Written by Mark Millar and Art by Aluir Amancio, Terry Austin, & Mike Manley, Etc.
SUMMARY:
Mimicking the style of Superman: The Animated Series, this DC Comics series could be construed as the TV program’s untold adventures between episodes. Reprinting Superman Adventures # 25-29 (from 1998-99), this 112-page, digest-size trade paperback released in 2004 consists of the following five stories:
- “(Almost) the World’s Finest Team” (Issue # 25). Written by Mark Millar; Editors Mike McAvennie & Frank Berrios; & Artwork by Mike Manley; Terry Austin; Marie Severin; and Lois Buhalis.
- Guest Stars: Batgirl (Barbara Gordon); Bruce Wayne/Batman; Robin (Tim Drake); the Mad Hatter; Alfred Pennyworth; Nightwing; Commissioner Gordon; Sgt. Harvey Bullock; and a cameo by Killer Croc.
Live on television, the Mad Hatter threatens to kill a hostage Bruce Wayne unless Batman surrenders his cowl by midnight. Once Alfred determines that Nightwing can’t intervene in time, Gotham’s guardians turn must improvise a new Plan B. Commissioner Gordon and Sgt. Bullock’s Bat-signal get a surprise response. It’s then up, up, and away for the Dynamic Duo of Superman & Batgirl to save Bruce Wayne and a hypnotized Robin.
- “Yesterday’s Man of Tomorrow” (Issue # 26). Written by Mark Millar; Editors Mike McAvennie & Frank Berrios; & Artwork by Aluir Amancio; Terry Austin; Marie Severin; Zylonol; and Lois Buhalis.
- Guest Stars: Mr. Mxyzptlk; Superboy; Lana Lang; & Ms. Gsptlnz.
Egged on by his bored paramour, Ms. Gsptlnz, a scheming Mr. Mxyzptlk sabotages the past to prank Superman for always ruining his fun. Going back in time, the imp convinces a gullible Boy of Steel (and his puppy Krypto) to self-exile to the Moon out of fears that he will become Earth’s future dictator. This charade goes too far when Mxyzptlk realizes that a present-day Metropolis without Superman isn’t the playpen he expected. Worse yet, the imp can’t convince the 16-year old Superboy to play their usual game of tricking Mxyptlk to say his name backwards. This dopey tale (deliberately reminiscent of the 1950’s Silver Age Superboy stories) saves its best idea for the final page.
- “How Much Can One Man Hate?” (Issue # 27). Written by Mark Millar; Editors Mike McAvennie & Frank Berrios; & Artwork by Aluir Amancio; Terry Austin; Marie Severin; Zylonol; and Lois Buhalis.
- Guest Star: “Superior Man.”
The Man of Steel is being upstaged by a mysterious, overbearing, and white-haired “Superior Man,” who seemingly does everything better. Superman smells fraud. A great plot twist erupts, as the story’s title really could refer to either of the two villains. The finale delivers a short, insightful flashback of 7-year old Lex Luthor.
- “Jimmy Olsen Versus Darkseid” (Issue # 28).
- Written by Mark Millar; Editors Mike McAvennie & Frank Berrios;& Artwork by Mike Manley; Terry Austin; Marie Severin; Lois Buhalis.
- Guest Stars: Darkseid; DeSaad; & Kalibak.
It’s the old brain switcheroo, as interdimensional fun-and-games has inadvertently swapped Jimmy Olsen’s mind inside Superman’s body and vice-versa. While Jimmy’s Superman tangles with Kalibak a few times, Superman’s Jimmy is at DeSaad’s mercy (or lack thereof) on Apokolips. Who would have thought that Darkseid would be a voice of reason? In this goofy tale, Lois Lane and STAR Labs’ Professor Hamilton get decent screen time.
- “Bride of Bizarro” (Issue # 29). Written by Mark Millar; Editors Mike McAvennie & Frank Berrios; & Artwork by Aluir Amancio; Terry Austin; Marie Severin; Zylonol; and Lois Buhalis.
- Guest Stars: Bizarro & Lobo.
Meeting by chance, Lobo pitches a match-making scheme to a despondent Bizarro. While Bizarro abducts Lois from The Daily Planet, Lobo beats up the Man of Steel for fun. As Superman retaliates against Lobo, the lonely Bizarro tries courting Lois, who pities the creature. It’s a sweet Valentine homage to classic Bizarro — here cast as Superman’s dim-witted buddy instead of another misguided villain-of-the-week.
REVIEW:
The Never-Ending Battle is an entertaining, undemanding assortment of five Man of Steel tales. Neither the stories nor the artwork are super-impressive, but DC Comics does the job done well enough. The “World’s Finest” story is the winner of this bunch. Overall, it’s a fast-and-fun read for Superman fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None. It’s a cheat considering that the cover art is not provided.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
