- Notice: Spoilers for Injustice: Gods Among Us comics. Year 1, Vol. 1-2
I’m not a regular comics reader (not anymore), but I have a humble collection on my shelf. I used to dedicate a few hours (and money) every so often to advance my favorite series… although a couple of years ago I lost this habit. I want it to become more common in 2024 and I have set myself one goal so as not to fail: to return to my favorite story.
Injustice: Gods Among Us, known for the NetherRealm Studios video games, is by far my favorite story when it comes to comics. I know it’s not the best, but it has entertained me for many hours and I feel the need to catch up. I’m stuck on Volume 1 of Year 5 and don’t remember most of what happens so far.
There is an event from Year 1, Volume 2 that was burned into my mind and that I want to tell you because it is simply brilliant: when Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne’s butler, beat Superman to death for being too smart with Batman. He literally left him smashed on the floor. It was proof of the love that man processes for his protégé.
“He won’t hurt my family again!”
I have to provide some context to understand why Alfred Pennyworth, a very refined British butler, ended up burying Superman’s (Clark Kent) head in the ground. As a summary, the events of Injustice: Gods Among Us They begin when the Joker destroys Metropolis with a bomb, but not before tricking Superman into killing Lois Lane and her unborn child. You have to admit that Joker was crowned.
Superman kills the Joker, although he truly blames Batman for not killing him much sooner. The Kryptonian and the Gothamite face off. The result is very different from what we saw in Batman V Superman: Clark Kent decides to forcibly bring order to the world, becoming a despotic emperor, and Bruce goes into hiding. The DC universe, heroes and villains, is divided into two sides. A very bloody Civil War begins.
Superman, consumed by pain and rage, goes to the Batcave in search of Batman and one of h is measures against him: capsules or pills that grant powers capable of stopping him and even killing him. However, he arrives before the analysis is complete. He tries to buy time during the fight by acting as a punching bag.
Clark realizes the ruse and flies into a rage. He picks Batman up in the air, snaps his spine (like Bane), and stomps on him when he tries to get up. The analysis is completed. Superman’s fury is such that he almost kills him, but he hesitates for a moment…and right there comes Alfred Pennyworth into action. He touches his shoulder: “Clark Kent. You’ve disappointed me a lot,” he says after headbutting him in the face that knocks him down. He had taken the pill to protect Bruce.
“But you won’t do it anymore,” he continues while kicking him in the face, destroying the shoe completely. “Do you hear me? You won’t hurt my family again!” Alfred shouts in rage as he smashes Superman’s face into the ground with his fists and buries his head into the floor of the Batcave. After this outburst of violence, Alfred gently takes Bruce and they leave. “There’s nothing here worth saving,” he sentences, leaving Superman completely destroyed on the ground.
This is how Volume 2 of Year 1 ends Injustice: Gods Among Us. I’m not sure why this scene impacted me so much at the time. It’s not particularly violent compared to others, but to this day it still gives me goosebumps. It was so marked on me that I even remember the song I heard one of the times I experienced these vignettes: Beautiful Lie by Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL (Batman V Superman).
The story of Injustice: Gods Among Us It has extended in time beyond this event and what I read. I’m afraid to look how far because of possible spoilers. I will reread all the volumes on my shelf and go to my trusted store for the next volume… if they have it. What do you think of this moment? And of Injustice? Do you think it has gotten better or worse as it has progressed?
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