Superman #36 Review

Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: John Romita Jr.
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 26, 2014

Something for (Almost) Everyone

I'll admit it, when Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr, took over Superman, I was ecstatic.  It was my first real taste of Romita's art and I loved it and from page one, John's writing was the best this book had seen since the start of the New 52.  Now that we are a handful of issues in, I've come back to Earth a bit.  The thrill isn't gone, but the slow burn story of Ulysses has cooled my jets a bit.  Last issue finally heated things back up and the cliffhanger was really intriguing.  Ulysses has been a mystery and while we still don't know much about him, he laid his cards on the table.  Go with him to the Fourth Dimension and live a perfect life or stay on Earth.  Unfortunately, there is a limited number he can take with him and besides, when something seems too good to be true, it usually is.



This month opens with Ulysses continuing his invitation.  He's got the attention of everyone in the world, including the Man of Steel.  Superman seems to be the only one with questions and heads off to talk to Ulysses himself.  Superman doesn't think that Ulysses has given Earth enough of a chance.  Superman always sees the good in everyone, but Ulysses just doesn't buy it.  He flies off leaving Superman with more questions than answers.  Supes then heads off to where it started...Ulysses' parents.

Up until now, this story had been a little slow and odd.  Ulysses has gone through a transformation from friend to equal to savior and after this issue he may just be something else.  The rest of the issue pulls the curtain back a bit on Ulysses' plan, and it's no surprise that it's not exactly what he was selling to the World.  However, Johns' twists everything around to make something that is so obvious, surprising and different.  I'm still not sure who the real villains are and what their plans entail, but I am having fun finding out.  More un than in any other issue in this run.  I can't wait for next month.

I really liked John Romita Jr's art in this issue.  Everything has an epic look to it and his other dimension architecture was great. His clean art and panel layout really lets Johns' story breathe and because of that fits the story so well.

Bits and Pieces:

Superman #36 finally gets things going on Johns and Romita Jr's run.  We finally get to see that things aren't as good as they seem and while Superman is on the case, I'm not sure who the bad guy really is.  I do know that I can't wait for next issue to learn more.

8.0/10