Review: Superman '78 The Metal Curtain #5

Superman '78 The Metal Curtain #5 came out this week, the penultimate issue of this fun mini-series set in the Cold War era of the Donner-verse. 

This has been a fun series from the beginning and this issue is no different. Robert Venditti really has a feel for this world. In particular, his Luthor is the most entertaining character on the shelves these days, particularly when interacting with Superman. The threat of Metallo has ramped up considerably since the beginning of this series with that character now much more independent than the representative of the state he was in the beginning. It all reads quick and fun and breezy entertaining. I have a couple of ideas about where the story will end up. More on that later.

Gavin Guidry continues to excel on art here. His expressive work is incredible, especially his work with Lois. The action sequences are crisp and cinematic. And his Superman is wonderfully earnest. I hope we see more of him in DC books after this one wraps up.

But I will say it again. The star in this book is Luthor who just sucks the oxygen out of every scene he is in. Give me a Venditti-written Luthor one-shot. I'd buy it!

On to the book.

Last issue, Metallo retreated when Luthor told Superman about an emergency off-switch in the armor. 

Now the plan is for Superman, General Lane, and Lois to meet Lex to get some intel.

The 'are they an item' fun of Lois and Superman has been evident in this book from the first issue. Guidry's mastery of expression has really let a lot be said without being said. Here when General Lane says out loud what those two won't admit, they look shocked, embarrassed, and maybe a bit 'well now it's out'. 

The half-frown by Lois is tremendous. 

Luthor shows up like a boss, driving a limo out into the California desert, a hottie on each arm.

He admits the armor is his design but he thought he was selling it to the American army, not the Russians. After all, he is a capitalist. That is the perfect response. Nothing about ethics. All about money.

Secondly, he sold it because he thought it could only be powered by something as profound as Kryptonite. He thought it was a bust. Of course he wouldn't just sell good IP.

And then this little bit of plot just thrown into a panel.

For one, there is no reason why Superman should still be K-woozy this far away from Metallo. Without a doubt, Luthor has a tiny piece of K on him right now. Maybe he fashioned it into a ring?

Next, Kryptonite radiation builds up in the cells of those near it. That can spell trouble. This has to be the answer to everything. The Metallo pilot is going to die (or nearly die) of radiation poisoning from the K in his suit. He has been soaking in it.

Superman isn't going to let Metallo bring the fight back to American soil. He's going to head to Russia instead and meet the problem head on. There is a quiet goodbye moment with Lois, one of those 2 panels copied moment to let you know the moment lasts.

But it is Lex's line that is the single best moment in the book. He wants Metallo to win. But he wished he would be in the armor he designed. He isn't sure who to root for.

The best moment in the book. Laughed out loud. 

It is pretty evident that Metallo has been absorbing the Kryptonite radiation. He is green and glowing. He is super-strong and pretty invulnerable. 

When Superman arrives in Moscow, the people panic. The Russian generals want Metallo to wait for the whole thing to become a bigger international incident. But Metallo isn't waiting. He wants the glory.

Clearly the K has addled him. He has gone from buttoned down, ramrod straight soldier to power-mad brawler. 

For sure that radiation is not doing him any good.

On this page, Guidry's stuff had a definite Dave Gibbons sort of feel. 

I do love how Superman acts in this book, truly the upstanding role model, beyond politics.

He doesn't want to fight Metallo. They're both just people. There is no need to fight.

Great imagery here, hand extended in friendship. 

But it doesn't matter. 

Metallo wants to fight. 

I do like how even though he knows this is a fight he probably will lose, Superman still has faith. He believes he'll win. 

And so we get a cliffhanger. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope Venditti gets a third one!

Overall grade: B+