Superman - Batman, Superman and the New 52 Discussion - The Kryptonian

Changes in Superman team after Issue #6

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:53:21 +0000

CBR is reporting that as of Superman #7, George Perez will step down as writer/breakdown artist to be replaced by Giffen and Dan Jurgens.

And so it goes. Although one does have to wonder over the large number of artist/writers currently working on the new DC books and why, if they need replacing, do they not hire straight-up writers to do so?

Superboy #1 Synopsis (Spoilers)

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:45:21 +0000

When we were introduced to Superboy in Adventures of Superman #501 we weren’t given much of a back story. We had Superboy and three other characters presented to us and we watched them fight for the mantle of Superman. We had the bad haircut and costume that later turned into the everyman that wore a black t-shirt to fight crime.

The New 52, and Scott Lobdell think we deserve better. Superboy’s story starts out at his 3rd month alive in a man sized test tube. He’s the success of a laboratory’s attempt to combined the DNA of Superman with the DNA of an unknown human. (But come on we all know who it is!)

The take on his powers is the same, but we get a closer look. The tests he’s put through in the labs virtual reality simulator show us that his conscience is not limited to his mind but is alive in every cell of his body. He’s really connected to the world around him. His super-senses are almost animal like. He can sense thoughts, emotions, and life. He also has a familiar telekinesis (tactile telekinesis) power that is said to be unique to him alone.

The VR tests are designed by his creators to activate the memories and instincts of Superboy’s on DNA donors. They claim that the VR test are meant to exercise him in preparation of him being released into the world. They become very interested to see that in the reality created by Superboy he is a high school student in a small town in Kansas that lives on a farm. (Normal right? He’s got Superman’s DNA.) What the scientists can’t figure out is why when Superboy sees a woman in a burning building he consistently does not rush to her aid. Sounds like he must have inherited his emotional lexicon from someone else.

In the end Superboy is presented with an opportunity to gain his freedom from his captivity in the laboratory. All he has to do is wipe out a team of young heroes - a team we all know as the “Teen Titans”.

What I really enjoyed about Lobdell's take on Superboy is the use of his thoughts. Superboy's conscience is everywhere in him and his thoughts show it. He's emotional, compassionate, and yet very alien. He's a genius but yet, has no idea why. I am excited for Superboy grow into himself, and curious to see how his human DNA is going to factor in to his development.

Action Comics #1

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:41:01 +0000

The New 52 continues! Action Comics #1 was released today. The story takes place just 6 months after Clark's first appearance as Superman (named Superman by Lois Lane).

About Superman
A young Clark Kent uses the guise of Superman (a very Tom Welling blue t-shirt, jeans, leather boots and cape) to explore, and correct, corruption in Metropolis. He then uses the information he learns as Superman to make ends meet writing for an unnamed Metropolis newspaper. He’s best friends with Jimmy Olsen, who works alongside rival reporter Lois Lane. We don’t know if Lois works for the Daily Planet or if Clark does. My assumption is that Lois does.

Public Perception
The public is generally unsure of Superman. The Metropolis PD considers Superman a threat. It really has a Batman feel to it, the way they pursue him. It probably doesn’t help that when Superman is in action his eyes are typically glowing red.

General Sam Lane is in charge of a military task force charged to capture Superman. They have enlisted the help of Lex Luthor. Luthor has put Superman through several tests over the last 6 months, only to discover that Superman is continually increasing in strength. At the end of Action Comics #1 Superman is knocked unconscious by a bullet train smashing him into a wall and is apprehended.

His Super Powers
Superman’s powers seem to be in their early stages. In this issue we see him demonstrate super-hearing, x-ray vision, heat vision, super jump, super speed (listed at 200 mph), super strength, and a level of invulnerability. His invulnerability is certainly not the caliber we’re used to, as mortar shells to the head caused bruising and the bullet train that knocked him out also caused blood to flow from his left ear. He’s still tough as nails - make no mistake. No flight!

My Personal Thoughts
I am excited for this issue. It is great to explore the early days of Superman, and I am happy that they are letting his powers mature with a little throwback to the original Action Comics. What I didn’t enjoy was his attitude or his methods. I can excuse it because he’s starting out and he isn’t the authoritative figure that we assume he’ll one day be. It is just a bit of a change for me. Superman hanging someone over the roof of a building with fire red eyes didn’t sit well with me. That business belongs in Gotham. It just doesn’t seem like the type of thing the Man of Steel would do. Maybe all of that is gone though. It is certainly possible that this “new” Superman is darker than the one we’re used to seeing.

The second thing I didn’t enjoy had to do with Morrison and Morales. The story seemed to go everywhere, and the artwork did nothing to help the disorganization. Often times I had to re-read panels or entire pages to figure out exactly what just happened and what was going on. Hopefully #2 will be more organized.

And Just One More Thing
Our hooded figure showed up again.

Another look at Superman's New Suit

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:59:23 +0000

In September Superman will leave behind the traditional Superman costume and begin wearing something a little more "alien". The new suit abondons the traditional cloth material, red trunks and yellow belt in favor of an armored, high collared blue suit with a red belt and heavy red boots.

In*addition*to Superman's makeover, Supergirl and Superboy are having their*respective*costumes (I use the term*loosely*in Conner's case) updated as well.

I'm interested in seeing how this plays out, as we've seen two versions of Superman's suit at this point, one here from the cover of Superman #1, and the classic suit drawn by Jim Lee in Justice League #1, both due out in September. My guess is we have some titles on different Earths. I hope that I'm wrong, as that would be very confusing!