New Super-Man #16 came out last week so forgive me for taking a bit to get to it. Of course, DC releasing 4 super books in the same week makes reviews tricky.
Writer Gene Luen Yang seemed to hint on Twitter that this book was going to be cancelled but then he sent out another tweet hinting that maybe it is sticking around. And that makes me happy because this book has been an utter delight. From the Kenan's mix of being sad and a bully and silly to the Chinese interpretations of the JLA to the exploration of Chinese mythology, it has all worked. And it has worked incredibly well.
This issue really focused on another aspect the book has been tiptoeing around, the misrepresentation of Asians in comics. And again, it is done so very well, leaning into DC's own history. We saw the dreaded Phuey En Yui earlier in the series. Here we head straight into Detective Comics #1.
The art is done by Brent Peeples. It isn't the smooth, polished look of Philip Tan but it is fine. Peeples seems to be improving with each issue. In particular, his aping the style from those early Detective Comics issues is spot on.
On to the book.
We start out with Phuey En Yui and Kenan dropped into the pages of Detective Comics #1 where he witnesses Slam Bradley beating up 'goblins'. Kenan doesn't realize that these are hateful caricatures of Asians at the height of the yellow peril era in American history. And he shouldn't recognize them as comics have, for the most part, been stripped of images like this.
But it hasn't been that long has it. Phuey uses his powers to strip this yellowed appearance of these characters. Suddenly, Kenan sees that Slam is just putting a beatdown on innocent Asian citizens. Seeing this as it truly is, New Super-Man punches Slam, defending his people.
Phuey stokes the fires of anger in Kenan telling Super-Man to access his heat vision and vaporize Slam.
And for a second it seems like Kenan just might do that. But then his Qi kicks in. He senses the right thing to do. There is no need for lethal damage.
In this day and age, in the USA, where every day conflict seems to be exploding on the streets, where both sides of arguments say that random violence is an effective deterrent, I am glad that Kenan holds back.
Yes, he freeze-breaths Slam into submission. But he doesn't kill him.
Kenan is then taken on a little tour. We meet Von Holtzendorff, a German businessman who made his fortune by looting China of its treasures, is seen relaxing in a posh suite. Phuey talks of the loss of the Red Jade Dragon, a powerful mystical artifact which seems to have some connection to Kenan's powers.
Perhaps we are going to get a deeper dive into Super-Man's power set?
But there is more here, hints of the future. Yang talks about how Kenan needs to master all the bagua, all the tri-grams, and activate his final super-power. What could that be?? Resurrection?
It all sounds a bit too easy ... or too suspicious. What does Yang need with the Dragon?
It turns out that all these visions occurred while Kenan was in the ministry, recovering in one of those healing giant test tubes. I love how this mirrors Superman's return from death in the classic Reign of the Supermen storyline. I love ... LOVE ... that New Super-Man is in a black costume, just like Clark.
Back on his feet, Super-Man tells the other members of his JLC that they need to rescue I Ching. Another great aspect of the book is just how much Kenan has grown in his respect and reverence of his mentor.
Before he can fly off, Kenan is stopped by his mother. It is a tender moment. She is so happy to see her son alive. Dr. Omen's character has probably changed the most in this book, going from angry, 'is she evil' scientist to hugging mom.
I am glad that Yang addresses some plot holes that need to be plugged. How can Kenan not have recognized Omen as his mother? That has bugged me since the reveal.
With her son healed, Omen isn't about to let him fly off into danger again. Proving she still runs this ship, she blasts Kenan with a blaster and throws him in a cell. She'll keep him locked up for his own good. Hmmm ... tough love??
She might think she can control Kenan ... but that is an illusion.
Kenan's friends break him out with the intent to head off on this mission. It is clear now. Super-Man is the leader. Even these heroes recognize that Kenan is the soul of this team. And if recognizing I Ching is important for him, it is important for them.
We end with a great cliffhanger with two Justice Leagues, one from China and one from America, facing off.
I don't know how much longer we'll have this book. But I am loving it. And this arc, confronting All Yang as well as comic history, feels like a nice coda. We'll see.
Hope everyone sings the books praises. It is a very good book.
Overall grade: B+
"Of course, DC releasing 4 super books in the same week makes reviews tricky."
ReplyDeleteAgreed. It's nuts and probably detrimental to the sales.
At the very least, Super Sons doesn't come out in the same week anymore. But AC and Superman should be monthly. And Supergirl, Superwoman, New Superman and Super Sons should be released in different weeks.
Sadly, Superwoman is already a casualty, and we'll see about New Super-Man. Or Super Sons as soon as the current Jon hype away (which may happen sooner than later if DC keeps pushing the "What if Jon goes evil?" angle). I really hope the Supergirl book endures.
"We start out with Phuey En Yui and Kenan dropped into the pages of Detective Comics #1 where he witnesses Slam Bradley beating up 'goblins'. Kenan doesn't realize that these are hateful caricatures of Asians at the height of the yellow peril era in American history."
Oh, how cringe-worthy they were. Kenan's comment really hits home. We're used to think of them like badly-caricatured Asians because we know what they are supposed to depict. But to someone who isn't familiar with comics? He thinks they're goblins.
I remember a volume of The Adventures of Tintin -The Blue Lotus- where the main character and his Chinese friend laughed at all silly, dumb or even offensive stereotypes.
"It all sounds a bit too easy ... or too suspicious."
Suspicious. Definitely suspicious.
"Another great aspect of the book is just how much Kenan has grown in his respect and reverence of his mentor."
Respect for your mentor/father/lord is very rooted in Eastern outlook and storytelling. Glad to see it here.
"With her son healed, Omen isn't about to let him fly off into danger again. Proving she still runs this ship, she blasts Kenan with a blaster and throws him in a cell."
Geez, Omen is a terrible parent even when she's trying to be good.
Good to see his friends breaking him out and both Leagues meeting.
I wonder if the book will continue or will be relaunched as another League title.