Written by Geoff Johns & Richard Donner
Art by (See Credits Below)
Variant Cover Art by Dave Stewart & Brad Anderson
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for March 2007, this 48-page annual consists of five short stories and two bonus features, each with different art teams.
- “The Many Deaths of Superman.” Art Team: Art Adams; Alex Sinclair, & Travis Lanham (4 pages).
On a jungle safari expedition to retrieve a remnant of green kryptonite, Lex Luthor smugly contemplates the three known ways of killing Superman.
- “Who is Clark Kent’s Big Brother?” Art Team: Eric Wight; Lee Loughbridge; & Travis Lanham (14 pages).
In Smallville, young Clark Kent meets the amnesiac Mon-El, who Clark believes may well be a close relative. The teenage Mon-El’s exposure to lead forces Clark’s fateful decision.
- “Mystery Under a Blue Sun.” Art Team: Joe Kubert & Pete Carlsson (2 pages).
A Thanagarian space vessel investigates the unexplained disappearance of three police cruisers. Even their formidable ship isn’t any match for a Bizarro reception committee.
- “Secrets of the Fortress of Solitude.” Art Team: Phil Jimenez; Andy Lanning; Jeromy Cox; & Travis Lanham (2 pages).
Spread across two pages is a twelve-point tour of the modern-day Fortress.
- “The Criminals of Krypton.” Art Team: Rags Morales; Mark Farmer; Edgar Delgado; & Travis Lanham (12 pages).
In the last days of Krypton, Jor-El’s tenuous alliance with Non, Ursa, and General Zod tragically backfires.
- “Superman’s Top 10 Most Wanted!” Art Team: Tony Daniel; Brad Anderson; & Phil Balsman (2 pages).
Superman’s worst enemies list (and each foe’s present status) consists of: Lex Luthor; Brainiac; General Zod; Ursa; Non; Bizarro; Parasite; Metallo; Mr. Mxyzptlk; and the Toyman.
- “The Deadliest Forms of Kryptonite.” Art Team: Gary Frank; Jonathan Sibal; Brad Anderson; & Phil Balsman (3 pages).
Lex Luthor muses over the deadly potential of various colors of kryptonite, including how each of them will power a captive member of his new Revenge Squad.
Note: Though not pictured here, this issue’s other cover is by Joe Kubert & Adam Kubert.
REVIEW:
Curiously, this assortment doesn’t sport anything reflective of its top-caliber cover image. Still, the Lex Luthor book-ends (both his narrative and the stellar artwork) make a cohesive two-part short story. The bonuses (the Fortress of Solitude tour and the Most Wanted list) are also fun to peruse. Darkly reminiscent of 1978’s Superman: The Movie, “The Criminals of Krypton” conveys more details re: the downfall of General Zod’s renegades. What’s really well-played is the grim irony that they actually share Jor-El’s viewpoint re: Krypton’s imminent demise. The idea of Non as Jor-El’s ex-mentor/lab partner seems awfully contrived, but this tale is by far Annual # 10’s highlight.
The weaker elements, however, pertain to “Mystery Under a Blue Sun” and the Mon-El tale. “Blue Sun” is pointless (i.e. a trio of murderous Bizarros), as there isn’t any further suggestion that this filler story will lead somewhere. The tale of Mon-El’s arrival on Earth is more problematic. Though Clark’s age isn’t specified (maybe he is twelve or thirteen years old), he is implausibly mature. In fairness to the Silver Age Superboy, this tale poignantly portrays Clark’s heartfelt loneliness as Krypton’s sole survivor. By itself, “Who is Clark Kent’s Big Brother?” is a great story, but it’s really more a single-shot homage to Superman’s Silver Age continuity as a high-profile Superboy. Even this well-illustrated collection is merely odds-and-ends, it’s still a treat to read any Superman material co-written by director Richard Donner.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Dan DiDio’s single-page “DC Nation” column, as part of its ‘One Year Later’ banner, promotes the three-part World War Three mini-series, as DC’s super-heroes assemble to combat an unstoppable Black Adam.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
