Next up for the month is yet another love and maybe the last
love. I’m not sure yet. I guess I got love on the mind or something. This time,
it’s the mermaid known as Lori Lemaris. Yes, Clark Kent actually fell in love
with a mermaid and that mermaid went to college. It’s like Splashed and Stomp
the Yard got mixed into one plot or something. She first appeared in Superman
#129 from 1959. She and Clark dated when he was enrolled at Metropolis
University. He even wanted to marry her but Lori told him that couldn’t
happened and returned to her home of Tritonius. She did come back a bit during
the Pre-Crisis era. I first ran into her in Superman: The Secret Years from 1985. She even died in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
When we got to the post-Crisis era, things mostly remained
unchanged. Lori and Clark still had their fling in college. Also, Lori had
another mission in finding other cities from the continent of Atlantis. She
popped up every so often during the 90’s with her longer stint coming in 1996.
Lori ended up returning in The Adventures of Superman #532. We got the usual
team of Kesel, Immonen, and Marzan doing their thing. It seems like I’ve been
coming back to this title a lot. That’s not too bad. So, what happens when a
hot, sometimes scantly clad, former girlfriend comes into town? A bit of jealousy.
The Adventures of Superman #525
Writer: Karl Kesel
Pencils: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Jose Marzan Jr.
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Albert DeGuzman
Editors: Mike Carlin and KC Carlson
“Troubled Waters”
The issue starts as the MCPD calls Clark about Lori’s appearance.
Clark immediately rushes over to the police station. He’s shocked to see her
alive since he thought she died in her last appearance. He’s also shocked to
see that she got the Ariel treatment in that she now has legs. He ends up taking
her to Lois’s apartment for her to stay and Lois isn’t too happy about this
predicament. It turns out that Clark hasn’t even told her about Lori. The two
then find out that Lori’s predicament is much severe when she goes to take a shower
and her fin returns.
As Clark helps her up, Lori tells them about what’s she’s
been up to. It turns out that a doctor named Ronal saved Lori’s life years ago
with a weird staff. Then, Lori and Ronal fell in love. Things were good until
it was revealed that Ronal was dealing in the dark arts. He then started to use
the staff (which had some magical properties) on the Tritonians. He’s only
stopped when he accidentally blasts Lori with the staff. Because of this, Lori now
has legs when it’s dry and the fin when she’s wet. Now, Lori’s come to Metropolis
because It turns out that Ronal has escaped from prison and the staff is missing.
Luckily, Lois lets them know that weird staff was recently found by STAR Labs.
Lois is being a little weird here, but it is weird that Clark is having Lori stay with her.
All three head to STAR Labs sea cruiser where the staff is
located. Unfortunately, Ronal, aka “Aquaman on Steroids” has the staff and
attacks them. He sends a big octopus on Superman and Lori. The havoc also
causes damage in the surrounding area, so Superman has to play double duty. He
then gets an idea on how to take down Ronal: he uses Lois’s diamond on her
engagement ring to destroy the staff. When that happens, the staff explodes and
Ronal is turned into a statue. In the end, Clark takes Lois to Cat Grant while
Lois writes up her story. She does worry about Clark and Lori but things sort
of perk up when the Alpha Centurion (another hero from this era) shows up.
Man, this new Aquaman movie is looking weird...
………………………………………………………………….
I thought this was a fine issue. Since it involves mermaids gaining
legs and a jealous Lois, it would just rank as fine for me. Kesel does a good
job on the writing front, though. The history between Lori and Clark is weird,
so he handled that well. Lois being in “jealous mode” was a little weird,
though. I can understand it considering Lori wasn’t wearing much at times. Also,
this was the point where the writing team had to break them up because Lois and
Clark: The New Adventures of Superman hadn’t married them yet. So, this was the
beginning of their problems and it already feels a little forced.
The artwork is good as usual. I really don’t have much to say
about the art team since I already said they were good a couple of posts back.
The action scene at the pier was good and everything flowed well together. I
really don’t many issues with the art as a whole. The only qualms I do have
about the story are Lois’s jealous streak which could get a little annoying and
Ronal. Ronal was a little lame. Other than those things, this was fine. Oh yeah,
could’ve Superman used his heat vision on the staff? Why use Lois’s ring? That was
a bit weird but cool.
After her stint in the books, Lori pretty much disappeared
from the books. I guess she and Clark still had their fling, but I don’t know.
Continuity is still in flux these days. I can see the writers ignoring her
simply because of the mermaid thing. She seems alright to me. Well, that’s all
I really got for this entry since were talking about Ariel’s third cousin
removed. Next time, I’ll get to some of the Daily Planet staff. Until then, Peace,
God Bless, and be careful out there.
NEXT TIME: JIMMY OLSEN!!!
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