Superman #37
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: John Romita Jr.
Merry Christmas to all!
Superman has evidently struggled in the new 52. With the lackluster titles (Grant Morisson notwithstanding) bearing inaccurate portrayals of the American Icon. Luckily, DC stepped up their game last year by treating this legend with more respect, tapping Scott Snyder and Jim Lee to give him a brand new series. And while Superman Unchained was a good book, it wasn’t the Superman title I was waiting for. It was lacking in its storytelling and failed to invest me into its plot. Then came along Greg Pak’s Action Comics, an excellent interpretation of Superman told through zany and fun stories until Doomed. I won’t get into Doomed but I thought Superman needed another savior and I presume DC thought so as well because they gave us this book. Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr. have been killing it on this title since their debut. An amazing vision of Superman told through an enthralling story about a complex relationship between two similar men. Despite the sluggish pacing, this story has been fantastic and last issue seemed to set-up for an eventful follow up and that’s exactly what Johns delivers here. An issue full of excitement, character and huge twists coming together to make for the best issue of this run thus far.
I believe Green Lantern to be the most prominent and innovative of Geoff Johns’ work. However, that isn’t what I deeply admire about the run. Everything that happens throughout that entire run seems to revolve around the rivalry between Sintestro and Hal Jordan. A complex and melancholy relationship that compels readers, which is precisely what Johns is building in his Superman run. The way that Ulysses looks up to Superman for his optimism is fascinating. There’s a reverence that has taken time to build and blossom into a friendship. The philosophical debate between the two is an enthralling exploration of both their mid sets. Ulysses who has been framed to accept pessimism and Superman who believes in hope.
When their debate ends, however I found myself to lose the level of interest that had been previously establish in the comic. Not that the second half is bad or unnecessary but it didn’t have the compelling dichotomy and character exploration of the first half. Until the huge ending that will have insane ramifications in the coming months that I believe with make this run stronger than it already is.
John Romita Jr. has been handing in some of his strongest work I’ve seen in this run. At times in this issue, he draws his best work of the series, beautifully rendering the perfect world envisioned by Johns and others, his pencils seem a tad rushed. Principally near the end of this issue, he draws some clunky looking anatomies and faces.
Under Johns and Romita Jr., Superman has been an impressive title. Johns is playing to his strengths in this series by expanding Superman’s mythologies and creating a complex rivalry between two men who are truly friends. This issue particularly plays to the strength of the creative team, exploring contrasting philosophies and depicting a new world’s architecture. As a result, we’re presented with the team’s best issue yet. This is a Superman title that should not be missed!
Art by: John Romita Jr.
Merry Christmas to all!
Superman has evidently struggled in the new 52. With the lackluster titles (Grant Morisson notwithstanding) bearing inaccurate portrayals of the American Icon. Luckily, DC stepped up their game last year by treating this legend with more respect, tapping Scott Snyder and Jim Lee to give him a brand new series. And while Superman Unchained was a good book, it wasn’t the Superman title I was waiting for. It was lacking in its storytelling and failed to invest me into its plot. Then came along Greg Pak’s Action Comics, an excellent interpretation of Superman told through zany and fun stories until Doomed. I won’t get into Doomed but I thought Superman needed another savior and I presume DC thought so as well because they gave us this book. Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr. have been killing it on this title since their debut. An amazing vision of Superman told through an enthralling story about a complex relationship between two similar men. Despite the sluggish pacing, this story has been fantastic and last issue seemed to set-up for an eventful follow up and that’s exactly what Johns delivers here. An issue full of excitement, character and huge twists coming together to make for the best issue of this run thus far.
I believe Green Lantern to be the most prominent and innovative of Geoff Johns’ work. However, that isn’t what I deeply admire about the run. Everything that happens throughout that entire run seems to revolve around the rivalry between Sintestro and Hal Jordan. A complex and melancholy relationship that compels readers, which is precisely what Johns is building in his Superman run. The way that Ulysses looks up to Superman for his optimism is fascinating. There’s a reverence that has taken time to build and blossom into a friendship. The philosophical debate between the two is an enthralling exploration of both their mid sets. Ulysses who has been framed to accept pessimism and Superman who believes in hope.
When their debate ends, however I found myself to lose the level of interest that had been previously establish in the comic. Not that the second half is bad or unnecessary but it didn’t have the compelling dichotomy and character exploration of the first half. Until the huge ending that will have insane ramifications in the coming months that I believe with make this run stronger than it already is.
John Romita Jr. has been handing in some of his strongest work I’ve seen in this run. At times in this issue, he draws his best work of the series, beautifully rendering the perfect world envisioned by Johns and others, his pencils seem a tad rushed. Principally near the end of this issue, he draws some clunky looking anatomies and faces.
Under Johns and Romita Jr., Superman has been an impressive title. Johns is playing to his strengths in this series by expanding Superman’s mythologies and creating a complex rivalry between two men who are truly friends. This issue particularly plays to the strength of the creative team, exploring contrasting philosophies and depicting a new world’s architecture. As a result, we’re presented with the team’s best issue yet. This is a Superman title that should not be missed!
A Look Inside
