If you can make a touching story about Frankenstein and his bride, the loss of their child, and the pain of them splitting up, you’re probably a great writer. Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are differently great writers, and in Superman #13, they made me care about those things in ways I didn’t expect. We continue and conclude the “Super Monster” storyline in this issue, and with it being only two parts, it ended nicely. That doesn’t mean it has a happy ending, but we do get a good story. It was nice to see the relationship of Frankenstein and his bride, and see Lois and Clark have a really nice moment with their own child that really grounded the story. The “monsters” are more like them then they knew, perhaps just a little more aggressive.
This series has been one of the best and most consistent DC Rebirth titles that they have been putting out this year, and that continues with this issue. We continue the story of Frankenstein on Earth to apprehend the criminal alien Kroog, who pretended to be Lois’s friend Candice, and just as he has the alien in his grasp, his ex-wife shows up. The writing in this issue did a good job of making you believe both Frankenstein and his bride had been through a lot of pain. Though they both play it tough and hide their feelings for most of the issue quite well, you can see there was something there that is now replaced by great pain for both of them. We find out about their child, and what Frankenstein’s bride had to do, and what she thought was right. This also gives us the answer of why they are no longer together. I really enjoyed all of this, and it was very different, but it still felt like there was a believable relationship, well at least in the context of this super hero comic.
Doug Mahnke needs to draw Frankenstein and his bride forever. He does such a great job on the characters, and it isn’t that he doesn’t draw Superman, Lois and others well, because he does, it is just that he draws these types of characters even better. I also thought he did a great job conveying emotions. I could feel the pain, anger, and sadness that our characters felt by the end of the book. Seeing Frankenstein hold out his ring and have a moment of vulnerability was powerful, and seeing her response made it even more so. I would actually love to revisit this couple and see where things go, but I am pretty sure they would just fight again. Either way, they were a big part of what made this comic so good. The inks by Jaime Mendoza, Keith Champagne, and Norm Rapmund are sharp, and so are the colors by Wil Quintana. The art in this book is well done, as it has been throughout the series. Like the story, it is very consistent.
This arc only lasted for two issues, and is now over, at least for the time being. I really like these small arcs sometimes, especially with the double shipping that DC does with many of their titles. It is short and sweet, and that really sums up this story quite well. We get some touching moments where I did not expect to find them, and that is a testament to this books creators. They are hitting on all cylinders and I am very excited to see where we are a year from now, especially with so much mystery to this Superman, and everything and everyone surrounding him.
Story: Peter J. Tomasi/Patrick Gleason Art: Doug Mahnke
Ink: Jaime Mendoza/Keith Champagne/Norm Rapmund Color: Wil Quintana
Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Superman has been one of the most consistent DC Rebirth books. Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason have done an excellent job so far, and while Superman #12 had some good action scenes and a fun visit from Frankenstein, I didn’t feel that this was one of the stronger issues. Now that isn’t to say it wasn’t enjoyable because it was.
