Superman: Year One (700TH EPISODE) - Atop the Fourth Wall

[@keyblademasterclark]

Can we all take time to appreciate that Lewis's parents not only support him doing this silly little show, but they often contribute to it as well? The Lovhaugs are an awesome family

[@insanemindset2667]

They certainly live up to their surnames. They are Love-Hogs because they possess a lot of positive traits, both common and rare, that is deserving of all the love in the world.

[@esean1]

Hear, hear!

[@digifan02]

Just to inform some of the military comments. Its perfectly normal for the genders to be seperated during basic training, i was there for roughly 5 months before i left due to an injury. Didnt see a single woman that entire time And if memory serves it took about a month before i actually got to leave, 2 weeks at the very least, and there were others there longer. I imagine this could be even worse on a boat as they couldnt just dock to let you off and disrupt the ships entire schedule. They have you doing menial chores the entire time more or less

[@bethanymcmurtrey9542]

I just love your parents' involvement in this review. We never would have reached this milestone without their love and support.

[@JoeChillton]

They should do a podcast reviewing the reviews in a state of everlasting confusion lol

[@MegamanNG]

It reminds me of American Movie.

[@calebmarmon1310]

@@JoeChillton “People reacting in a state of everlasting confusion” is a large part of my podcast diet. You may have something there.

[@SuperHothead14]

I love his dad’s line delivery. The comedic timing is perfect

[@homuraakemi103]

@@JoeChillton “So then our son talks some god to death or something?”

[@HypeVoiceActing]

I get the feeling Frank was heavily supervised during the first half of the story, and when DC thought "huh, I guess Frank is doing okay." and left him alone for the second half, *that's* when Frank went to town

[@bthsr7113]

Okay, I guess I can let you off the leash for a little while. I'm sure it will be fine this time..... 1 chase full of embarrassment and fines later. Nope, need to keep you on the leash still. Maybe I'll remember next time.

[@Shadethewolfy]

@@bthsr7113 Forget leash. Franky boy needs to be in a full-on harness, blindfold, plug gag and a shock collar. Full-on restraint gear. And the blindfold is the hypnovisor kind that brainwashes him into being an actually decent person.

[@Shinigami13133]

​@@Shadethewolfy dude... what?

[@Shadethewolfy]

@@Shinigami13133 Someone said he needs to be on a leash; I took it further and said he needed to be full-on restrained and hypnotized into being a good person.

[@tykamen5588]

Big mistake on DC's part

[@foxfireinferno197]

Gotta *LOVE* the way the *CAPTIONS* randomly *BOLD* words for no *REASON* .

[@Wreckur4203]

😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣 omg!!! tuve que leerlo en voz alta apenas lo ví!!!

[@peggyliepmann5248]

Kitty demands attention, and what Kitty wants, Kitty gets.

[@neoforrester4401]

Why does that remind me of Malcolm in the Middle?

[@maxxjapan619]

You said it wrong. It should be. Kitty DEMANDS attention! DEMANDS kit. And what kitty WANTS! Kitty GETS! Kitty GETS it. Whatever kitty WANTS!

[@ronniedeen3651]

...shouldn't she have said "become my consort and be King" rather than "make me your Queen". It's a minor thing but it's another tell of Miller's inability to give women agency in his stories since Lori makes herself the object for Clark to make her royalty rather than vice versa. It's her kingdom under the sea after all.

[@tunafour-shoes4618]

So here's something I've noticed about how Miller writes women. He really seems to have a thing for "female submission". Most of his female characters say things reminiscent off "Make me Yours." to the Heroes, while the male villains threaten a lot with s*xual violence. Women in Millers work either submit to a strong man, or is subjugated by another. And while there is nothing wrong with this type of kink (when practiced with mutual consent, and risk awareness) but the way Miller writes it, just comes across as gross. He seems to write from the perspective that once a woman has submitted, she can't do anything else. Even if they do other things in the story, their character seemingly never progresses beyond that point. In this story, for example. Lori is written out of the story, after half an issue with Clark pursuing her. It kinda smells like Miller has no respect for consent. That in his work "Yes, Once" means "Yes, Always". And after that initial "Yes" the character has no further purpose. Because they've reached their conclusion as a character.

[@ruby7951]

Part of what's so gross about it is that the women never come across like they want sex for their own pleasure. It's written like they just instinctively know that they're supposed to submit to the biggest alpha in the room. It's so skeevy. Which is fine if you're writing a skeevy noir comic, but as Lewis keeps pointing out, Frank started writing Sin City and never stopped.

[@Bezaliel13]

I see nothing wrong in this type of writing... for a *porno.* jk

[@Jai137]

@@ruby7951 er.. I think it's okay for women who want sex for their own pleasure. I guess the issue is that they need their own agency, not just submit to a strong man

[@jamesadamsfl]

@@ruby7951 At least in Sin City, the women were more than just sex objects. That no longer seems to mean anything to Miller.

[@Thrakus]

He takes it to cheaply messed up levels pasted anyone being able to say it's fan service, Like holy terror Shibari fetish he has going on. I feel if it adds to the story and has a point then fine as long as it does not become the only thing you do, Most of all not done in a form of hate or is putting people down.

[@teridax4]

It’s kinda funny that all these origin comics have Year One in their titles despite the fact that Batman:Year One was titled that because it took place over several months and was the literal first year of his career as Batman. In this comic it’s about Clark’s entire early life including before he even became Superman

[@bthsr7113]

Yeah, that is a bit weird.

[@thomasraines1396]

I’m guessing the title was thought to be so catchy regardless of if it actually makes sense.

[@reidheidler5138]

@@thomasraines1396 Like most things in comics (and, actually, most genre-specific tropes in general)

[@LARKXHIN]

It's been YEARS and I am so happy to see "Over there" is still a gag.

[@arlenfreeman3439]

This started out with a flawed, but interesting, retelling of Superman's origin, then devolved into Crazy Steve vs Beardless Idiot.

[@DinoDave150]

With a special guest appearance by Bonkers Betty.

[@alionfish5]

With a useless detour to Atlantis between to the two part.

[@sockpuppy8811]

@@DinoDave150 I think Bonkers Betty just wanted to show off her new power : Complete Skeleton Dislocation !

[@stefanowohsdioghasdhisdg4806]

It's a real trip of a miniseries. Part one is the origin from Man of Steel actually done (mostly) well Part two is a decent origin/early days story... for Aquaman Part three is Batman v Superman but even less coherent (Lex Luthor pitting then against each other for an evil plan, a random appearance by Wonder Woman for some reason, leading into Justice League, a completely out of nowhere introduction of a classic Superman villain at the end ... it's uncanny) Are we sure Frank Miller wrote all of this? Hell, are we sure the same person wrote all of this and they didn't have a ghostwriter do issue one and just adapted an unused Aquaman story for issue two? And Batman v Superman did have influences from Frank Miller... could it have maybe been partially inspired by issue 3 of Superman: Year One?

[@KertaDrake]

@@sockpuppy8811 When you try to copy Plastic Man, but it only works on your bones...

[@elinorwinchester9067]

My favorite line of the whole review: “The real world is stranger and stupider than fiction.” It’s perfect, and true

[@bthsr7113]

I was told that as a kid. I have only seen it become more true through things like Radio Dead Air and the Extra Credits video on the Erfurt Latrine disaster.

[@dnmstarsi]

That needs to be on a shirt.

[@Archon3960]

I also have this to add: _"The difference between reality and fiction? Fiction usually makes sense."_

[@alexjewett7455]

The existence of goblin sharks is more than enough evidence of that. (How the blobfish was named ugliest animal with that monstrosity around, I'll never know.)

[@hitomisalazar4073]

@@Archon3960 Was a Mark Twain quote originally as I recall. "Truth has the advantage over fiction, fiction has to be believable."

[@WilliamTice]

It’s also weird that it’s Navy Seals Fighting pirates and not the Coast Guard. Then I realized that Frank Miller probably wrote the “pirates” as terrorists. DC probably made him change it once they realized what he was doing.

[@Pikachu2Ash]

It's sad when the creator of One Piece can write better stories about pirates in the modern day than modern day Frank Miller can and also still have a problem with drawing women

[@BENergizer1]

They 100% were terrorists. The line about the "hell they wanted to bring to earth" feels way too on the nose for it to not be about a terrorist. The script was probably originally that they were hijacking the ship with the intent to ram it into a populated harbor or something.

[@bluecanine3374]

@@Pikachu2Ash saying One Piece is about pirates is like saying Naruto is about real ninjas. It's just an aesthetic choice with a vague theme they call back to once in awhile (ninjas have an oath they follow and pirates are about freedom).

[@JeffreyPiatt]

The terrorists in Lex tower had Rising sun flag arm bands apparently he was aiming for all the racism but DC editorial told the artist to not go there and Frank to shove it. Explains why it was shoved in the Black label.

[@bthsr7113]

@@JeffreyPiatt OH! That's would have been more than a little yikes! Though the Detroit Steel armor in Japan got a pretty nationalistic paint job too......

[@CalvinChikelue]

“This is a gun?!” will never stop being funny lol

[@dnmstarsi]

College Humor Batman in general will never stop being funny.

[@darthcinema4262]

Anything College Humor Batman related is always funny

[@jadenbryant9283]

@@darthcinema4262 sucks they basically stopped doing it

[@dnmstarsi]

@@jadenbryant9283 At least that series ended on top. I think.

[@GatorRay]

Yeah. that's something I think never gets old. Same goes for the Robot Chicken "THIS ISN'T FUNNY" clip.

[@RedMageUltra]

700 episodes and I STILL chuckle at the “Over THERE needs to take care of itself” and its many variations

[@JoeChillton]

The Crazy Steve and I AM A MAN still make me chuckle too.

[@Jay_Rodimus]

What is that a reference to by the way?

[@JoeChillton]

@@Jay_Rodimus JMS Superman, in a storyline called Grounded, after New Krypton wrapped up.

[@louisduarte8763]

@@JoeChillton JMS reads like another "acclaimed" comic book writer, whose best work's long behind him and his skill is well past its expiration date.

[@bthsr7113]

I can maybe see that line working with more morally grey characters trying to strengthen areas because they can't spare more resources, but... this is Superman.

[@pgj1997]

38:47 I gotta admit, I like the concept of VTubers calling real humans "FleshTubers". That's just so clever.

[@nolastname]

Issue #1: Smallville with story threads without points or conclusion Issue #2: Aquaman Year One but with different names Issue #3: "Batman V Superman the movie: the comicbook adaptation from what Miller remember from the wikipedia summary" Issue #4: cancelled because Frank Miller wants Superman to bang his long lost cousin, Kara, to rebirth Kripton. Also everything else from the mythos in 2 pages

[@lastfullast8819]

Mark Millar appears: “Wow, incest storyline?! Let me finish it!”

[@GatorRay]

@@lastfullast8819 Imagine if George R R Martin let Frank finish his stories.

[@lastfullast8819]

@@GatorRay Well… it will be “so bad, it’s good”, I guess.)

[@skibot9974]

Wait is that last point true

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

​@@skibot9974WOULDNT IT BE LIKE HIM TO!

[@ninakrishnamurthy6674]

1:20:03 If this rant by future Linkara reflects Lewis's actual opinions on his own work, then that's just heartbreaking to hear! Lewis, I don't know if you'll ever read this comment, but I think you're way too hard on yourself. You keep saying that you're not that popular or that no one cares about comic books, but you have over 100K subscribers, and you've been able to make videos on the Internet as a full-time job for over 10 years! Be proud of your accomplishments, Lewis! You've done more in a decade than I'll ever amount to in my entire life.

[@tjjordan4207]

I could be wrong (and Lewis, correct me if I am wrong) but my view on the rant future Linkara gives is more of a joke and also a bit of how Lewis may feel in some way towards his own work, while understanding that it isn't entirely true. It's more of an observation, a commentary on what it has been like making 700 episodes (not including crossovers) for the last 14 years (as of 2022), but still making fun of the idea to completely change something that worked and end up alienating your core audience for another that won't work out in the long run. It's just showing that there is a balance between remaining true to what the show is about and making proper changes that don't ruin that. But again, I could be wrong about that.

[@mattsherlock9636]

A problem I have with issue 2 is that it has Atlantis in it, but no Aquaman. In fact it feels like a reinvention of the Aquaman mythos, replace the farm in Kansas with a lighthouse in Vermont, replace Lori with Mera, and replace the seven tribes with the seven kingdoms and it would fit. Arthur feels a calling toward the sea because he is part Atlantean, so joins the navy. It even makes more sense with Arthur having telepathy, being able to breath underwater, and being king of Atlantis Where is Aquaman Frank? WHERE IS AQUAMAN?

[@mikegates8993]

Knowing the way Frank Miller handled Hal in ASBAR, he'd probably write an Aquaman that would embarrass even the Super Friends version. So, let's count his absence as a blessing.

[@allanolley4874]

I'm reminded of what Homer Simpson once said: "Oh, Mother Sea, giver of fish, taker of boats, toilet to the world, the Greeks called you Poseidon, the Romans... Aquaman." Perhaps Frank Miller has about the same grasp on Greek mythology maybe "Poseidon" was in fact Aquaman? 😉

[@mattwo7]

@@allanolley4874 I'm sure he'd go with a lawyer-friendly King Triton (the Disney character who I am pretty sure wasn't in the book, not the son of Poseidon (who actually appeared in Hercules TAS)) for all we know.

[@CMWaters]

Honestly, going with the look back at Lori the channel "Casually Comics" did a few months ago, forgetting about Aquaman in stories with Lori was kind of a regular thing at first.

[@mattwo7]

@@CMWaters And then DC forgot about her it seems. Her only other appearances past the 90s is apparently in Sideways #8 in the Dark Multiverse and the Young Justice cartoon as a background character in Atlantis as one of Mera's students at Poseidonis' Concervatory of Science. Also Superman: Year One came out in 2019 so that's not really a good excuse. On a side note, while looking into Lori, I just discovered that there's actually a one-shot called Batman: Holy Terror not written by Frank Miller but Alan Brennert (a former Wonder Woman writer and creator of Earth-Five where Batman was the only hero). Weird.

[@artemiswolf4508]

Fun fact, I picked out this comic while knowing the name Frank Miller sounded familiar but I couldn’t quite place where I knew it from... then I read the dialogue and immediately went “OH ASS BAR!”

[@whitefox411-gamer7]

Don't know if you meant to spell it that way, but it is spelled ASBAR, short for: All-Star Batman And Robin.

[@rikowolfin4984]

@@whitefox411-gamer7 The name doesn't need to be spelled that way, because it sets the bar for being ass.

[@ciphergacha9100]

@@whitefox411-gamer7 ASSBAR is more accurate

[@GatorRay]

@@ciphergacha9100 It reminds me of how the Zelda community calls Gyorg from Majora's Mask George in a way.

[@neoforrester4401]

​@@whitefox411-gamer7 I dunno, it still sounds like a neat pun.

[@mikegates8993]

Was...was part 2 supposed to be an Aquaman story? Because other than Lori being a Superman character, it feels more like it's meant for him rather than Superman. Did Frank write an Aquaman Year One story that got mixed in by accident and he was to embarrassed to say anything?

[@yellowpig1026]

i'm thinking he wrote an aquaman year one story but it got cancelled and he went "Fuck you i'm still using this script"

[@RabblesTheBinx]

@@yellowpig1026 or it got canceled and he was gonna chuck it, but the heads at DC told him he had to put Lori Lemaris into the Superman book.

[@juliewinchester1488]

Comment broke

[@gracekim1998]

I was just thinking that too🤣

[@appelofdoom8211]

Personally I think the writer just really wanted to reignite interest in Lori for some reason and try to put her back in the spotlight. Even though the proper way to do that would be to give her stories that aren't related to boning superman so that she can stand on her own or make her an important character in ongoing stories.

[@erickamakeeaina1649]

1:28:30 I am not sure if this is true, but according to the YMMV for Black Label on Tv Tropes Frank once promised that if he wrote a Superman comic he would portray Batman just as poorly as he did with Superman in Dark Knight Returns and ASBAR. Which would be funny if true

[@theangryholmesian4556]

I wouldn't compare the portrayal of Superman in TDKR to ASBAR. For one thing TDKR is actually a really good comic and at least there the portrayal of Superman serves a point. Plus the friendship between Bruce and Clark is still there albeit deeply tragic. ASBAR just sucks.

[@RaptorJesus]

@@theangryholmesian4556 I found his depiction of Superman in TDKR to be pretty compelling honestly. He's only working for the government because he genuinely wants to help people and save the world. Remember the Cold War is still very much a thing, and the mid 1980s was easily one of the most tense periods of it. Being so closely involved with the US government would allow him a "head start" on preventing/defusing/so on a nuclear war, because seconds very much matter there.

[@theangryholmesian4556]

@@RaptorJesus Yep. Exactly this. It's a "dark Superman" that actually works and fits well with his character. I get why some people might not like it but I do.

[@RaptorJesus]

@@jadenbryant9283 I mean, he did. Remember the Corto Maltese thing? He stopped a nuclear weapon. But even then, he was racing against the clock despite the fact he was already in the area it was supposed to hit.

[@TylerYoshi]

I love how he didn't even notice Frank Miller put ATLANTIS in the PACIFIC Ocean. The rest of the scene is just so uncomfortable, with Clark cheating on Lana, that discrepancy basically becomes a footnote.

[@CatComixzStudios]

We'll have to see if he adds that to the "Linkara is bad at geography" tally

[@mikegates8993]

Should we file that one into a top 15 screw ups or missed opportunities list?

[@EternalKHFan0]

Well, in 46:45, when he says how Atlantis is apparently few miles off the coast of California, his tone is very "yeah right".

[@Nosregni]

They should rename it Pacifis instead

[@ShermTank7272]

I mean, there are people out there even nowadays who genuinely believe that Plato had everything right about Atlantis _except_ for its geographical location, so...

[@furioussherman7265]

Considering that so much of this comic involves Atlantis and mermaids, I can't help but wonder if Frank Miller got confused and started thinking he was writing Aquaman.

[@mikegates8993]

Frank was probably wondering where his Aquaman Year One first draft went when one of his editors showed up to tell him they published the second part of Superman and asked him why they had a random diversion to Atlantis.

[@JoeChillton]

Well he is old and washed up. No pun lol

[@MrDman21]

Well considering how Superman's powers keep shifting, it's not so much Frank's bad writing but the character being inconsistent.

[@JoeChillton]

@@MrDman21 I dunno, maybe demonstrate how strong he or dialogue. In All Star Superman it states he can lift what 10-200 quintillion tons, that gives us how strong he is after that rescue mission of Cadmus scientists to the Sun.

[@furioussherman7265]

@@MrDman21 No, it's definitely Frank Miller's bad writing. A good writer would make Superman's powers consistent.

[@RedVanBuskirk]

Linkara's Batman voice kinda sounds like Lord Hater, and now I'm imagining Batman chasing Superman all like "WHO LOOKS STUPID NOW??? WHOSE NOT-SO-GREAT NOW????????"

[@NickName-be3li]

While superman (as wonder) plays the banjo

[@SiRenfield]

Might be the hyperfixation but I also get Nathan Explosion vibes especially whenever we get into his segments where he says something ridiculous 😂

[@PaintSplashProductions]

“No it isn’t. That would be Dominic Noble’s 30 part Sandman retrospective.” “Mine is better.” Now I want both of you to make this happen. Give me a Dom and Linkara Sandman crossover!

[@bthsr7113]

Much more likely than the dream project of them jointly breaking down the MCU as an adaptation.

[@PaintSplashProductions]

@@bthsr7113 Dominic has come out many times to say he won't touch long comics like Marvel and DC because the universe is so big he wouldn't know how to handle it

[@GatorRay]

Speaking of Dominic Noble. Now I want to know. Is the controversy surrounding J K Rowling the reason why the Harry Potter marathon isn't even viewable to Patrons?

[@GatorRay]

@@PaintSplashProductions Understandable.

[@PaintSplashProductions]

@@GatorRay Probably. I don't know if he had a Patreon at the time but if so it's understandable why he wouldn't want to get money from those videos

[@thatonkgau5221]

I'm surprised he didn't meet Aquaman during his time in the navy. I mean it would've made sense and it would fit perfectly. Both Arthur and Clark join the navy to explore the world and find there place in it. They discover the truth about each other and become friends later on.

[@jadenbryant9283]

And let's be honest superman year one issue 2 is just a aquaman story just with superman characters

[@esean1]

The second issue of SUPERMAN :YEAR ONE is one of the best Aquaman stories I've ever read.

[@chefbanjo8139]

Wouldn’t accidentally activating his freezing breath be a more appropriate response to hot food than heat vision?

[@kurtwagner1915]

Lol you expected logic in Millar time

[@gracekim1998]

That’s a GOOD point 😅

[@chefbanjo8139]

@@kurtwagner1915 True, but that was the part of the book that was decent, so maybe? I guess?

[@kurtwagner1915]

@@chefbanjo8139 Millar time is a strange place, but not always worst. Like well... beer

[@bthsr7113]

@@kurtwagner1915 I mean.... not always. The HT label though, that is never coming back, and thank goodness for that.

[@mattwo7]

31:29 As someone who was suspended for beating up bullies who faced no repercussions, that is oddly fair. I was a lot more violent in my younger years. I'm more of a pacifist now because I am mortified about some of the things I'm less proud of, like hospitalizing an actually good teacher when I flipped a desk (which was a common way for me to vent my frustrations at school up until then). I actually _completely repressed_ this memory but someone reminded me and even still, I only remember being reminded of it.

[@Stryder45]

As someone who was in the Navy, I can say that if your hair breaks the shears you're fine. They won't take it out of your paycheck. There are a lot of things, if you break, you won't be garnished for.

[@kramermariav]

But will he have to fill out paperwork

[@michaelramon2411]

If anything, I would think it would be the barber who would get in trouble for his obvious incompetence, rather than a recruit being penalized for having really strong hair.

[@Stryder45]

@@michaelramon2411 No, when you are going through Boot Camp, you are being rushed along. When you get to the hair cut section, they just start sheering. The clippers are being used constantly and, as such, will break. It is just a thing that will inevitably happen. Like a tire needed to be replaced.

[@TheEmeraldWeirdo]

You know, back in middle school, my writing teachers told us that if we ever get stuck while writing something, to just repeat the last sentence we wrote over and over until the next part comes to us. Maybe Frank Miller started doing that, but keeps forgetting to remove the extra lines from the script. And for what it's worth, I actually like your rants. It shows just how much thought you put into your analyses... and, more often than not, how little the writers put into their stories.

[@kurtwagner1915]

How LITTLE. How LITTLE!

[@samwill7259]

I have this theory. More like a hypothesis than anything that every new Miller book adds datapoints to. I think Frank has like a baker's dozen's worth of good points for every character he writes. Images, lines, moments and plot points, and then when he runs out of those he just starts mashing them together into the generically brooding blob that exists somewhere in his head. Crazy Steve is his never-ending reservoir that he dives into when he runs out of the talent and self control required to squeeze out the handful of tiny nuggets he can come up with. Thanks for 700, Linkara, I'll see all you dudes at 1400

[@michaelrhett4958]

Listening to the introduction and how newcomers aren’t gonna watch poorly produced videos from 2008-2009, reminded me of when I randomly decided to watch AT4W from the beginning after watching the storyline compilations up to the start of I want to say the arc with Jaeris or the holokara arc. I suddenly decided to go back and watch all of your reviews from the start up to the latest at the time (that being the World War Hulk review) and it hooked me. I loved your reviews, old and new. From countdown, to future’s end. Here I am, 5 years later. Still here. Here’s to 800 episodes Linkara

[@lostmediadetective2590]

and 200 more

[@seanmcloughlin5983]

I only started watching your stuff about a year ago and had NO IDEA how many you’d done! I guess that’s what’s nice about making videos about comics, you will literally never run out of new episode material.

[@PharaohOfTheDamned]

Ok so pausing the video cause this is going to be a long comment and I really wanna get this out here. This has got to be my favorite framing device you used so far. Little bit about me, I'm an english teacher. And right now we're going through a unit on narrative literature. This review is a perfect cause for Non-linear narrative essay on multiple levels. the way you are able to tell us exactly it is you're trying to say without ever saying it is amazing. I'm really drawn in to the way these characters are interacting and speaking. It feels real and is extremely imersive. Thank you so much, love your videos!

[@thegayghost872]

1:05:05 actually, while incest was super common in Greek mythology, parent/child incest was still considered wrong (see Oedipus). So this is gross even by Greek god standards

[@Wreckur4203]

and still in character if it was Zeus

[@sotnosen95]

I love how right after Linkara joked that Miller was actually writing a musical, one of the narration captions says "A whole new world..."

[@arklestudios]

I think it would be the funniest thing in the world if Frank Miller's politics took a hard left turn but his writing style stayed exactly the same. "Election days COME and GO. But the STRUGGLE, the STRUGGLE, of the PEOPLE to CREATE a government which represents ALL of us, all of US, and not JUST the one percent - a GOVERNMENT based on the PRINCIPLES of economic, social, RACIAL and environmental justice, JUSTICE, - that struggle, that GODDAMN STRUGGLE continues!"

[@Duothimir]

I recall reading somewhere that Clark prefers bland foods because of his super senses, which apparently includes taste. Maybe that's related to him not liking his food too hot?

[@arellajardin8188]

My sister has some correspondence with teachers online, and she says that being afraid of the students is a growing trend. There are a lot of very angry kids in schools, and the schools refuse to discipline them in any way. So they’re getting more aggressive and brazen. One story she told me, was of a 14 year old who started shouting at his English teacher, and he eventually threw a chair a her. She was pregnant, and she was rushed to the hospital to make sure everything was ok. The kid didn’t even get detention, but the teacher was admonished for leaving school to go to the hospital. The school also refused to move the kid to another class, away from her.

[@serPomiz]

historian will look back to this age as "the era of idiocy and lack of common sense in the name of someone else ideal" hopefully there will be a wave of counter culture and common sense will be a mark for the next frame

[@SteveCrafts2k]

Because how dare the _pregnant lady_ make sure her child is ok.

[@infinityalbi9840]

And this is when you get a lawyer and sue.

[@NuclearDemoman]

The whole "he never tried flying until now" thing has me picturing this really funny image in my head of Clark holding on to Lana, and then you just hear him give like a little grunt of effort followed by "Huh. Guess we'll walk."

[@maxxjapan619]

I actually asked Linkara on his Tumblr a year or so ago if he'd ever review this one (I read the first issue and... ugh). Ohhhh man was I surprised and happy to see it the subject for 700. Seriously, man, congratulations. You've gotten me to check out characters and storylines I'd never heard of and made them among my favorites (Deadpool, Scott Snyder's Batman, DC Rebirth, DC's Crisis Trilogy). You're a true believer and the comic book world is better for having you in it. Congratulations again to you and your family, and let's start the countdown to episode 1000! ... OH CRAP, I SAID "COUNTDOWN!!!"

[@rippersspot]

It all connects!

[@TheRealShatterGlass]

How bad would it be if I started playing "The Final Countdown" as we near Episode 1,000?

[@larrypoppins6273]

Honey get the shotgun, countdown is back!

[@101Draico]

Not that comic, everyone knows it’s retodded (I’m not sorry)

[@L1701]

…I will never get why people like DC Rebirth.

[@austinelder4532]

Wonder Woman coming out of nowhere to interupt the fight and say “we’re the justice league now!” feels like the joke the Abridged version of an Abridged series would do (like what Team Four Star did with DBZ Kai)

[@michaelrhett4958]

I feel like we ALL know which film Frank was watching while writing that scene. If you can’t tell, it was BvS

[@jadenbryant9283]

​@@michaelrhett4958although didn't he get mad when BVS took elements from his work

[@michaelrhett4958]

@@jadenbryant9283 I don’t know.

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

Well...Clark can randomly read minds in this story. Has anyone checked to see if there's a muffin button hidden somewhere?

[@dvass7253]

"And then he takes himself a pee... unaware that Lex Luthor had hidden a jar with a "Granny's Peach Tea" label in that very same bush."

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

And that's terrible

[@kevintrjohnson]

As someone who grew up in Kansas (though I was born elsewhere), I'm going to point out (for educational purposes, not as a correction) that Kansas has a fairly interesting space museum/planetarium in Hutchinson. I don't think Smallville has ever been given an official location within Kansas, so how close it would be to Hutchinson I don't know (though Hutchinson is close to the center of the state, so no more than 200 miles away, probably). Also, as a former Kansan, I'll point out that Kansas had to fight to come into the union as a free state (see: Bleeding Kansas and John Brown), and while the state become decidedly conservative since then, there are still people there proud of that abolitionist past, people who would balk at being associated with any part of the south. As for the dialect, I've actually wondered why Superman has never sounded particularly midwestern as well. While there is a slight twang as well as some shared vernacular, that "southern" aspect appears to be true of most of the Great Plains region of the Midwest--the cliche is that Midwesterners have a flat or non-existence dialect, but that's not true, as I have been told every time I've gone to Washington State or Indiana, where some of my relatives live. I grew up in the southeast corner of Kansas, within spitting distance of Arkansas, but I would say that my speech more closely resembles that of the people of Nebraska (where I lived for most of my college years and for nearly twenty years in total) than even my relatives in Arkansas or the people of Oklahoma, where I've lived for the last seven years (that Oklahomans have a more pronounced Southern accent initially befuddled me, since it wasn't a state until the early 1900s (i.e. it wasn't part of the confederacy) and, as a former part of Texas, it should have a more southwestern vernacular, but then I started to notice the way the two dialects had been blended together). In any case, Miller's dialect doesn't ring true to me. I know it's often considered improper to write dialect phonetically, thanks to Twain's literary progeny overusing it; that it is better to imply dialect through vernacular choices (e.g. soda vs pop, lightning bug vs firefly), but I'll go to my grave, I will die on the proverbial hill insisting that "going to" is not a suitable substitute for a character saying "gonna." Just for fun, here's my take as a college-educated expatriated Kansan (nearly 25 years removed) on Miller's dialect choices: No, just no: using "what" for "that" (that's something I never heard as a kid outside of movies, and usually coming from a bad stereotype of a country bumpkin or hillbilly), "I found me something" (I'll admit to saying this on occasion, but I picked it up from somewhere and still feels like a hillbilly affectation), "there's nothing good can come of that" (feels unnatural without a "that" after "good"), "that just don't" (I refuse to admit that Kansans ever say this :P ), "bullies off at you" (who the fuck says bullies off? Is it a reference to the hockey term? Because that's not a popular sport in Kansas outside of the KC metro). On the fence: "Everything is" (it might must be me, but in conversation, "Everything is" feels too formal and unnatural vs. "Everything's," in the same way "let us" feels unnatural to say in almost every situation vs. "let's"), "all them" (I've more often heard and said "alla them" or "all've them," even though it's a contraction of "all of," but I can't disprove its use), "reckon" (I've rarely heard it used without "I," but again I can't disprove its use), "right [something]" (I've heard "regular" used more in this situation, but I can't dot dot dot), "darling" (I don't remember darling being used all that often, certainly not as a term of endearment between the couple AND between the same couple and their child at the same time, but that's more of an issue with any term of endearment), "sweet" (this could be a me thing, but I can't remember this being used as a term of endearment without "heart" or "ie" attached, but I can't rule it out--it doesn't sound right to my ear, same with things like "sweetgirl" that I've heard occasionally elsewhere), "curse" (a teacher would probably say that, but I remember saying "cuss" instead, and "curse words" still feels unnatural for me to say), goth kid (I lived in a town that would have made a great stunt double for Smallville, the one blown up at the end of shooting for the grand finale--there was ONE METALHEAD in my grade (and likely the whole school), and other than me, he was the only outlier; that metalhead, for deigning to be my friend, was treated like shit because I was the town's designated n-word and f-word for being the new kid (I'm white and cis-male). If there had ever been a goth kid there, they were ground down into a boot-scooting line dancer before I got there. Teenagers are shits, that's all I'm saying, and they're intolerable when they have a fiefdom). Approved: "outta," "gone and" "now we can't always be getting you," "this here" Special mention: "my word" sounds like something Alfred would say, or a proper southern belle. My grandmother would have said, "holy shit." A fire is no time to be polite.

[@DonaldRilea]

Sorry you got picked on like that, and thanks for the info!

[@vaggos2003]

Sorry to hear about you getting picked on. I hope you're doing far better now. Take care, thanks for the interesting info and God bless you, your loved ones and the whole world. Amen.

[@AussieDragoon]

There technically is a Superman adaptation that brings a version of the southern accent thing. In Superman and Lois, Lana's husband has a southern drawl. The problem is other characters who grew up in the same town don't have the accent, including Clark AND his own wife.

[@Foreverred97]

I was always confused by that.

[@daltonwilliams1723]

I think Clark’s parents have it sometimes in various media, but that could very well just be to conform with the farmer stereotypes than any representation of actual Kansas accents.

[@aachhu1112]

That sounds about right for Kansas. Most of us don't have a drawl the way more Southern states do.

[@Meme_Lor]

I just realised that the interview segments are one big metaphor for the comic's industry

[@tannerprice2018]

You can tell Linkara’s still messing with the future, now his future self can’t even remember what a comic book is.

[@francescoviolaiii7639]

There's something really funny about the Trinity coming together, and basically the Justice League starting to form, because Wonder Woman said "HEY, RANDOM ASSHOLES! CUT THAT SHIT OUT, WE'RE A SUPER TEAM NOW!"

[@vtmarik]

It is entirely plausible that, even though he was discharged, that he'd still be around for two weeks. Even though a discharge had been ordered, he probably had to wait for the orders to come through so he would have been assigned to TPU (Temporary Personnel Unit). The other Navy stuff that he had is all wrong. First, it's *sailor* Frank, not 'soldier.' Second, that person Clark was speaking to about the Mermaids was a Chief, a senior enlisted leader. If he had called that Chief 'Sir' he'd be getting no end of crap from that Chief.

[@HeirofAzaran]

As someone who WAS in the navy and got sent home from basic training, yeah this is normal. 2 weeks to process out. I was actually in Separations (which is where they send people being sent home) for a full month because I tried to fight my discharge, saying I got bad advice from my recruiter. It took another week or so for the Captain of the base to approve, so I CAN go back if I want to, but I've changed my mind about the service. After that it was another week or two to process the new information and get me on a plane home. And while that was going on I was in a compartment about half the length of a football field with more than 100 guys who were also being sent home. So, yeah, if Clark was getting a good discharge and really didn't want to go back, 2 weeks would probably be all, if there weren't a lot of other people who were being processed out too.

[@icarusavery5691]

"*Sir?!* I am not a 'sir!' I *work* for a living!" ~ that chief, probably

[@chaseburton5431]

Former Army Basic Training Officer here. Paperwork on these took up most of my time, two weeks was the minimum.

[@richmcgee434]

@@icarusavery5691 Beat me to it.

[@maisumcriticonainternet4351]

I have found you thanks to the nostalgia critic, same way i found the avgn, ive been watching you since 2011. You are NOT becoming irrelevant Linkara. Thank you for the years of entertainment, congratulations on this milestone. Heres to 700 more.

[@MegamanNG]

Okay. I didn't think this would happen. Last time you did a Frank Miller thing for the anniversary was the 300th episode. Back at it again. Happy 700 Linkara and here's hoping for 700 more. Never stop learning. Never stop improving. I hope you become not just a better creator but also a better person. Rock on dood.

[@lich109]

Stuff like this makes me really appreciate Superman: Earth One. It's a good story, much better than this, and I've always loved how it focused much more on Clark as a developing character. The characters in that story feel more like actual people than most stories, and it demonstrated perfectly how he is NOT Superman, Superman is his fantasy, an ideal, somebody he can pretend to be for a few hours of the day, before he resumes his life as Clark Kent.

[@jadenbryant9283]

While I do feel Like Earth one is flawed and has some of the same issues as new 52 zack snyders man of steel it's definitely better than this and still better than new 52 and zack snyders Man of steel and bvs in a lot of other places

[@lich109]

@@jadenbryant9283 I have no idea why you feel like that since Earth One Superman is nothing like Zack Snyder's version or the New 52 one. I can't think of any real issues those have that Earth One also has.

[@jadenbryant9283]

@@lich109 sorry I wondered that poorly maybe it's more because all three have some sorta of edge to them and have an overall moody feeling to them

[@lich109]

@@jadenbryant9283 I don't get why you feel that way about Earth One. That version of Superman loves talking about how amazing things are, when he gets depowered briefly he talks to his mom about how incredible people are since he never truly realised how easy it would be to die without his invulnerability, he tells a heartfelt story about a kitten he had growing up (how he buried her on the moon when she died because she loved looking up at it), and even when he gets angry the story treats it as a mistake. With that in mind, "moody" and "edgy" are not at all words I'd use to describe Earth One.

[@jadenbryant9283]

@@lich109 yeah I guess your right just more how He has to be forced Initally to be superman but that im willing to let slide

[@aaronbourque5494]

Remember, people. When writing a story, always read your words aloud, including formatting and punctuation. It won't completely eliminate random bolding making you sound like... you're having a stroke? Or being punched while your speaking. But it'll help.

[@MalloonTarka]

But *how* can you write a *story* like *that?* A *story* like *that?* Without bolding random *words?*

[@kendrakirai]

The thing about the bolding is that I'm PRETTY SURE it's supposed to just be generic emphasis, rather than just YELLING the words, because comic font formatting was weird back when and it stuck. There's only so many ways to show emphasis in text even now, bold, italic, underline...and its all made worse when comic text is all capitalized.

[@christopherwebster6354]

42:44 This sounds like it belongs in Aquaman Year 1. In fact, come to think of it, if you divorce issue two from the rest of the series and change a few details, it would probably make a pretty good Aquaman origin.

[@LaNoLaCola]

Can't believe you've hit 700 already. Congrats Lewis!

[@o76923]

I was shocked that this was a great story from Frank Miller... Right up until the halfway point. So much good stuff and then a sudden pivot back to Miller. Why? Just... Why?

[@bunnybismuth]

Because the leopard can't change his spots.

[@knowbodyhere3966]

He can't help himself

[@bthsr7113]

@@bunnybismuth No, the comparison is more that the Scorpion will still sting.

[@symantares9171]

Frank sees women as two things: victims who die, or trophies to be claimed. The idea that they're actually human beings is completely alien to him

[@Avenger85438]

Wonder Woman's "One purpose" talk made me think she was about to declare "Kane lives in death!" like she was a part of the freakin' Brotherhood of Nod.

[@Mobysimo]

Now that would be 100 times more interesting for a third issue

[@Jebbtube]

Lewis: Hey mom, I've gotten dad to play old me in a few episodes, when're you gonna play a role? Mrs. Lovhaug: Make 700 of them, and we'll see.

[@GrahamRocks]

She played a ghost in an early storyline. The Ghost of Christmas Past IIRC, trying to make him remember his appreciation for good comics.

[@BrianS1981]

Dominic Noble's cameo at the end was pure genius.

[@Ungulates]

1:15:37 Batman Begins IS a gem, for that and other reasons. Happy 700th!

[@sebastianemond5313]

1:26:57 - 1:28:07 Great, Frank. Now draw a scene with Lex feeding Supes a jolly rancher while he looks at the photos.

[@djquinn4825]

This is the first time I've heard of Lori and her concept is just hilarious to me. Not only did Superman's college girlfriend have the same initials as his other two major love interests, but she was a telepathic mermaid who pretended to be a wheelchair bound human to go to school on the surface. Comics, man XD

[@L1701]

The Silver Age could be gloriously insane.

[@thomasraines1396]

@@L1701 I’m pretty sure there was a story where Darkside gets mugged.

[@mikegates8993]

@@thomasraines1396 Yes there is. Though in defense of that moment, he had lost his powers at the time. It's not nearly as bad as the time Thanos is arrested by some random cops after a fight with Spider-Man.

[@thomasraines1396]

@@mikegates8993 still it’s hilarious to see. I’m surprised the bit where he tripped over some stairs didn’t happen in the Silver Age.

[@bthsr7113]

Wait, she used a wheelchair to attend college on the surface? Okay, that actually ups her cool points, and in the wider, more connected DC universe, seeing an Atlantean among the foreign student residency at a college could be cool. Like how the Young Justice tv show made the Atlantean language an elective course.

[@taintedscholar5044]

That Superman vs. Batman fight is so incredibly bizarre. It almost feels like a "Take That!" towards every story that had Supes and Bats fight and didn't have Superman paste him, a story concept that was made popular by Frank's very own Dark Knight Returns. It's like the antithesis of every interaction between the two characters that Miller has ever written. It almost feels like this was written by some mirror-universe version of Frank Miller who has an obsession with Superman instead of Batman.

[@adonis7626]

According to another comment, Miller promised that if he does a Superman comic, he will do as dirty against Batman as he did against Superman in a Batman comic (i.e TDKR).

[@Lusadio_Rafantes]

I feel like the Lori Lamaris arc should have been an Aquaman origin story

[@thatguywiththetripod8577]

I remember watching Back Issues and Sal brought up an interview which features Frank Miller and Tom King. This was back in 2017, but King said something along the lines of how Superman is boring, and Frank shot back, defending Superman. I don't know exactly what he said, and I haven't watched the interview, but it does seem like Frank understood Superman better then Tom King did. Keep in mind this was years ago and before King wrote Superman Up in the Sky, which showcases everything Superman is and more, and before Year One. But even with Year One it seems like Frank understands who Superman is and his core. It's just like he lets his own biases and writing styles get in the way from telling a good story. Sal brought this up in that episode of Back Issues, but he thinks Frank would make a good editor. And of course, congratulations on 700 episodes Linkara. Here's to 700 more and the 300 to episode 1000!

[@nickasaro8789]

Gotta love that quote from Miller about how Superman is an asshole in his bat books because it’s from Batman’s perspective. Besides the fact that I don’t buy that Batman and Superman view each other with that much contempt in the first place, I don’t for a second believe he was trying to do a Rashomon style perspective experiment and if he was, he was doing it wrong. Also, it’s almost funny how his Batman in any story other than Year One and certain parts of TDKR can’t go a paragraph of his inner monologue without mentioning how much better he is than Superman or some other hero and calling them stupid or weak. It makes him seem really insecure and petty. Like he’ll be fighting some goons and his caption boxes will be saying “I do this BETTER. So MUCH better. Better than that MORON in METROPOLIS. He’s a MORON. A goddamn muscle headed MORON.” And it just goes on and on like that. It’s so dumb it’s almost hilarious.

[@lancerutt9936]

To credence to Miller's quote, Batman does seem much dumber in this book than he does in his own (though that's more because characters aren't standing around talking about how great he is)

[@mightyfilm]

Maybe it's just me who loves cartoon adaptions of Bats and Supes, but I HATE this nonsense about them hating each other. They literally had a show called SUPER FRIENDS! There was a cartoon where Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman go to diner and Superman orders burgers and shakes for each other. There's a missing level of camaraderie that annoys the hell out of me here. It just comes off as someone who identifies with Batman, or at least their interpretation of him, and just has a base level of Superman understanding and hates his more idealistic side because it seems corny.

[@RaptorJesus]

I can believe it for TDKR, but that's about the only one.

[@lancerutt9936]

@@mightyfilm uh i'm sorry is this the same mightyfilm who's been my favorite deviantart artist since i was in middle school?

[@mightyfilm]

@@lancerutt9936 Yes, why?

[@jeremyborder6794]

I think what Miller was going for with the “he spoke to us in our minds” is that Atlaneans, or least the merfolk, are naturally telepathic & he’s picked up it through Lori

[@jeremyborder6794]

To be fair to Clark, his C.O. did warn him about being lured by the mermaids. Also she’s a telepath, so she easily could’ve subtly influenced him without necessarily controlling him

[@tjjordan4207]

Frank Miller: A man so infamous for his craziness that it takes you a moment to remember he wrote Dark Knight Returns.

[@Sandlot1992]

Happy 700th episode, Time sure does fly!

[@somerandolad]

Time flies, just like Superman.

[@iamthemouse4483]

My dad and I watched this together, and when we got to the scene where Wondie showed up out of nowhere, his reaction was unreal.

[@TheAllSeeingEye2468]

Congratulations on 700 eps! You deserve all the praise

[@morganqorishchi8181]

Linkara's parents have great onscreen chemistry together and that's so wholesome. I know this fandom isn't big on ships but I ship them.

[@TheLetterJ0]

I know this is being pedantic, but oil isn't even made of "dead monsters," unless Kryptonian algae and plankton were a lot more ferocious than ours.

[@kramermariav]

Zooplankton. Tiny, tiny monsters

[@foxfireinferno197]

I'm surprised Linkara didn't mention that newspaper headline on the wall behind Clark at 1:14:32. If you needed another dose of Frank's politics, here ya go!

[@GatorRay]

I never noticed it until now. But now I've read it. All I have to say is. REALLY! What's next. Lex Luthor trying to sell NFTs?

[@krankarvolund7771]

"It's Batman's book, so obviously Superman have to be shown in a negative light" I'm not a big geek of comics and DC, but I remember more stories where Superman and Batman are best friends than stories where they hate each other, what are you talking about Frank? XD

[@jordanloux3883]

Frank is like most edgelords. For Batman to be cool and better than everyone, that means pushing away the happy people who want to see you be your true self without the darkness and self-loathing, because edgelords think it's that stuff that makes them deep and special.

[@Duragizer8775]

Bats and Supes being enemies wasn't even a thing until Miller made it one. They were best buds in the Silver and Bronze Ages.

[@chrisbuttonshaw2088]

They have a grudging respect. Supes thinks Batman goes too far or is too negative at times and Bats thinks Supes is a over-positive fool but yeah they're friends.

[@thomasraines1396]

Superman and Batman seems to be a thing that was made popular and just hasn’t gone away.

[@DeathAlchemist]

Can't wait for episode 800 Linkara does Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child

[@GatorRay]

Maybe it could be another comic from the list of stuff he'll never do. The Batman comic where Joker says boner a lot perhaps?

[@jadenbryant9283]

​@@GatorRayor dark knight :the last crusade

[@TARINunit9]

46:45 "He discovers Atlantis, which I guess is just a few miles off the coast of California." OK unless there's some really huge time compression involved (which there could be, Superman can swim as fast as he wants) that's really stupid. Atlantis is the namesake of the ATLANTIC Ocean, nowhere near California

[@washipuppy]

That Dom Noble cameo at the end freaking took me out. I was not expecting it. This was an excellent example of a book getting increasingly more Miller as it went on, and the story suffering for it. Edit: Hi again Takahata!

[@AJUniverse]

Dang, Dadkara really nailed Lewis' mannerisms today.

[@kurtwagner1915]

Almost like he's known Linkara his whole life...

[@gracekim1998]

I love it🤣 I can’t stop laughing

[@gabrieldevoogel6225]

The navy captain send off is honestly really good, I wish it had been merely a reinforcement of what his parent taught him that reaffirms his belief, and that will be a small piece of the puzzle that is Clark becoming Superman

[@waynetech10]

Never thought to read this book. I'm one of those oddball comic fans that never liked Frank Miller's work. Not saying he doesn't deserve his fame, but his stuff wasn't for me. But I will say, my experience in the Navy was similar to this version of Clark, sans the mermaid and pirates and stuff. I joined, because I was looking for some direction, after my parents passed away. It was kind of a journey of self discovery, I'd say. And I did see someone processed out, before his tour was over. In the meantime, they had him doing administrative work. He'd deliver paperwork, take attendance and whatnot, while they were getting his discharge finalized.

[@misterabbadon977]

Someday Linkaras son will play past Linkara

[@michaelk8860]

Best part of the episode: Kitty! Seriously though, congratulations on 700 EPISODES! That's truly amazing, and I look forward to what's next!

[@dvass7253]

1:00:59 - "It's all music... to his dick". 1:04:43-1:04:54 - Frank, in case you forgot, you are writing a Superman comic, not an episode of Game of Thrones! 1:05:14-1:05:20 - There's a metaphor here somewhere. Congratulations on 700 episodes, Linkara! Here's to the next 700 and a return to a proper schedule in the near future.

[@Rabbitlord108]

Funny how House Of the Dragons had one of the characters marry her uncle.

[@atiredfloridian777]

Congrats Linkara, and damn well done for reaching 700! And bringing back Miller Time for us, you feed us fans. I audibly groaned but grinned when I realized. Just remember to keep yourself stress-free, and remember to practice self-care!

[@c.w.simpsonproductions1230]

The whole 2nd issue feels like it belongs in an Aquaman story, not a Superman one.

[@PanicChain767]

Theres something about hearing linkara narrate the classic miller dialogue, dear god is almost nostalgic

[@gwenfairholm8080]

I love that he sort of fused the two versions of the theme song, while still keeping to his desire to not direct hate towards anyone in particular

[@PaulW_ftPAULK]

Congratulations on 700, Linkara. YTers like you are some of the absolute veterans of this site and deserve so much more attention and support. Thanks for all the incredible memories. May you never be knocked down from your perch atop the fourth wall.

[@mesektet5776]

Always good to see your dad do his walk-ons. Oh wait, that’s not your dad, that’s retroactively New Linkara.

[@TheAlien21755]

I'll say this, Clark being a marine vet is not a terrible idea! A lot of the ideas in this series are good for a reinvention! But as Linkara says, it seems most of the ideas miss WHY they should fit

[@Rynjinivar]

First off: your parents are great. Not just for being so involved and supportive, but just as genuinely some of the best actors you've had on for the show lol. About the comic, it's absolutely bizarre to me how good the first 1.5 issues were. I actually thought the Navy thing was a BRILLIANT idea, especially with giving a young Clark a logical reason to be exposed to the concept of taking another man's life, and being pushed to do so by someone NOT a villain. Having him be faced by that choice, in a logical context, and to ACTIVELY REJECT IT is one of the best bits involving Superman I can think of. it removes the "heroes don't kill, Superman doesn't kill" as kind of just a default assumption, and makes it more of an informed choice by the character. I genuinely love it. And that's kind of the Frank Miller experience in a nutshell. Occasional flashes of genuine brilliance and an unparalleled grasp of character and narrative...flanked by some of the worst schlock you will ever read in your life.

[@nicktoons125]

CONGRATS ON 700 EPISODES, LEWIS! HERE'S TO 700 MORE EXCELLENT ONES! ❤❤❤

[@jamieskeggs2691]

Congrats on all your success! Of all the reviewers I followed from TGWTG your the only one I still watch on the regular. Every year I find your reviews get better and better you have changed and evolved while others I found have stayed the same and gotten stale. Thank you for over a decade of entertainment and laughs!

[@trooper9249]

Revisiting this video and it still baffles me: the comic is called "Superman: Year One" and yet it does not focus on Superman's first year as a superhero. Why call it that if one issue is going to be about Superman's childhood and another is about some nonsense with mermaids? Imagine if Batman: Year One had been structured like that: First issue would've been all about Bruce's childhood. Second issue would've shown Bruce's training and had him go to the planet of Zurr-En-Arrh for no reason. The last two issues would've crammed in him actually becoming Batman, but would've really been about his first meeting with Superman. It's all just a waste.

[@DonaldRilea]

Congrats on making it to 700 episodes, Linkara, and best of luck and much more with the episodes to come! You've given me an appreciation, however second-hand, for Superman and other aspects of comic lore that I didn't previously have, and thanks for pointing out the many sorts of bad writing, art, etc, that many comic books past and present have engaged in.