I want to like this series a lot but, each week, I’m left a bit disappointed — and it isn’t the writing per se that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  The story seems strong; I like the new characters being introduced and, although I haven’t read Sweet Tooth, I hear Jeff Lemire is incredibly talented.  So what is the problem?  The art.

I’ve never really been too put off by mediocre artists in my comics, as long as the story is good I’m in for the ride, but I can’t get over how static and uninteresting each issue of this series has been so far.  Each character looks like they are posing in every frame, with no sense of dynamics.  This doesn’t bode well for a book about a teenage action hero. I get the feeling that there is a nuance trying to come out here, that falls flat on its face (compare this to the stylized work in Ultimate Spider-Man).  Each frame looks so staged that it actually seems to hamper the diegesis.  Also, I can’t help but comment on the faces.  Every character looks consistently dumbfounded and stupid, despite the context of the story.  This is a big problem.

My other issue is not so much with Lemire’s portrayal of Superboy, but the way he has been portrayed ever since Geoff Johns introduced him to the Titans.  I may be the only one, but I loved the old Connor from Death of Superman, his eponymous title and Young Justice (90’s chili-bowl, leather jacket and all).  He had unique powers and personality that distinguished him from other super-characters.  In the last few years, this Connor has been all but forgotten.  He seems to have reverted (ironically) into nothing more than a clone of Superman.  It won’t happen, but I really wish Lemire would at least acknowledge the version of the character that had a sense of humor, obvious character-flaws to keep him interesting and a labido only matched by his ego.

I’m not dropping this yet but, unless Lemire can show me something new, its days are numbered.