Review: Superman #9

Superman #9 came out this week, a truly entertaining comic that I loved. Writer Joshua Williamson basically put the creative foot down on the gas pedal in this issue, rocketing us through a series of scenes that pushed the main plot forward while hinting at a number of subplots bubbling under the surface.

In some ways, this felt like a very classic comic book. I grew up in a time when there were often A, B, and C plots in titles. There was no decompression. There were mysteries and intrigue. There were emotions and consequences. There were guest stars. Things were fun. And it is all here. Plus, there is a tremendous cliffhanger.

Despite all the subplots that are touched on here, the main plot of Pharm and Graft trying to get their revenge on Lex Luthor takes a turn here. I have started to warm up to the new partnership between Lex and Superman as shown in this book. I don't know about Pharm and Graft yet though. They seem a bit too flat right now. Thankfully, Williamson hints at some things here which add some interesting wrinkles to the villains.

Jamal Campbell gets another issue off. Instead, Bruno Redondo, who has been killing it on Nightwing, fills in here and definitely continues to shine. There is a polish to the book which is appreciated. In particular, the Lois scenes are nicely rendered with emotion. I also found the page layouts suited the action well, adding to the story. Colorist Adriano Lucas does great work here, especially in the Marilyn Moonlight scenes.

As I say often, I wanted the next issue to be in my hand right after I read this one which is always a great sign. On to the book.

Last issue ended with Superman nearly dead from Kryptonite exposure. This issue starts with him trying to heal, recuperating in SuperCorp under yellow sun lamps. 

What is interesting is that it seems that all of Metropolis knows Superman is laid up somewhere. Lois is reading him fan letters. Perry has delayed his mayoral campaign until Superman is back out there. 

I did like this 9 panel page of Lois dealing with the emotion of seeing her injured husband, remembering the good times and trying to keep it together. Nice 8th panel there by Redondo. I feel Lois turning away to cry.

I'd have loved to see a shot of Supergirl patrolling in the sky. But I'm selfish that way. 

I talked about subplots cropping up here.

With Lex healed up and in prison, he gets a visit from his mother, suddenly back in Metropolis. That's a subplot. Lex's daughter Lena, marked with Brainiac symbols, is also back in Metropolis and is interning at SuperCorp (that can't be a good idea).

But it is that last statement by Lex that grabbed me. "Lena can't be in Metropolis." Why? Is there something we don't know about. That's a thread in that subplot that made me want to know more.

I talked about the fast pace and the lack of decompression in this book.

Instead of Superman laid up for the entire issue, he is back on his feet about a third of the way in. It is a pretty quick return after the emotional punch of the earlier scene. But it does keep the pace of the book going.

I'll even allow the 'decompression' trick of repeating a panel to show time elapsing because a long hug here makes sense, again leaning into the sentiment of the opening scene.

But no time to rest. Superman wants to get back out there but he isn't full strength. Time for another set of Luthor armor. I swear, this book must have a behind the scenes deal with Hasbro to make action figures for all these suits we are seeing.

As for Graft, he is out there trying to recruit more help to battle Lex Luthor. And her target is Marilyn Moonlight.

Welcome to another subplot. Who is Marilyn Moonlight? How has she been wronged by Luthor? I mean, we have seen that she has been around since the Old West?

And we also learn that somehow Moonlight knew Graft's mother. 

So now we have Lena working at SuperCorp and needing to be out of Metropolis. And we have Moonlight knowing Graft's mother and being wronged by Lex. It makes this book feel complex and layered.

Really great art and coloring of all the Moonlight scenes, making her feel spectral.

Superman shows up wearing a super-suit and promptly dispatches Graft's battle chair.

Great action panel by Redondo. 

Graft shoots Moonlight though, making her explode with energy. When the dust settles, both she and Superman are gone.

Check out this panel. Gorgeous use of whites and shades of blue. Nice shadowing of Superman. That explosion is palpable. Favorite panel of the book.

The last pages are clearly set in the past, in the Old West time of Metropolis.

Check out these two moppets on the train. These have to be a very young Graft and Pharm. But how can they have survived this long? Unless they used science to extend their lives?

In a nice deep dive into the DCU, Williamson has the mother hire western characters Nighthawk and Cinnamon to protect the kids. 

Huh ... just realized the last time I saw Nighthawk I think he died in Crisis on Infinite Earths #3 or 4.

Who is going after the kids? Well the red poncho and the heat vision should give it away. 

Somehow Superman is there. So let's start a new plot!

There's a fun scene where Jimmy is running the Planet. There is scene where we see The Chained recaptured. There is a lot of stuff happening here. 

That was some wild ride, just what comics should be. Best of all, I am interested in all the plots here. The Lena plot is definitely the one I am following closest. Hmmm ...

Overall grade: A