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

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

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

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