DC Direct: The Enemies Among Us Superman

Enemies Among Us Superman

What happens when Superman's "alien" roots gets amplified and we see Earth's greatest protector turn against the planet that he uses to protect? This entry will feature that story by veteran TV series writer/producer Mark Verheiden, one of the producers of the Smallville T.V. series. With art by Ethan Van Sciver, where this action figure's design was based from.

DC Direct Superman

The Superman/Batman comic book (which was originally kick started by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness) was turned over to able hands under the writing direction of Mark Verheiden after more than two years under the guiding hands of Loeb. Verheiden, who was one of the executive producers of the Smallville TV series, wasted no time to craft a story that would dwell about Superman and other Earth based alien superheroes' alien roots, and their plan of turning against Earth. Verheiden (who at that time was also the writer of the main Superman title), completed a 10 issue run in the Superman/Batman title with Enemies Among Us as his centerpiece story. He was partnered by Ethan Van Sciver in the first three issues of the said title. I'm actually not a fan of Van Sciver's work (who's art I first came across in his New X-Men run with Grant Morrison), as it looks too weird for my taste. Though his art complemented well with Morrison's weird New X-Men take, the same can be said in his partnership with Verheiden as the story mostly dealt with aliens and the like. Van Sciver however became DC's preferred artist when they relaunched their Green Lantern and Flash books, two story arcs that brought back the most popular Green Lantern and Flash characters, namely Hal Jordan and Barry Allen. But back to the Superman/Batman title, unfortunately, this was the last story arc that I bought for this title. I haven't missed a single issue since the beginning of Loeb and McGuiness' run. I think the title lost it's luster the moment Loeb left the book. I'll be expounding the story arc in my posts below.

 

Ethan Van Sciver's Superman

The Action Figure: Though I'm not much of a fan of Van Sciver's work, this action figure based from his art is another thing. I think this is the most muscle ripped Superman action figure that I have ever seen. The figure very much reminds of the Kenner Total Justice action figures. Those figures by Kenner featured exaggerated sculpts and poses, very much similar to how this action figure is presented. Superman has those highly detailed packed muscles all over him, giving him a look that looks so intimidating as an action figure. This Enemies Among Us toy line from DC Direct also featured action figures of Batman, Green Lantern, and Despero. All of these was again based on the art of Ethan Van Sciver. This action figure came with an alternate alien head that was designed by Sciver as well as a base stand. Unfortunately, I bought this Superman loose without his accessories. Alas, I can only feature the Superman look in this review. Since this is a DC Direct action figure, it features those standard DC Direct articulations. He sports a ball jointed neck, ball jointed shoulders, hinged elbows, swivel wrists, pivot hips, and hinged knees. Unfortunately, just like the McGuinness action figure, he doesn't sport a swivel waist. I must say that this Superman action figure is a must have for those who prefers to see a muscle ripped Superman in their collection. More action photos below.

Up Up and Away

Do I see a slight Christopher Reeve likeness?

The Enemies Among Us Comic Book

Defining comic book in my collection featuring this figure: In The Enemies Among Us story arc, Earth based aliens like Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern begins attacking Batman and Superman. Puzzled by these developments, Batman deduces that there is someone out there controlling these aliens. His suspicions were validated when Superman begins to even question his purpose on Earth. Superman eventually was brainwashed along with other alien superheroes, leaving Batman with no choice but to turn to Superman's arch foe, Lex Luthor, for help. Luthor has Batman and Plastic Man retrieve an artifact called the Blackrock in Superman's Fortress of Solitude as Luthor thinks that this is the key to Earth's survival. Batman unfortunately gets corrupted by the Blackrock and being alien in origin, eventually turns Batman under the control of the alien invaders. Superman's love for Lois would eventually help Superman break free from the alien's mind control and he engages Batman in a slugfest until the Blackrock lost it's control of Batman. Just when Superman and Batman started formulating a plan to defeat the aliens, the Justice League's alien foe Despero emerges, and it is revealed that it was his trickery that led the mind controlling aliens to destroy Earth. The mind controlling alien's mission is to destroy life forms that are not fit for survival. Despero, out of his desire for revenge against the heroes of Earth, convinces the aliens that humanity is unfit for survival. Superman eventually reason's with the aliens and asks the aliens to leave Earth and allow humanity to live. The aliens began reading deeper into Superman and Batman's minds and found the human race's potential for greatness. The aliens let's go of the minds of the mind-controlled alien superheroes and leaves planet Earth alone. Despero on the other hand as usual is defeated. Enemies among us actually is not that bad. I guess I was just too turned off by Van Sciver's art work and the succeeding artist replacements for the succeeding issues. I'll end this entry with some re-enacted action shots from the comic book story arc below.

Superman and Batman

Alien Invaders Martian Manhunter and Superman

Superman v.s. Batman

Superman v.s. Despero

Forever American?

Stay tuned for my next entry as Superman embarks on an adventure under the guiding hands of Geoff Johns and 1978 Superman Movie director Richard Donner with art by Adam Kubert.