Superman #1 Review

     

   

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Jamal Campbell
Colors by: Jamal Campbell
Letters by: Ariana Maher
Cover art by: Jamal Campbell
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: February 21, 2023

Superman #1 finds one Mr. Clark Joseph Kent re-acclimating to life in Metropolis after his long sabbatical on Warworld. All seems right with the world until Lex Luthor makes a few unexpected moves to prepare Superman for a coming storm, whether Superman likes it or not.

Is It Good?

Let's get this out of the way now; Superman #1 is a winner. Nothing is perfect, but Joshua Williamson's take on the Man of Steel, the world around him, and the setup for the conflict is pretty darn close to perfect.

Williamson's plot revolves around Clark Kent/Superman returning to business as usual in Metropolis by facing threats like Livewire and Parasite while rushing to get his Daily Planet articles done in time for the new (and temporary) EiC, Lois Lane.

Lex Luthor manages to whisper unwanted warnings and advice from prison to Superman, anticipating a massive threat looming. Meanwhile, Mercy Graves delivers a shocking present to Superman that's as generous as it's audaciously inappropriate.

Everything about this oversized issue works. The tone, spirit, and voice of every character are spot-on. Jamal Campbell's bright, hopeful depiction of Metropolis is a welcome reprieve from the darkly somber tone of the dozens of Bat-books that are flooding the shelves of late. And Campbell's action scenes reflect Superman's whimsical grace that inspires confidence.

What about the Big Bad? TBD. Lex seems to have the inside track, and he's prepared to give Superman every advantage over the threat in his own arrogantly pushy way, but he doesn't outright name the threat. We get a few glimpses on the last page, but more is needed for a full reveal.

In terms of writing execution, Williamson is at the top of his game in this issue. Again, the dialog feels "right" for each character, the pacing is excellent, and the plot progression gives you plenty of story points in a smooth, effortless flow. This issue is simply a joy to read for Superman fans.


About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Bits and Pieces:

Superman #1 is the return to form Superman fans have been waiting for. The visuals are bright and hopeful, all the characters feel like the classic/best versions of themselves, and enough status quo changes are revealed to give you the feeling the Man of Steel is moving forward into a better tomorrow.

9.5/10