Art by: Rafa Sandoval
Colors by: Alejandro Sánchez
Letters by: Arian Maher
Cover art by: Rafa Sandoval, Alejandro Sánchez
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: April 16, 2024
Superman #13 finds the Man of Steel teaming up with Lobo to track down Brainiac. Meanwhile, Brainiac's captives get a glimpse into his new objective.
Is Superman #13 Good?
I'm optimistically curious about where Joshua Williamson is going with Superman #13. If the hints Williamson is dropping go where it looks like they're leading, there's plenty of positive potential for the future.
When last we left the Super Family in Action Comics, a long overdue day off for Los Lane turned into a disaster when Brainiac invaded the city with his drones and a group of servile Czarnians. Their goal? Capture as many members of the Super Family, super geniuses, and local metas in bottles for shrinking and kidnapping. The plan worked, leaving Superman and Lois without their family in Metropolis.
Now, Superman seeks out Lobo, who's stuck on Earth due to the United Planets quarantine, and makes an offer to team up because Lobo may be interested in finding fellow Czarnians. Meanwhile, Brainiac monologues enough to hint that he may not be in great physical shape (dying?) and that he's reached the end of acquiring all knowledge in the universe. When you've collected all you can, what's left? Create life.
File this point under speculation rather than spoiler. Williamson appears to be going down the Bride of Frankenstein route by having Brainiac create a mate or Queen. There's still room to swerve in alternate directions, but that move would explain the forthcoming Absolute Power event and why one of the Evil Trinity is a new, yet-to-debut character named Brainiac Queen.
What's great about Superman #13? Williamson delivers all the basics with skill and energy. You get good pacing, strong dialog, powerful action, and intriguing developments. This issue feels like a return to form for Williamson's earliest issues on the title.
What's not so great about Superman #13? Supergirl escapes her bottle by using a piece of Brainiac tech from a drone skull. How did Brainiac not realize that leaving tech in the battles could be an issue? For the smartest being on the planet, this was a boneheaded lapse in judgment and an unclever means of escape concocted by Williamson.
How's the Art? Raf Sandoval's art execution is top-notch. Sandoval's lines are clean, the figure work is powerful, and the sci-fi elements look great. Overall, this is a nice showing by Sandoval.
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 #13 has the makings of a rock-solid Superman adventure. The plot developments are intriguing, Williamson's possible motivations for Brainiac could open the door for a new status quo for the character, and the action is on-point.
8/10
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