Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Jason Fabok
Published by DC Comics
Well, here it is. The answer that I have been waiting for. Bendis has always known how to start off a series. Sometimes however, he can’t finish them in a satisfactory way. So I have been wondering since the beginning of this book if it would happen on this title.
I’ve got to say, Bendis does an amazing job. He finishes strong here, and it actually may be the best single issue he has written in years. I’m not even kidding.
We start off with the Lois and Jon story and see a little deeper into that. There’s a really great moment where we see Jon’s fears that he might grow up to be a bad person. He also shows his hurt in being rejected from the Titans. It’s a beautiful and human moment.
He also brilliantly shows how Clark and Lois react to Jon’s hurt as his parents.
We then see Superman confront Rogol Zaar at the Earth’s core! And man, its brilliantly written, too.
Zaar acts all high and mighty saying things along the lines of “are you attempting to speak with me?”
So then, Bendis has Clark do something completely unprecedented. He goads Zaar into a fight. And it makes total sense why and how Clark does this. Bendis truly flips the script on the character and it’s exhilarating to read.
He also shows in between the fighting what actually happened to Jon and Lois finally. And that makes total sense too. It’s exciting and gives us a world of possibilities for upcoming storylines. Bendis also writes a wonderful character for Lois and she has a shining moment as well. It’s stunning.
The art by Fabok is incredible and expressive and everything you could possibly want for this book. He can handle action scenes as well and man does he ever! The fight between Superman and Rogol Zaar is amazing. It makes the classic Doomsday story seem laughable almost by comparison. It’s really that good.
The ending of this is fantastic and emotional and hits all the right notes. It’s the most focused writing Bendis has done in years. It also leads to the main series which means there will be more. I’m glad.
Good for Brian Michael Bendis. He not only silenced the critics but he has created an amazing direction for a character that deserves the best.
And this, my friends, is the best.
RATING: A
