This week continues my unofficial review series for “Doomed,” the Doomsday-centric crossover that is more enjoyable than it has any right to be. However, this latest chapter hits a minor bump, as Soule and Daniel stage a secondary stealth crossover.
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Tony S. Daniel“SUPERMAN: DOOMED” continues with “ENEMY OF THE STATE”! As things get more dire on Earth for him, the Man of Steel may have to go into exile in space, but the self-proclaimed protectors of Sector 2814, the Red Lanterns, don’t want him there either! Don’t miss this deadly face-off between Kal and Kara!
Something the “Doomed” crossover has managed to do well to this point is maintain the unique voice of each individual title. As with the last issue of “Superman/Wonder Woman,” this chapter of “Doomed” focuses on the the effect Superman’s infection has on Wonder Woman, and the heroine’s attempt to save her beau. Admittedly, things venture into the realm of soap operatics, with twisty turns and betrayals by close friends. That’s par for the course for a series that primarily exists to ship two characters, and is likely something any reader of this book will accept or even enjoy.
Another thing the crossover has done is shift the Superman/Doomsday dynamic in a direction that is the exact opposite of what fans have come to expect. Rather than pitting the two in a battle of brawn, Superman is forced to fight against what is essentially the idea of Doomsday. The opposing forces are engaged in a battle of wills for the control of Superman’s body, a struggle which manifests as two personas in a sort of “mindscape.” Clark and “Superdoom” (a name that doesn’t sound nearly as cool as it did when Grant Morrison used it), face off with words, not fists, and Daniel’s visual interpretation adds an offbeat layer to the circumstances.
This issue continues the strong portrayal of Wonder Woman that we’ve seen throughout the course of series. Soule takes advantage of Clark’s handicap to focus on Diana’s strength as a singular character. While still not quite on par with Azzarello’s interpretation of the character, the Diana here is certainly tenacious, capable, and enjoyable to read.
Although, that’s only part of the story. Midway through the issue, we get a resolution to the Clark/Diana conflict, establishing a new shift in the “Doomed” saga. One might reach that point and think, while a bit short, this issue of “Superman/Wonder Woman” is an aesthetically pleasing, action packed, enjoyable comic book. One might think that Soule and Daniel anticipated that satisfaction, because one more turn of the page brings an unexpected, and slightly perplexing encore.
You may be aware of the fact that Charles Soule writes a large number of comics. One book that he also has the duty of crafting for DC is “Red Lanterns,” starring Guy Gardner and his rag tag space biker gang. Perhaps due to the current inclusion of Supergirl as one of the teams members, an attempt to drum up interest in the series, a combination of both, or just a fanciful whim, Soule kicks things back into overdrive, injecting the Red Lanterns into the mix.
On one hand, bringing in the Red Lanterns makes a lot of sense, from both a story-telling and thematic standpoint. Superman is currently locked in a battle of will with a being of pure rage, the emotion that just so happens to power Gardner’s merry band of crimson crusaders. From a continuity standpoint, the team is in charge of patrolling and protecting the earth from threats, and what’s a bigger threat than an out of control Superman. Supergirl, being Clark’s cousin, although estranged, would have a particular vested interest. Soule has developed a strong voice for these characters over in “Red Lanterns,” and that carries over well here. It’s certainly fun to see the writer getting play with two sets of toys in a single setting.
However, the team’s appearance ultimately comes off as a bit of a non-sequitor. The Red Lanterns don’t actually progress the story in any quantifiable way, as the issue ends in the same way it would have had the Lanterns not shown up. The issue suggests the Lanterns will have a continuing part to play, suggesting the expansion of “Doomed” into “Red Lanterns” proper, although doesn’t seem to be the case. While we may see more of Kara and the gang further down the line, their inclusion here, while interesting, feels unnecessary.
Continued belowThe Red Lanterns’ inclusion may not be wholly beneficial, but it’s almost worth it just to see Tony Daniel draw these characters. This is a weird comparison, but Daniel’s figures feel like high quality action figures, rich with eye catching detail. The characters seem to grow to fill the panels, forming the focus of Daniel’s pages. Daniel gets to work with some unique variations on these characters, from Superdoom, to the armored Hessia, to god mode Wonder Woman. The constant transformations and power ups hearken to the most basic super hero tropes, but if you can throw off pretense, it’s a fun bit of spectacle. One of the issues’s best scenes involves Clark and Diana finding a moments solace in space. Daniel presents a flowing, wave like panel structure that complements the billowing clouds encircling the earth, clouds which trail after the couple as they breach atmosphere.
Making the final package even sweeter is Tomeu Morey. Readers of Multiversity’s DC3 columns may recall my appreciation for Morey’s work on “Batman Eternal,” and the colorist presents equally impressive work here. One segment toward the end of the issue, in which the Red Lanterns arrive in an snowy landscape, is a great example. The striking red of the Lanterns’ costumes stands out brilliantly against the stark white, while the blue-green, kryptonite tinge skies give the scene an enchanting, alien tone.
“Superman/Wonder Woman” #9 is an enjoyable continuation of “Doomed,” but the story is beginning to drag. This is at least the third issue in a row that has ended with a rogue-ish Superman flying off for parts unknown. While Soule builds on the explosive events of the previous chapter, shifting the status quo ever so slightly, there’s just not much forward momentum. This, coupled with the book’s divided structure, prevents the issue from being an absolute must read. However, Soule’s strong character work and Daniel’s terrific art are certainly worth a look.
Final Verdict: 7.0 – Browse.
