Here are today's "Guest Reviews" by Anj from Supergirl Comic Box Commentary. Included are DC's; Superman #17, Superboy #18, & Action Comics #18. 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.
Superman #17 - Fury At World's End
The startling conclusion of “H’EL ON EARTH”!
It’s the final fight with H’El — and to win, one of the team will have to make a fatal sacrifice!
The shocks continue as the all-new Oracle appears!
Preview
When Speaks the Oracle
Superman #17 came out this week, the last chapter of
H'El on Earth, about as muddle a
Superman family crossover as I have read. Thank goodness it is over so I can put it in my rear view mirror.
I have had major issues with this arc, mostly around the inanity in
Supergirl's characterization. But I also have had problems with the way the other members of the family have been portrayed as well. The characters read differently from chapter to chapter and from book to book. The Supergirl in this book is much different than the one in her own title. The
Superboy in this arc is way more heroic and way more inspired by Superman than he has ever been in his title.
But, as I feared at the end of
Supergirl #17, there isn't enough space in this one issue to wrap up this arc in any meaningful way. We are rushed through a simple solution
(harming H'El snuffs all his machinations), problems that have cropped up in the plot are simply ignored
(Superboy doesn't seem to be dying anymore and in fact seems stronger than ever, it isn't the draining of energy that will blow up our solar system it is the activation of the time ship), characters change their minds dramatically
(Supergirl goes from smitten and angry follower to murderous and familial in the span of minutes), and we still don't know anything about H'El or his plot. When there is that many things swept under the rug, the story can't be satisfying.
Now I can imagine that some people will say I should be happy that Kara was the 'hero' here. But I can't forget 7 issues of stupidity. And I can't be happy to see Supergirl try to kill someone.
If there is one bright spot here, it is the art of Kenneth Rocafort which really shines. It is a pretty book to look at. Too bad the words ruin things. Let's start picking at the scabs.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 3.6
Superboy #18 - Mind Your Manners; Good Boy
“H’EL ON EARTH” has ended, and Superboy’s about to land in a new city, with a new secret identity and a surprising new foe on his trail!
Guest-starring Superman!
Preview
Driven Psycho!
Superboy #18 came out last week, the first issue post-H'El on Earth. Of all the characters in that arc, Superboy came out the best. Over the course of the story, he recognizes Superman for the hero he is, joins the fight against H'El, refuses to give up when Supergirl pounds him, and is crucial to H'El's 'defeat'. On top of this, much of his heroics occur when he is clinging to life after H'El devastated him on a genetic level. It was refreshing to see him take such a step forward, even while I sadly watched Kara take two steps back.
With H'El behind us and a fresh perspective from Kon, as well as maybe new readers on board, and new writer Justin Jordan a couple of issues away, Superboy #18 seemed like as a good an issue as any to re-calibrate the book. And this issue does just that, even if most of the story is told by the villain rather than from Superboy himself. It is an outsider learning about Kon and that works well here ... after all, we are outsiders too. Scott Lobdell comes back on the title as writer here continuing his efforts with the character from Superman.
I usually applaud RB Silva's art on the book. But this issue looked a bit rushed and not as polished as I am used to. I liked the clean crisp look of the earlier issues. Iban Coello chips in on a handful of pages.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 3.9
Action Comics #18 - Superman's Last Stand; Never-Ending Battle
You don’t dare miss Grant Morrison’s stunning, extra-sized final issue of ACTION COMICS!
It’s no small battle as Superman fights to save all of creation in this epic!
This issue is destined to be a milestone in The New 52!
Plus: In the backup story, whatever happened to the men of tomorrow(s)?
Preview
Against the Demon From Dimension 5!
Action Comics #18 came out last week and was a phenomenal pitch-perfect ending to Grant Morrison's run on the title. In fact, it was so good that it took me this long to put my thoughts together to discuss my review. It took this long to look through the book and decide which panels should be included in the review. It took me this long to try to temper myself so I didn't simply gush.
After the earliest issues of this title, I started to get a sense that this story wasn't so much a story about an evil 5th dimensional imp as it was a commentary on Superman himself in this grungy world of current comics. More and more meta-textual snippets were being put into the book including but not limited to the inclusion of creator rights, Silver Age visuals, Golden Age sensibilities, a sense of the timelessness of Superman, and the vile Super-
Doomsday - a warped Superman which would fit in perfectly in the
New 52 DC world. How can Superman perform the impossible and remain a symbol of good, inspiring humanity while being one of us? How can he survive a comic world where the dollar seems to be mightier than a pure hero?
With that sort of timeless feeling of Superman, Rags Morales and Brad Walker make the perfect art combination bring a sort of 'steady' feel to the book, a more understated look at Superman in this age of crazy panels and wonky stylizations.
If you like Morrison, if you can deal with some of his zaniness and go along for the ride, if you can believe a man can fly and call upon the spirit of humanity to defeat the devil you should not miss this book.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 2/5
Story - 2/5
Verdict - 2.7
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