Written by Karl Kesel
Art by Greg S. Luzniak; Dave Bednar; Dan Davis; Jackson Guice; Luke McDonnell; Andrew Pepoy; Peter Gross; Ray McCarthy; Ande Parks; Stan Woch; Chris Eliopoulos; & Tom McCraw
Cover Art by Greg S. Luzniak & Karl Kesel
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for 1994, this 56-page one-shot is entitled “The Super Seven, Part II: Men of Steel.” Concluding an Elseworlds two-parter starting in The Adventures of Superman Annual # 6, a conquered Earth is in the hands of the alien Malazza-Rem (known as ‘The Horde’). Having coerced humanity to help destroy its super-heroes, The Horde has now held Earth for a decade. Assembling the world’s last metahumans, the ‘Super Seven’ are: Batman; Superman; Wonder Woman; Green Lantern Hal Jordan; a crippled Flash/Wally West; Metallex (Metallo/Lex Luthor); and a mysterious Superboy. Leading Earth’s underground resistance, the outmatched Super Seven mount a desperate last stand in Metropolis versus The Horde. A double-agent may well doom them all.
Note: DC’s 1994 Annuals deployed an Elseworlds theme.
REVIEW:
It’s a dynamite read. To writer Karl Kesel’s credit, one doesn’t need the storyline’s first half to enjoy this ‘Super Seven.’ While the artwork telegraphs the traitor’s identity, this spoiler doesn’t detract from Kesel’s compelling script. Hal Jordan and Batman’s heroics steal the show from Superboy, as both his brash character and Superman underwhelm too much of the time.
Resembling a Terminator robot, the Metallo/Lex Luthor composite also proves intriguing – particularly, in the last few pages. Wonder Woman and a well-played Wally West both add valuable, if not brief, supporting roles. Deploying a veritable arsenal of artists, the visuals are excellent (for that era), including a terrific last page and a spot-on cover image. Superboy Annual # 1 proves an absorbing Elseworlds tale well worth re-discovery.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None. Refreshingly, there are minimal ads.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
