Superman #32 Review

Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: John Romita Jr.
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 25, 2014

A Friend in Need

The New 52 Superman has been a mess and it's such a shame.  While Batman and Wonder Woman have enjoyed great runs, Superman has looked on from the shadows of a mediocre book.  Hell, even Aquaman can laugh at the New 52 Superman.  Well, the laughing stops here.  Geoff Johns is back on a Superman book and he's brought John Romita Jr. along for the ride.  Johns is well known as a champion of ridiculed and down trodden characters.  The already mentioned Aquaman, Vibe...and now Superman.  It doesn't seem right putting Superman in that category, but the New 52 is a strange place.  The Man of Steel is in great hands and as the solicit says, A New Era for Superman begins.



Clark Kent needs a friend.  Somebody to talk to when he's feeling down.  He's other friends are always busy fighting mythological family members and a crazy rogues gallery to be there for the small chit-chat.  I guess even the strongest man in the Universe needs the small chit-chat time.  Enter Ulysses.

Geoff Johns reenters the Superman Universe by giving us the origin story of a baby saved form planetary destruction by his scientist Parents and sent off to a world where he would become a god.  Stop me if you've heard it before.  Well, you haven't.  This isn't the story of Superman, but of Ulysses.  It's a great little mystery that I can't wait to learn more about.

This is a Superman book, though, so we get our fair share of the Man of Steel as well.  It's a bit more low key than I expected, but after everything this book has messed up, a breather is nice.  It also gives Johns a chance to reset the system and gradually bring everyone into the book.  Yes, this book is appropriately great as a jumping on point for new readers while longtime fans can sit back and smile knowing their favorite superhero is in such good hands.

John Romita Jr. is known as an acquired taste.  Being a DC man, I am familiar with him mostly by name.  Of course I've seen panels of his, but as of yesterday, I had now opinion on his art.  Count me in as a new fan.  I really liked the look of the book and look forward to seeing more.  Taste Acquired.

Bits and Pieces:

Superman #32 is indeed the start of a new era.  Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr. have arrived to save what should be a shining book in the DC Universe.  It's a low key start that is great as a jumping on point for new and old readers alike.  If you stopped reading this book or were waiting for better days to start, welcome aboard.  It's a great time to be a Superman fan.

9.0/10