We wrap up the week of Spider-Man/Superman #1 by finishing my look at the rest of the stories in the book. There are a couple of real winners in this mix making this entire book a true buy.
The main story was solid outside of a plot point that confused me.
The Supergirl/Ghost Spider story felt like a wasted opportunity making the two characters way more catty than I usually see them.
While most of these stories revolve around the super-family, there are a couple of other guest stars here. And I it is interesting to see the main Superman starring in so many of these stories. In every one, Superman is written so well, as a true North Star for the other heroes, leading them by example and with wisdom and kindness.
So let's dive right in with one of the better stories in the book.
"Metropolis Marvels" was the first story out of the gate after the main, starring the Golden Age Superman and Spider-Man Noir, set firmly in the 40s. The story was written by Dan Slott with pitch-perfect art by Marcos Martin. The look and feel is spot on.
I don't know much of Spidey Noir so I was surprised to see him packing heat and wanting to kill the Kingpin of Crime, Lex Luthor to avenge a man Lex set up, a prisoner heading to the chair.
In comes Superman to stop Noir's murder plan so he can get Luthor to the Governor in time to help grant a pardon to the innocent man.
So much to love here. One of Superman's first adventure was stopping an innocent man going to the chair. Lex as Kingpin is great. Superman couldn't fly, only jump back then so this page, mirroring the cover of Amazing Fantasy #15 just works.
And Martin's art is nigh perfect for a noir tale. Home run! And yet, for me, it is still the third best story. There are two even better than this!
"Sweethearts" by Joe Kelly and Humberto Ramos has Gwen Stacy and Lana Lang meet up at a field trip, complain about lame boys, and then talk up their current beaus. Clark and Peter are both frustrating and sweet, leading to them wanting to marry them. Meanwhile, the guys are out fighting Sandman and Metallo.
It is a bit of fluff but people should know my feelings towards both Lana AND (especially) Gwen. So I liked this. Peanut butter and chocolate!
And now, the best story of the bunch. The best story of both Superman/Spidey issues even if Spider-Man isn't really in this at all. 'Identity War' was written by Geoff Johns with art by Gary Frank, a tremendous team. The Thing is narrating. Mysterio and Saturn Queen push the rage of a red lantern out to the Hulk who was broadcasting it out. Mayhem ensues.
I mean Gary Frank drawing Legionnaires and lots of guests ... incredible.
Some heroes aren't touched by the rage, heroes who are naturally immune, for example Stargirl. Superman comes up with a crazy plan ... calm down the Hulk.
Look at this page, Superman talking down the Hulk. The Hulk crying until he becomes Banner.
We know Johns loves Superman. How powerful is this, the Man of Steel calming the Hulk. And how great we don't hear what he says because no words would be as powerful as the idea of what he is saying. Superman wins without punching. Tremendous.
Then the denouement. The Thing basically laments that everyone these days is so easy to anger, so easy to fight. It seems hopeless.
Superman is pure, unadultered Superman here. Anger is easy. Real conversations still matter. It ISN'T always clobberin' time.
Phenomenal.
Turn this into liquid and inject it in my veins. So freaking good. SO GOOD!
'Ghosting' was written by Louise Simonson with art by Todd Nauck.
Steel allows the Hobgoblin to steal some Steelworks Tech so it can have a 'test run'. Pretty risky but it works when Thor is also hanging around to stop it all as a favor.
Some fun stuff here. Obviously two hammer wielding heroes teaming up is fun. And Louise Simonson writing Thor is fun given who much that character is associated with her husband Walt.
For me, the second best story was 'The One Thing' by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli.
Superman is in this again, teaming up with Miles Morales to fight the scary team up of Brainiac and Dormammu.
In the fight, Miles asks what Superman wished he knew when he was early in his career like Miles.
I love the answer. Stop worrying. Showing up is what is important.
More incredible Superman wisdom in this book. That is great advice. I might end up using this in some medical lecture.
"The Wondrous and the Worthy" teamed up Wonder Woman and the Jane Foster Thor trying to fight a Darkseid using symbiotes to take over Earth. Written by Jason Aaron, with gorgeous art by Russell Dauterman, this is another good story even though there really isn't a Super or a Spider to be found.
In the fight, Jane thinks she should just give Mjolnir to Diana to wield. Diana knows how strong Jane is. The two wade in and become the stuff of legend.
The art definitely elevates this.
We close the issue with a short story by Jeph Loeb and Jim Cheung called 'One of those days'.
In it, Spidey is sitting on top of a bridge, depressed remembering how someone died because of him. Clearly, we are thinking he is thinking of Gwen.
In comes Superman to tell him that there are things that can be controlled and things that can't be. The only thing we can do is try to have better days. Not the best wisdom I have heard in this issue. But it is cool that Superman saw Spidey and stopped to try and help. Plus, Jim Cheung can do no wrong in my book.
So all told, this was a great issue. The Noir, The Hulk, and the Miles stories alone were worth the price. Throw in the solid opening story and I have to give this is a high grade.
Overall grade: A
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