Whom Gods Destroy (comics)

Last updated
Whom Gods Destroy
Publication information
Publisher Elseworlds (DC Comics)
Format Mini-series
Genre
Publication date1996
No. of issues4
Main character(s) Superman
Lois Lane
Lana Lang
Creative team
Written by Chris Claremont
Penciller(s) Dusty Abell
Inker(s) Drew Geraci
Letterer(s) Tom Orzechowski
Colorist(s) Digital Chameleon
Gloria Vasquez
Editor(s)Mike Carlin

Whom Gods Destroy is a 1996 four-issue comic book mini-series, written by Chris Claremont, with artwork by Dusty Abell and Drew Geraci, under the Elseworlds imprint of DC Comics.

Contents

In a world where Superman has not aged a day since the Nazis won WWII, Clark Kent infiltrates Axis dominated Europe in pursuit of Lana Lang, who has fallen prey to the enchantress Circe, while Lois Lane finds herself transformed by the power of the ancient gods into a Wonder Woman.

Plot

In this alternate world, Superman remains youthful due to his superhuman physiology. The Third Reich never fell, and Europe is kept under Nazi rule. Lois Lane has visions of Superman gleefully killing people, including Lana Lang and herself. Meanwhile, the search for Lana—previously abducted—takes Lois and Superman into German soil, where Lana is being held. In flight Lois and Clark get attacked by trolls and harpies, causing the plane to crash land in Germany.

Lois soon discovers that the Reich is ruled by the god Adonis while Artemis and Athena oppose him. Wonder Woman has betrayed Paradise Island and is now part of the Reich. It is also revealed that the Greek pantheon is in league with the Nazis, allowing them to employ mythological monsters to fight superheroes for world domination. A fight ensues between the German army and the Greek heroines. The sacrifice of the goddess Athena endows Lois with powers, transforming her into a new Wonder Woman.

Superman is transformed into an evil centaur by Circe. Lana gifted with the power of the Oracle of Delphi persuades the centaur Superman into realizing his true identity. Superman is transformed into a woman (because his crimes as leader of the Maenads were against women, and therefore, he must take their place). The female Superman then infiltrates the Great Hall of the Reich, which is guarded by the Minotaur. She succeeds in her task due to Lana's magical knowledge. Lois, as the new Wonder Woman, defeats the Nazi Wonder Woman and ties her up with her magic lasso.

Finally, it is revealed that Zeus and Hera were playing a chess game, using the world as their chess pieces. Adonis is sent to be taken care of by Hades. Superman, Lois (now the new Wonder Woman) and Lana all live together on Superman fortress on the moon in polyamorous love.

Publication

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Lang</span> Fictional supporting character in DC Comics Superman series

Lana Lang is a fictional supporting character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elseworlds</span> Imprint of comics from DC Comics

Elseworlds was the publication imprint for American comic books produced by DC Comics for stories that took place outside the DC Universe canon. Elseworlds publications are set in alternate realities that deviate from the established continuity of DC’s regular comics. The "Elseworlds" name was trademarked in 1989, the same year as the first Elseworlds publication.

<i>Superman: Red Son</i> 2003 three-issue comic book mini-series

Superman: Red Son is a three-issue prestige format comic book mini-series published by DC Comics that was released under their Elseworlds imprint in 2003. Author Mark Millar created the comic with the premise "What if Superman had been raised in the Soviet Union?" It received critical acclaim and was nominated for the 2004 Eisner Award for best limited series.

<i>Superman & Batman: Generations</i>

Superman & Batman: Generations is the umbrella title of three Elseworlds comic book limited series published by DC Comics in the United States, written and illustrated by John Byrne. A major concept of the series is the avoidance of so-called comic book time; it places Superman, Batman, and the other members of the DC Universe in a single timeline, showing the characters aging and being replaced by their progeny.

Superwoman is the name of several fictional characters from DC Comics. Most of them are, like Supergirl, women with powers similar to those of Superman, like flight, invulnerability, and enhanced strength. DC Comics trademarked the name, an ashcan copy was created with the title of Superwoman to prevent competitors from using it. The cover was a reproduction of More Fun Comics #73 with the interior being a reprint of the third issue of Action Comics. The first true appearance of Superwoman was in Action Comics #60.

<i>JLA: The Nail series</i>

JLA: The Nail is a three-issue comic book mini-series published by DC Comics in 1998 under its Elseworlds imprint. The story, written and drawn by Alan Davis, is set in a parallel universe where Jonathan and Martha Kent's truck experiences a flat tire caused by a nail, which stops them from discovering a Kryptonian spaceship outside Smallville containing the baby Kal-El, negating Superman. It was later followed by a sequel, JLA: Another Nail, a three-issue mini-series published in 2004 which wrapped up several loose ends from the original mini-series, such as the war between the New Gods and the Green Lantern Corps and Oliver Queen's public betrayal of the Justice League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Themyscira (DC Comics)</span> Fictional location in DC Comics

Themyscira is a fictional unitary sovereign city-state and archipelagic island nation appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Previously known as Paradise Island and the Amazon Isles, it first appeared in All Star Comics #8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comet (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Comet is the name of two fictional comic book characters owned by DC Comics whose adventures have been published by that same company. The first character was a sapient horse with magical powers who was once a centaur in ancient Greece. The second character is a shapeshifter with three forms. Both characters are connected to the Superman family of titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circe (character)</span> Fictional character in DC Comics

Circe is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure who imprisoned Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, she is a wicked sorceress and major recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. She has been presented variously since first appearing in 1949’s Wonder Woman #37, though her characterization has consistently retained a key set of features: immortality, stunning physical beauty, a powerful command over sorcery, a penchant for turning human beings into animals and often, a delight in humiliation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hercules (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Hercules is a fictional Olympian god in the DC Universe based on the Greek demigod and hero of the same name.

<i>Son of Superman</i> Comic book

Son of Superman is a comic book Elseworlds story, published by DC Comics. Written by Howard Chaykin and David Tischman, with art by J.H. Williams III and Mick Gray. Fifteen years after the disappearance of Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane's teenage son, Jon Kent, learns that he is the son of the Man of Steel, and has suddenly inherited his powers. Following his father's footsteps, Jon joins a rebel organization, that fights against the now completely corrupt U.S. government, and their plan for total economic segregation.

<i>Supermans Metropolis</i>

Superman's Metropolis is a DC Comics comic book and a Superman Elseworlds publication. It is the first part of a trilogy based on German Expressionist cinema, succeeded by Batman: Nosferatu and Wonder Woman: The Blue Amazon. It was written by Jean-Marc Lofficier, Randy Lofficier and Roy Thomas and illustrated by Ted McKeever.

<i>Amazons Attack!</i> Comics storyline

Amazons Attack! is a six-issue comic book limited series that was published by DC Comics. Written by Will Pfeifer and pencilled by Pete Woods, the first issue was released on April 25, 2007.

This is a list of the alternative versions of Wonder Woman from all media, including DC Comics multiverse, Elseworlds, television and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multiverse (DC Comics)</span> Fictional multiverse used by DC Comics

In DC Comics, the Multiverse is a "cosmic construct" composed of the many fictional universes the stories of DC take place in. The worlds in this multiverse share a space and fate in common, and its structure has changed several times in the history of DC Comics.

<i>Superman: Doomed</i>

"Superman: Doomed" is a Superman crossover story arc published by DC Comics starting in May 2014. The series is co-written by Greg Pak, Charles Soule and Scott Lobdell, with artwork by Ken Lashley, Aaron Kuder, and Tony Daniel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medusa (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Medusa is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as a recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure whose story was chronicled in Ovid's Metamorphoses, she is a snake-haired Gorgon with the ability to turn living creatures to stone with her gaze. Since her debut in 1964, Medusa's physical appearance has been presented variously as DC Comics' continuities have shifted and evolved. Though she has routinely been depicted with snakes for hair, she has sometimes been shown as bipedal and sometimes with a serpentine lower body. However across continuities, she has consistently been written with the ghostly ability to possess or influence other beings after her physical body has been killed, as well as an uncanny capacity for resurrection after death. Her characterization has been that of a dangerous immortal creature who is at turns both vengeful and sympathetic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermes (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Hermes is a character in DC Comics. He is based on the Greek god of the same name.

Superman Reborn is a four-part crossover Superman storyline published by DC Comics in 2017, written by Dan Jurgens, Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason. The crossover appeared in Action Comics #975-976 and Superman #18-19. The event formally merges the New 52 Superman and the Post-Crisis Superman to form a new singular continuity and history.

References