Review: Action Comics #1011

Action Comics #1011, part 5 of Leviathan Rising, came out this week. Written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Steve Epting, this chapter focused on enriching the mystery of who or what Leviathan is. We get a lot of discussion, a lot of information, and a lot of clues. And since I already have a theory I am anchored on, I saw a lot of corroborating information.  Of course, I am anchored.

One thing that Bendis does very well is character development and moments. There isn't much action in this issue. But we get a whole role call of people who are impacted by the Leviathan attacks. It is interesting to see the patsies having to fight back. It is intriguing to see spies wonder just what is going to happen next. And we get to see the clout that the press has in the DCU. This is a great Lois issue.

The art by Steve Epting is solid work, perfect for this more street level espionage story. The scenes play out well and he has subtle expressive work which helps in the dialogue scenes which dominate this issue. And the cover, showing the weight of the problem on Superman is brilliant.

But this is what a mystery is like. Not every issue is going to be a slugfest. For someone like me, who devours clues, looks for patterns, and wants to solve the mystery, these issues are a gold mine. I loved it.

On to the book.

Supergirl Episode 210: We Can Be Heroes

(Please be aware that this is a long review ... even by my standards.)

Supergirl Episode 210, titled 'We Can Be Heroes' aired this week and heralded the return of Supergirl's arch-enemy Livewire. Given the commercials we had seen for this, I thought it would be something of a very action-heavy episode. But instead, we got a character driven show in which several of the show's primaries had to deal with either personal biases or outright misjudgments. This concept of prejudice blinding someone has been a popular theme to tackle on this show right from the beginning. But usually it is the main character's reaction to it, not wading in it a bit themselves.

Perhaps the most perplexing plotline in the episode was Kara not wanting to let other less proven people wade into super-hero business. She tries to shelve Mon-El (not trained) and James (not invulnerable) throughout the episode and even moving on. And yet ... you think that Kara of all people wouldn't feel this way. After all, it was in the premiere itself that Alex tries to stop Kara from being Supergirl and it is Kara who still pushes forward on her journey. Supergirl wasn't trained at all but she knew she wanted to help people. It is this hypocrisy which I think is easy grist for the mill moving forward.

There is a very good subplot of J'Onn finally having to deal with his own hatred of White Martians as he weighs the pros and cons of helping a dying M'Gann. We get the slightest peek into the deepest part of J'Onn's psyche which shows he is pretty human in his own way.

And then there is the Livewire subplot which took a left turn I wasn't expecting. Are villains immutable in their evil ways? Or can they change and redeem themselves?

Mixed in all the action were two or three very powerful conversations where characters confront each other in ways that aren't warm and fuzzy. Things aren't always bright in National City. In particular, Mehcad Brooks gets a couple of standout moments which made me say 'wow'. God knows his character needed it.

If I have one complaint about the episode it is in the directing. There are a lot of moments of conflict between characters here. And yet the shots are often a closeup of one character's face, sometimes as viewed over the shoulder of another character. I would have loved it if both characters were in the shot so that we could see body language and other cues. These weren't comfortable discussions at times. Let me see that!

On to the show!

Supergirl Episode 207: The Darkest Places

Supergirl Season Two has been very entertaining so far. Between the Superman visit, the personal growth of the character, and the very strong performances of the cast, the show has been gripping. I have had my minor complaints, no doubt. Some of the political messages have been delivered in a very heavy handed manner. Some of the character beats (specifically James deciding to be a costumed hero) has seemed rushed. But overall things have been fantastic.

'The Darkest Places' aired this last week and was one of the strongest episodes of the season so far. There are basically 4 plots happening, one for each of the major characters. Each plot pushes these characters' individual stories forward, some of them nudged, others pushed forward rapidly. But, for me, the biggest thing about this episode is that it also pushed the overal season's story forward as well. We have known about Cadmus before. But now we get a sense that they have a big plan. And they have an enforcer. And they are willing to do whatever they need to do to achieve their goals.

Now this isn't a perfect episode. Nothing is perfect. I think the Maggie/Alex storyline was advanced almost too quickly here. After last week's emotional ending, I almost wish this subplot was left alone to let Alex's issues sort of simmer a bit. Instead, we get a bit too much progression. And both Supergirl and The Doctor seem to make classic comic book mistakes which are hard to dwell on. Sometimes, you can't think too hard about plot points or suddenly you realize how ridiculous these things can be. But these were minor issues.

But overall, this was an action-packed, quickly paced, powerful episode. When watching with my youngest, she looked at me and said 'this is too intense!' That is definitely a good sign!

On to the details.

Review: Superman #696

Superman #696 was a quick and pleasant read.

Continuing the quick crossover with Nightwing and Flamebird, the issue takes place completely just outside the recently devastated outside Science Police Headquarters. Yes, that means that almost all of the subplots going on in this title were ignored. (I can't remember the last time I saw Mirabai.) But I can't have it both ways. In the past I have complained when issues feel disjointed by 2 page scenes catching up on everything happening in this book.

And, to be honest, by concentrating on the aftermath of the explosion, this was a nice spotlight on Mon-El who really acted like a hero in this issue. I haven't always felt that Mon-El has filled Kal's boots here. In this issue, he really played the role of Superman well.


For one, we open up with a nice dramatic double page spread of Mon-El struggling to hoist the building's debris of his shoulders.

I said above this issue was a quick read. Part of that is the use of large panels and splash pages. It rally gave the book a sort of wide screen disaster movie feel. I thought it worked well here ... big moments with big panels.


As he scans for survivors, Mon-El starts piecing together the explosion. Who could have set off the bomb? After quickly concluding that it couldn't be Thara and Chris, he wonders if it could be Officer Romundi.

I don't think he realizes that this is Car-Vex ... but at least he is on the case.


Mon-El isn't the only one trying to help the wounded. Flamebird is also scouring the wreckage. She helps the Guardian who finally softens his stance. He realizes that Nightwing and Flamebird aren't criminals and shouldn't be handed over to General Lane.

I know her time as a headliner is short but I have really come to like the Thara character.


Despite the Guardian's change of heart, he realizes that no matter what he or Lois says, General Lane controls the media. While the people there might realize that Nightwing and Flamebird did not detonate the bomb, there is no way they will be able to convince the population if General Lane's propaganda machine is clicking on all cylinders.

The Guardian realizes that the two young Kryptonians have to leave and leave fast before the military gets to them.

There is a nice scene between Lois and Chris here where Lois tells him how much she loves him ... as a son. That has to be a kiss of death, no? Chris isn't going to survive this 'Year Without Superman' is he.


Despite being told to fly away, Chris dawdles a bit allowing the Project 7734 troops to arm and fire some Kryptonite RPGs.

In another nice splash page, Mon-El intercepts the artillery and bluntly tells the two to fly away.

One subplot I haven't liked is the on again/off again powers angle with Mon-El. It seems he only loses his powers when it will be dramatic but not lethal. For example, his powers never click off at any time in this action filled issue.


Once again, General Lane and Mon-El butt heads.

One thing I think will need to be hammered out in the DCU is extradition laws and treason laws for interplanetary figures. We have seen this argued in Supergirl about Reactron and now here.

You would think for a planet where alien visitations are common that there would be some legal guidelines.


And here is the winner of the 'panel that made me cringe' award from last week.

Lane reminds Mon-El of their time together which has this memory bubble up into the hero's mind. I don't know about you but reading that the evil Gorilla City scientist was experimenting on Mon-El's reproductive organs made me squirm a bit. I don't know if I needed to read that.


Mon-El is suddenly called away by the Guardian who has found the Science Police leader.

Just a couple of weeks ago in Action Comics, I wondered just how many people were not who they said who they were in the Science Police. Looks like there is one more. Looks like Chameleon Boy is also incognito in the Science Police ... as the leader no less!

Looks like Superman is building some momentum as we cruise into the Legion-filled Last Stand of New Krypton story arc.

Sometimes I have to take a step back from book analysis and instead ask the simple question 'was I entertained'. While I have had my issues with Superman's pace and innumerable plots, the truth is I enjoyed this issue. So lack of subplot progression ... lowish content due to splash pages ... who cares. When I was done with the book, I was entertained.

I think Bernard Chang's scratchy style was perfect for this issue filled with dirt and devastation.

Overall grade: B+/B

Review: World's Finest #2

World's Finest #2, written by Sterling Gates and drawn by Ramon Bachs, came out last week. The concept of this miniseries is interesting, pairing members of the Superman family with the Batman family.

This issue's pairing was the Damien Wayne as Robin and The Guardian. In some ways this is an intriguing pairing. The Guardian is a no-nonsense law and order type character. Robin is a loose cannon chaotic character. They would not easily team up. So there is some substance to this team up, some conflict between the characters that can be dissected.

The downside to this pairing is that each of these characters represents the person I am least interested in in their respective families. As a result, I went into this issue realizing that the creators would have an uphill battle for me to enjoy it.

The issue starts out with a hook that will bring the two heroes together. The Parasite has stolen some Wayne Tech technology. Initially, we don't know exactly what this apparatus does. But you don't steal from Wayne Tech without getting the attention of the Bat-family.

Later we see the Science Police led by The Guardian in a battle with the super villain Riot. Riot has the ability to replicate himself secondary to kinetic energy. However if the original Riot is knocked unconscious, the duplicate versions dissipate.

When the Guardian heads to the rooftop to try to stop the villain, he sees that Robin has already skirmished with him. In fact, Robin has left him dangling from a rooftop rail.

Damien doesn't want to initially interact with The Guardian and so scampers off. Damien wants to track down the Parasite and doesn't want to be interfered with. Unfortunately for him, The Guardian won't allow it. The Guardian doesn't want vigilantes running around his town.

Surprisingly, The Guardian is able to capture Robin and was him into the same police van with Riot.

I'm sort of surprised by this. Maybe it is the respect I have for the way Robin is portrayed in Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin title. I was sort of shocked that The Guardian was able to subdue him.

In the meantime, we see the melding of villains from the Superman and Batman families as well.

It turns out that the Parasite and Mr. Freeze have teamed up. It is clear what the Parasite is going to get out of this partnership. Freeze has used some of the Wayne technology to create a cryogenic pod for the Parasite. The Parasite hopes to trap Mon-El in this device keeping the Daxamite frozen and able to be drained at any point.

We don't know exactly what Mr. Freeze is hoping to get in return. That question is left unanswered.

While it was surprising that the Guardian was able to capture Robin, it is not surprising that Robin is able to escape so easily.

The Boy Wonder easily picks the police handcuffs and jumps from the back of the van.

The two heroes go on a several page "cat and mouse" chase through Metropolis. Robin seems to get the better of the Guardian in this interaction. It appears that Robin could have escaped at any point. However, Damien is still motivated to find that Wayne Tech device. As a result he doesn't melt into the shadows. He continues his investigation. This allows the Guardian to stay with him.

I do like Robin's banter throughout this chase. It is clear he thinks he is superior to the Guardian and the police. In fact he has some open disdain for the force.

Robin is able to pick up the trail of the two villains and the two heroes find the two villains' hideout deep in the Metropolis sewer system.

A standard brawl breaks out.

Unfortunately, during the fight, Robin overloads the cryogenic chamber.

Even Mr. Freeze is concerned. Should the chamber explodes, the city will be encased in ice.

In what is his shining moment of the issue, the Guardian realizes that he needs something or someone who can absorb the excess energy of the device before it reaches critical. And what better energy absorber is there than Parasite.

The Guardian flings the Parasite into the overloading device. As a result, it does not explode dramatically; instead, it only encases the two villains in ice.

I thought that was a pretty good climax to this fight.

So, I suppose, all's well that ends well.

The Guardian is able to bring the two super villains to justice. Robin reclaims the Wayne Tech device. And the two part ways perhaps with a new coaching respect for each other.

But remember, there is an overlying story to these episodes. It seems the Toyman is putting together the Superman/Batman robot and has need of Mr. Freeze. Toyboy intercepts the police transport and bringing the super villains to jail and is now bringing Mr. Freeze to the Toyman's lair.

I just couldn't get excited about this issue. Part of it was that I don't like the characters. Part of it was that I thought the artwork was rather pedestrian. And I'm looking forward to the Supergirl/Batgirl issue which is next.

As a result, I thought this was only average.

Overall grade: C

Review: Superman #692

Superman #692 was released last week and seemed to be a sort of rest issue as we pick up on the many plot threads that James Robinson is weaving in this book. In fact, he even added a few more story lines in this issue.

If I have had a complaint about Robinson's run is that he is juggling so many plot lines right now that it is difficult to see if there is a grand plan, a method to his madness. As I have posted in the past, I find myself wondering why pages are being dedicated to certain plots and characters that seem minor to the overall arc when maybe they could be better spent on a bigger theme.

That said, I didn't mind those moments this issue. After Codename:Patriot, we needed an issue to catch up with everything that is going on. More importantly, I thought it was good pacing to see the responses to the 'Metropolis 3' attack on the city and the presumed death of Mon-El.

Still ... another plot line? I don't know if I can keep up with them all.



The issue opens with a group of super-heroes trying to fix the destroyed Metropolis sewers so that water can again flow in the city. Unfortunately, as Dr. Light tells us, the bomb used to destroy the water system including nanotech which undoes any repairs performed on the pipes. And that tech is clearly from John Henry Irons' Ironworks factory.

Irons is alive but in a coma. Again, I wonder why Lane or Atlas would leave Irons alive when they could have easily dispatched him. It makes even less sense if they were going to implicate the Metropolis 3 for the attack on him. Why not implicate them in his murder? Maybe I am more ruthless than General Lane?

The effect of the lack of water is shown in some detail as we listen in to another episode of The Edge of Reason. There isn't enough water for hygiene. There is barely enough for survival.



The haggard appearing Edge then goes into pure propaganda mode, talking about General Lane as a normal man who will save the world from the super-human Kryptonians. Throughout this rant, Lane is shown in incredibly patriotic images while Supergirl and Thara are shown thrashing hte military.

I find it interesting that Lane's influence can reach into a private sector celebrity like Morgan Edge. I hope we learn if there is some back story between the two.

Meanwhile, Mirabai is shown interrogating Zatara.

The more I read, the more I am worried that Mirabai isn't going to always be a good little soldier for General Lane. I wonder if she has her own agenda and working for Lane is just serving a purpose. I mean now she calls herself 'Mirabai the Forlorn' as she playfully twirls a rather nasty looking axe. Her powers seem to have no limit. Even here she has magically silenced Zatara as she questions him telepathically.

Mirabai begins her discussion by telling Zatara that the Mark Merlin he met was actually the Parasite in a false form trying to worm near the magical power source of General Lane's satellite. I think this is a lie. I think that that truly was Merlin.

More interesting is her revelation about who is the power source of the satellite. It is not Prince Ra-Man. In fact it is someone people won't know 'in a thousand years'. That reference to 'a thousand' and all the Legion members running around this comic make me think the source is a magical character from LSH.

You may remember that when Mirabai was underground in the sewer system with Reactron and Metallo she talked about how those close quarters were unnerving to her. Back then I wondered if her claustrophobia meant she was somehow related to Mordru. Now she drops this nugget of information. I know I am not the first on the 'net to say it but I think Mordru is the power source.

The scene ends coldly with Mirabai casting a sleep spell on Zatara and telling him that when he awakes he will serve her in her court. Mirabai may very well be the big bad in this story arc.

Back in Metropolis, The Guardian reveals that Johnathan Kent was in fact Mon-El and that the troops should all raise a glass in his honor.

Jamie Harper looks astonished that Mon was her partner.

I am more astonished at The Guardian. Mon-El is invulnerable. There was no body found. Heroes get resurrected every other day. I am surprised that Harper would reveal the secret identity this early. It seemed a bit incongruous.

In what I thought was a good character development scene, Guardian then tells Jamie how proud he is of her and all her accomplishments. It is a nice moment between a clone and his (?) descendant.

Robinson does a good job of keeping the development of his characters moving forward, of creating three dimensional players out of even the most bit player. I still wonder though if this cast is too large.

And here is yet another character driven scene. Harper's lieutenant Officer Wilcox talks about how she is recently widowed and that her heart is cold right now.

When I first read this scene I wondered why Robinson was giving us more back story on another small cast member. I mean ... am I supposed to care about a Science Police squad leader, the equivalent of a red shirted landing party member in Star Trek?

Well ... it turns out that yes I should care.

Wilcox is later shown in her apartment talking on the phone to someone. As she hangs up she picks up a picture of Princess Projectra and Karate Kid and says 'Val' sadly.

The next panel we see her crying, a Sensor Girl costume in the background. Wilcox is Princess Projectra somehow active in the past! Wow! I didn't see that one coming.

Of course, Projectra became Sensor Girl after Karate Kid (her husband) got killed in combat with Nemesis Kid way back in the Levitz/Giffen Legion of Super-Heroes in the mid 80's. For a while, the Sensor Girl mystery was a hot topic as many thought she was Supergirl, brought back in a clever way by Paul Levitz.

Now I am very interested in why all these Legionnaires are hanging out in the past and what part they play in this arc. And I like Sensor Girl so I am intrigued to see what Robinson is going to do with her. But now I have another big plot line added to this already complex tangle of threads. Is it too much? Will Robinson be able to bring all these subplots together into a grand finale?

The issue ends on a high note as we see General Lane walking through Project 7734. We see some of the different areas within the headquarters and some of the metahumans and creatures he is assembling. We are shown a genetics division. We see the Creature Commandos. And we see this robotic are.

GI Robot? A Manhunter? The original Robotman? Mekanique, the time travelling robot from the early JSA adventures? This is like a wonderful buffet to a DC fanatic like me.

It is clear Robinson also likes the dusty corners of the DCU. When you add these characters to Sensor Girl, Prince Ra-Man, Atlas, etc ... you see that no character cannot be reclaimed and refitted for his story ... for the current continuity.

The last shot is of an angry Mon-El, alive and in captivity in the bowels of Project 7734.

Overall, I actually liked this issue a lot. The more character driven scenes are written well and move the individual stories of these characters forward. No one is a two-dimensional character here; everyone feels fleshed out.

And while no major step forward in the World Against Superman storyline was made, enough bay steps were taken to make me feel that this wasn't a glorified rest issue.

I have to add that I have mixed feelings about the Sensor Girl reveal. I am glad she is back but I wonder if we have room for a new major character in this book.

Fernando Dagnino's art is solid here. I think he enjoys drawing Mirabai; that scene seemed to crackle a bit more than the rest of the book.

So I think the book isn't treading water in terms of plot progression. But it isn't doing the free style either. It feels more like a doggy paddle.

Overall grade: B/B+

Supergirl Annual #1 Preview At DC:The Source

Okay, I know it is going to be released tomorrow but I have been eagerly awaiting Supergirl Annual #1. So how could I now post a little bit of the preview that we got yesterday on the DC blog The Source ( http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2009/08/31/get-a-glimpse-at-supergirls-double-life-in-supergirl-annual-1/ ).

While I am very happy with the role Supergirl has been playing in the massive New Krypton storyline, I have been looking forward to more solo aimed adventures too. Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle basically had one issue in their run before New Krypton exploded. Some of the more Supergirl-centric storylines, like Linda Lang, have been pushed to the back burner a bit.

So I am glad that we finally get to see a little more of that direction here.

Plus, I will use any excuse to post that Renato Guedes cover. It is fantastic! And I especially love that Linda Lang is written in the super-font.

The story opens up with the Science Police rushing into a bank where a robbery has been thwarted. Given that the troop of robbers have been subdued, their guns melted, the SciPo has reason to believe a Kryptonian is among the crowd. Rather than just scoop the thieves and leave, the Science Police think they need to sweep the crowd to find the 'illegal alien'.

One thing I like in this early scene is that we get a 'man on the street' feel for what the common man thinks of Kryptonians. Look at the fear on that lady as she calls them murderers. Others are more blase about the whole thing.

And finally we get a sighting of Linda Lang in Supergirl, the first we have seen her here since the last panel of Supergirl #34. Hooray!

We then flashback to just before Linda rushed to the bank.

Sitting in Lana's apartment, Supergirl is pretty angry when she hears General Lane mouthpiece Morgan Edge spouting some ant-Kryptonian garbage.

It is another nice moment for those of us waiting for more of the Supergirl based plot threads to come to fruition as opposed to the more New Krypton based arcs. In a number of interviews, Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle have talked about the mentor-like relationship between Lana and Kara. We really haven't seen it too much. So just to see the two of them sitting together and talking is refreshing.

The ongoing robbery is announced on the television including the fact that their are hostages and that the Science Police has their hands full.

Kara wants to rush off but Kryptonians are illegal on Earth. Lana has the bright idea to send Supergirl over as Linda so she can act undercover.

I love how the only place to sneak in under super-speed is the restroom. Not exactly a heroic entrance! The thieves break down the restroom door before Linda has time to button her pants.

Still, now that she is in, Kara can take care of business ... something we know she has done based on the results seen on the first page. I love the confidence of Linda's face in the last panel below. You almost get the sense that she is going to enjoy taking these guys down.

Fernando Dagnino's art seems fine here. His Linda looks just as I would imagine her to. And his Lana looks just a bit fatigued ... maybe a slight hint at her underlying illness.

As I have said before, writing Supergirl is hard. Supergirl fans are hard to please. So let me say up front .... I am not in any way saying that I am unhappy with the New Krypton plot lines. Clearly that story is so huge, Supergirl has to be a part of it. In fact, I am thrilled with the size of her role in the overall story. She has been a pretty important figure! It's just that I want it all ... I want to see some solo adventures as well as the more tightly enmeshed Super-family stories. We just got a taste of what Gates and Igle want to do before New Krypton swept the land.

So I can't wait for this issue!And let's not forget that the other half of this issue is a closer look at Superwoman's origin ... something else I have been clamoring for!

Review: Superman #690

After a couple of issues focusing tightly on Mon-El, Superman #690 (pencilled in a workman-like fashion by Pere Perez) did not feature the Daxamite at all, instead spending the issue quickly catching up on all the smaller plot lines that have been started in the book.

My main problem with this title has been the multitude of characters and plots that have been here. James Robinson must recognize that this might make it tough for readers to get attached or drawn to the title. It feels almost like there is too much trying to happen in this book so it feels like a random collection of scenes. Robinson even mentioned the 'fragmented pieces' of the book at the Superman panel in San Diego.

This issue was really a microcosm of that complaint. We see a number of quick scenes, glimpses into what is happening with the supporting characters of the book. What's worse is that many of the scenes end with a plug for another title or book ... the next place to follow that particular storyline.



As a result this issue felt more like one of those 50 cent preview issues like DC Universe #0, an issue that lets readers get a taste of upcoming storylines in other titles to entice them to read more. Superman shouldn't have that feel.


Last issue ended with Atlas towering over an unarmed John Henry in his Iron Works factory.

Somehow at the beginning of this issue Henry has time to call upon his armor and gets dressed for battle.

I did like how Atlas belittles Steel's intelligence. Psychological warfare helps weaken an opponent. Atlas is striking on all fronts. After all, how could Henry be stupid enough to let this near stranger come into his home?



Last issue, Steel also talked about the defensive capabilities of his factory.

There was a good 2 page spread like above where the nanotech-charged factory seems to come to life to engulf Atlas. I thought this was visually engaging to see more and more of Atlas disappear in each panel.

Unfortunately, metal alone isn't going to beat Atlas who nearly defeated Superman one on one.



Without much muss or fuss, Atlas overwhelms Steel. Atlas then contacts General Lane letting the General know that he has finished his mission.

Next we get into a Science Police meeting where The Guardian names his 2 team leaders: Officers Wilcox and Romundi.

He also states that he will need 2 squad members to become 'plain clothes' Science Police officers. Jon Kent has already volunteered (probably easier to sneak away and switch to Mon-El that way). The Guardian then tells Jamie Harper she will be the other. Jamie doesn't seem to happy. We are told more of that story will be told in the Secret Files book.

We switch to a Metropolis theater where Zatara is talking with a stage hand named Geoffrey. Geoffrey was hoping to learn some magic from Zatara. Since Geoffrey has not learned much, he gives his notice and seems to vanish.

Zatara's date shows up but quickly morphs into a hungry Parasite. Luckily, Geoffrey stuck around and opens up a stage trapdoor. Amazingly, that seems to be enough to stop the Parasite. He isn't seen the rest of the scene. Also amazingly, the two men are calm enough that they stopped the Parasite that they have a conversation rather than running away or confronting the villain.

I don't think the Parasite typically has shape-changing powers despite his 'silly putty' appearance. Seems like something of a editorial gaffe if he doesn't have those powers.

In a move that frustrated more than interested me, Geoffrey reveals himself as Mark Merlin. Merlin was a character in the old House of Secrets book, working with a sorceror named Prince Ra-Man. I only know this from an old issue of DC Comics Presents which had a 'Whatever Happened To....' story about the characters.

But does this title need another set of characters and another storyline?

We switch scenes to Dr. Light and The Guardian in civilian clothes at a park while their daughters have a play date. I didn't know that Dr. Light had a child!

There seems to be romance in the air between the two heroes. Yet another new plot line!

We are reminded we can follow this love story in Superman and Justice League of America.

The last scene was the most intriguing for me.

Tellus confronts Ion telling him he should not seek out Mon-El now. That a premature meeting will lead to disaster.

Ion, vaguely espousing some of Daxam's xenophobia, agrees to leave Mon-El alone if Tellus will deliver some mysterious crystals to him. That story is continued in Superman Annual #14.

Each scene seems interesting enough.

But ...

This issue had a very disjointed feel to it as we zip from scene to scene.

One of the problems I have when so many plots are being juggled around is that I tend to deconstruct the book from a plot progression viewpoint as well as page and panel allotment. I should just be enjoying the book and thinking about the plots and characters.

After this book, I thought the following:
1) Did I need 12 pages of Atlas/Steel fight? Could some of those pages been better utilized showcasing other plots?
2) Did I need a 2 page scene to hear that Jamie was named a plain clothes officer?
3) Did I need 5 pages devoted to a new Zatara plot line involving little known characters?
4) Did I need 2 pages adding a new romance plot for the Guardian?
5) Wow ... no Mon-El. Wow.

It isn't a good thing when I am thinking all those things analytically instead of simply saying 'what a great story'. So while the 12 pages of Steel/Atlas were very good, I perseverated more on the page count than the action. I just haven't been pulled into many of the current threads enough to think that they warrant page space. I also don't have a sense of an over-arching story that all the plot threads will be woven into. Maybe they are all leading up to something spectacular. I can only hope.

As a result, Superman lags behind the other super-titles.

Overall grade: C-