Lots of changes are on the horizon for The Man of Steel! In “Superman” #1 Clark Kent was treated to a fresh status quo showcasing the larger Superman family featuring a return to his life as Clark over at The Daily Planet. Plus, Superman’s greatest enemy, Lex Luthor offered Clark the deal of a lifetime; a chance to work with Lex Luthor’s empire now renamed Supercorp. With tons of returning adversaries showing up towards the back of the issue, Kent has his hands full whether he realizes it or not. Just how many supervillains are going to crash the party in “Superman” #2 and will Clark take Lex’s Supercorp deal? Find out in our review of “Superman” #2!
Cover by Jamal CampbellWritten by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Jamal Campbell
Lettered by Arianna MaherCHAPTER TWO: THE NIGHT OF THE PARASITE
Superman is overwhelmed as Parasite’s new powers are unleashed! Can Superman stop all of Metropolis from being consumed by the power-hungry Parasite or will he need Lex Luthor’s help to save the day? Introducing a new antihero—Marilyn Moonlight, the Spirit of Metropolis—who only operates at night! Is she friend or foe to the Man of Steel?! And how does she connect to Metropolis’s secret past?
Clark kicks off the sophomore installment of “Superman” by chasing down a couple of Parasite duplicates. This new way to interpret a familiar DC Universe villain is a clever way for Williamson to kick the script off. The issue approaches a horror direction when Kent realizes just how many Parasite duplicates are lingering in Metropolis. When Williamson changes the supporting cast to focus in on the villains, the tone of the issue changes effortlessly. Williamson is able to capture so many tones while keeping the overall script of the issue light but filled with intrigue. Williamson is great at switching between scenes in his script, making sure that the plot thread changes don’t feel too jarring for the reader.
Artist Jamal Campbell brings out so many special aspects of this narrative. Campbell draws a lighthearted and endearing Superman who manages to look both goofy and interesting in his most somber moments. Williamson’s script is fairly dark in “Superman” #2 but Campbell’s art helps make the source material light thanks to the bombastic expressions from Clark Kent. Campbell utilizes the negative space in Marilyn Moonlight’s costume to deliver incredibly vivid compositions. The way that Moonlight’s trails of light extend from her costume capture a vivid hue that serves to make her even more mysterious. Also, the way Campbell is able to depict the Parasite duplicates brings out fascinating realism in some of the facial expressions from the art. Campbell is great at depicting motion on the page. The sequence where Mercy uses her powers is an incredibly fluid sequence. Also, the way that Lex Luthor emotes in this issue in a bombastic manner captures my imagination perfectly. Lex’s technology interacts in a fascinating manner with the comic book page. It also helps that Campbell’s expressions for his characters are extreme in the best way throughout this chapter.
Williamson’s use of so many villains in “Superman” #2 gives the script a breakneck pace. Superman’s encounter with the villains in the issue lead to several unexpected moments including the surprise cameo from Lois Lane in the script. Also, Williamson makes sure to keep “Superman” #2 in continuity by utilizing the extended Superman family with characters like Supergirl showing up to help the Man of Steel battle his never-ending rogue’s gallery! One rogue who still isn’t attacking Superman is his enemy Lex Luthor. Luthor has seemingly tried to provide insight to Clark in order to fight off Luthor’s own rogues. The fact that both Clark and Lex both seem desperate to achieve a similar goal also provides this issue with lots of much needed depth.
I’m glad to see Williamson continue to extend his emphasis on the characterization of Mercy Graves as well. Graves has been a great vehicle for the plot to get readers excited for the inclusion of Lex Luthor. Graves gives readers something to look forward to when Luthor eventually shows up on the panel. The way that Graves is able to fight alongside Superman in this issue was a great way to give her character more agency as a hero as well. Also, the way that Williamson plots the opening sequence of the issue with Superman barely able to stand provides a great way for the visuals of the issue to intersect with the narrative. The confusion that Clark lends towards responding to the Parasite duplicates is psychologically horrifying.
“Superman” #2 is a great issue that folds in so many elements of extended DC continuity while telling a solid story with Clark in its own right. The animated and stylish approach that Campbell lends to his Man of Steel gives the series a unique visual direction. Campbell draws incredibly creepy villains that linger throughout this tale. When the time comes for bold talking head sequences, Campbell imbues tons of emotion into characters like Lex Luthor. The mass number of villains in this issue felt exciting instead of repetitious. Marilyn Moonlight’s brief encounter with Clark is another great moment of the issue filled with intrigue about her morality as a hero. Campbell did a wonderful job capturing the stylish costume featuring black and white hues. If you are a fan of superhero comics, the current “Superman” title feels essential to DC’s publishing line.
Final Verdict: 8.5 – “Superman” #2 showcases an incredible number of villains without feeling repetitious.
