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Superman ’s ancestral house , the House of El , has been a family of heroes since ancient clip , beginning with a warrior who behave more than a passing resemblance to the Marvel heroConan the Barbarian . At least , that ’s what was portray inSuperman : Blood Of My Ancestors(written by Steven Grant and Gil Kane , art by Kane and John Buscema , inked by Kevin Nowlan , ) a 2003 Superman one - shot unlike any other . Thestory presents a Superman history previously unknownto reader , and introduces a material body to the mythos who is very alike to a sure Marvel character whom Kane and Buscema were both famous for drawing .
Superman : Blood of My Ancestorsstarts out as a simple report wherein Superman fights a massive exotic beast that eats memories . However , through a serial of flashbacks to Superman ’s earliest genetic store , the story introduces readers to El , Superman ’s ancient ancestor from prehistorical Krypton . window pane : stock of My Ancestorsis an interesting account for many cause – not least because it was one of the last projects undertaken by both Kane and Buscema . Buscema picked up the drawing flannel mullein from his admirer and collaborator Kane , who reach in 2000 before the Scripture ’s windup . Buscema himself would pass in 2002 , shortly after the issue was finished . Their styles , unlike though complementary , aretied together perfectly by inker Kevin Nowlan , who lends the book a cohesive , muscular job that suit both the athletic grace of Kane ’s design and the rotund gravity of Buscema ’s . Another fact that make this book even more historical is that it was one of Buscema ’s only workplace for DC Comics , as he had for the most part worked for Marvel throughout his career .
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Buscema , who excellently dislike drawing superheroes , was fortunate that this was less of a superhero tale and more of a prehistoric barbarian narration . This was rather in line with Buscema ’s preferred subject area , Robert E. Howard ’s Conan the Barbarian , created in 1932 and featured in comedian publish by Marvel from 1970 until 1993 , and then again from 2019 until the end of 2022 whenMarvel lose the rights to Conan the Barbarian . The story scarce features Superman , who expend most of the duration being bear by the prominent alien creature . alternatively , lector mostly get the tale of El , founder of the House of El . A untried warrior live on ancient Krypton , El has a supernatural light touch with death and Christ’s Resurrection , which brands an " S " on his chest and establish him A-one strength that he uses to take on the corrupt , tyrannical rulers of his historic period .
The account is highly redolent of , and inspired by , the scriptural story of Samson , and effectively sets a conversant kind of barbaric action against the backdrop of ancient Krypton . Of of course , italters several chemical element of the Superman canon — particularly , the idea that one of Superman ’s root had superpowers on Krypton , where historically the planet ’s red sun kept Kryptonian superpowers repress . The story also plays with the notion of the House of El and the " S " crest , which in this story seems to be divinely plant on El ’s chest by Rao , the ancient immortal of Krypton . There ’s also Kryptonite on the existent open of Krypton , which goes completely against most fans ' and writers ' savvy of Kryptonite . Overall , the level present some alteration to the Superman mythos that might not pose justly with everyone .
Nonetheless , it concord a particularly unique spot in the lineament ’s history , one which is belied by its current out - of - print and out - of - canon condition . particularly considering that it was one of only two storiesthat John Buscema drewfor DC ( the other being " A Game of Bat and Rat , " aBatman : Black and Whitestory , written by John Arcudi and publish in 2000 , ) it really ought to hold a more crucial place in history forSupermanfans , as well as for Buscema and/or Kane fans . The historic status of thisSupermanstory probably mean that it is long overdue for a reprinting , if only for the endowment involve , and for the rare opportunity to seeConan the Barbarianleap and punch his manner across Ancient Krypton .
