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Title: The War Within, Part Two
Writer: Scott McCloud
Penciller: Rick Burchett
Inker: Terry Austin
Colorist: Marie Severin
Letterer: Lois Buhalis
Cover Art: Rick Burchett & Terry Austin
Release Date: August 6th, 1997
Cover Price: $1.75 U.S./ $2.50 Canada
Summary:
With
Superman rapidly dieing from a disease, Lois works hard to get the cure to him,
but she has some trouble, of course.
Description:
When
an issue opens with Superman on a hospital bed, recovering from being hit by a
rocket launcher, you know that's bad news. The doctor tells him that if he does
not get some rest, the Kryptonian virus will kill him twice as fast. Superman,
being the determined Boy Scout that he is, refuses to stay down and heads back
out to get some crime fighting done. As Superman flies away, it's revealed that
the doctor is being blackmailed to make sure that Superman dies, one way or
another, which ain't good.
As we see what Luthor and organized crime are up
to behind the scenes. They are tearing Metropolis apart piece by piece.
Meanwhile, Lois Lane, who is in Protoslavia, is racing to get a cure for
Superman. The scientists have found the element that is hoped will be able to
synthesize a cure for the virus. Her journey back to Metropolis is told through
her journal entries. She keeps us updated as she struggles through obstacles to
get back to Metropolis in time to save Superman's life. She races against time,
and time is running our quickly. In some remarkable scenes we see that the
influence of Superman, the image, and the ideals of Superman have transcended
languages and countries. As she reveals she's here to help Superman, people all
along her journey do everything they can to help her.
Lois makes it back just as it is announced that
Superman may not live through the night. Battered and broken, she gets the
element to the hospital in time. When the antidote is done, there is a very
tense scene where the doctor is being told through his hearing aid what he has
to do to make sure that Superman does not survive. Just before Superman passes
out, he tells the doctor that "he may not be able to hear a pin drop in
Brazil anymore, but he can still hear a cheap earphone across a hospital
room." Superman then passes out, succumbing to the final stages of the
disease.
The Doctor must make, literally, the decision of
his career.
As the doctor gives Superman the antidote,
Luthor's henchwoman informs him that he has made the wrong choice and from now
on, he is a marked man. Superman rapidly recovers, and Lois and Superman thank
him for his help and tell him that they will do all that they can to help him.
As Superman flies off, Lois reminds him that she's not going to take it easy on
him just because he's better now. The story ends there, with Superman flying
across, once again, the Metropolis skyline.
Review:
The
best Superman story of 1997, or maybe even the past 10 years. This issue was the
ultimate page turner. I must have reread this about 15 times, and still found
myself in complete and total suspense. Rick Burchett shines here in his best
work ever. He makes every scene perfect, especially the hospital scenes. McCloud
has been a godsend to this series, making it the best, and most accessible
Superman series on the shelves. He made a great page turner with the most suspense
driven ending. You know Superman was going to live, but for some reason, you
kept on doubting your own thoughts. McCloud is a genius.
Rating: 
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