Superman 664 – 680

Superman #664
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Carlos Pacheco

This was a good issue but I am glad this whole Arion storyline is over. It was getting really boring….Squad K was a great concept and I am glad Busiek did not write Superman as resenting them.

Superman #665
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Rick Leonardi

Eh this was an okay issue spotlighting how Jimmy Olsen met Superman. I don’t care much about the character so this was only okay for me. Not much to say otherwise.

Superman #666
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Walter Simonson

This was an awesome issue. Krypton’s Hell’s demons coming after Superman is a clever idea and a nice little one-shot story. I especially liked the whole Superman being annoyed with people in his ‘dream’ so he just kills them. Made me laugh…although I am glad that it wasn’t really him.

Superman #667
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Carlos Pacheco

Damn…I thought all of this Arion crap was over!! I guess not…as this continues that storyline. The art is good, but I still don’t dig this story that much.

Superman #668
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Rick Leonardi

Now this was the best issue of this series in a while. It was great to se Robin and Chris Kent meet and how Superman is aware that Batman is always spying on him. I also can’t wait to finally meet the third Kryptonian.

Superman #669
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Rick Leonardi

At first I Was a little dissapointed to see that the Third Kryptonian was an old woman but I ended up really liking the idea that this space-faring adventurer just wants to settle down and rest in her old age and that is why she has avoided contact with Superman. She doesn’t want to be a hero and I like that. Kristin Wells wasn’t an actual Kryptonian pre-crisis and she had an awesome costume that I think her current suit is based on. They should bring back the original costume if she ever does decide to become Superwoman.

Superman #670
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Rick Leonardi

Now this was a great issue of Superman! Action, Character moments, and all around a good time! I wish Busiek wasn’t leaving this title so soon at the same time more of his issues should have been like this! It was great to see the entire “Superman Family” working together and I liked all the set up for the stuff coming up this year with “New Krypton”. Busiek must have originally supposed to be part of that storyline but left due to Trinity. Unless he set it up just for the editor and on Geoff Johns’s behalf.

Superman #671
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Peter Vale

This was an okay start to this arc dealing with an “insect queen”. Not much to say…it was really just set up.

Superman #672
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Peter Vale

Insect Queens always make good villains lol and I don’t know why Chris Kent’s watch blew up but I look forward to next issue.

Superman #673
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Peter Vale

Eh this was okay….nothing really great, I thought the stuff about Superman understanding Chris’s loneliness was stupid. Clark was a baby when Krypton exploded! Why do so many writers write as if he has some strong emotional attachment to the planet. Earth is home…it’s plain and simple. Despite Donner’s obsession with Krypton, it is not THAT important.

Superman #674
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Renato Guedes

This was another decent issue from Busiek that brings an old Justice League villain back. The stuff I am more interested in is the stuff with Mon-El. Nice art as well.

Superman #675
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Renato Guedes

Busiek’s final issue on the title wraps up the whole what if civilization collapses plot-thread by introducing the idea of Superman creating a library full of human knowledge. I like the idea and it is a great concept. Busiek still writes the character in Trinity and that is a really good series. More people should be reading it.

Superman #676
Written by Vito Delsante
Art by Julian Lopez

Okay was that supposed to be Connor Kent at the end….apparently cloned and in stasis long before his debut? I think so….nice touch. This was obviously supposed to be in Superman Confidential but it makes for a nice fill-in. It was kinda bland though and I am kind of sick of Solomon Grundy right now.

Superman #677
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

James Robinson begins his run on Superman with this issue and I have to say it’s decent. I mean I am not jumping for joy about it but it is pretty good. Atlas seems like a worthy opponent for Superman and I like how Superman says that he beat the traditon of Superhero relationships by staying with Lois. **Cough Cough I am looking at you Spider-Man and Marvel Comics**

Superman #678
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

This issue was just confusing. I am not sure if I really get Atlas’s origin. Where is he from? Why is he so strong? And why does Jimmy keep talking about Superman’s breakfast? Weird…..

Superman #679
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

Not enough happened in this issue to make it an issue. Superman fights Atlas and then Supergirl does and Krypto appeared. Albeit this is the most excited I have ever gotten about Krypto appearing anyways. Maybe because we get to see his thoughts. I think it is a little out of character for Lois to be jealous of Zatanna. So far Robinson’s run has not been as good as I expected.

Superman #680
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes

We still know next to nothing about Atlas at the end of this but I suspect that Robinson will bring this up at some later point. The highlight of this issue was Superman’s talk with Zachary Zatara and Krypto thinking “happy” at the very end which made me smile. Robinson actually made me like the idea of Krypto….which is a rare thing. This arc could have been much shorter though.

Superman Confidential 5 – 14

Superman Confidential #5
Written by Darwyn Cooke
Art by Tim Sale

Hmmm…this was an okay chapter of this storyline. Sale’s art doesn’t seem to fit with Superman to me though but oh well. The thing with Superman being able to have visions of Krypton from this monster is a little far fetched…but it is a comic book.

Superman Confidential #6 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by Koi Turnbull

Haha this story is a little nuts but fun I guess. Lori Lemaris turning Metropolis into a city of mermaids sounds very silver age but it is done with a modern twist to it. The art is a little 90′s and distracting but I don’t mind it too much. The ending was pretty shocking.

Superman Confidential #7 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by Koi Turnbull

While the writing on this was good, it was really hard to get past the cheesy art on this issue. I mean Lori Lemaris was wearing what can only be considered a whore’s outfit on that last page lol….women don’t dress like that in public. Anyways, it was fun to get to know the character of Lori Lemaris and mermaids are always fun in a comic book.

Superman Confidential #8 Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Art by Chris Batista

So I guess this is Superman’s first meeting with Darkseid. This was kinda underwhelming considering how much of a Superman foe Darkseid will become. But the story was enjoyable I guess. The art was fantastic. They should get Batista on a regular book!

Superman Confidential #9
Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Art by Chris Batista

You know…for Superman’s first time on New Genesis, this could have been a lot better. I feel like it is just standard, Like DnA aren’t really trying too hard to write a good story. I don’t know why I feel that way though, as the art is good and it had enjoyable moments.

Superman Confidential #10
Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Art by Chris Batista

Was that last line alluding to Final Crisis? I am not sure. But this was another okay issue. Maybe it’s because I am just not that into the New Gods. But I found this to be a lil’ bland.

Superman Confidential #11
Written by Darwyn Cooke Art by Tim Sale

Ya Tim Sale still doesn’t feel like he belongs on a Superman book. This issue concluded the opening arc of this book. And it was a nice happy ending….I like the character of Bridgewater. But Sale really doesn’t fit on a Superman book.


Superman Confidential #12
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Phil Hester

This arc is Superman’s first meeting with the Toyman. Geoff Johns just recently wrote Toyman’s origin in Action Comics so wonderfully that this story seems like it will be kinda underwhelming. The opening was okay….but how many times this year are they going to tell the first story of how Jimmy Olsen got his signal watch!

Superman Confidential #13
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Phil Hester

I am sorry but I don’t like Jimmy Olsen…he is just an idiot. End of story. This was another okay issue, but I understand why this is the penultimate issue because really these arcs are only just okay…they don’t really warrant the series existence.


Superman Confidential #14
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Phil Hester

This was actually a more satisfying issue, maybe this arc didn’t need to be three issues long? Toyman is a great character. Well this ironically was the last issue of this series. Too little, too late.

Action Comics 855 – 859

Action Comics #855
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

While I understand the appeal of the character, I really don’t enjoy Bizarro. I find his speech patterns kind of annoying I am sorry. I don’t find it amusing. That’s not to say this issue wasn’t enjoyable. The art was fantastic and I like the idea of Bizarro World, I just wish they didn’t talk like that ah! I am curious to learn where Bizarro World comes from.

Action Comics #856
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

Now this issue was more like it. I liked all the Frankenstein references and all the Bizarro characters. The idea that under a blue sun Bizzarro can make duplicates is pretty cool. I liked how he just basically smashed some asteroids together to make Bizzarro World. Very creative on Donner and Johns’ parts.

Action Comics #857
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art by Eric Powell

Haha I ended up really enjoying this arc. Bizzarro World is a fun place to visit. I liked the Bizzarro Justice League and how easily that all turned on Bizzaro Luthor. It was really clever. I definitely enjoyed this a lot and smiled a few times. No complaints here.

Action Comics #858
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

The art is fantastic at the start of this new arc. I love the idea of reintroducing the original Legion of Super-Heroes and the flashback to when a teen aged Clark first met them was fantastic. Now I have never read a single original Legion comic but I still got into this, it is very accessible to new readers. I liked the ending where it was revealed that in the year 3008 the sun is red. Very cool.

Action Comics #859
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank

I am being introduced to the original Legion of Super-Heroes through this story arc and I really am liking them. I am even tempted to go get some back issues. I like the many levels that this story can be read. It can be read as a commentary on modern-day Xenophobia and even on stuff like true life of Jesus. It can be taken in different ways. Johns proves to me once again he is one of the best writers DC has right now and I almost always enjoy his stuff. I look forward to next issue.

Action Comics 850 and 851

Action Comics #850
Written by Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza, and Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Renato Guedes

This was a nice look back at the life of Superman up to the present day and at first, I found it only okay…I mean when Superman yells Justice League Together I rolled my eyes. Since when do they say that in the league?! But on a second read I really saw how wonderful this issue was. I love how it is Supergirl and the Legion looking at the past through a what did he call it…Chronex? And we do get some hints of the future but like Brainiac 5 said, it could be altered timelines. This was a nice anniversary issue.

Action Comics #851
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art and Cover by Adam Kubert

I gotta hand it to them for the idea of making all the phantom zone scenes in this issue in 3D. It was a really cool idea…I just don’t know how well it was executed. I found it kind of annoying at times, especially those glasses. But I give them kudos for trying. Story-wise, it is okay. I think it is definitely over-hyped…I don’t really have any complaints about it but it doesn’t really excite me either. Maybe because I don’t harbor any strong emotions about Zod…I don’t know. The Mon-El Stuff was pretty cool though and the ending with Luthor was good too.

Superman/Batman 31 – 35

Superman/Batman #31
Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Matthew Clark

Well, that was crazy. I must say I really do not enjoy Matthew Clark’s arc. Not on the Outsiders and not here. But I do like the idea of all earth’s alien being brainwashed to kill the humans and I do love it whenever Plastic Man makes an appearance in any comic so I am torn on this. Anyways, why is Lex acting like a businessman in this issue again? Isn’t Lana the CEO of LexCorp now while Lex is in hiding? Verheiden should keep up with continuity.

Superman/Batman #32 Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Matthew Clark

I liked the idea that Superman is taken out of his trance by his love for Lois. I liked that Batman was forced to put the black rock on in order to survive…but this issue falls flat. First, because of the continuity issues. Why is Hawkgirl even there? She is not an alien. And second because I feel like it could be soo much better than it is.

Superman/Batman #33 Written by Mark Verheiden
Art by Matthew Clark

This arc comes to a nice tidy conclusion. Superman convinces the Armada that earth has some good people and shouldn’t be destroyed. I liked how the battle was won through words and diplomacy and not through violence. But I can’t help but feel this whole storyline was a failure. It took too long to come out and had too many continuity mistake. Hawkgirl had red hair in this issue like the old thanagarian Hawkwoman! What the hell!

Superman/Batman #34 Written by Mark Verheiden
Art and Cover by Pat Lee

First time around, I was completely bored with this issue. I have no experience with the Metal Men (accept for 52) and did not care. Second time around, I definitely enjoyed it more and paid attention better. It is a decent story so far, I don’t know if it is consistent with Metal Men continuity or not but I liked the parts where Bruce realizes he should do better to protect the guards of Wayne Enterprises.

Superman/Batman #35

Written by Mark Verheiden and Marc Guggenheim
Art by Pat Lee

Now this was a strong issue. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was not expecting THAT ending. The OMAC Project! Wow, I look forward to seeing how this all plays out next issue. I don’t know if it was Guggenheim, but I liked this better than all previous issues of Verheiden’s run. The teamwork between Batman and Superman was prefect. I loved their conversation about “Super-Brain”. That made a nice use of continuity, I don’t think anyone has acknowledged the “Super-Brain” thing since that first OYL story arc. Great issue. This arc is definitely picking up.

Stop Forcing Beliefs

Action Comics #849
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Allan Goldman

This was a pretty solid conclusion to Nicieza’s two-part fill in arc of Action Comics. Religion in comics is always ripe for controversy, especially an issue like this which deals a lot with whether or not it is okay to force your beliefs on others (In my opinion, it is not and never okay to do that). But putting aside the controversy that this issue may create, it was very good. I like Superman stories that deal with bigger questions than just the typical Superman vs. Crazy Villain. It was good to see Superman calling on the help of Oracle. She hasn’t been utilized in her superhero information broker role in a while. From things mentioned, it seems that this storyline takes place before the Zod storyline as well. I actually kind of felt back for Father Hightower at the end of this issue, even though he was a total prick. Very good issue.

No Enjoyment For No Reason

Action Comics #847
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art and Cover by Renato Guedes

We interrupt the regular run of Geoff Johns and Richard Donner (who are running late) with this little one-shot by Dwayne McDuffie. McDuffie writes a nice little story here and it is always nice to read a one-shot issue but something about this issue did not really resonate with me. It seemed dull sort of. While it was cool to see Sun Eaters and some interaction between Superman and the Kents, I just found myself bored with this issue. Maybe it was because I am annoyed that DC seems to change what Johnathan and Martha look like whenever they appear. Sometimes they look like they do on Smallville and other times they look like the oldest couple in the world. The art was fantastic, especially for a fill-in like this. But I just did not enjoy this for some odd reason. Not sure why.

Look Who’s Talking

Superman Confidential #2
Written by Darwyn Cooke
Art and Cover by Tim Sale

This issue continues the look at Superman’s first encounter with kryptonite. I have come to the conclusion that while I would not want Tim Sale on Action Comics or Superman, this is the perfect series for him to do if he had to do Superman. His art style bring that sort of retro touch that he series needs. Cooke’s story, while not filled with action, is emotonally jarring as we see Superman deal with the fact that he is not completely invulnerable when he has to stop a volcanoe and almsot drowns in Lava. For some reason I always figured Superman could not survive in Lava but I guess he can now. Of course, this is only a foreshadowing of thing to come when he comes face to face with Kryptonite. The only thing I did not like about the script is the beginning where, if I am not mistaken, the kryptonite itself has a monolgue. Why is the kryptonite speaking? It is an inanimate object, is it not? That was just weird and award.

The Son of Zod

Action Comics #845
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art and Cover by Adam Kubert

I am not going to lie, I did not enjoy this on the first read. I felt like they were trying to replace Connor Kent and that is just not exceptable. But now, after reading it a few times, I realize that is not what it is about. Connor was never Clark’s “son”, I don’t knw I guess I just changed my view on this. Kubert’s art also took some getting used to and I think I really like it now, it fits this story wonderfully. Now, I am not a big Bizarro fan but it was interesting to see that he was locked up by Lex Luthor. I don’t like the cover of this issue, it just doesn’t grab me like a cover should. Clark and Lois naming the boy “Chris Kent” was a nice nod to Christopher Reeve that I really did not catch on the first read. The ending was surprising and I really didn’t guess that Zod would be part of this.

Supergirl 7 – 11

Supergirl (Volume 5) #7
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Ian Churchill

With this issue, Joe Kelly begins his run on this title. While this story was originally concieved by Greg Rucka, Kelly continues it here and he does a good job of it. The ending was a little wacky though, why is Kara making out with a man who looks just like her cousin? The art is fantastic though and I think I am getting used to the idea that Supergirl was originally sent to earth to kill Superman. I like seeing her ongoing struggle against that mission.

Supergirl (Volume 5) #8 Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Ron Adrian
For some reason, when I first read this, I was very confused. I wasn’t sure if Kara was acting on her own free will or if she was being controlled. Second time around, I now know she was being controlled. This was a cool issie, I bet the artist had fun drawing all the crazy Kryptonian costumes. But, Power Girl and Supergirl never really fight in this issue, so why does say that on the cover? Oh well, it is not like I want to see them fight anyway, Supergirl has fought enough with other heroes.

Supergirl (Volume 5) #9 Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Ian Churchill

This was by far the best issue of this series so far! We really get some incite into who Kara really is in this issue. She is a girl who wants to do good, had messed up parents, and sometimes makes some bad mistakes. But in the end, she truly only wants good for the world. I like how Kelly establishes that Supergirl has money now, so cool. And I like her friendship with Wonder Girl. There were so many touching moments in this issue. Kudos to Kelly and Churchill.

Supergirl (Volume 5) #10 Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund

Speaking from the point of view of someone that just recently graduated from high school, I can tell you that modern high school is nothing like the evil school that Kara goes to in this issue. God, what are these the teenage girls from hell. Movies misrepresent modern day high school, it is really not this terrible place where people are incredibly cruel to eachother. I though High school was fun and we all got along great. Sure, people get in fights but the average teen isn’t as mean as this comic or any movies act like they are. That is why I found this issue hard to swallow, the girls were just too mean. I understand why Kara decides to quit school. I would too if I went to that high school.

Supergirl (Volume 5) #11
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Joe Benitez

Joe Kelly is doing really well on this title. He seems to be making sure that the new Supergirl is not just a carbon copy of the pre-crisis Supergirl. She has this whole dark past thing which I am really digging. Am I a dumbass for not realizing the guy Kara has been seeing is Captain Boomerang. Boomer should have given it away right? Guess not for me. Anyways, great issue. I am really starting to like Kara, after the Loeb run, I thought I would never like her. It would be interesting if she joins the Outsiders full time but I doubt she will. I think this is just another step in her journey to figuring out who she is. Oh and I didn’t expect Powerboy to show up this issue, hopefully we will actually find out who he is next issue, besides being one of the one year gap titans.

Not Another Kryptonian

Action Comics #844
Written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner
Art and cover by Adam Kubert

I have mixed feelings about this issue. First off, I am worried. I don’t think we need a new kryptonian in Clark’s life. I know that Donner is supposed to be a “god” among comic fans because of his directing of Superman: The Movie but he is has an odd obesession with Jor-El and Krypton. And I know that I am not alone in that opinion, I read it in a few other places in the blogosphere. I don’t know if that affects his stories negatively or not but I would like to see a story by him not about Krypton. Though I do welcome him to Action Comics and I hope he stays long. Anyways, why I am worried about this issue is this kryptonian boy, he seems too similar to Superman’s illegitamate son from Superman Returns. That was a plot-point that nearly ruined the movie for me, I thought it was just rudiculous and stupid. The art was okay, not the best. I guess I expected more from this issue than I got. There were some good moments though and that is why I am going to wait before I judge this storyline too harshly.

I Hope Metropolis Has Insurance

Action Comics #839
Written by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Gosh Metropolis is really going to have to pay for the damage done in this issue. Huge Crystals coming up from underground can not be good for the city. No wonder some people think superheroes cause more harm than good. This is a pretty good issue, Luthor is acting like the mad scientist though and I have always liked him more as the bussinessman/ white collar crime type of guy. That is the Luthor I am used to I guess. At least he is wearing the bussiness suit on the cover. I am sad to see the Toyman leaving this stoyline, he was a cool guy. I hope he comes back soon. Not much else to say about this. Pretty good issue and I can’t way to see how this storyline ends.

Losses of Loved Ones

Superman/Batman #26
Written by Sam Loeb with Jeph Loeb, Allan Heinberg, Joss Whedon, Joe Kelly, Brad Meltzer, Mark Verheiden, Brian K. Vaughan, Geoff Johns, Joe Casey and Paul Levitz
Art by John Cassaday, Joe Madureira, Jeff Matsuda, Ian Churchill, Ed McGuinness, Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee, Tim Sale, Arthur Adams, Joyce Chin, Mike Kunkel, Duncan Rouleau, Carlos Pacheco, Michael Turner and Pat Lee
Cover by Michael Turner

This issue made me cry. For two things, Superboy and Sam Loeb. Sam could have really went somewhere in Comic Book writing but he was taken too soon. This issue stands as a tribute to him. Ironically, the issue also deals with the (fictional so not quite as sad) loss of Connor Kent aka Superboy. It is the melding of these two losses that makes this issue about grief and death but also friendship. Robin and Superboy were best of friends and in order to deal with Superboy’s death Robin speaks of the happy times with his friend. This is something we should all do, it really does help. Having lost people myself, I know there is nothing like reminiscing about the wonderful times you had with that person that helps the pain so much. I almost feel guilty about critiquing this book but the art did have its flaws. The change in art changed so rapidly that it caught me off guard. But in the end it is a minor flaw that will obviously occur if you have fifteen artists. The biggest tear jerker was the back up story in which the Kents speak of Clark’s friendship with a young boy named Sam. (Clearly based off of Sam Loeb). The main story was also pretty good and showed that Sam was a talented writer. I liked the part where Superboy jumped into the hot tub with the other half naked Titan Robots and he was telling Robin to lighten up a bit. It really epitomized Robin and Superboy’s friendship. Loeb and DC did a wonderful job of commemorating both Sam Loeb and Connor Kent in this issue.