Superman stories sometimes get a repetitive feel when the Man of Steel is able to defeat his enemies with his vast superpowers. Finally we're seeing him fight an enemy that has a big advantage over him.
The Good
The first issue didn't quite capture the essence of Superman as the hero we all knew. He was around to save the day. This issue fills us in a little more on who exactly this Superman is. We are seeing his early days in Action Comics but last issue felt like a completely different Superman. Things are moving forward. This is the time to take some risks and make some changes, as long as they make sense.
Besides Superman action, there is some good interaction between Lois and Clark. We know the story between the two but it's like we're seeing it unfold for the first time. They don't quite have the same history we're used to. While some things are progressing with the characters, in other ways they are still tied to their original roots.
Another great part was the follow up on the creature that attacked Superman last issue and the new threat he faces here. A common complaint I've heard over the years is Superman was just too powerful. With all his powers, he could easily defeat his enemies. Sometimes writers would come up with a clever way to stall the fight but Superman win out in the end with ease. Superman has a weakness that he is unaware of and it makes sense.
The art and colors continue to come across as very clean and detailed. There's some great lighting affects, especially when the action shifts down to the subway tunnels. I mentioned it last issue, it's amazing to see the differences in Brian Buccellato's colors here and in The Flash. I also really get a kick out of the red and blue streak when Superman zooms by, either by flying or getting punched at full force.
The Bad
I do have some curiosity over these attacks. Superman's foe this issue is more interesting than last issue's but still doesn't have that big classic Superman villain feel. The decision might've been made to hold off on using some of the big guns but I would think you'd want something bigger for the relaunch of a Superman title.
I enjoyed the fight but found the the other scenes between Lois and Clark or Superman and General Lane to be far more exciting. That's where you'll be hanging on to their every word to try to pick up on any tiny details. I'm not really sure what the big threat is to Superman and what it will be next issue but I'm hoping there will be a payoff.
The Verdict
I was a bit let down with the first issue but thankfully things do pick up some here. Superman has to fight an enemy and is at a disadvantage. The weakness Superman has makes sense and is a great way to give us a battle where Superman can't easily defeat his opponent. There are little tidbits of information in the non-battle parts as well. Lois Lane is going through some changes and her relationship with Clark is changing. It's a nice twist to see the evolution of characters while also seeing them portrayed in a similar fashion to their early days. It gives us a new but sort of familiar take on them. The art and color are good to see. In a Superman comic, you have to have a high level of detail and we get it here. Brian Buccellato's colors really enhance the scenes and adds a great layer in showing the city lights reflecting during the night as well as capturing just the right mood when the action goes below the surface. I'm still waiting for something a little more. We should have a bigger threat or a bigger villain. There is still a mystery going on and I can only hope it will be satisfying. I'm glad to see Superman headed in the right direction.