Today’s Comic> DC Retroactive: Superman – The 90’s

Bad hair day?

DC Retroactive: Superman – The 90’s

DC Comics (October 2011)

(including a reprint of Superman: The Man of Steel #12)

With his clone body slowly dieing, Luthor wants to make sure Superman goes first. His latest plan involves a new, more dangerous version of the Cruiser creature. This being the 90’s, Superman loses his cape…and his hair. (Good news for those of you who hate the mullet.

What they got right: This is the Superman I want to see (and DC appears to be abandoning). Compassionate, inspirational, yet still kicks but. Most of the artwork is great.

What they got wrong: I say most, because what is up with Lex Luthor’s face? I expect it to explode at any minute. Is this connected to the clone body falling apart? That’s the only excuse, but I’ve seen Luthor during this time and his face looked rather normal. Also, yes, he fought Doomsday. We get it! Does everyone have to bring it up?

"You've got something in your teeth."

Superman: The Man of Steel #12

DC Comics (June, 1992)

When a trio of Warworlders decide to take revenge on Superman by blowing up the Earth, Dr. Hamilton meets the original Cruiser recovering equipment they’ve stolen. This being the 90’s Superman loses his cape, but keeps his hair. Also, no mullet.

What they got right: They chose a good stand-alone story with elements that may make people look for the back issues to learn more about the Warworlders. The art is still good.

What they got wrong: Superman really doesn’t do a lot in this issue. Simonson seems to love having these little subplots (like Perry having to let a friend go from the Planet and some secondary character being sick) that actually disrupts the story rather than compliment or humanize it.

Recommendation: Probably the last Superman story we’ll see made with Superman being Superman, considering his depiction in the new DCU previews and what I’m hearing about the upcoming movie. That pretty much makes it worth picking up. They’re not spectacular, but still pretty good.

Not so much a "best scene" as an example of how bad Lex looks in this comic.

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