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Post by Admin on Jan 26, 2010 18:39:52 GMT -5
The DC2's original Superman title returns at long last! Continuing from Action Comics Annual #3, the new era in the life of the Man of Steel begins here!
Please let us know what you think--- we can't wait to hear!
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Post by HoM on Jan 27, 2010 9:58:05 GMT -5
A smaller version, though you can see that Nathan did take it up a notch and draw the two covers together into a cohesive whole that continues to impress. I'll try and find a better, bigger version to share later in the week.  I fully intend to comment on this issue, just need to find the time-- it's a freaking behemoth! |
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rapscallion86
Staff 
Subtlety: The mark of a good superhero. Right, Brainiac 5?
Posts: 99
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Post by rapscallion86 on Jan 28, 2010 2:48:20 GMT -5
Wow, right off the bat, the ting that I have to comment on was the mastery of language in this issue. Not only was it beautiful, lyrical, well-rounded, flowed-well, and downright fun, but the descriptions were so spot on that it did not take me any energy to painstakingly decipher it. You just gave me the description in heavy details that painted epic scenes of action and suspense right into my head. Wow. This read really well too as a Superman story and used the formula well of a good man become monster. The way he was contained at the end with the same machine that transformed him, Superman fighting despite the odds, and of course... great evil looming on the horizon. BTW, nice job on the seamless villain introductions there. You were able to give the reader a peek at at least three major villain factions (Brainiac, Factory of Evil, and Zod) without interrupting the flow of the story. Sweet. I can already tell this is going to be a good year for Man of Steel action. Minor complaints though; once again, some spelling and grammar spoofs. (Damn.) Even though this was such an epic event for Supes, I still don't know how I feel about Reflecto fighting K-Man for him. That seemed almost... cowardly? That felt a little weird and off to me. Also, where the heck are Kara and Kon? No mention of them for Action and Adventure's new direction? Now I have one major complaint though, the Lois confessing her love scene... it definitely had charm and was well-written but... it just seemed so, so unnecessary. I mean, Superman already knew he was in love with Lois, Lois already knew she loved Superman, and I'm pretty sure they were aware of each other's feelings. I mean, weren't they already in a relationship like 5 issues ago or something? I mean, when Lois said that, and Superman "suddenly" realized his mutual feelings, I was a little like... "Wow... really? You both realized this, just NOW?" then laughed. I'm sorry.  That scene just seemed really unnecessary and brought me down a little. The only scene that stopped this from being five stars. (Sorry, don't mean to be mean. :/) But then you saved it. That ending scene with Maxima was absolutely beautiful in the multitude of action and explosions and just outright war. Then the ending, I knew he was going to say it, and I thought it would be kind of ham-fisted but.... damn... it did give me chills. Small complaints, but only because I'm so excited for the next year of Superman stories. Some really cool stuff seems to be on the horizon and a writing team befitting of the world's greatest superhero. I look forward to the next adventure... and action.... hyuk.... 4 stars. -D.L. Mann |
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Post by Admin on Jan 28, 2010 10:25:36 GMT -5
Wow, right off the bat, the ting that I have to comment on was the mastery of language in this issue. Not only was it beautiful, lyrical, well-rounded, flowed-well, and downright fun, but the descriptions were so spot on that it did not take me any energy to painstakingly decipher it. You just gave me the description in heavy details that painted epic scenes of action and suspense right into my head. Wow. Thanks a lot, D.L.! Very glad you enjoyed my style, but I have to give credit where credit is due: it's easy to wax lyrical about Superman. When you love what you're writing about, others will be sucked in, too (hopefully)! The idea to transform Edward Lytener into the new Kryptonite Man was Charlie's, and I'm just following his lead from what he set up in Action Comics Annual #3 a few weeks ago. There is a lot of pathos in that situation, and I wonder if we've seen the last of it...? The K-Generator idea was Charlie, too, and I think it added a nice symmetry at the end, as well. You betcha! The real purpose of starting our new respective runs on Action and Adventure with this pair of annuals was to set the stage for the big events and storylines to come, and to serve notice that 2010 is going to be Superman's biggest year at the DC2. The Evil Factory will be showing up again very soon (see Adventure Comics #11, coming next month!) and Charlie and I will be interweaving threads and storylines leading up to our first big event coming in the summer, where Action and Adventure will crossover for a story we can only call: "Brainiac War!" Of course, all of that is merely prelude to what comes after--- what promises to be the biggest Superman story we've ever done...! Hope you stick around for it! Yikes! Sorry I think that was kind of my point. On the surface, it makes sense, though, right? Why not send your super-robot to fight an enemy you can't even touch without it killing you? And though I didn't write the scene, you can just imagine Supes pacing and biting his fingernails as Reflecto went to work... Maybe cowardly isn't the word, maybe pragmatic... After all, the Legion's visit is preying on his mind, and it is only when it crystallizes for him in his quick exchange with Lois at STAR, right before his final confrontation with the K-Man that he realizes what will be will be, because he cannot help but be who he is. Good question. Supergirl will be appearing in Charlie's Action Comic's run and Superboy is coming up in the forthcoming Young Justice title by the bold and brilliant Brian Burchette! But Adventure Comics is not Superman Family or a team-up title--- continuity will be addressed when appropriate, but expect Superman front and center, sidekickless. No apologies necessary  . But to answer your question, what I wanted to establish here was a profound, unequivocal connection, not the unspoken whatever-it-is that has always been there. A true relationship for Superman and Lois would not simply be him swooping up and rescuing her, then doing the quick change back to Clark to listen to her moon over her absentee boyfriend (not to mention everything else that goes with relationships, like the sex, meeting the parents, the arguments, the make-up sex, the socializing, the lovenotes and little gifts, and the sex  ). if this has happened, and I've managed to miss it (I think I've read every Superman story on-site, with the exception of Don's Justice League run, which is a criminal shame and which I fully intend to get to one of these days), then I totally blame my editor. Nice job, Charlie  . (Kidding  ) YES! Glad you liked it! And of course he had to say it. I got chills writing it. In fact, I think maybe I wrote the whole issue just to get to that last line...! For those who were around in the earliest days, this epilogue represents a return to something I started the day the DC2 opened...! I am so thrilled to be back on this title, and even more thrilled that Roy Flinchum, my original partner on this title, is returning to cover duties with my first new regular issue, Adventure #11. Thanks for reading, D.L., and for the thoughtful feedback! Very glad you are excited for the direction we are going in, and hope to see you next issue! |
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Post by HoM on Jan 29, 2010 18:51:25 GMT -5
A fulfilling conclusion to an epic tale, one that I'm surprised only took two issues to tell (but then again, this issue was hella long, so there's that)! I loved the way Dave built on the Kryptonite Man that we glimpsed at the end of Action Comics Annual #3! That was very cool. Lytener very much became a tragic monster, and like I said before, it's my favourite kind. It was interesting to see that Superman's very presence strengthened K-Man's abilities, and because of that-- and even not because of that, but because of the fact that the Kryptonite Man was fueled by Kryptonite-- I can understand why Superman would send a Superman Robot in his stead! It made perfect sense (even if I'm not a fan of the "Reflecto" title, it just hurts my 21st Century mind ) with consideration to the threat, and I have no problem with that. This was world building at it's best, and I know I sing and dance about this stuff, but I love seeing the world expand in an issue. Metropolis gained so many dimensions within these pages, and I'm so glad to be part of it continuing into the ongoing. STAR, Daily Planet, all that, so good. And another glimpse at Mayor John Henry Irons! God, I wonder how he's dealing with all that new responsibility? Oh, how I wonder There were so many threads that began to emerge here-- the continuation of the Morgan Edge/Brainiac plot, one that I'm excited to continue in the second issue of my own Action Comics run that's coming in the next few months, and also running toward something special in the Summer. That should be awesome. The Evil Factory was a great compliment to not only Jack Kirby's Fourth World, but to Kevin Feeney and DC2's too, and those two dark gods are a brilliant addition to the Superman mythos. Should be great to see where they go. And not only that, but the distant rumble of General Zod's return, teased not only in the final pages (poor Maxima!) but also in the fantastic Nathan Kilburn cover that adorned this issue! Yeah, of course you had to use that line, of course you did, and it didn't hurt the issue one bit-- I find the inserting of those classic lines can sometimes take you out of an issue, such as "I AM IRON MAN!", "I'm Batman", or the aforementioned "KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!" but it was seamless, and worked well and truly. It's been too long since we last saw the General and his partner-in-devastation, and they deserve to return with a splash! And what better splash than a universal campaign of destruction!? I'm gonna accept none of the responsibility for the Superman/Lois relationship. To be fair, I didn't even edit this issue, so I don't see why I should That being said, this was a big old line in the sand from what came before and what's coming. Of course, the past will inform the future, but we needed to lay out our intentions for the stories to come, and what better way than making a massive statement on where we're going to take Superman and Lois? Their character dynamic is pivotal to the series, and you'll be seeing her throughout the two titles, as she rightly should do. I loved the symmetry in this story. We're looking back at the earliest stories of the DC2 with Zod, and we're moving slowly from the beginning to the future with Legion, Edward, Kellex (a personal favourite), John Henry, everything is important, but we shouldn't be marred in the past. It would defy the point. This is entrance level. Adventure Comics is the title I'd point new readers, because Dave writes accessible like it's mainlined into his veins. For someone looking for something new and exciting, different and unique, I'd point them toward Don's DC2 Comics Presents title, because for me, seeing Superman team-up with other heroes and villains is a thrill that I find cannot be matched. And for those of you liking a bit of the continuity intensive story-telling, Action Comics will be your go-to title, tying into events across the DC2, but also picking up threads from across the site into a continuity tight box for you. I'm looking forward to seeing it debut! On the topic of symmetry though, and seeing everything reflected in this little arc, the idea of Lytener being contained and defeated by the same machine that brought him to life as the Kryptonite Man? A stroke of sexy genius, if I do say so myself ;D All-in-all, this was a thrilling conclusion, and Adventure Comics, along with DC2 Comics Presents and Action Comics, is going to rock your world this coming year. 2010 and 2011 have been plotted out, and they're building to the single greatest Superman event we could every dream of writing. I promise you that. Great issue, Dave, and a wonderful cover from Nathan! Five stars! |
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Post by lissilambe on Jan 29, 2010 20:05:43 GMT -5
A huge issue filled with a large number of elements, all wrapped around the central story continued from the previous issue. The story of Kryptonite Man/Edward Lytener, and how those around him deal with him on an emotional and physical level, truly drives the story forward, and elevates this to more than a mere slugfest. Seeing the reaction to Superman's collapse in the first fight is always fun in super-hero stories, and seeing Superman deal with how to sit out and let his robot fight instead is always interesting. Superman having to learn to do things differently then normal is always a delight.
The subtleties of Lois and her relationship with Ed and with Clark (not Superman) was nicely handled, and I do like it when Clark and Lois interact like real colleagues, rather than pastiches of Silver Age stories where Lois existed only to find out Superman's real identity, and Clark's only reason for existence was to antagonize her while doing it. This was great, two people just coming together in the tragic wake of a peer's accident.
The foundation is now laid for the ongoing threats and obstacles for the Superman world: Evil Factory (fun characters), Zod (shown to be the powerful threat he should be), and as Charlie pointed out, the world-building in general was good to see.
Lots of strong elements put into place, with the previous part, and now crystallized by this annual, letting all the readers see the excitement of this new phase of Superman on DC2.
Take care
Don
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Post by Admin on Jan 30, 2010 9:43:13 GMT -5
A fulfilling conclusion to an epic tale, one that I'm surprised only took two issues to tell (but then again, this issue was hella long, so there's that)! Thanks, Charlie! I had fun laying the framework with you on Action Comics Annual #3, and am very proud of the overall two-part story we produced. Its going to be fun working on Superman with you this year! You know, the Kryptonite Man kinda snuck up on me--- I think we managed to create a pretty decent addition/update to Superman's rogues gallery, and most of that came from the ideas I took from you when we batted it around. Yeah, exactly: this is what a Superman Robot is for...! Not just to be where Superman can't be, but to do the things Superman can't do... Of course, Superman will always do what he needs to do, regardless of the consequence to himself. Not a fan of the Reflecto appellation? Hopefully folks will get the LSH reference there--- it seemed too good to pass up! Initially I was just going to give Kelex an overhaul but bringing in this new character seems to work better--- Reflecto will return! I'll bet you do! The richness of a city like Metropolis is part of the attraction of doing a Superman book. There is an awful lot to explore, and I look forward to digging into various aspects as we get into the ongoings. In fact, a lot of that stuff will be opened up in Adventure Comics #11 next month. For sure! Huge Brainiac story coming; going to be a lot of fun! Absolutely. The Fourth World can never be far removed from Superman, and the denizens of the Evil Factory will be plaguing Metropolis and the Man of Steel for a long time to come, I think. Glad you liked it ;D. Zod is a menace unlike any Superman has ever faced--- and it's personal for both of them. I cannot wait to get into what we have planned here, which should have some widespread repercussions--- I think we can genuinely say that Superman's life will be changed forever. LOL! I was only teasing. I was a slacker in getting it to you last minute--- though in my defense, it was pretty much the fastest I've written an issue (at least in recent years; my production the first three months of the site is still mind-boggling to me). Couldn't have said it better myself. Actually, Ceylon Pekoe tea is mainlined into my veins, but thank you very much for the kind words ;D. Very nice summation of where we are going with Superman in 2010. I am very excited about this stuff--- especially about collaborating with you and Don!--- and I hope we can bring the rest of the site with us on the crazy rides we have planned! It was pretty damn clever--- thanks for suggesting it, partner! Thanks, Charlie! I was so impressed with the effort Nathan put into that cover--- and after seeing Steven Howard's pin-up of Lois Lane, I think we have a definitive image! Well done to both of those fellows! Thanks for the feedback, sir! |
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Post by Admin on Jan 31, 2010 9:40:50 GMT -5
A huge issue filled with a large number of elements, all wrapped around the central story continued from the previous issue. Nice summation there, Don. Charlie and I are going to collaborate very closely, and you can expect a very close relationship between Action and Adventure in the coming year! Well, I hope that more than Edward's plight elevates this issue... There's a lot going on here, and I might even say the story of the Kryptonite Man is the least important (and least complex), even as engaging as I tried to make it. Glad it resonanted with you, though. Superman isn't the "shrewd tactician" that Batman is, but he's no fool, either. If there was a "David-Killing Man" out there and I had a super-powered robot, I'd send the robot out there, too ! The Lois stuff was a central part of this issue, and something I start building upon immediately as my new run begins (it's no coincidence that I asked Steven Howard for a pin-up of her for this annual); I hope to bring a new dimension to the character (at least inasmuch as she's been presented on the DC2), and to show why she's more than just Superman's Alfred. Glad you enjoyed seeing it! Hope it worked well for you! Thanks very much for reading, Don. I hope you liked the issue, and I really appreciate the feedback! |
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Post by HoM on Jan 31, 2010 10:11:36 GMT -5
If there was a "David-Killing Man" out there and I had a super-powered robot, I'd send the robot out there, too ! I lol'd. |
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Post by Admin on Jan 31, 2010 11:35:22 GMT -5
If there was a "David-Killing Man" out there and I had a super-powered robot, I'd send the robot out there, too ! I lol'd. What? It could happen. I have enemies. |
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Post by HoM on Jan 31, 2010 12:39:14 GMT -5
I lol'd. What? It could happen. I have enemies. ...And robot duplicates? |
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Post by Admin on Jan 31, 2010 13:37:54 GMT -5
What? It could happen. I have enemies. ...And robot duplicates? Well, no... not yet. ;D MWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!  |
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That scene just seemed really unnecessary and brought me down a little. The only scene that stopped this from being five stars. (Sorry, don't mean to be mean. :/) 
. But to answer your question, what I wanted to establish here was a profound, unequivocal connection, not the unspoken whatever-it-is that has always been there. A true relationship for Superman and Lois would not simply be him swooping up and rescuing her, then doing the quick change back to Clark to listen to her moon over her absentee boyfriend (not to mention everything else that goes with relationships, like the sex, meeting the parents, the arguments, the make-up sex, the socializing, the lovenotes and little gifts, and the sex 
). if this has happened, and I've managed to miss it (I think I've read every Superman story on-site, with the exception of Don's Justice League run, which is a criminal shame and which I fully intend to get to one of these days), then I totally blame my editor.
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