Review: Adventures Of Superman Jon Kent #4

Last week, I reviewed Dark Knights of Steel #11 and gushed a bit. In that comic, writer Tom Taylor has done a great job of world building and crafting character. That feels like a complete world and everyone there feels three dimensional. Huzzah. Kudos Tom Taylor.

Right below it on the read stack was Adventures of Superman Jon Kent #4 written by Tom Taylor. This book didn't grab me anywhere near as much as Dark Knights did. There is things about this issue, this series, and indeed the recent characterization of Jon that just aren't working for me. 

This is basically an Injustice book meaning I am being thrown into a universe I know little about. I don't know the motivations of these versions of the characters. I don't understand what is going on here. I don't collect Injustice by choice. Now I do. This was a lane change from the way the book was advertised.

But here is the thing. I don't know this world. Neither should Jon. He is just learning that his father is very different in this world. You think he would take some time to learn about this world because people can be very very different from his world. But here he somehow can figure out which people are trustworthy based on how they act on his world. Seems naive or dangerous. But despite putting total faith in those people, he can't really decide who is on the side of right on this world. He thinks both Superman's dictatorship and Batman's rebellion are wrong. 

The Ultraman plot which was supposed to be the main plot of this book is brought up again but only to introduce a deus ex machina that I am sure will come into play later.

Darick Robertson is on art this issue. I've always liked Robertson's art so was glad to see him on a book. This issue is pretty busy with a lot of characters walking in and out of the book. Robertson shines on the action sequences, especially with Jon's electric powers. His style is different than usual artist Clayton Henry so I wonder how it will seem when the story is read in one lump.

Still, overall this book isn't one I can easily recommend. On to the particulars.

Review: Batman/Superman #19

Last week we learned in DC's September solicits that the Batman/Superman title was ending. I was surprised and a bit dismayed by the news. Since taking over the title, writer Gene Luen Yang has made this title one of the most fun and entertaining book on the shelves. It has been fun to see our heroes sort of romp through adventures as pals.

Batman/Superman #19 came out last week, the next chapter in the Auteur.Io storyline looking at different 'universes' as written by the insane movie mogul. This book hasn't really starred out main heroes. Instead we have followed a Superman from a Golden Age movie serial and a more Silver Age Batman complete with boy wonder. In this chapter, Yang decides to delve deeper into the filmography of Auteur.Io and the DC Universe. And so we have Alanna Strange and El Diablo in the mix as well.

I also see that Yang is talking about some creative loss here. Auteur.Io is trying to create the perfect world. But it seems impossible in the current world where everyone has an opinion on how everything could be better. No longer can people just enjoy a story, foibles and all. Instead they have to comment. Heck, I do that almost every day here. But you can't please everyone and as a result, the stories become muddled messes. And great stories might be scuttled because some audience might find it horrible or offensive. I find the theme fascinating.

Alas, Ivan Reis has the month off here. Instead we have a smorgasbord of artists. It is quite a row of talent. Emanuela Lupacchino, Darick Robertson, and Steve Lieber are all top notch talents on their own. So to see them bring their styles to the various landscapes here is an added bonus.

On to the book.

Darick Robertson Commission

Darick Robertson, artist on most famous for Transmetropolitan, The Boys, and Happy,  was in the area last week and had a signing at a local comic book store. As luck would have it, the signing occurred on a rare afternoon off.

A buddy and I headed to the store with a handful of issues to get signed and my sketch book. I had contacted Robertson ahead of time who said he did do commissions at store signings if time allowed. Luckily, and maybe because it was 3:30 on a Wednesday afternoon, there was absolutely no line. There was my buddy, another fan, and me.

As a result, I was able to obtain this fantastic commission of Supergirl, looking strong and determined while in the clouds. There is no doubt that this is a Robertson piece, the face is completely evocative of his style. Really just wonderful.

And since no one else was really there, my buddy and I got to chat with Robertson for a while. My buddy is a huge fan of Transmetropolitan and got to talk about specific issues. And we got a sneak peek at some upcoming projects which just look beautiful.

I am psyched to include this piece in my collection.

And I'll call this mini-event the beginning of my convention season.

Thanks again to Darick for doing the piece!