Customer Reviews

Superman: The Doomsday Wars

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The gray-skinned, muscle-bound Doomsday was custom-designed to kill Superman. Their climactic battle, which spanned several issues of the Superman comic, ended with both landing fatal blows. Superman died but, as we all knew he would, got better.

And, since Superman was resurrected after the battle, it's only fair that Doomsday was, too. Of course, with both fatalities reversed, any real impact of the storyline was negated, but that's one of those issues comic-book publishers rarely think through.

Anyway, that brings us to "The Doomsday Wars," which is Doomsday's third appearance (after dying twice). This time, the bony behometh is rescued from oblivion by the alien genius Brainiac, who poured his superior intellect into Doomsday's body to create an unstoppable killing and thinking machine. Of course, Superman will stop him, right?

Ah, but boyhood sweetheart Lana Lang has just delivered a premature baby, and Superman must fly the infant to a distant hospital in hopes of saving its life. Granted, his flight path takes him right over Doomsday's swath of destruction, where the broken bodies of the JLA litter his path, but Superman has decided that saving one infant's life is more important than saving hundreds of civilians in the monster's way, so he's not stopping. Or rather, he doesn't want to stop, but Doomsday/Brainiac has other plans.

The story boils down to a big slugfest, with JLA heroes sadly ineffective and Superman mostly distracted. And somehow it all hinges on a bunch of cows that died on Pa Kent's farm when Superman was an unpowered teen.

The art by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund is good, but Jurgens' story needs more punch.

by Tom Knapp, Rambles.(n e t) editor

This book probably has the worse Superman/Doomsday battle ever fought. Although the beginning was strong, this book does not live up to Superman standards. The only good thing about this book was the interesting story about a blizzard that hit the Kent farm when Clark was just barely beginning to develope his powers. Only get this book if you are either a Superman collector, or if you enjoy looking at pretty pictures.

I think all the low ratings of this come from those expecting an action-packed comic, as suggested by the name "Doomsday Wars." In fact, it's somewhat of an inaccurate name, as Doomsday shows up for what seems like a brief visit, and half of his villainy is actually the infamous Braniac. That, and the true storyline (not a subplot by any means) is about Superman's impossible quest to save everyone and always be the hero.

The situation at hand is really a device to show why this guy is often referred to as a "boyscout" : with the failure to protect Cat Grant's child and his father's herd in his mind, he ignores a signal for help from the Justice League to take Lana Lang's dying child to a more capable hospital. Of course, the reason why the JLA needed help is exactly why getting to that hospital will be a rough ride: Doomsday.

What ensues is a terribly tense situation of trying to shield a dying, premature baby while in flight and being relentlessly attacked by Doomsday; Superman doesn't fight much because he simply can't.

The result is a teency-bit predictable end of being able to save the day in both ways, and great characterization of our boyscout. Action may be exciting, but the modern Superman is less about aggression than about protecting the helpless - exactly his mission in this novel.

Besides story, like in any good TPB, there are those snippets of great artwork that are difficult to look away from.

Less action than you might expect, but certainly not to the extent of Peace on Earth Superman. Well worth seeking, even if a used copy.

{MAJOR SPOILERS} this is a cool book. due to "Zero hour" A lackey of brainiac was able to save doomsday from the end of time. brainiac's body was damaged in a battle with superman and now he wants to get into doomsday's body. lana lang was in a car accident and her baby was born premarturely with injuries, and superman is trying to get the baby to a hospital that can heal him. brainiac wants to use tissue from the baby to clone a new doomsday body that he can control without problems.

p.s. superman puts doomsday into four transport tubes on the moon which divides him 25 percent and if anyone tires to take him it will send him to a place only superman knows about. green lantern says the the batteries will last centuries. well what will happen when they run out!?

heros: superman, wonder woman, green lantern, flash, orion martian manhunter, plastic man, huntress, lois lane, jimmy olsen, cat grant, turpin, pete ross, lana lang, perry white, the kents.
heros in zero hour flashblack.

villans: doomsday, brainiac, toyman {mentioned}.

i picked up this book to get some background on "the big boyscout"as batman refers to him,vs doomsday.i was very shocked how strong the story was.superman knows first hand how dangerous this foe can be.he is torn between doing what he should do and saving an old friends child.the story kept me at the edge of my seat.i have read it over 3 times.some say that this book is too soft,i say it is full of action and makes you think.you will not be disapointed.

I've read three storylines with Doomsday in it; the original Death of Superman, Superman Hunter/Prey, and now this. Although I didn't like the first one I enjoyed the Supes' rematch with Doomsday and the Doomsday Wars is also highly enjoyable. The other storylines mixed into the story only manage to make it more interesting and emotional. Very good. Too bad it's out of stock at the moment.

This book was good to read, but it really doesn't compare to the far more superiorSuperman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey This was more of a let down. It had its moment but nothing memorable.At this stage Doomsday became more of a joke than a menace.

This book like most DC stories in the last decade, started out great, then falls apart, and you're left with an unsatisfying ending. The return of Doomsday is poorly handeled and the explaination for it makes about as much sense as putting pepper in a hot chilli bowl. The Man of Steel has become a poorly written soap opera type comic book and this graphic novel is an example of that. Avoid it please,

my item arrived in brand new condition and i was very happy with my purchase

I my self am a Doomsday fan , but there is a lot to be said about Doomsday coming back in here , after superman death and come back , and doomsday complete and ultimate Arase of space & time , it?s hard to swallow doomsday with Brainiac brain , also the fabric of an infant and 40 cows mixed on this story is less then I could care for .

however the graphics are fine , the story line is amusing ( even if it?s a more a mushy mushy women?s comic book then men?s) and that only disserve 2 stars in my book .