Superwoman #5
(W) Phil Jimenez (A) Phil Jimenez, Matt Santorelli (CA) Jorge Jimenez
In Shops: Dec 14, 2016
SRP: $2.99
“WHO IS SUPERWOMAN?” part five! With her powers killing her every time she uses them, Superwoman must work with Steel to mount a last-ditch counterattack as Ultra Woman lays siege to Metropolis! Will Lana Lang be the second Superwoman to die protecting the City of Tomorrow?
Superwoman #4
Written by: Phil Jimenez
Art by: Ray McCarthy, Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover by: Ray McCarthy, Emanuela Lupacchino
Variant cover by: Ben Oliver
“WHO IS SUPERWOMAN?” part four! Superwoman’s illness is getting worse—and so are the plans of Ultra-Woman! With the might of the Bizaress army and Lexcorp technology at her fingertips, Ultra Woman is nearing victory—and Lex Luthor may be the first to fall! Meanwhile, Lana struggles to carry on the legacies of her fallen friends—and the ghosts of her past will come back to haunt her!
Superwoman #3
Written by: Phil Jimenez
Art by: Ray McCarthy, Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover by: Phil Jimenez
Variant cover by: Rachel Dodson
“WHO IS SUPERWOMAN?” part three! Ultra Woman is revealed, and her unstoppable Bizarress army are hunting for Superwoman! But that’s not the only challenge facing the new hero—Steel has made a terrifying new discovery: Superwoman’s powers are killing her—and the only chance to save her life is to leave her powers behind!
Superwoman #2
Written by: Phil Jimenez
Art by: Matt Santorelli, Phil Jimenez
Cover by: Phil Jimenez
Variant cover by: Rachel Dodson
“WHO IS SUPERWOMAN?” part 2! The battle of Metropolis Harbor rages on and the casualties are mounting! To save both herself and the city from the ultra-powered Bizarress duo, Superwoman must turn to John Henry Irons—a.k.a. Steel—for help! But there is a larger villainous force at work behind the scenes, and you won’t believe who it is! Buckle up for the shocking true identity of Ultra Woman!
The battle of Metropolis Harbor rages on and the casualties are mounting! To save both herself and the city from the ultra-powered Bizarress duo, Superwoman must turn to John Henry Irons—a.k.a. Steel—for help! But there is a larger villainous force at work behind the scenes, and you won’t believe who it is! Buckle up for the shocking true identity of Ultra Woman!
Last issue saw a shocking death and this issue picks up with weird things going on with Lex’s battle carrier, some reveals, and some choppiness in the story telling.
The issue kicks off with Lana trying to figure out what has happened to Lois and a reveal of a villain who then fires Lex’s cruiser at Metropolis. This is the first problem I have with the issue. It looks like projectiles are fired and then later it’s revealed to be EMP pulses, but initially it’s just left out there as if they hit the city and there’s no discussion of it at all. It’s a panel that sets up what you think are explosions and then there’s nothing. I found myself going back a few times to see if it’s addressed and I missed something.
The next bit of bumpiness is a line where Lana is walking in with Steel and they see Natasha Irons. Lana tells John to not say anything about Lois then a page later she basically blurts out something has happened to Lois in front of Natasha with no reaction from Natasha. Another thing that took me out of the issue.
But, beyond that, there’s some good too.
Writer Phil Jimenez teases out the story of Lois as Superwoman isn’t over and gives us a reveal of the big bad at the end of the issue. But, what I think is the strongest part of the issue is Lana’s talking to Maggie Sawyer and Lana and Steel at the GCPD station. There’s a bit of racism shown by cops, but the connection between Maggie and Lana feels real and genuine going over each other’s history as Sawyer attempts to figure out what’s going on. It humanizes both characters really well.
Jimenez does double duty also providing art with ink by Matt Santorelli and Joe Prado and coloring by Jeromy Cox. The issue is packed with lots of panels, so there isn’t much as far as large images to show of Jimenez’s talent. The art is decent is this case though not quite up to Jimenez’s usual quality. I think that’s partially because there’s so many panels it’s just hard to get that amount of detail in there. Still, Jimenez’s strengths of character design shine throughout as everyone has personality and his able to transition the mood from scene to scene works well too, especially with the help of the inking and coloring which really comes into play at times.
The end of the issue has me intrigued as there’s some reveals that shake some things up and there’s hints in the comic as more to come. Overall, it’s an entertaining read and a series that captures the feel of classic Superman.
Story: Phil Jimenez Art: Phil Jimenez Ink: Matt Santorelli, Joe Prado Color: Jeromy Cox
Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
The weekend is almost here! How are folks spending it? We’ll be catching up on movies and playing some of our games from Gen Con!
While you count down the hours, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Around the Tubes
Time – Why Marvel Will Change Captain Marvel’s Origin Story in the Brie Larson Film – Just don’t make her green with CGI?
Around the Tubes Reviews
Talking Comics – Deathstroke: Rebirth #1
IGN – Insexts Vol. 1
Talking Comics – Superwoman #1
It was new comic book day yesterday. What’d you enjoy? What’d you dislike? Sound off in the comments below!
While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Around the Tubes
Hitfix – Original Superman comic sells for the price of a mansion – Let me check my couch cushions.
CBR – “Sonic” Artist Files Lawsuit Claiming Ownership of 15 Characters – This should be interesting.
Around the Tubes Reviews
The Beat – All-Star Batman #1
Comic Vine – All-Star Batman #1
The Outhousers – The Black Monday Murders #1
Newsarama – Civil War II: The Accused #1
The Beat – Deathstroke: Rebirth #1
The Beat – New Super-Man #2
The Beat – Superwoman #1
Lois Lane takes flight! Now powered up with the abilities of Superman, Lois pledges to carry on the super-legacy as Superwoman! There’s only one problem: Lois’ new powers are killing her, and neither she nor her friend and confidant Lana Lang know what to do about it. Will Lois even survive long enough to learn the deadly secret of Ultra Woman?
Positive and fun. That’s the best way to describe Superwoman #1 from writer Phil Jimenez who does double duty on art. I’m going to warn folks, there may be some spoilers here, as there’s things I didn’t know going into it.
Though the title of the comic is singular, it’s actually a buddy cop comic in many ways. Lois Lane has gained powers due to the death of the New 52 Superman and she needs to learn how to use them. Enter, Lana Lang, who is not only acting as Lois’ mentor… but also her partner!? Yes, Lana Lang has powers too it would seem, and for folks who remember Superman Red/Blue, they’ll feel a bit familiar. The two together, as two folks who don’t necessarily like each other, but are still civil, reminds me a lot of the dynamic you’d see with a buddy cop movie of two different individuals brought together to fight crime.
But, what’s really amazing about the comic is the positive attitude that Jimenez has brought to it all. This isn’t two individuals who are bickering and being mean to each other. They may not want to work together, and are very much opposites, but they are nice and wind up helping each other out. There’s a sisterhood here that’s missing from so many comics.
The way that Jimenez lays things out with the pacing is great too. It throws you into the action and builds things out well relying on a few flashbacks to catch new readers up as to what’s going on. It’s a great mix that creates a solid flow to the comic and story.
Jimenez works on the art and is joined by Matt Santorelli on inks and Jeromy Cox on color. The artwork looks fantastic. Jimenez’s style is just beautiful to look at and he gives us figures that look realistic and shies away from the pin-up look so many other female led comics rely on. Lois and Lana look athletic and the characters look unique. Just fantastic art.
Remember how comics are supposed to be full of fun, positive action? This captures that and brings so much more.
Story: Phil Jimenez Art: Phil Jimenez Ink: Matt Santorelli Color: Jeromy Cox
Story: 8.6 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.65 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Superwoman #1
Written by: Phil Jimenez
Art by: Matt Santorelli, Phil Jimenez
Cover by: Phil Jimenez
Variant cover by: Rachel Dodson
“Who Is Superwoman?” part one! Lois Lane takes flight! Now powered up with the abilities of Superman, Lois pledges to carry on the super-legacy as Superwoman! There’s only one problem: Lois’ new powers are killing her, and neither she nor her friend and confidant Lana Lang know what to do about it. Will Lois even survive long enough to learn the deadly secret of Ultra Woman?
On demand: iTunes ¦ Sound Cloud ¦ Stitcher ¦ 
Who Is Superwoman? This Monday, writer and artist Phil Jimenez came to Graphic Policy Radio to talk about the new DC Comics series that debuts this week, Superwoman!
Lois Lane now has the powers and abilities of Superman and pledges to carry out his legacy. There’s a problem: Lois’ new powers are killing her.
We talked about what we can expect from this brand new series that’s part of DC Comics’ “Rebirth,” as well as Jimenez’s career.
Phil Jimenez is an award-winning writer and artist who has worked for DC Entertainment and Marvel Entertainment for the over 25 years. Best known for his work on Tempest, JLA/Titans, Planetary/Authority; The Invisibles, New-X-Men, Astonishing X-Men, Wonder Woman, Infinite Crisis, Amazing Spider-Man, Adventure Comics, The Transformers, DC: Rebirth, Superwoman, and his creator-owned project Otherworld, Jimenez has also worked in film, television, print media, and in design/packaging. He has created large-scale artworks for schools and museums, lectured at universities and the Library of Congress on identity and diversity in entertainment, and mentors young designers at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. Considered the most prominent gay creators in mainstream comics, Jimenez also teaches life drawing at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. FB, Instagram, and Twitter @Philjimeneznyc
