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This issue wraps up the opening storyline for writer Brian Michael Bendis' run on the adventures of Superman.
As expected, the Man of Steel mini-series has taken some liberties with Clark's backstory.
So we meet the alien who may have destroyed Krypton - and unless Superman and Supergirl can stop him (it?), Earth faces the same fate!
We also discover the reasons behind the surprising disappearance of Lois and young Jon - and the unexpected return of a character thought to have died long ago.
It's an interesting new chapter in the life of Superman, with lots of action along the way.
So far, it's been very good. I'm especially happy to see the return of "smart" Superman - the hero works best when he isn't just depending on his muscles to solve problems.
Like politics, there are basically two approaches to a new campaign: you can promise a "fresh start" or a "return to greatness!"
Bendis seems to be having it both ways... so far!
Highly recommended!
Grade: A
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Decompressed.
That's been the label applied to the comics written by Brian Michael Bendis, as he takes stories that might have been told in an issue (or less) of a Silver Age comic, and expands it so it fills several issues instead.
There are good reasons for it. It allows an expanded look at events, it allow fleshing out the characters - and it builds in a series of cliffhangers as the story cruises along.
And cliffhangers are what this issue of The Man of Steel is all about. It picks up from last issue's explosive ending, features a cosmic-sized fight to the finish between Superman and the mysterious alien Rogol Zaar.
The art is by Adam Hughes, and it's impressive work, though a bit darker and edgier than his usual treatment. It's a brutal fight, and it's a bit annoying that Superman keeps getting outmatched by his new enemy - and we're still in the dark about what Zaar has planned (and why he keeps sparing Superman's life).
Still, the story continues to build nicely to the final issue of the mini-series, and hopefully we'll get a conclusion of sorts to the three major story threads running through it (the threat of Zaar, the fate of Lois and Jon, and who's behind the mysterious fires in Metropolis).
And let me add, it's a lot easier to handle a decompressed story when the comic is published weekly.
Grade: B+
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I suspect this issue of The Man of Steel is what many readers were expecting when writer Brian Michael Bendis moved over to DC.
It's an action-packed issue, as Superman and Supergirl face off against the monstrous Rogol Zaar, an alien creature who (apparently maybe) was responsible for the destruction of the planet Krypton - and who's arrived on Earth to clear up a few loose ends.
He's one of the few villains who can stand up to (or possibly overmatch) Superman, and he's very, very smart - so it's a fast-paced slugfest, with terrific art by comics legend Kevin McGuire.
We also get some more (surprising) information about the disappearance of his wife Lois and son Jon - and a welcome guest star.
One of Bendis' strengths as a writer is knowing how to build tension in the story, and there's a lot of that in evidence here - and I really like the way he writes Superman, as a smart, caring hero.
So far, so good!
Grade: A-
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It feels like this Man of Steel mini-series is sending mixed signals.
The cover shows us Pa and Ma Kent showing young Clark the small star ship that brought him to Earth as an infant - and nowhere inside this issue does that scene occur.
Instead, writer Brian Michael Bendis gives us another snippet of history from the destruction of Krypton - and then we jump forward to the mystery of what the heck is going on with Superman's family.
His wife, Lois, and their son, Jon, have disappeared under mysterious circumstances - and other than a single alarming image, we don't get any info about that.
But what we do get, happily, are three terrific artists - 13 pages by Doc Shaner, two by Jay Fabok and eight by living legend Steve Rude - so it's worth buying for that.
Otherwise it doesn't really advance the ball much - it's all tease and little story.
Grade: B+
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This issue kicks off writer Brian Michael Bendis' run on Superman's titles, using a weekly mini-series, The Man of Steel, to lead the way.
Somewhat surprisingly, it doesn't really do much to change the statue quo for the world's most famous hero.
Most of the issue is given over to more personal stories, as Superman tracks down some ne'er-do-well criminals, and fights a mysterious skyscraper fire.
Bendis has a good touch in this story, giving us a Superman who "feels" like a real person, with a sense of humor and a dedication to duty.
We check in with some classic characters and meet some new ones - including a powerful foe whose roots lie in the disaster that claimed the planet Krypton.
Aided by the terrific art by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and Jay Fabok, it's a strong start for the new series.
I'm reserving judgment on the new villain, who seems to have a bit of retcon business hanging over his (its?) shoulders, but by any standard, this issue is a strong entry and does exactly what it's supposed to do: breathe some new life into the Big Blue Boy Scout.
Luckily, we only have to wait a week for the next chapter!
Grade: A
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