The latest sighting of Superman was in Red Hood and the Outlaws #14. Now I will admit that I picked up Red Hood #1 and thought the treatment of Starfire was so terrible, that I haven't been back. So I have no idea what has been happening in this book up to now. This isn't a full review as the back half drifts into a romantic tryst by Jason Todd with a Death in the Family twist. Instead, I'll concentrate on the Superman pieces.
Scott Lobdell is the writer here and in Superman so he might be trying to spread his vision of the Man of Steel. It also ties into the Superman Annual #1 from the summer, a book which I thought was a bit muddled. At least the scenes there haven't been forgotten.
Mostly though, the issue again portrays Superman as someone that other heroes seem to distrust. Lobdell continues to show us that others think Superman is lording over 'mere humanity' rather than being a hero, an inspiration, and despite his powers, down to Earth. It isn't the take on Superman that I have. And I think it isn't how most Superman fans want him to be portrayed. But it's here, like it or not.
The prior arc must have taken place on Tamaran because Kory is commanding the ship. Her first mate's name ... K'TTen. Yeesh. Along for the ride are the other outlaws Red Hood and Arsenal. And, a flight attendant Jason picked up also is there.
Approaching Earth, the ship is confronted by Superman who wants to speak to Kory.
As is typical, and maybe because they are Outlaws, the team wants nothing to do with Superman. Jason comes right out and says he simply doesn't trust Superman. Interesting that a character like him can talk about trusting anyone.
One thing I did like was that Lobdell notes that Batman does trust Superman.At least the Trinity seems like a unit.
The best course of action for the Outlaws is to teleport themselves to their island hideout, figuring even Superman couldn't follow them that way. But, he is Superman after all. Shortly after they arrive, he is there.
Does any image or page better encapsulate how Lobdell views Superman? He is descending from the clouds, the point of view is looking up at him, he is completely calm with arms outstretched ... it screams angelic or 'above us'. And then to add some grist for the mill, there are 2 pistols aimed right at him, all while Jason says sarcastically that Superman is 'real human'.
Now don't get me wrong, I love Morrison's Superman and he certainly has portrayed Superman as deific at time. But he also has Superman on the ground, helping people, inspiring people. Even in All-Star Superman, the most god-like ending of a Superman story, the scene many people talk about is Superman hugging the girl who is about to commit suicide. It is inspiring ... but personal and close ... not impersonal and distant.
And to add another layer of distrust, we learn that Tamaran and Krypton had strained planetary relationships. So Kory is going to keep Superman at a distance because of the politics of a planet which no longer exists and which Superman never stepped foot on.
Yep, everybody seems to have a reason to not like Superman.
Despite recognizing that they are outgunned, the Outlaws decide to attack Superman. Because that's what people do in the DCnU, distrust and attack Superman. Notice he never seems to move, floating above them all, almost impersonal in how he attacks them. And even the 'I don't want to hurt you but I will' just doesn't sound right coming from Superman.
It takes the words of Isabel, the non-powered flight attendant to point out it is absurd. That Superman could have forewarned the Outlaws so they wouldn't feel attacked. And they could always just ask Superman what he wants.
It turns out that Superman just wants to talk to Starfire about her episode with an agent of Helspont, seen in flashback, a panel lifted from the Annual. I guess Superman just wants to touch base with the other extra-terrestrials contacted. That would mean J'Onn should also be expecting a visit.
But it is an odd scene. Starfire admits she hasn't thought about it much. Arsenal derides Superman, telling him he should just ask the Outlaws for help. Even Kory says he 'needs' their help. And Superman again seems cold, saying he wants to bring them all in for their crimes. But since Batman vouches for them, he won't. It just seems odd.
After saying his piece, Superman leaves. Kory is surprised she didn't hate him. So again, someone assumes they will hate Superman and is surprised when he is an okay guy. Arsenal wants to go out and find Helspont and stop him! This feels like Bizarro world.
One thing I did like was Jason's surprise that Batman has vouched for the group. I am surprised too!
The remainder of the issue takes place in Jason's apartment as some drama with Isabel and the Joker ensues.
So this felt like another brick in the wall of Superman deconstruction from ultimate hero to distant mistrusted jerk. I want to blow up that wall!
Furthermore, who knows when or where this Helspont story will play out. In the Superman book? Here in Outlaws? Universe-wide crossover? It doesn't look to be happening any time soon.
The art by Pascal Alixe is decent enough, a sort of rough Eddy Barrows.
At the very least, the issue showed me Starfire isn't a brain-dead anymore!
Overall grade: C
If I remember right Lobdell said at the SD Comic Con, DC Superman panel. He hoped to build up one day to a new DC team series of true "alien" aliens, which he would be writing.
ReplyDeleteThey would be all of the Earth bound aliens Helspont contacted personally and tried to get join him.
I sure hope not, DC has plenty of teams at this time.
And to add another layer of distrust, we learn that Tamaran and Krypton had strained planetary relationships. So Kory is going to keep Superman at a distance because of the politics of a planet which no longer exists and which Superman never stepped foot on.
ReplyDeleteI'm ppuzzled by this claim of Kory's as Lobdell seemed to say in Superman #0 that Krypton didn't have any space program, the planets gravity precluded it. That sounded a bit odd as an explanation given the technology Krypton had but it's always been a problem with the origin, that everybody died with the planet as it had no active space program and no other means to escape...
A couple of things...
ReplyDeleteI feel like you're being unfair to Lobdell here, largely because you are unfamiliar with the tone of Outlaws; They are meant to be expressly outside the mainstream, and while decidedly not villains, would regard any "good" hero with mistrust. In fact, I think the episode shows Superman for what he should be, the representation of ultimate good. The Outlaws have something of a complex about authority figures, so this is not a "scary alien" mistrust, it is more of a "boyscouts are stupid" mistrust.
As for Starfire, Lobdell has been playing around with the idea that her psyche is different from humans, to a degree that her memories and impressions of people are decidedly unique. The odd nature of her helspont related recollections you noted is almost certainly intentional.
I'm reasonably excited for Lobdell's take on Superman, and Rocafort (who only does the cover here) is fast becoming a favorite of the new 52.
If I remember right Lobdell said at the SD Comic Con, DC Superman panel. He hoped to build up one day to a new DC team series of true "alien" aliens, which he would be writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post Val.
I had not seen that. And while interesting in concept, I think all those characters would already be on another team. So it would seem unnecessary.
I'm ppuzzled by this claim of Kory's as Lobdell seemed to say in Superman #0 that Krypton didn't have any space program, the planets gravity precluded it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and great point. I wonder if we will ever hear of it again.
The Outlaws have something of a complex about authority figures, so this is not a "scary alien" mistrust, it is more of a "boyscouts are stupid" mistrust.
ReplyDeleteAs for Starfire, Lobdell has been playing around with the idea that her psyche is different from humans
Thanks for the post.
I will say I don't read Outlaws and they sound like they set up to be on the fringe. Therefore they would reject Superman and his authority.
That said, this would have been so much better if this was the first time we saw Superman portrayed this way. If this was a new viewpoint where the borderline heroes waver between trust/mistrust.
But this is how Superman is looked upon everywhere. His fellow leaguers don't trust him. The military doesn't trust him. His family doesn't trust him. A chunk of humanity doesn't trust him. So this was just another brick in the wall of how I think DC has no concept of what Supes should be in their own universe.
And thanks for the info on Kory. I am glad she is more than what I saw in the first issue!
Thanks again for the post.
I wouldn't exactly say his fellow leaguers don't trust him. Only one who really shown any level of distrust was Batman who just wants precautions invade for any reason(mind control, possession, etc) Superman goes rouge and the JL might be the one who has to take him out(basiacally said in Action Comics#10) but there have been more new 52 scenes with Batman/Superman as growing friends/best friends instead of all out enemies.
ReplyDeleteThat being said it's understandable from a perspective (at least to me) why they want to portray certain people not trusting Superman. From the chunk of humanity and the military not trusting Superman, he is an alien with superpowers, just because he wears the mask and helps people doesn't mean people don't feel a level of fear or mistrust especially based on how Superman started out as a champion for justice( this was something talked about in plenty versions of Superman and isn't a new concept). DC is doing this to show what a modern/real world might deal if someone like Superman would exist in real life. Do I like it. Depends on how it is used/talked about. Does it make sense. Yes.