Release: August 2000 | Writer: Jeph Loeb | Pencilers: Ed McGuinness & Paul Pelletier | Inker: Cam Smith | Colorists: Tanya & Richard Horie
It's the turn of a new millennium. In real life, America Online has merged with Time Warner, and the internet is beginning to boom. But in the ever-amazing world of DC Comics, August of 2000 was the month that Superman teamed up with the Green Lantern!
Superman #159 follows the Man of Steel after coming close to the brink of death. Superman needed to be saved from a deadly dose of kryptonite poisoning. But even his wife, Lois Lane, was under the control of Parasite, brutalizing our caped hero in the streets of Metropolis for all to see.
Issue 159 brings us into the bathroom of an individual who has dozens of newspapers covering all of these recent events sprawled out on the floor. Dark liquid seems to be dripping out of a hand as a cry for help is made. The person in need is Lois Lane in the bathtub with the man of her dreams, Clark Kent, who is trying to feed her an endless supply of chocolate strawberries.
The couple is in high spirits despite everything they've been through recently. Lois lets Clark know that his physical condition is DEFINITELY back to normal. "Tonight you've earned the name man of steel," she states before disappearing down into the tub with him.
Kyle Rayner is beginning to question why he's been tasked with learning his powers on his own. He wants to know why someone as new to the title of Green Lantern as he is has been tasked with such a heavy burden. Superman meets up with him to set up a bit of a joyride around the solar system. Trying to really put his body to the test. Before leaving, Kyle lets Superman know of some...leftover chocolate on his face from his session with Lois earlier.
Both men take off into space, cracking jokes with each other as their journey begins. Back on Earth, Lois makes a visit to an unlikely individual. Lex Luthor.
Lois is trying to get her life back in order after Parasite took over her body. It's revealed to Lex that she has memories of what Parasite did in her body. From her bank account being ruined to her computer having a virus and three books being overdue. She remembers the worst thing of all. Parasite making a pit stop at Lex's office and making advances on him. (Superman #156)
She holds it over his head that she has this knowledge of him sleeping with a metahuman. Which is a terrible look for his anti-metahuman ideology he has to the general public. He lets her leave, hinting that he has a plan for letting her think she has the upper hand on him.
Superman and Green Lantern continue to fly around space, building both Superman's power and confidence. That is until they realize they are in the location of Pluto. Yes, the (former) planet. They notice that its seemingly vanished from space. Superman states that it must've been moved to Green Lantern's obvious shock.
Superman uses his microscopic vision to see small traces of ion particles from the Ion Propulsion Engine from Warworld. Back in Superman #152, Mongul II seemingly destroyed Warworld to everyone's knowledge. This thinking session between the two is broken up by a large gang of soldiers from another planet.
Green Lantern puts up a detour sign construct to stop them, but Superman urges him that this may not be the right time for jokes.
Maxima arrives, telling us that these soldiers are the remaining people of their planet called Almerac.
Who is Maxima? Superman introduces her in a very straight to the paint manner. Basically, she's obsessed with him.
Obsessed enough to almost knock his teeth out of his mouth as soon as she sees him.
Green Lantern is snatched up by a large brute named Massacre, who proceeds to crush his mask with a single punch. Green Lantern is able to defeat this monster with the power and motivation that Superman has tremendous faith in him. Superman is truly the only person in his eyes to believe in him and take him under their wing in a way.
Superman is handling Maxima as she shares that she's trying to bring the last of her people to a safe world. She yells at Superman that if they miss their rendezvous point, it'll be at the cost of both his and Green Lantern's lives.
A boom tube sound rips through space, meaning only one thing: Darkseid. Or in this case, his son Grayven whose working with Maxima to save her people.
Superman begs Maxima to tell him about what she has planned. She breaks the news to him that they are retreating and getting her people away from Imperiex. Even if she needs to work with the son of Darkseid to do it. Superman tells Kyle that they need to be ready for anything, especially if Imperiex is coming.
Superman thanks Kyle for joining him in space and helping him realize that he's feeling back to 100%. He lets Kyle know that he couldn't do it without him, giving Kyle something he's always wanted. A friend in his corner.
And that was Superman #159! Overall I’d give this a solid 3/5! It was a fun little single issue that lays some ground work for future issues while also cleaning up some loose ends from previous ones.
Let me know what you thought of this recap! As expressed many times on the Monthly Dive Into the Longbox Podcast on YouTube, this era of Superman is a personal favorite of mine! The magic that Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness always made was a recipe for success. Join me here next time as I review another oldie but goodie, Nightwing #1!