The Man of Steel is back – and so is the Daily Planet. For the first time in years, the Metropolis newshounds star in an issue of Superman.
There’s Cat Grant, gossip columnist turned crime reporter, pounding the streets with ghostly fighter for justice Marilyn Moonlight and coming across a graveyard that should not be there.
Lois Lane, still a bad fit for the Daily Planet editorship – she should be on the streets uncovering secrets and lies – but working hard to do a good job.
And Jimmy Olsen, assigned to help Clark dig into the mystery of missing Metropolitans.
This is what I want – a sense that Clark and co are actual journalists, intimately tied to their city, in tune with its heartbeat. And that’s what writer Joshua Williamson and artist Xermanico give us in a superbly paced and structured story, showing us day – and more dramatically, night – in Metropolis.
The issue opens with Cat recording as she seeks Marilyn Moonlight, the ghost from Western days who protects citizens. She’s only recently revealed herself to Superman, so I’m impressed she’s letting Cat report on her activities. And I’m delighted to see Marilyn has a spooky riddle to solve, one that quickly pulls in Clark after he notices, a few days down the line, Cat has gone missing. It’s heartening to see how much Clark cares about Cat, as he recaps her history, his heart breaking over the most tragic aspect. His thoughts are, as they say, rudely interrupted.
And we do meet – or at least hear about – the resurrection cult’s master, who’s a very big player in the DC Hall of Infamy. And given Clark’s mention of the murder of Cat’s little boy, Adam, I wonder if he’ll be dragged into a resurrection plot – I do hope not.
We also get a one-page cameo from one of my favourite DC menaces, something whose jolly features belie its casually murderous nature – Chemo.
Another highlight is bar owner Bibbo’s interaction with Clark and Jimmy, and the red-headed reporter defending Clark after Bibbo disparages him.
As if the story wasn’t enough to make me happy, we have the debut of new series artist Xermanico, who was born to draw these characters. Everyone is totally on model, while looking extra fresh. And the layouts are eye-catching without calling too much attention to themselves, but when I do notice the occasional flourish, I smile. One favourite is a series of panels shaped to evoke rays of sunshine as Superman is appreciating the dawn.
And while showy moments such as the Man of Steel meeting those hideous monsters look amazing, quieter details, such as the decor in Lois’ corner office, also dazzle. Xermanico has been drawing at DC for a while and it’s great to see him get a top assignment, and grabbing the opportunity by the cape.
The illustrations are brought to a new level by longtime series colour artist Alejandro Sanchez, whose dead of night is as eye-popping as his dawn of day. Dig that mist!
And regular letterer Ariana Maher is also on top form, with clever ways to add mood to written dialogue – new for this issue, tiny Daily Planet globes.
Add in Xermanico’s stunning cover and we have the perfect jumping-on point for anyone who hasn’t been reading this series. In a year that’s seen an awful lot of great issues, Superman #43 is a new peak.
