Back Issue Box: Adventures Of Superman #638

I am taking a break from my Matrix Monday series to take a different look into the Back Issue Box.

Today, I'll be covering Adventures of Superman #638, a fascinating Mxyzptlk story which borders on an Imaginary Story (aren't they all). Greg Rucka brings us a touching but also humorous issue. It also is a tour de force for artist Matthew Clark.

As always, I try to make my looks back somehow related to current stories, even if tangentially.

In Superman #9, Superman had a waking vision of the future including his daughter. I always like these potential family futures. You may recall that I covered possible future daughter Laura in my review of  Superman Family #200 .

But there have been other visions of other daughters out there as well.

Adventures of Superman #638 opens with Clark and Lois having a conversation in their apartment. It is one of those *big* conversations that couples have.

Lois wants to have children. She sees the joy of other families. She knows they would be good parents. She wants a family of their own.

But Clark is a bit skittish. He doesn't think this is the time to have this talk. As if there is ever the perfect time.

But after a little prodding, it becomes clear that he doesn't want to talk about it because he is afraid. The super-villain Ruin is out there. Lois had recently been shot and almost died. Superman was helpless. If he can't protect Lois, how can he think of protecting a child?

Lois gives a perfect response. They don't live in fear. They aren't Batman. They live in hope.

Wow. That is wonderful and powerful.

But the conversation is interrupted by the sounds of a baby crying.

Heading into a nearby room, they see Mr. Mxyzptlk holding a baby girl, the baby that Lois wished for. He was able to grant such a wish. They are now a family!

Now you can imagine that this story might take a few odd turns. A magical baby whipped up by a 5th dimensional imp. But even I didn't anticipate the twists that Rucka and Clark give us.

I told you this was a showcase for Clark's art. You'll see.

We then get a whirlwind tour through the life of this daughter, named Lara after Clark's birth mother.

The first scene we get is a Sin City style baby shower with Clark giving us a great Frank Miller imitation.

Lots of super-heroes showed up, even 'lethal little Dinah'. I mean, that Black Canary is about as close to 'skinny little Nancy' as you can get without being Frank Miller.

I love how the sound effects are 'STARE' and 'cute'.

Then we get a Bill Watterson style Calvin and Hobbes 2 page strip. Suddenly Lara is school age.

Lara asks her mother for an impossible list of items before being sent to her room. Of course, she already has all those things in her room, ready to play with Mxy.

From Miller to Watterson. Some leap.

And then we jump ahead to teen Lara.

Clark evolves again into a more Bruce Timm style, showing what it would mean to have a super-powered teenage daughter. She is proud to wear the super-hero costume Ma Kent made her, even if Lois thinks it a little immodest. I love the look and I love Lara's exuberance as she models it.

Perhaps that daughter in Superman #9 is Lara?

Clark to Miller to Watterson to Timm ... wow.

Flying around with her father, the action suddenly becomes real. And with that, the art flips back to Clark's standard visuals. It means we are back to 'reality'.

Lex Luthor, armed with Gog's staff, Adam Strange's helmet, a Starro, some Doomsday, and some old school Lex battlesuit flies in. It looks like he is about to kill Lara when Clark comes in and separates the two. In a flash of darkness, Superman says he'll physically remove Lex's hands if he tries to harm Lara again.

And then Lara finishes the exchange with a right hook. In a cute parenting moment, Clark advises her to do an uppercut next time to get more lift.

But back in the apartment, Mxyzptlk ends the reverie. None of that life with Lara was real. It was just a vision to show Clark that his fear of losing Lara. But no one can account for all possibilities.

Clark and Lois need to know that kids are a show of faith in the future. And so he needs to put his fears behind him.

With a swipe of his hand, Lara disappears.

Now that alone would be a great issue. Multiple tones, multiple art styles, some humor. And a good message.

But Rucka sticks the landing giving us one more page with the most profound Mxyzptlk I have ever heard.

Dark times are ahead. Lois and Clark need to have some faith if they are going to get through them.
"Everything that happens, it happens because of the two of you." In that one sentence, Rucka shows how important he holds the Lois and Clark relationship. I love it.

I don't think the current DCU reflects that sentiment.

And then one last reminder, an echo of Lois' earlier words. They live in hope.

I ate this issue up with a spoon. Sin City, Calvin and Hobbes, and the animated DCU aside, the message of hope and love was wonderful. And I love the idea of this eager Lara Supergirl, training with her dad and learning from her mom to be the best hero she can be.

I see this issue in dollar boxes all the time. It is well worth the 100 pennies. And I wonder if we will ever learn the name of the daughter in Superman #9.

Overall grade: A