For Your Consideration: DC’s Superman: Emperor Joker

Robert Greenberger

Robert Greenberger


by Robert Greenberger

Superman: Emperor Joker

Superman: Emperor Joker


Superman rarely confronted the Joker in comics other than the occasional story in World’s Finest Comics but always in the company of the Caped Crusader. It wasn’t until John Byrne revamped the character in 1986 that the two met one on one. Since then, they have had frequent meetings, most notably in the multi-part epic that kicked off the new millennium. In Superman: Emperor Joker we see the Clown Prince of Crime gain enough power to actually pose a threat to the Metropolis Marvel.

The new edition collects Superman #160-161, Adventures of Superman #582-583, Superman: Man of Steel #104-105, Action Comics #769-770 and Superman: Emperor Joker #1. This was during a stretch when there were four titles, one a week, each sporting a numbered triangle to signify the reading order. The creative teams usually met for Superman Summits where several months or years’ worth of arcs were hammered out, complete with sub-plots and crossovers so there was road map that allowed the stories to read fairly seamlessly and feel like an organic experience.

Superman #160

Superman #160


The first four parts were initially dubbed “Superman: Arkham” and it appeared that the Last Son of Krypton was a criminal who escaped confinement on a daily basis, only to be apprehended by Bizarro and returned to prison. It’s a topsy turvy world, as denoted by clever playing card cover designs that shows two sides to the characters.

At the Science Miscreants Reconstruction Center, Superman allies himself with John Henry Irons, who is also the armored hero Steel. The duo attempt to circumnavigate this twisted reality to stop the Joker, but have many a challenge thrown in their path including the JLA — Joker League of Anarchy featuring amped versions of Skizm; Scorch; Gorgeous Gilly; Bounty; Ignition; Poison Ivy; Bizarro; and, Enigma.

They learn from a dejected Mr. Mxyzptlk, the fifth dimension’s magical imp, that he had been duped. By the end of the first four issues it is learned that Mxyzptlk let himself be talked into giving a fraction of his abilities to the Joker. And you just know that won’t go well. If the diabolically brilliant Doctor Doom wielded the Power Cosmic, imagine what an insane being would do with magical might. For starters, and with a nod to Steve Englehart’s take on the character, “two plus two equals fish!”

Superman: Man of Steel #105

Superman: Man of Steel #105


With one arc down, readers were treated to Emperor Joker #1, from Loeb and Kelly, drawn by Duncan Rouleau, Todd Nauck, Carlo Barberi, and Scott McDaniel. After a recap, Superman and Steel appeal to their real JLA comrades to help but the pleas fall on deaf ears. Fortunately, Superboy and Supergirl agree to assist them and not a moment too soon.

The Joker has used the power to remake reality in his own twisted image, capturing Batman and killing him on a daily basis, only to resurrect him for another helping. This of course stretched the Dark Knight’s mental mettle, pushing to him the breaking point.

Things do not go well at first as Superboy and Supergirl are killed and Mrs. Clark Kent, Lois Lane, betrays them. Superman finds Batman’s corpse at Gotham’s police headquarters. And if Superboy and Supergirl are dead in this reality, rather than Heaven they find themselves in Hell, dealing with Lord Satanus. The remainder of the heroes are transformed into animals.

Action Comics #770

Action Comics #770


In the final confrontation, Superman manages to use the Joker’s own foibles against him which forces him to return the power to Mr. Mxyzptlk, resetting reality back to the way things should be. With one exception.

Batman’s mind has been shattered and needs to be restored. It actually will take a man of science, Superman, and a man of faith, the Spectre, to save the hero.

Jeph Loeb was the chief architect of this event, aided by Ed McGuinness and Cam Smith on the eponymous series, with J.M. DeMetteis (no stranger to the Joker or Batman) working with Mike Miller on Adventures; Mark Schultz, Doug Mahnke, and Tom Nguyen handled Man of Steel and Joe Kelly and Kano batted clean-up with Action.

The writing is taut and here we learn some new things about the world’s finest heroes, their allies, and their enemies. It’s a heralded story arc for good reason and well worth a look at the series when heroism was front and center.

Purchase

Superman: Emperor Joker

Classic covers from the Grand Comics Database.

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