Friday, January 22, 2021
Today, Superman vs. Venoms Marvel's legal department!
OK, they aren't really Venoms; they just really look like them. Venom-adjacent. Also, I think I knew this variant cover with Green Lanterns didn't have anything do to with the actual comic; but Superman wasn't even in the same costume! From 2015, Action Comics #44, "Hard Truth, part four" Written by Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder, art by Aaron Kuder and Howard Porter.
As usual, I'm coming in late here, but this is t-shirt and jeans Superman, and his identity is public here! His powers have also been fading, as shadow monsters keep attacking Metropolis, apparently controlled by the mayor! Announcing herself as "Wrath" (and no relation to the Batman villain, sadly) she throws down with the furious Supes, even though he knows she is feeding on his anger. Elsewhere in Metropolis, angry citizens, seemingly infected by the shadow, turn on the others; although they sound like they were already turning on them, pointing the finger at Superman and his supporters.
When a cop that previously didn't like him now nearly dies defending him, Superman decides not all anger deserves the punishment of Wrath: "...this is righteous." That may be splitting hairs, since it doesn't appear to slow her down any. Laughing, Wrath disappears (after getting clocked with a motorcycle) since she and her shadows were now "ready for the real fight." Elsewhere, Superman's friend Lee is infected with the shadow, but uses it for good, saving people trapped in a burning building. Could she stay in control of it?
The people of Metropolis come together in the aftermath, at least a little. Superman is still hurt that he's not "everyone's friend," but instead of sulking sets out in search of Wrath, who visits a sleazy hotel to meet up with her friends...
Jimmy Olsen is in here, but he's the only traditional supporting cast member present this issue. I'm not sure if that was the status quo for the time, or how long Superman's secret identity was public this time around, but not a bad issue.
SMH. Fucking Morrison man. Look, I get what he tried to do by taking Superman back to his socially aware/progressive, pre-50's roots and all, and that was very admirable. But then he mucked it all up by being overly-clever and over complicated the whole thing. Plus the whole Jeans and a t-shirt look never should've been allowed to be a thing for Superman. Conner yes, Clark no.
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