Throwback Review: Convergence: The Adventures of Superman #1 (2015) Review

Back to the Future

Written by: Marv Wolfman
Art by: Roberto Viacava
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015

I have read every single Convergence tie-in so far, so I have become used to the formula that most of them have followed.  Insert Hero into City...Put Dome over City...Show life under the Dome...Telos gives a speech...Dome disappears...Set up the next issues's fight.  Some may skip a step or two, but for the most part, that's what we have gotten.  Enter Marv Wolfman.  He shakes things up in such a smart way and in the process, makes his lead characters (especially Supergirl) true champions. I would stress how good this issue was, but that's what reviews are for.  So, let's get on with it, shall we?



This issue opens up with Supergirl and Superman in Pre Crisis Gotham's Waynetech with Lucius Fox.  Wolfman gives no reasons why the Super Duo were in Gotham when the Dome happened and there is none needed.  The dialogue is superb, the chemistry between the three is great and the reason they are together made me smile.  I'm still smiling as I write this.

While we've seen so many of the heroes of Convergence mope and whine about life under the Dome, these three are figuring shit out.  Get this, they are going to use the Phantom Zone projector to send Superman and Supergirl into the Phantom Zone so they can come out again outside of the Dome.  I love it.  Of course, there are some pretty bad types in the PZ who would just love to get there hands on any El, so it won't be a cakewalk.

Like I said earlier, the dialogue and interaction between these three are so good.  Supergirl is the star from the get-go, however, and Wolfman just nails her voice.  The issue continues focusing on Kara in the Phantom Zone, but outside, things go a bit against the plan.  After Superman and Supergirl get into the Phantom Zone, two bad things happen in Gotham...the Projector blows up and Telos gives his speech.  Earth A.D. Apes hit the streets and things don't look good.

Inside the Phantom Zone, things aren't much better.  The two heroes run into some famous prisoners and while they capture Superman, Supergirl gets away.  This is when this issue goes from good to great.  Kara stumbles across an area spewing out green gas from the ground.  The gas gives Kara a personal "This Is Your Life" and while it starts out as a great retro nod to her history, it turns into a preview of her Crisis death.  I don't even know if any of this makes sense, but I could care less.  This is my favorite moment in any Convergence tie-in so far!  What makes it even better is what Kara does next...she decides that she has to do what needs to be done no matter what her future holds.  That's the true hero's choice.

The issue ends with Kara freeing Superman, but unfortunately, they are still stuck in the Phantom Zone and are preparing for round two (or three?) of the fight.  I know that every reviewer has used the "I can't wait until next month" line, but I really, really mean it this time.

What can I say?  This is a story that every Supergirl fan should read and love.  After last week's Supergirl - Matrix fiasco, I needed this.  Marv Wolfman mixes up the formula of Convergence tie-ins and comes out the other end with one of my favorite issues so far.

Roberto Viacava's art adds to the retro feel and just feels right.  I have nothing bad to say about anything I saw in this issue.

Bits and Pieces:

Marv Wolfman gives readers tired of the Convergence formula a kick in the pants.  Superman and Supergirl make the fight personal and I'm not talking about Telos and his silly Kumite.  Story and character are center stages and this is the Convergence story for all you Supergirl fans out there. Highly recommended.

9.5/10