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Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!

Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Date: 1996
Cover Price: $5.95
Writer: R.J.M. Lofficier with Roy Thomas
Artist: Ted McKeever

In this Elseworlds tale, the shining city of Metropolis is run by steam-machines, the greatest of which is called Moloch. These machines are maintained by a large worker caste of citizens that are overworked and underpaid. The city is ruled by Jon-Kent, the Master Over Metropolis, who shares his wealth and power with an elite few, including his son Clarc Kent-Son. Unbeknownst to all, Jon-Kent is being controlled by the mad scientist, Lutor, who is now half-machine after an unfortunate accident.

Now, Lois is inspiring the working class with hope of a Super-Man who will unite the ruling class with the workers. Her words have reached Clarc Kent-Son and he’s even joined the worker caste, to experience their hardships for himself. But, when Lutor hears of this, he unveils Futura – the first in a planned line of robots that will replace the workers – never tiring and needing no economic reward. She is sent, disguised as Lois, to crush the hopes of the citizens. Clarc Kent-Son sees through the ruse and, with his newly discovered powers and heritage, sets out to take down the mad scientist and make the city a better place for all of its citizens.

I’ve never seen Fritz Lang’s Metropolis but, I know enough about it to understand that this is a clear homage of the film. It utilizes the film’s framework and inserts Superman and his supporting cast into the story. It’s an interesting story about the haves and the havenots that doesn’t end with the havenots overthrowing/killing/ruling over the haves. It ends with mediation being the end goal – cooperation, instead of just turning the tables. I dig that twist and I also greatly appreciate Ted McKeever‘s unique art. I’ve been a fan of his ever since I discovered his creator-owned series Metropol in my Local Comic Shop’s back-issue bins. Now, I know his art isn’t made for everyone but, it seems to me that a Superman story might be the perfect place to introduce it to a mainstream audience. So give it a whirl: unique art, Superman and an homage for a classic film that exposes the darker sides of Capitalism.

On Ebay: Superman | Elseworlds | Roy Thomas
| Ted McKeever
On AtomicAvenue: Superman

Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: November 2004
Cover Price: $2.99
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Khary Randolph

This is one of several one-shots that envisions what the Marvel Knights relaunches would have been like if they were published in 2099. In this future version of the Marvel Universe, the government re-enacted the Mutant Registration Act. The super-heroes joined together to defy the government but were eventually overpowered and went underground.

Chad Channing is a teenage mutant who’s secretly been taken under the wing of Reed Richards. Reed – who is now a dismembered brain that sometimes arms itself in a Thing replica body – has been giving Chad placebo pills to replace his mutant suppresive pills that the government makes mutants take. Chad and Reed jump into action when the government’s peace-keeping Sentinels seem to be slacking – this time they stop an invasion by the Mole Man.

But, Chad discovers that all of this super-heroing is negatively affecting his grades and his relationships with his parents and girlfriend. And, for what? Having not been old enough to remember the way life used to be, he’s not so sure that his role as an unlicensed hero is necessary – even though Reed tells him so. Days later, a giant monster is rampaging in the city – will Chad’s involvement show him that his role is necessary? Or will he throw it all away to live a normal life?

Kirkman unravels the complexities of a Utopian society in this tale and shows you the weak points that value “upholding the law” over the lives of its citizens. The art is a bit cartoony and Chad’s powers aren’t specifically explained but those are minor grievances that don’t outweigh the great parts of this comic. The dismembered brain of Reed Richards is an interesting supporting character that connects Chad’s heroics to the Marvel Universe – and 2099 fans with eagle eyes may notice another character with the last name of O’Hara (a relation to Spidey 2099, mayhaps?). Underneath this fun tale of teenage-superheroics, there’s some subtle commentary on government-enforced Utopia that adds a deeper level of storytelling. Give it a shot!

Note: To date, this is the only Marvel Knights 2099 character that has appeared outside of these one-shots. Robert Kirkman used him in Marvel Team-Up vol. III #16, 17, & 18.

On Ebay: Fantastic Four | Robert Kirkman
On AtomicAvenue: Fantastic Four