Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Dan Mora
Colors by: Alejandro Sánchez
Letters by: Ariana Maher
Cover art by: Dan Mora (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: November 27, 2024
Superman #20, by DC Comics on 11/27/24, reveals Time Trapper's purpose in visiting Superman during a Doomsday attack, but will his arrival be a harbinger of worse things to come?
Is Superman #20 Good?
All things considered, Superman #20 is a gripping issue that delivers big action, an intriguing setup connected to Time Trapper's arrival, and the promise of bigger challenges on the horizon. For the first issue in a long while, Joshua Williamson is building anticipation for what comes next.
When last we left the Man and Woman of Steel in Superman #19, Clark and Lois settled into a routine of saving threats around Metropolis and Superman and Superwoman when Lois gained powers from the fallout of the Absolute Power event (Don't stress. It doesn't make sense.) During one of their quick acts of heroism, the wedded super couple comes face-to-face with Doomsday after the unstoppable villain escapes from Hell. Before Superman could jump into the fray, Time froze, and Superman was greeted by Time Trapper, who is currently in the body of Doomsday from the future, with a dire warning.
In Superman #20, Time Trapper gives Superman the lowdown on his past through to his very distant future. In short, Time Trapper, existing within Doomsday's body, is at this last stage of evolution, but he can't break through to become the ultimate form of himself unless he dies. Only Superman can give Time Trapper what he wants - a final death to achieve godhood. Superman, of course, refuses, but before the Time Trapper leaves, he gives Superman a head start against Doomsday and a warning that Superman's loved ones will suffer and die if he refuses to help the Time Trapper die.
The head start is a pause in Time that gives Superman a chance to wind up the mother of all punches to sock Doomsday with everything he's got. The punch rocks Doomsday, but not enough to knock him out. Superman directs Superwoman to handle the Hell Hounds while he continues the fight. Meanwhile, Mercy calls in Super Corp reinforcements and a special ally equipped to deal with just such a threat - Parasite.
Parasite chows down on Doomsday energy enough to weaken the monster, but the energy-siphoning Parasite pays the ultimate price for his intervention. Still, Doomsday is weakened enough to give Superman and Super Corp a window of opportunity to incapacitate Doomsday.
The issue ends with Superwoman feeling the sting of battle and Doomsday's emergence drawing the attention of Calaton.
What's great about Superman #20?
What's not great about Superman #20?
By all accounts, this Doomsday should be stronger and more dangerous than the version of Doomsday that took Superman's life over thirty years ago. Even with the added help from Superwoman and Parasite, you would expect the battle to take down Doomsday would be tougher than what was presented here. You'd almost expect the battle to spread over two issues. So, to end as quickly as it did is a bit of a letdown, even if the fight is spectacular in the moment.
How's the Art?
It's Dan Mora. No artist working at DC right now beats Dan Mora. His art style exemplifies everything great about DC, so Williamson should get on his knees and thank his lucky stars for nabbing Mora to bring this story to life.
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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Final Thoughts
Superman #20 revisits a classic matchup between Superman and Doomsday to portend tougher times for the Man of Steel as if Doomsday wasn't bad enough. Joshua Williamson's script has all the makings of a winning arc for Big Blue, and Dan Mora's art simply can't be beat.
9/10
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