Written by John Byrne & Marv Wolfman.
Art by John Byrne; Jerry Ordway; Keith Williams; Karl Kesel; P. Craig Russell; Bob Smith; Jose F. Marzan; John Beatty; John Costanza; Albert T. DeGuzman; & Dave Tanguay.
Collection Cover Art by Jerry Ordway; Tanya Horie; & Richard Horie.
SUMMARY:
Released in 2006 by DC Comics, this 208-page trade paperback reprints 1987’s Superman # 9-11; Action Comics # 592-593; and The Adventures of Superman # 432-435.
Superman # 9: “To Laugh and Die in Metropolis.” The Man of Steel contends with the Joker’s unexpected presence in Metropolis. The Joker’s abduction of hostages Lois, Jimmy, and Perry White further complicates this situation.
Note: Lex Luthor’s back-up tale isn’t included. However, along with Byrne’s Superman # 11, Luthor’s ‘indecent proposal’ was reprinted a decade before in DC’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman paperback compilation meant as a tie-in to the same-named TV series.
The Adventures of Superman # 432: “Gangwar, Part One: From the Streets to the Streets!” An apartment building fire’s prime suspect is Perry’s wayward son, Jerry. Jose Delgado (the future Gangbuster) tries to reach Jerry’s conscience before Lex Luthor’s illicit influence damages him beyond redemption.
Action Comics # 592-593: “… A Walk on the Darkside!” and “The Suicide Snare.” Visiting Metropolis, Big Barda is abducted into its sewers by Darkseid’s fugitive demonic minion, Sleez. A mesmerized Barda is forced to become Sleez’s scantily-clad erotic dancer/sex slave. The Man of Steel’s botched rescue puts him into the same predicament.
Only an unlikely savior can clue in Barda’s husband, Scott “Mr. Miracle” Free and Oberon to intervene. It’s up to them to save a mind-controlled Barda and Superman from making illicit pornos/sex tapes for Sleez’s underworld profit.
Superman # 10: “The Super-Menace of Metropolis!” Reminiscent of DC Silver Age tales of the 1950’s, Superman’s powers have suddenly gone haywire. With the Metropolis police challenging him, Superman must also face the armored menace of Klaash. The Man of Steel realizes who the logical culprit is for engineering these events against him.
The Adventures of Superman # 433: “Gangwar, Part Two: A Tragedy in Five Acts.” Clark, Lois, and Jose Delgado become further involved in Perry’s issues with his son Jerry (and, by extension, Luthor).
Superman # 11: “The Name Game.” Continuing Byrne’s franchise reboot, Mr. Mxyzptlk is re-introduced. He first appears as a visual nod to Marvel Comics’ Beyonder – not to mention his anagram alias of ‘Ben DeRoy.’ Clark is immediately suspicious of Lois being instantly smitten by this suave new suitor, as if by mind control.
Ultimately, both the Man of Steel and Metropolis must contend with the Fifth Dimension’s magical imp and his destructively playful impulses. Lois is later dismayed that Clark’s own affections may have shifted to someone else.
The Adventures of Superman # 434: “Shambles.” A misguided Jerry White’s storyline continues, as Jose Delgado unleashes his costumed Gangbuster persona. A possible love triangle ensues between Clark, a peeved Lois, and Jose. Cat Grant is still the wildcard seeking Clark’s romantic attention.
The Adventures of Superman # 435: “The Circle Turns.” The mysterious telepath from Qurac returns to further torment the Man of Steel. This time, he battles a taunting Wonder Woman, along with familiar reprises of the Silver Age’s Superman Family.
Note: This title is also available in a digital format and a compendium hardcover.
REVIEW:
Despite veering between two very distinct styles (John Byrne’s and Jerry Ordway’s), the book’s art squads steadily contribute good visuals throughout this book. Unfortunately, such terrific artwork is squandered by one middling plot after another.
For instance, the Superman/Big Barda sleaze-fest (with all its smutty off-screen inferences) is a glaring disservice to both the characters and DC’s readers. Whatever smug parody or other cheap entertainment writer/artist John Byrne sought with this two-part garbage is unfathomable – i.e. even Darkseid expresses he’s appalled by Barda’s sexual exploitation. Without letting Byrne off the hook, any further diatribe only advertises his severe creative misjudgment. The same contempt applies to DC Comics for reprinting such icky material – especially without a parental advisory.
Of the seven other tales, there is no mistaking the glut of forgettable Super-dreck, such as the inexplicably weak Joker caper. Unless one find the Jerry White/Jose Delgado’s Gangbuster storyline appealing, this tiresome volume proves far more a page count than a remotely good read. The sole inclusion exuding an ounce of charm (let alone justifying a reprint of any kind) is the silly Mxyzptlk adventure. Even then, such ridiculous fantasy pap that may have clicked in the Silver Age doesn’t adapt particularly well for the mid-80’s.
Superman: The Man of Steel, Volume 5, suffice to say, is a disappointing letdown for fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Entitled “How Did I Get Here?,” DC’s Mike Carlin pens an unremarkable two-page introduction. Presented in a full-page format, a cover gallery (with Byrne and Ordway trading off as the cover artist) concludes this compilation.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
