DC Comics Presents #61
Published and © by DC, September 1983
Title: “The Once-and-Future War”
Synopsis: Scientists from the future send a “murdermek” back to 20th-century Metropolis in an effort to stop OMAC from being born.
Writer: Len Wein
Penciler: George Pérez
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Inker (assist): Rick Hoberg
Review: This done-in-one outing from Bronze Age legends Len Wein and George Pérez shares a shocking amount of story DNA with “The Terminator” – a full year before that classic movie’s debut. Wein’s script doesn’t quite achieve the lofty heights of that sci-fi classic, but it is an enjoyable adventure. Sadly, Superman and OMAC don’t spend much time interacting, except for an initial heroes-mistakenly-fighting-before-teaming-up scene (which Wein slyly comments on via a conversational exchange). With the exception of a couple of rough panels, the art is top shelf; Pérez is a master of action and fight choreography. And rubble. Fun stuff!
Grade: B+
Cool factor: It’s “The Terminator.” With DC superheroes. And Pérez rubble!
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “You’re fighting an ideal – and an ideal can never be DESTROYED!!” – Superman, idealist
Editor’s note: This review was written May 15, 2022.
