Superman/Wonder Woman #22 Review

Three Words...I am Depowered

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, Sean Parsons, Johnny DeJardins,Will Quintana
             and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 21, 2015

Now that the Truth story is behind us, I have actually enjoyed the other Superman books a bit more than I have the last couple of months.  Going into this issue, I was hoping that trend would continues.  Superman/Wonder Woman has been one of the better stories (second on my list going into this issue), so even though I rolled my eyes at how the Truth ended, I was hoping that Tomasi and crew would pick up the pieces and give us something better.  Did this issue give me nightmares or dreams? Let's find out...




The issue opens with a pretty good inner monologue as Superman teleports to the Watchtower.  He's a bloody mess and to add insult to injury, the Watchtower does a little Fortress of Solitude impersonation and doesn't recognize Supes.  I know it was just to remind the ADD sufferers in the audience that Superman is different on a DNA level, but I liked it.  Of course, I'm one of those with ADD.

Luckily, the League was smart enough to implement a couple of protocols and voice recognition was one of them.  Superman is recognized by the Flash as well, but he's concerned that Clark is bleeding all over the place.  Barry is genuinely concerned for his friend (not the clean up) and gets knocked out for being a nice guy.

Meanwhile, Wonder Woman is making sure all of Clark's friends are getting a ride home.  All of them except Lois, Lana and Steel.  After Lana punches Lois int he face for giving up her friend's secret identity, Wonder Woman leaves everyone hanging when she zips away to the Watchtower, herself.  Seriously, she hated it when Superman did it to her, so she just comes off as a jerk here.

The role of jerk shifts back to Superman quick enough.  He had knocked out Barry to take off in a Shuttle and head towards the Sun.  You see, he's desperate to get his powers back and what better way then to fly directly into a huge ball of fire?  The plan is actually to fly real close, but to me it's the same difference.

I know some people have been upset at Wonder Woman and Superman being a couple (they all seem to yell at me once a month), but without her in this issue, we wouldn't have a Superman anymore.  She saves him and takes the fool back to the Watchtower.  It's all pinatas and RC Cola, right?  Not quite.  Catching everyone up to the June sneak peek, Superman tells Wonder Woman they are done.  As in, Welcome to Dumpsville...Population You.

Wonder Woman doesn't just go away crying, however and reminds Superman that they are still teammates in the Justice League and wants to help him.  While she comes off as a bit clingy and even crazy like only an ex can be, Superman agrees.  They head off on a Superman hunch and while the big guy is usually known for...being the big guy, he's right.  The issue ends with one of my favorite villains being "asked" to help Superman, but if he's trying to get back his powers, it seems an odd choice.  Odd, but awesome.

I liked this issue especially coming after the Truth story.  Some may argue that without his powers, Superman has become a jerk, but I think he is just a more realistic character.  It's easy for an alien god with power to burn to be a nice guy, but the frustrations over his depowerment are taking a toll on Clark.  I loved seeing how desperate he's become and want to see more.

I liked the art for the most part as Doug Mahnke continues making this book look so good.  The only thing I had an issue with was the final guest star.  It's a character that is usually up to artist interpretation more than most, but I don't like Mahnke's interpretation at all.

Bits and Pieces:

I liked this issue for showing how desperate Superman has become to get his powers back, but also for catching the book up to the June DC You preview.  Yep, if you've been looking to ask Wonder Woman out on a date, now is your chance because after this issue, she's a single lady.  The ending sets the book up for more crazy issues to come and I'm beginning to get excited for the Superman books again.

7.8/10