Format Mini-series Publication date 1996 Penciller(s) Dusty Abell Writer Chris Claremont | Genre Superhero Number of issues 4 Inker(s) Drew Geraci Publisher Elseworlds (DC Comics) | |
Main characters Superman, Lois Lane, Lana Lang Similar Elseworlds, Superman: Last Son of Earth, Superman: The Feral Man of St, Superman: War of the Worlds, Superman and Wonder | ||
Whom Gods Destroy is a 1996 four-issue comic book mini-series. Written by Chris Claremont, with artwork by Dusty Abell and Drew Geraci, under the Elseworlds imprint of DC Comics. This Elseworlds story, which involves Greek mythology and an alternate history and future, is set in an alternative world where Superman rocketed to Earth and has hardly aged a day. While his beloved Lois Lane gets the chance to obtain her heart's desire, she finds herself transformed by the power of the ancient gods into a Wonder Woman.
Contents
Plot
In an alternative world, Superman is still youthful due to his superhuman physiology. The Third Reich never fell, and Germany is still under Nazi rule. Lois has visions of Superman gleefully killing people, including Lana and her, but they are dismissed as dreams. Meanwhile, the search for Lana— previously kidnapped—takes Lois and Superman into German soil of the Third Reich, where Lana is being held. Superman gets attacked by trolls and harpies, causing the plane to crash land in Germany.
Lois soon discovers that the Reich is ruled by the god Adonis and Artemis and Athena are trying to kill him. Wonder Woman has betrayed Paradise Island and is now part of the Reich. It is also revealed that the Greek pantheon is in league with the Nazis, allowing them to employ mythological monsters to fight superheroes. A fight ensues between the German army and the Greek heroines. The sacrifice of the goddess Athena endows Lois with powers—transforming her into a new Wonder Woman.
Superman is transformed into an evil centaur by Circe. Lana is imbued with the power of the Oracle of Delphi and can perform magical feats. She persuades the centaur Superman into realizing his real identity. Superman is transformed into a woman (because his crimes as leader of the Maenads were against women, and therefore, he must take their place). The female Superman then infiltrates the Great Hall of the Reich, which is guarded by the Minotaur. She succeeds in her task due to Lana's magical knowledge. Lois, as the new Wonder Woman, defeats the Nazi Wonder Woman and ties her up with her magic lasso.
Finally, it is revealed that Zeus and Hera were playing a chess game, using the world as their chess pieces. Adonis is sent to be taken care of by Hades. Superman and Lois (now the new Wonder Woman) and Lana all live together on the moon and live happily ever after.