Lois Lane #1 Featured Columns 

Don’t Miss This: “Lois Lane” by Greg Rucka and Mike Perkins

By | September 4th, 2019
Posted in Columns | % Comments

There are a lot of comics out there, but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we head over to the dark side of Metropolis to look at the maxi-series “Lois Lane” from Greg Rucka and Mike Perkins. Just how dreary can a book starring a Superman supporting cast member get anyway?

Martian Manhunter #4 SMP
Lane and Montoya take a working lunch.

Who’s This By?

Lois Lane is written by acclaimed author Greg Rucka who most recently launched DC’s “Wonder Woman” ongoing series during the Rebirth era in 2016. Rucka was instrumental in founding supporting character Renee Montoya’s evolution as The Question during “52.” Rucka recently had a number of his creator-owned properties adapted into films and television including the upcoming movie “The Old Guard” on Netflix and in television with “Stumptown” on ABC debuting September 25, 2019. Mike Perkins is a veteran artist who has drawn “The Stand,” “Captain America,” “Doctor Strange” and more. Perkins has worked at both Marvel and DC for several years and is in top form for “Lois Lane.”

What’s This All About?

Lois Lane is about Lane’s time in investigative journalism. Lane is desperate to uncover the truth behind what is actually going on in the city of Metropolis. To investigate the DC Universe she’s enlisted the help of Renee Montoya as The Question. With Lane pointing Montoya in the direction of where to find trouble, each issue of the series thus far has featured the duo going in over their head. Author Greg Rucka is able to comment on modern politics through the lens of Lane and her struggle to find the truth as a reporter. Rucka’s take on the title has a distinctive noir sensibility thanks to the art from Mike Perkins.

Martian Manhunter #4 SMP
Hand-to-hand combat with Renee Montoya isn’t a great idea.

So, Why Should I Read This?

Rucka explores Lane’s life outside the context of a newspaper outlet as a reporter and freelance writer. Rucka never shows readers exactly what Lane is writing but her pieces are so important that they can carry fallout for her main surroundings. Lane finds information that is so compromising she has the need to send out a street-level superhero to investigate. Rucka feels as though he is building towards a huge climax and central villain over the course of the 12-issue story and readers are only three-chapters into this epic run of comics. More connective tissue and information tying the story together is still to come in “Lois Lane.” On top of being an all-around excellent comic, Lane also isn’t shy about contacting the greater DC Universe.

“Lois Lane” isn’t afraid to include street-level characters from other books and Lane’s extended family. Lane is a mother and wife in addition to being a reporter. Rucka expresses interest in exploring all of the different facets of Lane’s life in-between dangerous investigative journalism. Rucka details Clark Kent’s relationship with Lane in an interesting modern setting. In the title, Lane is usually a couple of steps ahead of Kent who is trying to keep up with her new information acquired from Montoya. The title can hardly be described as grim and gritty, featuring plenty of scenes where Lane and Kent take a step back and find peace in their relationship with each other.

Artist Mike Perkins crafts a solid, noir-focused visual direction for the series that carries the weight of Rucka’s scripts. Rucka often creates smaller, character-focused scenes that call for lots of emotion and subtle details. Perkins does an excellent job in carrying the visual direction needed for a quieter title. The individual details of the story can be lost in moments when Perkins lacks the smaller details that the scenes call for. A couple of Question fights from this week’s issue are a little ambiguous with the flow of the action. It can be difficult to know if the ambiguity lies in the script but the visuals could have corrected this oddly-paced scene.

Continued below

On the whole, Perkins art suits this story captures the elements needed to evoke the intimate storytelling Rucka is looking to achieve in “Lois Lane.” The most important element Perkins brings to the narrative is a sense of mystery Rucka imbues into the scripts. When characters turn in unexpected directions or are investigating strange places, Perkins line-work adds a creepy sensibility that should keep readers glued to the page until the next big plot beat pays off that thread. Another aspect of the art that can be frustrating is the lack of clarity in some of the facial details. Depending on the panel readers are looking at, it can be difficult to identify Lane. Thankfully each issue has given the opportunity for Perkins to explore different aspects of Lane’s life. Perkins tailors his art to each situation as there are scenes where Lane is enjoying a casual dinner contrasting nicely with Lane’s dates with Superman.

Martian Manhunter Riley Rossmo Promo Pages
Lane acquires inspiration from her other half.

How Can You Read It?

The noir scripting and direction of “Lois Lane” cries out for a binge read but not every issue is on store shelves yet. The first three chapters are available on Comixology and in comic book stores. You aren’t going to want to miss the foreboding investigative elements mixed with the heart of the Kent family in “Lois Lane.”


Alexander Jones

EMAIL | ARTICLES