90s Comics, 90s DC, DC Comics, Uncategorized

Character Eradication (part 3 of 3)

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Well, here we are. The end of the Eradicator miniseries. I hope you’ve enjoyed his journey to discover himself as much as I have. Like I said in the first part of this series, the Eradicator character has been a creature of constant change from his very beginning. That used to annoy me truthfully. But now? I see him as a mirror for life. Aren’t we as human beings always recreating ourselves? Changing. Maybe that makes the Eradicator more human than I thought. Maybe. (Way too deep. I need a joke here. Please insert a fart noise at this point as you read. Thank you.) Now, sit back and enjoy my look back at “Eradicator” #3…..

The grotesque creature that thinks itself a type of reincarnation of the dead kryptonian scientist, Kem-L, bursts into our world over the freezing waters of the Antarctic! It delights in the sensations that its new form can feel. But suddenly, the creature feels intense pain! It is not yet complete. For that, it will need the full power of the one called the Eradicator. Kem-L knows where to go on this planet to get his attention too. He flies off with a sinister new purpose! Meanwhile, the Eradicator hovers over the vast Pacific Ocean. He is deep in thought when the person he’s been waiting for arrives at last. Superboy gives him a happy greeting, the small white dog, Krypto, held protectively in his arms. (Is it me, or does the bad guy somewhat resemble the trash after a night of chowing down on some delicious KFC? Ha! Just try and get that image out of your heads!)

The Eradicator asks if the rest of the Superman Family will be arriving soon. Superboy replies that the others were just too busy to come. It’d just be him. The Eradicator nods and the two super-beings fly off to speak more privately on land. They arrive quickly upon a tropical isle. After a moment, the Eradicator asks Superboy the question burning within him. He asks, since Superboy now knows himself to be a clone, does he still feel like a real person? Superboy is deeply offended by this question. Of course he does! What kind of a cruel question was that? The Eradicator attempts to apologize, but flees the uncomfortable scene instead. Moments later, Superboy joins him in the skies. Now calmed down, he answers that even though they weren’t born in the typical way, it’s their emotions that make them real. This gives them their soul. The Eradicator considers Superboy’s outlook later. Could he actually have a soul? (Try to sing the blues my kryptonian brother. Then you’ll know. God, that was a lame joke. Umm…..more fart noises? There! Saved it!)

At that moment in the Bronx, Sarah Conner lies awake, troubled by recent events in her life. Could the monster that destroyed her apartment actually be her husband reborn? How would that even be possible? Suddenly, she becomes aware of a bright light coming from outside the bedroom window. Sensing trouble, she protects her children as best as she can. That’s when an energy blast explodes through the wall and the demonic-looking Kem-L steps through! Meanwhile, the Eradicator makes up his mind in the planet’s orbit. He will leave the Earth behind and explore deepest space. But first, he must at least see his human side’s family one last time. He flies off immediately to do so. Kem-L looks to the human family before him, breathing in the scent of their rage and fear. He finds it intoxicating. (Probably a bit of poo stink too. I know if that horrific thing burst through my apartment wall, he’d smell more than rage and fear. Just sayin’.) He demands that they tell him where they have the Eradicator hidden!

Sarah’s brother, Mike, leaps off of his sleeping place on the floor and puts his arms out in a protective manner towards his sister and nephews. He would protect them with his life if need be! But this scene is interrupted by gunshots hitting the creature’s exposed back from the hole in the wall! It turns to see police officers as they open fire once again. More amused than anything else, Kem-L blasts his energy towards the police! After a parked car explodes and the officers run for safety, he turns his attention back to the family once more. Only they’re no longer there! But alas, the family is quickly located once again, nearly free of the building before Kem-L blasts a hole in the floor above their heads! Sarah pleads for her children’s lives as the descending Kem-L slowly hovers towards them! He grabs Sarah by her throat and lifts her menacingly into the air! Her boys look on helpless as their uncle lies on the ground unconscious! (Is there another way to choke someone besides menacingly? Don’t answer that! Perverts.) But before the monster can hurt her, the Eradicator arrives, eyes and fists glowing with power! He orders Kem-L to drop the woman now!

Kem-L seems genuinely confused. Are they both not superior lifeforms? Better in every way than these frail humans? The Eradicator replies that he shares their core weakness. He cares. He continues that he can drain him of his energies, just leave the human family alone. The monster replies that this will not do. No. They must die to free the Eradicator of his weakness. The Eradicator answers that he will not fight Kem-L. Kill the humans then. He cares not! And with that, he flies through the apartment’s roof! Leaving Sarah, Mike, and the two young boys to perish at the hands of this nightmare from Krypton’s dark past! Kem-L cackles maniacally as he readies himself to snap poor Sarah Conner’s neck! Just then, the Eradicator smashes through the roof above the creature, severing it’s right arm with the force of his blow! (Psych! You thought he was gonna leave too, didn’t you? Ha! He showed you. This guy should sell medical insurance over the phone with his uncanny skill to lie without remorse.)

The beast roars in pain as Sarah and the children escape! It then begins to shapeshift into it’s female form. It talks calmly to the Eradicator as it slowly approaches. The dark hero seems transfixed by these words and the beautiful face until Kem-L strikes with a mighty uppercut! This sends the Eradicator crashing into a brick wall with such force, even he is stunned! Kem-L follows this by throwing the other being through wall after wall! The blows begin to take their toll after awhile. At last, the Eradicator seems defeated! He replies that he will fight no more. He will give his energy over freely. His eyes glow as he says the last words. Suddenly, the building explodes into rubble as the Eradicator unleashes the fury of his full power! Sarah cries out that Mike is still inside! She runs to save him! But moments after she enters the inferno, the Eradicator comes crashing through a wall to the outside, Mike held safely in his powerful arms! (I hope these people have renter’s insurance and that it covers “Acts of Krypton”!)

Eradicator slowly and carefully lies the man in the street near the children. One of them pulls insistently upon the superhero’s cape. He turns to see terror in the boy’s face as he explains that his mother went back into the building! The Eradicator loses no time as he speeds back into the blaze! He calls out frantically for Sarah to say something so he can locate her. He hears a low groan. Turning, he sees her. She’s trapped under some flaming wreckage! He rushes forward and throws it off of her at lightning speed! He tries to console her. She’ll be okay. Sarah caresses his face and whispers that he’s lying with a gentle smile. That’s when the unthinkable happens. For the briefest of moments, their minds become one! He feels every emotion, sees every triumph and heartache! And then nothing. Sarah’s hand drops limply. She is no more. (I’m not gonna cry. I’m not gonna…..sob…..don’t look at me! Umm. I mean, let’s continue on with our story…..)

Later, he watches her funeral from a distance. It’s a beautiful service as services go. He mourns her. But does he have the right? After all, he only carries some of her husband’s memories. And now, her memories are a part of him as well. He feels more strongly than ever before because of this he believes. Does he now possess a soul, he wonders? He knows about as much as anyone else does. That’ll have to be enough.

End.

Dedicated to the woman who gave me life as I just recently celebrated my 46th. birthday, my mother, Pamela Bowen-Metz. I love you, mom.

90s Comics, 90s DC, DC Comics, Uncategorized

Character Eradication (Part 2 of 3)

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Well, after a near-lethal bout with the flu, (At least that’s what it felt like!) your loyal Symbifan has returned with more 90’s DC Comics goodness! So sit back, grab a can of Surge and some 3D Doritos, and enjoy a trip back through time with the 2nd issue of “The Eradicator” miniseries from 1996!

The strange but beautiful woman welcomed him home. She welcomed him to Krypton! She speaks to him of her love for him, of how long she has waited for him. She tries to caress his face. Instinctively, he turns from this embrace. She turns, seemingly hurt. She then states that she understands his apprehension. He is corrupted after all. Though they are both programs, are they not meant to be happy? Programs? What does she mean by this? Meanwhile, in the Bronx, the police have arrived on scene to take statements of the destruction caused by the Eradicator to the Connors’ building. The police attempt to talk to Sarah, David’s soon-to-be ex-wife about the whole ordeal, but they are interrupted by the youngest child’s outburst. This wasn’t some supervillain attack, this was his father! Wasn’t it? Sarah comforts her upset and confused son. But as she does so, even she must wonder herself. (Are we all just gonna ignore the fact that her name’s Sarah Connor? Like from the sci-fi classic film, “The Terminator”?! Hahaha! Awesome! Simply awesome. God, I’m a nerd. Moving on…..)

The woman continues. She states that yes, they are programs, like this beautiful “Krypton” that they stand in at this very moment. She says how the ancient kryptonian, Kem-L, created him to house all that was once Krypton within his memory banks when he was but a simple computer that was discovered within a crashed and abandoned starship. She was created soon after to house all of Krypton’s vast mythologies. But he was also given the mission to eradicate all that would threaten Krypton. Hence his name. She was named Faora, after Kem-L’s beloved grandmother. (I think Faora lost in the Badass Name Contest. Just sayin’.) The Eradicator lashes out at his surroundings in anger and frustration with an energy blast! He quickly apologizes but flies off to clear his head. If he was no more than a program, was David Connor truly dead and gone? Is he really nothing but an echo of a human soul?

Faora follows him. She tells him that her intent was never to hurt him, but free him with the truth. He is a program that absorbs essences like information. This happened with his alien creator, the Cleric, next was Superman, and now David Conner. He is only the Eradicator. No more, no less. Just then, the voice from earlier once again invades his mind! It speaks of truths. But before the Eradicator can reply, Faora cries out in pain! She seems to faint and begin plummeting to the planet below! The Eradicator quickly comes to her rescue. Catching her, she looks into his confused red eyes and whispers how her energies are not what they once were. She will not function for much longer. Now panicked, he offers her some of his power to sustain her. She agrees that this seems possible. Then, without hesitation, he kisses her, passing his energy into her! (Gives the term “sparks fly” a whole new meaning with this kiss, huh? Seriously though, he’s married. For shame! Or is he? I’m so confused!)

Suddenly, Faora latches onto the Eradicator and holds him still while she begins sucking all of the power within him into herself! But before he perishes, he swings with a mighty fist, knocking her away from his weakened body! Rising from a crater, she tells the Eradicator how pathetic he is and how she only sought to free him of his corruption! (Jeez! Just because the guy doesn’t wanna suck face anymore? I tell ya, some women are just born crazy!) Again the Eradicator hears the voice. It tells him to see the madness in her words! That’s when the crystalline orbs above Faora’s pet creatures heads begin to reveal an image. Faora cries out in outrage and the orbs crash together!The voice becomes louder as it begins to explain itself.

The voice was of the true creator of the Eradicator device, the Cleric. His people were a people of peace and harmony and they lived happily until they began to run out of the resources they needed to live. So the Cleric created devices he called the All. These computer-like machines would absorb all of the knowledge of their homeworld and take it to the stars, in search of other worlds that the Cleric’s race could colonize. They were overjoyed when they found such a world. It was called Krypton. But the Kryptonians were less than hospitable to alien races! They rounded up the males, females, children, and even rebel members of their own race and burnt their bodies until nothing remained! One of their number, a man named Kem-L, seized the All and reprogrammed it to want to preserve all that made up Krypton and to protect its ways even if that meant killing. The All was renamed the Eradicator and all memory of this “Great Purge” was erased from Kryptonian history. (Whoa! Kryptonians sound like monsters! They even make comic book movie fans look tame!) The Eradicator dropped to his knees, defeated emotionally at last.

Looking up, he cried out in anguish that he’s a monster. But the voice of the Cleric denied this. He was created as a peaceful tool. Only the evil of Kem-L had corrupted him. He had no choice. Faora roared at the Cleric. He was twisting the truth! She was the only way to help his fractured mind. Only she knew the way. But the Eradicator had had enough. He blasted Faora away from him. He then rose and approached her fallen form. Did she not feel remorse? Regret? She replied in anger that she did not. Kem-L was right in what he did. He was right! He? That’s when the mask of illusion fell and Faora became his true self, Kem-L! (Ewww! Gross! The Eradicator frenched an old dude!) The Eradicator stood stunned! The realm around them then reveals a world of floating, charred bones! Kem-L stated that the Eradicator had somehow evolved past being a simple program. This wasn’t fair! Kem-L should be the one that’s a living, breathing being! He is the savior of the true Krypton after all! He will take the Eradicator’s power for himself and live once more!

The Eradicator tries to attack the madman, but using the power he has already absorbed, he reforms easily and begins to draw the very essence from the Eradicator! Suddenly, inspiration hits. The Eradicator shouts that if he wants what he has contained within his physical form so badly, then take only what Kem-L created! Take all of the pain, the rage, and the fear! Take all of it! He’s done holding it for him. Kem-L’s program explodes! The Cleric then appears. What is the Eradicator to do now, he asks. The Cleric replies that now that he knows the truth, he is free to do what he wishes. His heart is the key. The two embrace before the vision of the Cleric fades away. With newfound hope, the Eradicator looks to the Earth as it becomes visible through the program. He then flies off to begin his life anew. (Awww! That’s sweet. See, there’s hope out there even for a Kryptonian killing program. Maybe there’s hope for Earth politicians as well? Nah!)

But what’s this? It seems our tale isn’t over quite yet. Energy crackles inside the program world, drawing the bones together as a being is formed from them! Kem-L completes his new, monstrous body and vows aloud that he will have all of the Eradicator’s power yet! He will live again!

To be concluded…..

Dedicated to my unborn grandson/granddaughter! That’s right! Your loyal Symbifan is gonna officially be an even older fart! I’m gonna be a grandfather! Congratulations to my son, James Miller, and his girlfriend, Abby Slifer!

90s Comics, 90s DC, Uncategorized

Character Eradication (part 1 of 3)

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And you thought Spider-Man went through some radical changes over in Marvel! But in the case of Spidey, it’s usually only his costume that’s altered. With the Eradicator, he has been completely revamped so many times, even a superfan like me can hardly keep track. (That’s saying alot. I’ve been obsessed with this character since 1993!) He’s been: A small computer-like device, a deadly vigilante with Superman’s DNA, been possessed by a human mind, and even transformed into a titanic armored form of the Fortress of Solitude itself! See what I mean? DC has absolutely no idea which direction they want to go with this character! Anyway, I thought it was high time that someone wrote an article dedicated to the only Eradicator comic series where he’s the star. To finally give him the respect that he deserves. Enjoy my look back at “Eradicator” #1 of 3, Unspokenites!

Energy crackled from the Eradicator’s eyes as power blasted from his clenched fists. The strange city lies in ruins. The buildings were smoking husks. He heard a deafening voice commanding him in his head. It wanted him to annihilate the beings close to him that were different. It wanted him to kill! As a human-looking crowd urged him onwards, he denied these mental commands with a roar! He wouldn’t hurt these creatures! Peering again at the aliens’ frightened faces, they suddenly transformed into the faces of his human side’s wife and children! He then felt himself restrained by powerful arms. He was commanded by a strong voice to stop all of this! Opening his eyes, the Eradicator saw Superman holding him down! They were in a crater in the middle of a large street in the city of Metropolis! Had he done all of this? Was he alone responsible for this destruction? (Superman has to have one of those parent-like voices that, when he yells at you, you instantly feel guilty. Even if you didn’t do anything really terrible. If it was my brother and I, we would have definitely warranted the stern “daddy voice” Yup. We were bad boys. Hehehehe!)

The Eradicator admitted to Superman that he’d been having realistic visions that were confusing him and forcing him to act out violently. Superman replied that with his power, something had to be done. It was time they sought outside help. Soon, the Eradicator rested inside of a large tube as a scientist looked over readings from her computer. He and Superman had gone to the scientific research facility known as ST.A.R. Labs. As the female scientist studied the readouts, the Eradicator grew agitated. The mind that now possessed this powerful body had been a human scientist that worked here in life after all. She looked to the Man of Steel and replied to his concerned look that though the Eradicator was way more advanced tha she was used to studying, she could see a type of flaw in his sophisticated DNA. But before she could continue, Superman was suddenly called away to help with an emergency in New Jersey. (Isn’t that the way? Something’s wrong with you and the doctor talks to everyone in the room but you. Rude much? Of course, I’m a hypochondriac and they’re probably sick of explaining to me how my splinter isn’t going to poison my blood.)

As the Eradicator awaited further tests upon his being, he thought back. He was once a scientist named David Connor. After the Eradicator had been seemingly fatally wounded in the battle against the Cyborg Superman, his complex body was delivered to him for further examination. Connor became obsessed with discovering just how the Kryptonian killing machine ticked. After all, throwing himself into his work took his mind off of his failing marriage and the cancer slowly killing him. That was before the accident. A power surge caused a large explosion in the lab and David’s mind was somehow combined with the powerful body of the Eradicator! His sickly corpse was left behind, forcing others to assume that David Connor was dead. As the new Eradicator, he became an anti-hero. Heroic, but lethal all at the same time. He finally felt right. Like this was his fate. But now it seemed as if something was wrong with his new body as well. (Are we all caught up now, kiddies? Good. Don’t feel too bad about Doctor Connor. He had two sons that he let believe he was dead so he could be a superhero with no attachments. Yep. A total ass…..Damn, he was cool!)

The scientist that had been examining him told Connor that they had somewhat isolated his problem within the core of his body. With a few months of research, she was confident that her and her colleagues could cure him. This angered David. Months?! He expressed his outrage verbally, but was stopped short when another attack hit his mind! He was in chains. A man stood over him, yelling at him about the purity of Krypton and how he and these other alien beings deserved their fate! The man then fired a device at the creatures, disintegrating them completely! David cried out in outrage, and energy flowed through his body! As he powered up on this alien world, he was in actuality doing so in the lab on Earth! The scientists fled for their very lives! But the Eradicator saw none of this. To him, he was facing a sadistic killer in front of him! (Oh yeah. Me thinks the Eradicator needs some of the fantastic pills that I take for delusions. At least he’d be too sleepy to freak out and accidentally hurt people. I know it helps me when I feel the need to power up with godlike energy in anger. Hmmm. Maybe I should up my dosage…..)

The man spoke about how the Eradicator had forced his hand in executing these beings! He went on about the purity of Krypton, and how alien filth must be eradicated from their world! So said Kem-L! Where did David hear that name before? Where? And then he awoke from this vision. The rubble of the once state-of-the-art facility was everywhere! Through a steel door, he could hear frightened humans whisper as they hid from his rampage. The Eradicator tore it from its hinges. He asked if they were unharmed. Terrified, they emerged and brushed themselves off. The female scientist from earlier spoke of this only being a setback. She’d still help him. With a faraway look in his crimson eyes, he denied her. He knew where he’d get the help he needed. Blasting a hole in the ceiling, he flew off. (Whew! I’d have to change my shorts after that encounter! What? Accidents happen to the best of us. God, I feel old beyond my years.)

As he rocketed through the air, Connor pondered just how he would go about destroying himself. He weighed his very limited options. Perhaps he could merely leave this world behind. Yes. That was the answer. But first, there were those he’d like to say his goodbyes to. Onward he flew, with renewed purpose. He touched down in Kansas. Smallville to be more specific. The Eradicator approached an old tree that he remembered. In the bark, initials were carved inside of a heart: “CK + LL”. That seemed right. His first love, Lana Lang. The light from a flashlight from behind broke his concentration. It was her. Lana. But she seemed confused when he turned and she saw his face. There was no recognition in her eyes. He spoke to her of his love for her and how much he missed her. But she only grew more confused. Wait. This was wrong. He quickly apologized to her and flew away. Lana stood in the cold air, fear in her eyes. (What’s with Superman and the initials: “LL”? What’s his fascination with that letter in general? Lana Lang, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor. Wait! That’s who the Eradicator went there to see! His first love was Lex Luthor! I’m a genius!)

The Eradicator flew through the air at unbelievable speed! He let loose with a blood-curdling cry as he flew through a mountain that was in his path! As this was going on, someone far away stood, looking at this scene on a screen with a smile. Meanwhile, in the Bronx, David Connor’s two boys watched a violent television show while their mother scolded them. There was a sudden knock on the door. The boys ran to the visitor after their mother opened the door. They exclaimed in joy to see this man as he handed them a bag of fried foods to snack on. (I’d instantly love this guy too if he handed me over a bag of fried snacks! So, I’m cheap. Sue me.) The mother, Maria, looked on with a pleased smile. But at that moment, another person looked upon this scene from across the rooftops. He looked on in jealous rage! How dare they look to this other man in such a manner? How dare they show him such affection?! The Eradicator narrowed his red eyes and moved with lightning speed. He burst through the wall to his children and soon-to-be ex-wife’s new home! Hovering with his arms crossed, he stared at all of them with contempt as they cowered there in the rubble!

The man then does the unthinkable. He actually moves to attack the Eradicator! But as he does so, he yells in outrage about how this monster before him murdered David and he won’t let him hurt his sister and nephews! The Eradicator is stunned. This man is Maria’s brother? David doesn’t remember him at all. Shouldn’t he? Before he can think about his actions, he fires his heat vision to protect himself. He doesn’t hurt anyone, but Maria immediately moves in to protect her children. Connor speaks then about their failed marriage in anger. This not only confuses the woman, but angers her enough to slap the Eradicator! He’s not David! David is dead! The smallest of the two boys runs to him then, clutching his leg. Is he really his father? David begins to answer that yes he is, but he stops himself. Instead he doubles over, clutching his head! (Someone call a Kryptonian exorcist! We’ve gotta live one here!) An inner voice pushes him to kill! He denies it with every fiber of his being! The voice then whispers for him to come home. David whispers one word in response, yes.

Smashing through the small apartment wall, he flies like a man possessed. He flies away from all of his confusion, all of his pain. His youngest child asks his mother if that really was his father. She doesn’t answer. He finally come crashing down in what appears to be the arctic. The voice continues to push him onward. He will find peace soon. This was never his world. Reject it. Come home. The Eradicator accepts the voice at last. And as he does so, a door of light opens near him. The voice beckons to him. As he steps in, the pain leaves him. He looks up to a new, female voice. A woman stands there with strange beasts as her companions. She smiles as she welcomes him home…..home to Krypton!

To be continued…..

Dedicated to my brother, Eric James Miller. Although we’ve been through some hard times, you’ll always be my first best friend. I love you.

The Gimmick Era Has Never Been Covered So Well.