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Review: Superman #12 (2016)

By Andy Frisk
December 11, 2016 - 21:40

DC Comics' Rebirth Superman title has been pretty darn good thus far. This is not just because the Post-Crisis/Pre-Flashpoint Superman is the star, but because the writing and art has been so good. After each character advancing story though, there seems to be a few issues of what can almost be considered as filler. During these filler issues, characters are re-introduced that hang around for a few issues and then go away. It feels like Superman is being used to advertise characters and gauge whether or not they are worth showcasing further. It sort of cheapens the filler issues. I understand that Superman is a high profile book, but it shouldn't be used as a testing ground for future properties.

This issue we are exposed to one of the failed original New 52 headliners, Frankenstein from Frankenstein and The Agents of S.H.A.D.E. The Agent of S.H.A.D.E. crashes an interview between Lois and the editor of a local Hamilton (the town Lois, Clark, and Jon are living in) newspaper in order to battle "the Outcast" (obviously some kind of supernatural bad guy). Superman intervenes and chaotic fisticuffs and mistaken alliances occur.

Doug Mahnke draws this issue and there's really no more praise I can heap upon his work. Going all the way back to his days on The Green Lantern franchise with writer Geoff Johns, I've been singing his praises. Frankenstein hasn't looked this good before. Superman rarely looks this good, and comic books in general rarely look this good.

It's a shame that the story and the formulaic guest star trope seems like it will be a permanent part of Superman, at least for the time being. It's a blessing that these stories will at least be written by Tomasi and Gleason and drawn by some of the best talent.

Rating: 8 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12