Superman #674

First off, I have to admit that I liked Renato Guedes art here. I hammered him when he was filling in on "Supergirl" because of his "fat" rendition of the title character. However, here in "Superman", he really shines. I've been reading Bryan K. Vaughan and Tony Harris' "Ex Machina" and Guedes "Superman" art mirrors Tony Harris'. The realistic art plays very nicely. Kurt Busiek's story is actually pretty fun. I like that he brings Mon-El back into the picture. Man, the Legion crew is getting a lot of play this year - I guess anniversaries will do that. The antagonist is actually someone who can go toe-to-toe with Superman as well. It is always nice to see Supes use his head instead of his fists.

This issue would serve as a decent jumping on point for new readers. Busiek covers the bases for new readers while keeping guys like me interested in the story. All-in-all a solid read.

Superman #672

"Superman" #672 is part two of the three part "The Insect Queen" story arc. I can't say that writer Kurt Busiek is really impressing me with this arc. I think the insect queen as a villain is being done much better in the "Uncle Sam & the Freedom Fighters" miniseries with the Red Bee. I did like the secondary plot of Lois dealing with Chris being sick during Clark's absence. At times the art by penciller Peter Vale and inker Wellington Diaz is quite good. I'm not a big fan of how Vale does the title character but he has a flare for insects and drawing Lana Lang.

This arc reads like something out of the 70s. I think if Busiek had thrown in a bit more humor this might have elevated the material, but it is all so serious and I didn't get into it.

Comic Adventurer 2007 Year End Review: The Good

DC put a decent amount of good comics out in 2007. Brad Meltzer and Ed Benes produced some excellent “Justice League of America” issues. However, seeing Meltzer leave this book with so many plot threads not addressed left me disappointed in not seeing him complete what he started. Dwayne McDuffie came on with his Injustice League arc and while it was a fun read it wasn’t as powerful as some of the stuff that Meltzer put out.

I jumped onto Grant Morrison’s “All Star Superman” with the excellent Hardcover collection and then put it on my pull list for a monthly read. Morrison Superman world is interesting and provides a throwback (almost Silver age) look at Superman.

The Superman books - Kurt Busiek’s “Superman” and Johns’ (Action Comics) - had excellent arcs this year. The only complaint here is the timing of the issues and the many fill in issues needed. Overall both of these comics have provide good reading.

Geoff Johns’ “Justice Society of America” always sits on the top of my first read list when it shows up. The Alex Ross covers have been excellent and Johns’ characterization top notch. I like where Johns’ is taking this book.

Finally, I was impressed with “Blue Beetle”, “Suicide Squad”, and “Green Arrow & Black Canary” (shock of shocks a Winick book listed here). These have been fun reads.

2008 looks bright for all of these titles. However, the impact of Final Crisis has not been determined. I hope that Dwayne McDuffie can settle into "Justice League of America" for a long run. I never watched his animated series so most of his stuff seems either fresh or an homage to the Silver Age JLA. Geoff Johns' continues to put out great work and I hope DC keeps him happy and producing.

Superman Annual #13

Up front I have to say that with all of the delays and fill-ins it has been hard keeping track of the "Camelot Falls" storyline. While writer Kurt Busiek does a fine job with Superman, the issue breaks and delay have hurt the flow of this story. I had to rack my brain a little bit to even remember what Arion's deal was and how we got to where we are now. I am guessing that with his recent replacement that artist Carlos Pacheco is the main culprit in all of these delays. Busiek does a decent job of providing the reader a little time to catch up utilizing the Phantom Stranger for good effect. I like Busiek's use of Superman's thoughts to help fill the reader in on the happenings. The ending to "Camelot Falls" isn't truly epic and kind of peters out as it crosses the finish line. Maybe future stories with the villian Khyber will provide some excitement but at this point all I can do is yawn.

Pacheco and Jesus Merino share the art duties on this issue and do a fine job with all of the action. The varied page presentations keep the story flowing well.

Busiek and Fabian Nicieza's backup story "The Best Day" is a throwback to the "Superman Family" reads of the 70s with Superman and his family visiting a lush and vibrant planet. Even though he still draws the big boned (I won't say "fat") Supergirl, Renato Guedes art is very good here. My son commented, "Dad, Guedes' art is really good, but he still can't draw Supergirl."

If you are interested in finishing up the "Camelot Falls" storyline then this issue is for you. If not, then by passing it won't hurt your future DC reading.

Action Comics #859

The return of the Legion of Superheroes continues as Superman, trapped in the 31st century finds that his legacy has not held over time. With exception the short fight between the original three Legion members and Justice League Earth, writer Geoff Johns spends most of this issue setting up the new world order and Superman's place in it. I like his use of the rejected Legionnaires and the school scene where Earth children are shown being indoctrinated in the new world order. Penciller Gary Frank has another excellent outing. However, some of his shocked, open-eyed poses looked a bit mannequin-esque. I do like Frank's realistic depiction of the costumes that the heroes wear - wrinkles and all. He has very good layouts and keeps the story moving forward.

All in all, this issue serves the story well and sets the ground work for what I hope is an action packed climax to this story line. Both Kurt Busiek over in "Superman" and Geoff Johns here in "Action Comics" keep turning out what will be classic Superman stories. Both writers have a love for the Silver Age Superman and it shows in their work.

Superman #670

"Superman" issue #670 brings to a conclusion the three-part "The Third Kryptonian" story line. The entire Superman family is present including new additions Chris Kent and Karsta Wor-Ul - the third Kryptonian in question. This is an action packed issue reminiscent of the old "Superman Family" adventures during the Silver Age. In the middle of the battle Karsta flies away leaving Superman, Supergirl, Powergirl, Krypto, and Batman left to fight her battle. Her return to the battle is inevitable and aptly timed as well. Writer Kurt Busiek does a fine job of moving the action forward and concluding this three part story. Busiek continues to weave his perception of Superman's post Crisis reality showing that Red Sun doesn't strip Superman's powers it just blocks his ability to access them. Artificial Kryptonite is also introduced. Now, I'm not a continuity nut but can Kryptonians breath in space? Post COIE Superman needed a breathing appartus. In the most recent Supergirl we get the 2-hour limit. In this issue Karsta flies off into space unaided....what's the deal? I also found the whole Kandor explanation a bit hard to swallow and look forward to Busiek or Johns pulling on this thread.

Rick Leonardi and Dan Green's art captures the action well and provides one of the better representations of Supergirl and Powergirl. I also liked Jesus Merino's cover and wouldn't mind getting a poster size version of it.

All in all, the three parter was a fun read and I would recommend it.

Superman #668 & #669

Superman #668 kicks off "The Third Kryptonian" story line and writer Kurt Busiek is going very SciFi. Superman is on a search for the third Kryptonian on Earth that he found out about when the Auctioneer came calling. He has ruled out Power Girl and, with the help of Batman, is going X-Files searching for the truth. Busiek provides a brief interlude to futher flesh out the Chris Kent character. Chris' interactions with both Batman and Robin are nicely done. Along the way we get to meet the protagonist of the story, Amalak, who has an interest in all things Kryptonian. The art by penciller Rick Leaonardi and inker Dan Green good with capturing both the youth of Chris and Robin and the maturity of Superman and Batman.

Issue # 669 introduces Kristen Wells as the third Kryptonian and she packs quite a wallop. Busiek takes the reader on a tour of post-Infinite Crisis Kryptonian history and I think he does a fine job of melding the John Bryne Utopian version with the Geoff Johns/Richard Donner military versus science of the Zod era. Busiek really cuts loose with the SciFi in this issue and weaves a very interesting tale of how Kristen Wells ended up on Earth. She does not have the morale center of Superman or the innocence of Supergirl and provides a stark contrast to Superman's ethical code. The issue ends with Amalak finding both Superman and Kristen and threatening the end of all Kryptonians. I'm looking forward to the next issue and seeing where this all goes.