Superman Unchained #8 Review

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Jim Lee
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 10, 2014

Check Out the Big Brain on Clark

Every time Superman Unchained is released I think I should throw it a Welcome Home party.  It feels like such a long time since I last saw it, but after some catching up, it feels just like old times again. It doesn't hurt that I love Superman and Snyder and Lee really have given us a timeless and great story.  I just wish it would visit more often.




This issue is basically Round Twelve of Superman vs Wraith battle being held...pretty much everywhere.  Seriously, this fight starts in the Gobi desert where Superman is getting the tar kicked out of him and it's awesome.  Not the tar kicking per se, but the spectacle of it. Have you ever seen anyone slam Superman over and over "puny go" style and then helicopter him over his head and then half way across the World?  Well, now you can check that one off your bucket list, Morgan Freeman.

Just pretend the Hulk is Wraith and Loki is Superman

All the while, Superman is trying to come up with a plan of attack or at least a plan of not getting killed.  This was my favorite part as he thinks of what his closest friends, Wonder Woman, Lois Lane and Batman would do.  Scott Snyder not only throws a little humor at the reader, but gives us an honest to goodness look at what he thinks of the other two thirds of the Trinity. As for Lois, it shows how grounded a hero he really is that he not only likes Lois, but actually looks to her for inspiration and strength.  This Superman wears his heart on his sleeve and looks at his allies as an asset that makes him stronger than Wraith could ever be.

The fight goes from Space to the core of the Earth and while Wraith seems way overpowered, Superman uses his brain to eventually best his nemesis.  Again, I love the way Snyder goes away from the two dimensional Superman we get all too often.  The issue ends with a trip back to the Fortress of Solitude where a big reunion is going on.  While sorting things out with Lois and her Father, Jimmy suddenly appears, bringing tidings from Lex.  The end of the series is close at hand and fans who remember Lex's prediction of who will kill Superman will have an "Ah-Ha" moment after reading the last page.  Shits about to go down and Lex is readying his fiddle.0

I'm sure you can tell from everything above that I loved this issue.  Scott Snyder writes such a likable Superman and it's a shame that we won't get much more.  I hate to tell people to trade wait on a book, but with the sporadic release schedule, I'm sure lots of people are already doing so.  Plus, this story just may be a better read as a trade.

I'm sure everyone and my brother know that the delays are Jim Lee's fault.  The guy could never keep a schedule, but man can he draw. This book is stunning to look at.  Seriously, it is beautiful.

Bits and Pieces:

Superman Unchained #8 is another great chapter in Scott Snyder and Jim Lee's never on time series.  Because of the delays, this book seems to have slipped through the cracks, but believe me, it's still great.  I love Snyder's Superman and Lee's art is just awesome.  If you've fallen off the book (I really couldn't blame you), jump back on and finish the ride.  Hopefully we won't have to wait too long.

9.5/10