Superman #39
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Geoff Johns’ Superman run has been a great character-study of the Man of Steel. The pacing was slow but Johns created a great new rival in Ulysses and gave Clark so many moments to shine. Though, all good things must come to an end and this is Johns’ final issue on the title. This issue is more of an epilogue to Johns’ climax in Superman #38 but it is the best issue in Johns’ entire run. There are no huge moments or crazy twits, only a fantastic look into the Man of Steel’s heroism.
I don’t know how Geoff Johns does it, but he always writes character’s to perfection. He’s such a versatile writer and with this Superman run, he has demonstrated once again that he knows what makes certain characters work. He knows why people love Superman and why he is a symbol of hope and he blends all of his knowledge with his passion here.
This issue follows a simple premise and does it excellently. Superman has been stripped of his powers for one day and he has revealed his secret identity to Jimmy Olsen. Johns writes a solid chemistry between the characters. Jimmy who is having trouble believing that Clark is Superman and Clark finally opening up to someone about his views. But while this dynamic was good to read, it wasn’t where this issue strived best.
This issue strived best in showing that Superman isn’t Superman because of his X-ray vision or his flight. Superman is a hero because he saves people. It’s not about thwarting villains he doesn’t like or about a war on crime. Superman just wants to help other people. Geoff Johns shows this excellently as Superman takes on a man holding a hostage with a gun pointed at his head. This scene is so wonderful because if Clark got shot, he could die.
Superman is not protected by his Kryptonian nature but he still puts himself in front of the gun. He uses his wisdom and his optimistic nature to convince the criminal to put the gun down and cooperate. This. This is why Superman is the greatest hero there will ever be. He inspires people to do good. Even in this man’s worst moments, Superman reached out to him and convinced him to take the higher path. He didn’t threaten him and he didn’t scare him. All Clark did was talk to him. And when the conflict soothed itself, he shook his hand. He forgave him and showed him respect. Incredible. Bravo Geoff Johns, you have written a Superman scene that will stick with me forever, it was magnificent.
And all of this comes to life from the drawing team of John Romita Jr. and Klaus Jansen. Though, this issue doesn’t play to the action-oriented strengths of Romita Jr., I thought he did a good job. Some of his facial expressions were clunky but he conveyed the heroism of Superman very well with posture. I’m glad Romita Jr. will be staying on passed Johns and he did a fine job pencilling this issue.
Superman #39 is the epilogue to Geoff Johns’ run and you have to go in thinking about that. There aren’t any grand moment or big twists. This is a small-scaled story about a powerless Superman’s day. Though, this issue strives because of Johns’ powerful understanding of the Man of Steel and the love he shows for the character. If you’re a fan of Superman, this is an issue that you must read. It has so much about the character that I love in one of the best moments I have ever read from a Superman comic. Goodbye Geoff Johns, I’m going to miss you.
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Geoff Johns’ Superman run has been a great character-study of the Man of Steel. The pacing was slow but Johns created a great new rival in Ulysses and gave Clark so many moments to shine. Though, all good things must come to an end and this is Johns’ final issue on the title. This issue is more of an epilogue to Johns’ climax in Superman #38 but it is the best issue in Johns’ entire run. There are no huge moments or crazy twits, only a fantastic look into the Man of Steel’s heroism.
I don’t know how Geoff Johns does it, but he always writes character’s to perfection. He’s such a versatile writer and with this Superman run, he has demonstrated once again that he knows what makes certain characters work. He knows why people love Superman and why he is a symbol of hope and he blends all of his knowledge with his passion here.
This issue follows a simple premise and does it excellently. Superman has been stripped of his powers for one day and he has revealed his secret identity to Jimmy Olsen. Johns writes a solid chemistry between the characters. Jimmy who is having trouble believing that Clark is Superman and Clark finally opening up to someone about his views. But while this dynamic was good to read, it wasn’t where this issue strived best.
This issue strived best in showing that Superman isn’t Superman because of his X-ray vision or his flight. Superman is a hero because he saves people. It’s not about thwarting villains he doesn’t like or about a war on crime. Superman just wants to help other people. Geoff Johns shows this excellently as Superman takes on a man holding a hostage with a gun pointed at his head. This scene is so wonderful because if Clark got shot, he could die.
Superman is not protected by his Kryptonian nature but he still puts himself in front of the gun. He uses his wisdom and his optimistic nature to convince the criminal to put the gun down and cooperate. This. This is why Superman is the greatest hero there will ever be. He inspires people to do good. Even in this man’s worst moments, Superman reached out to him and convinced him to take the higher path. He didn’t threaten him and he didn’t scare him. All Clark did was talk to him. And when the conflict soothed itself, he shook his hand. He forgave him and showed him respect. Incredible. Bravo Geoff Johns, you have written a Superman scene that will stick with me forever, it was magnificent.
And all of this comes to life from the drawing team of John Romita Jr. and Klaus Jansen. Though, this issue doesn’t play to the action-oriented strengths of Romita Jr., I thought he did a good job. Some of his facial expressions were clunky but he conveyed the heroism of Superman very well with posture. I’m glad Romita Jr. will be staying on passed Johns and he did a fine job pencilling this issue.
Superman #39 is the epilogue to Geoff Johns’ run and you have to go in thinking about that. There aren’t any grand moment or big twists. This is a small-scaled story about a powerless Superman’s day. Though, this issue strives because of Johns’ powerful understanding of the Man of Steel and the love he shows for the character. If you’re a fan of Superman, this is an issue that you must read. It has so much about the character that I love in one of the best moments I have ever read from a Superman comic. Goodbye Geoff Johns, I’m going to miss you.
A Look Inside
