Yeehaw! DC's Cowboy Superman Rides into Town and Steals Our Hearts!
DC's Elseworlds: A Rootin' Tootin' Wild West Superman!
DC's Elseworlds imprint is known for its awesome reimaginings of classic characters. While the main continuity's Superman always rocks, this new cowboy version from Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #5 (written by Andy Diggle, art by Leandro Fernández and colors by Matt Hollingsworth) has totally become my absolute favorite! This issue delivers so much. It shows this reimagined Superman, setting this alternate universe in a 19th-century Victorian-style setting. It continues that wild storyline from Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (1989) by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola). Get ready; this story’s surprisingly excellent, so get prepared!
Superman is still that super-powered Kryptonian. But here? He’s a very different, unique character. He's Smallville's sheriff! And he maintains this ridiculous secret identity. He's the mild-mannered sheriff who occasionally has to discreetly unleash super-powers! Those hidden powers coupled with some surprisingly entertaining moments; those humorous choices make it incredibly enjoyable! The blend of that iconic heroism and plain silliness is fantastic! A perfect portrayal.
Sheriff Clark Kent: Super-Powers and Silly Excuses!
Clark's debut involves stopping a showdown with Deadshot. He totally ditches the iconic Superman suit, stepping in as sheriff! That's amazing! This shows Clark's reluctance to use that iconic title and this understated persona requires some hilarious strategies! He secretly uses his super-powers, only to add a hilariously ludicrous excuse.
Example time! Deadshot shoots; Clark pretends to trip to dodge the bullet, yelling, “So clumsy… Tripped over my own boots!” It's crazy! And the humor's consistent; Those crazy moments with Clark subtly using his powers. And each silly excuse adds to the absolute hilarious comedy and it's brilliant!
That mild-mannered Clark Kent? That ridiculousness? Amazing in the main Comics. He uses ordinary things (spilled coffee, dropped papers) to hide his identity—always hilarious! The sheriff persona is totally over the top and better. So much absurdity; it's incredibly unlikely that nobody has figured out that he isn't really a mild-mannered lawman. The writing excels at maximizing this comedic contrast and creates unforgettable moments that create so many laugh out loud situations.
A Wild West Look: The Cowboy Superman's Awesome Outfit
Cowboy stuff is awesome. So seeing Superman in full western gear? A serious win! That sheriff outfit’s incredible! The unique creativity involved here; maximizing certain elements such as using color choices which match Superman's usual outfit, but in a far less overtly powerful, more understated style really works so well and emphasizes creativity without overshadowing that otherwise very well-known design. A subtle reference that most fans recognize almost instantly! There's blue jeans and a vest (yellow brass buttons); the Superman colors remain intact – with those elements really paying tribute, demonstrating respect for both the character's unique visual heritage while also completely reinventing itself!
His boots and that red duster, also reference that classic look—and those reddish-brown boots show how brilliant these design decisions really were! This was only possible through respecting that pre-existing identity! That pure white cowboy hat might not seem important, but is deeply symbolic; “white caps” often stand for goodness and moral integrity. A seriously powerful symbolic addition and totally amazing; an element easily missed!
Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen Ride Into Town!
This was awesome! Both appear—the very first time they appeared is way back in #4— previously, that encounter happened far away, in Metropolis! Now? Smallville! And they’re both working for that famous Daily Planet—in the 19th-century version. That alone should suggest their paths will clash with Sheriff Clark—especially after Lois saw the Deadshot showdown!
That classic Lois and Jimmy relationship, those interactions with Clark, makes total sense here. Even in alternate realities, that romantic relationship continues to remain almost unavoidable; and while we can’t tell exactly where that will go, we know just enough information which really suggests what kinds of possibilities we are all about to discover! Will they do their best?
Batman’s Got His Eye on Sheriff Kent: An Upcoming Team-Up!
But it’s that Batman interaction? That's incredibly intense! That #5 ending? Batman witnessed the whole thing! He makes that famous "Hrn" sound; that instantly makes it clear: He knows Sheriff Kent's secret! This sets up the potential future clash; with this partnership probably helping defeat whatever looming Kryptonian threat emerges.
Conclusion: A Wildly Fun Twist on a Classic Hero
DC's Cowboy Superman is awesome; re-imagining this famous hero with hilarious, creative storytelling decisions. He doesn’t merely change clothes and roles; The character undergoes changes in terms of actions and interactions which could only have happened by fundamentally shifting his usual interactions with others.
This is what makes this particular Superman totally fresh, enjoyable! That Sheriff Kent’s ridiculous efforts to maintain secrecy; while maintaining a totally similar set of personalities makes the whole story enjoyable. Even having classic characters like Lois and Jimmy added—plus Batman’s knowledge— creates immense possibilities for new narratives!
