Review: Superman #24

Superman #24 came out this week and ended with such a turn for a character that it felt like a jolt of acceleration into the next arc. We just wrapped up the Doomsday story arc so we need to take the next step. This issue sort of bridges the gap, catching up with characters but also pushing us forward.

Writer Joshua Williamson does a great job telling the tale, having Lois and Superman uncover the hidden threat in different ways, coming together at the end for a major cliffhanger. I thought this 'two fronts' (as alluded to on the cover) was a nice technique. Superwoman gets the action piece. Superman gets the thinking thread. It is a little bit of a role reversal since Lois is usually doing the investigating while Supes punches things. Throw in some guest stars and DC history and you have a fun read.

Eddy Barrows is on art, last seen in the Gail Simone Superman arc. I have always loved Barrows' work so seeing him draw one of my favorite characters who is a guest star here made me smile. His art really is just gorgeous and we get to see him spread his wings a bit here. 

So overall, another solid issue in a string of solid issues. Get ready for the next threat! On to the book!

Superman and Superwoman are heading to SuperCorp at the request of Lex and Mercy. They fly in to see the two embracing and kissing.

I include this panel because as someone who is habitually early to everything to hear that Superman suffers from the same problem made me so happy.

I can't help myself. Probably because I was also taught that lesson from my own father!

Within SuperCorp, we learn that the Radiant and Doomsday remain in some stasis within the bottle Lex made. 

There is new tension in this Lex/Superman relationship since Luthor started to get his memories back. It is almost like Superman is judging Lex for something he hasn't done yet, based on the litany of past acts.

And I like that Williamson continues to show us that even with his memories returning, this Lex is striving to be better. He isn't torturing people.

As a reader, we have been taught to never trust Lex. So I can understand Superman's take. That said, he is supposed to think the best of people.

The meeting is interrupted when Mr. Terrific says aliens have landed and have established a beachfront in Markovia. We are reminded that Markovia is in disarray since the ... and I am quoting here ... outcome of the 'now-classic Event Leviathan'. Event Leviathan!!!! Now-Classic !!!! It consumed me back in the day!

A ragtag group of JLAers head off to investigate led by Lois who wants some solo adventuring. Great semi-splash by Barrows here. It includes one of my all-time favorite characters, The Creeper!

I got to see Eddy Barrows draw The Creeper!

Meanwhile, at SuperCorp, Mercy reveals that the next step for SuperCorp is to transform the tech they have been developing with Superman into products to sell. We see things like robotic spiders, tanks, and other weapon-y looking devices.

Superman isn't anti-capitalist. But he isn't sure he wants all this stuff to be sold to the highest bidder, especially branded with the S-shield. After all, some of that technology that SuperCorp has been tinkering with has been used by villains to injure heroes.

Mercy, like Lex, reminds Superman how this tech saved heroes in Absolute Power. So why not save more people?

It is an interesting conundrum. We've seen Iron Man struggle with Stark Tech being utilized for warfare. I can't imagine Superman wants his crest on a tank. But how can SuperCorp make money to continue to research? And can't these be a deterrant?

Superman seems to trust Mercy more than Lex. Hmmm ...

Then the cops show up and arrest Lex.

Moreover, he acquiesces. He says he needs to pay his dues.

Turns out Superman told the police that Lex has his memories back which pushed this arrest. But for what? What crime is still out there that he committed that he hasn't been tried for? And if there were some, why wasn't he arrested before.

I don't know if I understand this. But it is compelling that Lex again shows us that maybe we should trust him. He doesn't fight this ... not one bit. 

Meanwhile in Markovia, the aliens turn out to be the Khunds who are basically there to field test weapons. 

We have been seeing a lot of Legion of Super-Heroes adjacent characters and locales recently .. things like the Khunds. I keep wondering if DC is sort of sowing some LSH seeds to see if there is any buzz.

But what person is this Khund talking about, equating Lois' power with someone from New Kandor? Zod? Or is there someone else the Khunds have tussled with recently. Am I forgetting someone?

The Khunds do end up being rounded up by the JLA. But the weapons they were testing? SuperCorp.

Nothing says 'Superman' like a ginormous rifle/cannon.

It turns out that SuperCorp has become a munitions company all behind the back of Superman, the 'owner'. 

And all this has been pushed forward not by Lex ... but by Mercy.

Perhaps Superman's eyes have been so focused on Lex that he hasn't been worried about anyone else. But I thought this was a pretty good twist. I wasn't expecting Mercy to go rogue! And she has hidden this from everyone, including Lena.

But it gets even worse.

Mercy has become a sort of Metallo, showing a Kryptonite heart.

And she says Lex had some plan to 'fix' Superman and now she will 'fix' Lex ... by creating a clone of him ... a Super-Lex.

Is Mercy talking about the classic Lex 'Bizarro' plan to clone Superman? Or is it the creation of Conner?

But this came out of the blue. I am wondering if this is Mercy riffing off of Brainiac trying to create a Brainiac Queen? Or just her being sick of this more docile Lex? 

And yet, again, out of the blue because the current Lex is showing her traditional love, something I think she craved! So now she is dumping that for a better model??

I say it a lot. I am a grizzled comic reader. When I am surprised I am happy. When I am surprised with what seems like a good story beat, I am very happy.

So Event Leviathan, the Creeper, a heel turn by Mercy, and Eddy Barrows art? It all makes it a very entertaining issue.

Overall grade: A