Next up for the month is a pretty underused villain who was first an anti-hero: Manchester Black. The character first appeared in
today’s comic, Action Comics #775 (2001). He has both telekinetic and
telepathic powers. He was a part of a team called The Elite, a team that was
basically a rip-off of Wildstorm’s The Authority. They were pretty much the “no
holds barred” superhero team that killed their villains and caused lots of
damage. While he has been underused a lot, that hasn’t stopped him from appearing
in more recent stuff.
Today’s issue was written by Joe Kelly. The pencils were
provided by Doug Mahnke and Lee Bermejo. Then, we get to the inks which were
split between six inkers. I’ll list them down below. This issue is listed by
some to be one of Superman’s best issues. It even got adapted into a
direct-to-DVD movie in 2008. So, let’s see Superman tackle a team that doesn’t
follow the “no-kill” rule.
Action Comics #775
Writer: Joe Kelly
Pencils: Douge Mahnke and Lee Bermejo
Inks: Tom Nguyen, Dexter Vines, Jim Royal, Jose Marzan, Wade
Con Grawbadger, and Wayne Faucher
Colors: Rod Schwager
Letters: Comicraft
Editors: Eddie Berganza and Tom Palmer, Jr.
“What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American
Way?”
Superman is on his way to Libya to face a crisis. When he
arrives, he’s shocked to find the crisis averted in a pretty gruesome way.
Let’s just say Harambe wouldn’t be proud. The threat was violently taken out
and a lot of innocents were lost. It’s revealed that a new supehero team called
The Elite (Manchester Black, Coldcast, Menagerie, and Hat) took down the threat.
The public is split with this new team with some loving them and others hating
them. Of course, Clark falls on the “WTH, Mofo” side and wonders if the world
has moved on from his style of fighting crime.
Ahh! Clones!!!
Another threat occurs in Japan and Superman goes to do his
thing. It’s here where he finally meets The Elite as they violently take down
the threat. Afterwards, Manchester Black invites Superman to their big ship,
“The Bunny.” Just roll with it. The two get into an argument on their stances.
When it’s clear that Superman isn’t going to understand them, he get teleported
off the ship. Later, he goes to Smallville to get some advice from Pa Kent on
the whole situation. Jonathan wonders if Clark can even beat the Elite they
came to blows. Clark isn’t so sure.
Yo, bro... what's up with those chains? Got a message to send?
Later, we see Superman fighting Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones,
and other aliens… I just wanted to type that. It’s an alien threat that involves
rogue DEO agents and this time Superman’s able to defeat them. The Elite come
on to the scene and Hat is asked to kill the threats and their families.
Superman’s had enough and decks Hat. Black takes Superman’s action as a
challenge and they’re set to fight the next day. Later, Lois and Clark talk
about what’s going to happen. She wonders why he’s doing this all on his own
and he tells her that he needs to be an example to the people.
Huh... now that would be a crossover to see!
At dawn, Superman meets the Elite. They go to one of
Jupiter’s moon in order to keep folk safe. The whole battle is broadcast around the world too. The Elite throws all they have at him
and seemingly kill him. It’s here when Superman… goes dark. He kills off each
Elite member until Black is left. When he pulls one last trick on Black, it’s
revealed that he only incapacitated the members. He wanted to show Black what
he could really do off the edge. He also wanted to show that there’s always a
better way than killing. The issue ends with Superman giving one more speech
and with the Elite waiting for the JLA to come arrest them.
……………………………………………………
This was an interesting story. While I can’t say that it’s
one of my favorite Superman stories, it’s a good one. I see why a lot of folk
throw it into the” great Superman stories” pile. The writing is good for the
most part. It’s a story that brings up Superman’s (and really most heroes)
no-kill rule and tries to test it. He’s facing a team that only cares about
getting results no matter what. Not only is he facing the Elite, he’s facing
public opinion. Still, he faces his challenge and wins in the end. The ending
where “goes loose” was kind of hilarious as well.
The Elite as a group is fine. They have their quirks but
that’s about it. They are there to kill, kill, maim, and get beat up. Manchester
Black is the only one we really get to know and that’s fine. This is just one
issue (extra-sized), after all. I don’t
know much about the Authority to say how they’re homages/ripoffs. All they do
is serve their purpose in the story and that’s it. I also liked the
conversations Superman has with his supporting cast like Steel, Pa Kent, and
Lois.
The artwork is good for the most part. Doug Mahnke’s style
is a little different at this time. Still, he’s able to make Superman look in
charge. The small scenes are pretty good. The action is also pretty nice. This is "Action Comics," so you know that you gotta bring it on that front. The Elite look alright, though. I did wonder what was up with Coldblast’s
chains though. Even though there are a crapton of inkers on here, it still
works together.
There isn’t much wrong with the issue as a whole. The
writing can come off as a little preachy especially towards the end. That’s
necessarily a bad thing, though. Also, the Elite don’t have much to them
outside of being the threat of the story. While I liked a lot of the artwork,
there were some points were it didn’t look all that good. Other than those,
things, this was a good one. While I’m one who doesn’t have much of a problem
with Superman killing at a last resort, it was nice to see him stand up for his
ideals. Not a lot of stories show him doing that. I will say that I actually
prefer the movie (Superman vs. The Elite) a bit more than the original story.
I know that feeling too well.
Manchester Black is alright as a whole. I’ve really only
been exposed to him a couple of times, so I don’t know how bad he can be.
Judging from this story and a more recent one, he’s one bad dude who does what
he wants. When you add those powers of his into the equation, he’s a decent
threat for Superman. Well, I got one more single villain before I start to wrap
this all up. Until then, Peace, God Bless, and don’t give up on your dreams!
Well, forget about
that one dream of you swimming in chocolate pudding because that’s just ain’t
right.
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