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Review: Superman #22

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Minor Spoilers Below

Superman is one of my favorite comic books out right now. It is consistent, it is action packed, and along with Action Comics, it gives us such a great return to the stories that make Superman, Superboy, and Lois such awesome characters. Sure, there is the Kryptonian history, and heat vision blasting giant monsters, and the mystery of past foes returning, and Mr. Oz, but there’s something else that makes these books great. It is family. Now that may sound cheesy to some of you, but I mean that. The family element of Clark, Lois, and their little boy, Jon who is slowly turning into a man and learning about his raw sense of power is touching and creates some great moments.

Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason together have brought such great world building outside of Metropolis with the life of the Kent’s and Superman’s past. Superman #22 continues the great storytelling with an issue that follows a worried wife and mother, Lois Lane. In the last issue, we saw Supes looking for Bats, and Jon and Damian fighting a giant squid. This series has been building mystery around the nice quiet farm town in Hamilton County where the Kent’s now live. There is the weird swamp and haunted house that Jon and his neighbor got lost in, and of course, the farmer who is always staring at them or wondering about Jon. We also had the odd appearance of Frankenstein, Lois’s friend Candice being an alien bounty hunter, and so much more. This family cannot catch a break, and this issue shows they may not anytime soon.

The art by Doug Mahnke has a nice cartoon style that is mixed with what you’d expect in a classic comic featuring an iconic character such as Superman. It walks the lines of over the top and realism nicely, and really gives everyone of the characters personality. The laid back nature of a country town is captured in the faces and expressions of each of the town folk, even right down to the freaky feeling that these people may be out to hurt her, and that there is a creepy mystery underneath all of them, like something out of a Stephen King novel. The inks by Jamie Mendoza and Ray McCarthy give us a book with a lot of darkness and shadows that is a very effective tool but the eeriness of this issue. Wil Quintana colors in between all of the darkness with some really bright colors that you’ve come to expect from a Superman book, right down to the iconic red and blue of his suit jumping off of the page. The art does a great job at letting us know something isn’t right in Hamilton County.

If you’ve been reading Superman, then you know what to expect in some of the issues that deal with the hometown that the Kent’s live in. We’ve been teased for a while that something is off about the town and the folks around it, and this issue only makes it weirder and more disturbing. I cannot wait to see where this series and this arc goes, and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Story: Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Art: Doug Mahnke
Inks: Jaime Mendoza & Ray McCarthy Colors: Wil Quintana
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Superman Vol. 2 Trials of the Super Son

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Superman Vol. 2 Trials of the Super Son

(W) Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason (A) Jorge Jimenez, Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, Trevor Scott, Mark Morales, Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne, Norm Rapmund (A/CA) Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray
In Shops: Apr 05, 2017
SRP: $16.99

In these tales from SUPERMAN #7-13, Superman and Jon Kent are transported to Dinosaur Island to find the last of the Losers! Then, after a quick trip to the county fair, Jon meets his match in Damian Wayne-and the Super Sons’ fathers soon put the two young heroes through their paces as a new crime-fighting team is forged!

DC Weekly Graphic Novel Review: Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Green Arrow, and Superman

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It’s Wednesday which means new comic book day with new releases hitting shelves, both physical and digital, all across the world. We’ve got three more volumes from DC Comics, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Green Arrow, and Superman!

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Vol. 1 Who is Oracle collects issues 1-6 and Birds of Prey: Rebirth by Julie Benson, Shawna Benson, Claire Roe, and Roge Antonio.

Green Arrow Vol. 2 Island of Scars collects issues 6-11 by Benjamin Percy, Stephen Byrne, Juan Ferreyra, and Otto Schmidt.

Superman Vol. 2 Trials of the Super Son collects issues 7-13 by Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, and Mick Gray.

Find out what the trade has in store and whether you should grab yourself a copy. You can find both in comic stores April 5 and bookstores April 11.

Get your copies now. To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Vol. 1 Who is Oracle
Amazon/Kindle/comiXology or TFAW

Green Arrow Vol. 2 Island of Scars
Amazon/Kindle/comiXology or TFAW

Superman Vol. 2 Trials of the Super Son
Amazon/Kindle/comiXology or TFAW

 

 

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
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Review: Action Comics #976

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As this epic tale wraps up, Superman’s life is drastically changed…and that’s all we are saying for now – except that you won’t want to miss it!

DC Comics’ Rebirth event is interesting in that it isn’t a reboot and it doesn’t jettison everything that’s come before. Instead, it’s a merging of what came before the New 52 and the New 52 itself. Superman was a bit interesting case to this new world. In a storyline that began in Convergence and then carried over into the mini-series Superman: Lois and Clark, the Pre-52 Superman was brought into the New 52 world along with his wife Lois and their son Jonathan. Then, the New 52 Superman crumbled with his powers splintering off. So, short version, we had a displaced Superman and Lois attempting to fill in the lives of their New 52 versions. It made for some good comedy and drama at some points, but it eventually was going to wear out.

“Superman Reborn” seems to have resolved that eventual problem along with some big revelations like who the imposter Clark Kent is. Playing out through Action Comics and Superman, the story has a mystery villain reveal (that it was Mister Mxyzptlk as Clark Kent all along) that has Superman and Lois forgetting their son Jonathan in a board game like obstacle course. What’s interesting is that the story takes fans through a lot of the history of Superman and Lois, it’s a best hits sort of way.

But…. SPOILER… by the end of the story, it’s true, it’s all true. The life of the pre-52 Superman has seemingly been merged into that of his New 52 counterpart. No more hiding, no more Clark Kent and Clark White. It’s all in continuity, the history is there. This storyline solves a lot of issues that were lining up for the character as well as put Superman’s alter-ego back in the bottle and the White’s no longer have to hide. It wraps things up in a nice little bow.

But, it’s not just this merging of two worlds that works, the story also ties in the bigger mystery that’s permeating throughout the DC Universe. Mister Mxyzptlk continues to reference a more powerful being, who we assume is the mysterious Oz, who then looks upon the Red Planet, the home of Doctor Manhattan from Watchmen. It brings so much together and does so in a pretty smooth way. That plotting and writing is impressive.

The art by Doug Mahnke is fantastic. This entire story has featured top notch visuals that twist and turn and overall the Superman line of comics features the most consistent and solid art of the DC comic series. There’s some really cool visuals and the art is as solid as the writing. The way the world crumbles during the battle and the subtle visual changes clue in the reader as to what’s happening and by the end you’ll find yourself going back to check everything out.

I’m blown away by the story which I can only describe as super. A fantastic ending that shows DC Comics has got a great grasp of mixing the old with the new. This is a model in how to pull it off and doing so in a fun and exciting way.

Story: Dan Jurgens Art: Doug Mahnke
Inks: Jaime Mendoza, Christian Alamy, Trevor Scott
Colors: Wil Quintana Letters: Rob Leigh
Story: 8.35 Art: 8.45 Overall: 8.40 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Action Comics #976

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Action Comics #976

(W) Dan Jurgens (A) Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza (CA) Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray
In Shops: Mar 22, 2017
SRP: $2.99

“SUPERMAN REBORN” finale! As this epic tale wraps up, Superman’s life is drastically changed…and that’s all we are saying for now-except that you won’t want to miss it! The covers by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray and the variant covers by Gary Frank for SUPERMAN #18-19 and ACTION COMICS #975-976 will connect to form a single vertical image.

Preview: Action Comics #975

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Action Comics #975

(W) Dan Jurgens, Paul Dini (A) Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, Ian Churchill (CA) Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray
In Shops: Mar 08, 2017
SRP: $3.99

“SUPERMAN REBORN” part two! Celebrating our 975th issue with a supersize special as another layer of the Superman/Clark Kent mystery is exposed! And in a backup story written by Paul Dini with art by Ian Churchill, learn what it all means for the Son of Superman, who is the prize in a deadly game! The covers by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray and the variant covers by Gary Frank for SUPERMAN #18-19 and ACTION COMICS #975-976 will connect to form a single vertical image.

Preview: Superman #13

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Superman #13

(W) Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason (A) Jaime Mendoza, Keith Champagne, Norm Rapmund (A/CA) Doug Mahnke
In Shops: Dec 21, 2016
SRP: $2.99

“SINISTER PURPOSE” part two ! Here comes the Bride and her four arms are loaded with weapons. And on what side of those guns is Lois Lane going to be? The mystery of one of the citizens of Hamilton will be exposed with monstrous consequences for all.

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Review: Superman #13

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sm_cv13_dsIf 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

Preview: Superman #12

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Superman #12

(W) Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason (A/CA) Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza
In Shops: Dec 07, 2016
SRP: $2.99

“SINISTER PURPOSE” part one! Frankenstein has come to Hamilton County, home of Superman, and Hell has come with him. It’s Man of Steel vs. the Monster to save the life of someone in the town with a horrifying secret.

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Review: Superman #12

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sm_cv12_dsSuperman 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.

We start in rural Hamilton County where Clark now lives with Lois and his son Jon aka Superboy. They moved here to live a more quiet and private life until Frankenstein shows up looking for someone, and he doesn’t come in peace. That person is Candice, the seemingly kind lady who wants to hire Lois for the Hamilton Horn. After he trashes the office and tries to apprehend Candice, Lois saves her and the two flee on his vehicle. A fun chase ensues, and sure enough The Man of Steel shows up to even the odds. There’s a nice twist at the end, and it creates an interesting premise for the next issue.

Doug Mahnke does a solid job on art, and Frankenstein looks awesome. I loved the fight scenes more than the other panels, but the art throughout the book is still good. There’s a sequence in particular I really liked where Frankenstein is hanging off his flying vehicle that Lois stole, and Superman shows up and sends him flying. The action continues with a farmer blasting Frankenstein with a shotgun, which causes him no harm, but he is then thrown by Superman once again like he was a rag doll. It was fun, funny, and it was drawn really well. The inks by Jaime Mendoza and Christian Alamy as well as the colors by Wil Quantana are sharp, vibrant, and really bring Hamilton County to life. By the colors of the leaves, we can see it is autumn, and I really enjoy when artists can add to the story without needing any extra written words.

If you’re already reading Superman, then this issue shouldn’t make you want to stop. It’s a fun small arc that will run only two issues, so we will see it come to an end in two weeks. If you aren’t reading Superman, this is a good issue to jump onto, as you don’t need much backstory to understand what is happening. There are a few small things that were in past issues or Action Comics, but they’re not that important to the overall plot of the issue.

Story: Peter J. Tomasi/Patrick Gleason Art: Doug Mahnke
Ink: Jaime Mendoza/Christian Alamy Color: Wil Quintana
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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