From: [c--ve--n] at [cae.wisc.edu] (Michael Blakeman Cleveland)
Subject: ZERO HOUR SUMMARIES: 3/7: SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #37
Date: 18 Jul 1994 16:49:21 GMT


Non-spoiler review (if you've seen the cover):  Although the whole issue
revolves around a time anomaly, the only direct crossover with ZH occurs
at the end of the issue.

I've always known that Bogdanove can draw well, and so it's always
irritated me that he chooses not to.  He proves his skill by copying
several classic Batman art styles (Adams, Miller, Kane, Sprang. (Now
that I think about he didn't do an Aparo drawing, did he?) Other
people will recognize the styles better than I do.

The writing is blase, and the only things enjoyable about the issue are
the homages to the Batman artists.  Best cover of the series so far, though.

Recommendation for non-Superman fans: Skip it unless you're a long-time
Batman fan, and will appreciate the Batmen.

Summary w/ spoilers:
^L
(I _know_ that didn't work, so spoiler space...)







































A rock group (Shredding something? Arrgh.) is putting on a benefit
concert to help reconstruct Metropolis. Most of the supporting cast are
there:  Jimmy and Ron Troupe to cover the story.  Perry and Alice White
brought Keith.  Jeb organized the concert.  Why is Emil Hamilton there?
Oh, and Lois and Clark, of course.  Clark sees a Morse code message from
a nearby rooftop and goes to meet Batman there.  In a very familiar
exchange of dialogue (if you've already read Zero Hour), a Neal Adams-esque
(I think) Batman tells Superman about time anomalies occuring in Gotham
City.  (Batman asks about Superman's long hair and has no memory of a 
broken back.)  Then a Frank Miller-esque Batman shows up (w/ some Frank
Miller-esque thugs) to add to the confusion.  A third Batman (whose style
I don't recognize) also shows up.

As Babe, the lead singer of Shredding whatevers, takes the stage, the 
Miller-esque thugs regroup and attack, calling her evil and declaring
that she's a judgment on Metropolis.  Superman and the Batmen subdue the
thugs without anyone at the concert knowing what's going on.  One thug
apparently shoots Babe, but she continues on.  At the culmination of the
show, she turns into a bat ("Great special effects.").  After the show,
Jimmy and Ron go backstage to congratulate her.  She has fake blood on
her lips (but come on, if she isn't really a vampire, I'll eat my cowl.)

Superman and the Batmen find Doc Hamilton and go back to his lab. Suddenly,
the Batmen start changing from version to version and ultimately disappear.
Hamilton suggests that Superman contact the real Batman, when Superman 
realizes that Batman is trying to contact him. He flies off to meet him.

(continued in Zero Hour #4, but more fun to read after it.)

The plot impressed me more on a second reading,  (Man, I must have been
_really_ distracted the first time through.) but overall I wasn't
impressed.  Bog's homage art is great, but his own style sucks.  3/10