Superman/Fantastic Four: The Infinite Destruction

Superman and the Fantastic Four. It became a viral movement to see both films in the theater in one sitting much like Barbie and Oppenheimer a couple years back. I didn't watch Superman and Fantastic Four First Steps in one sitting. I don't think my back could take it. But I managed to see them both within the same week. Little did I realize that I could have experienced a meeting of the two icons at one time years ago.

In 1999, DC Comics and Marvel mingled their two universes together for one of their last co-published works in Superman/Fantastic Four: The Infinite Destruction. Just like when Superman meet Spider-Man in 1976, this book was published as a super-sized tabloid. Only the cover would be slick and thicker like a paperback. Written and illustrated by Dan Jurgens, with additional artwork by Art Thibert,  the concept has Galactus crossing dimensional barriers absorbing the energies of Krypton as it explodes. As the planet dissipates, a tiny rocket flees the destruction but not without the notice of the world consumer.

Years later, Superman intercepts a Kryptonian drone bearing a message from his father Jor-El stating that Galactus was behind the destruction of his home planet and that the Man of Steel's Earth is on the menu. This leads Superman to travel to the Earth-616 universe, seeking assistance from the Fantastic Four. While in that universe, it's discovered that an enemy from Superman's world crossed barriers as well and has plans to become the next herald of Galactus. But before that happens, Superman is captured by the Devourer and blasted with immense energy. Now welding the power cosmic, Superman has become the new herald of Galactus and with his incredible powers added to the mix, not even Kryptonite can stop the Man of Tomorrow!

I knew I had been holding on to this work for a reason! It was a great way to capture off the Summer of 'Super Fantastic'! I must say that the format with the deluxe edition paper and cover, being so gigantic, it was a bit unwieldy. I'm pretty sure I damaged the spine some as the sturdier paper would bend terribly against the book binder used. Age, size and wear definitely will prevent this from remaining a pristine mint book in your collection no matter how careful you are.

I thought this book would have worked better if it was jointly published as a joint What If.../Elseworlds. Readers are supposed to go into this book with the fore-knowledge that Superman and the Fantastic Four know each other. Presumably, from the crossovers DC Vs. Marvel and/ or the All Access minis. Also I don't think Superman crossed paths with Reed, Sue and company in his 1996 meeting with the Silver Surfer. 

If you are new to comics and you came across this book, you'd probably be wondering about how these two icons are acquainted since it's been over 2 decades since entities from both worlds were in a comic book together. Though you won't have to wait much longer as Deadpool and Batman are set to meet for the very first time later this November.

Another thing is the choice of villain. No, not Galactus. He was perfect for this. It's the DC baddie selected for this book: the Cyborg Superman. Yeah, he's evil and ruthless. Plus, since he has to participate in the ubiquitous reluctant pairing of protagonist and antagonist in order to help the Fantastic Four minus Mister Fantastic find Galactus, having someone more powerful in this story just wouldn't work. But could you imagine how epic this story would have been if DC and Marvel had decided to pair Galactus with Brainiac?! 

Jurgens (and Thibert) did a fine job. The artwork was classic 1990s Superman and I like how they worked in that Easter egg for the Superman: The Animated Adventures toon into the mix. I was just disappointed from the cover. It's illustrated by Dan Jurgens. But it's painted by Alex Ross. He's know for several oversized one-shots starring members of the Justice League. I was hopeful based on which that the interior art was also by Ross. Alas, it wasn't to be.

Wanna actually experience both Superman and the Fantastic Four on the same set together? Plus the presence of First Steps for Galactus? Then this is your book. You might have to go out in the wild to find a copy of get lucky on something like eBay..Though if DC and Marvel were smart, they'd refuse this book in time for the holiday shopping season. It's the pairing social media has been clamoring for all Summer long!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Supergirl #5 (Rebirth)

     Zor-El leads an invasion of earth in order to harvest the life-force of every human and finally resurrect the people of Argo City. Added to the threat, the Cyborg Superman has activated the generators of Argo on a collision course with the earth. As Supergirl is imprisoned on Argo, stricken with Kryptonite poisoning, it's up to Jeremiah Danvers, the DEO, and Cat Grant(?!) to save the day!

     Steve Orlando has amped the action up to 11! But with this massive invasion of earth, I must ask: where are all the superheroes at? You'd think the Justice League or Teen Titans would show up to assist or something...

     Wicked fun but clearly there's an issue with continuity or plausibility here.

    Worth Consuming!

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Supergirl #4 (Rebirth)

     While on Argo, Zor-El, the Cyborg Superman, lays out his master plan to his daughter, Kara. Yes, the resurrected Kryptonians are currently shells of their former selves, kept alive only by the very  thing that killed them- Red Krpytonite. But Supergirl's father has a planned to restore her people body and soul. It involves stealing the life-force of another race of people- Oh! and the invasion of planet earth!

     After an issue that was pretty light on action- this issue makes up for it in spades. Another Steve Orlando triumph! Plus, the art was actually a little bit better as well!

     Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
   

Supergirl #3 (Rebirth)

   Supergirl accepts the invitation of her father, the new Cyborg Superman, and with Eliza Danvers, travels to Argo City. There, the Maid of Might is appalled by the resurrected Zor-El's efforts to recreate life using the very substance that killed Kara's people- Red Kryptonite!
    Meanwhile, on earth, because of Supergirl's field trip back home, Kara Danvers has stood up Cat Grant for her second interview to a Catco internship. Nobody stands up Cat Grant and lives to talk about it. So if Supergirl returns from outer space, she'll have a fate worse than death awaiting her in National City.
    A really great story by Steve Orlando. Though, the last person I knew was the Cyborg Superman was Hank Henshaw. So I had to do some catching up on Wikipedia to kinda understand what's been going on. I approve but man did I miss out on a lot by not reading the New 52! Supergirl series.
     Still on the fence about the artwork by Brian Ching (Witchblade.) The renderings of everyone but Supergirl is just perfect. I just feel like the main character does NOT get the marvelous respect she deserves here. I love the covers by Bengal and really think that the All-New Wolverine artist should be drawing the title character instead of Ching. 

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Supergirl #2 (Rebirth)

     While seeking some peace of mind in the Fortress of Solitude, Supergirl is confronted by her father, Zor-El, the new Cyborg Superman. He comes not to fight but to take her home to Argo City, which he claims is alive and thriving. Can he be trusted? Kara Zor-El highly doubts it. But she longs to be back with her people desperately.
      Meanwhile, as Supergirl mulls her decision over in her human identity, things are buzzing at her National City high school. Cat Grant has arrived on campus looking for a new protege. While one of Kara's rivals seems to have the job locked up, the media mogul has her eyes on a shy student with the last name of Danvers.
     I'm digging the Rebirth Supergirl series. But I much rather enjoy the elements that are more closely in tuned with the TV series like Cat Grant or the DEO than with the Cyborg Superman. Calista Flockhart's Cat grew on me and I think it's the one element that is sorely missing on the CW series right now. Thankfully, series writer Steve Orlando capture's Flockhart's character flawlessly in this series. 
     I also enjoy what Orlando has done having Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers cast as DEO agents who are undercover as Kara's adopted parents. But I wish that the writers and editors of this book could somehow put J'onn J'onnz as the head of the DEO, as on the TV show, instead of Maggie Sawyer. She's just not the right chemistry for this book. But if she's secretly a Martian underneath that blonde hair and trench-coat- well that's a twist you read about here first, folks!

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Cyborg Superman

A few weeks ago, I read the “origin” story about the Cyborg Superman and didn’t even realize it. In a tale that closely resembled a certain foursome from the Marvel Universe, Superman struggled to save the lives of 4 mutated astronauts.

In this Sinestro Corps tale, we learn what happened to the captain and his wife after that John Byrne classic. It was a very informative story that finally answered (to me) the question as to just who in the heck was the Cyborg really?

There are several other one-shots that tie into the Sinestro Corps Wars and I would very much like to get my hands on those as well as read the SCW storyline in the pages of Green Lantern as well.

Great art. Awesome story.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.