Superman '78

Say what you might about the Christopher Reeve Superman films, I love them. I know that the SFX hasn't aged very well and that people hate movies III and IV.  Yet, from 1978-1987, I believed that a man could fly, thanks in very large part from Richard Donner and the Salkinds. In 1995 when Reeve had his riding accident and was paralyzed from the neck down, I cried. Yet, for the last 9 years of his life, Mr. Reeve continued to be my hero as he became a spokesman for the disabled. Even now, in my mid-40s, I get chills when I hear just a few notes of John Williams' electric score!

So a couple of years ago when I learned that DC would be continuing the adventures of the Chris Reeve Superman, I jumped for joy. I've been a huge fan of the Batman '66 series and the very brief Wonder Woman '77 series was pretty darn good too. I was so enamored with these series based on the old school TV versions of DC characters I grew up watching on the small screen, that I started calling for the premier of other childhood favs like Superman '78 here!

The story takes place sometime between the first and third Superman films. Based on events that take place, this book may very well occur right after the events of Superman II. Though I am not sure quite where to place this story on the Superman movie timeline, I know that this book is very much part of that cinematic universe. 

Right off the bat, it's the artwork that awestruck me. The Quantum Age's Wilfredo Torres executes perfection with his pencils. Superman/Clark Kent looks like Christopher Reeve. And there are actors Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder and Jackie Cooper as Lex Luthor, Lois Lane and Perry White respectively. Thrown in cameos of famous stars from the 1970s like the cast of Barney Miller and I was in total 70s memory lane geek mode. Although, could somebody explain to me why the very 1980s Goonies gang pop up in a cameo in this and not say, Michael Gray and Les Tremayne from 1974-76's Shazam! TV show?

Another thing that sold me on Torres' art was how he styled the newcomer to this universe, Brainiac! Wilfredo Torres utilizes 50 years of DC history with the visuals of the android villain. When Brainiac first arrives on planet earth, he utilized Ed Hannigan's iconic silver robot design from the early 80s. But when Superman comes face-to-face with Brainy, we are introduced to Otto Binder and Al Plastino's green skin and purple robed version from 1958. Really, no stone was left unturned with this book.

Robert Venditti (Hawkman) penned a story that gave respect to the 1970s and 80s Superman films while adding nuanced tributes to the stories that inspired the 1978 film and later birth further Man of Steel lore past the dawn of the 21st century. I very much want more of this universe and I hope DC hasn't shut the door on further such endeavors.

I know that DC just capped a Batman '89 mini series and I so look forward to getting my hands on that. But I really want to see Shazam! '74, The Flash '90 and Swamp Thing '82! Heck, I'm going to throw it out there: I want an Adventures of Superman '52 and even a Batman and Robin '49! I love this nostalgia thing DC has going on and as long as talent like Venditti, Torres and colorist Jordie Bellaire (Quantum and Woody) are involved, I will make it a part of my comic book readings!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Best Political Cartoons of the Year 2005 (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The political cartoon. It's an institution as American as mom, apple pie, and baseball. For the year that was 2004, it was a banner year to be an editorial artist.

2004 was a presidential election year. The candidates the American people had to choose from were the incumbent, George W. Bush vs. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. The roller coaster economy, traditional home values and the war on terror were deciding factors in an election that was too close to call until election day.

Iraq was a frequent topic for political cartoonists. Saddam Hussein's war trail occurred in 2004. With his capture, the debate raged as to not only should America continue to have a presence in the Middle Eastern nation, but also as to why we were there in the first place. A scandal involving the treatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison by US soldiers took over the editorial page for a while. And the commencement of the 2004 Olympics in Athens had everyone on the edge of their seats. Not because of gold medal fervor; but to see if the global event was going to be the next target of terrorists. 

There was more to 2004 than the election, Irag and the war on terror. The Boston Red Sox broke the Curse of the Bambino and finally won the World Series for the first time since 1918. DIY guru Martha Stewart went to prison for insider stock trading. A series of hurricanes targeted Florida. And several big time celebs passed away including Superman's Marlon Brando and his on-screen son, the man of steel himself, Christopher Reeve. There's also a special section at editorial cartoons from around the world, with the focus being how other countries view American policy.

This book is titled as The Best Political Cartoons of 2005. But all of the material within the covers are from 2004. Editor Daryl Cagle did it this way because both the Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Cartooning and several other similar awards are now presented for the year prior but in the when it wasp physically awarded. So Herblock winner Matt Davies, whose winning portfolio is presented in this volume, won the 2005 award for his work done in 2004.

I didn't choose this compendium of cartoons to be political. I choose this collection as I am down to just 2 tasks on my 2022 reading challenge and it's been darn near impossible to find a comic book or graphic novel with an index inside it. This book was placed in the used graphic novel section of my favorite LCS. And this book promises an index, of which there is! So, I am counting it. 

An interesting look by at 2004. I recall a lot of the events that happened in this year. I just can't believe it's been 16 years since it all happened!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #30 (With an Index) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 53

     On this day in Madman history, a star was discovered when producers for the forthcoming live-action Superman film (1978) cast young Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. It had been a long and arduous process for the father/ son production team of Illya and Alexander Salkind. But when the Salkind's found Christopher Reeve, they hit pay dirt.

Reeve with the Salkinds
during the 1978 Superman premiere. 

     Christopher Reeve was Superman and he was Clark Kent! Reeve did an amazing job keeping the two roles separate. His Man of Steel was pure, humble, an Adonis among pip-squeaks. Reeve's Clark Kent was a pip squeak. The actor had a brilliant way of making himself stutter, look frumpy, and act so clumsy as the timid reporter that you'd swear 2 different actors were playing the roles.

It takes more than eyewear to disguise Clark Kent
from being ID'ed as the Man of Steel.
It also requires great acting.

     Sadly, Reeve's career and life were both cut terribly short when an equestrian accident in the mid-90s resulted in the actor breaking his neck and becoming confined to a wheelchair. Yet, even when he couldn't walk, the actor inspired the world with his tireless efforts to raise funds and awareness for medical research to cure cases of paralysis such as his. Reeve even continued acting and directing from his wheelchair with such ventures as a remake of Hitchcock's Rear Window and a guest spot on Smallville.

Reeve during his season 3 guest visit on Smallville.

    Christopher Reeve is a very big reason Superman is one of my two all-time super heroes. He made the role his. He made it inspiring. It made you want to be Superman.

I can hear the John Williams theme
just looking at this image.

    Above all, Chris Reeve made you believe that a man could fly!

    Until Tomorrow...