Superman #1 – Review

By: George Pérez (writer), Jesús Merino (artist), Brian Buccellato (colorist)

The Story: Extra, extra, read all about it!  Superman realizes print media is dead!

The Review: In a lot of ways, Grant Morrison’s reconceptualization of Superman over in Action Comics feels slightly theoretical, almost like an Elseworlds tale in certain respects.  But we all know that however radical the characterization gets, it will have an impact on the Superman we eventually end up with in DC’s new continuity.  This issue offers us our first look at the Man of Steel’s new template.  Will we recognize him as the icon we love, even sans visible underpants?

You’ve already predicted the answer by now: yes and no.  Here, we see Superman do what he’s always done, and will likely always continue to do, best, which is protect the innocent in the most genial way possible (flying with a terrorist-driven tank on his shoulders) “Playtime’s over!  Drop your weapons…or I’ll toss this tin can into the Westside River!”).  He comes in full-body costumery, and he remains an enormously popular (read: tweeted) figure in Metropolis.

Keep in mind, though, that popularity rarely equates to being beloved.  We first see Superman from ground level, watching him float high in the night sky, glowering down at you.  It’s an unsettling difference from the perpetually sunny character we’ve come to expect, which may explain why Metropolis hasn’t completely embraced him with open arms.  When the truck he carries spontaneously combusts, one reporter (granted, one who previously hosted a smack-talk show) immediately concludes, “…Superman himself caused the massive explosion.”

What with all the media buzzing and gadding about during these scenes, it’s no wonder the issue ultimately becomes more of a story about journalism than a Superman adventure.  On the plus side, it allows supporting players Lois, Perry, and Jimmy to assert their presence early on, and it introduces a few new ones as well: internet whiz Miko, newly-installed publisher Ms. Izquierdo, and Morgan Edge, head of the global conglomerate that just acquired the Daily Planet.