Review: Superman #26

Superman #26 came out last week and was another solid issue for writer Joshua Williamson as he weaves a very classic-feeling Superman run. 

Last issue, Williamson had Mercy Graves turn on Superman, releasing X-El and leading to a mega-battle ending with the loss of Superwoman's powers. This issue, we are still marinating in that storyline. In particular, we get more great Superman/Lex interaction, the backbone of this book. We still have a couple of lingering plotlines out there that he catches us up on. But most importantly, he sprinkles in some new subplots, whetting my appetite for more. He even puts in a nice hook for the new Supergirl book too. 

I definitely like the Superman/Lex stuff as this still seems to be the 'good' Lex, the amnestic good guy reeling from his past.

The art is split between Eddy Barrows, bringing his usual feathery, pencil-stroke art and Sean Izaaske who has a rougher more visceral take. Barrows has always been a favorite. DC should just give him mini-series to write and finish in their entirety. Izaaske works well for his pages but his style breaks from Barrows in a startling way.

To repeat, Williamson continues to bring us a great Superman book, highlighting the main character but giving us great supporting cast moments and plot threads. On to the issue.

Lex is imprisoned for killing X-El and taking the wrap for Mercy.

Lena has had it though. 

There is a whole scene of catharsis for her, unloading how the old Lex gave her to Brainiac and then sent her away. And how even this one has only thought of himself when it comes to his daughter.

She is done with him. 

I love the work Barrows does here, showing the anguish on her face throughout the whole scene.

And it shows some character growth in Lena too, finally letting go of the Luthor handcuffs a bit.

As for Lois, she seems initially happy to lose her powers.

But there is a feeling of 'she doth protest too much' here. Yes, she didn't ask for them, Jimmy almost died, and she has an editor job to do. But she seems to have flourished a bit.

In a Bronze Age story-telling move, Williamson gives us an interlude.

Last we saw General Zod was in Kneel Before Zod, leading a ragtag group of outlaws. It has been hinted at that Lois' powers came from him. 

So ... if Lois is powerless, has Zod regained his powers?

Either way, his ship is about to be blown to hell by Khunds.

I liked Kneel Before Zod. And I felt for a few years Zod was everywhere. But he has been away for a bit and I'm interested to see what Williamson will bring to the table. Remember, this Zod has lost his wife, his kid, and his planet1

Meanwhile, Lena has had a similar cathartic moment with Mercy. 

Lena can't believe Lex took the wrap for Mercy. But for sure, she isn't going to work for her.

Love seeing Lena showing some maturity and showing some backbone to just break things off.

Also love seeing the classic 'floating outside the window, arms crossed' Superman as he also confronts Mercy. All that was missing was a 'Mercy, would you like to step outside' line.

Superman, of course, can't trust Mercy any longer so the plan is to shut the place down. 

But he can't do that without Lex's say so. 

That sounds like a caveat the old Lex would have definitely put into the SuperCorp charter. So it makes sense.

But really what I love is the ferocity and tenacity of Mercy. She is there cross-armed too, spitting out venom through grit teeth! That takes some guts. I wasn't expecting the heel turn from her for sure. But I love her character. Great take.

Without Lex and SuperCorp to keep her in Metropolis, Lena heads out on her own ... to Midvale.

We knew Lena was heading to the Supergirl book.

But love the cross-promotion here. 

Love the tears on Lena's face.

And love Eddy Barrows' take on Supergirl, even if it isn't the 'real' Supergirl. 

Glad Williamson is putting in a Supergirl hook in this book.  

Next interlude? The Absolute Legion torturing Time Trapper Darkseid, hoping to crack his mind and learn about the main DCU world.

I do have a bit of an issue with this interlude.

We just saw this Time Trapper Doomsday be near omnipotent, pausing time and acting like ... well ... the Time Trapper. So how is Lightning Lad, even the evil Lightning Lad, able to hurt him?

Frankly, I just want to see the actual Legion. Can't come soon enough.

Given the SuperCorp statute, Superman has to go see Lex. 

He is angry, confronting Lex about the creation of X-El and how their 'friendship' is over.

But this Lex still hopes they can work together. In fact, he tries to coax Superman into remaining friends by saying he can restore Lois' powers.

I do like how this Lex continues to seem to be a nice guy, nicer than the evil Lex.

But I also love how we get a sense that Lois did protest too much, perhaps wishing she still had powers.

Now I don't need or even want Lois to have powers. But I can understand why she would miss them.

Izaaske comes in here to round out the issue. I love that Lois panel above, a sort of sad Anime feel to it.

And we get to the cover scene (hinted at on the first page of the book). Somehow the synthetic Red K in Superman's blood gets activated and he almost tears the prison apart. Izzaske has a sort of early Starlin feel here.

This sort of main story surrounded by minor plots is a way to keep me really immersed in the book and the universe. What are those evil Legionnaires doing? What will Zod do when his powers return? Will Mercy just be outright evil? Will Lois try to get her powers back? 

But the main thing is seeing this Lex/Superman relationship continue to unravel. Can I trust this Lex, who seemed to be veering back into his evil ways but here seems to be generally nice! Am I being bamboozled.

Fun read all the way through and made me want more right away. Always a great sign.

Overall grade: A