Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: Codename: Patriot (Event), cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Codename: Patriot, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Steve Wands, Superman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Green Lantern, Greg Rucka, Hal Jordan, James Robinson, John Stewart, Krypton, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Sodam Yat, Steve Wands, Superman, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, Zod | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, General Zod, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Steve Wands, Superman, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, General Zod, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Steve Wands, Supergirl, Superman, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, Zod | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Mtt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Steve Wands, Superman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, Zod | Leave a comment »
New Krypton part ten: Birth of a Nation
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Pete Woods, Renato Guedes & Wilson Magalhaes
Colorist: Brad Anderson & David Curiel
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Ladronn
Publisher: DC Comics
New Krypton the crossover/mega-arc concludes here, but the story is far from over.
The issue opens with the world reacting to Supergirl’s punch at Superman in the previous chapter, with General Lane and Luthor politicking over Doomsday’s for-now dead body. Some Kandorians are fighting the Justice Society and Green Lanterns (with a few other heroes), before a Superman Returns style solution is implemented that then takes on a Counter-Earth feel. We’re then treated to several prologue scenes to close out the issue.
The art on this issue isn’t bad, but for the most part is not all that appealing to me. It gets across what’s going on visually, but leaves me missing Gary Frank’s art, particularly at the way Superman himself looks.
The story is a definite let-down. While this is supposedly the “conclusion” to this epic, I’m left at the end feeling like we’ve had a whole bunch of filler leading to this issue, just to kick off some outside mini-series. There’s been a lot of potential built up that doesn’t get resolved and seems to fizzle out, and just results in a hearty disappointment. As a Faces of Evil issue, supposedly we get a story from Luthor’s point of view. However, Luthor is really only on the first two pages as a pawn to General Lane. This isn’t the writer’s fault–this issue has no business being included in the Faces of Evil stunt.
All in all, what began as a very interesting premise with loads of potential comes down to this issue and a completely anti-climactic conclusion. Recommended only if you’ve been following the story thus far; otherwise, you’ll be just as well served finding spoilers online and spending your money elsewhere. If you want a story from Luthor’s point of view and how he interacts with Superman, I’ll recommend the Lex Luthor: Man of Steel mini-series from several years back.
Story: 7/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6.5/10
Filed under: Action Comics, Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Faces of Evil (Event), Superman: New Krypton (Event) | Tagged: Action Comics, Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews 2008, David Curiel, DC, DC Comics, Faces of Evil, Geoff Johns, Ladronn, Lex Luthor, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Renato Guedes, Rob Leigh, Supergirl, Superman, Wil Moss, WIlson Magalhaes | Leave a comment »
New Krypton part seven: Brainiac Lives
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Pete Woods
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Steve Wands
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Gary Frank & Brad Anderson (variant by Chris Sprouse, Karl Story & Guy Major)
Publisher: DC Comics
Superman continues to interact with his cousin, aunt, and uncle over the recent strikes launched against his various enemies, which resulted in the death of a number of humans and the banishment of numerous bad seeds to the phantom zone. Plans are revealed to restore the other “bottle cities” as well that had been captured by Brainiac. While Luthor continues attempting to tap the knowledge/repository that is Brainiac, some militant Kryptonians continue pushing their agenda. As things spring into motion, some “Creature Commandos” are woken in a time new to them (as they were last seen during World War II, it seems). Finally, a strike by Reactron and Metallo shows that not even Kryptonians are safe on Earth.
This is probably my least-favorite chapter of this story so far. I think stuff is starting to wear a bit thin, or is just developing too slowly, somehow. I was particularly turned off by the “startling return of the Creature Commandos”–I don’t mind a “back-door pilot” here and there, but I cared nothing for these characters going in, and care nothing for them now–they seem very out of place and more suited for a period piece set in World War II, not waking up during this arc and taking some of the focus away from the Kryptonians dealing with life on Earth.
The art–while not confusing characters or anything and clearly showing what’s going on–seems also like a letdown after being spoiled with Gary Frank’s art the last number of months. It’s a real change, and the style doesn’t work all that well for me, at least not in this particular outing.
This is the seventh chapter of however many will make up the New Krypton arc. I find myself ready to see things wind down if this is how my attention’s going to be. Whatever it’s lacking, though, this is still quality stuff…just not as high as earlier chapters to the story.
Story: 6/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 6.5/10
Filed under: Action Comics, Comic Reviews 2008, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Action Comics, Brad Anderson, Brainiac Lives, Comic Reviews 2008, Creature Commandos, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Geoff Johns, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Steve Wands, Superman, Wil Moss | Leave a comment »
New Krypton: Beyond Doomsday
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Pete Woods
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Alex Ross (variant by Stephane Roux)
Publisher: DC Comics
In the most recent issue of Superman (New Krypton “triangle number” 2), we ended with Doomsday arriving to spoil introductions between Kryptonians and the American president. Then we had a one-shot to explore further what Jimmy Olsen discovered on his recent adventure (and presumably set some stuff up for later in this mega-arc). Now we’re back to Doomsday. Except the issue begins with General Sam Lane dealing with Luthor, explaining his place in all this. Finally picking up on that cliffhanger, Superman takes charge, having had the most up-close-and-personal experience with the creature, and directs others to get the people clear, while he races into battle. Though the first time the two fought (sixteen years ago!) Superman’s allies easily fell, leaving him alone to stop the creature, this time his allies have all of his powers, and we have a half-issue Kryptonians-dogpile-Doomsday slugfest. Meanwhile, in Superman’s fortress, some Zod loyalists seek to free their General from the Phantom Zone, discovering something interesting in the process.
The story continues to build on what’s come before, picking up where we’d left off, responding to and progressing from that cliffhanger. We get some small nods to flesh out certain characters and see what the Kryptonians’ view of humans contains. It seems Doomsday’s reputation indeed is widely-known as are his origins. Johns keeps Superman in-character–as we saw years back, Supes faced his fears of Doomsday, overcoming them–he doesn’t freeze or wring his hands or cry or anything when Doomsday shows. He springs into action, confidently taking charge. On the whole, I have no real issue with the story here that isn’t self-defeating.
The art isn’t bad, either. It’s a definite departure from Frank, but in and of itself is not bad. It might just be the angles, but it appears that some bits of continuity are nicely maintained–Doomsday never has regrown the bony protrusion Superman snapped off his knee in their first encounter. The battle with Doomsday has a few panels where it’s not 100% clear what’s what…but I suppose that helps convey the nature of the battle with so many involved, and not much space between combatants. No huge complaint from me on the art.
As a whole, this is another solid issue, that admittedly leaves me waiting for the next chapter to find out more about who was found in the Fortress, what happens given the Doomsday battle, what General Lane has planned, and so on. This is hardly the best point to jump on-board, but it’s still early enough one could go snag the earlier chapters and get in from there.
I’m not blown away, but nor am I disappointed. As much as any comic is worth $3 these days, this one’s not a waste of money.
Story: 8/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 7.5/10
Filed under: Action Comics, Comic Reviews 2008, DC, Superman: New Krypton (Event) | Tagged: Action Comics, Alex Ross, Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews 2008, DC Comics, Doomsday, Geoff Johns, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Rob Leigh, Superman | 1 Comment »
New Krypton
Writers: Geoff Johns, James Robinson, Sterling Gates
Penciller: Pete Woods, Gary Frank, Renato Guedes
Inker: Pete Woods, Jon Sibal, Wilson Magalhaes
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Steve Wands
Assoc. Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Gary Frank (variant by Renato Guedes and Wilson Magalhaes)
This is the way “events” should be done. And with the (temporary, at least for this storyline?) return of the “triangle-numbers,” this issue immediately feels like “classic” 90s Superman–in its highest quality.
The issue opens with the fairly immediate aftermath of Action Comics #870 with a particularly powerful “silent” sequence–if you’ve ever been to a funeral, if you’ve ever lost a loved one or seen someone else having lost someone they loved–you know that there ARE no words…and what words there are, tend often to be private and unique to those involved. The way this sequence comes off, one can fill in their own words, their own feelings–and it is that much more touching. Any words the writer could put on the page would not measure up to what I, as the reader, can imagine…which makes the scene that much more personal. Even when we get to the flashbacks and words, the scene is still very effective…I was almost in tears at the full-page of Clark in the barn.
After the funeral, we see that the story of Brainiac is actually far from being “over,” as the military has a certain interest in our alien friend. And as is cliche…they don’t quite know what they’re getting themselves into. Meanwhile, after a moment with his mother–Martha Kent–Superman visits Kandor where he gets some time with his Uncle and Aunt–actual living, breathing, genuine blood-relatives. He also has the honor of reintroducing them to their daughter Kara–and the Family of El gets to have their first dinner together in many years.
Lois and Lucy have a sisterly reunion at their father’s grave, and later at the Planet, Jimmy returns with information he needs to share about what he found out on his recent leave of absence. Finally, we’re introduced to the folks pulling the strings behind the scenes in a cliffhanger with the potential for major ongoing ramifications for the entire Superman family.
We have three creative teams collaborating on this book. Where often I don’t notice much difference in sequences, here I felt there were several distinct pieces. The “Action Comics Sequence” seems obvious–dealing with Jonathan’s death. The “Supergirl Sequence,” too, seems obvious with the reuniting of daughter and parents. The “Superman Sequence” stood out for me more for the art. As such, this issue felt a bit like it contained several mini-issues of the regular ongoing books, probably largely for the differing art to go with their respective writers.
Despite that, the overall story works quite well, and on assumption that the entire story will be told in this fashion–one overarching story with individual creative teams going “deeper” into certain characters/interactions–this is some good, solid stuf.
There were a number of great “moments” in this issue, stuff that sets up elements for all three of the “core” Superman books as well as setting the foundation for this specific New Krypton event.
As a reader who remembers and enjoyed the days of the triangle numbering–when all the Super-books were essentially a massive ongoing weekly story, with the quarterly special often starting or bookending particular arcs–this feels like a return to form. Though the Brainiac arc worked really well for me in terms of the writing and art–this special issue has me actually excited for the first time in nearly a decade for the multiple Super-books as a whole.
While you’ll almost certainly “appreciate” things a bit more if you’ve been reading the books for awhile, this is also a strong jumping-on point if you’ve been curious about the Superman family of books. And if you’ve any interest at all…I’d recommend jumping in now–this story/event looks to be for Superman what the Sinestro Corps. War was for Green Lantern…and well worth getting in at the start!
Story: 8.5/10
Art: 7.5/10
Whole: 8/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, DC, Superman: New Krypton (Event), Superman: New Krypton Special | Tagged: Comic Reviews 2008, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Geoff Johns, James Robinson, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Renato Guedes, Sightings, Sterling Gates, Superman, Superman: New Krypton #1 | Leave a comment »
Comic Reviews by Walt 