Sorry My Adventures of Superman #6.
The book came out a while ago and was the final chapter of the six part mini-series which bridged seasons 1 and 2 of the television show.
Writer Josie Campbell, a creative on the show, maintained the tap dance nature of the show being all things at once and somehow being cohesive. Wholesome? Yes. Action forward? Yes. Progressive? Yes. Funny and charming? Yes.
It isn't easy to juggle so many significantly different feels but somehow Campbell does it. And here, she has the ending line up nicely with the 'upcoming' story of Season 2. Superman and the team has to help Amazo understand that each individual gets to determine who they are. Here it is Amazo coming to understand that they are more than a mechanized weapon; they are a being with choice. In season 2, they have to convince a brain-washed and traumatized Kara the same. It resonates.
Artist Pablo Collar continues to bring that anime-style to the proceedings. Here, the finale feels like a big robo show with a mecha trying to stop a doomsday device. The battle is wild and writ large and looks great. But, much like a good anime, there are the quiet family moments that also need to shine.
I don't know how this sold. I wonder if another mini will come out to bridge season 2 and the upcoming season 3. I hope so because giving us a peek at a Kara acclimating to Earth would be great. On to the book.
We started this mini-series with Clark talking about how many fun memories he has regarding snow. That sentiment has grown to now include thinking about snow falling on everyone, how everyone is connected.
The issue starts with Agent Dubois about to activate 'Project Orion' to incinerate Amazo and Superman.
Orion is a true doomsday weapon which will obliterate everything within 1000 miles of Metropolis. That is one big hole. But Dubois doesn't care. That is bananas.
But I wonder if his dialogue, talking about emotion and 'eradicating' is a hint to his future. Remember, a lot of this tech is Kryptonian based. Perhaps be becomes the Eradicator?
Superman asks Amazo to save 'our family', perhaps already tipping the hat that Superman already thinks of Amazo not only as a conscious being but also a close friend.
I don't think this panel is supposed to show super-speed. Does Amazo have teleportation power?
Amazo steps in front of the beam hoping he can absorb it. And at least for a bit he seems like he can, growing to enormous size.
I like how Superman continues to be a friend, saying that Amazo is more than a machine, a tool.
Nice art and colors here. And seeing a battered Superman shows the power of this thing.
Amazo pushes this thing into a higher orbit and has pushed the Orion cannon to a point of self-destruction overload.
Nice moment here where Amazo basically chooses life. It chooses to be a 'person'. This is the whole message and I think is a lesson for the upcoming Kara moments when they talk her down.
And Amazo leads up to this moment when he talks about how he cares for the people of Metropolis, the families and people.
Clark then risks his own life to 'save' Amazo. He localizes the memory core of Amazo in the nearly exploded form.
Note the blue eye phenomenon, something we have seen on the show when Superman super-amps his 'protection mode'.
There is an implied risk here, that Superman himself might be injured by doing this. So this is a great moment for 'this' Superman, showing what he would put on the line to save a friend.
The 'save' is keeping Amazo's personality alive albeit without a body right now. But to help, Clark downloaded his own memories into Amazo's database allowing Amazo to live out a VR life in the supportive Smallville world of Clark.
How nice!
A very nice ending. Again, when we know the Kara story is coming up, this resonates. Amazo will see what a loving family is. Kara was raised by the cruel Brainiac.
This was a sweet ending to what started out as a brutal brawl. It shows how Campbell walks that tightrope well. I do think this whole book does deepen the world of the show which I always hope these sort of comic books do. (Remember the excellent Adventures Of Supergirl book and how that added to that show's world?) And given the Supergirl addition in season 2, I would definitely be on board for a sequel if it bridged season 2 and 3.
Overall grade: solid B
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