House of Almerac Maxima Appreciation 2021

[Robanker]

Totally respect that for some people, it only makes sense for Clark to ever want Lois. Can only speak for myself that as long as it’s clear she’s his greatest love, I’m fine with him eventually having other relationships, just like I don’t mind both Lois & Clark dating other people before the two exchange vows.

The big issue for me is I also don't like a Superman who lives that long. His story means more when it's on a very finite scale. It's easy to be the most devoted husband to Lois when you know she exists for what's essentially ten percent of your life at most. It also means that every relationship he has after that is Clark still pining for Lois in some fashion. It just doesn't really work for me. To each their own on that front.

I wish that instead of WW, writers used Maxima instead because she’s literally the kind of character they write WW as anyway. Princess of another realm, kill-happy, aroused by his powers while annoyed by his morals, tempts him with the idea of becoming a ruler, etc. Just use her instead of messing with Wondy.

Agreed. I think Max and Clark more interesting than Clark and Diana, frankly.

[Thor-Ul]

Totally respect that for some people, it only makes sense for Clark to ever want Lois. Can only speak for myself that as long as it’s clear she’s his greatest love, I’m fine with him eventually having other relationships, just like I don’t mind both Lois & Clark dating other people before the two exchange vows.

I wish that instead of WW, writers used Maxima instead because she’s literally the kind of character they write WW as anyway. Princess of another realm, kill-happy, aroused by his powers while annoyed by his morals, tempts him with the idea of becoming a ruler, etc. Just use her instead of messing with Wondy.

Who did this art? Gammil? Bereton? Not sure, honest.

Also, I add to the ones who prefer to see Max in the role usually assigned to Diana. We have to blame Gruenwald for that.

[SJNeal]

Who did this art? Gammil? Bereton? Not sure, honest.

I wanna say Ray Lago...

[Ascended]

The thing is, I think she'd know she was settling and that's why she can't go back with someone else.

Yeah there's that. I don't think there's really a good way to resolve the issue because Clark's not giving up his life and wife to rule a fascist space Rome, and Maxima isn't willing to accept anything but the very best.

Zod is the one I'd see her going for and I outlined my thoughts on why he'd accept her proposal

Before Zod married Ursa (or is it Faora?) and had Lor-Zod I would've totally agreed. And even now I could sorta see a "sister wives" situation, since the union with Almerac would benefit New Krypton greatly. But now that Zod has his own planet, half the Kandor survivors, and is part of the United Planets, does he really need Almerac's aid now?

I still think Vartox makes the most sense for Maxima's consort; he's as powerful as Clark, rules his own empire, and I actually think he and Maxima would get along really well.

[Robanker]

Vartox absolutely works. I think Zod still works because New Krypton is in its infancy and there aren't enough Kryptonians to really have a healthy gene pool. There will have to be inbreeding unless they reintegrate with Daxamites or something. A political alliance with Almerac to gain access to their knowledge of genetic engineering would ensure Kryptonian genetics carry on. I imagine a child would be the price of that alliance.

Zod never struck me as so devoted a husband he wouldn't put ambition before family either.

[Alpha]

I don't know about Vartox. I really prefer the original version of him, where his wife was spiritually connected to another woman from earth, without ever knowing, and when the human was killed Vartox's wife also died for no reason. He came to earth because he wanted the laws of his own world to judge and punish this man. Thisnwas a fair and spiritual person. Maxima would have to learn a lot about Vartox before he ever accepted her proposal. He seemed like someone who cherished deep spiritual connections before anything else.

The Vartox who threw himself onto Power Girl feels like an entirely different person.

[Vordan]

I don't know about Vartox. I really prefer the original version of him, where his wife was spiritually connected to another woman from earth, without ever knowing, and when the human was killed Vartox's wife also died for no reason. He came to earth because he wanted the laws of his own world to judge and punish this man. Thisnwas a fair and spiritual person. Maxima would have to learn a lot about Vartox before he ever accepted her proposal. He seemed like someone who cherished deep spiritual connections before anything else.

The Vartox who threw himself onto Power Girl feels like an entirely different person.

He is, more or less. Conner and Palomitti’s stuff basically takes place in its own little pocket universe, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any other books acknowledge what they did.

[Ascended]

He is, more or less. Conner and Palomitti’s stuff basically takes place in its own little pocket universe, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any other books acknowledge what they did.

Yeah, pre-Crisis Vartox and modern Vartox are very different characters.

If I were actually writing this I'd kind of fuse the two approaches together; tone down the 70's porn star vibe but not get rid of it completely.

I like that modern Vartox comes across as such a d-bag, but once you get a little deeper into his motivations he's much more sympathetic. I find there's a strong parallel there with Max, that these are two people who, on the surface, are kinda sex-driven assholes but once you get to know them you see their motives are more noble than they appear, if not exactly "pure."

[Alpha]

Vartox looked like a pornstar, but he acted like a genuine sensitive person. One entirely guided by love, be it for his people or for his soul mate.

In a way, it has become more unique than the "d-bag with a heart" trope. It's one of the reasons why I think he should be a Wonder Woman character instead of Superman or even Power Girl. I don't want him to fall in love with Wonder Woman, but I think his tragic heart guiding him to clash with Diana would lead to interesting astro spiritual stories.

Maxima kind of makes it all about him fixing her with my portrayal of him. He wasn't someone focused on power, every woman I remember him dating was a normal woman.

[Alpha]

I honestly think Zod is the most interesting choice that has been offered, or Lobo since he would definitely lead to conflict. I imagine it would be like in Got, when Cersei was with the viking dude.

[Vordan]

I honestly think Zod is the most interesting choice that has been offered, or Lobo since he would definitely lead to conflict. I imagine it would be like in Got, when Cersei was with the viking dude.

I can’t imagine anyone in their right mind ever choosing Lobo as a consort. He’d be an awful ruler lmao. For Zod I actually like Zod as a devoted family man, I like that dark parallel to Kal, and I do think they should play up Zod’s more sympathetic traits more. He may be a totalitarian dictator but let it never be said he doesn’t love his wife and son . Pre-FP he definitely didn’t care about Faora or Lor but I prefer the current Zod who does seem genuinely affectionate.

That said if I ever got to do my daughter of Kal and Maxima idea, you know what I would do? Have that daughter (screw it I’ll call her Lara, that seems to be the go to name for a hypothetical Kal daughter in Elseworlds) and Lor-Zod be put in an arranged marriage. Maxima would like the idea because it ensures the strength of her line and ties all the remaining Kryptonian families to her lineage by blood, and Zod would get his dream of the Els and Zods uniting. Of course Lor and Lara would hate the idea but that’s where the fun comes in!

[Robanker]

I can’t imagine anyone in their right mind ever choosing Lobo as a consort. He’d be an awful ruler lmao. For Zod I actually like Zod as a devoted family man, I like that dark parallel to Kal, and I do think they should play up Zod’s more sympathetic traits more. He may be a totalitarian dictator but let it never be said he doesn’t love his wife and son . Pre-FP he definitely didn’t care about Faora or Lor but I prefer the current Zod who does seem genuinely affectionate.

That said if I ever got to do my daughter of Kal and Maxima idea, you know what I would do? Have that daughter (screw it I’ll call her Lara, that seems to be the go to name for a hypothetical Kal daughter in Elseworlds) and Lor-Zod be put in an arranged marriage. Maxima would like the idea because it ensures the strength of her line and ties all the remaining Kryptonian families to her lineage by blood, and Zod would get his dream of the Els and Zods uniting. Of course Lor and Lara would hate the idea but that’s where the fun comes in!

I'd read that pitch.

[Prime]

Ascended is right about the Clois fandom freaking out. I saw numerous people upset that Clark had sex with people other than Lois and fathered children with them in the upcoming PKJ House of El, even though all that happens after Lois dies. For me personally, if the current mindset is that Clark is human at heart, then yeah he’s going to have sexual relationships with people after Lois. Why? Because he’s still going to have the relative youthfulness that his powers grant him. If he’s still got the body of a 30 year old he’s still going to be horny, as much as people don’t want to think about that . So I’m fine with it, as long as it’s made clear that Lois is his greatest love.

For Maxima herself I’d change some of the background and motivation. For starters I’d ditch the eugenics aspect, too creepy for Clark to ever consent to that imo, and I’d prefer he didn’t get roofied like Bruce did by Talia. Instead I’d have Maxima be the deposed princess of Alerac who lost her parents and her empire at Mongul’s hands, and is seeking to use Superman to reclaim her throne. At first she has zero genuine interest in him, but over time as the two work together to unseat Mongul, who rules the empire from Warworld, a genuine romance blossoms between the two. Clark is attracted by Maxima’s complete lack of self-doubt, she knows what she wants and when she sets her mind on something she doesn’t let anything get in her way (remind you of anyone?). She’s brave, dedicated, and doesn’t settle for anything less than the best from herself or anyone else. Also Maxima is hot so that plays a role too . Maxima becomes attracted to Clark because unlike all the suitors she’s had to meet, Clark genuinely isn’t interested in her throne for himself, respects her as an equal rather than viewing her as a prize, and confronts threats head on just like her. They’re both also stubborn, hot headed, and when tempers flare, watch out.

Ultimately they would unseat Mongul and restore Maxima, who would offer Clark the position of consort which he’d turn down. He wouldn’t be ready to abandon his ties to Earth, would be critical of some of the ways Almerac operated (a source of argument between Maxima and Clark), and worried that this post would hamper his ability to be a hero.

Maxima would be pissed at his refusal and would kick him out, declaring him persona non grata in the short term. She also would conceal her pregnancy both out of anger at his refusal, and also worry that his “softness” would potentially infect their daughter and leave a weak heir to the throne (weak in this case referring to lacking the ruthless political instincts Maxima believes are required to rule Almerac). Occasionally Clark would tussle with Almerac forces later on because of this, and maybe even Maxima herself would be testing him for the secret purpose of ensuring he doesn’t go soft so he can survive long enough to meet their kid. When the kid is about 12 or 13 she would finally decide it’s time for her to meet Clark and would time it on Clark and Lois’ anniversary for maximum shock and embarrassment to Clark, wanting him to pass on his skills now that she judges her daughter and heir suitably indoctrinated enough to ignore Clark’s soft hearted ideas like “don’t crush people under your boot if they disagree with you”.

So that’s how I’d establish their background and relationship in the present day. As a thanks for reading all that, here’s some horny fan art:

HERE TAKE MY MONEY

lol with the "horny art"

[Prime]

Can we also talk about her costume or wardrobe? It literally reeks of 90's

[Robanker]

Can we also talk about her costume or wardrobe? It literally reeks of 90's

I think a good design can be made from it with some heavy lifting. Hell, I may break out my pencils after like a decade of not drawing anymore just to take my shot at it, but yeah. It's not a look that aged well. The green/gold scheme works, but the breast plate that exposes her abdomen and thong is not a good look for an alien empress. Honestly, just a skintight suit covering her abdomen to her feet may be enough to fix the design but I'd have to photoshop it to be sure.

That's Maxima in a nutshell though. A lot of potential never fully realized before she was killed and reintroduced as someone completely different.