Review: Superman, Son of Kal-El #2

 Superman #2 came out this last week and some of the worries I had about the first issue have only intensified with this issue. This looks like it is going to be an agenda book with Superman and not a Superman book with an agenda. 

I trust Tom Taylor and so I am going to try and stick this out. But it is clear that Jon Kent is going to try and fight 'real world' problems. We are going to hear about all the hot button issues plaguing the world right now. And maybe we all need to hear about them more.

But there are two problems.

One, I already know about these problems. I already think about these problems. These problems already plague me. I turn to comic books so that for the brief time it takes me to read them, I can forget about these problems. I can escape.

Two, there is no simple way for our hero to solve these problems. Well, one way is for Jon to take over the world Elseworld style and enforce his will one everyone. The other is to show how he is stymied by flawed humanity from doing good and therefore become diminished as a hero in my eyes. Neither of those solutions work for me.

Yes, comic books have always been political. And people will tell me this like I don't know it. But for every early Superman story, for every 70s GL/GA, for every Watchmen, there were dozens of other titles with issues of simple fantasy. 

For every issue of Teen Titans looking at the drug problems or runaways, there were issues where the Brotherhood of Evil was hitting them with a de-evolution ray or Brother Blood sent a giant spider after them.

Comics are supposed to be the fun part of my life. And being preached at is rarely fun. If these were the occasional story, I might be able to deal. If this felt like Taylor was writing Superman I could do it. But I feel, at least with these two issues, Taylor is writing op-ed pieces about social issues that happen to have Superman in them. 

Most importantly, and for emphasis, I am not saying comic books can't  or shouldn't comment on social issues. For people who want to read this, I am glad it is here for you. I am only saying that I don't know if this is for me.

I will say that I love John Timms artwork and this is solid work by him.

Review: Checkmate #3

Checkmate #3 came out this week; we are officially halfway through the series. After a couple of issues resetting the chess board and playing with time leaps, writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev give us a solid espionage issue. This is for the most part linear storytelling, or at least less confusing storytelling, with plot advancement and solid characterization.

For one, we at least now know, through the deductive reasoning of Lois, what Leviathan is after. I mean, Mark Shaw has demolished all other spy agencies and has his own country now. But he isn't resting on his laurels. He still wants to change the entire world.

While he has this plan in mind, including a few intriguing twists and embedded agents, the Checkmate crew are still getting their feet underneath them as a team. They don't necessarily have a strategy. We hear them debating what steps to take next. And their leader, Mr. King, is basically absent. It all leads to an engaging read where I continue to try a figure out what will happen next.

Which of course brings me to my  #KingTheory. As recently posted, I think Mr. King is going to end up being the Paul Kirk Manhunter in some form. But I have a few back up theories. Expect an odds board soon. 

Maleev is solid on art as always. He seems to do better in the more shadowy scenes than the major super-power blow ups. But the stuff shines. His Superman is beefy and is a presence. His Lois is cool as a cucumber. 

On to the book and some clues.

Review: Action Comics #1034

 Action Comics #1034 came out this week and again was another gripping, highly entertaining issue. This title has really been firing on all cylinders. I have been extremely impressed with this story that Phillip Kennedy Johnson has been crafting here. And that means something when I already know that the end of this arc is Superman off-world, a result I wasn't too keen on.

In particular, there are a couple of plot points that I really like. 

 For one, this is a bit of an angrier, more pro-active Superman than I am used to. You can see how the idea of a planet of tortured slaves existing is such a problem to him, such a horror that he simply can't stand by. He has to act even if it against his usual pattern. From his slamming his fist on the JL table last month to things he does in this issue, he is almost unhinged ... at least for him. 

I also love how Kara is being portrayed in this arc. She is often the smartest and most mature hero in the room. I love how in this issue she calls Superman out for his actions, wondering if there was a better way. This is such a different person from the angry, sulking, loner who feels so disconnected she left Earth to get drunk in the current Woman of Tomorrow mini-series.

Christian Duce is on art this issue. Duce really shines in the action sequences. Also, his expressive work on Superman definitely conveys the frank rage Kal is feeling over some of the politics at play here.

On to the book!

Supergirl Show 608: Welcome Back Kara

The Supergirl show finally came off hiatus this week. The second half of this ultimate season for the show started with an episode titled 'Welcome Back, Kara'. Given that the first half of the season for the most part had Supergirl trapped in the Phantom Zone, keeping her separated from her Earthly family (while reuniting her with her birth father Zor-El), I was looking forward to this episode, bringing the great cast together and starting the last great arc.

For me, one of the best parts of this show has been the Danvers sisters. I still hold out hope that Supergirl and Brainy will find love. I have loved the dastardly Luthor family, Lex and Lillian, doing their best to destroy the world. And I have missed Melissa Benoist interacting with everyone. She *is* the best part of the show. 

I mean, can you imagine a young girl who has seen Benoist's hero, talking about 'help, hope and compassion', heading into a comic store and reading Tom King's Kara? Two different Supergirls. I guess maybe I needed Benoist and her take on Kara more than ever.

I suppose I would have been a bit more upset about the 3 plus month hiatus if Superman And Lois hadn't been such a great show, filling the need for a super-show on the small screen phenomenally. 

This episode was a nice way to get back into the show again. We have supporting character subplots. We have the end of the Zor-El story. We have Alex and Kara supporting and caring for each other. And we have so many Supergirl standards - couches, balconies, battles, and  hugs. It felt like I was slipping into a warm bath. I will say Supergirl doesn't get the best action moments. But the team does well. Suffice it to say I was a happy fan to have the show back on and to dive into this version of Supergirl again! 

 

On to the show.

Review: Superman And The Authority #2

 When the Superman and The Authority miniseries was announced, I knew I was going to buy it. I mean I will always buy Grant Morrison books. And Morrison Superman books never fail to entertain. And Mikel Janin on art? Brilliant. 

 It was 'the Authority' part that worried me. I have never had too much interest in the group and never read the book. But the concept of a future Superman putting together a group of misfits to be his away team sounded too good. Manchester Black corralled into being a good guy? This I needed to read.

Superman and the Authority #2 came out last week and was simply one of the best books I have read in a while. What is Morrison's game here? Is Morrison poking fun at the comic book industry? Himself? Is he laughing at us fans? Or with us? 

I don't care.

This book is just seeped in metatextual comic and fandom stuff that I had a silly grin the whole way through.

The team is barely formed and we are halfway through this brief 4 issue series. I hope we get to see them in action. But if all I get are 2 more issues similar to this, I'll be just fine.

The art here is predominantly done by Janin who draws an older Superman looking like sturdy Tom Strong. The internal chapters are done by Travel Foreman, Fico Ossio, and Evan Cagle. The book flows well under these artists, each chapter improved by the style of the artist. 

Let's dive into the fun.

DC Comics November 2021 Solicits

The November solicits for DC Comics came out earlier this month. 

Here is a link to Newsarama's coverage of the entirety of the DC Comics slate of books: https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-solicitations-november-2021/

There are a couple of surprise new books on the docket, one covered here. As usual, there are plenty of Batman books. I recommend perusing the whole list. Lots of interesting stuff out there.

But I am here to cover the Super books.


SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW #5
Written by TOM KING
Art by BILQUIS EVELY
Cover by BILQUIS EVELY
Variant cover by AMY REEDER

Supergirl steps into an ancient trap, stranding her and Ruthye on a planet of nearly perpetual night. Now, the woman of steel must call on every remaining ounce of strength to combat the monsters left on this world to kill any super unlucky enough to end up on its surface.

We are approaching the end of this mini-series. The Amy Reeder variant is lovely.

I enjoyed the third issue more than the first two so I am hoping this book is moving into a better direction. And I will again trumpet the artwork by Bilquis Evely. Just gorgeous.

Review: Superman Red And Blue #6

Superman Red and Blue #6 came out this week and was a great send off for this mini-series. I have to say, each issue of this thing seemed to get better and better. I am glad DC gave Superman this chance to shine.

This issue finally gave us some Supergirl, albeit in a Streaky story. But the fact that we got a Streaky story made this worth the money. 

Outside that we get a story about the difficulties of being Clark Kent, unable to cover his own exploits as Superman. We get a story about the mainstay of Smallville and how she has witnessed Clark's life  through the years, impacting him more than our hero knew. We get some farm life wisdom seeping into big city life. And we get to see how Superman's revealing of his identity inspires a young man. 

There wasn't much action in this issue. But I don't mind. Many of my favorite stories are about Superman being an inspiration. Or how his Smallville life formed his morality. Or about Supergirl and her super cat. For me, this was the perfect last issue. 

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this Doc Shaner cover. This should be a t-shirt, a poster, and a mug. This should be everywhere. I love how we get Supergirl, Power Girl, and Krypto right there. Heck, Comet and Streaky are there too. Doc Shaner can do no wrong.