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Superman #5 - Menace!

2

Superman? Killing? Never! How can the Man of Steel justify this turn of character?

The Good

I'm really enjoyed Nicola Scott's art for most of the issue. Especially when compared to the heavy-handedness of the dialog, it's a high point, for sure. There are subtle clues you'll pick up on to show the major plot devices, and it takes an artist with talent to do that.

As a journalist, I was happy to see the "Superman" of this issue emerge with a "show, don't tell" joke; that's a phrase that's drilled into our heads a lot during training, and it definitely fit with some aspects of "Clark Kent."

The Bad

The whole premise of the issue is that the Superman that we're seeing isn't who we think he is, so the big reveal at the end of the issue is supposed to be a shock. However, by the time we get there it's so painfully evident that the Superman we're seeing isn't the real one, all hope of surprise is lost. I couldn't help but say "Oh, wow, didn't see that coming" at the ending, and I can bet I wasn't the only one.

I mean, the twist of the issue would have been a lot better if they had cut out maybe six or seven pages of "Superman" blowing up stuff and murdering people, leaving some kind of suspense. Instead, the issue comes off as boring, and we're left to wait for the explanation; I feel like Perez wasn't confident in the reader to actually get the point of the issue, throwing in more examples, as if to say "YOU GET IT NOW!?"

Also, it's disappointing that Perez chose to go with the "people DISTRUST Superman, now!" storyline this early in the book's run. It's usually best saved when there's proper establishment of the character, which we haven't exactly had, yet. Superman is still alien to the people of Earth, and I just don't feel like there's any trust to abuse.

The Verdict

I'll admit that I've stayed away from the "A-List" of New 52 titles (Superman, Action Comics, the Bat-Books, Green Lantern, Justice League) out of fear that they will be terrible, and really, this issue didn't do much to dissuade me. While it's not a "throw in the trash" issue, it doesn't come off as anything but blunt, heavy-handed and talkative. I'd like to note, though, that I have caught up with the books I'm reviewing: I think it's important to establish context.

For all the "reboot" is supposed to do, this issue of SUPERMAN just feels like something mired in the muck: little character development, a plot that doesn't have confidence in its readers and a premise that seems too way too early to be going into.

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