Superman #6
Written by: Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Cover by: Doug Mahnke
Variant cover by: Kenneth Rocafort
“SON OF SUPERMAN” part 6! The evil Eradicator faces off against Superman and son in a battle that may save the day but destroy the moon.
The Eradicator is unstoppable and it has forced Superman to leave Earth behind to keep his son from harm.
In Superman #5, it’s become clearer to me we’re getting a horror-infused story which isn’t something I don’t normally think of when I think Superman. Writers Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi have put together a story which takes so much from the horror genre, and it’s this issue where it’s super apparent.
Superman has turned tail and run to protect Lois and Jon from the Eradicator who they had been fighting at the Fortress of Solitude. Now held up in a secret moonbase of Batman’s, the Eradicator is in pursuit and catches up. This is the killer stalking his victims in a remote location. Hell, there’s even scenes that one can say is the slow shuffle of the evil killer chasing down his victims. An iconic scene that you’ll find in so many horror classics. It’s a cool mix of genre and works so well.
On top of that horror, we get a lot of superheroics. Lois and Jon step up in awesome ways. the comic is especially important in that it emphasizes this isn’t a Lois who’s a damsel in distress. She’s smart and knows when to take it to the enemy and when she’s overmatched. Here she’s kicking a lot of ass in a Ripley versus Alien sort of way. Lois even gets a “get away from her” moment that’s really cool and unexpected.
The art by Jaime Mendoza and Doug Mahnke is solid. The previous issue had the art team of Gleason and Mick Gray and the transition from that issue to this one is pretty seamless. I didn’t notice much difference at all making this a prime example of a rotating art team that could work and work well. That’s not to say there isn’t differences, I just didn’t notice it as much as I have in othe rcomics. The action is solid and there’s some really solid moments that play out in art and writing. Gleason and Tomasi have “hits” in the issue and Mendoza and Mahnke deliver on those.
The only reason I’m recommending this as a “read” instead of a “buy” is because it’s a bit into this particular story arc and new readers may not dig it as much. Folks who have been reading Superman will be pleased. For those who don’t, go out and pick up the back issues and find out what you’ve been missing.
Superman once again actually feels super.
Story: Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi Art: Jaime Mendoza, Doug Mahnke
Story: 8.1 Art: 8.05 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Superman #5
Written by: Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Jaime Mendoza, Doug Mahnke
Covers Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Variant cover by: Kenneth Rocafort
“SON OF SUPERMAN” part five! The Eradicator is unstoppable and it has forced Superman to leave Earth behind to keep his son from harm.
The world needs a Superman and with the New 52 Superman apparently dead the pre-52 Superman looks to take his place. Superman: Rebirth #1 bridges the gap between what was and what is to come in a fascinating comic that serves as an end cap to the fantastic Superman: Lois and Clark miniseries.
To catch people up, after Convergence, the Superman who was married to Lois Lane and have a son Jonathan came to the New 52 universe and took the name of the Whites. Clark White/Superman went to it, attempting to prevent the rise of villains and disasters her experienced in his world. At the same time he made sure to protect his family and forge a new life. Written by Dan Jurgens, the miniseries featuring the Whites was a modern look with a classic feel and the comic ended with hope and positivity that had me smiling.
This issue picks up where that miniseries left off as well as writer Peter J. Tomasi‘s Superman #52 which had the New 52 Superman sacrificing himself to stop a villain. We’ve seen Superman die before and be resurrected. So what’s stopping this Superman from doing the same? And how does this pre-52 Superman rectify his experiences with this new world? That’s what this comic does.
I don’t want to give too much away, because what’s done here is very smart, but the comic has the pre-52 Superman connecting with Lana Lang and discussing the deceased Clark/Superman as well as the pre-52 Superman’s experiences. It definitely sets where things are and moves forward in a way that should clear skepticism or cynicism for readers. This is a muted and stripped down memorial issue and one that has honoring the Superman legacy at its heart.
The art of Doug Mahnke on pencils and Jaime Mendoza on inks is solid taking us through some pretty iconic moments in Superman’s history. The story has a mix of action and quieter moments, and what these two do is give us battles with quiet conversations that reflect the solemn setting. There’s also a sense of scale in some of the scenes that really gives you a great feel for the scope of the settings.
Superman: Rebirth celebrates what has come before, and looks ahead as to what is to come honoring a legacy and one of the most recognizable characters in the world. The comic successfully catches readers up, acts as a prologue and an epilogue at the same time. But, what it does is give us hope in many ways and a Superman that seems to recognize his role in the world.
Story: Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason Art: Jaime Mendoza, Doug Mahnke
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.35 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Superman: Rebirth #1
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Jaime Mendoza, Doug Mahnke
Cover by: Doug Mahnke
Variant cover by: Andy Park
U.S. Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: June 1, 2016
The world needs a Man of Steel, but can Superman protect the world while raising a super-son with his wife, Lois Lane?
IT BEGINS: Now it’s Clark’s turn to be Pa Kent and teach his son what it means to be super, but who is hunting Superman’s son—and why?
DC Entertainment’s line wide titles relaunch, Rebirth, starts this month with the DC Universe: Rebirth Special, written by Geoff Johns with an all-star roster of some of the greatest artists in the game – Gary Frank, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver and Phil Jimenez! This 80 page blockbuster, priced at $2.99, sets the stage for an all-new universe of epic superhero storytelling beginning in June, featuring the characters and titles that have made DC Comics a favorite of fans for 80 years!
In June, fans will see the first of 17 titles that will ship twice monthly, also at a new lower price of $2.99, beginning with a series of “Rebirth” themed one-shots. Today, DCE is revealing for the first time the variant cover images that will be available for fans when these books go on sale:
Batman: Rebirth #1
On-Sale June 1
Written by Scott Snyder and Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin
Standard Cover by Mikel Janin
Variant Cover by Howard Porter
Superman: Rebirth #1
On-Sale June 1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Pat Gleason
Art by Doug Mahnke
Standard Cover by Doug Mahnke
Variant Cover by Andy Park
Green Arrow: Rebirth #1
On-Sale June 1
Written by Ben Percy
Art by Otto Schmidt and Juan Ferreyra
Standard Cover by Juan Ferreyra
Variant Cover by Steve Skroce
Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1
On-Sale June 1
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Ethan Van Sciver
Standard Cover by Ethan Van Sciver
Variant Cover by Alex Garner
Death waits for no man—not even a Superman.
The devastating effects of Apokolips’ fire pits in Justice League: Darkseid War, the A.R.G.U.S. Kryptonite chamber from “Savage Dawn” in Superman, and his battle with the would-be god Rao in Justice League of America all combine in a perfect storm of death for the Man of Steel. Determined to protect humanity, despite his impending death, Superman embarks on a quest to seek heroes from across the DC Universe to continue his role as humanity’s protector.
It’s all leading up to “The Final Days of Superman.” Writer Peter J. Tomasi architects this epic saga, encompassing all four Super-titles in April and May.
SUPERMAN #51 AND #52
(Art by Mikel Janin)
BATMAN/SUPERMAN #31 AND #32
(Issue #31 art by Doug Mahnke and Jaime Mendoza issue #32 art by Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza & Christian Alamy)
ACTION COMICS #51 AND #52
(Issue #51 art by Paul Pelletier, issue #52 art by Scot Eaton and Dale Eaglesham)
SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #28 AND #29
(Art by Jorge Jimenez)
Superman #51 debuts Part One of the eight-part epic, “This Mortal Coil.” Superman seeks out his closest friends, including Lana Lang and Lois Lane, to let them know his end is drawing near. Meanwhile, at a secret installation in China’s Shanxi Province, the mysterious Dr. Omen performs strange experiments in order to create China’s very own Super-Man. While in Metropolis, an on-the-run parolee falls victim to a strange accident giving him incredible powers, and now he’s calling himself Superman! Check out the debut of this incredible story at your local comics retailer now!
Part Two continues in Batman/Superman #31’s “Dark Discovery,” available now. Superman invades Gotham City to inform Batman that he’s dying—and to enlist the help of the World’s Greatest Detective in locating his cousin Supergirl, who’s mysteriously gone missing. In the process, the World’s Finest heroes must defeat the monsters of the Chinese Zodiac.
Check out this sneak preview of Action Comics #51 featuring “Dazed and Confused,” the third chapter in this explosive arc, available Wednesday, April 20. With Batman’s help, Superman is on his cousin’s trail—but he can’t believe where it’s led him or who she’s teamed with in the Man of Steel’s absence! Dr. Omen reveals more secrets of her experiments as she receives a crucial component—Superman’s blood!
The epic “Truth” arc hits close to the heart as dark secrets come to light, forcing Superman and Wonder Woman to question whether their relationship can work in this new world of identities revealed and questionable actions.
As more months go by in DC’s relaunch of Superman, it’s becoming clearer that there’s WAY more to the story than first read, and that initial reactions to the changes made should be rethought when this epic arc ends. Through Superman, Action Comics, and Superman/Wonder Woman, we’re getting different pieces of the same puzzle.
Big news out of the New 52 was that there was a new power couple, Superman and Wonder Woman, who got their own series. With the new direction, that relationship is showing a lot of fractures, and that’s not a bad thing, as the relationship stopped being interesting rather quickly.
Superman/Wonder Woman #21 picks up right after the confrontation between Superman and the President, with the Man of Steel heading off to free his friends. Wonder Woman is already at the location of those folks, and her actions play out interestingly. By the end, it’s clear someone(s) is behind the scenes and the next arc of books look to give us some more details on exactly who/why.
To see this big story arc play out over three different series is actually pretty interesting, and kind of cool. But, for me, the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship is just stale at this point. We’re at least getting some conflict here. Writer Peter J. Tomasi is changing things up just enough and making enough conflict at the right amount that the shift doesn’t feel sudden, but a natural next step.
The art by Jaime Mendoza and Doug Mahnke is solid as expected. The art for the series is really nice to look at, and all the Superman related comics feel like they belong in the same family when it comes to their style. It’s solid work around.
Tomasi (as well as the rest of the Superman team) are shaking things up, and it looks like we’re finally seeing the end of DC’s power couple. That’s not a bad thing at all.
Story: Peter J. Tomasi Art: Jaime Mendoza, Doug Mahnke
Story: 7.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
“A change has come.”
A statement that seems to be the norm in comic books these days. After all we have Robo-Bat Bunny Jim Gordon, a near powerless Man of Steel, and a Wonder Woman with pants! (gasp) Yes DC Comics has hit the reset button in a lot of ways, but still can’t miss the mixing popular (Soon to be movie) franchises allure. Here we get Superman and Wonder Woman in Smallville, squaring off against.. the Suicide Squad.
Most definitely an unusual sight for Amanda Waller’s cohorts, but it’s explained away pretty quick with the storyline bounty being placed on the last Son of Krypton’s now easily targeted head. Once you move past the cringe invoking dialogue of the first pages (“You could call us a Suicide Squad!”. Jeez Harl, the Joker would slap you with an oversized tuna for that one!) this one moves along rather quickly.
It’s your classic smash-em up brawl, cemetery showdown. You know how those go, smashed headstones, messed up grass, etc. The plot folks is paper-thin. (the good folks at Dunder Mifflin, couldn’t sell this) In a nutshell Waller wants Superman’s limits tested, Suicide Squad attacks Superman, Wonder Woman with Superman kicks SS ass. That is it. We find out that Superman is very vulnerable but we don’t know to what length, so it’s hard to gauge. We still have no explanation for it, which makes it all the more maddening. All in due time I suppose.
After a fairly quick fight, Superman and Wonder Woman make a hasty retreat to an underground hide out on Kent farmland to nurse Superman’s many wounds.
(Apparently his body is still somewhat bulletproof, although that’s a hell of a lot of bruising going on)
Wonder Woman takes this quiet time to say out loud what we all are thinking. What if this isn’t even the baseline and his powers sink even further? (Good thinking Diana, I just want an explanation) She explains to him while removing the shells one by one, that its humbling sight to see him like this. Clark agrees but he will not stop, it’s who he is. He also makes Diana promise that she won’t worry about him in the field and take precaution going forward. He tells her he loves her but he has something to do. Alone.
Overall: I wanted to like this issue much more. I really like the creative team, and I’m usually a big fan of Mahnke’s art. His Clark looks great in action and the dialogue scenes, but his Diana is very angular this issue and it just didn’t work. Hoping it’s a one time thing and this improves next issue. As a whole I’m enjoying the “Truth” crossover in the Superman titles, this was just a bad bump in the road. Still I’m optimistic going forward. It just wasn’t a good showing this month. Let the bullet wounds heal and back at it next time.
Story: Peter J. Tomasi Art: Doug Mahnke
Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Pass
Jason Fabok will be joining writer Geoff Johns as the regular ongoing artist for Justice League starting in November with issue #36. The issue arrives November 19th.
In other creative team news Peter Tomasi and artist Doug Mahnke will take over as the new creative team on Superman/Wonder Woman starting in November with issue #13. That issue hits shelves on November 12th.
