Superman #23 Review

 

• 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: February 26, 2025

Superman #23, by DC Comics on 2/26/25, concludes the fight between Radiant, Doomsday, and Superman as Time Trapper makes his move to achieve godhood.

Is Superman #23 Good?

Recap

When we last left the Man of Steel in Superman #22, Superman and his allies moved Heaven and Earth to stop an alien force led by Radiant from claiming Doomsday, currently in a coma inside SuperCorp, for annihilation. If the Radiant succeeds, Doomsday will only be reborn stronger than ever. Unfortunately, Superman and his Super Friends couldn't stop Radiant from infiltrating SuperCorp and waking up Doomsday, but the longtime enemies found themselves fighting side-by-side against the invaders. The issue ended with time stopping as Time Trapper visited Lois Lane, aka Superwoman, to make an offer.

Plot Synopsis

Superman #23 picks up with Superwoman and Time Trapper speaking in a frozen moment. Time Trapper urges Superwoman to help him achieve godhood. Superwoman knew about Time Trapper's first conversation with Superman and refused. However, Superwoman also deduces that Time Trapper needs one or both heroes, so she doesn't fear his reprisals.

Time Trapper unfreezes Time, to allow the fight to play out. Radiant hits Superman and Doomsday with power blasts strong enough to destroy buildings. One of the shots is deflected, hitting Jimmy Olsen before Superwoman can block the blast.

Meanwhile, Lex Luthor formulates a plan to end the conflict. He assembles components into a ray gun and sends word for everyone to clear the area. With one shot, Luthor miniaturizes Radiant, his army, and Doomsday into a Kandorian-sized jar, where time is slowed down.

The issue ends with Silver Banshee blaming Superwoman for Jimmy Olsen's comatose condition, General Zod deciding to pay Earth a visit, and Time Trapper receiving a visit at the end of Time from Legionnaires wearing Omega symbols.

First Impressions

Superman #23 is pretty good, BUT some of those nasty Joshua Williamson habits are starting to creep in. Namely, Williamson tends to stray away from the story at hand and get distracted with new ideas without addressing the previous ideas. We're not quite to the point of convoluted chaos, but the number of new concepts introduced in this issue is starting to make the story messy.

How’s the Art?

Dan Mora is the artist, so of course, it's going to look spectacular. Mora's eye for cinematic visuals that represent the best of what every superhero comic should look like keeps your eyeballs glued to every page.

What’s great about Superman #23?

Joshua Williamson's energy, pacing, and clever twists make the battle for Metropolis a thrilling one. Plus, the myriad of seeds planted for new developments are each intriguing in their own right.

What’s not great about Superman #23?

As noted, Williamson's seeds are each interesting. Put together, the story is starting to lose focus. It would serve the title to finish one plot before starting any others, a chronic problem in Williamson's tenure at DC.

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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 #23 brings the thrills and action for a relatively satisfying conclusion to the fight against Radiant. That said, Joshua Williamson's bad habit of getting distracted with too many new ideas results in an issue that starts strong but spirals toward the end. If nothing else, Dan Mora's art is always fantastic.

7.8/10

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