Here are today's "Guest Reviews" by Anj from Supergirl Comic Box Commentary. Included are DC's; Supergirl #18, Superman #18, & Action Comics #19. I have also added my rating after each review. If you have any questions about my rating or want to discuss anything just leave me a comment.
Supergirl #18 - What Kryptonite Does not Kill... It Only Makes Stronger
It’s a new dawn for the Girl of Steel after the nightmare of “H’EL ON EARTH”!
Nothing will be the same for Supergirl as she embarks on a new mission that brings her face to face with one of DC’s deadliest villains!
Preview
What Kryptonite Doesn't Kill -- It Only Makes Stronger!
Supergirl #18 came out this week, the first issue post-H'El on Earth and the penultimate issue before new writer Michael Alan Nelson comes on board. I was, of course, eager to read this issue to see just what the post-H'El landscape for Kara would look like. Would she be vilified for her early alliance with H'El? Would she finally realize that Krypton isn't coming back? Would she be sad? Or angry?
Like Superboy #18, some of the bigger plot points from H'El, some fallout from the arc, are ignored in this issue, hopefully just being put on the back burner. The biggest plot point, the K-poisoning that Kara is suffering, takes center stage. That plot point does seem to plug Supergirl more firmly into the Superman mythos and I applaud that move.
This issue isn't without its quirks. And that starts with the original solicits and the expected creative team.
You might remember that the first cover solicit was Supergirl crushing the world, the thematic opposite of the nurturing cover of All-Star Superman #10. I talked about the original cover here. That sentiment, an angry Kara squashing Earth, is nowhere to be seen in the issue so I am glad it got scuttled. Frankly, I don't want that image to be how Supergirl is written, drawn, or marketed.
And, despite being on the cover, Mike Johnson did not write this issue and Mahmud Asrar did not draw it. The writer is Frank Hannah. Apparently this is his first comic ever, at least according to comicbookdb.com. There are some highs and some lows here but overall a strong first issue.
The artist is Robson Rocha whose work I know best from his work on Demon Knights. His work is fine-lined and very different from Asrar's. It works fine here.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 3.9
Superman #18 - Metropolitan Nightmare
The new H.I.V.E. makes its stunning first appearance in The New 52 by trying to take over Metropolis!
More on Clark Kent’s life as a reporter away from The Daily Planet!
Preview
Mind Fall!
Superman #18 came out this week and with H'El on Earth behind us, I was hopeful that things might be moving forward and in a better direction.
I was wrong.
Now maybe I have been sensitized by Scott Lobdell to be hyper-critical with his books. I think his take on Superman is simply so far removed from what I think Superman should be that his books are always going to fail for me. There are parts of this book that just feel wrong. Superman shouldn't be feared by the world. He shouldn't sneer at Congress. Clark shouldn't be confused by 'Earth feelings'. Nor do I think that he should be approached at a club by two women looking for a threesome.
And maybe all of those things make me 'old-fashioned'. Maybe I am out of touch. I don't think so. I certainly like my anti-heroes in other titles. But Superman shouldn't be a grim avenger who frightens the world. Because that isn't Superman.
The good news is that there are some things in this issue that feel right. Supporting characters Orion and Cat Grant are written well. And there is a Lois sighting ... and she is doing some reporting! Plus Lobdell also introduces us to a perfect deus ex machina to eliminate almost all the things that bug me the most about the book.
The art of the book is split between Tyler Kirkham, who has a soft pencilish feel to his work, an almost Francis Manapul type vibe from his Senate scenes. And the New Genesis scenes of the book are beautifully rendered by upcoming artist Aaron Kuder who brings a more Frank Quitely/Geof Darrow detailed work on his pages. I think Kuder is coming on the book as regular artist. The nightclub scenes are slickly done by Robson Rocha whose work shines with inker Jaime Mendoza, looking sharper here than he did on Supergirl #18.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Verdict - 3
Action Comics #19 - Hybrid, Part 1
Welcome the new creative team of writer Andy Diggle and artist Tony S. Daniel!
Inside the nefarious mind of Lex Luthor, who bares his scars—but how did he get them?
Luthor’s plan to eradicate Superman may make Kal an alien pariah!
The Oracle awaits at the edge of the Solar System to pass judgment on Superman—and he is not alone.
You won’t believe who comes calling on the final page!
Preview
My Greatest Enemy... Jimmy Olsen?!
Action Comics #19 came out this week and was such a fascinating book to read.
It was the first issue post Grant Morrison lyrical opus.
It was the first and last issue of the Andy Diggle 'era' on the book.
And it was the beginning of Tony Daniel's time on the book, as artist here and as writer/artist for the 2 issues after.
That's a lot of stuff going on with the book making it the most intriguing book in my pull list this week. And that was before I even read a word.
I did have high hopes for the book for a while, since reading Andy Diggle's interviews about Superman and the direction of the book. Not surprisingly, the book delivers on the expectation. This read like a true Superman story. Not the blustering, angry, sneering character in Scott Lobdell's Superman (which I have had issues with). And not like the nostalgic pastiche, 'what timeline is it', metatextual Morrison story (which I loved). This read like Superman ... with a strong Lois, with him defending the oppressed, with a diabolical Luthor, and with big action ... a fitting story for Action Comics.
And that makes this more bittersweet because Diggle felt compelled to leave because of editorial issues. I have sampled his Superman and savored it but won't get any more.
Tony Daniel really shines here. Whether it be a flirty romantic scene in a bar, outrageous splash page action of Superman fighting mecha, or Luthor wringing his hands in glee, it all just pops off the page.
Alas, it is all over.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 4.1
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