Review: Superman #29

Superman #29 came out this week and was one of the strangest and darkest and funniest and inspiring and entertaining reads I have read in a long time. And that makes it one of the toughest one for me to review.  But writer Joshua Williamson and artist Dan Mora just bring it this issue. It is complex and wonderful and sad.

Let's start with the darkness. Everyone knows that I am a huge Legion of Super-Heroes fan. It is hard for me to see DC sort of miss the boat with the IP for some time. They just don't know what to do with the team. And now we have Darkseid's Legion, a vicious, brutal, killing team. They are inspired by Darkseid and are more terrifying than people like Vermin Vunderbar and Kanto. What's worse is they kill the 'real' Legion, members from all the Legions we have seen. This isn't the Legion I want to read. But maybe it is darkest before the dawn.

Superman is still inspiring, rallying the ragtag remaining team and talking about hope. And I am here for the Superman and that works.

But the strangest and funniest part of this issue is Superboy Prime's presence. I really despise what DC did to the original kid back in Infinite Crisis. He became dreadful in multiple other events. He got a reprieve in Dark Metal. But here, he is hilarious, breaking the fourth wall, talking about the comics, and winking at us. I actually found him charming! That is saying something!

Meanwhile, Dan Mora continues to crush it. From the mournful cover to the multiple looks of Legionnaires (both Darkseid and others versions) to a very young looking Superboy Prime, Mora is crushing it. 

This was a hard read for Legionnaire fans. But a good read. 

On to details.

Terrificon Wrap-Up #2: Scott Kolins Commission And More Sigs

We are about 3 weeks past Terrificon, my primary comic convention and the best con I go to. As usual, this year had a great list of creators and celebrities. I was busy all three days, a sign that I had a lot to see and do.  You can read my first recap here.

Scott Kolins was one of the earlier guests announced and when I saw his name, I knew he would be at the top of my list of potential commissions. I really love Kolin's art style. It is very dynamic and energetic, packed with motion lines and energy crackle. It feels rough which adds to the that frenzy. His books really bring you into the action.  I loved his stuff on The Flash, a natural character for him to do given his style. But I also loved him on JL 3001, a sort of pastiche of DC's history written by the dream team of Giffen and DeMatteis. 

I reached out to Kolins on social media before the show asking if he sketches at the show, approximate prices, and availability. I told him he would be the first table I'd head to in order to get on the list and I meant it.

Check out the commission! I said Kolin's brings energy and this is one of the most action-oriented commissions I have. Supergirl smiling and diving out of the page, flying right at you. Love her smiling expression. Impressively, Kolins really filled the page of the sketch book. This is a great piece to add to the collection.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #42

Batman/Superman World's Finest #42 came out this week, the second chapter of the Bizarro World storyline. As usual for this book, there are some fun moments in the book as writer Mark Waid unravels the intricacies of the backwards Bizarro mentality. There is also a pretty solid character moment for Robin in this book as we see how Dick is maturing and learning about the world. 

You knew there was going to be a 'but' right?

This issue felt a little bit padded to me with a side battle where Bizarro and Superman fight Bizarro Brainiac. While intriguing to see what a Bizarro Brainiac does and also interesting to see the 'sane' Bizarro teaming up with Superman efficiently, it felt like Waid knew where he wanted this issue to end and suddenly realized he had some pages to fill. I don't know if the scene added to the overall story in a meaningful way.

Adrian Gutierrez remains on art and brings his usual frenzied style to the proceedings. This world is crazy. The action is crazy. His art is appropriately crazy. His Bizarro with these odd blackened eyes works well. The insane Batmobile is fun. The art works very well with the story.

On to the book. 

Review: Superman Unlimited #4

Superman Unlimited #4 came out this week and was the first issue of this title that I think fell short. But the issue is that it fell short in a number of ways. The main plot of a world flooded with Kryptonite is only touched upon. But this side track issue didn't exactly wow me with the story either. 

Writer Dan Slott seems to be having a good time here, mashing up some horror, some action, and some humor. But none of those threads stands out in a meaningful way. This felt more like an idea that a story was built around. Because many of the details of how we got here or how things ended are done off screen. Some of the plot points are almost magical in how quickly things are accomplished. Even the humorous points feel a little forced.

The art is a mix of Rafael Alburquerque and Lucas Meyer. Meyer brings a more detailed, more sharp approach than the rougher approach Alburquerque has been bringing to the book. But this is a more than Superman book. We get Birds of Prey, Robin, and Batman too. Meyer brings a solid look to these characters.

But this felt like an unnecessary diversion from the story I want to read.

Review: Action Comics #1089

Action Comics #1089 came out last week, the next chapter in the Superboy story weaving through the title. And, not surprising given the quality of the earlier issues, it is a very good book. 

Writer Mark Waid is showing us Superboy at his earliest. What I like about this issue is that it shows that Clark was, by no means, perfect. With his powers manifest and a second identity to use them and soak up the adulation of others, we see a more confident Superboy. But that means it might be a little harder to accept being the 'normal' Clark Kent. Suddenly he is acting sullen to his parents, standing up to bullies a bit too much, and ready to smash the landscape to cut loose. Most adolescents rebel a little. I guess a super-adolescent might super-rebel.

On top of that, Waid introduces Captain Comet as a former super-hero perhaps trying to warn Clark not to lose control, not to get a god complex. But there is more to this Comet than meets the eye. There is something nefarious.

It makes for a good read and humanizes our hero. He is human in many ways and he shows it. Waid just seems to understand Superman.

Skylar Patridge remains on art and gives us a very nostalgic, very sweet appearing, very polished look. In particular, her Clark and Lana pages just sing. But there is one page that again showed me why I love this medium, a mix of art and words that perfectly captures the moment.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl #4 (v8)

Supergirl #4 came out last week and was another very enjoyable issue written and drawn by Sophie Campbell. The things I have loved about the prior issues: a strong heroic personality - a mix of kindness and action - for Supergirl, a reverent look back at Supergirl's history, and tremendous art are all here. 

As has been said in prior reviews, Campbell has taken a sort of Grant Morrison take on the Supergirl character. It seems like in some way everything has happened. But also, everything is new. It feels incredible fresh. Campbell's art, a gorgeous style, adds to the feel of both nostalgia and innovation, a tough mix to pull off. 

In this issue, we get references to Supergirl's 70's series, her 80's series, the New 52 series (probably), and maybe even the Peter David run (maybe this time I am right). I know as a long term fan, seeing these nods to Supergirl's history makes me smile. It isn't just nostalgia. It is finally seeing a creator come on board who isn't looking at the character as a blank slate to scrawl their own idea on. It shows that Campbell knows and respects Supergirl's 65 year history. 

If I have one quibble, it is that I worry this might veer into a team book rather than solo title. I am all for supporting casts. I want them. It is clear Supergirl is the center of this book. But if Lena and Lesla and now Wanda ... um, I mean Luna are all on board I hope they don't detract from Kara too much. And I would love to see more of Linda and the Danvers. But this is quibble. I have trust that we will get there and Campbell will keep her eyes on the prize.

The art from pencils to inks to colors are all beautiful throughout. I love the cover with the wild, multicolored Decay trying to overwhelm Supergirl. And the guest star bubbles below add a bit of comic history to things. 

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #10

With the con happening and 2day trip shoved in the middle, everything has been pushed back and a little late. Apologies.

Absolute Superman #10 came out two weeks ago and after almost a year of slow burn, this issue seemed like we turned a bit of a corner. There are revelations in this issue and a major cliffhanger which upends everything we know.  I haven't minded the world building pace writer Jason Aaron has been using here. I feel like I know his Absolute World a little better than the other titles. But the high energy here is appreciated.

On top of the plot progression, we continue to learn about the characters. Superman won't kill, no matter how much he is goaded. Ra's has little respect for almost everyone ... except Superman ... which is fascinating. And Lois and Jimmy continue to slyly work against their old crews to help our hero.

Carmine DeGiandomenico is on art here and brings a thick lined energy to the proceedings. There is action here and he moves the 'camera' well as we circle the scenes. 

So settle in! Here we go!