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Wizard Magazine's 'Ultimate Superman'
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In 2002, Wizard Magazine published their own take on a hypothetical DC Universe comic book series similar to Marvel's "Ultimates." It was presented as a proposal for how they would revamp some of DC's popular characters, complete with detailed origin stories and spectacular artist renderings. This was something created solely by Wizard Magazine Staff and completely independent from DC Comics. Some of the characters highlighted and given the 'ultimate' treatment included, The Flash, Green Lantern, Batman, and of course Superman. In their 'Ultimate Superman' segment, Lana Lang is both pictured in the gorgeous conceptual artwork and featured in their storyline (below). 'Ultimate Superman' - Wizard Magazine #136 (2002) Artwork by comic book artists: Ken Lashley, Greg Parkin , Marvin Mariano
The 'proposed' continuity is described as a combination of WB's Smallville television series with DC's 1986 reboot... The Origin: Rocketed from the dying planet Krypton, a lone baby lands in a Smallville Kansas field. Adopted by Martha and Jonathan Kent, the infant is raised like any other child, but the Kents soon learn their adopted son Clark is anything but ordinary. Under the Earth's yellow sun, he's developed powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.
The Character: It's six years removed from the world of TV's Smallville, where Clark, Lex Luthor and Lana Lang all grew up together as friends. Clark's just graduated from Kansas State University and has been offered an entry-level job at the Daily Planet.
Supporting Cast: Lana is still Clark's girlfriend and one of the few people who knows about his extraordinary powers. But his long-distance relationship with Lana (who still resides in Smallville) is strained as Clark grows closer to fellow Planet reporter Lois Lane. Lois, a tenacious and clever reporter, is also the protege of Planet senior writer Perry White, the man who mentors Lois and Clark in both their work and their personal lives. And just as Clark settles in Metropolis, billionaire industrialist Lex Luthor re-emerges after a four year disappearance from public life. Although Clark looks forward to seeing his old friend from Smallville, something has clearly made Lex more intense, but Lex isn't talking.
The Set Up: After learning to control and master his powers while growing up in Smallville, Clark Kent moves to Metropolis and dons a costume to help protect the world as Superman, a name Perry White gives him after seeing him save a sabotaged Air Force One.
The First Arc: Superman wasn't the only thing to escape Krytpon. An artificial intelligence program developed by Jor-El, Superman's father, also reached Earth. Calling itself Brainiac I, the super-computer sets its sights on turning Earth into New Krypton - just as soon as it undoes the "damage" done to Krypton's Last Son by those who raised him human.
The Big Picture: As Clark tires to reestablish his friendship with Lex, he doesn't realize that Lex knows he's Superman! The catch: Lex refuses to admit it to himself. Lex feels that if Clark - who represents Lex's only tether to a humanity that has constantly betrayed him - has been lying to him their entire lives, it's Superman who has to pay the price.
A couple of 'fun-facts'... Superman's "S" shield in this rendering is very similar to the one in "Kingdom Come". Lana Lang looks a lot like 'Smallville Lana' (Kristin Kreuk) with the long straight hair...See Here Superman is drawn without the classic red briefs...a look that is similar to the 'Superman' suit spotted in Zack Snyder's new 'Superman' film. "Wizard Magazine" is no longer in publication. Its last issue was in March 2011.
'Ultimate Superman' storyline write-up: weeklycrisis.com |
