Superman #38 review

After a long day working at the comics shop in his secret identity of CK, Superboy answers a cry for help.

Super-costume on, he lays into the refugees from Universal studios – and Marvel Comics, in Dracula’s case – but finds he’s been played. The ‘victim’ had set a trap for him. Declaring herself to be Witchfire, she’s soon the one surprised, as her spells don’t affect Prime at all. And shocked that she knows him from the comics store, she forgets herself and declares him ‘cute’.

Whether it’s because he wants excitement or because he fancies Witchfire – actually, same thing – Prime accompanies her to the club where she thinks the demonic attack will come.

And she’s not wrong.

What are the satanic siblings doing in Metropolis this time? It’s rather surprising, and motivates some good old-fashioned Prime mayhem as he rips demons to shreds. And if you worry that killing living beings, even bad ones, will wreck his redemption arc, fear not, there’s a non-editor’s note.

And that’s typical of the fun this issue provides. The first thing that made me smile was the reveal that despite being presented as shady last time, Witchfire seems to still be on the side of the angels (her using the word ‘sacrifice’ then in relation to CK does still have me a tad wary).

Then there are two new characters, Witchfire’s coven chums, Mirabai and Encantadora, an update on CK’s Earth Prime lady love Laurie, and a surprising encounter in the spooky club.

Knowing him, Jimmy’s probably dumped his latest gorilla/alien bride for a witch.

As if the Witchfire business isn’t interesting enough, the subplot of the last couple of issues in which the underlying elements of the comic book process bubble up, smashing the artifice, continues.

It begins slowly, with what look to be typos ‘ym’ and ‘accidnet’ until you notice they’re slightly greyed out, and subtly underlined. Further signs and portents follow. And later, all Hell breaking loose is followed by a trip to Manchester… Manchester Black.

And he’s pulled Prime right out of Earth 0 reality and up one level of the Orrery of Worlds, or something.

The big question – having just had the fun of cutting loose, will Prime be tempted by Black’s weasel words?

I can’t see it, he’s been genuinely enjoying becoming the hero he always wanted to be; let’s see him whip Black’s skinny British arse.

Even without the nuttiness of the ending, this would be an instant favourite. Joshua Williamson’s Prime is a delight, fascinated by the new world he finds himself in, meeting the people he’s read about and still managing to be surprised. And given DC’s recent repurposing of the Power Company name as a – well, I’m not sure, but it wasn’t much fun – I didn’t expect to see Witchfire again.

Artist Dan Mora makes every page a treat, his strong characters and sharp backgrounds working together to make this one of the best-looking comic books around. Prime, all leather and guyliner, and Witchfire look perfect together, while Satanus and Blaze – how nice she’s been promoted to the aristocracy, like her brother – look suitably devilish in their few panels.

Those final pages are so clever, I wonder where Mora ends and the DC productions department begins.

It’s easier to note the contribution of colourist Alejandro Sánchez, he lights up every page with his talent. The moodiness of the streets in the early pages, the fire of the demon battles, the green highlights in some tombs under the club… it’s gorgeous stuff.

As for letterer Ariana Maher, the demands made on her as the issue goes on just get wilder, and she rises to them all.

All this and Mora’s marvellous cover… I think I said it previously, but I really want Prime to get his own comic when his Reign of the Superboys run is done. Anyone else?