After a bit of a delay, “Superman Unchained” returns in a big way as the Man Of Steel and the mysterious Wraith team up to fight Ascension.
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Jim LeeSuperman rushes to stop Ascension’s attack and kicks off a huge battle with Wraith! Besieged on all sides, Superman has no choice but to call in some powerful friends…
Launched in the summer with a #1 issue to coincide with the Man Of Steel film, “Superman Unchained” immediately stood out from the rest of the Superman books coming out from DC. While “Superman” and “Action Comics” were experiencing a period of by-the-numbers storytelling and misplaced focus, “Unchained” tapped into the core tenants of the character, and created a story that would challenge not just Superman’s powers, but his role in global affairs. It poised interesting questions, and explored new moments within the history of the DCU, and then it went on a 10 week hiatus. Now Scott Snyder and Jim Lee return to Superman’s fight with Ascension, and seek to the prove that a little time off won’t cause them to lose any momentum.
The issue opens with Lex Luthor delivering one of his trademark monologues to a captured Jimmy Olsen, detailing the coming death of Superman. Meanwhile, Clark is engaged with a destructive battle with the forces of the terrorist group Ascension, who use robots designed to kill Superman in spite of their anti-technology message. Clark teams up with an unlikely ally, Wraith, the mysterious being with all of Superman’s powers who has been an agent of the US military since World War II. Their explosive battle moves away from the Tokyo and over the ocean, far from civilians, as Wraith guides Superman to use his powers in ways he hasn’t tapped into yet. Meanwhile, Lois Lane has just survived a plane crash with the help of blind Ascension member, who possess a crystal identical to those found in the Fortress of Solitude. Lois’ new ally quickly dies, however, and she is captured by Ascension forces.
With “Superman Unchained”, “Batman”, “The Wake” and the imminent return of “American Vampire”, Scott Snyder has a lot on his plate, but nevertheless he has maintained a level of quality that is nearly unbeatable. Despite the fact that this issue devotes approximately half of its pages to the large fight scene between Superman, Wraith, and the Ascension robots, Snyder is always sure to include character moments that prevent it from becoming mindless action. Here we have Superman struggling to take the fight as far away from innocent civilians as possible, expressing hesitation and fear regarding the extent of his powers, and probing his enemy for signs that he can be saved, all during an action scene. Snyder deserves to be applauded for his ability to use the minimal amount of dialogue needed to give the readers real insight into Superman’s central traits.
Another great element of “Unchained” has been the way Snyder has handled the members of Superman’s supporting cast. Long gone are days of “Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane” and “Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen”, where everyone’s entire lives revolved around Clark and his alter ego. Yes Lois’ investigation into Ascension does coincide with Clark’s fight with the terrorist group, but Snyder makes it clear that this is the type of investigating that is very much part of her job description. She would be doing this even if Superman wasn’t involved. Even the antagonists, General Lane, Wraith, and Luthor, have relatively three-dimensional personalities, and goals that go just beyond ‘crazy guy wants to kill Superman’. Ok, maybe that last one does still apply to Luthor.
Jim Lee is a comic book legend, and if he never drew another page again he would still be a legend. Despite the fact that it would be incredibly easy for Lee is rest on his laurels, or even turn in substandard work and coast on his name, Lee instead continues to deliver page after page of art as good as or better than anything else out there. If the blame for the recent delay falls on Lee’s shoulders, as it did frequently during the Image years, then at least he made sure the finished product was very good. In the wrong artist’s hands, Superman’s fight scenes can look like a chaotic mess or alternatively static and pose-y, but Lee knows exactly has to capture all the kinetic energy and awe-inspiring nature of Superman in battle.
Continued belowThe panels are filled with details, from the buildings, the differing robots sent by Ascension, and even the consistency of Superman’s bullet wound. If there is one complaint regarding Lee’s art, it’s is that sometimes there is a little too much detail. The Tokyo scenes demand the reader’s attention, and if you don’t take your time it’s very possible to get lost. Lee uses the quieter scenes with Lois and Jimmy to display this other side of his style. He still utilizes the heavily lined technique he’s known for, but the effect here is images that look clean and uncluttered.
After a 10 week delay, “Superman Unchained” is back with a bang. Scott Snyder, like always, fills the book with character insights and unique details, such as this issue’s paper dolls, that set his work apart. Jim Lee proves that his is still capable of delivering high quality art, even after drawing these heroes thousands of times.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – Buy. This is the best Superman book on the shelf right now, from two of the biggest talents DC has to offer.
