Retro Review: The Second Coming of Superman!
First Impressions:
Cary Bates and Curt Swan put together a special Superman issue back in 1977. This was the time of the Dollar Comic where you could get 80 pages of your favorite superhero with minimal ads in a one-shot story.
Who would'a thought?
Basic Plot:
The tale is billed as a "63-page Epic" that starts off with Superman on a space mission saving a space pilot. The story evolves from there to Lex Luthor being captured by an alien race, the Quorxa, who have been living secretly on Earth as immortal beings for millions of years on an island, descendants of a long-forgotten interstellar war.
They worship Superman, a religion started millions of years ago when Supes, on a time-travel mission, inadvertently kicked up some radioactive rocks that gave the Quorxans immortality.
Lex and Brainiac get into the picture and figure they can use this radiation to sap Supes and kill him for sure.
Several things wrong with this story. In the tale, there is an earthquake in Metropolis and a large statue of Superman falls apart. He saves the people by bouncing the head into the ocean before it crushes the citizens. It ends up near Atlantis. The merpeople complain about what an ingrate Superman is since they in fact built this statute. Trouble is, we never wrap that part of the story up at all! Does Lori Lemaris ever confront Superman about this? We never know.
Lex escapes from the Quorxan prison. What's the Quorxan's reaction? Do they find out that he stole their "Bible?" We never know.
Despite these, it is clear Cary and Curt are making a point of devout worship to a point of blind servitude. Also how ancient texts could evolve and change over the centuries to be completely different than what the original writers intended.
The last part of the comic has a discussion about whether Superman should marry ! Of all people Jerry Siegel puts in his two cents and says "No!" As you may know, Jerry and Joe Shuster invented Superman in the first place in 1938. Fascinating article.
Bottom Line:
Interesting Lex & Brainiac story. Brainiac has his own agenda. And the Quorxan's have theirs. Their faith is shaken but not destroyed. Lex's and Brainiac's faith in science is also put to test. And finally, Superman's intention to help and to puzzle things out is especially fun to read about. Despite the plot-holes, not a bad issue at all.
Overstreet Price Guide 40th Edition (comic listed as "DC Special Series No. 5"), Near Mint price for this one: $26.00