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: Adam Strange, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, Nei Ruffino, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Ron Randall, Superman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Wil Moss, World Against Superman, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
Mild-Mannered Reporter
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Gary Frank
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Steve Wands
Assoc. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Covers: Frank w/ Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics
While I generally enjoy stuff Johns does, my feelings toward this series have been trending toward the negative. Initially, I thought it was sorta cool that elements from the various versions of Superman were being incorporated into this. But as this series has progressed and I consider it further, it seems more of an amalgamation than something definitive. It’s like a “PC” version of Superman intended to offer these little bones to as many readers as possible, without giving any one group a clear Superman.
This issue picks up with Clark’s (or should I say Kal’s?) early days in Metropolis, with a sinking Daily Planet where he’s been hired to replace someone else. From the country-boy-in-the-city bit to getting his briefcase stuck in the door to sliding into the parasitic elevator man, this is a Clark Kent far too much like the silver age “Clark-is-the-mask” persona put forth than I care for. There’s also a distinct feeling of Christopher Reeve’s presence here…it’s easy to hear his voice in the character.
Arriving in the office itself of the Daily Planet, Clark meets Jimmy, Ron, Steve, Perry, and of course Lois. Cat Grant is present, looking very much like she does in the current “present-day” story, which seems to do away with all the great characterization from her introduction through the mid/late 1990s–as if that version of the character never even existed.
Lois takes to clark just fine from the get-go…just another reporter for her to break in. The two head to a Lexcorp technology demonstration, where Lois uses Clark as “bait” to distract the guards while she slips by (apparently anyone from the Daily Planet are expressly not welcome around Lexcorp). Lois winds up falling of the building in an attempt to avoid getting squished by a helicopter that malfunctions, leading to a duplication of that scene from 1978’s Superman film in which Superman arrives on the scene, catching the falling Lois and a helicopter as his first public act. (Though people surrounding him and Lois demanding favors and askins salvation is kept, to give him something to go home and think about).
The art, truly, is the best part of this book. It’s just a bit much, though, that it’s so easy to see Christopher Reeve…that’s the primary problem I have with the visuals. It’s not that one shouldn’t be able to see Reeve, but that this Superman is then tied to that vision of the character, anchored in a past rather than freed to grow into the future.
The writing in and of itself is not bad, by any means. Johns certainly knows his stuff, working in subtle elements of the various Superman origins/backstory through the years–the films, the silver age comics, Byrne’s revamp, and presumably a bit of Birthright and Smallville (though if so, the latter two are over my head at present). It’s great that recognition is given to all the different visions…but it’d be better if there’s just one definitive version, rather than this bastardization of so many takes on the character.
Ultimately, this is a good issue in and of itself…just that the reworking of the character to bring so much of the silver age and films into the comics seem to rob the character of so much development that was accomplished over the past 20-some years.
Story: 7/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 8/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Superman: Secret Origin | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Clark Kent, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Geoff Johns, Jon Sibal, Matt Idelson, Metropolis, Mild-Mannered Reporter, Secret Origin, Steve Wands, Superman, Superman: Secret Origin, Wil Moss | 1 Comment »
Full review posted to comixtreme.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 2.5/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe, Superman: World of New Krypton | Tagged: Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, Nei Ruffino, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Ron Randall, Superman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Wil Moss, World Against Superman, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
7734
Writer: James Robinson
Penciller: Fernando Dagnino
Inker: Raul Fernandez
Colorist: Blond
Letterer: John J. Hill
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Cafu, Santiago Arcas
Publisher: DC Comics
There’s a tone about the Superman family of titles lately. A lot of it’s visual–or at least, the visual that is associated with the unfolding story. More and more, I find my surface opinion, my initial thoughts toward these books colored by a disinclination TO like them in the first place. DC set out to do something that would drastically affect the feel or tone of the Superman books, and in that, they’ve succeeded. Whatever my feelings about the individual writers and/or artists, I’m beginning to feel like it’s a bit of a chore, following the main books.
This issue sees General Lane confronting Mon-El, trying to recruit him into the group made up of Metallo, Major Force, the Parasite, some magical character newly-introduced, and Atlas. When a plan to rebel is executed, a more “human” (or would that be “humane”?) side of General Lane is seen, with words exchanged between the two (and an editorial note indicating that Adventure Comics #2 takes place between the pages of this issue).
I have to admit I’m gladdened at the tighter continuity in the Superman books; the fact that while it’s not the same sort of direct continuation we had for over a decade with the triangle-numbering we’re still getting a larger well-connected narrative. At the same time, there’s a lot that I’m just not buying into. Chief among these elements is the “ressurrection” or “retcon” of General Lane’s being alive now, after the character’s fitting end in Our Worlds at War a few years ago. Though we see some of his human-ness here in this issue, it doesn’t do much to round him out, make him more than a caricature at present. To a large degree, this reads as “What If… General “Thunderbolt” Ross opposed Superman instead of The Hulk?” And while there’s no overt reign of darkness, the gathering of these “supervillains” as a military unit/black ops squad just reads as fairly ridiculous.
The art of the issue is not bad–it’s got its own style that sets it apart quite distinctly from others, and maintains a definite consistency with prior art teams on this book. While it admittedly not bad art by any means…the style just is not to my liking, which continues to taint the story as I have a hard time really getting into it, for noticing the art. If the visual style doesn’t bother you, or you’re a fan of the specific style, it may well be a great selling point. To the creative credit, I found myself quite surprised to discover that the creator credits on this issue seem to match those of the previous issue: something that seems quite rare in contemporary times, and as such, worth noting toward the positive.
This issue’s cliffhanger felt entirely out of nowhere–after an issue full of Mon-El dealing with Lane and 7734, we’re suddenly taken back to Metropolis and the Guardian leading the Science Police to engage the randomly-just-now-showed-up character likely to be the focus of the next issue. (We couldn’t get another couple pages of of Mon-El dealing with his place in the current status quo and end on that sort of note, with these last couple pages serving as a jumping-right-into-the-story kickoff for the next issue?)
Whatever the case, I find that it is presently the recollection of the last couple times I’ve tried to drop the Superman books that keeps me coming back–the idea that since it’s gotten GOOD within about 6 issues of my dropping the titles, hopefully I have but to wait out a few more issues.
As-is, if you’re not particularly invested in the current status quo flowing through the Superman books, this issue’s probably going to do nothing to “sell” you on the status quo nor to hook you into this title, to say nothing of the whole family of books.
Story: 3/10
Art: 5/10
Whole: 4/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Superman, World Without Superman (event) | Tagged: 7734, Blond, Cafu, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Fernando Dagnino, James Robinson, John J. Hill, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Raul Fernandez, Santiago Arcas, Superman, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, World Without Superman | Leave a comment »
The Boy of Steel
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Gary Frank
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Steve Wands
Assoc. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Covers: Frank w/ Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics
The silver age is apparently back. This issue–while including smaller moments of Clark and his parents, and of Luthor and his own life, as well as some of LUthor’s interaction with Clark (establishing them as acquaintances if not exactly best buds)–primarily focuses on the Legion of Super-Heroes and their first meeting with Clark, and allowing him to tag along “back to the future” with them. While in the future, recently-introduced elements (I believe from Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes) are established as being present from the get-go of things. It’s also pretty easy to fit the original silver age story of the characters’ first meeting between the pages here. The issue’s finale introduces another character whose presence means the current Superman is all the more NOT the character I grew up on.
The story itself isn’t bad–Johns has a great handle on things. However, I’ve bristled for years now at elements being “snuck” back into the Superman mythos that I’ve thought make him too much “super” and not enough “man” and this story really puts aside any sneaking and is quite overt at putting things back into the mythos. At the same time, I imagine that going back to re-read Superman and the Legion will reveal references to what is shown in these pages.
I’ve been curious as to exactly what is and is not official cannon in the Superman books of late, so I’m glad to see his secret-since-Infinite-Crisis origin revealed at last. The execution seems to be working quite well, even if I don’t like the content all that much.
The art team provides fantastic visuals. Even Clark as “Superboy” comes across as pretty realistic–he looks rather awkward in the costume and it’s easy to see that he’s not entirely comfortable in it yet. At this point, Frank is pretty much my favorite Superman artist, and very certainly in the ranks of Dan Jurgens, Jim Lee, and Alex Ross.
Again, while far from enamored at the undoing of so much of the Superman I grew up with from 1989 to present…I can’t deny that in and of itself, the story and art are both of high quality, and taken apart from my preferred continuity, this issue has some of the best Superman work of the last decade.
Story: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 8.5/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Superman: Secret Origin | Tagged: Brad Anderson, Clark Kent, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Geoff Johns, Jon Sibal, Legion of Super-Heroes, Matt Idelson, Secret Origin, Steve Wands, Superboy, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, Superman, Superman: Secret Origin, Wil Moss | 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: Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Krypton, Matt Idelson, Nei Ruffino, New Krypton, Pete Woods, Ron Randall, Steve Wands, Superman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Wil Moss, World Against Superman, World of New Krypton | Leave a comment »
Down Time
Writer: James Robinson
Penciller: Fernando Dagnino
Inker: Raul Fernandez
Colorist: Blond
Letterer: John J. Hill
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Cafu, Santiago Arcas
Publisher: DC Comics
I feel like I missed an issue somewhere. The way this whole “Mon-El is dead, killed by the Kryptonians” plot thread is getting so much play-time seems somehow out of proportion. To me, the big reveal of Codename: Patriot was Sam Lane being what the story’s title was in reference to. Mon-El being killed, or SUPPOSEDLY killed just was not something that really jumped out to me…so I either missed an issue, or failed to “notice” something that would be played out as so significant.
This issue provides some context on the destruction of Metropolis’ sewer/water system and why it’s not simply being fixed by Earth’s metahumans; we also have some references to other characters of recent significance. We see the Guardian reacting to the apparent death of his new friend, as well as what is surely the premature announcement of Jon Kent’s death, though the in-story context speaks to its timeliness.
The art’s pretty good overall, though doesn’t really strike me as other art teams’ work has. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t stand out as wonderful in and of itself. It gets the story across and does what a comic’s art should, but doesn’t strike me as a “selling point” for this particular issue.
All told, not a bad issue in and of itself, but I didn’t enjoy it all that much. I think the New Krypton stuff is beginning to wear a bit thin for me, and I’m also waxing nostalgic for Byrne, Ordway, Jurgens, and other art teams from the late-1980s and early 1990s…so current artists aren’t measuring up to what I hold in memory and nostalgia.
A worthwhile issue if you’re following the title or the Superman family of books. Nothing really here to justify it as a jumping-on point.
Story: 3/10
Art: 5/10
Whole: 4/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Superman | Tagged: Blond, Cafu, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Fernando Dagnino, James Robinson, John J. Hill, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, Raul Fernandez, Santiago Arcas, Superman, The Setup, Wil Moss, World of New Krypton, World Without Superman | Leave a comment »
The Boy of Steel
Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Gary Frank
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Steve Wands
Assoc. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Covers: Frank w/ Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics
I don’t know how to describe it, really…but there’s something special just about the look of this issue. The cover’s fantastic–Gary Frank is by far one of my favorite Superman artists. The logo on the gradient-blue sky background stands out very nicely (and yet does not look out of place). This is the first issue of a mini-series…the Secret Origin part tells us we’re going back to the “beginning,” and seeing a young Clark on the cover, happy and with his parents, also both looking happy–speaks volumes to the characters. Perhaps it’s that this really gives credence to that saying about a picture being worth a thousand words–a thousand words to the positive thus hit before one’s even looked inside the issue.
Then again, perhaps it’s none of that, and simply the anticipation for this issue–after it was announced last year, and I thought it would be out by early summer and had to wait these extra months for it, and I just so enjoy finally getting to begin reading a definitive origin for the character since the Byrne stuff was chucked awhile back.
The story begins with Clark playing football in answer to challenge from classmates. Peter Ross breaks his arm tackling Clark, and guilty as Clark feels for that, he’s guilted further by facing Pa (in a scene that somehow put me VERY much in mind of that scene with Peter and Uncle Ben in the Spidey film as Uncle Ben lectures Peter on Responsibility). We see other elements introduced–Lana, and the school, Ma and Pa, Smallville itself, Lex Luthor, to name a few. These all come together as the issue progresses and we see first the discovery and solution to some newly-developed/discovered powers on Clark’s part (and how his parents play a strong role in that) and then the implementing of his powers as disaster strikes Smallville. Finally, we see the development of the costume.
The art–as I said above about the cover–is just fantastic. There’s a detail and realism to the visuals that works so well with the story and getting things across…and yet, it doesn’t feel like it’s being overtly realistic. It just captures a level of detail that makes it easy for the mind to fill in the blanks and set these static images to motion as you read.
For newer readers, this is simply an “origin” story–telling the beginnings and background/motivation to things we’re seeing play out in the current issues of the Superman books.
For long-time readers, it may be much more. This seems set to be THE origin, the definitive story of Superman’s background in the books’ current incarnations. Forget Man of Steel and Byrne…forget Birthright and Waid…for that matter, forget Smallville. This is none of those…and yet, it seems to be quite respectful to them all, acknowledging them subtlely and taking key elements from them as the story requires.
Though I’ve looked forward to this series–and yes, delivered extremely well, meeting (and maybe exceeding) my anticipation/expectation–I remained skeptical. I grew up on the 90s Superman, beginning while the “Byrne revamp” was yet FRESH…and there are several key moments to that interpretation of the character that have been done away with in recent years that I’ve greatly disliked. While this fails to RESTORE them…something about Johns’ crafting of the story puts other things in a light that begins to redeem the changes, making them sit much better with me.
The return of what I consider “silver age elements” is handled nicely, and in a modern way that makes things quite plausible in the present.
I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better opening chapter of this mini.
Even if you’re not following the current New Krypton stuff in the ongoing titles, or any Superman comic at all…this is a book to pick up. The writing, the art, the story as provided by the blending of both…makes for a great read, and I’m already eager for not just the entirety of the story, but to see this thing put into a single volume.
Highly, highly recommended.
Story: 8.5/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 9.5/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Superman: Secret Origin | Tagged: Boy of Steel, Brad Anderson, Clark Kent, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Gary Frank, Geoff Johns, Jon Sibal, Matt Idelson, Secret Origin, Steve Wands, Superboy, Superman, Superman: Secret Origin, Wil Moss | Leave a comment »
Secret Identities / Second Born: The Secret Origin of Superwoman
Writer: Sterling Gates
Penciller: Fernando Dagnino
Inker: Raul Fernandez
Colorist: Blond
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Renato Guedes
Publisher: DC Comics
This issue functions much as I would expect of an annual “special” issue. We have a couple of stories by the main series writer–stories that are directly relevant to current ongoing plots, but I wouldn’t necessarily want to see the regular issues slowed by inclusion of these stories in chunks nor taking a whole issue.
Essentially, we finally get to actually see Supergirl in her new civilian guise of Linda Lang (the introduction of the concept having been interrupted by the start of the whole New Krypton affair last spring). We see that she’s not nearly as experienced as her cousin, but it’s her learning curve and differnces that make the character more interesting–she’s not just some “clone” of her cousin–we see some real depth to her here. While we see development of Supergirl sorting out elements of her own secret ID we also see continuation of the anti-Kryptonian sentiment present in the current DCU.
The second story of the issue gives us a background story/origin of Superwoman, and how it was that Lucy Lane wound up in that role. While it technically “fits,” it’s not a story that I particularly “buy,” and it leaves a sour taste for me much like the “Supermen of America” story did in the 90s taking a character that has no business with Superpowers or such being given them as anything more than a one-off situational thing. Within the already-set bounds of belief-suspension, Lucy Lane having any sort of super-powers (provided by a costume or otherwise) doesn’t fit for me. We also see where the character is being further subjected to fantastical elements that just seem really out of place to this reader.
The art throughout the issue–for both stories–is not bad, nor is it anything spectacular. It holds its own, but I could take it or leave it.
If you’re following events in the main Supergirl book, you’ll want to snag this annual–its stories are certain to play into major plot points in the main book in the coming months. This mostly deals with plot threads prevalent in the main book, so I wouldn’t particularly recommend this issue as a jumping-on point.
Story: 6/10
Art: 6.5/10
Whole: 6/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Supergirl, Supergirl Annual | Tagged: Blond, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Fernando Dagnino, Lana Lang, Linda Lang, Lucy Lane, Matt Idelson, New Krypton, origin, Raul Fernandez, Renato Guedes, Sam Lane, Sterling Gates, Supergirl, Superwoman, Travis Lanham, Who is Superwoman, Wil Moss, Worlds at War | Leave a comment »
Codename: Patriot part 3
Writer: Sterling Gates
Penciller: Jamal Igle
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Nei Ruffino
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Fernando Dagnino & Raul Fernandez with Mazi
Publisher: DC Comics
Ral-Dar, the would-be-assassin of General Zod overhears conversation between General Lane and his people which sparks an outburst leading to his fighting Atlas (recent villain in the Superman title). We then move into seeing Superman, Supergirl, Lois, Mon-El, and the Guardian interacting with one another at the Science Police headquarters. Some tenseness plays out given Supergirl’s role in the recent apparent death of Lois’ sister. Supergirl and Mon-El set out to deal with Nightwing and Flamebird (Flamebird being a childhood friend of Kara’s). The confrontation doesn’t go well, and things escalate as everyone moves toward their places on the board for the final chapter of this story in the next issue of Superman.
The story feels a bit forced here…and yet, on the whole it works. This is the third chapter of a 4-part story with a tighter crossover than we’ve had for the last half-year or so in the Superman books. It feels forced in that certain things set in place by the other titles have to be acknowledged as well as the core in-title story elements. It’s interesting seeing so many of the characters interacting after the separation the last few months. I’m glad to see that some story elements from earlier issues are coming to fruition here, adding to a feeling of the story being more organically-generated than otherwise.
The art’s solid as usual. There are points where I think of Guedes’ style in this issue, but definitely prefer this visual presentation. The art does what it should, getting things across quite well. No real complaint there.
Overall, not a bad issue. It plays with elements from the ongoing story in this title, but mixes well with the “intruding” elements of this “crossover.” One would be lacking in context without the earlier chapters…but even if one hasn’t read those, enough ongoing elements are here that that story is not entirely derailed by the crossing of titles. Similarly, if one is following the Codename: Patriot arc, one may not “get” everything in this issue, but there’s plenty of context on the essential story elements.
Story: 7.5/10
Art: 7.5/10
Whole: 7.5/10
Filed under: Codename: Patriot (Event), Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Supergirl | Tagged: Codename: Patriot, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Fernando Dagnino, Jamal Igle, Jared K. Fletcher, Jon Sibal, Matt Idelson, Mazi, Nei Ruffino, New Krypton, Raul Fernandez, Reactron, Sterling Gates, Supergirl, Superman, Superwoman, Wil Moss | Leave a comment »
Comic Reviews by Walt 