Superman #700 – Review

By James Robinson (Writer), Bernard Chang (Penciler), Dan Jurgens (Writer), J. Michael Straczynski (Writer), Eddy Barrows (Penciler), J.P. Mayer (Inker)

DC celebrates its biggest title with a look at Superman’s past, present and future. All three, of which, look at the importance of Superman to Earth, and the need society has for him on his adoptive planet.

The first story looks at Superman just post the Hundred Minute War. As Lois Lane is being hunted by Parasite, the Man of Steel steps in just in the nick of time to get Lois out of harms way and get the bad guys to jail. But that’s not the focus of the story. The writing of this story, by Robinson, really touches on the importance of Superman to Lois Lane and the continual struggle she has to share the man she loves with the world that needs him. The artwork in this story wraps up with a beautiful one-page illustration of Superman recommitting himself to Lois Lane while poised in the night sky high above a blurred out Metropolis skyline.

The second story of the book, by Dan Jurgens (the man who killed off Superman), brings us back to Superman’s past, but focuses on one of Robin’s escapades as he attempts to stop gun smugglers on the docks of Gotham City, before they unload the boat from Metropolis. With Bruce Wayne at a stockholders meeting that he can’t get out of, Robin steps in, against Bruce’s orders, and finds himself in a bit of trouble, when Superman steps in to not only save Robin, but to reiterate Bruce’s words that Robin just isn’t ready to be out on his own. It’s a fun little story with some clear interplay between Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne, through a hand written note handed off to Kent at the end of this story.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Ray’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: DMZ #54– Brian Wood delivered in last week’s installment of DMZ, as the issue was packed with good dialogue and amazing unique cinematic-esque art from Riccardo Burchielli.

Most Anticipated: Batman: The Return Of Bruce Wayne #3 – Two reasons… A) It’s Batman in the high seas…. and B) I now feel justified and unashamed for owning this.

Other Top Picks: Superman #700, Detective #866, Incorruptible #7, Amazing Spider-Man #635,  X-Men Legacy #237, Powers #5

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: New Avengers #1 -The best issue of the week, for me, was also the biggest surprise of the week.  I honestly expected mediocrity but got a whole lot of fun instead.  I’ve gone from the classic comic reader conundrum of buying out of a sense of obligation to genuinely looking forward to the next issue.

Most Anticipated: Legion of Super-Heroes #2 -The first issue was such an absolute blast that I can’t wait to see how Levitz follows it up.  Hopefully it’s just as dense of a read.

Other Picks: American Vampire #4, Avengers #2, Batman: the Return of Bruce Wayne #3, Fantastic Four #580, Powers #5, Secret Warriors #17, Superman #700, Wolverine: Weapon X #14, Zatanna #2

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Forgetless #5 – This issue shows why Nick Spencer is one of the better up-and-coming creators out there.  Good endings are hard and in this issue he shows that he not only is a font of the weird and wacky, he can also bring the story home in a very enjoyable fashion.

Most Anticipated: American Vampire #4 – There are a lot of big name books coming out this week, but when I scanned down the list, I realized this is the title I was actually looking forward to the most.  I’ve really enjoyed the work that Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque (and some dude named Stephen King) have been doing to create a story about vampires than isn’t just appealing to teenage goth chicks.

Other Top Picks: Avengers #2, X-Men Legacy #237, Sea Bear & Grizzly Shark #1, Powers #5, Amazing Spider-Man #635

DS’ Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Brightest Day #4 – One of DC’s proven creative teams is taking Brightest Day up and issue #4 swiped this week’s crown. I know some are complaining that Brightest Day is starting slow, but that’s because Johns and Tomasi are writing an epic. Think of Lord of the Rings. Brightest Day is in that spot where they’ve decided to take the ring to Rivendell, but haven’t left the Shire yet. A Johns story needs a lot of canvas, but strap yourself in for a great ride.

Most Anticipated: Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #3 – Darkseid has set something bad in motion – Bruce is hurtling towards the present like a living WMD and he doesn’t know it.

Other Top Picks: Green Lantern Corps #49, Legion of Superheroes #2, Power Girl #13, Namora #1, X-Factor #206, X-Men Legacy #237.