Superman Through the Ages! Forum

None of this makes me want to pick up any issues, but here it is anyway. Of all the Sliver Age ideas, they decided to bring back this one?

(http://www.newsarama.com/SDCC05/DC/DCU/SMBM_24_CVR.jpg)

http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=88a3de5d07dc7b58b43e834fd4a99df6&threadid=38365

Superman/Batman is a decent comic, but that didn't really make me want to buy any either, and I still won't until All-Star Superman. There have only been a few really good Superman comics in the last few years- Birthright, Bizarro Comics, and It's a Bird... are all that come immediately to mind.

Who are they? Super sons?

By the way, I'm very interested in the current stories.

Here's the DC solicit:

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SUPERMAN/BATMAN

The fantastic tale "With a Vengeance" continues in SUPERMAN/ BATMAN, written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines. In October's issue 24, the fate of the universe hangs in the balance unless Batwoman and Superwoman can save the day — with the help of Superlad!

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Okay, let's see what we can make out of this...

Superman/Batman has seen a flood of "retro" elements and one-shot "tributes", such as a Composite Superman robot, Lex Luthor reverting to his "crazed scientist in a warsuit" incarnation, a new Supergirl, multi-colored kryptonite, etc.  There has also been a recent alternate timeline story where we had glimpses of Kamandi, the Adult Legion of Super-Heroes (and their upside-down rocket clubhouse), the Legion of Super-Villians, Jordan Elliot from "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" and so on.  In short, Superman/Batman has been a mess.   :wink:

"Batwoman" -- long associated with Kathy Kane, though not in current DC continuity.

"Superwoman" -- though used by the Earth-3 villainess (and her current counterpart in the Crime Syndicate of Amerika), this was also the identity of the Pre-Crisis Kristin Wells.  Also, Kara Zor-El often voiced the expectation that she would someday don the "Superwoman" identity.

"Superlad" -- In Supergirl #10 (Sept/Oct 1974) Dr. Forte creates a MALE clone of Supergirl (but where did he get that Y chromosome?), which becomes a criminal Superlad.  Yet  another horrible story that blighted this series.  Now you wonder why Supergirl was cancelled immediately afterwards?   :wink:

Back in Superman #349 (July 1980), Mr. Mxyztplk once created a "reverse-gender" world -- "The Turnabout Trap!"  See http://www.tgfa.org/comics/superman/images/Superman_349_Cover.jpg for the cover.  Judging from the costumes depicted on Superman/Batman #24 (Batwoman not in tradtional gold costume but in a Batsuit, Superwoman in traditional "red and blues" with black hair, Superlad in gold-edged cape and blond hair), it appears that this is a similar scenario.  This doesn't mean that Bruce, Clark and Kara necessarilly undergo a change -- it could be an alternate world or timeline.

Scary how Superwoman's face reminds me of Cir-El...   :wink:

Argh, I hated Cir-El...

Supergirl = sweet blonde girl with a Superman costume.
And Cir-El wasn't this.

ok, so if they bring Kristin Wells back that might convince me to buy a comic or two.

I keep up with current comics (Infinite Crisis stuff) but that's only to see if stuff reverts back to the way it was. Loeb is the only person who seems to care about "retro" things, so I doubt it. After all, Rucka is in charge of the series, and he's the one who turned Pete ross into a Lobo-like villian.

Geesh, what a super-nerd, dto actually got my reference... :shock:

 :P

Kinda gives new meaning to the phrase World's Finest. . .  :twisted:

 I know, I know. But eventually somebody was gonna say it. ;)

 -Def.

Super-nerd?   :shock:

Super Monkey called me a "Super-NERD"?!   :evil:

Grrr... where's those green kryptonite bananas?   :twisted:

ACTUALLY, I came across Superman #349 when I was doing my own research into alternate Supergirls/Superwomen, etc.  And unfortunately despite my best efforts I still can't get that wretched story concept out of my head.   :wink:

And I'll agree with Super Monkey -- this is ONE hoary Silver/Bronze Age idea that SHOULD remain buried and forgotten on the other side of the Crisis Anti-Matter wall.

I don't think so. Could really Pete become a villain? I think someone has framed him.

Any mention or remembrance of the Silver Age is fine by me. Modern writers abandon it like the crazy old uncle at the family reunion - stories they've never even read.

But this can give root to some creative speculation: what if Superman - Kal-El, WAS a woman?

Perhaps it would be Lois Lane that is Superwoman's Best Pal, not poor Jimmy, and she'd wear the signal watch. She'd be Superwoman's gossipy "Best Girlfriend!" Of course, she'd still be snoopy and pry into Superwoman's secret identity, as one would expect.

Of course, the human disguise would be a little different. Tina Fey once remarked: "If you think wearing glasses with a pony tail would keep men from noticing you...well...you'd be right."

Her relationship with Kara Zor-El would be a little more profound and they would be far closer friends. After all, no matter how close they are, there is still a profound difference between a 30 year old man and a 16 year old girl. It may be likely Superwoman, if she has maternal instincts, would have adopted Kara herself instead of leaving her to an Orphanage, leading to a "Gilmore Girls" situation.

Maybe Pete Ross was Brooke Kent's (or whatever's) old "steady," or flame, instead of buddy, which implies a magnified role for him than he possessed in the Superman series.

Luthor's relationship with Superwoman would be more or less the same; his rage and frustration and jealousy magnified all the more because he's beaten by "a woman."

Superwoman's relationship with other enemies would acquire creepier overtones. For one thing, Mongul the Space-Tyrant or King Kosmos would give ultamatums like, "I will spare your wretched planet Earth...if Superwoman would consent to be my bride."

One has to feel sorry, though, for poor Dick Grayson in all this, though. Puberty is a very frightening and awkward time. When I was 13, I couldn't muster up the courage to TALK to any girls. And he occasionally has to team up with an intimidating, movie star quality dame like Superwoman. Poor kid must be scared to death.

And finally, on a bright note, it is entirely likely a cure for Kryptonite would be found and the Bottled City of Kandor enlarged to normal size way ahead of schedule. Isn't it just like a man to leave unfinished tasks lying around?  :D