Review: Superman Unlimited #15

The Kingdom Of Zod is about to explode onto the Superman Family which means the Reign of the Superboy stories need to end. And so we get Superman Unlimited #15 which sprints to the ending of the Tomorrow Man story, bringing about events and changes and deus ex machinas to basically get us back to where we at the beginning of the story. 

Truly, a lot of stuff happens here. Somehow Kryptonite self-replicates! It has been weaponized by El Caldero for some reason! Lana is changed! Kryptonite is now harmful to humans! Txyz (remember him) does some tomfoolery! Batman has a one-time trick!  And Superboy ... that is Ultra Boy ... that is E3 Superboy is gone. It all felt a bit too fast. There are too many things that come out of nowhere. But here we are.

There are zero complaints about the art though. Lucas Meyer is thriving on this book. We get battles. We get the supermobile! We get energy crackles and brutal punches. It is all so beautiful. Glad he is here!

On to the book. Expect some nit-picking.

Review: Superman Unlimited #14

"The Reign of the Superboys" continued in last week's Superman Unlimited #14, a book with a big reveal that most of the folks who come to this site guessed right from the start! Good for you all!

Writer Dan Slott brought back a young Superboy, a young Jon, and readers like me were perhaps hopeful that this was a way for DC to correct aging the character up. But from the beginning, astute readers picked up the hints. Krypto growling. Damien suspicious. Young Jon's temper and lack of memories. Still ... I hoped. In this issue, that mystery is answered. But what I like about this is seeing other characters' responses to this young Jon, in particular Lois who is a sort of POV character for me here.

But there is more to the book than just this young John. We continue to have deal with the 'Too Too Much Kryptonite' storyline. That story takes another left hand turn as experiments on it bring about yet another new manifestation of the mineral. I don't know where this is going but I wish it might go away.

Meanwhile, Lucas Meyer continues to be a revelation on the book. His clean style is a welcome change to the book. I love his expressive work conveyed on Tomorrow Man's black faceplate, no easy task. His expressive work on Lois here also shines. But there is one chilling panel of young Jon I'll point out later. 

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #13

Superman Unlimited #13 came out last week, continuing the saga of a young Jon Kent being plunked back into our time while the current Jon masks himself as Tomorrow Man. As someone who has always thought the aging up of Jon was a stinker of a move, I was hoping this might be some way to undo the mistake. 

Perhaps it was that hope that made me not see some warning signs about this young Jon last issue. To all the people who pointed them out to me, congratulations! It looks like this time you were right. This issue shows us pretty clearly this isn't the young, happy-go-lucky Jon we knew back in the Tomasi/Gleason days. I am now all on board on a theory that was floated out there about who this Jon is. But more on that later.

Dan Slott concentrates on the Jon/Jon story here, weaving in a new version of Beppo as a sort of anchoring plot thread. Nary a mention of El Caldero here although we know that K-land is the focal point of the Kingdom of Zod upcoming event. Slott amps up the mystery of this Jon. I wouldn't mind Slott being given a sort of Superman Confidential style book where he is allowed to just tell fun stories without leaning too much into current continuity. 

Lucas Meyer continues to be brilliant on art and I hope he stays here for a while. His clean and detailed work shines. I love the Beppo pages. And page construction and action sequences also feed the narrative. Yes, there is action here but there is a small panel with Lois that was my favorite of the issue, showing how the art crackles.

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #12

Im trying to play catch up on reviews so a rare Thursday review of last week's Superman Unlimited #12.

I have been a bit up and down on this title with the underlying concept of 'lots of Kryptonite' one that I am struggling with. And I do feel that almost everything that is happening regarding that concept will be swept under the rug or forgotten in a year's time. 

But the current main plot of a time demon going after Jon, Jon plucking his younger self out of the volcano, and old Jon donning the 'Tomorrow Man' costume and going undercover is intriguing and making this book a bit more interesting to read. As someone who loved the young Jon/Damian dynamic, who has thought 'aged up Jon' has sort of lost his way in the DCU, and has been wondering if DC would recognize the mistake of aging up Jon and would find a way to put the genie back in the bottle, I am reading this closely and hope. This certainly could be the path to bring back young Jon.  Fingers crossed. Writer Dan Slott actually does a great job here showing how this is impacting old Jon, young Jon, but most importantly Lois. Heck, he even shows how it would impact Damian!

Adding to the mix of this is new fave Lucas Meyer who brings a wonderfully clean and vibrant feel to the art on the book. I love his work on the Lois scene here showing emotion both in expression and body language. Hope he stays on the book for a while. 

Am I hoping young Jon stays around for good? Yes I am. 

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #11

The Reign of the Superboys event has seeped into all the Super-titles these days. The one title I was most interested in reading was Superman Unlimited when it was announced that a de-aged, true Superboy Jon Kent was going to star in it with an unknown masked Superman/Batman amalgam character in tow.

I loved Super-Sons. I loved young Jon. So I don't think I every truly liked the aging up of Jon. But I was able to tolerate it, hoping a new Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes would take of. Alas, it didn't. And moreover, what happened to Jon after the failed LSH made the decision seem even worse. His own stories, his own books, everything DC did to put him in the forefront ... frankly, none if it was very good. So now a questionable creative decision was made worse.

Perhaps this event was a way for DC to put the genie back in the bottle, reset the mistake. After reading this issue, it doesn't seem like that is going to happen. Writer Dan Slott has put in a time demon, a fourth-dimensional villain who is able to bring back young Jon. But it seems more like a stunt than a reset. At least we'll get this glimpse of him. One thing I do like is Slott seems to point out that creatively Jon has lost his way in the last few years. There are no memorable stories.

New title artist Lucas Meyer is the big news here. He gives us a strong, inspirtational, iconic Jon as he speaks his truth. We get to see how Meyer would handle to larger super-family. He gives Txyz a playful malevolence. But the best thing is the Image-esque Tomorrow Man we meet, complete with big pouches, thigh belt, and facemask. The whole book is crisp and lovely.

On to the details.

Review: Superman Unlimited #10

Superman Unlimited #10 came out this week, the conclusion of a quick two-parter showcasing the new Prankster. This was a fun little story albeit perhaps a bit too cute for its own good. I feel like my critique for this issue will be my critique for most of this series. There are a few too many plot contrivances to make the story go. There are a few too many 'funny' moments as writer Dan Slott tries to insert humor into the proceedings. And it feels like it is mandatory that Superman 'goes gold' in each issue at least once. 

I will give Slott credit for creating this new Prankster, the nephew of the classic Prankster, ramping up the villain's threat level. I hope this new version sticks and we see more of him. Even there methods and pranks are fun and interesting. But the two page Jon Kent subplot is the part of the issue that grabbed me the most. Don't know what that says ...

Mike Norton's fun style works well for the proceedings. He brings the necessary levity to a story filled with clown cars, phony hands, and other practical jokes. And I am loving Dave Johnson on covers as he always brings the goods, even if this scene isn't in the issue.

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #9

Superman Unlimited #9 came out this week, starting a new story involving an updated Prankster. Throw in a crime boss in Metropolis and a Jon Kent subplot and this issue isn't just telling a story, it is setting up future plotlines. One thing that really isn't new or moved forward is the 'Kryptonite Everywhere' arc. Yes, we see a large chunk of Kryptonite in the story and Superman 'go gold'. I'll have a lot to comment on that within the body of the review.

Writer Dan Slott does a good job showing us the MO of the Prankster. This is a cold-blooded killer who murders in such silly ways that the death is all that people remember. To paraphrase the Bard, 'The evil done to men lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.' It is silly in its own way, something Slott excels at. There is a sort of vanity in this new villain that makes him interesting.

But the Kryptonite story is still lingering and is, for me, the least interesting part of this title. 

Mike Norton is on art here, with Dave Johnson on the cover, which makes me wonder if Rafael Albuequerque's time on the title is over. Norton has a solid, straightforward style which might not be the best fit for a gag-filled killing spree. His Superman feels solid and sort of Bronze-Agey. 

I actually think this is a fun issue for this book. But the K-Everywhere element in this story pulled me out of the precedings. I realize this is something I am sort of saying in every review of this book. Apologies. 

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #8

Superman Unlimited #8 came out this week and was a fun semi-'done in one' story involving an overworked Lois, a spaceship, and Guy Gardner. Last month I complained about how the issue was a side trip, taking away from the main 'So Much Kryptonite' story. I want that story done so much, I complained about that diversion.

This month I decided to not let that hinder my enjoyment of a good story. Dan Slott seems to be exploring this new universe he is in, bringing in guest stars and giving us his take on them. It helps he has Jeremy Adams' steadying hand to help this issue as well. I like the classic feel of this Guy Gardner and how the League sort of tricks him into helping. And Superman is handled very well here, showing how much he loves Lois and how close they are.

So the character things work well. But the plot? Well, don't think about it too long or it unravels. 

The art is by Lucas Meyer whose work I have seen cropping up all over the place. He has a very clean feel, almost like Fernando Pasarin. He should definitely be put on a monthly.

Does this fun story mean we aren't done with the King of Kryptonite stuff? Yes. But the issue entertained. On to details.

Review: Superman Unlimited #7

Superman Unlimited #7 came out this week and was another sort of side-mission in this book which has been dealing with the over-arching plot of near limitless Kryptonite being available on Earth.

This is the second sort of side mission issue in this series already, with the Man-Bat issue also was off the beaten path. Now there are titles where a break from the action is a nice pause but here I kind of bristle. It took me a while to figure out why. Frankly, I am eager for the 'Bounty of Kryptonite' story to be done ... because we all know it will be undone somehow. And every pause we take means the story is lasting that much longer.

As for this issue, it is a Superman book in name only. This is a Jon Kent 'Super-Son' issue, focusing on Jon and a new life he is trying to create. I haven't read anything substantive about Jon since his mini-series a while back. He seems to be the forgotten El. So maybe a new, more stable life will help him. The story is plotted by Dan Slott with finished script by Jeremy Adams. There are a few fun moments but really this felt like a story where a punchline was thought of and the story was written to get us there. And a new wrinkle of labeling Smallville a 'weirdness magnet' is a more difficult choice for me as I like to think of Smallville as the place to escape the weirdness. 

The art is by Lucas Meyer who has been popping up across my comic reading recently and who brings a nice polish to everything. He recently did the Supergirl/Robin adventure issue in World's Finest. Here he gives us a modernized Smallville with a slick looking Super-Son. 

But this was really a pause. Can we get back to the main story so we reach the inevitable conclusion of 'not a lot of Kryptonite', 'everyone forgets Superman can go gold', and other pieces destined to be forgotten?

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #6

Superman Unlimited #6 came out last week and continued the story of the Kryptonite King and the sun stone uncovered in El Caldero. It is a standard comic, a fine book, with some fun moments. But it is pretty clear to me that of the super-books on the stands these days, this one sort of lags behind.

Writer Dan Slott is certainly throwing a lot out there trying to add new ideas and new powers to the Superman mythos all while dipping into the nostalgia pool by bringing back some Bronze Age super-stuff. But I seriously wonder how much of this is going to stick in a meaningful way. Will the world always be full of green K? Will Superman always have his time-limited 'gold form'? And I probably would be more accepting of these major world-changes if the story they are built into was compelling but six months in I feel we are sort of treading water. Even classic Superman moments showing who he is a hero feel a bit forced. 

The art is by Rafael Alburquerque and Mike Norton. Six issues in and in two of those issues Albuquerque has needed an assist. I'd rather there be an issue here and there entirely by a new artist to give Albuquerque time to do a whole story than the sort of pinch-hit pages approach. I do think Albuquerque draws a great Supermobile. 

Sorry for such a downer intro. Part of the issue is that Waid's Action Comics and Williamson's Superman and Campbell's Supergirl are all hitting it out of the park right now. This just pales in comparison.

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #5

Superman Unlimited #5 came out last week and was an interesting chapter in the title. This is a mix of new plot elements, some nostalgia, and one semi-problematic new twist that I will be watching closely. Plus, I have a theory. 

I am not sure if I am excited by writer Dan Slott's Kryptonite Evermore main plot but this issue he brings in a couple of interesting kernels. A sunstone buried in the Kryptonite meteor is intriguing. It seems almost impossible to think this particular sunstone would make its way to Earth. But given the fact that a massive Kryptonite meteor covered in intertron was sent on a path to Earth makes me think this is a villain's plot. It is the sunstone element that has a potential problematic plot thread but we'll get there.

I also think that Slott is having some fun with the DC Universe bringing back a beloved vehicle for us old time readers.

Rafael Alburquerque continues to bring a muddy style to the book as well. There are some battle scenes in the Kryptonite mines of El Caldero where it seems to work best. 

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #4

Superman Unlimited #4 came out this week and was the first issue of this title that I think fell short. But the issue is that it fell short in a number of ways. The main plot of a world flooded with Kryptonite is only touched upon. But this side track issue didn't exactly wow me with the story either. 

Writer Dan Slott seems to be having a good time here, mashing up some horror, some action, and some humor. But none of those threads stands out in a meaningful way. This felt more like an idea that a story was built around. Because many of the details of how we got here or how things ended are done off screen. Some of the plot points are almost magical in how quickly things are accomplished. Even the humorous points feel a little forced.

The art is a mix of Rafael Alburquerque and Lucas Meyer. Meyer brings a more detailed, more sharp approach than the rougher approach Alburquerque has been bringing to the book. But this is a more than Superman book. We get Birds of Prey, Robin, and Batman too. Meyer brings a solid look to these characters.

But this felt like an unnecessary diversion from the story I want to read.

Review: Superman Unlimited #3

Superman Unlimited #3 came out last week and felt like a bit of a pause on the ongoing plot of El Caldero rising in the world power rankings because of their access to massive amounts of Green Kryptonite. Instead, this seems like an issue designed to bring Krypto into the present day and take advantage of all the pro-Krypto buzz of James Gunn's Superman. 

The issue fills in some of the history of Superboy and how hard it would be to have Krypto around. It nudges some of the subplots forward. It does add another interesting wrinkle to the Green K problem. And we get the S:TAS Toyman with that creepy big toy head.

Perhaps the biggest thing that happens in the issue is the apparent soft reboot de-aging of Jon Kent. He looks much more like an early high schooler than a college kid. He is even dressed like he did in Super-Sons. This comic is firmly set in current day so this is either error or DC correcting a mistake after a long time, giving us a young Jon, or at least younger. I can be hopeful. 

But overall this seemed more a silly issue than a solid one. 

Rafael Albuquerque's rougher art doesn't help matters. Most people look like they have gone a few rounds with a professional boxer. Krypto looks more shaggy dog than usual. 

The issue starts with the early days of Clark as Superboy, getting used to his powers and generally being clumsy until things get smoother. 

But then he has Krypto around to help him. A good friend with similar powers who he can romp around with.

I have to say this reminded me a little of the sentimental discussion about Krypto that Superman had in Action Comics #500. And I am definitely glad that we have Superboy back in a big way!

It isn't always easy. This isn't a super-intelligent Krypto. This is a dog with super-powers. So we see Krypto breaking things and chasing/shooting heat vision at critters. 

It is up to Clark to train Krypto to care about the little guys, protect the weak, and generally be a good boy! How great that Clark already has that ingrained into his system.

But there are more dog hijinks - super-howling at the moon and even stopping some robbers who are embarrassed to have been stopped by a dog.

Fun sequences perhaps leaning into the out-of-control Krypto we got in the movie. 

And then this revelation!

Clark is being sent to a science expo where El Caldero is showing some of their new Green K tech. Even though it is potentially deadly, Lois gives the assignment if only to stave off 'Clark is Superman' thoughts if suddenly he never is near Kryptonite. 

If Clark is busy at work, someone needs to walk the dog. 

Look at that Jon! Wearing the hoodie! And looking more like a 15 year old than a grown man. And what parent would talk to their college-aged adult child in such a way.

Is this a 'behind the scene' soft reboot of Jon, returning him to a more tween age???? I can only hope so.

We see Tee-Nah again, the Gorilla City Daily Planet correspondent who is heading to Metropolis but first stopping at Gotham City.

I had to laugh at her parents' response. Gotham isn't safe!

And the things they mention - big heads, obesity, cavemen - all are classic, famous Silver Age Flash covers and stories. Funny. 

After a run around the world, Jon and Krypto stop into Smallville. 

Jon looks and acts young here. Ma says Lois has a 'plan' for Jon in Smallville so Jon decides to stick around sending Krypto back on his own.

What is the plan? To become a new Superboy for Smallville?? Also, what mother would dictate 'plans' for their college-aged grown man?? 

I mean it. This could be the sort of soft continuity, unexplained reboot that used to happen all the time in the Bronze Age. Remember when Kara was suddenly and softly de-aged to be a grad student again? Maybe this time I'm right?

On the way back, Krypto suddenly gets a snoot full of a familiar scent ... the Toyman. In fact we get a few faded panels, showing snippets of past adventures where our super-dog fought the villain. 

I would read this story. Supergirl and the Super-Pets fighting the Toyman and Red Kryptonite kites? That sounds like fun.

I have liked Albuquerque's Supergirl in the past. But that Streaky looks rough. 

Sure enough, one of the Expo attendees has hired a 'Schott' and the Toyman shows up in a massive K-powered Giant Robo. 

Krypton engages and Superman joins in and the whole thing is a giant battle. 

In the end, the robot is smashed but Krypto get a pretty bad slug of K-energy.

Decent splash page here with Krypto as the focus but also shot from behind ... interesting set-up.

I have always wondered where this doll-head Toyman fit into the continuity of Toymen.

Well, we finally have an answer. This is an AI robot built by Schott but with good intentions. A Pinocchio.

So what do we think of this? We already have the younger, Otaku Toyman. And Schott. Do we need another Toyman? Does this being a robot make it more special? Or less?

Still mulling that over.

And then the Toyman uses an inertron goop gun to douse the Green K, shielding Krypto from its rays. Of course, Superman could have scooped him up and raced away from the K. Or rushed him to the Fortress or the sun. 

But this Toyman brought the giant robo to show how Kryptonite can be used as a safe energy source. Can Superman deny the world this? Nice new wrinkle. 

But we heard earlier Steelworks is working on a way for Kryptonians to resist Green K energy. Now we have this inertron gun. And there's always good old lead. I worry that there is going to be too much Kryptonite and too many defenses to Kryptonite that wiping all this stuff away when this arc ends will be too tough. 

I mean if Steelworks creates a K-defense, will Superman use it all the time forever? Or will it be forgotten? If Toyman has gun that creates synthetic Inertron, why won't everyone use it?

Look at the art in that second panel. That is rough Superman. 

This seemed more like a diversion albeit a sort-of fun one with a focus on Krypto.

And seriously, is that a de-aged Jon???

Overall grade: B-

Review: Superman Unlimited #2

Superman Unlimited #2 came out this week, the next chapter of a new Kryptonite Everywhere storyline by Dan Slott and Rafael Alburquerque. For a second issue, this pushed the plot of the arc forward a fair bit, showing us the implications of Green K being a lot easier to get as well as Superman's new power, a riff on an old 'new' power.

I have said before that I like Dan Slott's She-Hulk and Silver Surfer books. The She-Hulk book for sure was a humor book first. The Silver Surfer book was a sort of Dr. Who-esque tour of the Marvel U, filled with romance and sentimentality but also with a healthy dollop of humor. So I wasn't surprised to see Slott insert some fun into this book. What I didn't know, and what tickled me, was that the humor would come in the form of the Creeper. I think it is well known that I love the Creeper so Jack Ryder being in Metropolis makes me happy.

Despite the humor, Slott plays the superheroics and Superman pretty standard. What is it like to be Superman when your average punk, Marty from Hob's Bay, has a Kryptonite knife. And what do you do to defend yourself? Add to that a look into El Caldero, the nation that benefited from the massive green K meteor, and you have a solid issue.

Rafael Alburquerque brings some dynamism to the action, with speed lines and stylized bodies. I think his Creeper is a little scrawny, the red shag shoulder rug a bit small. I still miss his smoother earlier style than this looser, rougher style. 

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #1

I am back from vacation and so catching up on reviews, the most prominent one being Superman Unlimited #1, written by Dan Slott with art by Rafael Alburquerque. This is the first newly titled,  planned monthly Superman book in a while and signals the beginning of the Summer of Superman, tied into the release of the upcoming movie. 

We have known from solicits for some time that Slott's plan was to have a storyline with an abundance of Kryptonite suddenly being on Earth. We saw what I thought was a prologue in the  FCBD DC All-In #1 book from Free Comic Book day. But it turns out that those 10 pages are reprinted here, the beginning of an over-sized first issue. So click that link to remind yourself about that story and the changes Slott is bringing to the supporting cast. 

I will remind people that this 'new status quo' of excessive Kryptonite can't last. So I think this is probably some backdoor re-imagining of the Kryptonite Nevermore storyline from the 70s. The facsimile of that story's first part, Superman #233, being recently released made me pause. The introduction of a new Edge family member is another nod given Morgan Edge first appeared in that earlier arc.

But I think Slott does an interesting thing with his first issue here. Yes, we see the giant Kryptonite meteor plummeting to Earth. And in the end, there is a lot of Green K on the ground. But the bulk of this issue is a sort of primer on Superman's history. Given pre-Crisis, Byrne's era, the New 52, Rebirth, and all the other soft reboots, it is hard to know what is and isn't canon. Slott gives us a decent timeline here and pulls from the Golden Age to the Donner films to give us this story. Hey, it's a number one and might be someone's first Superman story. Why not fill in some background?

Rafael Alburquerque's art just seems rougher than I remember it being in the past. There is sort of a lack of polish that I associate with his name. It is still solid art, especially given that story covers basically all of Superman's history. 

On to the book.

Review: FCBD All-In 2025

Last weekend was Free Comic Book Day and I was lucky to grab the DC All In FCBD 2025 All Special Edition #1 issue which gave a sneak peek of the upcoming Superman Unlimited book by Dan Slott and Rafael Alburquerque as well as a sort of look into the future of the Absolute Universe with a very very interesting ending. 

Sometimes these FCBD books aren't such a gripping issue. But this one just worked! I was going to get Superman Unlimited regardless but Slott sprinkles in a new character and the main plot point of his first arc. But most importantly, you get a sense of his overall take on Superman which seems to be on target.

But really, the big winner is the Absolute side of things, written by Jeff Lemire with art by Giuseppe Camuncoli.  While it is a quick tour of the three main books in the Universe, it is the ending with a conspiracy board hinting at future events and our first crossover with the main universe that made this sing. 

Great free issue whetting my appetite for more! On to the book!