And the result is... about what you'd expect. Great art, and an intriguing story (though as you'd expect, this issue just gets the story off to a running start).
After a rather offbeat start, the story takes us to deep space, where Superman is playing "catch the satellite." Something has knocked a number of satellites and space stations out of orbit, and Superman is on the job (and if anything ever looked like a job for Superman, this is it).
In one clever bit of business, the fifth page is actually a fold-out poster providing giant-sized versions of page four and five. But there is a problem - in order for the poster to work, it's attached to a cardboard insert which covers part of several captions on page six. With all the planning that must've gone into this stunt, you'd think they'd have placed the text more carefully.
Since I haven't been reading the regular Superman title, I found things a bit confusing when the story switches to the civilian cast. Apparently Clark Kent has quit the Daily Planet and works for a different newspaper? Lois is now Nick Fury, spending all her time working at holographic monitors that control something (the layout of a newspaper, I assume). Nice to see Jimmy Olsen is still friends with Clark.
But the set-up (and that final splash page) sets up a potential opponent for our hero - and one who can go toe-to-toe with the Man of Tomorrow.
The art by Jim Lee is, of course, terrific, with dynamic layouts, great characters and stunning environments.
If a comics company want to generate interest in a character, it's always a good idea to turn him over to your top creators.
Good move, DC.
Grade: A-
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2 comments:
An interesting article on Supes: The amazing incarnations of Superman:
http://www.rogerebert.com/balder-and-dash/superman-times-10-the-most-striking-incarnations-of-comics-most-durable-superhero-Man-of-Steel-Henry-Cavill-Zack-Snyder-Christopher-Reeve-Richard-Donner-Grant-Morrison
An excellent article, El Vox - thanks for the link!
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