Catapulted into a far-flung future and determined to find his way home, Superman has been waylaid by a version of computer tyrant Brainiac.
The young man fighting alongside Superman outside the Fortress of Solitude is descendant Ronan Kent, who has a diluted Kryptonian power set but all the family grit.
And inside the stronghold, Jimmy Olsen, who turns out to have kept one of his classic green suits.
Superman’s Oldest Pal Jimmy Olsen showed up last issue looking elderly when he should be long dead. Tortoises are long lived, but not that long, and he was never Giant Tortoise Olsen, he was Giant Turtle Olsen – so the mystery remains unsolved.
Whatever is going on, it’s fair to say I never saw that coming.
Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson moves things along nicely in the third issue of this 12-issue series. We learn more about this future world and who sent Superman forward from 2025 – or rather, who didn’t. We also get not one, but two inspirational moments from the Man of Steel, each well judged, neither cheesy.
The Book of El narration this issue rhymes, and it’s cleverly done, but seems a bit random. The two pages of supplementary text following the comic story feature straightforward, impassioned prose from Lois Lane, writing in 2025 after her husband vanished, and it’s hugely enjoyable.
I love how much faith Lois has in Superman, and we also learn of the determination she and Jimmy have that Earth will never surrender to the forces of Warworld invader Kryl-Ux.
Scott Godlewski’s action work is exemplary, and the storytelling generally very good – it’s a shame we don’t get to see the kiddie Superman says he saw from above during the actual fight. Brainiac’s metallic mantis design is a tad wonky, but my only real problem with the art is Superman’s jawline – the bottom half of his face, and come to think of it, Ronan’s, too, is weirdly triangular, as if it’s been crushed in an accident.
Still, that Jimmy splash page alone is almost worth the price of admission. What’s more, Brainiac’s Summer Men lackeys look great and I love that Superman’s Temporal Field Disruptor is a dead ringer for The Time Machine in the 1960 HG Wells adaptation.
Oh, and Godlewski sneaks the Doctor’s TARDIS into the Fortress, though it’s coloured red. Top marks!
As last time, Alex Guimarães and Matt Herms share the colouring credit, I can’t guess why, but the pages look good. And Dave Sharpe’s byline is a guarantee of sharp, accurate lettering.
Talking of lettering, I like the reflected title on this issue’s cover, with its striking use of graphics and colours. Godlewski draws, Guimarães colours.
We’re a quarter of the way through Adventures of Superman: Book of El and I’m enjoying the series hugely. I can’t wait to see where we go next.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 