Superman #703 – Review

By J. Michael Straczynski (writer), Eddy Barrows (pencils), J.P. Mayer (inks), Rod Reis (colors) and John J. Hill (letters)

The Story: Superman continues his flat-footed journey of reconnection with the common man, but is interrupted first by Batman, and then by a common man who has quite suddenly gained some very uncommon powers…

What’s Good: The first good news to report is that the dialogue has been toned down quite a bit, and that’s for the better. Instead of being completely over the top aw-shucks-gee-whizz-jes’ folks hokey, the corn factor has been reduced to more manageable levels. Not soon enough, either. It’s all well and good to watch Supes interacting with everyday people; it’s quite another to watch him interact with a bunch of stereotypes.

The art team is doing some very nice work here as well. I especially love the bright, energetic colors Reis uses to bring Superman’s world to life. They’re warm without being sappy or overly saturated, and inviting without being saccharine. More even than the (quite cool) heroic poses Barrows gives Superman to strike, it’s the colors and the balance between them that sets this world’s tone and give it a smattering of verisimilitude. In the same way the right dark and shadowy art can make you believe (at least momentarily) that, yes, maybe someone like Batman could exist, Reis’ vibrant palette builds a world that allows for someone as good and pure-hearted as Superman to exist.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Brightest Day #11 – It was a thin week with few bright lights. I’ll pass the crown to Brightest Day #11, because parts of it were working well.

Most Anticipated: Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #5 – With all those comics out there that get published every 2-3 weeks, it feels like it’s been a dog’s age since the last issue, so I’m pretty pumped about Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #5.

Other Top Picks: Other Top Picks: Green Lantern #58, The Thanos Imperative #5

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: American Vampire #7 – It was neck-and-neck between this and Taskmaster #2, but I’m giving the tiebreaker to Scott Snyder’s book because he is doing a cool story in the context of something bigger than a 4-issue mini.  I love how Snyder is tying in all the material from his first story arc in a pre-Hoover Dam Las Vegas to create a big-picture vampire book.

Most Anticipated: Hack / Slash Annual 2010: Murder Messiah – I loved the first story arc of Hack/Slash since it moved to Image and am eager to see what tale we get in this oversized annual.  Anyone who loved 80’s horror/slasher movies should give this a try.

Other Top Picks: Unwritten #18, Amazing Spider-Man #645, Invincible Iron Man #31, Strange Tales #1, Tomb of Terror #1, Irredeemable #18

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Secret Six #26 – Though American Vampire gave it its best shot in a fairly thin week, Secret Six’s mix of Savage Land type madness, Bane badassery, and an ending that had me hungry for next issue was ultimately enough for me to give it pick of the week status.

Most Anticipated: Thor #616 – Was there any doubt?  I’m really glad that I’ve not had to wait a full month between issues, because I absolutely loved Matt Fraction and Pasqual Ferry’s debut issue and have been dying to see where they go with Thor.  I really think this is going to be one of the best reads at Marvel and I’m expecting this issue to further substantiate that.

Other Picks: New Avengers #5, Batman: the Return of Bruce Wayne #5, Shadowland #4, Green Lantern #58, Invincible Iron Man #31, Superman #703, The Unwritten #18