Superman Special #1 review 


Jon Kent can’t sleep. There’s a wooden leg looking at him from across his bedroom, reminding him of a promise he and his father made. They’ve not broken it, but neither have they fulfilled it. Months ago, they were stranded on Dinosaur Island, a strange realm of monsters that may be in the past, or perhaps ‘just’ on another plane of existence. All Jon and Clark know is that it’s a long way away. 

There, they met World War Two hero Captain Storm, last survivor of the elite fighting force known as The Losers. He sacrificed his own chance to get off the island to ensure Superman and Superboy could return to their home. 

It’s time to go back for Captain Storm. The mad science cube that took them there has enough power for a return journey so off they go, determined to find Captain Storm. He’s not difficult to locate, as they arrive smack bang in the middle of a battle he’s having - with his lunch. 


Bye-bye Mr T-Rex. After some rather colourful antics, they’re back in 2018 with Captain Storm, and helping him adjust to a life eight decades beyond the one he knew. And just as Jon and Clark had a mission, so does Captain Storm. 


As a new era for Superman draws ever nearer, here’s one more outing for Peter J Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, the writers who have made Clark, Lois and Jon Kent their own these past two years. And a great final bow it’s is. You can’t beat a dinosaur fight, and it’s good to see Captain Storm isn’t left in limbo. He gets a few solo pages and they’re rather affecting. The easy friendship that develops between him, Clark and Jon is good to see - they’re all men of honour - and while Lois barely appears, she gets a lot of respect. The characterisation we’ve come to this expect is present, with this moment being a highlight. 


Despite instigating the mission, Jon is a little nervous about going back; it’s nice to be reminded that while he’s a brave wee soul, he’s still a kid and going to be nervous occasionally. Clark gives him the option of staying behind, but Jon has the heart of a hero, and a Dad who has his back. Of course he goes. 

In an especially lovely touch, the final panels of the story are a nod and a super-wink to the most famous Superman era ending of all. 

The art is by Scott Godlewski, who illustrated the Road Trip story last year, and just as that two-parter was about acknowledging tradition and remembering those who took a stand in building the United States, this one asks us to remember the fallen who fought to keep their world free. I can’t claim any insight, the title, lettered by the ever-excellent Rob Leigh and coloured by the talented Gabe Eltaeb, provided a rather large hint. 


As for Godlewski’s art, it’s dynamic, the storytelling is fine and that’s one hunky Captain Storm. 


I bet a few hearts have been set a-flutter, but I won’t yearn for him to join the Suicide Squad or set up a modern-day Losers. Let the guy have his, if not happy, then bittersweet ending. 

For Those Who Serve isn’t some leftover tale DC has slapped ‘Special’ on... it’s 30pp, ten more pages than a regular comic has to play with, and that ending is a very definite goodbye from Gleason, Tomasi and their collaborators. 

This special also has a couple of shorts. Mark Russell and Bryan Hitch show us what happens when Superman, just back in Metropolis and rather knackered after a space journey, must immediately leap back into action. 


Bigger than the Atlantean insect is the problem he faces when a man he rescues from a collapsing building asks him to go back in for something. But when faced with the choice of saving a pet, or some precious photographs, there’s no dilemma. 

I’ve an aversion to flashbacks showing us the wisdom of Pa Kent - it’s become as much the modern Superman cliche as angry heat vision eyes - but Russell keeps the callbacks small and focused, and sentimentality at bay. Hitch, with his love of big moments, is the perfect choice for Strays and Strangers, but he also gets to remind us that he’s better than most at facial expressions. And Alex Sinclair’s naturalistic colours suit a tale that marries big action with real intimacy. 

The final tale surprised me with its focus on former Superwoman supporting character Atomic Skull, but he did start out as a Superman villain in the Seventies. Now a probationary member of the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit, his history with our hero informs a sharp short that manages to surprise. As far as I can see, this is writer Ian Flynn’s first DC comics script - though he looks to be involved with a new DCU video game - but he’s written about a million Sonic the Hedgehog comics so knows how to put together a neat story in just a few pages. I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship with DC, because right off the bat, Flynn shows that he gets Superman, Atomic Skull and SCU chief Maggie Sawyer.


The art’s a treat too, as Kaare Andrews provide full-colour illustrations that are full of personality - just look at hapless Albert Michaels scratching his atomic arse on the first page. In his bunny slippers. 

This issue’s cover is by Jorge Jimenez, whose time with the Super Sons has seen him rise to stardom - he’s drawing the Justice League relaunch - and it’s another winner, the figures totally popping out of the image. Colourist Alejandro Sanchez deserves kudos for his part. 

I don’t know how I’ll feel about the coming Superman stories as former Marvel writer Brian Michael Bendis takes creative control. If I don’t find them to my taste, well, I’ve two fantastic years of stories helmed by Gleason and Tomasi, drawn by such excellent artists as Gleason, Doug Mahnke and, of course, Godlowski and overseen by editors Paul Kaminski and Andrew Marino to look back on and enjoy all over again. 

And this is the perfect capper, with each story focusing on one aspect of our hero’s character: the importance he places on keeping a promise, how compassion informs his judgement and how he gives everyone a chance to find their best self. That’s Superman.  

Thanks guys, don’t be gone too long. 

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Superman Special #1, Peter J Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Scott Godlowski, Kaare Andrews, Bryan Hitch, Mark Russell, Ian Flynn, Gabe Eltaeb, Alejandro Sanchez, Rob Leigh, Jorge Jimenez, Alex Sinclair, Rob Leith, Captain Storm, The Losers

Comments

  1. I liked this issue a lot. The lead story felt more "special" to me than its counterpart in Action -- this felt more like a loose end than a story about Luthor, a character who appears every month. And you're right -- this also makes a nice coda to that odd little road trip story from last year. (See, Clark, that's how you bring a soldier home respectfully -- you don't just leave a skeleton and a note.)

    I liked the backups, too -- I'm glad to see another story from Mark Russell, whose Snagglepuss series is stacking up on my dresser until I can track down a copy of issue 1, which I missed. But his run on The Flintstones last year came out of left field and became one of my favorite comics.

    And thanks for letting me know what was going on with the Atomic Skull! I wasn't lost -- Flynn & Andrews convey his new situation clearly, while telling an entertaining story -- but I had no idea where the development had come from. I hope we see more of him soon!

    That's a wrap for this run of Superman. Fingers crossed for the future!

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  2. Ugh. Dissenting opinion here: I wish I hadn't bought this. The two Action Plus features feature two of my least favorite artists and written by guys who need more time under their belt to pack enough do a full short story. The lead was just Captain America being unfrozen with less depth and filler dinosaurs. My new suspicion about these two 'Specials' is that they're designed to make Bendis' stuff seem even better in comparison...

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    1. Thank you so much for reviving the Action Plus title. I’m nicking it at the first available opportunity. It’s a shame you didn’t enjoy the book, though... you need to be that fella who writes the column at CBR about reading comics for free at the comic shop. I don’t think he ever actually gives them a plug!

      I was looking back at old Avengers and Captain America stories on Marvel Unlimited and boy, was Cap full of angst. Captain Storm’s not THAT bad!

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  3. I liked this book. The first story by Tomasi and Gleason is a wonderful coda to their work. The last scene is a 'turn off the lights and close the door' moment which is a wonderful metaphor to the end of Rebirth. That scene also highlights the strong Lois from this run, something we better continue to see.

    And I don't mind the right use of sepia-toned Pa Kent moments. But that moment in the Russell story seemed like a nice afterthought to the learning moments in the first story. Let's face it ... Clark here is the new Pa Kent, doling out wisdom to a super-powered son. The cycle continues.

    I'll miss Tomasi and Gleason working with these characters. Bendis better bring the fire.

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    1. I don’t think Jon has called Clark ‘Pa’ yet. I’d love that.

      (And anyone who wants more of Anj’s thoughts on this issue - and lots more besides -can pop along to his excellent blog, Supergirl’s Comic Box Commentary.)

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  4. Flynn is an amazing writer with a deep love of continuity but not choking you with it he uses it to enhance a story

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  5. As enjoyable as this issue was, I can't help feeling that Superman 045 was the stronger end to their run. That said, the issue is, nevertheless, a strong end to what's probably been the strongest Superman run since Dan Jurgens' run in the 90's and it makes me even more apprehensive about Bendis' incoming run.

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