REVIEW: Superman #20

Superman #20 gives you Superman, Superwoman, Doomsday, and a 90s-esque story in what is currently the strongest Man of Steel comic series since the start of All-In. As Clark and Lois work to subdue the world-leveling monster, the extent of his evolution capabilities, and future, are revealed.

Doomsday can be put in the place of any horror-themed poster or pose, and it will make sense as a monster – he’s already been to Hell after all. Dan Mora nails the zombie-rising pose with his cover. The hand is all you need. The color textures do give a dark smoldering effect compared to the bright Superman typeface with Clark and Lois in the background.

Chris Samnee’s, with colors by Mat Lopes, variant combines everything homely about Superman – space and the country. At the same time, the fabled crop circles are too. With a corn-yellow palette like the Heartlands he comes from, this variant of Clark overlooking his home rather than his city is somewhat comforting.

The Superman series gets its special Creature Commandos variant in anticipation for the premiere on December 5 comes from Carmine DI Giandomenico. This one features GI Robot and Weasel. The Dracula-like castle background seems like the perfectly fits with the monster-theme.

Other variants are available from Dan Panosian, Brad Walker, and Dave Johnson.

Time Ripper has been revealed to be an extremely evolved version of Doomsday from the future and he’s just one death away from becoming more god-like than he already is. Whatever that may look like, he needs Superman to evolve as he is the only one capable of killing him. Naturally, Clark isn’t keen on it, but Time Ripper promises greater destruction if he refuses. However, the task at hand is the rampaging present-day Doomsday which Time Ripper leaves him to before heading off to parts unknown to return later.

Superman enters the fray with an around-the-world punch as Superwoman continues to hold her own against Doomsday. Even with how hard they’re hitting him, he doesn’t stay down and the surrounding Metropolis crumbles around them. The amnesiac Lex Luthor even helps save people in the fray with Steel. This time around, Superman has resources with SuperCorp, and reinforcements arrive as Mercy brings in back up, but will it be enough to stop Doomsday?

Joshua Williamson is on a roll here with the most adrenaline-fueled Superman story he’s given us yet in this series, giving readers only five pages of breathing before throwing them back into the absolute chaos that is fighting Doomsday. Time Ripper as Doomsdays gives great insights into the mind behind the monster that killed Superman and Lois really seems to have slipped into the Superwoman role. The official synopsis says they investigate it a little more, but that never happens in this issue. Still, there are still sweet Lois and Clark moments. Letters are by Ariana Maher.

Mora had some awesome panels and a whole page in Superman #20. Page two features a vast cosmic illustration of Doomsdays and Supermen alike from various points in time. Anti-matter, light, stars, void –it’s all here like a Jack Kirby piece. Nearly the entire issue is the continuing fight with Doomsday, which looks so darn good. I think it tops Superman and Doomsday’s last big fight at the beginning of Rebirth. Everything you could want in a Superman fight is here. Leave it to Doomsday to bring it all out. Colors are by Alejandro Sanchez.

(10/10) Once a slower Superman title, now the best Superman series on the market, and it’s thanks to this story – and we’re only two issues into it. Superman #20 absolutely spoils us with nonstop Superman (and Superwoman) vs. Doomsday action and turns the kick it gives this series into a body slam.