Mild Mannered Reviews - Regular Superman Comics

Adventures of Superman #587

Adventures of Superman #587

Scheduled to arrive in stores: December 13, 2000

Cover date: February 2001

2001 Shield No. 7

Writer: J. M. DeMatteis and Joe Casey
Penciller: Mike Miller
Inker: Jose Marzan Jr.

"Metropolis: Hell of a Town!"

Reviewed by: Nick Newman (

Superman, Rampage, Thorn, and the mysterious Night Owl stand opposing Satanus. The demon stands triumphant over Metropolis, claiming the city as his own. Superman goes to face Satanus alone. The Man of Steel gets one blow in before Satanus disappears and the Rail Whale comes heading for the assembled heroes.

Lois and Ron help Lucy with her beginning childbirth in their apartment. Suddenly a knock comes from the door and Lois opens it to find her parents. Shocked at their appearance, Lois lets them in shortly before Lucy decides it is time to go to the hospital, now.

The Rail Whale comes to a stop, the front of the train bearing a demonic face. The three heroes board it, but Night Owl stays behind. Apparently, only Superman can see her. On the train, the three are attacked by zombies. Rampage reverts back to Kitty, but is saved by Superman. In the front car, Thorn attempts to subdue Mudge, who is controlling the train, but only succeeds in causing the train to crash into a building.

In a Metropolis cemetery, Luthor bids farewell to his parents' graves. He will not miss them, but he will miss his city.

Climbing out of the train, Superman and Kitty find Thorn lying on the ground, her mind destroyed courtesy of Mudge. Outside, the buildings of Metropolis have been distorted by Satanus' power. Thorn rises from the ground and tells Superman that he is the soul of the city; he must save them. Enraged, Superman flies into the sky. His influence strengthens Metropolis and Satanus is rejected from the city. Satanus recoils momentarily as Superman begins his assault.

In the hospital, Lucy strains and finally gives birth to her son, Sam Troupe.

Superman stands defeated, his last attack having had no effect on the demon. He concedes to Satanus, and in exchange for Metropolis, sells his soul. He is given a brief moment to see Lois before he descends with Satanus. 2Story - 2: Why do we need to read this? I don't think that Metropolis needs a "soul" and I don't think that we need to be constantly reminded that Superman is a pure spirit. It is also annoying to see second-string characters like Thorn and Rampage if they don't have any real purpose. And the new character Night Owl is completely pointless. Finally, my biggest gripe about the issue... In the beginning Superman tells the girls that Satanus cannot be trusted, and yet he sells his soul to him trusting that Metropolis will not be harmed. Superman would not give up the fight. Who would be there to protect Lois afterwards? I am sick of the stereotypical hero always sacrificing himself in the hope that the villain will keep his word. DeMatteis did wonderful work with the Justice League (check them out from 1987-1989) but he just isn't working on Superman. I won't be too sorry to see him go.

3Art - 3: The art's not too great either. We see the skinny Superman with the slender little face that makes him look like a weakling. We really need to get a decent artist on this title.

4Cover Art - 4: The cover has a good symbolic layout, but the art ruins it for me. Superman doesn't look super; he looks like a skinny little kid. Spiderman can be skinny but Superman needs some bulk.

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