Comic Book Review: Blackest Night Superman #2 (of 3)

Written by James Robinson

Art by Eddy Barrows

Inked by Ruy Jose with Julio Ferreira 

Colored by Rod Reis

Plot: Psycho Pirate comes back from the dead causing mayhem wherever he goes.  So many emotions are vivid and running a muck with the people of Metropolis, and Superman and Superboy have no idea how to handle it.  On top of all this, Superman from Earth-2 rises and brings along with him a very dead Lois Lane.  As Superman battles the Superman from Earth-2, Ma Kent begins her battle with the risen Lois Lane.

My Thoughts: I have to say; this issue didn’t impress me as much as the first.  It hit off to a great start, but now has seemed to flat line, only maintaining a heart beat every 5 seconds.  I think integrating the Supergirl storyline was too much.  I understand it’s going to take a toll on Supergirl having her recently dead father rise from the grave and will help bring a sense of angst to the story, but it really is unnecessary. 

Now why bring Psycho Pirate into the mix?  Is his purpose just to scare people and control their emotions?  If so, I really don’t see the need to dwell on bringing back a villain just because he’s been gone for so long and it’s cool to have him back on the pages of DC Comics.

Now what I found fault with the most was the fact that Superboy seemed to randomly attack Superman without any notion of him being controlled by an outside force.  He, Superboy, becomes enraged and we have no idea why.  I’m sure I need to just be patient, but with three storylines going on in this issue, it just seems like too much was packed into 22 pages.  I wonder how things are going to resolve in Issue number three? 

Oh, and having ma Kent end this issue with the phrase “It’s On!” really doesn’t help me to feel like I’m reading a mature story.

The art however is fantastic!  These zombie heroes and villains are absolutely horrifying and disgusting.  Plus, the use of color is spectacular and couldn’t be better.  I just wish that Ed Benes were doing some artwork for any of the Blackest Night books.

Overall:  A below average issue.  Even with the tremendous artwork done by the Barrows/Jose team, Robinson just does not deliver a top-notch story like he did with issue #1.

2 out of 5 stars.

Next Month: Blackest Night Superman #3 (of 3)

Black Lantern Psycho-Pirate shares his pain with the citizens of Smallville! And having your face shoved through the back of your skull can create quite a bit of pain. Will any Kryptonians come to the rescue? And could the key to taking down this menace lie within the Medusa Mask? Find out in the finale of this terrifying 3-issue epic from writer James Robinson (SUPERMAN, STARMAN) and artist Eddy Barrows (TEEN TITANS, ACTION COMICS)!