Superman: Distant Fires - Atop the Fourth Wall

Welcome to Atop the Fourth Wall, where bad comics burn. In this episode, Linkara looks at an awful Superman Elseworlds comic!
ORIGINAL INFO: As in you want to set fire to this thing from a distance.
Originally uploaded February 7th, 2011.
RUMINATIONS: And the build-up to the fight begins! This would become a regular thing on the show - constantly upgrading the Arsenal of Freedom in response to the newest terrible threat about to strike. It helps show that things ARE happening even if you don’t see it week to week. Linkara’s not just sitting on his hands waiting for the next villain to attack. Another staple, of course, is Linkara’s first reaction to any terrible situation about to befall him: review a comic book.
Liz’s reaction says it all.
The “Empty Crown terrorists” that Lt. Munro mentions is referencing Star Trek: Elite Force II. I really have to get around to doing a Let’s Play of that, but for the moment, the AT4W version of Munro has dealt with them.

[@samuelbarber6177]

I think Joker going sane because of the apocalypse kind of makes sense in a twisted sort of way. The world has essentially gone as he wants and perceives it, total chaos, however there’s no Batman to fight to his ‘Joker’ persona has just kind of fizzled out. Also, there’s the theory from A Serious House on Serious Earth that he’s actually super-sane, more sane than anyone else, so the apocalypse drove him mad, but just down to our level.

[@baval5]

So the end has Bruce Kent, son of Superman and Wonder Woman, named after Batman, and also a Green Lantern, being the last survivor of Earth and going off to a distant planet. This is what fanfics are made of.

[@genesismultiverse4896]

But that is a better fanfic than this crap

[@Jygerthe2nd]

Actually, while this comic sucks HARD, I would SO read a book that follows up on Superman's son travelling from world to world, saving people, and using powers inherited from both his parents and the Green Lantern ring.

[@wilsonkierankitsune]

I would love to see that

[@DeisFortuna]

This is definitely a case of an ending that makes you laugh thinking "geez, they ACTUALLY thought this dumpster fire could have gotten a Sequel." and then proceed to cry because the premise behind the sequel would be an infinitely better one than this, even if due to just how ludicrous and over the top they could have made it.

[@SiSiWritesFanfics0927]

@@wilsonkierankitsune agreed

[@breawycker]

Heh. Superman: Green Son

[@Rabbitlord108]

Here's my name for it. The Adventures of The All New Superboy.

[@death-king1834]

The story of Superman in a post-apocalyptic wasteland was in an episode of Justice League in which Superman is sent into the far future during a battle with Toy Man in a devastated Earth who's only sole survivor is Vandal Savage. Only in that it was handled much, much better.

[@KaosNova2]

+Bane Knightfall Hereafter is the title of the episode.

[@themagicalrobotprisma2793]

And they made the concept work

[@KaosNova2]

The Magical Robot Prisma That they did. One of the highlights of that show. I despise other aspects of the DCAU.

[@death-king1834]

suemorphplus2009 Why

[@KaosNova2]

Bane Knightfall 1)Bruce Wayne knocked up Barbara Gordon. 2) Wonder Woman acted romantically toward Martian Manhunter in the last episode when their previous dialogue sounded nothing like the sort. (forced it).

[@XX-sp3tt]

Joker driven sane by the end of the world? That's so nonsensical it actually makes sense for Joker.

[@roguishpaladin]

Yeah. It was one of the ideas which wasn't completely whack. I mean, it wasn't well-supported, we have no idea how he survived, and he still maintain way too many of the appearance aspects of the villain, but it's not inconceivable.

[@genesismultiverse4896]

So shouldn't that mean he would be like : OUUUUUUUCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHH THE SCARS HURT!!!!!!

[@kimifw58]

Even as a kid, I thought Superman and Wonder Woman being a couple was too obvious, so I shipped her with Batman. X3

[@jakebryant3445]

So did the animated series :3

[@otakon17]

+Kimi FW You and the writers for Justice League Unlimited.

[@spideyviewer327]

So did I. And I still do.

[@deraj00]

Always liked that pairing since JLU...

[@TheSefirosu200x]

Kimi FW Well, it's true that Batman and Wonder Woman should be together but there's nothing "obvious" about Superman and Wonder Woman. Only an insane person would think they should be together.

[@starwarsnerd100]

The Joker becoming sane due to the apocalypse could actually work in a better story. And not only should he be full of guilt, if Batman died when the bombs fell how did Joker live? Neither of them leave Gotham very often, and Gotham would be a prime target. Was Gotham untouched by the bombs? Was Batman visiting Metropolis when it was nuked? (Insert "It just raises too many questions" clip)

[@alucardyoici]

+starwarsnerd100 The thing with joker is it's better if you forget the fact the he is supposed to be a normal human because I think the writers did a while ago

[@KaosNova2]

Joker lived through falling in toxic waste. Do you think radioactive fallout will kill him? Plus, not everyone was in the actual blast or fireball. He wasn't in the blast, but Batman was right in the middle of Gotham when the city was nuked!

[@alucardyoici]

suemorphplus2009 Joker was on vacation? because he is usually in gotham too

[@KaosNova2]

***** He probably was on vacation after breaking out of arkham. Needed to go murder some people in the countryside or in Keystone City or something, and then found out everyone was dead anyways, then got lonely since there was noone to murder and wandered around for a while.

[@rikowolfin4984]

+alucardyoici thinking it over a good way to explain how the Joker survived and became sane again would be if Batman knew about the nukes going off and figured that he couldn't do anything to stop them in time, so the second best thing he could do would be to get as much people to a bunker or the BatCave as he could and Joker was the last ( and possibly the only ) person he was able to save before giving his life in the hopes that he could protect at least a few more people before Gotham was ether covered in the fallout or nuked out right. After that and being left alone for years he would not want to kill himself to make BatMan's sacrifice pointless and he would learn to deal with all the death and harm he had caused in the past and learn to survive in the new world to make up for his wrong doings... too bad this is a bad comic that didn't put much thought into its characters.

[@clearspira]

The Martian Manhunter seems to have shape-shifted into Piccolo from DBZ.

[@RabblesTheBinx]

Lol, I'd actually read the fuck out of a legitimate Dragon Ball/JLA crossover. Maybe with a similar setup to JLA/Avengers where the two main groups get transported between universes and they end up fighting each other because Goku and Clark are acting wildly out of character due to omniversal shenanigans. With Akira Toriyama and Grant Morrison working in tandem so we can _finally_ put the stupid Goku vs. Superman argument to bed.

[@RabblesTheBinx]

@@painvillegaming4119 yeah, but that's why I said Toriyama and Morrison should be the writers. It would be hard to argue against the creator of Dragon Ball and the writer who knows Superman the best.

[@genesismultiverse4896]

Or this was actually a guy who became green like blanka and probably became mad and thought he was Martian manhunter after John tried to help him

[@genkaiba15]

If Superman can makes bricks to rebuild the Great Wall of China with his eyes, I have faith that he can learn the Clothes Beam technique and make clothes for himself out of nothing.

[@assimilation9]

Easily his most retro attack

[@bloodysteel6429]

How... in gods name... would the Earth blowing up... kill SUPERMAN?! The comic tells us his powers are back, the same powers that allow him to shrug off a SUN exploding in his face!

[@KaosNova2]

Why did he leave his own son to fend for himself in the vacuum of space?

[@bloodysteel6429]

suemorphplus2009 Why was Shazam such an asshole?

[@KaosNova2]

BloodySteel64 Because according to comic book logic, he wanted to bang Wonder Woman, who looked hot in this, but let's face it, it doesn't make sense because there were other super women like Ice available. Plus, given the chonology, he would be a young teen as Billy Batson, and Diana would be like I don't know, mid-30s like Superman?

[@bloodysteel6429]

suemorphplus2009 Oh comic books... you so silly...

[@beneil2]

+BloodySteel64 who?

[@rassilontdavros3004]

Regarding Billy’s age, I _think_ the implication is that the nuclear apocalypse happened a few years into the _future_ of then-present DC continuity. Still doesn’t really explain him being a jealous prick though.

[@OtakuD50]

Nuclear puberty?

[@genesismultiverse4896]

And the quick growing

[@NJDMashups]

six years later...... this story still sounds like someone writing fanfiction

[@internetrambo1069]

Every story is a fanfic. What you said was really dumb.

[@YMasterS]

@@internetrambo1069 no, no....

[@internetrambo1069]

@@YMasterS yes, yes....

[@FaceUnreality]

DC comics: even magic can't survive a nuclear war.

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

***** Well in the new Wonder Woman series in the 80's Ares was trying to provoke nuclear war between the US and the Soviet Union so yeah, an Elseworlds where he succeeded or something.

[@garganrose]

FaceUnreality it can in marvel

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Well, not to defend this book by any means (haven't read it but this video sure shows it to be bad) but I guess an argument could be made to I don't know electromagnetic fields or something. I don't know magic is so nebulous a term and does things that, otherwise, would be impossible anyway so I guess, theoretically you could do anything with it. It's still stupid but whatever. :)

[@rcct44444]

Cat Knight New God Technology Alien Power And God Magic doesn't survive the apocalypse

[@dr.velious5411]

Weird, typically the apocalypse is used as an excuse to bring magic back, not give it the boot.

[@rassilontdavros3004]

“Lois, what have I become?” MY SWEETEST FRIEND

[@nightmaretroubadour2216]

A better ending would be all that meeting up with the other heroes and building a city was actually a psychotic hallucination Superman had while he was being devoured by giant rats.

[@bondfall0072]

29:00 I just realized something! If Hal was killed, why didn't the ring fly off and find someone who had enough will power to fix the earth? That would make an awesome story! And if we were to follow this comics bazaar logic and say that the ring couldn't move, why didn't any of the other green lantern corps come to earth to try to find out why the ring wasn't monitoring Hal? There are so many plot holes and missed opportunities in this comic that it makes me sad that a great idea was absolutely wasted on a writer who had no clue what he was doing.

[@dannyfenlon2476]

French Paul 1988 well to answer that part i think at this point gardner wasnt a gl in the comics at this point

[@Rabbitlord108]

​@@dannyfenlon2476What about Jon Steward? Does this mean that he's dead too?

[@genesismultiverse4896]

I don't think there was any thought in this story

[@ilopominecrafter]

“I know we like to do the superman is jesus metaphor a lot around here, but i didn’t think anyone took that so literally”... and two years from the original release of this video, one man made an entire movie upon that belief and an entire cinematic universe engrained in this belief. Huh.

[@ShineDark]

.... umm... I know this isn't actually all that important, but... what happened to Superman's giant cat after they got too that village?

[@alucardyoici]

+kyle pratt they need all the meat they can get

[@gratuitouslurking8610]

Sir Meow Longer Appearing In This Film.

[@Metrion77]

Whiskers the Wondercat, who played Krypton in the series, got dropped after he was caught with over 100 grams of catnip. He went into rehab, but by the time he got clean, the series was over. He went on to better series, playing Cringer on the live-action He-Man movie (his scenes were cut), and Korin from Dragonball Evolution (His scenes were cut here too). After being entirely cut out of two movies, he eventually got an oscar nomination for his portrayal of Leonardo deCaprio portraying a racist slave owner in Django Unchained. He left hollywood for good, looking to get away from the stresses of acting and settle down with his wife. He was found dead in his apartment at the ripe old age of 15 buried in catnip with a note "I'm old as shit and going out as I see fit". He was inducted into the hall of fame by James Franco and Seth Rogen, who both agreed that they couldn't think of a more fitting end to a bright career.

[@genesismultiverse4896]

Shazam: hey what's that smell John: oh hey I made us a meal Superman and Diana: oh we are starving Shazam: yeah (but I want Diana I am evil for no reason)

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

Poofed out of existance.

[@furioussherman7265]

Why is it that the only good post-apocalyptic story involving Superman that I can think of is the Justice League episode "Hereafter"?

[@TheNemesis432]

I was thinking about it too. It's not only good post-apocalyptic, it's also good non-powered Superman story and good story all around.

[@dnmstarsi]

Because Dwayne McDuffie took the ideas of a powerless Superman as well as the death and return of him and managed to make it work.

[@furioussherman7265]

@@dnmstarsi Honestly, I think Dwayne McDuffie could have made just about any comic idea work.

[@Mask0fFate]

I just realized something. Why is Superman so sure he’ll die when the planet explodes? I mean, at that point, his powers have supposedly returned in full, including his invulnerability. Plus, it’s established that Superman can breath in space, so I ask again; Why is he so certain that he’ll die when the planet explodes?

[@juliomontoya8824]

Am I the only one who groans whenever Superman and Wonder Woman somehow end together? Seriously, Its one of the best ways to make me abandon a continuity.

[@rikowolfin4984]

You are not alone, while yea a romance between the two could work if its written properly it never is! Most if not all of the time some one tries to do it they only want to because "Hay lets make the strongest man and woman fuck!" and not because they actually want to tell a romance of the two characters. It was especially irritating to see how they handled it in the New 52 by making SuperMan a meat head and WonderWoman only finding him attractive for how strong he is!

[@juliomontoya8824]

Riko Wolfin Pretty much why I refuse to read any Justice League material or Superman material involving Wonder Woman from the New 52. For me, Superman being with Lois humanizes him, instead of the whole "God" thing DC is trying to force down our throats. Almost for the same reasons with Wondy (Even though im not a big fan of her)

[@rikowolfin4984]

Julio Montoya Ya you should just avoid SuperMan and Wonder Woman comics then because it looks like its going to stick this time. Because god forbid they actually get into relationships outside of their SuperHero personalities :T

[@getthatguyatums]

He doesn't need to be humanized by a love interest not that I have anything against Lois I just hate that reasoning. his best friend is human, his parents are human he really likes humanity.

[@rikowolfin4984]

getthatguyatums He doesn't need to but I have yet to see a Wonder Woman and Superman relation ship that hasn't had them talk about "We are gods among men!" or some crap about not being able to feel the same as the people around them. Lois doesn't need to be nor has she been Supermans one love interest, it just shouldn't end with Superman thinking he doesn't belong with humans or loving some one because of how powerful they are so they can know what its like to be better then everyone else.

[@KevlarNinja]

I love the way one person who's video I saw that pointed out that by pairing up Wonder Woman with Superman, she's effectively rendered to being a prize for Superman being the strongest. Points out how stupid the pairing is.

[@KidSnivy69]

Where's that's video?

[@KevlarNinja]

I think it was the Graphic Novel Picture Show.

[@TheSefirosu200x]

Matt Lipton Plus it makes no sense for them to be together. They have nothing in common!

[@LupineShadowOmega]

It makes all the sense that any couple ever makes. The issue is why they're together and how it plays out. I mean Stephen Sejic has series of joke oneshots about them as a couple, but even so it works there because they're just a run of the mill couple that obviously have fun together. Much like the recent Mister Miracle and Big Barda characterizations of them just being super typical despite being a super space god adventure couple. XD

[@sonicsucks20]

Superman always gets Diana as a prize when lois is dead.

[@lwanco1018]

This comic reminds me of that (awesome) episode of Justice League where Superman was sent to the far future where everyone was dead except him and Vandal Savage, that was made for kids and yet it's much more mature then this comic.

[@dnmstarsi]

You, me and others. I watched that episode a while ago and it still holds up as one of the best JL stories IMO.

[@dutchah91]

"You'd be hard pressed to find a comic worse than Superman At Earth's End." > lists 14 worse ones just 3 years later. Oh, Lewis. You were so young and naive.

[@jeremyneill227]

I kind of like the idea of a devastating apocalypse that only superheroes survive, but they lose their powers, despite it maybe not making perfect sense in canon, but this feels like a comic that has an interesting idea for a premise but the writers get bored and decide to throw like five other plot ideas into the mix.

[@Bobsheaux]

Why does everyone in this comic look like Kurt Russell?

[@Hitman-cn6zz]

hi bob

[@dragonempress8367]

Bobsheaux yo Bob! is it weird I always laugh at the Superboy prime voice?

[@blixer8384]

HI BOB HOW YOU DOING IT'S ME EMMETT! YOU KNOW THE GUY WHO SAID PUSS SOUNDED LIKE TOWELIE THE TOWEL! NOTICE ME SEMPAI!

[@theponydalek7923]

Superman wants the flamethrower!

[@leekalba]

Kevin Nolan draws faces a bit weird

[@ttgb2990]

19:16 ‘But luckily, she’s *over there* and *over there* can take care of itself.’

[@yugoxgc]

You know its kinda ironic (or in case of this comic lazy stupid) That Nuclear apocalipse takes away powers from super heroes when in most cases anything radioactive grant ppl powers/ turns them into super heroes

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Maybe that's what they were going for and really, really missed the mark. Then again maybe it's like an EMP kind of thing. I don't know.

[@LoboGuara5bruxaria]

22:20-23:00 In this moment, Linkara drops a very important lesson about using magic in fiction.

[@TPrower]

Am I the only who thinks that the Martian Manhunter in this comic looks like Piccolo from DBZ?

[@BreadHart]

no

[@Tareltonlives]

"Wanna go race cars, Clark?"

[@bluespaceman7937]

Not bad.

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Elseworlds was one of those things that could either be really good or really bad. Sometimes it would slip into really stupid thing and sometimes it would be brilliant. Sometimes it was both in the same story. Still like the IDEA of Kal-El being found and raised by the childless Waynes but then you get Lex as Joker and it gets weird.

[@kyleshea384]

Am I the only one who likes to think that the kid crash landed on Apokolips

[@Egalitariat-likesecretariat]

Kyle Shea Wouldn't that be a bitch? "And one day, the power of the last son of Krypton will bend at the hand of Darksei-... WHO APPROACHES THE THRONE OF DARKSEID?... is that Kryptonian blood I smell? ...is that a Green Lantern Corps ring? ...and deific power, too?..." •later that night• "Dear Diary, *JACKPOT!!!!*"

[@trunksrocks1]

The image of Darkseid just writing in a colorful diary like some fucking schoolgirl is just magical.

[@Egalitariat-likesecretariat]

And now I'm picturing Darkseid as a magical girl. "Darkseid shall punish you in the name of the Moon!"

[@kyleshea384]

The scenario in my head was similar, but only with Darkseid standing outside on a balcony wearing a bathrobe sipping a cup of coffee. When suddenly, that kid crash lands next to him. The kid looks at Darkseid and asks: "Will you be my new daddy?" Darkseid just looks at him for a solid second before saying: "Sure."

[@homuraakemi103]

Well, better get Granny Goodness to train him into my ultimate weapon!...

[@thomasjenkins7506]

liz's face at 1:32 is priceless. small moment, yes, but it had me rolling.

[@OmegaX9]

The only good thing that could come out of this would be making Bruce Kent into a new superhero. Think about it: the child of a godlike alien and warrior princess of the Greek pantheon, named after humanity's greatest detective and armed with arguably one of the most powerful devices in the DC universe? Someone needs to do something with this!

[@davidspring4003]

Billy Batson is more of a Boy Scout than Superman. Probably (not that I know ANYTHING about Captain Marvel, so if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me on this) because he's an ACTUAL Boy Scout.

[@KaosNova2]

He's Boy Scout age (12 years old). So yeah, the description fits Shazaam better.

[@davidspring4003]

so if Frank Millar did a All Star Shazam/Captain Marvel, would he do "Billy Batson, age 12"?

[@KaosNova2]

+David Spring Oh yeah he would.

[@davidspring4003]

suemorphplus2009 not that anyone would let Miller near Captain Marvel.

[@KaosNova2]

David Spring If All-Star Batman and Robin actually dragged on long enough, it would happen.

[@RaithSienar]

Wow, as a Captain Marvel fan this is just...wow.

[@spidergwenstarwars6504]

Wait which one the one that dc made or the one marvel made

[@RaithSienar]

rose SKERRETT Fact: DC did not make Captain Marvel, they bought the company (Fawcett Comics) that did make him. He was made back in the 40s, predating Marvels Captain by about 30 years. Upon DC fully acquiring the rights to the Captain in the 90s Marvel won the trademark battle over the name due to Fawcetts publication of the captain having been shut down back in the 50s thanks to DC suing them over the captain being a (superior) Superman clone. This is why his comics since the 90s have been titled Shazam! Fact: I am not a moron, I would not mention being a Captain Marvel fan in a video about a DC book where the DC Captain showed up if I was talking about Carol Danvers. Fact: Captain Marvel is no longer called Captain Marvel, he is renamed to just Shazam as of the Nu 52, which sucks.

[@KidSnivy69]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who still call Captain Marvel by that name

[@spidergwenstarwars6504]

I know both marvels I get it I was just having a brain fart I just only pay attention to marvel comics I've only read 2 new 52s and that was knight wing and white laturn I do have comic experience but more with marvel but I'll say that dc got me interested, girlfriend besides I'm currently working on a fan story called smash land based on smash brothers a need help with the fire emblem characters so if any one could give character information it would be nice

[@spidergwenstarwars6504]

Besides I can tell the difference between both captains and I now thier history girl and I can tell that billy was acting out of character because I know that he wouldn't have high school jealousy over superman

[@LordSquirrelShow]

I actually liked the beginning of this comic with Supes all alone, disregarding the stuff about him being a god, it was interesting to see his inner thoughts about the situation. Especially the part about surviving the extinction of two peoples. I even think the idea of him finding other people and founding a village could have been really good, at least until the whole things with Billy and Diane happened. I feel this could have been a really good story if it wasn't for the whole power loss thing, the love triangle stuff, and the world blowing up at the end. Just have it about heroes helping rebuild the world, the grief that they carry with them over the death of all of their friends and family, but also their hope for a new, and maybe even better world to rise from their struggles.

[@KaosNova2]

Read Kingdom Come, it's better. WAY BETTER. There's also two others The Kingdom and JSA: Thy Kingdom Come. Old Superman has a wonderful life and a happy life. And there's a happier ending than this too.

[@maxtheaxeiswax]

Those mutants hunted down and captured that cat fair and square, but Superman interferes with nature and shoots up the human mutants. Jesus, Supes. Survival of the fittest. Let them eat the cat they caught.

[@GalanDun]

+maxtheaxeiswax Hey, Superman is more fit than they are.

[@maxtheaxeiswax]

Alex Shannon True, but still...

[@KaosNova2]

But Superman is my hero, and I save people from evil giant mole rats in the Fallout games with guns, why should superman be any different? He's got no powers, and he needs a fast transportation in the post nuclear world. 😊

[@Tomha]

16:00 No one makes a cameo like Gaston!

[@zentfan]

Linkara brings up most of the questions I have with this comic, but there is one plot hole he doesn't bring up that I can't figure out. 28:53 Why is the Power Ring still on Earth at this point? If I have the timeline right, this story was published in 2008, which was well after the Green Lantern Corps was re-established. Going by the publication date of "Last Will & Testament of Hall Jordan", the Corps was re-established in 2002. So, the Green Lantern Corp should be in existence during "Distant Fires". Shouldn't the ring have already sought out a new barer from Sector 2814, or at least returned to Mogo? Is the ring's new barer that woman we see near it? If so, how can Superman just steal it? And if the woman was the new barer, wouldn't she have been taken to Oa by the ring?

[@clearspira]

For a man who declared ''good riddance'' to his powers, he didn't have much objection to using them after he regained them did he? Almost as if he is actually full of shit.

[@kimifw58]

I think the "all-seeing and all-knowing" thing is meant to be a metaphor for his enhanced senses while also making him more of a messianic archetype.

[@jonathankent1517]

So Frieza's Supernova attack has the power of 400,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 czar bombas? Never would've guessed.

[@islamroks11]

Jonthan Kent Fuck that, remember the time Vegeta just blew up a bug planet for shits and giggles? That was BEFORE he got to Earth so...planets are apparently EXTREMELY fragile, like eggs in a cosmic sense.

[@Bauglir100]

islamroks11 1: That was filler. 2: The planet was dying anyway, so chances are that even a random asteroid could break it in two.

[@Tareltonlives]

"Did you MISS?"

[@jeremyneill227]

Although frieza's blast could be less powerful because it doesn't destroy from the outside in, he sends a blast that destroys the core of a planet causing it to explode.

[@YMasterS]

@@Bauglir100 it being filler doesn't make it non canon. It happened. It's part of the anime. What's more, he tried to do it to Earth.

[@samuelbarber4154]

Well, how did Supes lose his powers? His powers are only there because of Earth's differences to Krypton, so the nukes must've completely changed Earth's gravity and even the sun!

[@troin3925]

I like the expression that the giant cat has throughout most of the book.

[@DaTmadChannel]

Actually Superman won't be killed by just 1 planet exploding. He can survive being crushed and blown up by 2 planets so I highly doubt that he would die from that.

[@averagegamecritic]

Is Flash one legged just to take away his powers? Also, how is Flash sane? He thinks in Attaseconds, so thinking so slow would be hard.

[@josephcage7955]

You know, it's pretty impressive that Linkara manages to play like 7 different characters at once

[@padraigbutler]

3:16 the cover makes it look like Captain Marvel is flying into battle side by side with superman, even though they were enemies in the actual fight

[@spideyviewer327]

26:02 Hey if he flew off in rage, why didn't he fly around the Earth and turn back time? That's how it went in the movies! XD

[@DjVortex-w]

I just love how the comic doesn't even _try_ to explain the logic between "nuclear holocaust" -> "all superheroes lose their powers". The characters don't even wonder about it, they just state it as if it were just a simple matter-of-fact ("others like us, who survived the war and lost our powers in the process"). The JLA comic at least _tried_ to explain it. Sure, it was completely half-assed and illogical, but at least it tried.

[@qwellen7521]

How come there hasn't been good post apocalyptic superman story? The core concept has great potential. Why do so many writers get it wrong? If you kept the whole nuclear winter/ no yellow sun consistent and crafted a tale similar to I am legend it could work.

[@markuscriticus8278]

THere actually was an Elseworld, where Superman is launched from Earth to save him from nuclear war and ends up on Krypton, becomes Green Lantern and then returns to devastated Earth. It was pretty decent.

[@conservaduck7298]

Justice Leagur TAS did it pretty well

[@gratuitouslurking8610]

Superman in the apocalypse should be more Kenshiro and less...typical.

[@YMasterS]

The major problem is that if you take away Superman's powers, then the story is no different to it having been any none powered person. Sure, the anguish over failing to save anyone is superhero unique, but that's also a concept that can be covered in a handful of pages, so it can't be the bulk of the plot.

[@lynngreen7978]

I think pacing is a factor here. This is a double sized one-shot. If it were a 4 issue miniseries, with twice the page count, they might have had a bit more time to develop some of the plot points - like Billy's behavior, and the Sexy Lampshade Amazon Princess. That and a bit better editing on the passing of time. Now this leads me to a question. I've assumed that the survivors didn't "lose their powers" but their powers - regardless of what they were - were solely focused on keeping them alive, rendering them mortal. This really doesn't explain Guy Gardner. Essentially, this is the Cable Explanation. Which leads to my question. Cable is a Level 2 Mutant. His sister has Cosmic level Telekinesis/Molecular Rearrangement, Telepathy, Energy Projection, and Time Travel. Cable lacks all this because he must use that power to combat a disease he is carrying. So let's look at another pair of L2s. Sister has the ability to alter reality on a whim. Brother, on a good day, can break the sound barrier. What terrible ailment is holding back Quicksilver's power? And don't refer to his new, post House of M, Terragen Mist derived super speed, that puts him on par with the Flash. From his origin, until the dawn of this century, his top speed - according to my 3 Ring Binder Marvel Guidebook - was 600mph or so.

[@lynngreen7978]

Another thing. The Relationships by Eugenics Plan. DC needs to put Vril Dox in a relationship with a Oan or Zamaron, so that 18 years from now, the offspring can hook up with Clark and Diana's. It is the logical next step in this plan. If people can only fall in love with people that will produce genetically superior children - as opposed to loving who they will, like real people - then this is an essential next step. So our grandchildren can read about a Kryptonian/Amazonian/Coluan/Oan Superhero. And wonder how a character with as FEW powers as Kal-El could ever be called a "Superman".

[@Adam-hi2vx]

Like Magic, Supes got hit with radiation, thus it automatically means the writers can do anything. They could give him a disease (realistically), give him mutant powers, or something that isn't trademarked, or even make him half T-Rex. It doesn't make sense, but radiation opens a world of possibilities, so I doubt taking away Superman's powers was the worst thing they could do with him. As for the rest, yeah that's pretty stupid that wonder woman and the rest lost their powers Magic > Radiation

[@zeonthedigger6851]

+Deatharrows I'd read the Adventures of Tyrannosuperman.

[@bloodysteel6429]

+ZeontheDigger That sounds badass!

[@sonicsucks20]

Radiation > Magic or Radiation is magic

[@TupocalypseShakur]

Marvel cut out the middle man and just made Gamma magical

[@paulhorn7855]

I read this as a kid when it first came out, and I loved it. It has it's flaws but it's still a fun nostalgic read, for me anyway.

[@pinoypizza]

Ah yes, one of the "moments" that is brought up when Linkara the character has his talk with Aplos much later on. In relation to that, I have to admit, a lot of the moments chosen to show why Linkara the character is turning dark were a bit hokey; some seemed more snarkey or jokey, not really invoking arrogance or selfishness. And speaking of storylines, I just watched Trial of Peter Parker and HOLEE CRAP. I watched that finale to the Machinations of Worms arc and I still have no idea what the hell just happened. Oh, and by-the-by, in relation to future videos, Lewis, I suggest typing up "Space 34-24-34", you know that supposed title that came from Nova Girls Kissing Canvas. Apparently, that's actually the title of the Nova Girls's very first issue, if you need future review material and want to start another ongoing review series.

[@AlienPatch]

JUST "a bit"? That episode and the one right after with the gun... dear Lord...

[@raistinhell3010]

Animorph reference heard and appreciated sir.

[@spookyrosev6467]

Show of hands who wants a DCU and Fallout crossover that's better than this comic?

[@Zenn_Chan]

So upon revisiting this, I've only just realised: What the hell was the point of the hallucinations Clark went through saying he couldn't trust anyone? Yeah, a lot of this book is bad, but you can at least understand the message: same as JLA act of god: Superpowers bad. But what was the point of superman being nuts? That he was actually a useless person who didn't deserve his powers? I don't get it. The rest of it I at least understand, even if I don't agree

[@Egalitariat-likesecretariat]

21:15 Phelous' Time Warp (If We Really Have To) mashup would be absolutely perfect here.

[@jessaminehaak8253]

I'll be honest, I was expecting the Indiana Jones theme music over the travel montage XD also, I like how Kryptonite is a giant domestic cat but whoever drew the cover obviously didn't know that at the time because the cover depicts a panther instead

[@BLasherman]

Still more true to the source materiel than the movie Warner Brothers have made recently.

[@Martialartfruituser]

And once again, the problems with ignoring the wider DCU rear it's ugly head. Why has NO ONE thought of just boom tubing, teleporting, or doing anything that would get them off this rock?

[@themandokero1410]

30:00 Was I the only one that thought of Dragon Ball Z when Linkara said that? You know, Freezer vs Goku, Namek will be destroyed in "5 minutes" and also Freezer killed Krilin XD

[@jackmcslay]

I had the same thought too

[@Andhaira]

This was written by someone on crack, or some other kind of drug that they started taking halfway through the book. Or started having some psychotic episode during the writing. There is no other explanation for the sheer stupidity of the story. Aside from the utter WTF of powers being taken away due to a nuclear war, stuff like the Jokers madness being cured and Billy Batson going nutso. Then Batson's Shazam bolt bringing everyone's power back...but somehow causing the planet to explode??!!??? Another explanation though COULD be that this comic is actually a front for a money laundering scheme. Linkara, please use your extensive contacts in the comic industry to investigate this. Thanxxx!!

[@carlrood4457]

Was that Alan Scott's ring? If it were Hal's, John's, or Guy's it would have either sought out another wielder or returned to Mogo or Oa. If this was during the "Kyle-only" period, wouldn't Ganthet have returned to retrieve the ring? It's one of those stories where events are forced to fit the narrative without any explanation. How can people writing and editing comics still get this idea that "powers" mean the same thing to every character when they clearly don't. Heck I remember a John Byrne written issue fairly early in his post-Crisis run that addressed this. There was this pair of aliens that were "stealing" heroes' powers. Superman finally realized one of them was a telepath and was actually using his ability to mentally block them from using powers while the other used its ability to simulate their powers. Superman beat them by employing a force field belt while dressed as Clark Kent. I always loved that issue because it pointed out that the powers come from different places and that Superman was a smart and brave guy who'd do the right thing with or without powers.

[@8tailsjinchuuriki]

90's kid said that a magic wand is needed to make the gun he has shoot bigger. The more recent videos has Linkara with a magic wand. Is this foreshadowing or coincedence?

[@isaacargesmith8217]

Could be foreshadowing since Linkara does have continuity with his videos to my knowledge

[@mathieuleader8601]

is he the Fairy godfather

[@Fluffkitscripts]

For as bad as this comic is, seeing the end of the entire dc earth paralleled to krypton makes me think. Did krypton have its own amazons? Ancient curses? Ghosts? Gods? Vigilantes fighting villains? Cities of intelligent gorillas? I don’t think we stop to think just how much is lost when a world ends.

[@dusktiger112]

I do see Superman with Wonder Woman because how close there friendship is they have for various times in tv animated series and comic books comfort eachother. Clark would never treat her like a prize but see her as someone to confid in and vice versa because they see the people beyond the power and looks. And before people say why not Batman, he has proven time and again outside of silver age he will not give anytime to no one as Gotham is his life and obsession.

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

Even with brainwashing, if Shazam grants Billy the mental and physical abilities of other people, I feel like that really ought not to be a thing. I mean, taking on the mental abilities of other people would kinda make his Captain Marvel persona almost a different person. Have any of the Shazam comics actually explored that? Because now that I think about it, that is a fascinating idea.

[@ntigdona7487]

last I checked, the KINGDOM COME story was available of KZbin as an audiobook!

[@luckyducky7819]

You know, watching this video has reminded me of two things: 1.) Captain Marvel (Shazam) might be my favorite superhero. Mostly because he's Superman, but with POWER FROM THE GRECIAN GODS! And 2.) I love Linkara's Super Bitch Prime voice!

[@roguishpaladin]

TIL that Achilles was a god and Solomon belonged to the Greek pantheon. (It's actually one of a few reasons I don't like him, personally, in all seriousness - the crossover of incompatible mythologies (you can't say that Solomon AND Zeus are both right, since Solomon's mythology has some pretty strong things to say against polytheism) makes me sad.)

[@TheAwesomeHyperon]

So this is basically fallout with superheroes and bad writing

[@Bauglir100]

Fallout has superheroes, too. Silver Shroud, Mechanist, etc.

[@CarlSlime]

TheAwesomeHyperon Fallout has its own Justice League with characters like Shroud, Grognak, etc Forget what they call it though

[@CarlSlime]

TheAwesomeHyperon They're the Unstoppables

[@Anthintendo]

18:56 - Art fail: even though the caption says Billy went with Jonn, that’s clearly Clark. Just compare him to the next panel where Clark and Diana are together.

[@EllaAngeli]

gag I didn't notice at first: Taking off the reading glasses and leaving just his glasses while doing the bomb science.

[@jodonovan4341]

Wouldn't Supes actually have the best luck ever? Seriously, if money still meant anything after nuclear devastation, he should've gone to vegas. Even without powers he would clean up!

[@johnalogue9832]

Fallout: NV joke

[@jeremyusreevu237]

19:04-19:09 No, Linkara. Because that would actually be interesting. And lord knows we can't have something interesting in a Superman comic.

[@JaelinBezel]

You know, in my fictional world there are eight sources of power called the Marks of Eternum, each of which IS a Force of Nature and tend to choose a mortal to rest within based on the quality each stands for. Things like Hope for Heat, Patience for Cold, Ingenuity for Electricity and so on and simply being host to one grants you different abilities (except for Electricity because Ingenuity means you're on your own and Xylene just didn't have it hard enough already) and actually activating one (VERY difficult to do, requires either levels of extreme emotion or complete harmonization with the Mark's virtue) lets you use the Mark's full power for a little bit. Kaden, with the Mark of Heat, VAPORIZED his hometown and the surrounding forest and mountains when he saw his father getting stabbed to death defending him. www.deviantart.com/vague-details/art/Pilot-Flame-5-Wake-Up-398477727 But these things are conditional. If Kaden were to completely give up hope and become pessimistic and suicidal, the Mark will leave him and take its powers with it to find someone else more suitable. Billy Batson was given his powers BECAUSE he's pure of heart. I'd think that if he were to start thinking and acting the way he does in this comic, then he *SHOULD* lose his powers! D:

[@RabblesTheBinx]

20:43 To be fair, Injustice: Gods Among us had the "Wisdom of Solomon" lead Shazam to follow Superman's bloody reign of terror.

[@RabblesTheBinx]

@Kaos it's almost like _nobody_ knows how to write him. Seriously, even in _good_ Elseworlds stories, they make Shazam (or Captain Marvel, in the old days - I personally prefer him going by Shazam) into a naive idiot despite one of his powers literally being wisdom beyond all men. Billy should be _impossible_ to lead astray, at least when he's transformed. He also shouldn't have gone out like a bitch against Superman in Injustice. He's literally as powerful as Clark _and_ his powers are magic, which means Superman doesn't have invulnerability to them. No way in fuck does Clark take Billy out without one hell of a fight. Actually, come to that, Injustice has a _ton_ of other problems, even if you _do_ read all of the comic tie-ins.

[@Trismegustis]

You know, with all these writers acting like Superman looked down on "normal humans," I kind of want to see a story in which it's revealed that Supes just has a complex about that. Constantly terrified he's looking down on people. That he's acting like he's a god.

[@guilhermehank4938]

+Lily It could work and be a good character study but DC shouldnt be trusted with that...

[@noir-214]

32:34 Having got Kingdom come for christmas, it's amazing the story and the art beautiful

[@geoentronecromancer]

I know that it's a minor quibble in the midst of a sea of crap, but the fact that they mention Africa being blown to smithereens, and show a TIGER among the animals killed, it reminds me that I had a book in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL that taught that tigers only live in the wilds of Asia, and makes me wonder how concussed the artist was when they made this comic.

[@Bobsheaux]

I just noticed something weird about the cover. Look above and behind the head of the giant cat that Superman's riding. It's a lightning bolt in the shape of the Batman insignia. Bruce Wayne is dead, but SOMEHOW the Bat-god lives on! X(

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Wait, was Guy blind in this? That one panel close up of him he has no pupils. I see what they were trying to do with the ending there but God what a horrible way to go about it :)

[@thegreatsavagedanklord6665]

Chris McWilliams young blood disease

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

the white knight rises Guess so. Damn them.

[@SebastianLundh1988]

Man, I've been watching your stuff since '09. It's September 15 2020 now, and it hurts to realize how much time has passed since then. Like, I know this is a cliche thing to say, but where did time go? Like, back in '09, the year 2001 was so distant. Now, 2010 was recently.

[@jackmonaghan8477]

Superman having a kid called Bruce Kent. Oh so this is where Zack Snyder got his story ideas for his planned 'Justice League' trilogy. Crappy Elseworlds stories.

[@Cdr2002]

I think heard once thar Snyder wanted to make an elseworlds, you could say sort of like an Ultimate universe for DC, but WB forced it to become the main line of movies and the primary cinematic universe for DC

[@CX462]

@ 7:19, hahahaha, oh just wait until Man of Steel comes out and slams the "Superman as Jesus Metaphor" every single second Superman is on screen.

[@KidSnivy69]

Big time

[@deathstinger13]

loving the double glasses Linkara XD

[@willowwisp2981]

Oh right, and before I lose my Lantern cred: why the hell isn't ONE of the Lanterns still around? Hell, how did they let this happen? Even the Bobbleheads wouldn't let a planet wipe itself out. Where's the Corps, dammit?

[@roguishpaladin]

They must have run out of Lantern power. Relic was right! (Yes, I know that the ring is used at the end. I'm trying to be funny.)

[@willowwisp2981]

If the world is hyper-nature, shouldn't Diana be even more awesome than ever? And also, more than just that, he was empowered by Shazam for turning aside the enemies of Man, including *greed*.

[@paulieswalnut]

Martian Manhunter looks like lazy Piccolo. 🤣

[@Cdr2002]

“This is MY ship Yomarz, there is always more celery for me to eat”

[@CasualKing21]

1:33 I love that reaction lol

[@Cdr2002]

The least fanficy thing about this story is that Batman isn’t in it or referenced more than he already is

[@shada0]

In regards to blowing up a planet, I do remember seeing an internet video were highly respected physicists were talking about what it would take to get to Star Wars level of technology. When they got to the Death Star they claimed that it was completely overkill, blowing up a planet is possible with only a little research needed. A few scientist we're ask to make something by the USA military and they looked into it, it wasn't long before they realized how stupid the project was and dropped it.

[@thelonewolfronstringer6266]

I rarely watch tv so my shows are KZbin channels so when I come across a good one like this I watch the whole playlist

[@glamgirlsg]

Here's a fun fact: the IBM executive who Linkara refers to as a "nitwit" here is Thomas J. Watson. He was the CEO and chairman from 1914-1956. His rather famous 1943 quote of "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers" is actually a misquote. Truth be told, we don't know if he actually said it and all official records are keeping quiet. So props to the writer for actually knowing that since it's a rather obscure factoid even in you're in the world of tech.

[@mitchfletcher2386]

His Superboy-prime voice reminds me of Snaptrap from TUFF Puppy.

[@xcellentcreations3312]

I think what's worse is that despite some oddness to it, Superman alone after the apocalypse would've been a great elseworld story to see the man of steel fighting to survive a irradiated earth...alas, this comic proceeded to morph into the story of superman battling the petty captain marvel (Or Shazam as I call him during New 52 to avoid getting confused with the one from Marvel) along with many good ideas just acting as a cameo

[@williamhanekom9882]

This whole thing feels like a bad fanfic in which the writer couldn't stick to the genre they were promising and really hated Shazam (Captain Marvel) so wrote him as a whiny scorned ex lover in order to make superman look better. Screw this comic.

[@infinityalbi9840]

Actually yeah, this feels just like the horrible fanfics I used to read. Except this guy was paid to write this.