Art by: Agustin Padilla
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: December 30, 2013
The Demolisher Part 3 of 3
I have enjoyed the first two installments of Peter Milligan's Demolisher arc. To me, it has been a response to anyone (including DC) who thinks that Superman is behind the times and needs to become more gritty and violent. The Demolisher is the answer to these critics, a dark and violent Superman who seems to take pleasure in not just stopping villains, but maiming and maybe even killing them. I was hoping part 3 of the arc would answer some dangling questions...why is the Demolisher taking over Superman and when will the citizens of Metropolis cry out for it's favorite superhero to return to action? Unfortunately, this issue doesn't answer these and presents a whole slew of other issues.
The issue picks up where the last left off, The Demolisher is doing what he does to the Farrell Power Station, meaning he is demolishing it. At the last second, Superman takes over and uses his powers to consume the destruction and rebuild the power plant. No harm no foul? At this point it still seems as if the Demolisher is a split personality of Superman that he can't control. However, after this incident he seems to just decide not to be the Demolisher anymore. That's it. No split personality, no alien presence in his dark Demolisher armour (which I was hoping for), nothing. Just Superman deciding to be Superman again. I cry shenanigans. I know the solicits for a comic are misleading, but even that hints at Superman needing a plan to "defeat his new alter ego". I guess the plan was just deciding not to be him anymore. Oh well.
However, the citizens of Metropolis still call out to the Demolisher to deal with the newly escaped Toymaker. Don't worry that they are all scared of him to the point of children having nightmares, the guy gets the job done. So what is Superman to do? He dresses up as the Demolisher, pushes people around and robs a bank. When the City calls for Superman to end the Demolisher, he makes up a story about a fight in which the Demolisher kills himself in space so no one can prove it's a lie. That's how Superman solves his problems, right? Lying? Shenanigans again.
Adventures of Superman #36 is an awful end to what was a promising arc. The idea of Superman battling his inner darkness is great, Peter Milligan just ended it in a way that made me mad at Superman, not glad he was back. I really wish I could recommend this issue since I liked the first two parts, but I can't. Unlike Superman, I won't lie...I hated it.
2.0/10
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