This week, you may have seen the new DC Animated movie called Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. Hell, if you’re reading this website, you probably saw my review and recommendation for that film. But what you may not have seen, however, is the original arc. It happened to feature the return of the Maid of Might from her death during the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Sure there was that strange version of Supergirl in the 90’s.but she wasn’t Kryptonian.
This one, however, was. Kara Zoe-El came to Earth in the wake of a giant Kryptonite meteor that barreled toward the planet and was exploited by everyone’s favorite president Lex Luthor. She landed in Gotham Harbor and was intercepted by Batman. Superman couldn’t because…well, there was a lot of Kryptonite in the environment. Superman was trapped in Batman’s Batcave until its safe for him to leave the confines of The Bat-Fortress of Solitude.
That’s when we meet the then-unknown Kara. Confused, scared, and new in a world that doesn’t even speak her language. Here, her fear is brilliantly captured both by the words Jeph Loeb wrote and the pictures that the late Michael Turner penciled.
Yes, it’s another book by the controversial writer Loeb. Sure, he’s had a rough time of it as of late. People constantly deride his later work at Marvel, but his work on this book is one of the better parts of one of my favorite runs in Superman or Batman mythology in the past decade.
It’d have been easy to make Superman and Batman welcome her with open arms (ok, maybe not Batman), but here, instead of simply being bait for a story with Darkseid, she’s a source of constant tension for the two main characters. Superman is a little less like himself. He’s overprotective and a little jealous. But why wouldn’t he be? This is the first tether he’s officially had to his family on Krypton.
Yes, Wonder Woman! This book also acts like a small unofficial crossover, with appearances from Wonder Woman, Big Barda, and even a who’s who of the entire DCU at the end.
And yes, the pencils. Michael Turner had been one of my favorite artists before his untimely death. He still remains a favorite of mine. And this book is no different. His female form is up there with Frank Cho when it comes to pure sexiness, and his superman is as graceful as his Batman is intimidating.
But the best part of his pencils is how utterly frightening his Darkseid is. He’s the perfect climax for a Hellish Apokalips in Michael Turner’s vision, as the scariest man should rule Hell, right? From the lowest Parademon to Granny Goodness herself, they’re all frightening, but Darkseid is king for a reason.
You should really check out this book if you haven’t already. It’s fun, it’s scary, and it debuts the star of one of the best comics in the Superman Family (according to Matt).
Buy it in trade here on Amazon or find it at your LCS.
