Our Worlds at War :: Chapter III

Adventures Of Superman #593

Writer: Joe Casey

Pencils: Mike Wieringo

Inks: José Marzan Jr.

Colors: Wildstorm FX

Letters: Bill Oakley

While investigating a prison break at Stryker's Island, Lois Lane discovers that her father, Major Sam Lane has been involved in a covert transfer of prisoners on behalf of President Luthor. Meanwhile, Superman tracks a mysterious radio signal to an abandoned military base, only to be ambushed by Shrapnel and Plasmus, the two Striker's escapees.

Adventures Of Superman #593

Cover by Mike Wieringo, Terry Austin

Lois confronts her father about the shady activities he is involved in under Luthor's orders. The Major uses honor and duty to justify his actions, and warns his daughter to stop asking questions and get onboard with the program, because things are about to get very complicated!

"Suicide Mission"

(June, 2001)

After a quick fight, Superman defeats Shrapnel and Plasmus, only to find that they are being commanded by Manchester Black. The dubious vigilante reveals he is now under the employ of the U.S. government to roll out a new Suicide Squad, and that this encounter is merely a battle test for its new members.

Artwork by Mike Wieringo, José Marzan Jr.

Chemo, another recruit for the new Squad attacks Superman, but is easily disposed of by the Man of Steel, as Manchester Black gives him a word of caution: something strange is afoot!

Colors by Wildstorm FX

It does not take long for Superman to find those pulling Manchester Black's strings: President Luthor, Amanda Waller, and General Rock. They are in the middle of an operation to retrieve Mongul from his prison, and have him join the Suicide Squad. Superman puts the trio on notice: If this project of theirs backfires, he will hold them accountable for their actions. Lex Luthor responds with yet another ominous warning: Superman has no idea what's coming!

This is how the issue was originally solicited:

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #593 

Written by Joe Casey; art by Mike Wieringo and José Marzan, Jr.; cover by Wieringo and Terry Austin.

The Elite's Manchester Black (from Action Comics #775) returns leading a new Suicide Squad to face off against the Man of Steel. Why is this extremely dangerous criminal now working for the government, and what is the Squad's true suicide mission?

Arrives in stores on June 13.

Our Worlds At War

Writers: Jeph Loeb, Joe Casey, Mark Schultz, Joe Kelly, Phil Jimenez, and Peter David.

Artists: Ed McGuinness, Mike Wieringo, Doug Mahnke, Phil Jimenez, Kano, Ron Garney, Leonard Kirk, Pasqual Ferry, Carlo Barberi, Todd Nauck, Mark Buckingham, Duncan Rouleau, Yvel Guichet, Bill Sienkiewicz, Marlo Alquiza, Andy Lanning, Cam Smith, Keith Champagne, Tom Nguyen, Juan Vlasco, Wayne Faucher, Walden Wong, Mark Morales, Lary Stucker, Dexter Vines.

"Our Worlds at War" is a crossover event published in the summer of 2001 (Jun-Jul-Aug), and that spans multiple titles, anchored by the Superman line of books.  The premise of the story involves Imperiex, a cosmic entity that has set its eyes on Earth with the purpose of using it as ground zero to induce a new Big Bang, and recreate the universe in his image.

Our Worlds at War

Collected Edition Volumes One and Two

Volume One Cover by Ed McGuinness and Cam Smith

Volume Two Cover by Mike Wieringo and Jose Marzan

The ultimate destructive force has been released into the universe, and it is heading towards Earth, leaving a path of galactic devastation in its wake!

Volume One finds Imperiex in its first strike, as Superman and the mightiest heroes of the DC Universe are overwhelmed, and the planet is ravaged with fire and destruction.  With the fate of the world at stake, the Man of Steel is left no choice but to forge uncertain alliances with President Luthor, Darkseid, Mongul, and other dubious allies.

Volume Two shows the war going badly for Superman and his allies.  Already the casualties are mounting, with some of DC's greatest heroes having fallen or gone missing in battle.  As the heroes of the world attempt to turn the tide to their favor, Brainiac 13 secretly enters the war seeking to harness the power of Imperiex to use for his own ends.

Our Worlds at War - The Complete Edition

Cover by Ed McGuinness

Also cover for Superman #154 (2000)

As the ultimate destructive force heads directly toward Earth, humanity's greatest defender, Superman, stands prepared to prevent the total annihilation of the planet. Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and a host of other heroes from the DC Universe join the Man of Steel in this last desperate battle for survival. Will the heroes' combined might be enough to stop an evil menace from remaking the universe in its own twisted image? Or will this be their last battlefield?

SUGGESTED READING FOR CONTEXT:

Superman Vol. 2 #153 (2000) - First Appearance of Imperiex

Superman Vol. 2 #159 (2000) - Pluto disappears

      

CROSSOVER READING ORDER:

Superman Vol. 2 #171

Green Lantern: Our Worlds at War #1

Adventures of Superman #593

Batman: Our Worlds at War #1 

Superman: Man of Steel #115

Superboy Vol. 4 #89

Young Justice: Our Worlds at War #1 

Action Comics #780

Supergirl Vol. 4 #59

Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #171

Superman: Our Worlds at War Secret Files and Origins #1 

Superman Vol. 2 #172

JLA: Our Worlds at War #1 

Young Justice #35

Adventures of Superman #594

Nightwing: Our Worlds at War #1 

Superman: Man of Steel #116

Superboy Vol. 4 #90

Action Comics #781

JSA: Our Worlds at War #1 

Batman #593

Supergirl Vol. 4 #60

Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #172

Wonder Woman: Our Worlds at War #1 

Superman Vol. 2 #173

Young Justice #36

Adventures of Superman #595

Flash: Our Worlds at War #1 

Impulse #77

Superman: Man of Steel #117

Harley Quinn: Our Worlds at War #1 

Superboy Vol. 4 #91

Action Comics #782

Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #173

Supergirl Vol. 4 #61

Batman #594

World’s Finest: Our Worlds at War #1 

Our Worlds at War - House Ad