COVER TO COVER: HULK VERSUS...!
Few characters have Hulk's cache when it comes to the time honored tradition of inter-superheroes fisticuffs. Yes! As often as these titans of power see fit to unite their efforts against great evil, they also find themselves turned against one and other! Be it by means of manipulation, or simple misunderstanding, their battles are among the greatest!

Marvel endeavours to share with you two of it's greatest rivalries in their latest DTV (direct to video) DVD animation! Hulk Vs boasts an exciting fighting double-feature that pits Hulk against two of his famous heroic adversaries -- Wolverine and Thor!

Of particular excitement is the first feature, vs Wolverine, which revolves heavily around the exploits of a cast of Wolvie's personal antagonists. Deadpool survives the adaptation process better than anyone could imagine, making up for the inevitably obtuse inclusion of Ryan Reynolds in X-Men Origins; while The Professor and his lackeys serve up a solid tale with a flavour of diversity -- something arguably lacking in the very specific romp through Asgard. [Also look for Sabretooth, Omega Red, Lady Deathstrike, and even a reasonably unoffensive X-23 cameo].

In keeping with the theme, we served up, as we so often have recently, another platter of pulse pounding confrontations between the incredible Hulk and the heroes of the Marvel Universe!

Tales to Astonish #79 (May 1966)
"The Titan and the Torment!" Lee/Everett/Kirby
When a young man carelessly parks his jeep on a military testing range, he seals the fate of the noble Dr. Bruce Banner, destined become a lumbering green Hulk!

Banner dedicates his life to the struggle of reversing his condition, but complications continuously arise as his rampaging, childlike alter-ego encounters those that would seek to destroy, mainpulate, or channel the powers of the incredible Hulk!

When a Dr. Zaxon is hired to replaced Banner at missile command, the villainous scientist's true motivations are revealed to be that of harnessing the gamma irradiated powers of the Hulk for himself! Irrepressible; the Hulk escapes the bondage of the evil doctor, and in doing so, raises the ire of Major Glenn Talbot's military forces, who pursue him into the path of an on-coming train that just happens to ferry a demigod on the path to a career as a Hollywood star...

Marvel Treasury Edition #25 (1980)
"Spider-man vs Hulk at the Winter Olympics" Mantlo/Gruenwald/Grant/Trimpe
The Thirteenth Winter Olympics have come to Lake Placid, New York, and it's not just the Russians who will antagonise the American hopefuls of ice hockey, figure skating, and bobsleigh. Lurking underground are the competitive aspirations of rival subterranean rulers -- the Moleman and Queen Kala!

In an effort to expand their underworld armies, Moleman and Kala each recruit champions from the surface world, both Olympian and superhero, against their will. It's at this time that Peter Parker, covering events for the Daily Bugle, is forced to spring into action as his alter-ego, the spectacular Spider-man!

As armies of Lavamen and Moloids clash underground; the Outcasts, kidnapped Olympians, Spider-man, and Hulk, are pitted against each other in a contest of champions. The stakes are high, as the battle for the underground threatens to destroy the surface as the battle erupts to rise Lake Placid into the air!

Iron Man #2 (December 1996)
"Hulk Smash!" Lobdell/Lee/Portacio
When the evils of Professor Charles Xavier's psyche manifested themselves in physical form, the villain that resulted threatened to be the greatest threat to face the Marvel superheroes.

In what the world believed was a final act of heroism, Earth's greatest heroes confronted Onslaught and seemingly sacrificed themselves to thwart the entity's tyrranical plans.

Little did the world at large realise, the heroes had been rescued by the untamed intervention of Franklin Richards, the powerful mutant son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman.
Thus, while the world mourns, the heroes relive their origins trapped in a pocket universe the size of a little boy's ball.

Avengers #5 (March 1997)
"... Let No Man Tear Asunder!" Liefeld/Loeb/Churchill
Trapped in a pocket dimension created instinctively by the powerful son of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman; the world's greatest heroes are reborn in new lives in the wake of the epic battle with the creature called Onslaught!

As though destined to relive key events in their lives, Bruce Banner is again exposed to a massive dose of gamma radiation, turning him into the incredible Hulk.

A mindless and rage-filled beast, the Hulk seeks the one opponent he can never reach: Bruce Banner! Following beacons of Banner's work, the Hulk charges Avengers Island where a live gamma reactor core is housed. Having demolished much of the building and the few attending Avengers themselves, Hulk stands supreme, but a certain thunder gods would have words with him...

Deadpool #4 (April 1997)
"Why is it, to save me, I must kill you?" Kelly/McGuinness
Once upon a time there lived this dude called Deadpool.
He shoulda died a whole heap o' times, but he got this crazy healing factor from these Canadian scientist dudes, who got it from this Wolverine guy, who got it from his parents, who got it from years of evolution, which began because of... Well, to be honest, it's against state law for me to continue beyond this point, but you get the picture.

So anyway, you probably didn't know it, but behind that big old homocidal facade lies a crispy, yet creamy center -- mostly because of cancer, and that whole Canadian thing. Seriously, dude looks like a piece of bacon that's been left on the roof for six years...

Of course, whether it has three or four legs, a bulldog is still butt ugly and slightly hilarious. So, 'Pool needn't worry about losing his finger, because his Irish crish [Siryn] probably can't stand his stink anyway. Still, she's probably upset that they just found out he can't heal his finger because he's probably dying... Eh, easy come, easy go...

KUNG LAO versus SHANG TSUNG
Warrior Eternal (Threshold Entertainment)
Where: Mortal Kombat: Conquest Ep.1 When: October 1998 Why: Juan Carlos Coto & Oley Sassone How: Paolo Montalban & Bruce Locke

The Story So Far...
For centuries there has existed a tournament held each generation between warriors from two domains. Pitted against the dark denizens of the realm of Outworld; Earth's greatest champions protect the world through the sanctity of the martial arts competition, protected from the invasion of Emperor Shao Kahn's invading armies by law of the Elder Gods.

To be allowed to cross the threshold unopposed, Shao Kahn's fighters must retain victory over ten total tournaments. To steer the forces of Earth in their mission is the protectoral god of thunder - Raiden - who is sworn never to involve himself directly in the affairs of the tournament, acting only as a mentor and cryptic advisor.

Dedicated to providing warriors for the tournament is the Temple of the Order of Light, a faction of martial arts fighting Shaolin monks responsible for training a chosen warrior each generation. Among their greatest disciples was a man named Kung Lao, whose skills took him to the final battle of the tournament hundreds of years ago, where he would face a powerful sorcerer called; Shang Tsung! Fight!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Kung Lao 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Shang Tsung 5 (Professor)
Speed: Kung Lao 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Shang Tsung 5 (Marathon)
Agility: Kung Lao 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Kung Lao 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy Power: Shang Tsung 5 (Lasers)


- Raised to be a great champion under the teachings of the Shaolin monestery; Kung Lao emerged to become one of the Mortal Kombat tournament's greatest victors.

Possessing both amazing fighting skills as a martial artist, and incredible compassion as a human being, he reigned without killing his opponents. This ethic was eventually his undoing as the forces of Outworld conspired against him, eventually unleashing the force of the Shokan Prince, Goro, who defeated and murdered Kung Lao.
It was then the Prince's turn to reign supreme for five hundred years, before being confronted and defeated by Lao's distant descendent, Liu Kang. Joining Liu Kang in his continued struggles with Outworld is another warrior named Kung Lao -- the last direct descendent of Earthrealm's legendary protector.

- Said to have been taught the mystic arts by the Emperor himself; Shang Tsung has maintained his existence and youth for hundreds of years through the regular consumption of souls. This greedy pursuit has brought the sorcerer into conflict with many warriors, such as the expert swordsman, Kenshi, whom he fooled into unlocking a family crypt within which held the souls of many powerful fighters.

As Shao Kahn's servant in Earthrealm, Shang Tsung oversaw the tournament during Outworld's most promising age. Observing the victory over then-champion, Kung Lao, by the Shokan warrior-prince, Goro; Tsung was responsible for bringing Outworld to the very brink of victory over five hundred years of fighting.

When Liu Kang defeated the champion in the vital tenth tournament of Outworld's tally, he ensured the safety of Earthrealm for at least another ten generations, by law of the Elder Gods. The treacherous sorcerer would not be so gracious in defeat, however, and retreated to Outworld where he and the Emperor began a manipulation to lure Earth's warriors to their dark realm, while plotting an invasion free from the rules of the tournament.

Math: Shang Tsung Ranking: Shang Tsung (#19)

What Went Down...
Under the watchful eyes of the emperor, Shao Kahn, and tje bloodlusting cheers of a crowd of two worlds, the tournament finalists come face to face; Shang Tsung, Kahn's protege in dark arts, and Kung Lao, Earthrealm's last hope.

With his godly fingers crossed, Raiden, nestled within the crowd, witnesses his warrior suffer the opening blow as Shang Tsung leaps into action with an acrobatic cartwheel kick! He follows it with threatening kicks, quickly met with a stalemate sweep kick offensive from the fallen Kung Lao.

Kung Lao sneaks a jab in-between a flourish of arms and legs, scoring a rising uppercut sufficient enough to shake Shang Tsung, but not topple him. The move proves a motivator for the fighting sorcerer, who returns fire with another diving kick, evaded, leading to a string of blows, each blocked.

The pair again face-off in a stalemate of strikes, broken by a connecting roundhouse kick that sends Shang Tsung on an airborne path to his backside!

Enraged, Tsung returns to his feet, launching through the air with a fly kick!
The move gives him the advantage as the fight returns to a fast-paced exchange of close quarters punches and shifting blocks. This time it is Shang Tsung who scores a well placed jab through the forest of strikes.

The advantage is punctuated with another diving kick from the sorcerer, knocking Kung Lao to his hands and knees on the stone arena floor. With the fighter down, Tsung delivers spinning roundhouse kick to knock him onto his back, leaping into the air for another knockout landing. Kung Lao struggles toward a vertical base, but the unrelenting sorcerer mercilessly sinks his boot into Lao's ribs, only to deliver a finishing elbow to his back.

Shao Kahn's demand for a finish inspires Shang Tsung to call upon his mastery of mysticism to attempt to pull the very life essence - Kung Lao's soul - from his body!

On the verge of defeat, perhaps even death, Kung Lao has a vision of his beloved, Geneviere. It is the fire of his passion, and the faith of her love, that grants him the strength to resist the sapping will of Shang Tsung!

He fends the sorcerer off with a defensive whirl of his legs, leaping to his feet again with renewed vigor. Taken by surprise, the mocking sorcerer suffers a jump spinning kick from the recovering monk. Kung Lao fends off Shang's strikes with ease, fighting liking a man with purpose, able now to deliver fist after fist!

An arm wrench flips Shang Tsung to the ground, who leaps back up straight into the path of a jump spinning heel! Unstoppable, Kung Lao unleashes a flurry of tights punches to the gut and face, setting the stage for a finishing uppercut!

Shao Kahn and the crowd alike compel Kung Lao to deliver a final killing blow to his clearly defeated opponent, but though tempted, the monk pauses to reconsider.

In this tournament of life earned through death, he refuses to spill the blood of his enemy. It is a decision he will have to live the rest of his immortal life with, knowing that although he is protected from attack and age as champion, Shang Tsung will forever be there to threaten the lives of those he holds dear.

The Hammer...
Kung Lao wins! Mercy!

If you were with us last year, you'll know all about Mortal Kombat by now, thanks to the slavish attention granted to the series in the lead-up to their video game crossover, versus DC Universe!

During our time discussing the various possibilities of that game, as well as the history behind the series, we covered a lot of topics surrounding the characters and adaptations from the franchise. One that we didn't get to - a key piece of the mid-nineties MK empire - was the theatrical release of two films.

As you might've already guessed, today's feature fight isn't from one of them.
Rather, I thought it more interesting to draw from the less obvious source of Mortal Kombat: Conquest -- the ill fated live-action TV series spin-off!

Despite being rooted firmly in the modern age, Mortal Kombat's premise draws heavily upon details from conventional mythology, combining them with it's own unique backstory. Among the most famous figures in this barely explored facet is Kung Lao -- a character survived by his distant descendents, Liu Kang, and the playable character of the same name, who debuted in MKII.

Kung Lao is the first significant character in Earthrealm's history of defense against the onset of invasion from Shao Kahn and the army of Outworld. We know very little else of Earth's early champions, to say nothing of the less successful warriors who competed to defeat in other tournaments. Not that defeat is omitted from a warrior's tale, quite the contrary. Many fans know of "The Great" Kung Lao through the mythos of first-game boss, Goro, whose claim to fame was becoming champion by defeating (and killing) the former.

All of this loaded particular weight upon the Threshold television venture, because, of course, this meant establishing brand new elements within the cast of heroes and villains venturing out alongside Kung Lao and Shang Tsung.

For a show of it's type, Conquest garnered a reasonable amount of positive attention. Quite rightly, too, if you can make it past the showy impracticality of various fight scenes, gratuitous display of Playboy talent, and generally cheesy fantasy setting. While many of these lesser qualities have come to define the show, like ill-fated fanboy favourite, The Flash, it was niche programming that found it's footing in decent writing and a well honored brand.

As the show developed, so too did the characters, who gradually fragmented in a classically Mortal Kombat fashion to represent a multitude of factions competing in a single arena. Shao Kahn - barred from interfering with Earthrealm until the next tournament - is forced to employ a variety of factions to do his bidding, all the while other elements, like an "imprisoned" Shang Tsung, pursue their own goals. The method allowed the show to pepper episodes with iconic incarnations of characters like; Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Reptile, and of special note, Quan Chi.

Top 25 Kombatants
#1 Shang Tsung
#2 Shao Kahn
#3 Goro
#4 Sonya Blade
#5 Johnny Cage
#6 Noob Saibot
#7 Sheeva
#8 Raiden
#9 Stryker
#10 Kano
#11 Kintaro
#12 Hotaru
#13 Dragon King
#14 Kitana
#15 Quan Chi
#16 Kenshi
#17 Bo' Rai Cho
#18 Sub-Zero
#19 Scorpion
#20 Kung Lao
#21 Baraka
#22 Reptile
#23 Smoke
#24 Jade
#25 Liu KangThe show really does deserve much more than credit for simple fan service. As we've seen first-hand through the Malibu comic series, [ahem, Hydro...] the invention of original characters within a licensed world can lead to utter embrassment. While every bit-player isn't brilliant, Conquest creates it's fair share of memorable figures, many of whom have been requested for transition to the games by a large portion of the fanbase!

In developing these characters, the show did something comics fans could be particularly appreciative of. While it's a standard convention of fiction, despite being very character and concept driven, MK simply doesn't take time to explore it's history.
When tasked about the possibility of looking backward recently, I had to reflect upon my own reticence.

Conquest's exploration into the ancient past is surprisingly subtle. Obvious connectors to the past, like Kitana, find themselves in a bit of a loop of Lucas-grade repetition, reprising roles familiar to anyone who watched Liu Kang's romancing in the films, or canon of the games.
It's the bigger picture that really benefits from this licensed look backward, allowing greater exploration of the politics that lies behind the delicate balance between realms, and the laws of the Elder Gods. A major villain to the final episodes of the show, Kreeya, contributes connective tissue between basic new stories, and this embellished examination of the MK universe.

Unfortunately, if we can abruptly shift the stream of consciousness to the episode spotlighted, things didn't start fantastic.
I can't honestly remember if I've managed to sit through the entire movie-length combination of the first two-parter. Despite beginning with a bang, jumping quickly into the Kung Lao/Shang Tsung fight featured, the subsequent introduction of supporting characters grinds the energy to a halt.

Starting the series with a tournament was a very novel approach, almost reminiscent of Grant Morrison's topical storytelling techniques in Final Crisis, in terms of jumping straight to the important bits. Slightly cheesy montage clips help establish Kung Lao (and Raiden) quite effectively for their immediacy, but the glorious reprisal of Jeffrey Meek as both Raiden and Kahn is a rare glimmer of promise. It's an unfortunate situation that tarnishes what would otherwise be a glowing review of the series.

We're running very late and bordering on incoherrence, so I'll wrap it up here.
January dated posts continue as we endeavour to feature the 2008 year-end top rated heroes, before jumping in to some contemporary reviews for February!

As always, stay tuned, true believers!

The Fight: 4 The Episode: 3

Unfortunately, "Mortal Kombat: Conquest" has been limited in it's release on DVD. Region 2 offers compilation discs, while Region 4 is where you'll have to look to find the entire series (collected across two three-disc sets). You can, however, catch-up on the series future-history through affordable twin-packs of the two films. Or, why not try your hand at Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe? You'll find these things, as well as collected editions of most reviewed issues, in the Infinite Wars Gift Shoppe. Every purchase helps sponsor the protection of our Secret Earthrealm!

SHIPPING LIST: JANUARY 14, 2009
You can probably find complete shipping list updates on most major comics sites. Consider this an opportunity to either do all your info-shopping in the one place, or get a speculative perspective on what might be worth checking out. These are untested reads. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths can offer no guarantee or endorsement of quality. These are simply titles that may be of potential interest. Some items may ship late.

The Infinite Wars now has a gift shop!
Now you'll find Amazon purchase links to hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and other collections, not only on regular entries -- but also new releases at the bottom of the Shipping List, and now a whole catalogue of potential purchases via the Infinite Wars: Amazonian Gift Shop. [Men are also welcome!] By shopping with Amazon via our purchase links, you not only find yourself a great deal, but also sponsor future entries on the Infinite Wars.

READ THE PREVIEW - VISIT THE SITE - BUY THE COMIC
The Independents...
NOV080047 BPRD BLACK GODDESS #1 (OF 5) $2.99
NOV082278 I HATE GALLANT GIRL #3 (OF 3) $3.50
NOV082262 I KILL GIANTS #7 (OF 7) $3.99
NOV082263 INVINCIBLE #58 (RES) $2.99
SEP084198 PHANTOM ANNUAL #2 $5.99
SEP084417 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 24 $12.95
SEP082242 WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 (MR) $100.00
NOV082275 ZOMBIE COP GN $14.99

The Corporates...
NOV080152 ACTION COMICS #873 (FOE) $2.99
NOV082362 ADAM LEGEND OF BLUE MARVEL #3 (OF 5) $3.99
NOV080147 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #25 $2.99
NOV080158 BOOSTER GOLD #16 (FOE) $2.99
NOV080162 GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #16 (FOE) $2.99
NOV080160 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #32 (FOE) $2.99
NOV080164 MANHUNTER #38 $2.99
NOV082379 MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #7 $2.99
NOV080146 NIGHTWING #152 (FOE) $2.99
NOV082388 NOVA ORIGIN RICHARD RIDER $4.99
NOV082392 PUNISHER WAR ZONE #5 (OF 6) $3.99
NOV080217 PUSH #4 (OF 6) $3.50

The Spotlight...
- OCT088192 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 OBAMA VAR $3.99
I'm told there's a new American President. I'm not sure if you know.
We're no longer avoiding talking about Spidey, but... Well, uh... Can we expect Shocker to be back sometime soon? Maybe Puma, or Tombstone? Team Steam dating stuff, not so much...

- NOV080151 NOV080125 FACES OF EVIL PROMETHEUS #1 (FOE) $2.99
A few years ago, Prometheus found himself caught up in the continuing exploits of then-new Bat-foe, Hush. The issues of Gotham Knights live on in infamy for recasting the villain - who once single-handedly dismantled the Justice League 'big seven' - as Hush's errand boy after being rescued him from mortal wounds inflicted by Green Arrow. With this Faces of Evil special, GJ protege, Sterling Gates, attempts to take a page from his master's book, retooling history through available connective tissues to effectively put the genie back in the bottle. I'm not sure I like the thought of two 'promethi,' but we'll see. First impressions; DC are writing cheques that they can't possibly cash -- again.

- SEP080099 FINAL CRISIS #6 (OF 7) $3.99
At this point I just have no idea where the story is going, and I'm enjoying every second of it. I find it thoroughly discouraging that so many vocal readers seem to insist they 'don't understand' or worse still, that they think the story 'doesn't make sense' at all. I think one of the most unexpected consequences of Grant Morrison's dance with metatextual redefinition and the apocalypse is that it's really exposed the mediocrity of comic book readers. It highlights how the YouTube generation has changed the way comics are read, casting a potentially negative light on all the progress I thought we'd made this decade. In February we'll finally get a chance to talk more specifically about the issues, and hopefully help you find your own potential, because as someone whose education benefitted greatly from comics several decades ago, I like to think you're smarter than you're giving yourselves credit for.

- NOV082381 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #47 $2.99
Suck it up, newbies! Prowler's in the house and that's a good thing! If you haven't studied the entire seventy year history of DC and Marvel comics, you might not know who Prowler is. Less little girl whinging, more reading, pansies! The character -- designed for dad by a young John Romita Jr -- is a classic case of the ol' perpetrator of crimes, solving the crimes. Genius!


Advertise here! Contact for more!
Know Your Trade...
NOV082474 ANNIHILATION CONQUEST TP BOOK 02 $34.99
NOV082451 DAREDEVIL PREM HC BORN AGAIN $24.99
NOV082476 HULK VISIONARIES PETER DAVID TP VOL 06 $29.99
NOV082458 MARVEL ADVENTURES TP VOL 01 TRIPLE THREAT DIGEST $9.99
SEP084417 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 24 $12.95
SEP082242 WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 (MR) $100.00
NOV082470 X-FORCE TP VOL 01 ANGELS DEMONS $15.99
NOV082275 ZOMBIE COP GN $14.99

QUICK FIX: DR DOOM vs IRON MAN
Time is on No One's Side (Marvel)
Where: Mighty Avengers #10 When: May 2008
Why: Brian Bendis How: Mark Bagley

THE TAPE...
Strength: Iron Man 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Dr. Doom 6 (Genius)
Speed: Iron Man 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Draw 6 (Generator)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Iron Man 4 (Trained)
Energy: Dr. Doom 5 (Lasers)

Math: Iron Man
Ranking: Iron Man (#3)

THE FIX...
Tearing the action away from Manhattan-Central to set heroes up on the West Coast, is a rare enough feat as it is. When it comes to maintaining any sense of global awareness, however, outside of the United States, the task is usually deferred to a short-lived B-list team-up, or one-panel disaster cameo.

Celebrations for the upcoming Super Bowl XLIII remind the world just how insular American culture and markets have the potential to be. Even in these times of harsh economic turmoil, promoters are still investing millions into the annual event, for both the sake of the spectacle, and the advertising spotlight attached during revered half-time commercial breaks.

Times may be changing, but this very American pursuit is a prime example of why US producers have been well within their right to completely forego the rest of the planet, relying exclusively on their immediate target. The Dark Knight might have broken records worldwide, but it's by the success within America's competitive home market that the film earnt the crux of recognition.

The critical among us might cast aspersions about the men controlling the four-colour world, to say nothing of the general ignorance of an American readership. A more fruitful option, however, might be the 'no-prize' route! While much less likely to abolish racial stereotypes in fiction, it does offer a slightly more positive spin on the narrow perspective of superheroes within their US foundation...

I can only imagine the sheer decadence of multi-million dollar Super Bowl commercials is exactly the kind of thing that riles Dr. Doom during foreign policy season. For a gypsy boy who fought his way to the throne of his tiny European nation; such frivilous exploits simply do not compute!

Dr. Doom represents a quintessential example of the comic book villain.
His story intertwines with his nemesis' to create a dark shadow of his heroic counterpart, in his case, Reed Richards. Adding that pop twist is the fact that he's two things Americans love to hate: devestatingly brilliant, and European.

Back in Stan and Jack's day there might've been a few vaguely legitimate tensions between Rogers and the boys that made Europeans convenient villains. In previous discussions we've referred to the continued honor of this tradition as iconographic detachment from modern reality -- a continuation of a language.
That "positive spin" I mentioned earlier?... Well, okay, strip away the soft racism, and there's another decent enough logic for European villains: geography!

With all the superheroes located in the US, setting up an evil headquarters in Europe dramatically increases the odds of evading reprive, particularly if you've fled the scene in order to live free to scheme another day!

Actually; in describing some of his original intentions for the character, Stan Lee discusses simple concepts that contribute to the complex nature of the villain in the modern era. He hoped to explore the prospect of a villain whose foreign diplomacy rendered him immune to enforcement of the laws he was breaking.
It's a premise that has since been buried beneath a multitude of motivations and identities shared between Victor Von Doom and his 'Doombot doppelgangers.'

As the Marvel Universe has developed and matured alongside real world politics, one assumes any political immunity Dr. Doom once possessed, was lost amidst the introduction of expansive anti-terror laws. Not that you'd really know.
Unfortunately, to clarify some of the criticisms levelled earlier in the post, the Marvel Universe exists as a fictional entity almost exclusively represented by events taking place on American soil. Despite being one of the most prolific figures in Marvel's army of characters, it has simply been unfeasible for every plausible moment of the Marvel saga to pass through the filter of Doom.

Compensating for this are the unelaborated mysterious liasons, and the rogue robots, who not only attempt to throw a canopy of fog over the specifics of Doom's operations, but also account for some of those unfortunately characterization issues that have dogged him.

All of the issues discussed here might be about to get a serious rethink, it seems, and that brings us to our long overdue quick fix entry!

Doom, a consumate planner, has devised a catalogue of strategies suited to dealing with his powerful American opposers. Amongst his arsenal, a "symbiote bomb" filled with the same species of alien creature that empowers Venom.

When the satellite carrying his contingency is detonated above New York City, it plunges the streets into chaos, forcing members of the Avengers to do battle with monstrous versions of their outlaw counterparts [New Avengers #36].
Fingered for his responsibility, Dr. Doom finds himself defending his castle stronghold from invasion by Iron Man and the Mighty Avengers!

During the battle, Doom's showdown with Iron Man (and the Sentry) accidentally triggers his time portal, shunting the trio sometime into the past. Enraged, Doom lashes out at his armored nemesis, calling upon his master of science and magic to unleash devestating energy blasts!

Iron Man's extremis defenses protect him from the initial assault, while both suits of armor mak attempts to gain a technological or intelligence-based advantage over the other. Both men find their silent war a stalemate as the advanced programming of their suits meets equally adequate firewall software. The exchange gives Stark, Director of SHIELD, the opportunity to exercise his politics, cooling Doom long enough to agree to a truce.

This truce leads the pair to seek out the aid of the Sentry in gaining access to technology withheld in this time by Mr. Fantastic and the Fantastic Four. The end result of that scenario can be explored further in a previous review.

These events coincided with that unfortunate "Secret Invasion" business, which revealed an army of super-powered Skrulls hiding on Earth. Though seemingly irrelevant, this shamble of an event led to Dark Reign, which allowed Norman Osborn to capitalize on Tony Stark's Skrull-disabled technologies to replace him as Director of SHIELD (retooled as HAMMER).

Like Secret Invasion's prospect of exploring Skrulls with the benefit of hindsight; Dark Reign positions a major villain in power, bringing with it varied implications for the Universe, including secret cabal members; Dr. Doom, Sub-Mariner, Emma Frost, Loki, and the Hood. These implications promise to enhance that world perspective that has so long been absent from the core of Marvel comics, and from Dr. Doom's representation as a guest-character.

Hold off on the celebrations!
While Marvel insists Dark Reign isn't an "event," the concept behind the branding appears to be fairly central to Secret Invasion front-man, Brian Bendis. With DR borrowing heavily from a previous concept, (Acts of Vengeance), one can't help but predict a third strike following on from his AoA/HR knock-off - House of M - and the Skrull event. Also a concern, the writer's ability to offer a satisfactory treatment of highly intelligence characters, and the fulfillment of the concept.

It's been very easy to be critical of both the writer, and Marvel, in recent years, but the devil deserves his due. The stars are lined up for something special in 2009 from Marvel, and if they've learnt what they seem to have from the non-event of Invasion, we might be in for one heckuva rollercoaster. One that puts to bed the kinds of criticisms that sponsored our slightly esoteric opening.

This post continues our recap of last year's top ten characters, spotlighting Iron Man, even if our discussion deviated to Dr. Doom. Iron Man is currently on the run and at the mercy of Norman Osborn (and Dr. Doom) in Dark Reign. Stay tuned!

The Fight: 4.5 The Issue: 5.5
Winner: Draw

Mighty Avengers #10 proved to be an extremely positive issue! For more on that, check out our previous review -- featuring a clash between the Sentry and Thing! Want to get the rest of the story, or draw your own conclusions? The "Venom Bomb" and it's aftermath appears collected in two seperate trades (pictured above). By using Amazon and the purchase links provided, you'll not only pick up a great deal, but also help sponsor future entries of the Infinite Wars. Collections featuring most previous issues reviewed are also available for your convenience in our very own Gift Shoppe! So do us a favour, by doing yourself a favour!

COVER TO COVER: SOCIETY'S FACES OF EVIL!
The old edict, 'a superhero is only as good as it's villains,' might be out dated in this writer-centric era of characterization, but the underlying point remains. The ebb and flow of villains as guests in their counterpart's titles frees them of the handicap of routine, often instilling their saga with a purity unattainable to starring characters who sustain multiple series.

Since their mass unionization in the aftermath of Identity Crisis; the villains of the DC Universe have put on a veritable parade of appearances, operating under variations of the "Society" banner, firmly established during Infinite Crisis by Alexander Luthor Jr.

Now DC are literally casting the spotlight onto individual villains through a series of graphically striking covers under the "Faces of Evil" banner. To the best of my knowledge the FoE brand isn't actually building toward any kind of unified vision, (like Marvel's Dark Reign), but it does draw attention to the interesting phenomenon of evil characters that have been the undercurrent of many recent series; including Final Crisis.

Today we have gathered a small catalogue of previous reviews showcasing the villains of the DC Universe. For a little extra bang, some of the characters starring in said issues, whose journeys continue to be some of the most intriguing in the DC line-up!

Black Adam (Teth-Adam)
First Appearance: [Marvel Family #1]
Year One: [1945] Group Affiliation: [NA]
Cumulative Rank: [#14] Win Percentage: [85.71%]
2006: [DNR] 2007: [#8] 2008: [#227]

Captain Marvel's fallen Egyptian predecessor was once his dark nemesis, but after returning from obscurity in the Goyer/Johns JSA revival, the character gained a whole new layer of complexity. Walking a fine line between villain and hero, Adam's path went on to include fostering an entire group of JSA rebels, who he led in a coup against the tyrants of his native Kahndaq, during Black Reign. Adam's tenure as replacement ruler would garner mixed results, culminating in a world war scenario upon the death of his adopted family, and his subsequent genocidal rampage in pursuit of their killers, Azraez and the Horsemen of Apokolips.

Comparisons to Marvel's pointy-eared Sub-Mariner are ultimately very fair, but as Marvel left that particular character stagnant, DC earned full credit for taking Black Adam much farther, and in different directions. He returns to the spotlight in JSA once more having apparently succeeded in his long running mission to resurrect his fallen love, Isis.

Cheetah (Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva)
First Appearance: [Wonder Woman #6]
Year One: [1987] Group Affiliation: [The Society]
Cumulative Rank: [#310] Win Percentage: [25%]
2006: [DNR] 2007: [#98] 2008: [#373]

As the modern age's best known inheritor to Priscilla Rich's mantle as Wonder Woman's arch-foe, Barbara Minerva needs no introduction. Taking the Cheetah concept to a literal end, she not only presents a far more striking visual, but also a more suitable physical opponent for a modern Amazon warrior! It hasn't just been Wonder Woman that's been in the sights of the feline foe, however. Her story has been made especially intriguing during her tenure with The Society, adding to circumstances that have made for her enemies in the likes of Flash and Catwoman. Making her tale even more interesting -- her role as one of the last free-roaming rebels in a world gripped by the Anti-Life Equation, in Final Crisis.

Dr. Light (Dr. Arthur Light)
First Appearance: [Justice League of America #12]
Year One: [1962] Group Affiliation: [The Society]
Cumulative Rank: [#90] Win Percentage: [40%]
2006: [DNR] 2007: [#95] 2008: [#162]

Everything changed for the DCU when Identity Crisis revealed hiddens sins from the past. Overshadowed by the League's tampering with the mental faculties of villains was the heinous crimes of Dr. Light, who suffered such a treatment after sexually assaulting Sue Dibny - civilian wife of Elongated Man. The events of the series returned to the bumbling Teen Titans villain both his memories and lethality, leading to a march across the DC landscape that reestablished him as a power player in the darkest corners of the villain world. For far too long he evaded punishment for his despicable crimes, but not even his allegiance to New Gods could save him from the (overdue) vengeful wrath of The Spectre.

Hush (Dr. Thomas Elliot)
First Appearance: [Batman #609]
Year One: [2002] Group Affiliation: [NA]
Cumulative Rank: [#678] Win Percentage: [0%]
2006: [DNR] 2007: [DNR] 2008: [#225]

Beginning his criminal career as a shallow foil to the Batman; Hush's story has been an easy one to follow, weaving through Gotham's criminal underworld as Thomas Elliot finds who he truly is as Hush. After manipulating Batman's deadliest enemies in his first encounter, the villain continues to seek aid from a community dedicated to the same goal as he -- the destruction of Batman/Bruce Wayne. Of course, as one of the few villains to know the Dark Knight's alter-ego, he makes his attacks close to the heart, including the abduction of Catwoman and life-threatening surgery to remove said organ.

Having undergone surgery to reconstruct his face to resemble Bruce Wayne himself, Elliot reemerges in a world without a Batman to usurp the fortunes of the caped crusader's absent alter-ego. In his brief time in Gotham, however, he has made many enemies, and right at the top of the list is a woman willing to go to greater lengths than Batman ever was -- Catwoman!

Solomon Grundy (Cyrus Gold)
First Appearance: [All-American Comics #61]
Year One: [1944] Group Affiliation: [NA]
Cumulative Rank: [#684] Win Percentage: [0%]
2006: [DNR] 2007: [#324] 2008: [#237]

Despite a brief run-in with the Justice League as an intelligent strategist, Solomon Grundy's appeal isn't routed in any particular tale. Rather, it's his constant resurrections, and oft times meaningless encounters with heroes, that make him such an intriguing figure to follow. Slightly mysterious in his origins, Grundy gives so very little away, resembling our other featured characters in their path of sporradic appearances, but with far less direction. Direction that is about to be funded by the Phantom Stranger and Green Lantern as they attempt to help Grundy cure himself of the curse that grants him eternal life.

Superboy-Prime (Kal-El)
First Appearance: [DC Comics Presents #87]
Year One: [1985] Group Affiliation: [Legion of Supervillains]
Cumulative Rank: [#73] Win Percentage: [100%]
2006: [DNR] 2007: [DNR] 2008: [#26]

One of the heroes of the Crisis on Infinite Earths -- Superboy-Prime's fixation with worlds rooted in DC's Silver Age made him the perfect cypher for unruly fans prone to unreasonable outbursts. Upon returning from a pocket dimension of unreality, from where he and survivors from the Crisis watched on, Prime throws in with an attempt to destroy our universe in the hopes of remaking the old one(s). The failure of Alexander Luthor Jr's plot in Infinite Crisis left Superboy-Prime to continue one inlgorious tantrum spread across the entire universe! After escaping imprisonment from both the Flashes and Guardians, Prime hooked up with the Sinestro Corps, just to spread a little carnage before bouncing around the universes and finding himself in the thirty-first century as a supreme emmisary of evil. Before leading the Legion of Supervillains, however, Prime's greatest act of evil might just have been inadvertently sponsoring the birth of a plague upon the galaxy -- the Black Lantern Corps!

Infinite Crisis #1 (December 2005)
"Infinite Crisis" Johns/Jiminez
The world is in crisis, and the heroes are divided to fall, while the villains are united in a way never before seen.
The Justice League is falling apart at the seams, struggling to recover from events such as Wonder Woman's brutal execution of the traitorous Maxwell Lord, where she very publicly snapped his neck; and the death of Firestorm.

Heroes such as the members of Uncle Sam's Freedom Fighters do their best to pick-up the slack, but with a united front of evil willing to cross any lines, it becomes more difficult than ever.

Having received information regarding a transmission between Silver Ghost and Mirror Master; Uncle Sam leads his Freedom Fighters to a seemingly abandoned refinery where they believe the supervillains are organizing weapons for terrorist activity. Unfortunately for them, Uncle Sam's suspicions prove valid. Now the team need not only put a stop to evil, but also fight to survive.

Batman #647 (January 2006)
"The Away Team" Winick/Mahnke
It began when a man called Hush set into motion events that would throw the Dark Knight's life into chaos, as his foes were arranged like game pieces in formation against him.

Hush would later be revealed to be Bruce Wayne's childhood friend, Thomas Elliot, but betrayal would have two faces.

Orchestrated to disorientate the Batman further; Clayface masquaraded as the deceased Robin, Jason Todd.
When a new face in Gotham going by the Red Hood moniker, Joker's one-time alias, began stalking the streets, Batman's fears would be realised.

Alive once more by means unknown, Jason Todd began fighting a fatal one-man war against the criminals of Gotham, organizing his own sense of order.
When the villains united with Gotham's new boss, Black Mask, Jason Todd had for him one mighty enemy in the shape of The Society.

Infinite Crisis #2 (January 2006)
"The Survivors" Johns/Jiminez
Long ago there was a crisis that threatened existence across dimensions. The champions of the multiple Earths opposed the existential threat, and through their triumph came a rebirth of reality, and a merged existence.

A select few survivors from worlds before the crisis were able to escape to a life exclusive to the redefined reality that was unfolding, some infiltrating the new central Earth with no memory of all that once was.

They were the likes of Powergirl and Psycho-Pirate, and they integrated into their new lives well, but such was not so for the refugees in non-space. Trapped in the crystaline universe they had made for themselves, they were forced to watch as life evolved in a very different, darker way, and their ideals were betrayed. Able to take it no more, these super forces take full advantage of unfolding instabilities, and reemerge to shape the worlds again...

Green Lantern #25 (January 2008)
"Birth of the Black Lantern" Johns/Reis
The Anti-Monitor - a creature of immense power that once sought to destroy the multiverse - joins Sinestro in creating a new Corps of agents, with the intent to use them as heralds of his conquest over the positive realm. Harnessing the yellow power rings of Qward, the Sinestro Corps operate on a design of fear, using it to control their yellow energy the same way the Lanterns us willpower.

Tricked into believing the Sinestro Corps were to attack Oa, the designates of Sector 2814 soon find themselves four against an army, as the Anti-Monitor and his heralds emerge in the Milky Way. They launch their attack on Earth, but the rest of the Green Lanterns, along with heroes native to the planet, soon join the war. The Justice League, Justice Society, Titans, and more, rally to join the Green Lantern Corps in a stand against a force determined to seek the destruction of all.

Justice League of America #15 (January 2008)
"Unleashed" McDuffie/Benes
The matrimonial union of Dinah Lance and Oliver Queen -- better known to the world as Black Canary and Green Arrow -- should have been one of the happiest occasions on the Justice League calendar. Instead, it was to initiate a new incarnation of the Injustice League into being, marking another in a long line of personal attacks suffered by the heroes in recent years.

Organized as an "unlimited" version of the team by Lex Luthor, Joker, and Cheetah; the League of criminals forms as a response to the dissolving Society of Supervillains. With motives of widespread corruption and protection of crooks, the Injustice League strikes with startling success.

Having captured the JLA, the Injustice League holds their nemesis in captivity with the intent of executing them, but despite their consumate planning they failed to take into account the legacy of an atomic hero called Firestorm!

BATMAN versus SUPERMAN
Chapter X: The Greater Good (DC)
Where: Justice League: The New Frontier Special #1 When: May 2008 Why: Darwyn Cooke How: Darwyn Cooke

The Story So Far...
Paradise Island, 1955 -- off the coastal shores of the Amazon's refuge, American intelligence superpowers engage in a secret meeting! Led by King Faraday, the cabal assess the public relations blunder of their recent efforts to round up masked mystery men refusing to cease their unauthorized vigilante activity. Of particular concern, the rebellious dark knight of Gotham City -- the Batman!

Batman's resistence to the US government's anti-outlaw efforts earns him special attention for his penchant for evading capture, overcoming the numerical and weapons superiority of the government's agents. Consequently, the powers-that-be agree to enlist the aid of two of the free world's most powerful allies - warriors from afar capable of superhuman feats - Superman and Wonder Woman!

Gathered aboard the 'neutral territory' of a billionaire's cruise yacht; little does Faraday know that he is in fact conspiring against his host, Bruce Wayne, who uses the opportunity to learn more about their plot to bring down his alias.
Fortunately for Wayne, Wonder Woman refuses to lend her Amazonian powers to the capture of a noble hero, but Superman is not so easily dissuaded.

Though his powers are many, the Man of Steel will not find his stay in Gotham easy. With intelligence on his side, the Batman sets about formulating a potent welcome for his extraterrestrial adversary. One that includes a certain rock...

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Superman 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Batman 5 (Professor)
Speed: Superman 6 (Mach Speeds)
Stamina: Superman 6 (Generator)
Agility: Batman 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Batman 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy Power: Superman 5 (Lasers)


- After witnessing the street murder of his parents, the young Bruce Wayne's destiny was forever shaped to be one dedicated to an ideal. Having spent his formative years studying the various sciences, martial arts, and crime fighting techniques, Bruce is ultimately inspired to become the one-man war on the criminal element in Gotham City: Batman.

Perhaps Batman's greatest power is the millions inherited from his industrialist parents, and the various facilities that came with that. They prove crucial in the design and construction of his many weapons, which are typically non-lethal, and have a variety of uses.

Complimented by his keenly strategic mind is Batman's expertise in the martial arts. He is extensively trained in multiple fighting styles, and commonly regarded to be one of the greatest hand-to-hand fighters in the world.
He is also extremely proficient in general urban warfare.

- With the planet Krypton on a path toward destruction, a scientist, Jor-El, bundles his only son into a rocket ship designed to take him far from the impending doom. The young Kal-El would be rocketted far from his home to come to land on the planet Earth, where a yellow sun would grant him the powers to become the man of steel - Superman!

A spiritual leader for the superhero community; Superman has a wide array of physical capabilities to back his presence up, the stalwarts being; super strength, flight, heat-vision, super breath, and super speed. He also has a keen intellect, his Kryptonian brain enhanced in much the way his body is.

A keen strategist, Superman has a broad understanding of sciences and battle tactics, but is often hindered by his own sense of caution and responsibility.

Additional: Together, Superman and Batman are known as one of the most potent crime fighting duos in all of comics - the World's Finest. Their differing ethics, however, have made for one of the most explosive rivalries in the last twenty years. Under varying circumstances the pair have clashed five times previously, on the Infinite Wars, including a vague encounter in Batman #611.

The first chronological issue currently featured on the site was one crucial to establishing the tension between the two icons, despite being completely removed from central continuity. Dark Knight Returns #4 features a dystopian alternate future where the Batman rises up against a government that has ushered the superheroes into obscurity. As a secretive puppet of the government, Superman is charged with the mission of taking the Dark Knight down.
This version of the rivalry was reprised in the also reviewed Dark Knight Strikes Again #1, the first issue in the 2002 sequel to the 1986 Frank Miller classic.

Other clashes see one of the pair influenced by a manipulator: Batman #612, with Superman under the spell of Poison Ivy, and Superman/Batman #23, seeing Batman possessed by a spirit-creature called Kryptonite Man.

History: Batman (3-2-0)
Math: Superman Ranking: Batman (#1)

What Went Down...
When Superman arrives in Gotham City he is met with an unlikely sight, but immediately he recognises it's intentions. High above in the night sky shines the Bat-signal, calling him to a junkyard on the outskirts of the city. The junk piles of wrecked cars are laden with lead paint, drastically minimizing the potential of the Superman's fantastic X-ray vision!

Beside the beacon, Superman finds a note -- "Think fast."
It's then that the Batman makes himself known, sending his warcry through the echoed rumbling of the Batmobile engine! It growls as the machine rumbles to life, bathing Superman in light, before emerging from the darkness!

A rocket fires from the hood, encouraging the Superman to dive left with ease.
The missile sails past in a split second. All part of the plan.

Waiting left is a triggered green spew of discontinued military toxics. Laced with a foam congealing agent, it wraps the Kryptonian in a digusting coccoon of poison. Non-lethal, for him, but nasty just the same, and a crucial delay.

The Batmobile bumps over the writhing blob, sending a blind message to the superman inside, right before the fired rocket topples a few towers of scrap metal on top like a cherry on desert. There's nothing to do now, but run. Put the foot down. Head for the hills and never look back.

In a former life, the Batmobile had been a state-of-the-art speed machine. A car so fast, not even the greatest racer could keep it on a straight line. Yet, even with the Batman fearless in his pursuit of victory, it is not fast enough.

Racing across the beach, toward the hills, the Batman keeps his flying opponent barely at arms length. A spray of oil provides a valuable veil, sticking to the Superman's face, while Batman ignites the vehicle rocket boosters and makes a death-defying turn into a hidden tunnel in the fast approaching cliff face. The alien doesn't have the luxury, careening blindly into the Earth ahead, instead.

With the Batmobile rolled inside the cave, Batman runs into the darkness.
It's alright. The plan's still going to schedule. While Superman furiously pounds his way toward the cave, Batman confers via radio with his faithful butler, Alfred Pennyworth. A generous coat of lead paint prevents the element of surprise being spoiled.

Hidden cameras observe the Superman's approach, broadcasting to Alfred who mans a speaker system set to disorientate. Waves of sonic reverberations pound at a Kryptonian inner ear enhanced by the Earth's yellow sun. Struggling to maintain a sense of equilibrium, the Superman topples amidst a sea of excited bats. Mounted on a motorcycle, the Batman rides in their shadow.

From behind the beaming motorcycle headlight a pneumatic weapon fires.
Harpoon-like, a sharpened green rock floats through the air attached to wire and weights. The stolen alien rock buries itself in Superman's shoulder as the bola tanble and snare around his body and arms.

Blood sprays for the first time in ages.
The Superman tastes surprise and vulnerability all at once. Pain.

His body floats like a ragdoll on a wagon, bouncing off the walls of the cave.
Dragged on the line, the Superman feels strength leaving his body, and a shoulder burning with agony. The ironic legacy of his heritage; Kryptonite.

Light emerges in the cave and finally the Batman's master plan is revealed.
Spying a metal chamber with open door, Superman knows the cage that is waiting for him. Tasting defeat for the first time, he clings to the Earth that embraced him as a child in a rocket ship, desperately trying to slow his trajectory. It works.

The stubborn weight tugs at the line, jerking the bike to a halt like a bucking bronco. Both men bounce out of control; Batman, into a clutter of computers -- the alien, onto his back as a loosening chunk of dirt flips him over, and the Kryptonite dart tears it's way out of his body.

Batman recovers first.

A kick to the face wakes the Superman, but it's the Batman's words that enrage him. He reaches up to snatch his counterpart by the throat, verbalizing a restraint not seen in his actions. The Dark Knight, showing his own wounds, just grins and dares him to do it. He doesn't get the chance. Wonder Woman stops him!

The Amazon puts herself between the two men and calls for sanity.
Recognising the faults and virtues of both men, she asks them to realise their potential for a greater good. A good that denies the controllers and schemers a world at their control. Reluctant to turn on his masters, Superman is convinced by a single gesture. A show of good faith. Bruce Wayne removes his lead-lined cowl, exposing his entire empire to the government's Superman.

It is a faith well placed.

The Hammer...
Where I come from, a peaceful resolution of this sort, might be deemed a mutual draw. Here on the Infinite Wars, however, we have to make a different assessment, and reward Batman the victory on the point value of his sheer dominance over Superman!

With each year we establish new traditions here on the Infinite Wars, and today's entry represents two of them. In the background, the fun of ranking superheroes drives our choice to reprise last year's leaders for a shot at starting off the new year. Also at work, however, is the gushing fanboy desire to start with one of the biggest rivalries in comics -- Batman vs Superman!

Clutching two of the industry's most recognised icons in each fist to smash them against each other isn't typically the type of edict to garner the respect of the comics intelligencia, (we should know). Even toffy critics had to agree in 2008, however, that there's just something bloody cool about these two fighting!

For the DVD release of the animated adpatation of DC: The New Frontier; the master, Darwyn Cooke, returned to the universe currently dubbed Earth-21. The special offers up three stories from the world of New Frontier, but it's Chapter X that inserts itself into the events of the classic mini-series, doing just a fraction more than offer up a stylish fight sequence.

The subject of Wonder Woman's place in the DCU is something we've discussed several times on the Infinite Wars, and under the cover of innocence, Cooke makes a similar discussion with this tale.

Those who read the original mini already know just how well Cooke presents Wonder Woman on the many fronts that defined the ideal of her character. His Wonder Woman represents the warrior ideals of the Amazon, whilst commenting on the evolving mistrust in a world that has hunted it's heroes.

Chapter X continues along similar lines, using basic politics to emphasise simple differences that make "the Trinity" such an integral part of the Justice League. More importantly, in revealing the extremes that make Batman and Superman as powerful as they are, Cooke discusses the importance of Wonder Woman as a binding influence that unites two stubborn men whose strengths lie in qualities that remove them from understanding mortal men.

Cooke's Wonder Woman draws on both the warrior qualities that make her a practical figure in modern superheroes, but cleverly utilizes the wisdom of a diplomat. Admittedly, her role as a descending voice of humanity could easily be shared as poignantly by any of her counterparts, but neither Batman nor Superman are in particular need of further exploration.

This grasp of characters is vital to the success of what Darwyn Cooke does, but, that said, the greatness of New Frontier quite obviously lies in the visuals.
His history in animation radiates off pages that appear every bit storyboards, as they do, comic book. I think I prefer the latter, but it was a rivetting decision to introduce cartoon audiences to this version of the iconic characters.

As one of the must-have issues of 2008, you can imagine how difficult it was for the Infinite Wars to sit on it, particularly given how brief our liasons with the year's comics have been. I think it was worth it, though. Don't you?

Justice League: The New Frontier Special was never going to trap lightning in a bottle for a second time. The original mini-series remains one of the greatest stories of the decade, if for no other reason than the synergy between concept, and visual design. Cooke is never better than when he's behind the pencil of retro inspired versions of the DC characters, so even if he's just trying to sell you a DVD, there's something to be enjoyed.

Some of Cooke's collaborators jump on board for some fun back-ups featuring Robin, Kid Flash, and an over-the-top feminist Wonder Woman in a strip club.
That said, absence only makes the heart grow fonder. If there's a complaint of the works of these prolific figures in comics, it's that they so rarely seem interested in dedicating massive amounts of time to the medium.

The prospect of other specials hasn't been ruled out by the creator, but it seems it'll be quite some time before there's something more to say about the world of New Frontier. Maybe that's for the best. Chapter X fills in some of the unspoken blanks of the original tale, doing so in brief enough a space to be enjoyed, even though the Batman/Superman lynchpin offers little new.

The Fight: 5.5 The Issue: 5.5

Unfortunately, despite being a valid piece of the story, to the best of our knowledge, "Chapter X" is yet to be included in any collected form. That said, you can find DC: The New Frontier in several formats, including the above linked "Absolute" oversized hardcover edition, or as an adapted animated feature on DVD! For alternate versions of the DVD and more affordable trades, check out the above link to New Frontier, or browse the Infinite Wars Amazon Gift Shoppe, where most reviews featured are on sale. By using purchase links provided, you help sponsor future entries in the Infinite Wars!