This version known to fans as the “Retro-boot” Legion can be seen on the cover of the forthcoming Justice Society of America #11.  Due out on July 24, 2024, this Legion can be seen fighting the JSA.  Cover artist Mikel Janin shared the cover on Twitter/ X after the solicit for issue #12 was released.

Foremost, demonstrating that this is the “Retro-boot” Legion are the depictions of Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl.  They appear as they did when the “Retro-boot” Legion was “reintroduced” back in “The Lightning Saga.”  Amongst others are Dawnstar, Ultra Boy and Cosmic Boy in their “Retro-boot” character designs.

The Legion of Super-Heroes has been plagued with reboots both total and soft ever since the Crisis on Infinite Earths back in 1985.  The Crisis reorganized the DC Universe, part of which eliminated Superman’s time as Superboy and thus his time with the Legion of Super-Heroes.  After a “pocket universe” story that fixed this paradox the Legion continued for about five years.  It then relaunched with a “5 years later” storyline that took the once bright and hopeful future in a darker direction.  This led to a couple soft reboots of Legion history along the way.  With the Zero Hour event in 1994 the Legion completely rebooted.  The Legion would again reboot in 2004.  Finally, the classic Legion returned in the aforementioned “Lightning Saga” in 2007.  This time, the Legion history picked up from the pre-Crisis Legion continuity and restoring Superman’s time with the Legion as Superboy.  This Legion would continue up through Flashpoint and into The New 52.  Just before Flashpoint they were appearing in their own title as well as the relaunched Adventure Comics.  It seemed like a new golden age for the team.  However, sales were not enough to sustain the title far into the New 52.

The Legion was set to return during “Rebirth” within the pages of Doomsday Clock.  A young and classic Saturn Girl was a large part of it until the team finally returned at the end of the 12-issue series.  Instead of a classic Legion returning it was Bendis’ new Legion.  It’s still my opinion that the delays on Doomsday Clock were mostly due to Gary Frank having to redraw the classic Legion as Bendis’ Legion.

It’s possible that the Legion on the cover of Justice Society of America #11 is just a ruse, but there has been another reference to classic Legion lore in “House of Brainiac.”  Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) mentions that once upon a future she was very close to a Brainiac.  Pre-Crisis, Kara and Brainiac 5 were a romantic pairing.  Brainiac 5 was devastated when she died in Crisis on Infinite Earths.  taken together, this reference and the cover to Justice Society of America #11 indicate that this is not just a one-of situation.  With the impending fall of the United Planets in Green Lantern we only need Jon to go back to being 13 and DC can finally be rid of the plague that was Brian Michael Bendis.

The post Are the Classic Legion of Super-Heroes About to Make a Comeback? appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Geoff Johns, Paul Levitz, Paul Kupperberg
Art: Amanda Conner, Joe Staton, Mary Wilshire, Peter Snejbjerg, Patrick Gleason, Jimmy Palmioti, Dick Giordano, Joe Orlando, Christian Alamay
Colors: Paul Mounts, Adrienne Roy, Jerry Serpe, Carl Gafford, John Kalisz
Letters: Rob Leigh, Ben Oda, Shelly Leferman, Albert T. DeGuzman, Ken Lopez

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Who is Power Girl?  Is she Superman’s cousin from Earth-Two?  Is she the granddaughter of Arion, Lord of Atlantis?  Is she all of them or none of them?  It’s the definitive history of Karen Starr, Power Girl.

Positives

Some characters have simple histories and status quo’s and others have more complex stories.  After Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics found it necessary to come up some retroactive continuity for certain characters in order for them to make sense in the new unified DC Universe- worlds lived, worlds died and there was only a single universe that survived.  Power Girl was one of those characters. With the elimination of Earth-Two from continuity, she could no longer be the cousin of a Superman who had never existed.  This Power Girl trade paperback collects the stories that not only provide her original origin story from Showcase #97-99 and her retconned post-Crisis Atlantean origin, but most importantly the story from JSA: Classified #1-4 that returned Kara Zor-L to her roots.  Not only does it make sense of Power Girl’s history, but it also sets the stage for her future adventures in her first and only ongoing solo series which would launch after Infinite Crisis.

These stories give the reader the full picture of Power Girl.  Not only do we get the narrative, but we also get the characterization.  If the reader doesn’t know what Power Girl is like it’s all in this collection.  From the first story that is reprinted from Showcase #97, it’s clear that Kara Zor-L is a brash, independent and confident young woman.  Right out of the gate she is unwilling to let reporter Andrew Vinson have any amount of control over her story.  This continues through the reprinted stories and excerpts.  Even in her Atlantean origin from Secret Origins #11 (1987) when she is questioning her origins she feel like the same character.  The story itself explains why she believes she’s a Kryptonian from an alternate universe, and also depicts her attitude aligned with her established characterization.

Positives Cont’d

Before getting to the JSA: Classified reprints, the Power Girl TPB utilizes a few pages from JSA which set up the problems that Kara’s been having with her powers.  Even these few pages give the reader the confident self-assured character.  Geoff Johns and Amanda Conner bring it all together as Kara’s true origins are revealed in a story that reconciles her now erroneous Atlantean origin.  Along the way, the Psycho-Pirate torments Power Girl with multiple incorrect origins for her.   It’s a fun diversion as Johns draws on characters from DC’s larger continuity.   Ultimately, she lands with her mind intact, even if she has questions about her place.  But, she does acknowledge that the JSA has been like a family to her, and earlier in the story she recalls how happy she was on Earth-Two.  (I was happy on Earth-Two also!).  

The three main artists in Power Girl TPB all give the reader a sense of how the character’s look has developed over the years.  While she had some very different looks in her days with Justice League International, over the years she keeps coming back to something based on her original and now classic costume which debuted along with her in All-Star Comics #58.  This collection proves that classic is best for both her history and costume.  While Joe Staton and Mary Wilshire provide great work on the PG of their respective eras, Amanda Conner’s work is the artistic standout of the collection.

This of course leads to a possibly controversial discussion about her appearance.  Of course, I am referring to her bust size.  What started out as a visual gripe by Wally Wood about how he was being treated has become one of the most recognizable and talked about aspects of the character.  Is she overly sexualized?  As she once said said she’s “just a healthy woman?”  While this aspect isn’t addressed in the reprints from the ’70’s or ’80’s, by the time JSA: Classified #1 came out in 2005, it had become an issue.  The stories acknowledge it by allowing Power Girl to embrace her physical appearance.  She’s aware of how she looks, and she’s ok with it.  She’s aware of how she’s perceived by others both positively and negatively.  She’s supremely confident.

When first introduced, she was young, blond and buxom- attributes associated with unwarranted stereotypes in a male dominated medium by both creators of the content and the characters in the comics. Her characterization was designed to contrast against these biases as well as the attitudes of her own JSA teammates. She almost has to be busty and blonde for her to work. It’s visual hyperbole. It’s a case of subverting expectations that isn’t clichéd and works because deep down we know that the stereotypes are inaccurate.  It’s the old “don’t judge a book by it’s cover.”  She looks how she looks, and she should be treated with dignity and respect.  It’s even possible to flip it the other way in terms of body shaming.  People look how they look and it’s not a reason for derision or disrespect.

Negatives

As a fan of Power Girl since the late ’70’s it’s hard to find a fault with this collection.  

Verdict

If you’re a fan of Power Girl, then Power Girl TPB (2006) is the place to start.  It’s also the perfect starting point for the uninitiated.  Power Girl is one of the first overtly feminist characters created in the midst of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the ’70’s.  Her confidence and sense of self are integral to understanding the character.  She’s stood up  to Superman, the JSA and anyone else who would seem to minimize her or hold her back.  Amanda Conner proves with her work included from JSA: Classified that she is THE iconic Power Girl artist of the 21st Century and arguably all-time.

The post Retro Review: Power Girl TPB (2006) appeared first on DC Comics News.

The online store has released exclusive new merchandise, celebrating 85 years since the debut of DC’s Superman in Action Comics #1. Highlights include new items inspired by Superman: The Movie, apparel featuring Superman’s S-shield from Action Comics #1, and more.

Here’re a few links to get you started. All DC fans, will find something SUPER for their collections!

• SUPERMAN 85 Years Exclusive T-shirt — featuring a diamond “S” shield logo
• SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE Logo Exclusive New Era Hat — DC Shop Exclusive
• SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE Premium Format Figure — limited edition
• SUPERMAN Action Comics #1 Logo Exclusive T-shirt — Superman’s logo from Action Comics #1 (1938)
• Absolute Superman For All Seasons (Hardcover) — available for pre-order
• Superman ’78/Batman ’89 Set (Hardcover) — a must-have for fans of the original motion pictures!

The impact that Superman has had on popular culture cannot be overstated. He was the first super-powered costumed crimefighter, and the one that started it all. Whether you’re a fan or not, love him or hate him you have to respect him. Without The Man of Steel there may be no DC Comics, or even DC Comics News for that matter!

The success of Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and all the other DC Superstars may not have been possible without Action Comics #1 and the debut of Superman.

This is a a superhero who’s known and loved the whole world over and one of only three fictional characters who’s had new stories created about him for over eighty consecutive years! That’s a super achievement, if ever there was one.

Are you a Super-Fan? Which amazing items from the DC Shop Collection have caught your eye? Be sure to let us know.

Images and Press Release Courtesy of DC Entertainment

The post Celebrate Superman’s Anniversary With New DC Shop Collection appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Jamal Campbell

Colours: Jamal Campbell

Letters: Ariana Maher

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Superman #1: It’s the Dawn of DC! Superman has returned to Metropolis and his greatest enemy Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman family has never been brighter! As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the Man of Steel! But waiting in the wings to back up Big Blue is…Supercorp?! What secret project has Lex given to Superman?! “A hero is only as good as their villains” will be put to the test in this brand-new oversize #1 featuring comics’ greatest superhero by DC Comics architect Joshua Williamson and award-winning superstar artist Jamal Campbell!

Positives

This week, DC continues their Dawn of DC initiative with Superman #1 (and Catwoman #52). Relaunching their Superman series isn’t unprecedented, as this is the sixth volume of the title. However, it is notable because the previous volume was replaced with Superman: Son of Kal-El, starring Clark Kent’s son Jon. So, the Man of Steel’s eponymous title is returning after an absence of a year and a half.

Superman’s other main title, Action Comics, has undergone a change in format that features the entire Superman Family along with Superman. However, it seems that the focus of Superman will focus more on Superman and his classic supporting cast. In this first issue, we see Clark at work as a reporter at the Daily Planet with Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. I was quite pleased to see this, as this side of Clark’s life has not been very prevalent in recent years, especially after the public revelation of his dual identity.

Also, we learn that Lois has stepped in as acting Editor in the wake of Perry White’s  recent heart attack. This is sure to affect the dynamics of Lois and Clark’s relationship, especially considering her declaration that she won’t go easy on any of the staff, including her husband.

Positives Cont.

Given that she knows and supports her husband’s other life, I doubt that she will interfere with his ability to act as Superman. But we also see that Lois is already feeling the stress that comes along with the job. I’m sure that Lois is up to the job, but she may face difficult times as she gets used to it. And Clark may find himself powerless to help Lois with this.

Also, Superman #1 is clearly setting Lex Luthor up to play an important role in Williamson’s story. But will Lex be the primary antagonist – or will he be on Superman’s side? While the issue seems to be pointing towards the former, the final page drops a tease that Lex may not be the big baddy of the series.

And Lex does something this issue that seems on the surface to be a benefit for Superman. He gives Superman ownership of Lexcorp, newly renamed to Supercorp. Luthor’s gift of the company’s resources and technology could be a vast help to Superman and the people of Metropolis. But Superman senses there are strings attached and tries to refuse Lex’s offer. However, he is informed that if Superman doesn’t take ownership of the company, all of Lex’s employees will be out of work, rendering half of Metropolis unemployed.

There are some nice Easter eggs strewn about the issue. Lex communicating with Superman by broadcasting at a frequency no one else can hear is the same method he used to first contact Superman in Superman: The Movie. And Lex’s hologram mimics the hologram of Jor-El from the same movie. And the Superman logo that appears on the cover and in the book’s epilogue is the classic logo. But it is coloured like the crystalline version from the Christopher Reeve movies.

Positives Cont.

Also, when Superman is visiting Supercorp, the Supermobile is visible in the background. This vehicle has been rarely seen in recent years, except in Peter J. Tomasi’s excellent Super Sons and in McFarlane Toy’s Super Powers action figure line.

Also, when Jimmy mentions his girlfriend, Lois refers to a number of his past girlfriends. All of these refer to actual women that Jimmy has been with in past stories. I love that one of these is “the gorilla princess”, making a reference to the very strange, but absolutely brilliant maxiseries Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen by Matt Fraction. If you haven’t read it, do yourself a favour and do so.

The issue ends with a series of panels that teases some of the upcoming adventures that Superman has ahead of him in future issues of this title. Over these panels, we hear a voice speaking to Superman. This ends with a final panel that reveals who the voice belongs to. And it is a classic and very powerful Superman villain indeed. Williamson is clearly hinting at a major clash with this villain in the months ahead.

The art of Jamal Campbell is well-suited to this title. All the characters look exactly how they should. And I love how he captures the grandeur of Metropolis. We can see that it truly is a metropolis not only in name, but in scale. And his clean lines and bright colours mark it as being the City of Tomorrow that it is often called.

Negatives

Superman #1 has a main cover, twelve standard variant covers, and five ratio variant covers. That’s eighteen different covers. As I’ve stated in previous reviews, DC has a bad variant cover problem. Sure, it’s great for those readers who just want to pick one or two of the variants, but it really takes advantage of completionists who want them all.

Now Superman #1 isn’t the most egregious example of this, but it’s the most recent in a long line of books with too many variants. The first issue of a new Superman series is worth a couple extra variants, but eighteen is more than a little overkill. However, it’s not as bad as the last two issues of Action Comics. Action #1050 had a whopping 27 covers to mark an anniversary issue. But the anniversary wasn’t even to mark a multiple of a hundred, but of fifty! And then they followed it up the very next month with ten covers for Action #1051 to mark the book’s new direction. For all that’s holy, please lighten up on the constant barrage of multiple covers, DC!

Verdict

Joshua Williamson won me over with his amazing run on The Flash. And I thoroughly enjoyed his Infinite Frontier and Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths. So, I am coming in with high expectations for this title. And if Superman #1 is any indication, he is going to live up to those expectations. And Jamal Campbell’s artwork is the perfect choice to bring Williamson’s story to life. I look forward to seeing what the upcoming issues have in store for the Man of Steel.

The post Review: Superman #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tom King

Artist: Chris Burnham

Colours: Adriano Lucas

Letters: Tory Peteri

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Dark Crisis: Worlds Without A Justice League – Superman #1: When Pariah and his forces of the Great Darkness laid waste to the most powerful superheroes of all time, all hope was lost…with the Man of Steel suffering the same fate as that of his comrades, join us for a look at a world of dreams he would never have thought possible while alive. Where there’s life there’s hope, and with that hope comes a deeper unraveling of the tapestry of DCU’s biggest event of 2022!

Positives

It appears that the reports of Superman’s death in Justice League #75 have been greatly exaggerated, as he seems to be alive and in good health in this Worlds Without a Justice League – Superman one-shot. But there are a lot of strange things going on in the world around him. The same is true for Aquaman, who stars in a backup story.

I doubt anyone truly believed that the League really died in the story that kicked off Dark Crisis. It’s common knowledge at this point that Pariah has captured the members of the League in worlds that fulfill their deepest desires. Presumably, it’s that wish-fulfillment element that keeps them from attempting to escape the worlds that Pariah has built for them.

The main story featuring Superman is written by Tom King, who has written a rather similar story in his Mister Miracle series. In that story, Scott Free appears to also be living in a simulated reality that keeps him similarly trapped. And Superman has also gone through a similar story in Alan Moore’s classic story “For the Man Who Has Everything”.

Positives Cont.

I find that the granted wish that keeps Superman trapped is quite believable as something that would tempt someone as strong-willed as the Man of Steel. In 2019, DC made the major misstep of allowing Brian Michael Bendis to instantly age up Clark’s son Jon from 10 years old to 17. This essentially robbed Superman and Lois of seeing their son grow from a child into the man he currently is.

But in this reality, Clark gets those years that Bendis stole from him. As Jon sets off to lead his own life, he tells Lois:

And I wouldn’t trade any of it. Not a single second. For… I was there, Lois. I was here. I saw him. I got to see him grow into the man he had to be. I didn’t miss it this time. No, no, no, not for anything. I wouldn’t trade this… for anything.

This shows how badly and deeply Superman wants this life in which he got to see his son grow up. But it’s also somewhat troubling. There’s a clear implication that Superman knows this life isn’t real. But he emphatically states his refusal to give this false world up.

However, we know that at his core, Superman knows he is needed outside this dream world. And he knows that this Jon nd Lois are not his real family, no matter how much he wants them to be. He will eventually return to his true family.

There are some other interesting differences in this world Pariah created for Clark. And the costumes Chris Burnham has beautifully depicted offer some interesting insights into these difference. Clark’s costume is clearly patterned after the Golden-Age Superman costume. Combining this with the white hair on Clark’s temples, this makes him look like the Earth-Two Superman in his Silver and Bronze Age appearances.

Could this be hinting at Superman’s desire for  simpler life by showing him in a costume from a simpler time? The story tells us that past events have kept Clark within the bounds of Earth’s solar system. And there is no indication of other heroes on Earth. On the whole, Superman’s dream world leaves him with less to do, and consequently more time to spend with his family.

Positives Cont.

And Jon’s uniform is quite intriguing. It’s essentially a Robin costume with an S-shield in place of Robin’s R-symbol. Could it be that Clark on some level is jealous of Bruce’s father-son relationship with the various Robins? I think that might be so, especially Bruce’s relationship with Dick Grayson. Bruce got to see Dick mature and grow into one of the DCU’s foremost heroes, while Clark missed that with Jon.

There is a darker side to this idyllic world. Darkseid and his forces are running rampant on the universe outside the solar system, which Clark has retreated to. Clark knows the wider universe needs him, but he is afraid to defy Darkseid. But Jon sets off to do exactly that. He dons his father’s costume and sets out to fight Darkseid.

And that’s another thing that Clark deeply longs for. He’s not just content to see his son grown into a man, but he wants to see Jon surpass him. He doesn’t want to be the conquering hero. He wants to be the proud father of that hero.

The Aquaman story is similar, but the wish-fulfilment element seems rather less nuanced than in the main story. Basically, Aquaman’s ideal life involves him surrounded by friends and family. We them all gathered at a vow-renewal ceremony for Arthur’s parents.

This appears to be set a good few years in the future, as his daughter is now grown up and calling herself Aquawoman. And Arthur appears to be on friendly terms with Black Manta. I suspect this reveals Aquaman’s desire that his recent truce with Manta will eventually develop into a true alliance and friendship between them.

Positives Cont.

I also have to say that I quite liked how the title “Aquaman Has Everything” gives a nod to Alan Moore’s classic Superman story “For the Man Who Has Everything”. That was a nice touch.

Perhaps the less nuanced wish-fulfillment fantasy explains why Arthur is aware that this world isn’t real. He states this clearly, as well as his desire to escape this false reality. He addresses Pariah directly:

And maybe one day it’ll all be real… like it was meant to be. But it’s not real. Not yet. I don’t have everything yet. I don’t yet have my hands around your throat. You think you’ve beaten us–but better than you have tried, and in the end, you all learn…Not even death will hold us. I’ve been dead before, and I’ve come back. Soon…we’ll see if you can say the same.

This bit is truly chilling. Brandon Thomas clearly understands what a menacing badass Aquaman can be. I would love to see Thomas get a chance to tackle an Aquaman project in the future, or perhaps the main Aquaman title. He really seems to get the character.

Negatives

I have absolutely no complaints about Dark Crisis: Worlds Without A Justice League – Superman #1. Dark Crisis and the overarching new Great Darkness Saga has been handled superbly (except for a certain miniseries starring the League and the Legion of Super-Heroes), and this one-shot story is no exception.

Verdict

If this issue is any indication, the upcoming Worlds Without a Justice League one-shots are going to be something really special. I can’t wait to see what worlds Pariah has created for the other members of the League. And the Superman story is like Tom King’s best stories usually are – heartbreaking but also somehow uplifting at the same time.

The post Review: Dark Crisis: Worlds Without A Justice League – Superman #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Shawn Aldridge
Art: Riccardo Federici and Adriana Melo
Colors: Lee Loughridge and Hi-Fi
Letters: Dave Sharpe

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Superman fights in the arena on Warworld and finally realizes he’s got to adapt to his new normal, and J’onn J’onzz gets the first glimpse of the Court of Vultures?

Positives

While the Superman books under Phillip Kennedy Johnson have ebbed and flowed in interesting content, there’s no doubt about the fact that he has Superman’s voice down pat and genuinely seems to understand the character.  This comes through overwhelmingly in this issue.  Johnson gives that clear and untainted sense of hope and indefatigable determination.  This alone elevates this issue over Action Comics #1038.  

This issue also leans into a bit of Edgar Rice Burroughs inspiration which we’ve seen before.  Superman is very much like John Carter of Mars as he fights in the arena, befriends other captives and generally tries to raise everyone’s spirits by sharing his own story and belief in hope.  As John Carter always says in similar situation, “I still live.”  It’s the ultimate expression of hope.  For while he is still alive, there is still the hope that he will find a way to save himself and see his family again.  Interestingly, while these themes are common to both Superman and John Carter, the incidentals of this story arc are much more inclined toward the latter’s tales instead of those of the Last Son of Krypton.  It’s both like and also very unlike a Superman story.  

Positives Cont’d

So far in this run we’ve seen great art from both Daniel Sampere and Miguel Mendonça.  In Action Comics #1039 Riccardo Federici delivers an exceptional issue, as well.  Despite his style being completely different from Sampere and Mendonça, Federici’s work is beautiful and epic.  Lee Loughridge adds his colors to give Warworld that Martian look that completes the John Carter of Mars vibe.  Visually, the issue is stunning in everyway.  Loughridge’s approach to Apollo’s radiating inner light is genius.  The art team gets “A”‘s all around and that goes for the covers as well.  Daniel Sampere delivers a movie poster-inspired main cover while Julian Totino Tedesco creates another poster worthy image.  Finally, Federici depicts a “Clark Kent, Warlord of Mars” image that fits the issue’s story perfectly.

The Martian Manhunter feature takes an interesting turn, but not before working one of the signature themes associated with the character.  J’onn has always struggled to fit in, and in this issue he demonstrates how human he is to his biggest fan, Zook as well as the little boy he saves from some very bad men.  It’s a couple of really nice moments that are depicted equally well by Adriana Melo as she allows some of the inner conflict and insecurity to come through the faces of J’onn, Zook, and the little boy.

The end of this chapter is a bit of a surprise as J’onn gets his first look at the organization that may be behind what he’s been investigating.  It appears to be modeled on Batman’s foes, the Court of Owls.  In this issue, they are a Circling of Vultures.  They’ve got some telepathic technology that proves shocking to J’onn and it’s clear they are out for him.

Negatives

Mongul and Warworld are about as interesting as a box of dirt.  It’s the main struggle with this storyline.  Thankfully, this issue doesn’t rely much on these topics instead of focusing on Superman’s character and the escape plot.  This issue also doesn’t bring up the tedious “Superman is dying” idea which also drags down this era of the Man of Steel.

Despite the pleasure that the similarities to John Carter bring in this long-time Edgar Rice Burroughs fan, at times this issue doesn’t feel at all like a Superman story.  There are instances when it pulls one out of the moment, and beg the question- “why not just write a John Carter story?”

Verdict

Character is the strongest element of the Superman story in Action Comics #1039.  Johnson nails this page after page, even if Superman’s not quite fitting into a John Carter of Mars story as one might expect he would.  The Martian Manhunter story continues to build up with an interesting reveal.  The art across the issue is at a high level, Melo is great on J’onn J’onn, but Federici is exceptional on the Superman tale.  All in all, this is a step up from the last issue.

The post Review: Action Comics #1039 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Robert Venditti
Art: Wilfredo Torres
Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Letters: Dave Lanphear of A Larger World

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Superman ’78 #5: Superman escapes from the Bottled City of Kandor to face down Brainiac one on one.  

Positives

For many readers, Superman ’78 will conjure up feelings of nostalgia for the Christopher Reeve Superman films.  It’s no surprise, for many Superman: The Movie was their first introduction to the character.  Superman ’78 #5 goes a few steps better.  It goes without saying at this point that Robert Venditti’s script is pitch perfect and Wilfredo Torres recreates that film world and the likenesses of the actors with seemingly unbelievable ease.  (You know it’s not really that easy, right?)  It really is amazing how flawlessly Torres does this!

In this issue there are lots of cameos and Easter Eggs and details that evoke many elements of the ’70’s.  It’s an interesting aspect of the issue.  As last issue carried a lot of emotion, this issue is more about moving the plot along.  However, these added details are a real treat for anyone that has fond memories of growing up in the ’70’s or has a long comic book memory.  The first one I’ll mention is that Jordie Bellaire’s shade of blue in Superman’s costume not only fits the movie costume, but is dead on the color used in Superman comics of the ’70’s.  Furthermore, it also evokes the classic Mego Superman action figure.  Also, we get a shot of Luthor in his ’70’s era purple and green costume seen throughout the ’70’s in comics and the Superfriends Saturday Morning Cartoon.  Richard Pryor who plays a role in Superman III seems to make a cameo as well as part of the cast of Barney Miller!

There are some panels in this issue that go into a sort of “red shift” as the panels appear to be inked in red and colored only in shades of red.  It’s a striking effect by Torres and Bellaire that not only sets these panels apart, and emphasizes their place in the story, but they just flat out look awesome!

Negatives

As Superman ’78 #5 is the penultimate issue of the mini-series, it feels like the ending may be a bit rushed.  It definitely feels like this story needs two more issues instead of one.  An extra issue would be a good thing, right?

Verdict

The ’70s are back with a vengeance as the creative team take the opportunity to pepper this plot driven issue with bits and pieces to which children of that decade will thrill.  It all goes hand in hand in developing the look and feel of the series as a continuation of the films.  And, it only really works if the book can conjure up the notion that it actually comes from the ’70s.

The post Review: Superman ’78 #5 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Shawn Aldridge
Art: Miguel Mendonça and Adriana Melo
Colors: Adriano Lucas and Hi-Fi
Letters: Dave Sharpe

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Superman and his allies suffer at the hands of Mongul, and the Martian Manhunter meets a new/old friend as he follows up a lead.

Positives

The Martian Manhunter second feature in Action Comics #1038 is a fun chapter that tips its hat very deeply to the Silver Age and the origins of the character.  It’s not entirely clear when this story takes place, but J’onn references moments in his past that he’s being reminded of.  Someone has put out a hit on MM and it leads J’onn to think about things in his past.  On the last page, he runs into a character with a name that should be familiar to longtime comic readers. Everyone remembers J’onn’s former partner, Zook? Uh…right?

This version of Zook doesn’t look exactly like the refugee from a parallel world that first appeared in Detective Comics #311, but she is clearly inspired by the original. This appears to be a bit of an update similar to what Gail Simone and Adriana Melo did with Plastic Man and Woozy Winks in the Plastic Man mini-series from 2018. The new character Pado Swakatoon seemed to take Woozy’s traditional role whilst also wearing green-hued duds. Melo (yes, she’s drawing this MM story as well) and writer Shawn Aldridge build just enough mystery and channel the right amount of Silver Age nostalgia in chapter 2 that maintains reader interest. It’s not always easy with a shorter page count in a story behind the main tale.

Positives Cont’d 

Superman is of course the star of Action Comics #1038, but unfortunately, the tongue-wagging of Mongul in the lead story is no more interesting than this chapter is inspiring. There are a couple of things that stand out, however.  Miguel Mendonca draws a great issue!  I mean, wow!  His shot of Mongul’s lackey on page two is just incredible. It’s that way for the rest of the issue, as well.

When Superman cradles Lia’s lifeless form in his arms and soliloquizes over the nature of life after death, it comes across as a bit of a meta-moment as if he’s trying to reassure her (still lifeless) that she will live on in future stories when some other writer “resurrects” her.   It could also be a reference to her light powers. However, he’s looking right at the reader in the last panel of his speech.

Julian Totino Tedesco delivers another amazing variant cover to this issue.  Like the two previous ones, it needs a story.  This one reminds me of an actual issue from the ’80’s – Superman #417.  I’m calling this one “Clark Kent, Warlord of Mars.”

Negatives

Superman certainly seems to have blundered onto Warworld subsequently causing the death of one (or two?) of his teammates and Midnighter rightly calls him on it. His response about hope is certainly in keeping with Superman’s mindset, but the issue doesn’t feel hopeful. The reader doesn’t really get what some of the Phaelosians perhaps get out of it.  

The Phaelosians, one of the most interesting aspects of Johnson’s run on Superman are still relegated to the background.  This story doesn’t really make a tangible connection between Superman and these characters. We could’ve done with a lot less Mongul and a lot more of Superman interacting with the Phaelosians in a meaningful way instead of mumbling and bleeding on the floor.  It’s almost as if Johnson’s got Superman’s heart right, but his mind is all wrong. Although, it was nice to hear him reference his son as a 12-year-old.  If only it were believable that this would lead to a story getting Jon back to his proper age. DC has too much invested in Jon as a burgeoning adult, even if the idea of Lois and Clark raising their biological child is far more interesting with more potential than the aged-up Jon will ever have. At least Superman seems to know the TRUTH!

Verdict

Buy this one for Tedesco’s variant cover and the Marian Manhunter second feature. Action Comics #1038 isn’t without merit, it’s just probably not the merit you were banking on. It’s still a difficult time for Superman, but it’s nice that there’s more to this title than the lead Superman story.

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[Editor’s Note: This DEFINITELY contains spoilers]

Writers: Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Shawn Aldridge
Art: Miguel Mendonca and Adriana Melo
Colors: Adriano Lucas and Hi-Fi
Letters: Dave Sharpe

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Superman goes head to head with Mongul and it doesn’t go particularly well for the Man of Steel.  Nor the rest of his team for that matter.

Positives

Johnson has some interesting ideas at play in Action Comics #1037.  The idea that the United Planets is not willing to assist Superman in his campaign is interesting.  And, we know from last issue that there’s some intrigue afoot with Thaaros.  This mystery, while not involving Superman directly, like the still simmering mystery of the Phaelosians holds the reader’s interest.  This debate deserves more exploration.  Whatever is going on in the background is more profound despite being a subplot than the main storyline of Superman vs. Mongul.

Amidst the fight we get a few exciting moments with Manchester Black and Enchantress as they lend their special abilities to the cause.  Miguel Mendonca does a great job on art this issue taking over from Daniel Sampere.  Mendonca wows us with some really nice double page spreads that are dynamic and perfectly capture the flow of the action.  The story brings Superman to a point of losing his temper and Mendoca depicts an angry yelling Man of Steel masterfully.

The second feature is the fist chapter of a Martian Manhunter tale.  While it’s hard to see how this fits with what we may already know about  J’onn, the story plays out like it’s setting up his police officer secret identity.  The first few pages demonstrate how J’onn seems to use different identities with no real grounding.  It’s a storyline with potential, it just seems odd that we are introduced to a police officer in the story that bears a strong resemblance to John Jones, his classic Silver Age/Bronze Age ID.  In a nod to J’onn’s original artist this police detective is named Certa- Joe Certa was the original artist on the Martian Manhunter back in the 1950’s.

Negatives

While DC should get a pat on the back for not soliciting this issue as “The Death of Superman,” the story never really feels like it’s the end of Big Blue despite the prophesy in the beginning of Johnson’s run.  It’s been the weakest aspect all along and it continues to be so.  It started out like a pointless side story and it still does- something to endure in order to get to the interesting ideas Johnson does have. 

Verdict

Action Comics #1037 is a mixed bag.  The best parts don’t get the focus, and the Martian Manhunter second feature has a clearer direction even if everything isn’t obvious at the start.  However, Miguel Mendonca and Adriana Melo combine for a strong artistic outing across both stories.  Once again Julian Totino Tedesco provides an exceptional variant cover- what a story that would be!  Perhaps, once we get past this second “death of Superman” Johnson can explore the interesting concepts he’s introduced.

The post Review: Action Comics #1037 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writers: L.L. McKinney, Joëlle Jones, Dan Watters, Becky Cloonan, and Michael W. Conrad
Artists: Alitha Martinez, Mark Morales, Joëlle Jones, Leila Del Duca, and Jen Bartel
Color Artists: Emilio Lopez, Jordie Bellaire, Nick Filardi, and Jen Bartel
Letterers: Becca Carey, Clayton Cowles, Tom Napolitano, and Pat Brosseau

Review by Steve J. Ray

I can’t believe that the “Future State” event happened right at the beginning of a year which is now just a few weeks away from ending. Back in January and February of 2021, this cosmic set of titles replaced every DC book, gave fans a glimpse at the possible futures of the publisher’s greatest heroes, and introducing us to some brand new ones. Future State: Wonder Woman collects Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman #1-2, Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #1-2, Future State: Wonder Woman #1-2, and the two Future State: Nubia back-up stories.

That’s a whole lot of wonder!

Positives

Nubia

What a way to start a collection! I’ve loved Nubia for decades, so finally getting to see her shine as a fully-fledged Wonder Woman filled my heart with joy. You’ll hear me say this again later on in this review, but the costume and character designs for the two new Wonder Women are nothing short of spectacular! Alitha Martinez, Mark Morales, and color artist Emilio Lopez give us a costume that’s very different to Diana’s, yet still screams “Wonder Woman”… I absolutely love it.

L.L. McKinney gives us a fresh take on Nubia too. This Wonder Woman feels like a real human being; she isn’t infallible or indestructible. In fact, she falters at first, before standing up, dusting herself off, and coming back fighting. This iteration of the character is a true hero and more than deserves her time in the sun.

This adventure makes Nubia’s rise to become Queen of the Amazons, after Diana’s “death” and apotheosis at the end of Dark Nights: Death Metal, feel all the more fitting. She’s a hero, a Princess, and an inspiration. McKinney also gives her a wonderful supporting cast, which enriches the tale even further.

Yara Flor

I love the character of Wonder Woman. Actually, let’s be clear… I love Diana of Themyscira. I’m a huge fan of Joëlle Jones, particularly after her stellar work with Tom King on Batman, and her own run on Catwoman. I only picked up Future State: Wonder Woman on release, purely because Joëlle was on the book. I was fully prepared to hate Yara Flor.

Over the decades we’ve had other characters pick up the mantle of Wonder Woman, either in possible futures, alternate realities, or due to other weird and wonderful comic-book tropes. We’ve seen Nubia, Artemis, and Cassie Sandsmark inherit the title, but none of them had the staying power of Diana. With that in mind, how would Yara Flor be any different? Also, how could she ever become a credible future Wonder Woman in the space of just two issues?

Joëlle Jones, Jordie Bellaire, and Clayton Cowles showed us how. They created a Wonder Woman trying her best to live up to the original but with a younger, fresher vibe, a killer look, fantastic supporting characters, new weapons, a flying horse, and a whole load of sass. My expectations were completely blown, my negativity was eradicated, and I learned to love a whole new Wonder Woman.

This story is pure magic; we got Hades as an airport terminal, Hydra, the Underworld, Charon, and Cerberus as we’d never seen them before. Yara Flor may just be Wonder Girl in current continuity, but I (and all the other DC Comics News writers) have so much love for her that we’d all be happy with her one day becoming Wonder Woman.

If you love Yara (and Jerry) as much as we do, you may want to check out my interview with Joëlle Jones, on this very website.

The Planet’s Finest: Superman/Wonder Woman

Yar Flor isn’t the only hero trying to fill some big shoes; young Jonathan Kent’s trying to fill his dad’s! Any youngster taking over the family business from a parent who’s a legend will find it hard, but when that parent is the Man of Steel… well, I feel for the lad. Thankfully, Jon has a great friend in Yara Flor.

This story is so fun. Dan Watters writes these young adults brilliantly, and his Silver-Age-Esque scenario – replete with a sentient sun, ancient gods, epic challenges, and two heroes trying their best to live up to legendary legacies – is a two-part treasure of a tale.

Leila Del Duca and Nick Filardi draw and color the adult Jon Kent and Yara Flor brilliantly. Their storytelling is sublime, and their characters emote, move, grimace and sweat just like real people. Yes, the situations are strange, fantastic, and ridiculous, but they’re also hugely entertaining, have great dialogue, and look fantastic.

Immortal Wonder Woman

Where most of the “Future State” tales, both in this book and in all the other titles for the event, seem to take place a decade or so from now, Immortal Wonder Woman is set at the end of everything. Of course, you can’t have a book called Future State: Wonder Woman without featuring the original, legendary, and eternal Diana.

I read these two issues on release, they appear in the magnificent Wonder Woman: 80 Years of the Amazon Warrior collection, and they’re presented here as well. Did I read the story again? Yes. Do I now own it three times? Again… yes. Is that a bad thing? Hell, no! The amazing Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad have gifted us with a bittersweet, beautiful tale of a Wonder Woman full of hope, even at the end of everything.

This is Diana, this is heroism… This is Wonder Woman.

If you haven’t guessed already, I love this story, and not just because it was written by two talents at the top of their game who are now chronicling Diana’s adventures in the present, but also because of the magnificent art by Jen Bartel. Look at it! This book is full of beautiful visuals created by amazing talents, so ending it with this story is the icing on the greatest cake ever baked.

Jen’s art is elevated even further by the work of the brilliant craftsman that is Pat Brosseau. Diana’s inner monologue is gorgeously rendered, and the fact that we have unique speech bubbles for Darkseid, Swamp Thing, and The Spectre, along with some gorgeous sound effects and titles, adds yet another dimension to the story.

I’d like to applaud Becca Carey, Clayton Cowles, and Tom Napolitano too. Without these fine people, we wouldn’t actually have anything to read.

Negatives

The book ended.

Verdict

It’s no secret that Batman and his extended family are my favorite characters (why else would I manage a Batman website?) but, for me, 2021 has been the year of Wonder Woman. This isn’t just because the character celebrated her 80th anniversary this year, but also because books like Future State: Wonder Woman, the 100 page Super Spectacular, the ongoing Wonder Girl, and the original Wonder Woman series are all in such great places right now.

Read in awe, and read with respect. The only fictional female character to have new adventures published consistently for eighty years is still going strong. Here’s looking forward to the next eighty. She’s. No… scrap that. They’re a Wonder, Wonder Woman!

Review Copy Courtesy of Penguin Random House. Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
ISBN: 978-1-77951-074-7

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