What? What? What? They did what now?
I know this is DC’s New 52, and that the New 52 means change, but this is just…ludicrous! Look, I’m all for new stories shedding new light on old characters, but there are certain things that are sacrosanct.
When we’re talking about comic book superheroes, those things, ultimately, are: character name, general physical appearance, general costume motifs, and, of course, a love interest. When we’re talking about the most globally iconic superhero of all, well, Superman needs his Lois Lane – and Lois Lane needs her Superman! They define each other!
So what’s all this nonsense about discarding everyone’s favourite black-haired, intrepid Daily Planet reporter and reimagining Supes’ singular love interest as…the Amazonian Princess herself, Wonder Woman? Huh?
Justice League #12
Written by: Geoff Johns
Illustrated by: Jim Lee and Scott Williams
Published by: DC Comics
Well, yep. That’s exactly what’s happening.
Lois Lane, unceremoniously kicked to the curb, by the editorial staff of DC Comics within the pages of their flagship title, Justice League. And yeah, the writer, Geoff Johns, doesn’t get off easy on this one either.
Truth be told, one year on in DC’s New 52 reboot, and Lois and Supes were never even dating. The first twelve issues of Justice League told the story of the first year that super-powered heroes got together in this new DC Universe. Clark Kent and Lois Lane have only just met, really. They couldn’t possibly have fallen in love and gotten – excuse my alternate past comic book reality reading – married!
But their relationship together, their admiration, their attraction and love for each other, goes back to Action Comics #1, published in 1938. That’s nearly seventy-five years of affection – not just between the two characters – but also between readers and those characters. It’s an aspect that is part and parcel with their enduring global popularity.
And now DC has undone all that.
Sure, this isn’t the first time that Superman and Wonder Woman have kissed. But it’s the first time it’s happened in a New 52 world – a place where everything that’s come before might not be written again. And although that’s not necessarily my world, I’ll be reading to see how this budding romance unfurls.
So, if you’re feeling like a little super-powered kissy kissy this Wednesday, make the run to your local comic book store and pick up Justice League #12 – in either of its two cover versions.
Just make your run fast. Like Grade 5 recess, all the kids know that Clark and Diana are spending time together behind the portables…and the copies of this issue will be flying off the racks!
Every Wednesday, JP makes the after-work run to his local downtown comic book shop. Comics arrive on Wednesdays you see and JP, fearful that the latest issue will sell out, rushes out to purchase his copy. This regular, weekly column will highlight a particularly interesting release, written in short order, of course, because JP has to get his – before someone else does!
