Archive
Superman Family Adventures #1
June 4, 2012, 2012
Title: When We All Lived in the Forest
Writer: Art Baltazar & Franco
Art: Art Baltazar
Editor: Kristy Quinn
Publisher: DC Comics
I was, I admit, somewhat despondent when DC Comics announced the end of their brilliant all-ages series, Tiny Titans. That heartbreak was assuaged, however, when word came that the creators of that book were going to take the same comedic sensibility and apply it to a new title, Superman Family Adventures. Having read the first issue of this new title, I feel like they haven’t missed a beat.
Set in the same continuity (such as it is) as Tiny Titans, Superman Family Adventures #1 picks up a few years later. Superboy and Supergirl are a little older, but still children, and the focus shifts over to their older cousin Superman and the rest of his friends (and foes). This issue, his arch-rival Lex Luthor plans yet another of his many attacks on Metropolis, and Superman and the gang – including Krypto and a new friend – team up to save the day.
This book takes a very interesting approach to the story. The plot feels like it could have been pulled straight from any number of silver age adventures. Luthor is legitimately trying to do bad things here, but there’s a sort of goofy innocence to the plot – no murderbots, no women in refrigerators, no Dr. Light-style attacks on the Justice League satellite to worry about. Just some good old fashioned robots programmed to steal Superman’s powers. Simple.
What makes the book great, though, is how the creators take that simple, silly concept and apply their unique style of comedy to it. The puns, the visual gags, and the situational humor is all distinctly their own, and it all blends very well with the Silver Age flavor of the plot. They also bring in satire of some of the contemporary DCU elements – for example, discussion of the new costumes that the characters are wearing in the New 52 era. This sort of modern lampooning is the sort of thing they did in their previous comic, and it still works here. The combination of familiar elements makes this a comic that feels very much like a spiritual successor to Tiny Titans while, at the same time, succeeding as its own entity.
In fewer words, I really liked this book, and I’m really glad this creative team still has a home with the toys of the DC Universe.
Rating: 9/10
Superman (1939 Series) #712
June 23, 2011
Title: Lost Boy: A Tale of Krypto the Superdog
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Pencils: Rick Leonardi
Inks: Jonathan Sibal
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Comicraft
Cover: Carlos Pacheco, Jesus Merino, Dave Stewart
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
Well… this is odd. With just three issues left in this run of Superman, DC decided to pull the scheduled story for this issue, and instead replaced it with the long-lost but never-seen Krypto story that Kurt Busiek and Rick Leonardi write about five years ago. This issue is set shortly after the events of Infinite Crisis. Superboy is dead, and Superman is coping with the loss of his powers. Back in Smallville, the last superhero from the Kent farm, Krypto, is in mourning.
This is actually a really good issue. It’s mostly wordless, showcasing Krypto’s true loneliness. I wasn’t really big on Rick Leonardi’s previous work with the Superman family, but he absolutely nails this issue. He draws a great Krypto, first of all, and ha manages to get across the emotional impact of his loss. You look at this poor dog and feel the pain, the agony that he’s left in, with both of his masters gone. The final panel is one of the saddest moments ever drawn into a comic book, and the fact that it feels so sad is exactly what makes it so good.
But man, it’s an odd choice to put here. First of all, why didn’t they run this five years ago, when it would have still been relevant? And second, why run it now at all? As much as I enjoyed it and as much as I’m glad we finally got to see it, it still feels oddly out of place.
Rating: 8/10
Recent Reviews: July 13 Releases
It’s time once again for me to recap those books released last week that I’ve reviewed over at CX Pulp.com.
Superboy (2010 Series) #5
April 10, 2011
Title: The Superboy/Kid Flash Race!
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Art: Pier Gallo
Colorist: Jamie Grant
Letterer: John J. Hill
Cover: Eddy Barrows & J.P. Mayer
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
Races between Superman and the Flash have been a staple of comics for decades now, but this is the first time that Superboy and Kid Flash have buckled down for a contest of their own. As the Teen Titans come out to cheer on their teammates, all of Smallville assembles to see who will come out on top.
The feeling of this race is a lot different from all the Superman/Flash races we’ve seen in the past, and not just because the Phantom Stranger pops up out of nowhere to freak our heroes out. To be sure, we’ve seen the charity race thing before, and we’ve seen the heroes have to take a break from the race to thwart one monster or villain or what have you. But Superboy has been going through quite a bit lately, what with his break-up with Wonder Girl and finding out that his friend Lori is the niece of Lex Luthor, and Jeff Lemire takes the time during the race to talk have our heroes talk things over. Bart Allen has developed quite a bit since his Impulse days, and the character who pops in here actually shows a surprising amount of sensitivity towards his friend. Fortunately, he still feels like himself, and that helps keep up the feeling of joy that surrounds the race itself.
I will admit to being a little irritated at the race’s outcome, or lack thereof. Back in the Silver Age, DC never wanted to actually crown a winner in one of those Superman/Flash races, so there was always some sort of convoluted excuse to prevent them from crowning a champion. This issue’s convoluted excuse is a lot funnier, but the end result is the same. C’mon, guys, if you’re going to hit us with the race, give us a champion!
Still, it’s a strong character-based issue that works nicely for the characters. I liked it.
Rating: 8/10
Superman/Batman #9
April 21, 2004
Quick Rating: Great
Title: Visitor (The Supergirl From Krypton Part Two)
Superman is happy to finally have family. Batman doesn’t trust her. Who is the Supergirl from Krypton?
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Art: Michael Turner
Colors: Peter Steigerwald
Letters: Richard Starkings
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Art: Michael Turner
Publisher: DC Comics
I have to admit, I was initially apprehensive when word came that this book would feature the return of the Kara Zor-El version of Supergirl, especially since I’m still smarting at the shabby treatment given the Linda Danvers version of the character. Bit if anybody could sell me on this Supergirl, it’s Jeph Loeb, and he sells her in spades this issue.
Last month Batman uncovered a girl claiming to be the niece of Jor-El trapped in the Kryptonite meteor that nearly struck the Earth a few months ago. This issue, a month later, he and Superman have kept her in seclusion for study and tutelage in the ways of Earth. The thing that’s selling this story, though is we’re still not entirely sure she really is Kara Zor-El. Batman doesn’t trust her (of course, Batman doesn’t trust anyone), but Krypto doesn’t like her either, several other allies of our world’s finest duo have their reservations, and this issue gives us a reason to believe this girl has a link to one of the nastiest customers in the DC Universe.
Despite that, though, the girl has a sweet innocence to her that’s pleasingly reminiscent of the silver age Supergirl she is emulating. In fact, perhaps the best recommendation I can give this comic is to tell you that, at this point, I simply can’t decide whether it would make for a better story for this girl to turn out to be a new Supergirl or an imposter.
Michael Turner’s artwork is the reason a lot of people are picking this title up, of course, and he delivers big-time. It isn’t easy to draw Superman and Batman together and have them both look good, but he does it. His Batman works even in a bright location like the Fortress of Solitude and a nighttime scene at the Superman statue in Metropolis, aided by the colors of Peter Steigerwald is absolutely gorgeous. It is not an exaggeration to say that this may be the best-looking comic book in America this month.
Ever since this series launched last year, it has consistently been, hands-down, the best regular title featuring either of the iconic title characters. Superman and Batman are frequently referred to as the world’s finest. With Jeph Loeb at the helm of their book, they deserve that title.
Rating: 9/10
Superboy (2010 Series) #1
November 18, 2010
Title: Smallville Attacks Part One
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Art: Pier Gallo
Colorist: Jamie Grant
Letterer: John J. Hill
Cover: Rafael Albuquerque
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
Superboy celebrates the return of his own ongoing the way characters have done for years – with the Phantom Stranger showing up and warning him about the future in very cryptic terms that may have huge repercussions for Conner Kent and for Smallville itself. Jeff Lemire has, until now, been content to work on low-key books like his indy work and his Vertigo title, Sweet Tooth, but this is his first time helming a superhero title from one of the big two. Well, unless you count his Atom second feature from Adventure Comics. But I digress, this issue takes us into what he does best – portraying small town life gone awry.
As Superboy tries to keep up with ordinary smalltown life again, things are tossed into chaos when the Parasite attacks. His real goal, of course, is a feast of Superman, but he’ll gobble up Superboy’s power as an appetizer if he has a chance. The battle sequence is pretty good, although it’s a little unclear just how the final attack of the battle works, considering the power sets of the two characters. To be fair, though, the action isn’t nearly as important to this story as the character stuff, and that’s where Lemire shines. He’s got a take on Superboy that works very well – the big city boy trying to get along in the small town, an odd supporting cast including a potential love interest that happens to be Lex Luthor’s niece (although now that I think about it, doesn’t that kinda make her Conner’s first cousin?) and plenty of fun with Krypto. Lemire’s work with these characters is impeccable.
We also get nice interior artwork by Pier Gallo, who manages to capture the rustic feel of Smallville and inject it with the superhero action that gets the asses in the seats. Rafael Albuquerque tops things off with a wonderful cover, one of the best we’ve ever had of Conner (and, to be frank, a far superior cover to the variant by John Cassaday).
I really enjoyed this book – a nice step towards expanding the Superman corner of the DC Universe.
Rating: 8/10
Teen Titans (2003 Series) #9
March 13, 2004
Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: First Blood
Rule of the Road #1: Don’t let Kid Flash behind the wheel!
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Mike McKone
Inks: Marlo Alquiza & Norm Rapmund
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Art: Mike McKone
Publisher: DC Comics
When the Titans get a distress call from the doctor that saved Kid Flash, four of them head out to save the day – and the best way to get around San Francisco? With the west coast Batmobile, of course. Back at the tower, Superboy has stayed behind to take care of his homework, but taking care of Krypto sends him headlong into a discovery about one of his teammates.
Geoff Johns runs three storylines throughout this issue – the main storyline is mainly played for laughs, but also shows how Kid Flash’s transformation is an ongoing process, not an instantaneous ones. It also gives us a real understanding of his estimation of some of his teammates, especially Wonder Girl. Superboy’s storyline has some chuckles as well, but mainly gives us a chance to follow him as he interacts with a Titan he hasn’t really bonded with as of yet.
The third storyline follows our villains, Deathstroke and Ravager as well as the lost Titan Raven. This storyline builds during the issue, ultimately setting up the cliffhanger at the end very well and charging into the main story very well. Johns has as great a handle on these characters as I’ve seen, and each issue is a treat.
Mike McKone returns to the pencils this issue after a couple of wonderful issues from Tom Grummett, and he returns in style. He handles the nighttime scenes (along with Jeromy Cox’s colors) very well, and has a good handle on some light physical comedy and tech drawing. He even handles one of the toughest tasks in comics with true aplomb – he draws Krypto without making him look silly.
Teen Titans is one of those books I look forward to every month and with good reason: a great writer, a great artist and great characters. It all adds up to a great read.
Rating: 8/10
The Back Issue Bin 