REVIEW: Superman #43
It feels as if the status quo not seen in this series since Absolute Power returns in Superman #43, and we’re also treated to a spooky story in time for Halloween this week. Most of all, it’s a return to Metropolis with the inclusion of many supporting characters as we come back to the Daily Planet with Lois in charge and Clark back to reporting.
New story arc means new artist and Xermanico commits to his new role with the regular cover proudly showing Superman’s return to his own series since the events of DC K.O. Even the left-hand header has him back in, replacing Superboy-Prime. We also get the return of Marilyn Moonlight. The Halloween imagery is all there –the full moon, the neogothic side of Metropolis, and the main villain of the story about to unfold who actually fits the theme given who he is.
Ben Oliver illustrates this series’ Kingdom Come 30th anniversary variant cover featuring who else, but the Superman of the Mark Waid and Alex Ross’ timeless classic. The more of these variants I see the more I want to collect them. It’s a shame my comic store never has them. Oliver does a great job of making the aged Clark look like the living personification of withered hope.
I need to mention Rachta Lin’s cover because it’s the most unique I’ve seen in a while. Not only is it a cool Halloween cover, but it also features heavily manga influenced villains with heroes actually taking the back seat. The villains here being Livewire and Silver Banshee and the heroes being Supergirl and Wonder Woman. Again, everything is stylized from the characters to their costumes. I love the idea of Silver Banshee wearing skull headphones. The ribbon banners are a great eastern touch on Supergirl and Wonder Woman’s suits.
Other variants are illustrated this week by Brett Bean, Bailie Rosenlund, and Stevan Subic.
Our story starts with Cat Grant staking out with Marilyn Moonlight for a Daily Planet exclusive. The two come across a mysterious graveyard that seemingly has appeared in Metropolis overnight. Meanwhile, Superman has made his formal return to Metropolis and meets with Lois at the Daily Planet. Lois shares that people have been going missing and asks for him and Jimmy to cover a police press conference. However, they go to Bibbo gives his whole theory on the matter: ghost zombies that only kidnap people at night. The scary part is that he may not be wrong. That night, Superman encounters some strange spectral-like creatures attempting to kidnap people. However, these are no Justice League Dark villains –they are something much more. Meanwhile, Cat and Marilyn’s graveyard investigation yields promising connections.
We return to Joshua Williamson’s Metropolis with everything just as we left it –Lois is in charge of the Daily Planet, Jimmy is with Silver Banshee, and Marilyn Moonlight is back in a featuring role. It’s great to see the supporting cast of Metropolis again, and we actually learn that Cat Grant had a son who was killed by Toyman (wonder how that will come into play). I think we’re about to see a whole other dimension to her character in this story. The storytelling format bounces around a little bit, but it’s still a concrete setup. All I can say is it’s great to back to the Superman series we knew a year and a half ago. Letters are by Ariana Maher.
I like Xermanico’s illustrating, reminds me very much of Rafa Sandoval’s run-on Action Comics a couple of years ago –light and hopeful when it needs to be and dark and gritty when the story demands it. The fourth page spread of Superman doing Superman things can be considered his proof of concept as he steps aboard the series and the best visuals the issue has to offer. His rendering of Superman with the Daily Planet and sun in the background could be poster. The dark graveyard and night scenes are perfect for this time of year. Colors are by Alejandro Sanchez.
(8/10) Celebrate both Halloween and the return to the series we knew a year and a half ago with Superman #43. There’s some real villain and supporting character potential in this one too.
