SUPERBOY #4

Review by: TheNextChampion

What did the
iFanboy
community think?

495
Pulls
Avg Rating: 3.6
 
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Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by PIER GALLO
Cover by EDDY BARROWS
Variant Cover by STANLEY "ARTGERM" LAU

Size: 32 pages
Price: 2.99

A lot of people seem to be turned off by this series and I can certainly see why. It’s written by a man, Jeff Lemire, who is not known for really being an ‘action packed’ type of guy. So the series so far has been more about characterization then ‘BAM’ moments that ‘Superman’ related books usually are. Also, it has Pier Gallo as artist who is definitely not of the norm when it comes to artist. With that, I am enjoying this series for being so different from Superman books. There does come a time where even I can sense this unqiueness will put a strain on my reading.

Now I like it that Jeff Lemire is not going the obvious routes with this series. Yes the first half (hell I say only the 1st quarter) deals with Superboy fighting alongside Psionic Lad against futuristic cops. (Once again, I think Lemire read the first issue of Flash #1 and thought ‘Yeah, I could do that’) But the fight ends rather quickly, and abruptly I might add, and we go right into Connor’s problems with the people of Smallville. First he’s gotta deal with Psionic Lad’s problems, then also deal with his romantic interest’s with Lori. Again, while I like the uniqueness of this title, I will admit that some of the plotlines are starting to bore me. A little bit, but it’s starting to grow. Even though there is a twist with Psionic Lad, I just don’t really care much for that plotline and it does seem to be going in obvious territory. But I did like the stuff with Lori and if anything, Lemire handles those type of broken relationships really well. Also, you don’t see much smoking in comics now so it was a suprise to see that.

Pier Gallo’s art has been pretty good in the past, but yet this issue definitely isn’t the strongest. He still seems to have a very hard time with faces as evident with Connor. It is like Connor is a shapeshifter with having a completely new look in almost every page. That and the coloring is still pretty weird to get used to. I’ve noticed skin tones do tend to look off a lot. It’s not a natural skin pigment, sometimes people look goth with pale skin, other times they seem to have a ‘Snooki’-fake tan to them. It definitely keeps the book interesting by having a unique art style to it, but it also keeps it kinda frustrating because it does tend to confuse the eyes a bit.

I’m still liking this book, but once again I can understand the sort of ‘hate’ for it. Lemire definitely has a different take on writing an ‘action’ comic but he does a great job with the characters. Gallo has a unique art style to him but it can be a bit ‘too unique’ for a mainstream book. (If that makes sense) Even with the frustrations going for it, I still like this book for trying to break the mold of every other ‘DC’ ongoing right now. If you want to see a unique take on a mainstream character, then this is the title for you.

Story: 3 - Good
Art: 3 - Good

Comments

  1. Who are these “A lot of people” who are being turned off by this book?

    It seems like your opinion of this book is being swayed by the opinions of people who don’t even exist.

  2. @comicBOOKchris  –read the main comments for this book…the art is bashed on more than anything. 

    nice review…its really fun for me as well.  

  3. @comicbookchris: What @wallthegreenmonster said. Also, I do not like other’s opinions judge the book for me. I just pointed out that while I like the uniqueness of the book I do agree, somewhat, to other’s view on the book.

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