“Blackest Night comes to Smallville!”
In the second of three issues in the Blackest Night: Superman mini-series we find Superman and his family under siege by not just the Golden-Age Superman, but also his wife Lois. The townspeople are having their own problems with the Psycho-pirate and his emotion manipulation powers. To top it off, even New Krypton isn’t off-limits to the Blackest Night. Supergirl is forced to confront her newly deceased father, Zor-El. There is a ton of conflict in this issue!
I found the first issue to be very good and I have to say that this issue continues the trend. There is plenty of action and some really good emotional conflict. This series shows where Superman and Co. are while the main Blackest Night series is progressing. I love that the main series is focusing on other characters than the bib three, but the additional mini-series show that the conflict is world-wide.
In summary, issue #2 is another winner and a no-brainer of a purchase!
4 out of 5
“Justice!!!!!”
The second issue of this seven issue series opens up with Green Arrow and Green Lantern in Gotham reminiscing about the “thought to be deceased” Batman. (Everyone out there knows he’s still alive, right?) From there it proceeds to a fight between two more of our heroes on Blackhawk Island and then a conference with Jason Bard with the Green Team. The Atom and the Golden-Age Flash are surveying the destruction at the Flash Museum. With the arrival of Supergirl and Captain Marvel, most of the team is present. All of which is a set-up for whatever the main story will be.
I love James Robinson. He is a very skilled storyteller and has a great deal of comic book knowledge that shows in his writing. He respects what past writers have done and builds upon it. But, I have to say that after two issues of build-up, I hope we are in for a real blow-up next issue. I think this book will suffer if it has another issue of set-ups.
I really enjoy Mauro Cascioli’s Art and how realistic it makes the characters look. It is definitely a welcome change from the norm. It has a real world feel to it. I also enjoy the back-up origin of The Atom and a look at his publishing history.
In conclusion, I like the issue; I like the heroes involved in the story; and I like the creative team. I hope my expectations are continued to be met and, hopefully, exceeded in the future issues.
3.5 out of 5
“Death comes to Smallville”
Blackest Night: Superman #1 is the first issue of the second 3 issue series that D.C. is releasing in conjunction with the Blackest Night series. This, just like the Batman one before it, is to supplement the main series with a look at the Superman universe.
The story starts in Smallville with the rising of the Golden-Age Superman and proceeds on like a horror movie. There is a ominous feel through-out the book as the sun goes down on the small town. You know that bad things are happening but your not quite sure how bad they are. Is Kal-L observing people and their fear or is the story implying that he’s putting them out of their misery? By the end of the book, nobody seems to still be around in the town, so they all could be dead! Guess I’ll find out next issue.
I love how they introduced the Golden-Age Lois Lane from the dead but I almost thought it might be our Lois instead with everything and everybody so far in this series ripe for the picking! I also like that New Krypton is not immune to the goings on of Blackest Night.
The book is written by James Robinson and Eddy Barrows and they did a super job at adding to the series with this book. It looks like another winner from D.C.!
4.5 out of 5
Superman has his hands full on New Krypton. General Zod had been shot and the Kryptonians are scrambling to find the gunman.
Authors Greg Rucka and James Robinson are assembling all the necessary elements for a decent storyline. Seeing Superman as one among many
super powered aliens is a new situation for Kal-El and fun to read. After six issues, this new world is richly layered and feels like an authentic culture. The politics between the various guilds are playing into the story nicely. The tension between these characters is written with skill as each player jockeys for position within this newly established world.
Artist Pete Woods does a decent job, but not without flaws. His smaller figures often look like indistinguishable blobs. The panels requiring tiny details are lost and look rushed. Woods certainly has skills, his facial close ups are striking.
This new story arc “Codename: Patriot” continues in Action Comics as we brace for the newest big event in the Superman universe. It’s off to a good start. Hopefully it can go from good to great.
3.5 out of 5
With the citizens of Metropolis distrusting aliens, the dying Mon-El debates how to spend his last days on earth. However, Mon-El is not even in this issue. Rather, writer James Robinson showcases a few stories snippets from various heroes that roam the streets of Metropolis.
As revealed last issue, Atlas, who has betrayed Steel, has now infiltrated his high-tech home. Artist Pere Perez expertly delivers an awesome fight scene. Words drift to the background as the combat between these titans speaks for itself. The Guardian gathers his corps of science cops as he prepares to defend Superman’s beloved city. The connection between Green Lantern Daxam and Mon-El is explored, as this should be an interesting plot point in the future.
Some of the vignettes are weak and scream filler. The villain, Parasite, makes his presence known and should be lingering around for the next issue.
This is a satisfying installment to an earth-less Superman. Still, I can’t wait for his return.
3 out of 5
New Krypton has been tough for Superman as he stands trial for treason with General Zod pleading for the death penalty. After betraying a direct order from Zod, Kal-El fights for his life against his nemesis in the Kryptian court.
Writers James Robinson and Greg Rucka are making this yearlong series a fun read. Almost entirely devoid of action, this issue focuses on the trail of Superman. While it’s not the most shocking of courtroom dramas, it gets to the point without overdrawn legal monologues. Robinson and Rucka throw in some nice plot twists to keep this issue interesting. This series has been layered with nice tidbits of Kryptonian culture, providing an effective backdrop to the plot.
Artist Pete Woods is not a good fit for this series. Many panels are busy with numerous figures, showing the massive scope of this new society. Woods’ smaller figures are lazily drawn and blob-ish. It’s obvious where he is taking his time, sharp full-page panels that work, and where he is rushing as the quality in these moments suffers greatly. For such a big Superman event, I would have hoped for more solid artwork.
The final reveal was unexpected and plunges this story into a new direction. World of New Krypton is a good Superman read, but could use a new artist.
2.5 out of 5
More than likely you’ve read the opening pages of this seven issue series; it’s tagged many DC titles’ final pages for the last few weeks. The premise: Hal Jordan starts up his own Justice League. Tired of recent loses, namely Martian Manhunter and Batman, Green Lantern wants justice for his fallen comrades by taking out DC villains. With his longtime buddy and similarly color schemed Green Arrow, Hal and Ollie storm out of the JLA and set off on their own. It’s great so far and then this issue falls apart… and fast.
After this setup, author James Robinson attempts show how the other future league members will join Green Lantern’s crusade. None of these pages work at all. These stories are cheap and blatantly bad formula. Each hero experiences angst and then cries for justice, literally. The final page with Congo Bill yelling “I want justice” made me want to eat a corndog it was so corny! Silly monkey.
Artist Mauro Cascioli’s art is phenomenal. His creative panel choices show a great story, but the script is weak. Each page pops with portrait quality art. I reread this issue and found myself gawking in admiration of every picture. Too bad, his talent is wasted on a trite issue.
The main premise of Hal Jordan starting up a rogue ass-kicking league is promising. Hopefully, this will be a great series with a poor first issue. Please, say it is so.
2 out of 5
With the most misleading cover of the year, the yearlong World of New Krypton series continues to be a fun, but not great read. First, let’s discuss the cover. It clearly shows Hal Jordon and Superman fighting. I was excited about that. Well I hope the cover satisfies you because they don’t thrown down in this book. They don’t even yell at each other. Disappointing! I would never have been disappointed if the cover wasn’t so misleading. The cover should reflect the issue. False advertising, I cry! There, I feel better.
Authors Greg Rucka and James Robinson are writing a predictable story. If the last page was intended to be a shocker, your readers are not that dumb. I am enjoying this series, but it’s nothing fresh or innovative. The concept of New Krypton is more exciting than the actual book. It’s a very matter-of-fact-here’s-what-happens-next read. Character dialogue is their strength. The tension between General Zod and Hal Jordon is admirably written.
In panoramic panels, artist Pete Woods’ thick lines muddy some details and smaller figures. There’s so much going on in these panels that thinner lines would better reveal features. His close-ups and single image panels are particularly good. Just a quick side note – Lieutenant Nar looks just like Dana Skully from the X-Files.
This was an average issue in an average series. The Green Lanterns’ visit was a great opportunity to spice things up; opportunity lost.
3 out of 5
Mon-El loses his power as this series gains strength. James Robinson is accomplishing a task I thought impossible: write a gripping Superman title without the Man of Steel. It certainly helps that artist Renato Guedes is drawing possibly the best-looking book out there right now.
In unforeseen and random episodes, Mon-El is losing his powers. After a conference with the Guardian and Dr. Light, he leans that the cure given to him by Superman is not working as perfectly. While the mysterious antidote Superman provided cures him of lead poisoning from the earth’s atmosphere, his body is attacking the cure as foreign.
Bottom line, he has a year to live. Robinson competently captures Mon-El’s struggle. While it is melodramatic, Robinson writes a hero untouched by cynicism who is now vulnerable. Mon-El has just gone from a fill-in Superman to a character I care about. A few moments capture his angst powerfully.
However, this issue is not perfect. A side story has the Guardian undertaking a mission to kidnap a creepy monster with telekinetic powers. This is a lingering plotline that I almost forgot about. The Mon-El narrative is so compelling; I felt that panels and pages were wasted on the Guardian. In a redemptive moment, some great foreshadowing is displayed on the penultimate page for the Guardian. However, for as epic as Mon-El’s plight is the Guardian storyline is antithetically weak. Yet, the interaction between these two characters is rich, real, and engaging.
Renato Guedes is drawing one hell of a book. His lines are subtle and crisp, allowing his raw talent to shine forth without any gimmicks of shadow and awkward perspectives. Faces are created with the attention and polished quality of portraits. His use of light is subtle and brilliantly effective. Inker Jose Wilson Magalhaes should be praised for his soft lines that accent great art. Colorist David J. Curiel puts the finishing touch on these pages with vibrant and consistently crafted hues.
Metropolis without Superman is doing better than I expected. I apologize for treating Mon-El and the Guardian so harshly in a previous review. They are worthy protectors of Superman’s hometown. However, this series does suffer from a multiple plotline pitfall – one story’s great, the other weak. I do trust our skilled writer to save the day. The art alone makes this title worth the money.
4 out of 5
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Superman #686 review
Leaving Action Comics and Superman, the Man of Steel has settled into his new series, World of New Krypton. We are three issues into this twelve part series that follows Superman and his fellow Kryptonians.
Tension between the guilds is heating up as the labor guild kidnaps Superman’s aunt for leverage. It’s a faceoff between Superman and General Zod as to how the situation should be handled. The scenario plays out like a soap opera. The plot pieces are very predictable and each character is rigid in their roles. The issue unfolds and resolves like a TV sitcom. It’s simple, unimaginative and trite. With such a great opportunity to write a Superman story in a completely new world, I am disappointed in the common tale Robinson and Rucka are spinning. I am hopeful it will breakout into something new.
Considering the phenomenal art in Supermen, I found myself holding that as the standard this book should be held to as well. With Superman actually in this book, I think the better artist, Renato Guedea, should be penciling this series. No offense to Pete Woods, he draws a decent book. However, there were a few action panels that were poorly drawn.
The last page redeems the weaker moments of this issue. Well, now things are getting interesting, too bad it happened on the last page.
3 out of 5
