Sergio Aragonés Destroys DC
Encyclopedia
Sergio Aragonés Destroys DC is a comic book written by Sergio Aragonés
and Mark Evanier
and published in 1996. The book is a satire of DC Comics
characters. They also produced an equivalent at Marvel Comics
, called Sergio Aragonés Massacres Marvel.
and the Hawkman
, who has been crying for help. Hawkman warns him (and several other characters from DCU
) that a great danger is coming to all superheroes, but he doesn't say what kind of danger is coming.
Aragonés and Evanier have a talk in which is made clear that Aragonés has tried to get a job in DC, but was refused (allegedly, this occurs because he once worked with Groo
, or because he never drew any superheroes comics).
After the rejection, Aragones decides to draw some DC superheroes stories, helped by Evanier, in order to get experience in the field. He starts with Superman
. Jor-el
, Superman's father, is talking to her wife about the imminent destruction of the planet Krypton, when suddenly the destruction itself begins. Since the rocket built by Jor-el is too small, he abandons the idea of saving himself and "chooses" to save his son, sending him to Earth
(after a brief thought of sending the baby to the Sun
). After the destruction of Krypton, the baby comes to Earth, where he's shown facing enemies like Lex Luthor
(who hates Superman because of his hair loss) and Mr Mxyzptlk, besides being portrayed as Clark Kent
, Superman's alter ego
. After Superman saves a kid from a car crash (and provoking another worse car crash), Hawkman appears, and tells Superman "they're doomed". Superman and Hawkman then fly off the car crash scene.
Batman
is the next portrayed character. After recounting Batman's origin, including his parents murder and the bat outfit choice, Aragonés shows Batman (or "The Batman", as the character constantly repeats) receiving a Joker
's letter. Batman goes to an abandoned carnival park, where he spanks an innocent clown before meeting the Joker. After a brief discussion between the two characters, Superman and Hawkman appear, and Batman leaves with them.
Wonder Woman
appears next. She saves a man that's being robbed, kicking the bandit in the testicles. After this, a large group of men appears and ask Wonder
Woman
to hit them (in an allusion
the sadomasochism). A little girl shows up, and she leaves the scene to show the girl her lasso of truth
abilities, her invisible plane
and Themyscira
, the amazon island. The island
is then suddenly attacked by a horde of men. These men come from the United States Supreme Court, which have decided that is illegal to restrict the access to the island in terms of gender (only women can live in Themyscira). After Hawkman arrives, Wonder Woman leaves the island.
The Legion of Superheroes is portrayed too, in a failed attempt to select members for the team. In the middle of fhe "job interviews", an alien spacecraft lands on Earth, and a being demands to speak to the Legion leader. There's a huge fight to decide who's the leader. Hawkman shows up again, but leaves quickly, and the leader dispute restarts.
Finally, the Justice League of America (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman
, The Flash and Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern
) is assembled. They try to find out who is trying to destroy them, and recount some milestone events of the DC Universe, like Barry Allen
's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths
and Hal Jordan
becoming Parallax. It's then revealed that Aragonés himself didn't choose the main villain.
After looking at old comic books, Aragonés chooses Johnny DC
as the villain. Johnny DC was a mascot used by DC in the sixties to promote his comics. Allegedly, the character was "fired" by DC when a new comic book style was decided by the editors. Johnny DC talks briefly to the Justice League, and then "adapts itself to the 90s", becoming a gigantic monster.
The monstrous Johnny DC attacks the Justice League (and some other characters) and defeats them easily. Superman asks Batman to think of a solution before they are all annihilated. After a merchandise page, Batman says he's gonna buy a CD player, model CD YNNHOJ. Johnny DC repeats the model name after asking "What in the name of Mort Weisinger
," and disappears in a dense smoke. It's then revealed that "CD YNNHOJ" is "Johnny DC" spoken backwards (the same trick is used, in the DC stories, to make Mr. Mxyzptlk disappear).
Aragonés and Evanier, after finishing the story, go to the DC headquarters, where Aragonés expects to be well treated after showing the editors the story. Aragonés is kicked out of the DC building, but the story is published anyway, because a distracted DC employee puts the story along with other Vertigo comics selected for printing.
Sergio Aragonés
Sergio Aragonés Domenech is a cartoonist and writer best known for his contributions to Mad Magazine and creator of the comic book Groo the Wanderer....
and Mark Evanier
Mark Evanier
Mark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of...
and published in 1996. The book is a satire of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
characters. They also produced an equivalent at Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, called Sergio Aragonés Massacres Marvel.
Plot
The story starts with a meeting between Martian ManhunterMartian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
and the Hawkman
Hawkman
Hawkman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940....
, who has been crying for help. Hawkman warns him (and several other characters from DCU
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
) that a great danger is coming to all superheroes, but he doesn't say what kind of danger is coming.
Aragonés and Evanier have a talk in which is made clear that Aragonés has tried to get a job in DC, but was refused (allegedly, this occurs because he once worked with Groo
Groo
Groo may refer to:* Groo the Wanderer, a comic book series.* The Groosalugg, a character in the television show Angel.- See also :* Grue * GRU* Grew * Grewe...
, or because he never drew any superheroes comics).
After the rejection, Aragones decides to draw some DC superheroes stories, helped by Evanier, in order to get experience in the field. He starts with Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
. Jor-el
Jor-El
Jor-El is a fictional character, an extraterrestrial in the . He was created by the writer Jerry Siegel and the artist Joe Shuster, and he first appeared in a newspaper comic strip in 1939 as Superman's biological father....
, Superman's father, is talking to her wife about the imminent destruction of the planet Krypton, when suddenly the destruction itself begins. Since the rocket built by Jor-el is too small, he abandons the idea of saving himself and "chooses" to save his son, sending him to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
(after a brief thought of sending the baby to the Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
). After the destruction of Krypton, the baby comes to Earth, where he's shown facing enemies like Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
(who hates Superman because of his hair loss) and Mr Mxyzptlk, besides being portrayed as Clark Kent
Clark Kent
Clark Kent is a fictional character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Appearing regularly in stories published by DC Comics, he debuted in Action Comics #1 and serves as the civilian and secret identity of the superhero Superman....
, Superman's alter ego
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
. After Superman saves a kid from a car crash (and provoking another worse car crash), Hawkman appears, and tells Superman "they're doomed". Superman and Hawkman then fly off the car crash scene.
Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
is the next portrayed character. After recounting Batman's origin, including his parents murder and the bat outfit choice, Aragonés shows Batman (or "The Batman", as the character constantly repeats) receiving a Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
's letter. Batman goes to an abandoned carnival park, where he spanks an innocent clown before meeting the Joker. After a brief discussion between the two characters, Superman and Hawkman appear, and Batman leaves with them.
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
appears next. She saves a man that's being robbed, kicking the bandit in the testicles. After this, a large group of men appears and ask Wonder
Wonder
Wonder most commonly refers to:* Wonder , an emotion comparable to surprise that people feel when perceiving something rare or unexpected.Wonder may also refer to:In fiction* Wonder Boys, a 1995 novel by Michael Chabon...
Woman
Woman
A woman , pl: women is a female human. The term woman is usually reserved for an adult, with the term girl being the usual term for a female child or adolescent...
to hit them (in an allusion
Allusion
An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication. M. H...
the sadomasochism). A little girl shows up, and she leaves the scene to show the girl her lasso of truth
Lasso of Truth
The Lasso of Truth is a fictional weapon wielded by DC Comics superheroine Wonder Woman, Princess Diana of Themyscira. It is usually referred to as the Magic Lasso or Golden Lasso and forces anyone it captures to obey and tell the truth....
abilities, her invisible plane
Invisible Plane
The Invisible Plane is the fictional DC Comics superheroine Wonder Woman's venerable, though now seldom-used, mode of transport. It first appeared in Sensation Comics #1 The Invisible Plane (sometimes referred to as the Invisible Jetplane, Invisible Jet, and Robot Plane) is the fictional DC Comics...
and Themyscira
Themyscira
Themyscira is a fictional island nation in the DC Comics universe that is the place of origin of Wonder Woman and her sister Amazons. Known as Paradise Island since Wonder Woman and the island's first appearance in All Star Comics #8 , it was renamed "Themyscira" with the character's February...
, the amazon island. The island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
is then suddenly attacked by a horde of men. These men come from the United States Supreme Court, which have decided that is illegal to restrict the access to the island in terms of gender (only women can live in Themyscira). After Hawkman arrives, Wonder Woman leaves the island.
The Legion of Superheroes is portrayed too, in a failed attempt to select members for the team. In the middle of fhe "job interviews", an alien spacecraft lands on Earth, and a being demands to speak to the Legion leader. There's a huge fight to decide who's the leader. Hawkman shows up again, but leaves quickly, and the leader dispute restarts.
Finally, the Justice League of America (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
, The Flash and Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
) is assembled. They try to find out who is trying to destroy them, and recount some milestone events of the DC Universe, like Barry Allen
Barry Allen
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe. He is the second character known as the Flash. The character first appeared in Showcase #4 , created by writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome and penciler Carmine Infantino. His name combines talk show hosts Barry Gray...
's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
and Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker...
becoming Parallax. It's then revealed that Aragonés himself didn't choose the main villain.
After looking at old comic books, Aragonés chooses Johnny DC
Johnny DC
Johnny DC is a character that DC Comics has used at various times as a mascot for its lines of comic books, and occasionally as metafictional character who comments on the comics in which he appears.-History:...
as the villain. Johnny DC was a mascot used by DC in the sixties to promote his comics. Allegedly, the character was "fired" by DC when a new comic book style was decided by the editors. Johnny DC talks briefly to the Justice League, and then "adapts itself to the 90s", becoming a gigantic monster.
The monstrous Johnny DC attacks the Justice League (and some other characters) and defeats them easily. Superman asks Batman to think of a solution before they are all annihilated. After a merchandise page, Batman says he's gonna buy a CD player, model CD YNNHOJ. Johnny DC repeats the model name after asking "What in the name of Mort Weisinger
Mort Weisinger
Mortimer Weisinger was an American magazine and comic book editor best known for editing DC Comics' Superman during the mid-1950s to 1960s, in the Silver Age of comic books...
," and disappears in a dense smoke. It's then revealed that "CD YNNHOJ" is "Johnny DC" spoken backwards (the same trick is used, in the DC stories, to make Mr. Mxyzptlk disappear).
Aragonés and Evanier, after finishing the story, go to the DC headquarters, where Aragonés expects to be well treated after showing the editors the story. Aragonés is kicked out of the DC building, but the story is published anyway, because a distracted DC employee puts the story along with other Vertigo comics selected for printing.
Awards
- 1997:
- Won "Best Humor Publication" Eisner AwardEisner AwardThe Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
, with Sergio Aragonés Massacres Marvel - Dan Raspler won "Best Editor" Eisner Award, for work including Sergio Aragonés Destroys DC
- Won "Best Humor Publication" Eisner Award