Here are today's Guest Reviews by Anj from Supergirl Comic Box Commentary for DC's; Superman Unchained #1, Justice League of America's Vibe #5, and Supergirl #21. 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 Unchained #1 - The Leap
When thirteen satellites fall from the sky in one day, the logical suspect is Lex Luthor—even though he’s still locked up in prison! But a stranger question remains: If Superman didn’t stop the last satellite from falling, who did? There’s a mystery hidden where even Superman can’t see it—Can The Man of Steel drag a decades-old secret into the light? Don’t miss the debut of this red-hot new series from two of comics’ brightest superstars: SCOTT SNYDER and JIM LEE!
Preview
Unchained
Superman Unchained #1, the highly anticipated new title by current DC mega-star writer Scott Snyder and industry legend artist Jim Lee, came out this week. There was certainly a huge amount of publicity for this book. Innumerable interviews and articles talked about the creative team and their approach to the Man of Steel. It came out on the week that the Man of Steel movie is opening, adding a surge of mainstream interest. It came with a slew of variant covers by incredible artists. And it included a previewed 'fold-out' poster page which was actually part of the story. With all that coming before, I wondered if the story itself could hold up to the crushing weight of pre-expectations.
Surprisingly, despite the double-edged sword of hype, I was very very happy with the story. Did it completely floor me? No. But was it a solid Superman story with great characterization and some nice nuances which made it my favorite book of the week.
If there is one thing that I have come to realize ... and it is a sad thing ... is that it is becoming rarer for me to read a Superman book where he is written right, with the right ideals and right personality. So when I read characterization that is consistent with what I want to see in Superman, I am happy. It almost makes the action secondary. Here, Snyder captures Superman's characterization nicely
(as well as Jimmy and Lois) and has a great plot as well.
Jim Lee's art is a bit rougher than I am used to seeing but it works with the early part of the story, a frenetic rescue.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 5/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Verdict - 3.6 - (Buy Superman Unchained #1) SAVE 10%
Justice League of America's Vibe #5 - Suicide Solution
On the run from A.R.G.U.S., Vibe jumps into the crosshairs of the Suicide Squad!
Preview
Hunted by the Suicide Squad
Vibe #5 came out last week and certainly had the title take something of a left hand turn onto a new path. It is interesting to see things change so quickly here rather than simmering slowly. I wonder just how much this quick pace and shift in story is being driven by the unfortunate poor sales numbers on this book.
In this issue, Vibe goes from being an agent of ARGUS to being a fugitive hunted down by the very agency he has served. We had seen in the early issues of the book that Vibe was starting to question whether or not he was truly working for the 'good guys'. Whether it be Kid Flash or this issue's Gypsy, Vibe can't just hang his hat that he is doing the right thing. And that questioning of their authority would have been a great thing to slowly heat up over time until it hit a full boil.
There would be an awful lot to explore there. Cisco's family would be endangered if he runs. He is being compensated/rewarded by Argus for his service. There are probably real threats that ARGUS is dealing with. There could be a lot of plot lines and hand wringing about turning on them.
No complaints about this issue as things move forward quickly and ends with a fantastic cliffhanger. I was hoping that this decision to run would be more drawn out.
Pete Woods is on art on the book with inks by Sean Parsons. Parsons brings a sort of Cully Hamner flourish to Woods excellent pencils which makes this book very visually appealing. Brett Booth pencils the cover with great design.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 5/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 4.7 - (Buy Justice League of America's Vibe #5) SAVE 10%
Supergirl #21 - Be Careful What You Wish For
It’s Supergirl vs. the mysterious Mekka—but what is the secret of this new menace? And what is Lex Luthor’s envoy Alphina planning against Kara?
Preview
Beware the Wrath of the Girl of Steel!
Supergirl #21 came out a couple of days ago, the second issue in the Michael Alan Nelson era on the title. While last month's issue with Power Girl was a humorous romp, this issue is much more serious and probably is a better barometer for what Nelson's style is like ... at least in the context of what he has said in interviews.
That said, while not as 'laugh out loud' funny as Supergirl #20, this issue wasn't exactly a dark, dour morass either. The more I read interviews with Nelson
(and I have a post coming up looking at a couple of new ones), the more I think he is starting this comic in a darker place based on the history of this character but while looking at some light on the horizon, a sort of goal for Kara to move on away from tragedy. You get the sense in this issue that she almost wants to move forward but is still being weighed down by the inertia of her grief.
The interior art is done by Diogenes Neves whose work I know mostly from Demon Knights. It is a scratchier sort of art than Mahmud Asrar's but it works well in this issue. Mahmud Asrar does provide the cover, a near-insane and angry Supergirl who we don't see at all in the story inside. This image
(like the scrapped cover of her crushing the Earth) seems more aimed at the 'don't piss her off' 'no affection for humanity' Supergirl which the DC hierarchy seems determined to shove down our throats.
The issue starts with a great scene between Kara and her only Earth friend Siobhan, a scene in which Supergirl says goodbye. In one succinct panel, Nelson actually lays out all of the things that has happened to Supergirl in the year and a half she has been on Earth ... and that's not even considering the worrisome aspects of her origin on Krypton - her dad experimenting on her, her mother shooting her dad, etc. With all the terrible events on Earth, Supergirl decides the best thing to do is to move on. It is a bit defeatist but it shows just how terrible this comic has treated its hero ... precious little has gone right.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 4 - (Buy Supergirl #21) SAVE 10%
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