“Stay back, Lois. Superman has Youngsblood Disease!”
Superman Adventures #34
DC Comics (August, 1999)
“Sanctuary”
WRITER: Mark Millar
PENCILER: Mike Manley
INKER: Terry Austin
COLORIST: Marie Severin
SEPARATIONS: Zylonol
LETTERER: Phil Felix
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Frank Berrios
EDITOR: Mike McAvennie
Doctor Fate is called to Cairo because a body-hopping spirit has accidentally been set free by archaeologists. Realizing it’s after Superman Fate races to Metropolis but it’s too late. However, one of the “possessed” was Lois, who only felt it wasn’t evil but seeking sanctuary. It’s actually an alien who needs to stay in human bodies to survive, and only wants to use Superman to go home.
What they got right: I have to admit it was an interesting twist. For once the possessing being isn’t evil (or even a spirit) and just wants to go home. You don’t see that very often.
What they got wrong: Wait, so is the alien transferring his mind? Does he turn into pure thought or something because we see him come out whole out of Superman (who apparently doesn’t have any trouble breathing his air like the alien did Earth’s)? And why does his takeover look so evil if he’s not a bad person. Altering it slightly could give the initial impression you’re expecting but you should be able to look back and seeing how the mistake happened but also hint that he isn’t bad.
Recommendation: More of a Dr. Fate story than a Superman story but still a good one. Worth checking out.
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