Pick of the Week
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Size: pages
Price: 3.99
What sort of world is it we’re living in when I pick a Superman book as my Pick of the Week? This is a rare occurrence indeed, and I think I should put it in perspective. Savvy listeners will of course remember that Conor picked Action Comics #870 two short week ago. Many of you will surmise, only somewhat correctly, that this makes sense because Conor is known as the DC Guy. There is something to this, in that Conor is the guy who is just waiting for good Superman stories, and there has been a dearth of same for far too long. So when it got good, Conor was waiting there, spoon in hand, ready to eat them up. I, however, am not that guy. I was not looking for, nor wanting good Superman stories. In fact, I was just fine with the idea of a world where Superman comic books are 99.7% bland, yet the world continues to turn. I was not looking to start reading Superman, and were I to have my druthers, I would continue to actively not read them. Geoff Johns wasn’t enough to sway me to a book I wasn’t interested in (see: Booster Gold, Rogues Revenge), yet it turns out that James Robinson did get me to look. The thing is, I have really liked parts of Robinson’s Superman issues so far, but really didn’t like other parts. But then, the aforementioned, and many of you, were continually yammering on and on about Action Comics, and I felt it was sort of my duty to at least check it out. Last week, I skipped out on the special issue of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, but went back, and was very glad I did. So it was with these positive feelings that I decided not to skip Superman: New Krypton, try as I might have to save the 4 bucks.
One thing I love is a long, multi-faceted plot, stretching over many issues, and circling back on itself, delicately interweaving. This is what we were promised by James Robinson when he tried not to look at me, and it really looks like that’s what we’re getting. In this big issue, we see the confluence of the seemingly individual stories being told in both Action Comics and Superman, and so far, it’s looking very well done. Superman is broken down about as low as he can get, where he’s actually fantasizing about taking his violent revenge on Brainiac, something we’ve been conditioned to think he is somehow above. But both Johns and Robinson have decided to make Kal El as human as he’s ever been, ironically. He’s dealing with real grief for the first time, and it is affecting his decisions. Of course, those trying times seem to always be the time when the other forces in our lives pile up against us, making the ordeal tougher than ever. When this happens to us regular folk, it means that you have relatives staying with you, you get backed up at work, you get a cold, and your TV stops working. The stakes are a bit higher when you’re Superman.
This brings me to the moment in the story when it all came together for me. I speak of the killing of the blue whale. It turns out when you have Kryptonians who have been trapped in a bottle running around with lots of new god like powers, you’re going to have some trouble. It also appears that the council of the city of Kandor would like to adopt a more laissez-faire strategy of governing its populace. You put all that together; you get dead endangered species and a very frustrated son of Jor El. Then you realize what that sort of funny scene actually means on an Earth where we’ve been trained to really understand how fantastically significant Superman’s presence is. Also, Brainiac (nearly) escaped and Luthor’s been drafted by the government to kill Superman. So it’s a rough time for Clark is what I’m saying.
Many of you seem to believe that Gary Frank is the greatest being to ever put pencil to paper, and I’m not going to argue with you. He’s quite good, and I very much like his work, especially the way it’s being finished and colored in these books. Much has been said about him, and there’s not much point expounding on it. However, this issue didn’t feature just the one artist, but Pete Woods and Renato Guedes were along for the ride as well. I’ll be honest, the use of multiple artists wasn’t the smoothest way to tell this story, but at the end of the day, all the contributions had merit. The sweeping double page spreads of Kandor were really impressive, and sadness in some of the more introspective panels in particular really impressed me. There was a consistent line of coloring that held the whole thing together, where the colors were just a little flatter and bolder than most comic books. That draws a thread between the various artists, and it just feels right for Superman, when the blue is blue and the red is red, if you follow me.
I wasn’t looking this, but I found it. It’s still a bit odd to be reading and enjoying a Superman comic book. Maybe that has something to do with why writers haven’t been able to get a handle on it. But there are just not two guys out there better than James Robinson and Geoff Johns at taking something that’s a bit antiquated and a bit hokey, and making it great. It’s not a bad talent to have while working at DC comics, where hokey and antiquated are ubiquitous. Yet, they prove, over and over and over, that with the right approach and talent, there is no such thing as a lifeless property, and of all the DC characters who should resonate, Superman is at the top of the list. Somewhere deep inside this cynical comic book reader’s heart, that is a very comforting thought.
Josh Flanagan
Someone has to take the Kryptonians to the Gap.
josh@ifanboy.com
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excellent choice Josh! Nice review too
The planets have aligned and for the first time ever: Ifanboy and TNC agree on a POTW!!!
*streamers and balloons fall and party noise is heard*
Great review Josh, although I think the Cadmus people still have Brainiac. Assassin knocked out the electriciy and made Brainiac passed out. But everything else I agree with. This issue had everything going starting from a very well done funeral to a last page shocker. Definitely POTW.
Very happy to see Josh reading Supes. But seriously, man. If you’re liking parts of Robinson’s Superman, you will potentially love a greater percentage of Action Comics. Action is just outperforming Superman in every way. It’s like wine and grape juice at this point. Not even grape juice. Purple stuff. From the Sunny D commercials.
I really enjoyed this special as well, but I’m not ready to call it my POW yet. The opening scene was tremendous, but I’m not sure if the rest lived up to it. I’m have the same problem with a lot of books this week. Hellblazer included. The first half is amazing, but then the story sort of fizzles.
Can we just start calling October "Geoff John’s month"? Come on Conor, just get it out of the way, Rage of the Red Lanterns #1 POW for next week…
the issue’s cover really does have a hideous banner though
I don’t think we’ve ever had the sweep. Does it count if he’s co-writing this one?
One thing I think we can all agree on is that he is not human, and we should fear for our lives. This cannot go on indefinitely.
damn. Knew I shoulda picked this up.
Well just like the Red Lanterns….Johns needs blood for sustanence….and Josh since you were last on picking a comic of his for POTW….You have been choosen for the sacrifice..
After all we need a good corn crop this year.
Loved it! …but I’m off it now. I really need to stop the double-dipping (buying the HCs after the monthlies). The Braniac arc gets HC’d in the next previews and I’ve already done my duty to pass on the issues to people that really need to get into a Superman comic. This stuff is the gold that’ll sit on the shelf for re-reading. Judging from this single issue, this event is going to be a sleeper hit at the shops. Seriously, I don’t think many shops ordered enough. Final Invasion wha!?
geez, when was the last time one writer had books coming out in 3 consecutive weeks, let alone three that are potw worthy. there can be only one explination. So whos with me in starting the Church of Johns?
This is a good pick. Still not sure if it’s mine, but I still have some books to read. But so far, almost everything I read met or surpassed my expectations. And the New Krypton Special was no exception. With this book and the Jimmy Olsen Special, I feel like Robinson is gelling with Johns and they’re getting into a groove. Which is great because I really like Robinson, but his Superman work just wasn’t clicking. And I’m not the biggest Johns fan, but his Action has been stellar.
Oh, and @Paul — I disagree with you on Hellblazer. I liked the second half. Diggle made a solid argument for something being "off" because it wrapped too easily and life’s not like that. I dug that.
nice! very cool…I think I will have to figure out how to pick this up before the weekend..I am glad this came out on time!
Haven’t read this yet… but it’s hard to imagine any book this week beating out Final Crisis #4 for me. That was tremendous.
Damn! I missed this in the shop! There was so much to take in I got overwhelmed!
Glad to see you’re enjoying Superman, Josh. I agree 100% with Paul though. Action is an amazing title right now and if you’re liking Superman, Action is the book to read.
This may be my first DC pick of the week. Great issue.
When I decided to take the plunge back in May and start reading comics, I would have never imagined that I would enjoy reading the Superman titles. Props to Robinson and Johns for what they have done with a character that many people said would never be interesting again.
Just for the record, you know I read Action right? I’ve talked about it on the show many times, and yes it’s been the stronger of the two.
I got confused for a second there. You jumped on in the middle of the this past arc right? For some reason I’d been thinking you only read the previous Action Comics issue because it was the POW. My bad.
Did you read the Legion arc?
Also, very excited to announce that I am now reading everything Johns is putting out. I’m jumping on Green Lantern in issue with the next one.
What is the significance of the "sightings" cover dress?
@Paul: It’s basically an advertisement saying ‘This is a really important book!’
Most of the time I believe it was just for Final Crisis tie-ins, but now DC is using them to highlight beginning of events or important arcs.
I read all but the first part of the Brainiac storyline. No Legion. I REALLY dislike Legion.
Legion arc > Jaws.
Legion Arc > God
Wowee @ the return of the Byrne style kryptonian outfits! That’s really cool that they’ve somewhat kept it as a part of the kryptonian dress!
I thoroughly enjoyed this issue!! Can’t wait for the next!!
The Legion arc was pretty bad ass, Mr Flanagan.
Yeah, Josh, you should definitely read the Legion arc. I love the Legion, but even without that, I still consider it perhaps the BEST Superman story I’ve read since "Whatever Happened To Truth Justice and the American Way" by Joe Kelly. It’s a great story (w/ Gary Frank) and as a bonus, it might help you "get" the Legion.
The Legion arc train has sailed.
I didn’t know trains could sail…
Josh is what we call a "book racist."
This issue is great. I want to commend all of you guys for really talking it up. I’ve never been much of a Superman reader, but after hearing the talk about ‘Action’ and ‘Supergirl’ on the last couple podcasts, I realized I was going to have to pick this crossover up. It’s delivering. I’m hooked.
Man, that train conductor is screwed when he’s told he has to hoist the sails fuel the furnace.
The comic was good too.
So, this week was majorly awesome. Final Crisis blew my mind, Scalped and Criminal touched me in all the wrong (but good) ways, and Superman: New Krypton Special had me loving Superman more than ever. This had to be a bitch of a week make a pick….so glad I didn’t have to do it!
Rage next week…. ho boy. After seeing 2 Johns books in a row I was surprised, but 3, rock on. My personal pick for the last 2 weeks were Action, followed by Legion of 3 Worlds (Johns). I have yet to read my books for this week, but I doubt I’ll disagree with this.
Who else wants a Talkspode w/ Geoff Johns?
@drtiehead- I would be down for that, but I would also love a Mark Waid interview. Now that he does’nt really belong to the 2 big companies he has some very honest opinions.
Great review Josh!
You know, I would never advance a theory like this anywhere but here. But with how awful things are getting I think it’s a crucial time for stories like this to be told. It gives me hope. That’s the whole point of Superman of course. But this feels somehow different at this particular point in history.
I just know that things are gonna get better in the world. Why? Because the most compelling, most inspiring and most exciting stories in the DCU being written right now are Superman stories. And being "a Superman guy" I gotta say this really works for me.
Great Review…I’m psyched and a little bit frustrated in a way that Superman is suddenly fascinating to me. I’m trying to cut down on titles!!
Ron, really good review on this. A true apreciation for the character and the work. I am with you on what you were writing. I think I’ll look at it in the shop and maybe cough up the $4 bucks to see if agree.
Josh.
Oh jeez, Josh wrote this. My bad. Not as a suprising pick knowing it’s Josh’s
Anoyone else notice on the recap page for USM 127 there’s the following note: "This story takes place before Ultimates 3" or as I read it, "Jeph Loeb screwed up where I was going. -Bendis"
@Haupt: That Loeb line should be on every Ultimate title right now….Even in books by Jeph Loeb.
Josh:
This was a great read, but the POTW? I’m not sure. This was a big week, and while this was a great book, it didn’t quiet make me sit up and say, holy shit this was A-Fricking-Mazing.
That said, this has been a very solid series for a while.
I think my POTW was Unknown Soldier. But it was close with Final Crisis.
I haven’t gotten to it yet, but I’m glad you liked Unknown Soldier Lewis! I’m really looking forward to reading it now