Superman #25 review

A brilliant issue. Buy it.

Too pithy? OK then, it’s the 25th issue of Joshua Williamson’s Superman series and it’s the culmination of pretty much all the ongoing plotlines. You may remember that last issue we learned that Lex Luthor’s Girlfriend, Mercy Graves, wasn’t too happy with the kinder, softer scientist of recent months. So unhappy was the CEO of Supercorp that she’d revived an old scheme which Lex had put on the backburner.

As this issue begins, we find out more.

And so, in the present day…

Daughter Lena gets a message to the real Lex, who’s at Stryker’s Island prison, newly arrested by Metropolis highest-ranked policeman. Chief Kekua turns down Lex’s pleas to be taken back to Supercorp, but maybe someone else will help?

Marilyn Moonlight! We’ve not seen her in this book for a good while, but I’m delighted she’s back for this extra-length anniversary story. And so is Lex when she does indeed get him to Supercorp post-haste.

What follows is one of the most satisfying Metropolis adventures in a good while as Superman, Superwoman Lois, Lex and X-El mix it up. Finally we learn whether Lex was sincere when he asked Superman to turn Lexcorp into a force for good. We see if the recently returned memories of his years as Superman’s arch-foe have erased the decent man he’s been since Brainiac gave him a reset. And we get the best moment for Lois since she gained super-powers like her husband’s (or rather, as we readers know but she doesn’t, like General Zod’s… exactly like General Zod’s).

This is more a Lex spotlight than a Superman tale, but Lex is such a massive part of Superman’s story – and Williamson writes such a compelling Lex – that I’m not complaining. My only niggle is that a red Kryptonite infection within Superman comes into play – as an ongoing plot point it’s been so madly undeveloped that I can’t remember exactly where it came in, or what it means… if it’s red K, why no weird effects upon the Man of Steel? I think it’s something to do with Lex’s other nemesis Dr Pharm, the shirtless creep with the penchant for opera gloves, but I’m ready to be put right on that score.

The Lex-a-like clone is a scary fella, full of hate, but hey, Mercy likes him. The name is interesting, X-El, which sounds like Lex is going for a Kryptonian name, but look again and it’s just ‘Lex’ backwards… well, with a wee hyphen.

A bevy of great artists provide the images. Original series artist Jamal Campbell drops by for the first couple of pages, which includes a cartoon promoting the future Supercorp.

Very cute. A more realistic style comes from Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira as we join the present day drama, with Mercy explaining her masterplan and X-El catching up with what he’s missed since he was given a set of Lex memories.

And current regular artist Dan Mora handles the climactic pages, which feature that big moment for Lois.

The eye-popping colours come courtesy of Alexandro Sánchez, who handles most of the issue – Campbell’s art comes in full colour, while Barrows and Ferreira render a couple of pages in grayscale, very effectively.

The one and only Dave Sharpe handles the lettering throughout, and adjusts the sound levels for maximum drama

Dan Mora’s cover is gorgeous – a fine composition executed with real skill and style. The only thing wrong with it is that it’s a cover for a collection of this storyline, rather than this chapter – most of the characters and story points referenced aren’t in it. I do like that the new Superman tagline – Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow – looks to be the Daily Planet’s new motto, too.

As I said at the start, this is a really great issue; after 25 issues and the odd special, Williamson’s enthusiasm isn’t showing any sign of flagging, and he and his creative partners are translating it into memorable stories. The Summer of Superman? It began at least two years ago.