Review: Superman #19

I am finally catching up on my reviews after my vacation which means I have reached Superman #19. This is the first 'All In' Superman, bringing us the introduction of Lois 'Superwoman' Lane and the return of not one but two (but really one) classic DC villain to thwart the Man of Steel. It also unites two of DC's creative powerhouses - writer Joshua Williamson and artist Dan Mora.

I'll start by saying this 'All In' initiative feels a bit like Rebirth/Anti-Rebirth. The Absolute Line, with the new dark Earth and the darker takes on our heroes, feels like a step away from Classic DC. But the new teams, the new books, heck even these new pin-up covers of our heroes looking heroic, all seems to be a step towards a more traditional feel to our heroes. Add in a few wrinkles (like a powered Lois) and you have a great jumping on point.

I will start out by saying I think Williamson crushes it on this issue. You want to bring in new readers? Maybe people coming here because of the new initiative or Mora's art, you give them big action and intriguing hooks. He does both. Incredibly, he somehow brings new life to three stories we have seen before - Doomsday, 'good' Lex, and Superwoman. Heck, I am pretty tired of the first two. But somehow, they work here. In particular, the Doomsday one has such a fantastic cliffhanger ending here that I want to read more. Trust me, I never want to read more Doomsday! So kudos to Williamson.

There is also one little 'blink and you'll miss it' exchange at LexCorp that really interests me. More below.

As for the art, Mora has crushed it on every issue I have seen him on and this is no different. Mora is great on character design. His versions of Superwoman, the Atomic Skull, the Time Trapper all glitter. But it is smaller moments, the expressive work, a throwback Daily Planet front page, a world weary Lex, that really grabbed me. 

And yes, I bought the cardstock metallic cover featuring Lois. But come on DC! Wrong credits on the back cover? Waid didn't write this!

On to the book!

We open with a flash forward. 

At the end of time, a boss looking Time Trapper with Spawn-like chains talks to an immortal, flaming Superman. It is implied that the Trapper wants Superman to kill him. And when Superman declines, the Trapper says he'll look elsewhere ... or elsewhen.

The concept of the immortal Superman is one I sometimes struggle with. But the flaming version reminds me a bit of the Superman living in the sun at the end of All-Star Superman. That's a good thing.

The idea that the Trapper wants to die is fascinating. I wonder if I would get bored with immortality. 

This look of the Trapper is both classic and new. And inferno Superman with super-Saiyan hair is incredible. Boom! Out of the gate, Mora is crushing it.

Cut to the present where Editor Lane is asking Jimmy to get her info on the latest super-hero on the scene Superwoman.

But it was this framed page on the wall of the Planet that grabbed by eye. Check out Mora's take on early Superman/Lois. I love this. LOVE IT. Can't get enough of that 40s starlet hairdo on Lois!

When an explosion is heard, Lois runs to a closet to become Superwoman only to find Clark there changing into Superman. Great little funny moment by Williamson.

The two head out to find the Atomic Skull with Atomic beasts rampaging. An atomic lion and atomic crocodile? Too funny.  

The fight is pretty quick and mostly off-panel.

But this side scene of LexCorp monitoring the proceedings was the bit that really got me thinking.

First off, they are keeping close eyes on Superwoman's processing of energy. Heat vision is 'expensive'; super breath isn't. They don't know how she processes solar energy. In battle, she is invulnerable to the beasts attacks. All this means there have been missions and battles we haven't seen. Has Lois run out of power in the past? Very interesting.

There is also a panel where they say Superman's powers are in the red and they don't want a repeat of what happened before. What was that? Are we going to see the return of the 'Solar Flare' power?  Hard to believe that was almost 10 years ago!

Now this is a mystery or a plot line I am here for.

Lastly, glad Pharm and Graft were mentioned. 

Lena is the one who is supposed to be monitoring Superman. But she is trying to trigger memories in her father.

This laconic, laid back Lex is very new. 

How long will this last?

Another small moment I loved was Jimmy racing across town on his motorcycle to try and grab a picture of Superwoman only to have the Supers fly off.

The 'Oh C'mon!' made me laugh out loud! 

Still, love this Mr. Action Jimmy we are getting here.

But things crank up a notch.

Doomsday arrives, breaking out of Hell and rampaging through the streets. 

Another moment to love? Lois' response, as Superwoman, to seeing Doomsday.

Mora shows us his take on the ending of the classic Superman #75. Amazing.

We then see a wide-eyed, stunned Lois. She doesn't want to relive that moment. She looks frightened.

But then she steels herself, 'angry red eyes of anger' on her face, ready to go at Doomsday. She isn't going to relive that moment. She might even have revenge on her mind.

Those two panels of Lois are so unbelievably effective, especially with the homage panel above, showing us her thoughts. Mora clipping off the top of her head in the first panel almost makes that top panel a peek into her mind, showing how massive this is. 

DC! Pay Dan Mora all the money. 

But suddenly Superman sees time freeze. The battle hasn't commenced. 

The Time Trapper shows up. 
He reveals he is Doomsday. A rather gaunt and wordy Doomsday to boot! 

Now that is an ending!

This makes sense. Doomsday cannot die, always being resurrected in a stronger form. Eventually, that evolution would need to lead to intelligence. After a life of pain, Doomsday probably wants the bliss of death. He needs Superman to kill him.

This is an amazing plot twist, one that somehow makes me interested in Doomsday. I also think it makes sense for him to be the Time Trapper. Some know that I don't like when the Trapper is revealed to be another character. But this works!

So overall, a crackling first issue filled with enough moments to be a true jumping on point. I immediately wanted to read more. That is the best sign! Congratulations for Williamson and Mora for bringing it!

Overall grade: A+