Tom King Responds to Complaints About Walmart Superman Comic Book

As we reported yesterday, DC Comics has received some complaints over a story included in “Superman 100-Page Giant #7”, available exclusively at Walmart. The story, written by Tom King, features twelve pages of Lois Lane being graphically murdered… imaginary scenarios that are part of Superman’s anxiety in the story.

Writer Tom King has responded to the concerns, telling ComicBookResources.com, “Because it isn’t widely available, I’m not sure people know the story (which is beautifully told by Andy, Sandra, and Brad). So here it is: On a mission far from home, Superman tries calling home. Lois doesn’t answer. As people do when they can’t get in touch with their loved ones, he starts imagining worst case scenarios. Why won’t she answer? Images of her demise crowd his thoughts, driving him crazy. In the end, the line connects and Superman and Lois discuss how worried they are about each other.”

“They both lead dangerous lives; however, neither of them asks the other to compromise that life. Lois has her career; Superman has his. Despite the worry and risk, they trust each other, they depend on each other. Regardless of the hard of it all, they both go forward and they both continue to save the world,” he continued. “To me this is a metaphor for the best parts of love. Love comes with stress, agony, risk, vulnerability, and we shouldn’t deny that stress, agony, risk, and vulnerability.”

“However, love also comes with the unique joy of putting your faith in someone else, of knowing that someone else puts their faith in you. This story is not about the deaths of Lois Lane or the anxieties of Superman; it is about the love of Lois Lane and the love of Superman, the enduring strength of these amazing, iconic characters,” he concluded.

Source: ComicBookResources.com

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MattComics
MattComics
January 21, 2019 7:18 pm

It’s a comic for a Wal-Mart line. Does no one at DC understand this? I know they’re very used to relying heavily on grimdark for the direct market but newsstand is not the same.

Superman2878
January 21, 2019 7:20 pm

Love huh? He has a funny way of showing it. And I don’t mean funny ha ha kinda way.

s-shield
s-shield
January 21, 2019 7:52 pm

This is so tone-deaf. I don’t think anyone’s upset at the idea that Clark worries about Lois. It’s the excessive use of violence and imagery straight out of an old EC Comic that’s upsetting people.

Superman2878
January 21, 2019 8:16 pm
Reply to  s-shield

True. I totally agree with why they are upset.

sundevil82
sundevil82
January 21, 2019 9:48 pm

Probably a bit excessive, but if it’s a one off, it’s not that big a deal. I don’t want to give writers anymore reason to say that Superman fans are too hard to please or that he’s hard to write for. As long as it wasn’t canon it doesn’t bother me and I understand what King was going for even if it was heavy handed.

s-shield
s-shield
January 21, 2019 9:56 pm
Reply to  sundevil82

Well, it’s not as if this is happening in a vacuum. Tom King is making a career out of this kind of thing. He’s already got an entire series, HEROES IN CRISIS, devoted to “DC meets murder porn” fan fiction. And while this isn’t canonical, my problem is that DC paid people to write and draw this story, and that it appeared in a Walmart-brand Superman comic that kids… well, let’s be honest, they won’t buy it, but they could flip thru it while their parents shop. At least in a comic shop, this book would be bagged and boarded,… Read more »

Superman2878
January 21, 2019 10:14 pm
Reply to  sundevil82

I respectfully disagree. I do believe it’s a big deal. Lois is a character that is loved by millions of fans. And to see such brutality done to her I believe is disrespectful not only to the character, but to the fans who love her as well. I understand that you feel differently about this than I do, and I respect that. I’m only speaking for myself, but from what I’ve seen in the previews for this comic, I find it sickening and hard to watch. But please understand I mean no offense or disrespect to you sundevil82. I’m just… Read more »

Superman2878
January 21, 2019 10:30 pm
Reply to  Superman2878

That’s odd, my last comment ended up in the wrong place.

Iluvsuperman88
January 21, 2019 10:49 pm
Reply to  Superman2878

Happens to Spidey. Lol!

Iluvsuperman88
January 21, 2019 10:45 pm

Dang… This dude must have had an ex wife who ruined him on marriage for life. LMBO!!! I guess the next issue will be 1000 ways Superman can die.

Iluvsuperman88
January 21, 2019 11:29 pm

Well not sure I would be to fond of a 1000 ways to kill Lois Lane. I’m not seething with anger over this comic either b/c I know she isn’t dead.(I know it’s not about killing her. I know my favorite girl LoLo is alive and well.It’s just about anxiety over a spouse.)He was trying to make Superman relatable in a way by showing that yes even the man of steel with all his powers worries about his wife and her safety. He may not have went about making Superman relatable in the best way but I think he meant… Read more »

Seph1r0th
Seph1r0th
January 22, 2019 12:17 am

The second they expanded beyond “light and fun reading”, like they clearly tried here, they were going to be blasted and knocked back into kid-friendly narratives. Tom King is an excellent writer and this story sounds interesting and jarring for an adult, but I can see how it would be an unwelcomed eye opener for a parent just trying to buy their kid something fun to read over the weekend. It’s always surprising to see how many people have no idea that modern comic books can be extremely graphic and intense.

MattComics
MattComics
January 22, 2019 12:38 am
Reply to  Seph1r0th

When you’re making something for a general audience you can’t just think in terms of what edgelords would enjoy.

DW13
DW13
January 22, 2019 5:08 am

So 12 pages of traumatic bloodshed is more simpler than 12 panels, right? >_>

redcape
redcape
January 22, 2019 12:35 pm

Gross or not maybe they’ve taken this Lois/Superman love affair as far as they can and it’s time to move on from her and him. Is it finally getting to the point of why would he align himself with a human that if he’s not living on the edge of being “careful” he could easily break in two. We’ve seen or read every possible angle of Lois/Clark, Lois/Superman and Lois everything else one could imagine. Time to move on??????

MattComics
MattComics
January 22, 2019 2:41 pm
Reply to  redcape

Total BS.

Lois and Clark being a couple is not and has never been the problem.

redcape
redcape
January 22, 2019 5:39 pm
Reply to  MattComics

So is your comment.

I didn’t say it was a “problem.” I”m merely suggesting that they have done this Lois and Clark/Superman to death. It’s getting beyond old!

s-shield
s-shield
January 22, 2019 6:31 pm
Reply to  redcape

You know what else they’ve done to death? Flight! Forget that power. They use it too much. Also, the whole “fighting crime” thing. No one with Superman’s powers would fight crime for free! They’ve been milking that cow for 80 years! If they only got rid of Lois, Superman would be FAMOUS! Lol.

redcape
redcape
January 23, 2019 1:14 pm
Reply to  s-shield

Not sure how your comparisons are even remotely on the same level. Really doesn’t make sense that he’d live his life having intimate relationships with humans only for him to see and live around everyone of them that will grow old and die. You can’t argue that they HAVEN’T done the Lois angle to the max! That’s all I’m saying.

MattComics
MattComics
January 23, 2019 2:27 pm
Reply to  redcape

What doesn’t make sense is that he would live like a stranger in a strange land when he’s been living among humans since he was an infant.

If you can’t understand why Superman would be with Lois then maybe you understand Superman at all.