Superman #22 review

The Psi War storyline continues, with psychics Hector Hammond and the Hive Queen at one another's throats. Meanwhile, Superman ponders his vulnerability to mental attacks before catching up first with blogging partner Cat Grant, then best pal Jimmy Olsen. His chat with the latter is interrupted when Metropolis is attacked by familiar-looking tech, prompting Clark into his Superman duds. But he's soon unconscious at the hands of the Hive Queen, who reveals her hand - she's preparing Metropolis for the return of ... ah, but that would be telling, and if you've managed to remain solicits-free, I shan't spoil it.

Once again, writer Scott Lobdell adds to the series storylines, deepening Clark's appreciation of Cat and building a mystery around Jimmy, while keeping the HIVE storyline front and centre.

First, Clark notices that despite her attempts to disguise the fact, Cat's short of money; she's put everything into their joint news and entertainment blog, and he's not pulling his weight in terms of contributions. This prompts Clark to share what he knows about last issue's mystery, the Twenty, and it's intriguing stuff.

Then Jimmy rescinds his previous claim that he's suddenly a boy billionaire because his parents have died. They're not dead, merely travelling, and they've put him in charge of the family moneybags. The revelation - or perhaps, lie - comes because Superman fears Jimmy is spending madly to mask the pain he feels at his loss.

I'm happy that Lobdell is spending time with Clark's friends, it's been so long since any were used regularly (and don't worry Lois boosters, she's getting a spotlight in an upcoming annual). I'm not saying Clark needs them to stay grounded - even this issue's line about him hiding among humanity puts 'hiding' in quotes - but it's good to be reminded who Superman is fighting that never-ending battle for.

And there's an interesting line from Superman about ever-helpful super scientist Dr Veritas which shows it's not just me who thinks that woman is a bit off.

Hector Hammond continues to be a lot of fun, though Lobdell's introductory caption describing him as a 'monstrously powerful young man' surprised me - I've been reading stories featuring him since I was a kid, and he never seemed less than middle-aged. All right, I suppose the Mekon head makes him difficult to read, but really, what young chap has a moustache like that? Is Hector Hammond a hipster?

Whatever the case, there's no denying guest penciller Eddy Barrows and inker Eber Ferreira draw a splendiferous version of the villain, one minute goofy, the next terrifying. Their Superman, too, is excellent, if you can live with the current DC edict that he's about 12 years old. There's a delightful sequence of Superman changing to Clark across multiple images, something I thought the current super-suit, with its redundant morphing tech, had seen off. I don't care, I'll take it, and thank Lobdell, too, for - presumably - asking for it in the script. In fact, as it's on the page with the Cat sequence I mentioned, and the Dr Veritas line, and the 'humanity' thought, have a look for yourself (click on image to enlarge):
Barrows and Ferreira aren't the only artists on this issue, with the talented duo of Daniel HDR and Geraldo Borges pencilling and inking three pages apiece (13-15 and 16-18 respectively). Daniel imbues the Jimmy scene with quiet, effective drama, while Geraldo excels with a spread of Metropolis in chaos (again). The art on this issue is characterful and powerful from start to finish, and coloured with Brio by Blond and Pete Pantazis.

I really hope new readers are trying this comic - here, there's an extensive, nicely handled thought balloon recap from Superman that would make it easy to jump in - because it's huge fun. Lobdell goes old school in giving us a number of plotlines bubbling away at once, making links transparent when they're at the boil. He's giving us a fascinating Metropolis, and is building subplots among the supporting cast in a way we've not seen since the Nineties. And even when regular artist Kenneth Rocafort isn't around (he's present this time via an eyecatching cover - that bottom on Illyana-lookalike the Hive Queen would put your eyes out) we're getting memorable visuals.

This is a great Superman book and getting better by the month, and if people are letting preconceptions about Lobdell's ability get in the way of their trying it, more fool them. 

Comments

  1. Lobdell cut his teeth on group books at Marvel but I'm beginning to think as he's grown he's become more suited to solo titles. His Superboy was better than his Teen Titans and Red Hood was better with its three leads. I think we're also seeing his fly by the seat of his pants style of plotting being tempered by the Super Books needing more editorial oversight than his other books...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That last comment Steve, very smart! If I had prizes to give ...

      Delete
  2. come on mart give us a hint at who the queen was summoning some of us are broke and can't buy comics now

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lightbulbs, monkey, glassware ..,

      More details from Anj over at Supergirl Comic Box Commentary! http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/review-superman-22.html

      Delete
  3. Great Review! I loved this book. It has turned the corner since H'el ended. Lobdell is not the antichrist that some make him out to be. In fact I quite enjoy this book and look forward to it every month.

    Comicbookheretic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is lovely to be looking forward to Superman comics again.

      Delete
  4. You mention Hector Hammond's age, and I have to say, if one thing about the new 52 has really annoyed the heck out of me, it is this insistence at DC that everyone has to be 20something. I mean, I understand that they reset their universe back to a time when their heroes were younger, less experienced, but does this really mean that every villain, every other character also has to be in their 20s too? I mean, Amanda Waller looks like a 23 year old Ebony cover model. Who in the government has that kind of power and influence at 23?

    Ugh!

    LOL Sorry for ranting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. OK, Martin. Reading these reviews has me convinced to put Superman back in my 'pull list.' You totally owe me $2.99 a month ;)

    Seriously, thanks for pointing out the title's consistently good work. I kept up with the title through Jurgen's run and like most of what Lobdell does, so I'm happy to be picking the title back up.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment