Superman #700

So here we are, issue #700 of Superman, and this "Giant-Sized" issue features three stories by writers past, present and future.

The opening story is by James Robinson, who guided the Man of Steel through the recent New Krypton story. Not a bad story, but not much here that we didn't see in the final issue of War of the Supermen - Lois and Clark reunited, making kissy-faces at each other and declaring their love. Sweet and all that, but not much besides. Nice art by Bernard Chang.

The second story is by writer and artist Dan Jurgens, and it's a team-up between Superman and Robin as they take on some gun-runners. Good art and an ok story, but nothing we haven't seen many times before.

The final story is by the new writer in town - J. Michael Straczynski, who's taking over the title for the foreseeable future. It's the best story in the comic, although it's also mighty thin. Superman is holding a press conference when he's forced to realize that he has allowed himself to become too "above it all" - is he distancing himself from the real world?

The story is a set-up for the much-reported "Grounded" series, which has Superman walking across the country. Yeah, it sounds silly to me, too, but I'm willing to give it a chance. I like the art by Eddy Barrows, though is seems a bit muddy in places.

If you want in on the "ground floor" of that upcoming storyline, you might want to pick up this issue - but aside from a great cover by Gary Franks, there's not a lot to recommend here.

Here's hoping for bigger and better stories starting with #701.

Grade: C+