Superman Unlimited #13 review

It’s morning in Metropolis, and Bibbo Bibbowski’s food cart is being observed.

The question as to whether the chimpanzee has any powers is answered when thugs try to shake down Bibbo for his previous night’s takings.

Across town, young Jon Kent – recently rescued from Earth 3 – is dreaming about his ordeal.

If you’re out of the Super-loop, Clark recently left for parts unknown on a secret mission. We know he’ll be back soon, but knowing doesn’t help Lois.

The older Jon Kent is, meanwhile, learning that unless you’re Batman, wearing a mask has its downside.

A second later, Big Jon hears Lois’s sonic whistle calling for help; being in a spot, Tomorrow Man can’t respond immediately, but the Dog of Steel hears the summons – to be fair, it is likely a Krypto-specific whistle – and Jon follows as soon as he can.

Krypto gently wakes Little Jon, meaning he’s up for excitement when news of the ‘super-powered monkey destroying buildings in Hob’s Bay’ breaks. Big Jon is more wary, advising Jon to hang back. As if.

This is a tremendously good issue… even if it does rather wreck my theory that young Jon is the son of Earth 3’s Ultraman and Superwoman. I really doubt Jon is faking those nightmares.

I’ve no qualms about the chimp storyline in Dan Slott’s well-worked script, though, seeing Beppo ready for revenge on those familiar-looking science twins. And seeing him, as last issue, drawn by Lucas Meyer and coloured by Giuliano Peratelli is a real treat, he looks like a monkey and, when appropriate, a very scary monkey. The ever-more frenetic panel compositions amp up the atmosphere of danger.

The quieter moments, such as Bibbo’s kindness towards Bobo, are equally good. The backgrounds, such as Hobb’s Bay, shine. And while everyone looks great – even annoying Gorilla City Daily Planet staffer Tee-Nah – Meyer’s Lois is outstanding, whether fearful, commanding or knowing… because she knows Tomorrow Man is her son as much as little Jon is. I’m so looking forward to her letting him know.

Slott is a master when it comes to balancing danger with humour, giving us a nod to Avenue Q at one point, showing us just how intense things can get with a traumatised super-tween at another. Or a chimp. And it’s refreshing to see Lois out of her depth, for once.

There’s only the slightest hint of the green kryptonite subplot that’s haunted this series since the off, and the issue is all the better for it.

Letterer Dave Sharpe varies his fonts for maximum drama, and it looks like he’s having terrific fun whenever anyone yells or snarls.

And Taurin Clarke’s clever, slick cover image is quietly thrilling, a perfect preview of the issue’s contents.

Superman Unlimited #13 is an unheralded first birthday present to readers – don’t miss it.