Dan Mora’s cover is spectacular. Luthor, as imposing as he’s ever been. Superman unbowed, looking forward to the scrap. While I’ve been against the idea of Superman enjoying what’s being billed as a fight to the death, a cover isn’t really part of the story. Yes, sometimes they’re literal previews of scenes inside, but often they’re metaphorical, representations of an idea. This is a DC KO tie-in and the idea here is…
Writer Joshua Williamson and artists Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira bring us a lot of fighting this month. There’s a scrap teaming Superboy Prime and Lois Lane – her Superwoman powers just back – against Darkseid’s Legion of Super-Heroes, who are the Absolute worst.
What with Superman vs Luthor fisticuffs occurring in this week’s DC KO #2, here we get the moments before the savage one-on-one, with Lex rather insulted that on learning about the coming Darkseid threat, the heroes stuffed the villains into the Phantom Zone rather than pick their brains.
How did the Legion of Doom escape the otherworldly prison? They didn’t. They were never there.
Ah, there’s my Lex. In my DC KO #2 review I was confused to see this classic Lex when in Superman of late he’s been bearded and gentle. Well, if anything is going to give Lex his groove back, it’s feeling affronted.
This is an excellent comic. Williamson uses the DC KO event to bring out the personalities of his players, the crisis showing us what they’re truly made of. So as well as Lex no longer trying to be a pure fellow, there’s Lois unbowed by murderous powered teens, and a delightfully cocky Prime using his knowledge of Superman to save the day. The dialogue is full of pep, the pacing is first rate – this is great stuff. My favourite thing is that Luthor is spot-on about the hubris and stupidity of the heroes – the villains also have a stake in the survival of Planet Earth and they have fabulous gifts that could help the heroes, along with vital killer instincts.
The nearest I see to a flaw is that Superman himself isn’t really a player in here; he appears in flashback, there’s part of a scene that ties into DC KO #2… but what the heck, the rest of this story wouldn’t be happening without him. He’ll get the spotlight next time, I expect.
The art is easily as good as the script. Barrows and Ferreira give us big, dynamic, event-worthy art. Barrows is a superb story telly, Ferreira provides lush finishes. The characters look amazing, the emotions convince, the displays of power dazzle – this is seriously exciting work.
Alejandro Sánchez’s blazing hot colours add passion to proceedings, while Ariana Maher’s excellent letters are a beautiful ocean of calm compared to the noise in the allied DC KO mini-series.
And pulling the whole shebang together, editors Jillian Grant and Paul Kaminski.
Even if you’re not reading DC KO, buy this book. Williamson very professionally provides everything needed to just dive in, while Barrows and co produce an immersive visual world. Superman #32 is one of the best offerings in a year that’s been a feast for DC fans.
In case you thought shirtless, hot Lex was a new thing, I give you 1963!
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
It’s interesting to note that Lex’s motivations as explained in this issue differ from his explanations in DC K/O #2. In the event book, Lex acts as if he had a revelation while in the Phantom Zone and offers no explanation as to how he got out of that zone whereas in this book he was never there.
It’s not a biggie and can easily be handwaved away if one wants, but it’s curious that someone involved in both books would offer two different explanations for Lex’s motives.
Beyond that, this was enjoyable enough. It does seem like whatever they were planning with Zod and his powers seems to have been set aside. I don’t anticipate that Lois’ powers are going to be any more permanent than they were last time, but if it gives her a chance to beat up on some sinister Legionnaires, I’m all for it (but I certainly wouldn’t complain if Williamson used the opportunity to bread crumb a few clues about how this might lead into an ongoing Legion title).
Eddy Barrows art is a high point for me. I wasn’t always a fan, but the art he displays here is top notch! Very emotive indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great spot on the twin stories of Lex, didn’t something similar happen with the Losers? If memory serves they died in modern times in Crisis on Infinite Earths, but in the Second World War in the Losers Special that was spun out of the event.
Zoe certainly seems to have been kicked down the road, doesn’t he? Maybe he’ll show up to make matters worse during DC KO.
LikeLike
You’re spot on about the Losers (although maybe we can chalk that up to Crisis shenanigans).
As for Zod, I’m quite happy to leave him off panel. I find him to be a bore. He’s best when he’s in the Phantom Zone. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s definitely better when seen only occasionally, but having shown up I want to see his the power stealing business plays out.
LikeLike