Comic Book Review: War of the Supermen #1

Book Information

Written by James Robinson, Sterling Gates

Penciled by Jamal Igle

Colored by Blond

Inked by Jon Sibal

Lettered by John J. Hill

Cover by Eddy Barrows

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

War of the Supermen begins a cataclysmic event where Superman and company battle against Zod’s military.  As Supergirl tries to figure out her mother’s motives, Reactron pulls a double whammy and blows up the entire planet of New Krypton.  Now Superman stands upon the brink of a war between Earth and the survivors of New Krypton.

I knew Robinson and Gates were attempting an epic opener to the War of the Superman series, but I wasn't expecting them to blow up the entire planet of New Krypton!  But of course New Krypton and Earth could never have been totally at peace, New Krypton especially with all the animosity that has built up on both sides.  I always wondered how this new planet, being so close to Earth, would actually play out in the long run.  And of course, Robinson answers with the only possible solution… Blow it up!  That was a very nice and unexpected twist on the whole story.

 It seems like anytime Supergirl has a loud, verbal argument with someone, that person dies or becomes ill; her father, Lana, and now her mother.  I understand that Supergirl is still going through changes and dealing with her emotional issues, but I would honestly like to see her deal with her family problems without always crying about it.  I understand tearing up at loosing a mother, but to approach her mother about something she knows very little about seems to be Kara’s way of getting forcibly involved and creating unnecessary drama.

Jamal Igle didn’t do a terrible job with the art, but he definitely didn’t produce the quality work I’ve seen in the past.  He had some shinning moments however, such as Superwoman standing on the air over the Metropolis night sky, Krypton Blowing up, and Supergirl clenching Superman still in tears over the loss of her mother.  But other than that, I wasn’t that impressed.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion

Overall, this issue was fun and began a few interesting things within the Superman books.  Being the first chapter in the four issue miniseries, it can only build from here.

Ratings

Writing: 7.5

Themes: 9

Art: 5

Overall: 7 out of 10 stars