In “Superman #23.4,” it’s Aaron Kuder’s first time in the writer’s seat. Does his dynamic, expressive artistic style carry over, or is he dragged down into September’s villainous muck?
Written and Illustrated by Aaron Kuder
Parasite: Noun.
An organism that lives in or on another organism.
Preferably Superman.
One good thing DC has going for it in the New 52 is its willingness to give artists the chance to work their writing chops. In the best cases, giving an artist full creative control of story leads to some gorgeous visuals and innovative storytelling. Kuder is one best up and coming artist in the business right now, so it’s safe to say expectations where a bit high for this Villain’s Month closer. Thankfully, Kuder slots into the writer’s seat quite nicely.
“Parasite” is total punk. Garish greens and purples, angsty deprecations splashed across the page, the quest for the next high, it’s all there is spades. Kuder’s script is fast and hard, without coming across as shallow. Kuder gives Parasite an interesting and super comic booky origin, one that ties into Andy Diggle and Tony Daniel’s short run on “Action Comics.” Joshua Michael Allen (never trust a man with three first names) is a totally unlikeable, down on his luck douche that runs afoul of super-powered catastrophe, setting up for delightful sci-fi/horror B-movie. It’s a simple concept, but one that Kuder portrays extremely well.
That strong portrayal, unsurprisingly, carries over artistically as well. This is an absolutely gorgeous book. Its safe to say, at this point, Marvel is the more artistically daring of the Big Two, and this feels right at home among the best of that output. While Kuder began as another Quitely-esque artist, his style has become very much his own, rising out of that particularly long shadow. Kuder keeps things interesting with atypical panel layouts, interspersed with striking splash pages at just the right moment. His pacing is pitch perfect as well. As mentioned, the story moves quickly, but each story beat gets room to breath. The transformation scene, told over three pages, fantastic. Page one, the rising build, where things go terribly wrong. Page two, a dark, purple tinged splash were a newly birthed parasite surveys the destruction. Page three, Another splash, in which Allen, and the reader get a gruesome, up-close look at the monster he has become. Laced over all of this is an irreverent that never oversteps its bounds. It would be a crime to omit Tommy Moreu’s contribution, as his colors are a large part of what makes the art excel.
It’s worth mentioning, this is one of the few Villains Month books that features an appearance by a Justice League member, albeit in flashback. In the clash between Superman and Parasite, Kuder’s sickening depiction of the villain goes to a new level entirely. Taking a page from “All-Star Superman,” Parasite gorges on Supe’s energy. Only, in this case, that manifests in bulbous tumors, boils, and twisting tendrils that threaten to consume his entire body. It’s a rare New 52 case in which the increased detail helps, rather than hinders. As a side note, Kuder’s Superman looks great too, boding quite well for his upcoming stint on “Action Comics.”
In a month that sadly lacked in spunk and innovation, “Superman #23.4” stands head and shoulders over most other Villains books. Kuder managed to tell an origin story that wasn’t derivative or unnecessary. As with the other Villains books that worked, here’s hoping he gets a chance to continue the story in the months to come.
Final Verdict: 8.9 – Buy. Villains Month done right.
