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.

DC Direct: Infinite Crisis Superman

DC Direct Infinite Crisis Superman

Superman had experienced a number of reboot since the Crisis on Infinite Earths DC Universe wide reboot. In an attempt to incorporate all of the elements of Superman's origins (as well as explain the changes that happened to Superman), DC initiates another Crisis. Dubbed as Infinite Crisis, Superman fights for the existence of his universe anew. Read on below for more details.

Superman by Phil Jimenez

Superman's relevance in the comic book industry had started to dwindle anew and despite DC's brave attempts to keep Superman relevant, there were no solid stories that were told. That realization came full circle in Infinite Crisis which was summarized in one comic bubble as he was told by Batman with the quote: "Everyone looks up to you. They listen to you. If you tell them to fight, they'll fight. But they need to be inspired. And let's face it, "Superman" ... the last time you really inspired anyone was when you were dead." Superman had his back on the corner, and DC had to do something about it. In Infinite Crisis, the surviving characters of the lone parallel DC Universe from the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, namely Superman and Lois of Earth 2, Alexander Luthor Jr. of Earth 3, and Superboy of Earth Prime, desires to change things to the way it used to be when they became fed up with the current universe's "mishandling" of their duties as Superheroes. Written by Geoff Johns (who was bringing back Pre-Crisis elements in the DC Universe) and pencilled by a rotating cast of artists (including Phil Jimenez, whose art was the basis of this Superman action figure), this story pitted Superheroes of the current Earth against the corrupted survivors of the old universe. This shake up eventually made the current heroes realize their wrong doings and this set the stage for DC to drop their "darker" stories in favor of more lighter stories reminiscent of the Golden Age of comic books. This storyline essentially relaunched DC Comics, which was highlighted in their One Year Later story arcs. These were stories set one year after the events of the Infinite Crisis.   

Looks goofy when standing up

The Action Figure: There were actually two DC Direct Infinite Crisis Superman action figures that were released, a single carded as well as part of the Infinite Crisis Box Set (with Batman, Wonder Woman, and OMAC). The single carded version featured the same figure (with minor changes) but was not sculpted to look battle damage. I settled for the Box Set version because I wanted to have a Superman who looks battle damage for my collection. The reason for that is because I wanted to do a display using a battle damaged Superman surrounded by his rogues gallery. That presentation can be seen in the photo below. And since this is a DC Direct action figure, again articulation isn't that many. The Infinite Crisis Superman features a ball jointed neck, ball jointed shoulders, hinged elbows, swivel right wrists (the singles version has both writs possessing swivel articulation), pivot hips, hinged knees, and hinged ankles. The figure comes with a cool looking Infinite Crisis base. I love how the figure was sculpted to look exactly like Phil Jimenez's art. The amount of details on the figure's battle damaged costume also looks quite cool. My only complain on the figure is that he is stuck in a goofy pose when he is not displayed in flight pose.  But nevertheless, this figure is quite a keeper in the greater scheme of things. Take a look at the photos below to get a clearer understanding of what I mean. 

Superman Defeated

Cadre of Superman's Super Villains

Superman Rises

Superman 226, Action Comics 836, and The Adventures of Superman 649

Defining comic book in my collection featuring this figure: I opted to feature the last Superman story before the post Infinite Crisis relaunch because this story features two Supermen (Golden Age and Modern Age) pitted against each other and having experienced to live each other's life. The Golden Age Superman has been trying to find a cure to the dying Golden Age Lois Lane's sickness, and the only way to save Lois life is to be able to restore their world. The Golden Age Superman allies with Alexander Luthor Jr. and Superboy Prime as they try to bring back their respective worlds and create a perfect world. This three issue story arc tells a story in a "this was your life" kind of way with both Superman having to live each other's respective life. The Modern Age Superman was able to live the Golden Age Superman's life in a way that he knows only to die in the end at the hands of the Anti-Monitor during the Crisis on Infinite Earths event as he now operates alone after the other Superheroes hanged up their costumes because of Superman's presence. Meanwhile, the Golden Age Superman also lives out the Modern Age Superman's life and made some changes with how he dealt with the darker aspects of the Modern Age Superman's life. In his take, Superman survives in his battle with Doomsday and allies himself with the Elite and other more "darker" Superheroes. Displaying a more brasher brand of fighting crime. In his battle with the OMACs, the Golden Age Superman fails to save the world and he becomes the last surviving person on Earth. Both Superman realizes that both worlds are far from perfect, and decides to fight each other in hopes of being able to re-install their own world. The story is continued in Infinite Crisis where the Golden Age Lois eventually dies and a remorseful Golden Age Superman realizes that he chose the wrong side. He finally teamed up with the Modern Age Superman as they take down Superboy Prime. The Golden Age Superman dies in the end because of the injuries he suffered while fighting Superboy Prime. The Modern Age Superman on the other hand loses his powers and decides to take a leave of absence in fighting crime until his powers would return. Superman's powers eventually returns in the action packed story arc entitled Up, Up, and Away, which was set one year after the events of Infinite Crisis.  

Modern Age Superman

Modern Age v.s. Golden Age

The Golden Age Superman takes a pounding

Modern Age Superman v.s. the Deranged Superboy Prime

Superman v.s. Superboy

Superman confronts Alex Luthor Jr.

DC Direct Infinite Crisis Superman with the Phil Jimenez Art

That's it for this entry. Join me in my next entry as I review a Superman action figure based on the art of Ethan Van Sciver.