We all love Superman because he is completely over the top and we have fun
> debating plot points and tie-ins and continuity issues because we try to
> make sense out of our hero's bizarre and marvelous adventures.  But let's
> try to remember that Superman is fantasy.  He's not, as are many other comic
> titles, grim, gritty, dark, malevolent.  He's not meant to represent
> anything serious.  If he is then I'm definitely missing the point here.

I agree with Jeff Sykes on this one, Superman does represent something.

But I don't think that's your main beef here.  You seem to take issue with the
seriousness with which *I* approach my review.  I'm hearing you say, "Lighten
up, Denes!  It's just a comic!  Get a life!"

The thing is, I *do* have a life.  But I am a comic book reviewer.  That's what
I do (not *full* time, mind you :o).  My job is to take comics seriously. 
Comics are meant to be fun.  I think that if you read my review again, you'll
find that I say that very thing in that very review.  If a comic isn't
entertaining, I'll point that out.  And frankly, for many reasons I didn't find
HUNTER/PREY entertaining.

My job is to take the comics seriously as an art form.  To review the writing
and the artwork seriously, taking into account the genre, intended tone,
intended message, etc.  It doesn't prevent me from enjoying the comics at all,
in fact it enhances my enjoyment of them.

Why do I review comics?  Well, I love them.  I have since I was a kid.  Part of
my mission through my reviews is to help others enjoy them more, by
understanding them more.  I want to help my readers develop good taste, to
teach them the inner workings of story and art.  You are free to disagree, and
free to let me and others know when you do.  I welcome it, and encourage you
to.  I just ask that you tell me *why* you disagree.

In your letter, you don't seem to disagree with any of my *reasons* for
disliking Hunter/Prey, rather you simply disagree with my *rating*.  Cool. 
That's great.  But I'd like to hear *why* you disagree with my rating.  Do you
disagree that Jurgens is relying on stock poses?  Tell me.  Do you feel that
Breeding's heavy-lined and sharply-defined inking style enhances Jurgens'
pencils, rather than detracting from them?  Then say it.

But please don't dismiss my opinions by saying, "It's just a comic book."  I
know that already, and my job is to take comics seriously.

> I'll give SD:HP a 4/5 or higher.
> Why?
> Cause it's fun... simple as that.

Great!  If that's your only criterion, more power to ya.  My job is to break
the comic down a little more, and analyze the parts and the whole.

I disagree that HUNTER/PREY is fun.  My review tells why.  Why did you find it
fun?

Warmly,
Your fellow Superman fan,
Denes House

**** I chose to include this response which was actually directed at the
     letter writer because Denes raises some good points about the purpose
     of critical review.  Even if all but one person raves about a book, that
     doesn't invalidate his or her opinion.  And opinions about one work
     don't constitute a judgment on a writer or artist's entire library...
     We always welcome dissenting opinions, so if something we say here
     cheeses you, let us know!

                                                    -- Jeff Sykes

______________________________________________________

                              MANUSCRIPTS OF STEEL
                         ------------------------------

                Reviews of After-Byrne Superman Special Stories

                 by Denes House (dhouse@itsmail1.hamilton.edu)

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 SUPERMAN: KAL

                            Written by Dave Gibbons
                         Art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
                          Colors by Digital Chameleon
                    Painted Cover by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
                                     1995
                      Prestige Format, $5.95 US/$8.25 CAN

                                    Rating:

                                5.0/5.0 Shields

           ---------------------------------------------------------

Myths arise out of a certain time and a certain place to speak to real needs of
their hearers.  As the stories connect with the hearts of men and women, as
they accurately describe peoples' condition, they are told and retold, until
the most prescient, the most relevant, the most *true* stories find a permanent
place in the canons of storytelling.  They resonate with each generation anew,
and speak new wisdom to the children of each era.

I believe that it is possible that Superman may be one of those characters that
can and will grow beyond mere story to find his place in the halls of true
mythology.  That may seem a presumptuous prediction based on a character that
has thus far lasted only half a century, but I feel like going out on a limb
today.

When two different classic mythologies are combined, the results can either be
tragic ... or *magic*.  SUPERMAN: KAL is comic book sorcery.

As with all ELSEWORLDS tales, this story takes the familiar elements of beloved
characters and tweaks them just a little.  As the narrator unfolds the tale of
Kal, we see the infant cargo placed into the gleaming capsule by his grieving
parents, and rocketed off to safety from the bosom of a dying world.  A glowing
crystal fragment attaches itself to the spacecraft's tail, completing the
journey to the planet Earth along with the skip, coming dislodged upon
re-entry.

But Kal does not arrive in 20th Century Kansas; in this ELSEWORLD, he arrives
in Medieval England.  He is discovered by John and Mary, peasant farmers under
the feudal Lord, Baron Luthor, who reigns over Lexford and its environs from a
huge castle in the center of town.  Mary, delighted with the child, takes him
in; John, worried that he'll be suspected of sorcery, buries the capsule.

Time passes and the child grows, developing strange powers.  Ever wary, John
cautions the boy not to reveal his abilities to anyone else.

The reader is introduced to characters both old and new.  There is the
blacksmith, Oll, and Jamie, Oll's son (read that last part a couple of times,
fast).  We meet the evil Baron Luthor, and of course the fair maiden, Lady
Loisse.

Kal is apprenticed to Oll, and goes to live in Lexford.  Blacksmithing suits
Kal, and Oll turns a tidy profit off of his labor.  All is well until a
birthday celebration for the Lady Loisse.  There is to be a tournament and
joust in honor of her sixteenth year.  One glance at Loisse, and Kal is smitten
with love.  Competing in the tournament, Kal wins the contest of strength, and
Loisse's heart.  But why is he struck ill at Luthor's approach?  Could it be
that glowing green gem which hangs around the Baron's neck?

Later, hunting in the woods, Luthor discovers the space capsule.  Seeing the
durability and strength of the metal, he decides to have a suit of armor made
of it.  Kal is the only one strong enough to work it.  When the magnificent and
invincible armor is delivered, Luthor reluctantly allows Kal to name his price.
Kal asks but one thing - the hand of Lady Loisse in marriage.

Dave Gibbons (WORLD'S FINEST, Amalgam's SUPER SOLDIER) crafts a stunning and
tragic tale, packing it full of bold characterization.  From John and Mary's
simple peasant ways to the ruthless cunning of Baron Luthor, to the maturation
of Jamie, Oll's son, Gibbons paints these characters with the brush of a
master.

After Marv Wolfman's brilliant reworking of Lex Luthor into a
shark-in-sheep's-clothing corporate mogul, I thought I'd never see as
appropriate a setting for an arch-villain.  Gibbons surprised me by finding a
situation in which Luthor would have even more total control over the lives of
the people in his city - feudal law.  Gibbons uses this setting to its fullest
extent, wringing tragedy and triumph out of the pages of cultural history.

Gibbons paints the ethos of a culture in such a way as to emphasize its
difference from ours, while at the same time making it accessible.  The
dialogue instantly transports the reader into a medieval frame of mind, and it
rarely seems forced, trite, or contrived.  And of course, he weaves the
Superman mythos into one of the most foundational English legends of all time
seamlessly and with startling inventiveness.  This is a story that demands to
be read, and grips the reader till the very last page.

The success of the story is due in no small part to the incredible prowess of
Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (who drew SUPERMAN regularly before the Byrne revamp,
drew Amalgam's DOCTOR STRANGEFATE, and whose style is best known as the artist
of DC's model sheets and in-house work).  Garcia-Lopez is one of those artists
that fans of storytelling and quality draftsmanship pray will live forever. 
When I hear that he is drawing a book, I buy it - no questions asked.  His work
here is exquisite.  From his pacing to his blocking to his fine
characterizations, Garcia-Lopez works incredible wonders with every panel.  See
especially page 9, panel 5, the whole of page 27, the horror of pages 36-38,
the raw power of page 46, and the silent finality of page 56 for examples of
Garcia-Lopez at his best.

Every page, every panel of artwork in this book looks painstakingly done, and
lavishly detailed.  Garcia-Lopez inks his own pencils in this book, which works
well -- though DOCTOR STRANGEFATE was incredible under the lush inks of Kevin
Nowlan (look on page 10 of STRANGEFATE for a great cameo tribute to KAL). 
Digital Chameleon brings the book all together with deep, earthy colors
appropriate to the Medieval setting.

CAPSULE REVIEW:

Story: A story that will grip you immediately, hold you to the end and leave
you begging for more.  What else can you ask for?  5 Shields out of 5.

Art: Lushly detailed, with the depth of characterization and levels of
complexity that one always expects of Garcia-Lopez.  5 Shields out of 5.

Overall: I do not hesitate to give this book my highest rating.  If you've not
read this book yet, then turn off your computer, go to your local comic store,
and buy it.  NOW.  5 Shields out of 5.

NEXT MONTH: Is this just another bug-hunt?

______________________________________________________


                              COMING ATTRACTIONS!
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     A List of Upcoming Comics Featuring The Superman Family of Characters


This monthly section is dedicated to giving you official information
concerning which comics you should watch for in the near future in order
to keep up with Superman, Superboy, Supergirl, and all the rest of the
Superman family of characters.

Descriptions courtesy of PREVIEWS catalog, copyright 1996, Diamond Comic
Distributors.  Diamond is the exclusive distributor of DC Comics!


                                     NOTES
                                ---------------

   With the Legion based in Metropolis during their 20th Century stay, you
   might keep an eye on LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES for unadvertised Superman
   appearances, such as the one in September's issue #86, a lead-in to THE
   FINAL NIGHT #4.  This story featured the Man of Steel prominently, but 
   the PREVIEWS information did not mention him at all.

   The cover of December's SUPERGIRL PLUS #1 appears to join with that of
   November's SUPERBOY PLUS #1 (both covers by SUPERGIRL's Gary Frank and
   Cam Smith) to form one large image.  

   There is also a special one-shot in December featuring an Elseworlds
   version of the Justice League, but it appears to be based on the recently
   canceled JL titles rather than the new Grant Morrison incarnation.
   Superman does not seem to be involved.


  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


                    LIST OF TITLES BY EXPECTED ARRIVAL DATE
                 ---------------------------------------------


Arrival Date:   Comic title and information:
------------    ---------------------------
October 2:      DC/Marvel: All Access #1 (of 4)
                   Written by Ron Marz
                   Art and Cover by Jackson Guice and Josef Rubinstein
                   48 pgs, $2.95

                Showcase '96 #11
                   Brainiac, Vril Dox II, and the Legion of Super-Heroes
                      Written by Tom Peyer
                      Art by Derec Aucoin and Jason Minor
                   Cover by Steve Lightle
                   48 pgs, $2.95

                Steel #33
                   Written by Peter J. Tomasi
                   Art by Jim Aparo and Dick Giordano
                   Cover by Roger Robinson and Dennis Janke
                   $1.95

                Superman #118
                   Written by Dan Jurgens
                   Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Josef Rubinstein
                   $1.95

                Superman Adventures #2
                   Written by Scott McCloud
                   Art and Cover by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
                   $1.75

October 9:      Supergirl #4
                   Written by Peter David
                   Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
                   $1.95

                Superman: The Wedding Album
                   Written by Various
                   Illustrated by Various
                   96 pages, Collector's and Standard Editions, both $4.95

                Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy #1 (of 4)
                   Written by Chris Claremont
                   Art and Cover by Dusty Abell
                   48 pgs, Prestige Format, $4.95

October 16:     Adventures of Superman #541
                   Written by Karl Kesel
                   Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan Jr
                   $1.95

                Superboy #34
                   Written by Ron Marz
                   Art and Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
                   $1.95

October 23:     Action Comics #728
                   Written by David Michelinie
                   Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
                   $1.95

                Superboy & The Ravers #4
                   Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
                   Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
                   $1.95

October 30:     Superman: The Man of Steel #63
                   Written by Louise Simonson
                   Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
                   $1.95
              
                World's Finest: Superboy/Robin #1 (of 2)
                   Written by Chuck Dixon and Karl Kesel
                   Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Scott Hanna
                   48 pgs, Prestige Format, $4.95


November 6:     DC/Marvel: All Access #2 (of 4)
                   Written by Ron Marz
                   Art and Cover by Jackson Guice and Josef Rubinstein
                   $1.95

                JLA #1
                   Written by Grant Morrison
                   Art and Cover by Howard Porter and John Dell
                   $1.95

                Showcase '96 #12
                   Brainiac, Vril Dox II, and the Legion of Super-Heroes
                      Written by Tom Peyer
                      Art by Derec Aucoin and Jason Minor
                   Cover by Steve Lightle
                   48 pgs, $2.95

                Steel #34
                   Written by Christopher Priest
                   Art by Denys Cowan and Tom Palmer
                   Cover by Dave Johnson
                   $1.95

                Superman #119
                   Written by Dan Jurgens
                   Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Josef Rubinstein
                   $1.95

                Superman Adventures #3
                   Written by Scott McCloud
                   Art and Cover by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
                   $1.75

November 13:    Adventures of Superman #542
                   Written by Karl Kesel and Jerry Ordway
                   Art by Paul Ryan and Jose Marzan Jr
                   Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan Jr
                   $1.95

                Superboy Plus #1 (of 1)
                   Written by Ron Marz
                   Art by Andy Smith
                   Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
                   48 pgs, $2.95

                Supergirl #5
                   Written by Peter David
                   Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
                   $1.95

                Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy #2 (of 4)
                   Written by Chris Claremont
                   Art and Cover by Dusty Abell and Drew Geraci
                   48 pgs, Prestige Format, $4.95

November 20:    Action Comics #729
                   Written by David Michelinie
                   Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
                   $1.95

                DC Universe Holiday Bash #1 (of 1 -- Superman)
                   Written by Various
                   Art by Various
                   Cover by Rodolfo Damaggio and Robert Campanella
                   64 pgs, $3.95

                Silver Surfer/Superman
                   Written by George Perez
                   Art by Ron Lim and Terry Austin
                   Published by Marvel Comics
                   48 pgs, $5.95

                Superboy #35
                   Written by Ron Marz
                   Art and Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
                   $1.95

                Superman's Metropolis
                   Written by Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier, and Roy Thomas
                   Painted Art and Cover by Ted McKeever
                   64 pgs, Prestige Format, $5.95

November 27:    The Batman Chronicles #7  (Superman)
                   Written by Jerry Ordway
                   Art by Lee Weeks and Jesse Delperdang
                   Cover by Lee Weeks and Jerry Ordway
                   48 pgs, $2.95

                DC/Marvel: All Access #3 (of 4)
                   Written by Ron Marz
                   Art and Cover by Jackson Guice and Josef Rubinstein
                   $1.95

                Superboy & The Ravers #5
                   Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
                   Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
                   $1.95

                Superman: The Man of Steel #64
                   Written by Louise Simonson
                   Art and Cover by Jon Bogdanove and Dennis Janke
                   $1.95

                The Teen Titans #4  (Supergirl)
                   Written by Dan Jurgens
                   Art and Cover by Dan Jurgens and George Perez
                   $1.95
              
                World's Finest: Superboy/Robin #2 (of 2)
                   Written by Chuck Dixon and Karl Kesel
                   Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Scott Hanna
                   48 pgs, Prestige Format, $4.95


December 4:     JLA #2
                   Written by Grant Morrison
                   Art and Cover by Howard Porter and John Dell
                   $1.95

                Steel #35
                   Written by Christopher Priest
                   Art by Denys Cowan and Tom Palmer
                   Cover by Dave Johnson
                   $1.95

                Superman Adventures #4
                   Written by Scott McCloud
                   Art and Cover by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin
                   $1.75

                Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #7
                   Written by Roger Stern
                   Art and Cover by Paul Ryan and Brett Breeding
                   $1.95

December 11:    Supergirl #6  (Superman)
                   Written by Peter David
                   Art and Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
                   $1.95

                Superman #120
                   Written by Dan Jurgens
                   Art and Cover by Ron Frenz and Josef Rubinstein
                   $1.95

                Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy #3 (of 4)
                   Written by Chris Claremont
                   Art and Cover by Dusty Abell and Drew Geraci
                   48 pgs, Prestige Format, $4.95

December 18:    Adventures of Superman #543
                   Written by Karl Kesel
                   Art and Cover by Stuart Immonen and Jose Marzan, Jr.
                   $1.95

                Superboy #36
                   Written by Ron Marz
                   Art and Cover by Ramon Bernado and Doug Hazlewood
                   $1.95

                Supergirl Plus #1 (of 1)
                   Written by Peter David
                   Art by Mike Manley, John Nyberg, and Jennifer Graves
                   Cover by Gary Frank and Cam Smith
                   48 pgs, $2.95

December 26:    Action Comics #730
                   Written by David Michelinie
                   Art and Cover by Tom Grummett and Denis Rodier
                   $1.95

                DC/Marvel: All Access #4 (of 4)
                   Written by Ron Marz
                   Art and Cover by Jackson Guice and Josef Rubinstein
                   48 pgs, $2.95

                Superboy & The Ravers #6
                   Written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson
                   Art and Cover by Paul Pelletier and Dan Davis
                   $1.95

                Superman Plus #1 (of 1)
                   Written by Tom Peyer
                   Art by Bernard Chang and Bob McLeod
                   Cover by Chris Sprouse and Terry Austin
                   48 pgs, $2.95

                The Teen Titans #5  (Supergirl)
                   Written by Dan Jurgens
                   Art and Cover by Dan Jurgens and George Perez
                   $1.95


  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    SPOILERS
                               ------------------

December 4:
----------
JLA #2
    "The Day The Earth Stood Still" continues JLA's conflict with the
    suspicious alien entity, The Hyperclan, which has erected watchtowers
    across the planet to "monitor" where they might be needed next.
    Suspecting this observation may be part of the Clan's hidden agenda,
    the JLA splits up to investigate, and finds something incomprehensible.
    Just as believable is the force of the Hyperclan's retaliation
    threatening even the League's mightiest member.

Steel #35
    Using his teleportation powers for the final time, Steel finds himself in
    a subterranean nightmare -- trapped in a dank tunnel on what may or may
    not be Earth, and confronted by a tentacled beast with a taste for metal.

Superman Adventures #4
    In "Eye for an Eye," Superman is hit with a prototype gravity device while
    trying to foil a heist at S.T.A.R. Labs, resulting in his increasing his
    mass so he can barely move!  That won't stop him from going after the
    thieves, nor will it stop Jimmy Olsen from risking his neck to prove he's
    got what it takes to be a photojournalist.

Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #7
    In "Hero or Villain," the world wonders if Lex Luthor is really the hero
    some claim him to be, and a heroine becomes a villain: Maxima betrays her
    past as a member of Extreme Justice and rejoins Superman's Rogues Gallery,
    attacking Superman, Lois, and Lori Lemaris!


December 11:
-----------
Supergirl #6
    The woman known as Rampage visits Leesburg and goes on a tear that can
    only be stopped by Supergirl!  Superman visits Supergirl for the first
    time since her transformation, but Linda wants to keep her secret identity
    a secret, and she's none too willing to tell everything to the Man of
    Steel.  Meanwhile, Linda decides to get more down to Earth and get to
    know her parents better.  Big mistake.  She ends up discovering first hand
    the challenge of having genuine human ties and the pain of being part of a
    dysfunctional family.

Superman #120
    In "To Be A Superman," Luthor, Professor Hamilton, Jimmy Olsen, and Cat
    Grant all speculate on what life would be like if they had Superman's
    powers.  Will their intentions be as pure as the Man of Steel?

Superman/Wonder Woman: Whom Gods Destroy #3 (of 4)
    In this issue, Lois Lane *becomes* Wonder Woman!  The sacrifice of the
    goddess Athena endows Lois with the power she's always wanted.  But first,
    Lois must defeat the champion of Nazi Germany -- Princess Diana!
    Meanwhile, Lana Lang pursues Superman, who has fallen prey to the
    enchantress Circe.  All three will win their hearts' desires, but they
    should have been more careful about what they wished for.


December 18:
-----------
Adventures of Superman #543
    Anomaly.  Riot.  Misa.  Barrage.  Maxima.  Their stories have been
    building to this moment -- the formation of the Superman Revenge Squad!
    These five villains have been recruited by a sinister mystery man to
    eliminate the Man of Steel.

Superboy #36
    What happens when a clone is cloned?  Superboy learns the answer when he
    meets Match, a creature cloned from Superboy's own DNA... and this deadly,
    dark *other* has an agenda of his own: to be the *only* Kid in town!

Supergirl Plus #1
    In the skies above Leesburg, Supergirl and Mary Marvel do battle!  The
    runaway Marvel is out for revenge against an old friend of the Danvers
    family, and Supergirl will do anything in her power to keep the World's
    Mightiest Girl away from him.  Is it a misunderstanding or is Linda a
    dupe of a lifelong deception?  In a second story, as Linda Danvers
    scrounges for money to go to a concert (and for her next meal), she
    discovers the trials and tribulations of being fully human.  Meanwhile,
    Buzz is getting tighter with Linda's mother, leading to further
    complications in Supergirl's ongoing series!


December 26:
-----------
Action Comics #730
    The Superman Revenge Squad proves to be too much for Superman to handle!
    Can he keep five villains from destroying him... leveling Metropolis in
    the process?

DC/Marvel: All Access #4 (of 4)
    The greatest super-teams of the Marvel Universe and the DC Universe meet
    at last!  The JLA joins the X-Men in flagrant conflict in an effort to
    save all that matters in *both* realities.  And what Access himself hopes
    to save is his relationship with Ming Kuo-Fan in the Marvel Universe *and*
    his budding relationship with Caitlin Fitzgerald in the DC Universe.
    Perhaps with the help of Batman, Cyclops, Superman, Ice-Man, Wonder Woman,
    Phoenix, Aquaman, Jubilee, Martian Manhunter, Cannonball, Flash, Storm,
    Green Lantern, and Bishop, Access will be able to lead the life he
    believes is his destiny.

Superboy & The Ravers #6
    In an issue that takes place entirely at the rave, Sparx gets in over her
    head; Kaliber places a bet that affects the team in a surprising way; Aura
    has an unsavory reunion with the "Fashion Police;" and Half-Life considers
    leaving the Ravers to join the "Corpse Corps," clique of the undead.

Superman Plus #1
    When the Legion of Super-Heroes -- still trapped in the 20th Century --
    seeks technological assistance to return to their own time, Superman
    offers the computers from within his Fortress!  However, a long-dormant
    virus -- planted by the Kryptonian terrorist group Black Zero -- has
    seized the Fortress' computers, replaying the Seven Ages of Krypton and
    threatening to destroy the planet!  Unfortunately, the planet in this
    case is Earth!

The Teen Titans #5
    Just getting used to their origins, powers, and expense accounts, the Teen
    Titans are hardly ready to break into a well-armed fortress, but that's
    what they have to do to rescue Supergirl and the bizarre creature that
    will become known as Fringe.  It's up to Nightwing, along with Robin and
    Captain Marvel, Jr., to make sure they all make it out alive.  And Titans
    fans won't wanna miss the last page that illustrates all the various
    Titans teams that have existed.

______________________________________________________
****************************************************************
End of Section 6/Issue #31