At the end of last issue we saw Mon El begin to free fall to what would be certain death, over the waters of Metropolis Harbor due to a failing of his superpowers while in mid flight.  This issue opens with him falling, then flying, the falling again as his powers fade in and out.  Jim Harper aka The Guardian, captain of Metropolis’ science police, arrives just in time to pull him from the water, saving his life as Mon El has never bothered to learn how to swim.  A quick visit to the new Dr. Light, seen recently in the pages of Action Comics treating the new Flamebird aka Thara Ak Var’s wounds, which she got during her and Chris Kent aka Nightwing’s battle with Ursa, Mon El gets some pretty serious bad news.  It’s the type of bad news which causes those who hear it to re-evaluate their standing, station in life, and actions.  Mon El will have to make some choices, and decide what he wants to do with this news and what it means.

Mon El in over his head.

Just when Superman, with its new protagonist, might have been showing signs of sagging in storytelling strength much like Mon El’s powers flicker on and off, this issue fully re-powers up the interest in the really great overarching World Without Superman storyline.  Once again Robinson and Co. crafts a subplot to the storyline involving one of its major players that is going to be the first in a series of must reads for the storyline’s followers.  It also looks like we’re going to be dealing with some pretty heavy philosophical and important questions about life, death, and the modes of living life to its fullest.  In this issue alone we get the name dropping of Derrida, Picasso, Hemingway, Camus, The Louvre, Vermeer, Bosch, El Greco, and The Mona Lisa.  Yes, this is a Superman comic book, and not a grad school paper on post modern or existential art and literature, but you get the feel that we’ll be dealing with some important existential questions over the course of the next several issues. 

Guedes’ pencils continue to deliver impressive and sweeping cityscapes which have expanded to include Metropolis’ street level brownstones, Italian restaurants, and Paris coffee shops.  His grasp of anatomy, costume, and civilian dress also remain strong along with his action sequences.  Guedes’ pencils coupled with Magalhaes inks and Curiel’s colors create a real treat of a finished product.

Overall, Superman, chronicling Mon El’s story as he adjusts to Earth, his job, and his role as superhero protector of Metropolis, while now having to deal with the serious news of this issues’ revelations, is really making a strong case for one of the best ongoing series currently being produced, rebounding very nicely from last month’s lackluster issue.