SUPERMAN/ALIENS 2: GOD WAR #1
"God War, Part One"
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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Dark Horse Comics/DC Comics
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Pencils: Jon Bogdanove
Inks: Kevin Nowlan
Colors: David Stewart
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Editors: Philip D. Amara & Eddie Berganza
Price: $2.99 US/$4.99 CAN |
It never fails to amaze me. DC and Dark Horse's collaborations, their combination of iconic comic-book properties with iconic other-media properties always seems to yield strong stories, and Superman/Aliens 2 is no exception. Dixon not only provides a creepy buildup to yet another confrontation with the Aliens, but he injects the quieter moments of the story with some believable and novel characterization of the Man of Steel.
An alien ship crash-lands on Apokalips, and Darkseid and his minions discover a dead crew within... along with the alien creatures that slew them. Meanwhile, Superman visits New Genesis and the New Gods, basking in the respite from his heroic duties. Highfather, wise ruler of New Genesis, receives a vague message from the omnipotent, bodiless Source, warning of a disaster... one linked to a certain visiting stranger.
Bogdanove's exaggerated, over-the-top style may suit super-heroes all right, but I had my reservations about his ability to convey the insectoid menace of the Aliens. But then, I should have noted that Kevin Nowlan was on the inks. Just as he did as the inker on the first Superman/Aliens limited series, he brings a dark, mature tone to the art that's integral to achieving the proper mood. As for the pencils, Bogdanove captures the carefree, peaceful mood of New Genesis nicely, reinforcing a key aspect of Dixon's script.
Surprisingly, Dixon doesn't just focus on the crossover and super-heroics here. He delves into Superman, and presents a thoroughly believable take on the character. As he strolls through New Genesis, he revels in the fact that he's not needed, that he's not even remarkable. He's found a place where he's treated like an equal, and his comfort and pleasure strikes me as an ever-so-slightly (and understandably) selfish side to an iconic hero that's usually depicted as being flawless.
Dixon balances the brighter elements of the super-hero genre with the Aliens concept that become an icon of horror in Western culture. The Aliens seem even more disturbing and threatening because they're invading a purer world, a brighter place. It's as though they're tainting the worlds in which Superman travels, and it makes for an entertaining read.
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