What a fun issue! Great characterization and dialogue between Clark and Lois. Little moments like Perry's 'diagnosis' and Supe's counseling the accosted reporter show what makes him 'him' when he's not fighting bad guys.Plus "super sex." Twice!

This is gonna be my shortest review yet.

The first page of this comic can be used to describe this whole issue, nay, the whole volume, perfectly. The first statement in this comic describes the Phantom Zone as the Nightmare Dimension where Krypton sent its worst creatures, criminals, and GARBAGE. That last statement is exactly what this volume continues to be, the pile ever growing with each issue bendis churns out. And just like Superman says immediately after “and here comes that GARBAGE now!”. Too bad you’re already drowing in it Big Blue.

Next writer to take on this book will have to do one hell of a dumpster dive to recover anything of value after bendis is done with his run, because so far it’s what amount a giant polished turd that somehow people keep getting up.

No amount of poor humor, that keeps on missing its mark, and snarky remarks can compensate for one of the worst stories in Superman since the 90’s.

Also, why does bendis keep crapping on Barry Allen? Could anyone tell me, because I’d like to know. more

"Oh look! Tourists!"

Superman is pissed. Some weird stuff is happening all around his city (building fires, criminals falling out of the sky) and all of it is happening right under his nose, and he has no idea where to look for a cause of this. To make matters worse, his wife seems to be back from her space voyages, but she's not very keen on meeting with her husband. Tough week for the Man of Steel.

But there is a silver lining. All these shenanigans make for a great read. Bendis crafts a nice story here, that keeps you guessing and wondering "what's next?". He's doing this with a good dialogue, without any cringe-worthy lines, and some nice little humor sprinkled in.
He also gets help from Pat Gleason, whose art just elevates the book and improves it even more.

Really great issue.
(Red Tornado: Year One. I want it.) more

WOW. I'm practically speechless. I think that was the most perfect issue of a Batman comic I've ever read in my life. That was a perfect comic book. I almost regret giving any other comic a 10 because if anything else got a 10 this issue deserves an 11. WOW.

I'm confused. If Batman gets married, he's no longer a good Batman because he's "happy." Now he's not a good Batman because he's "sad." What Batman clearly needs is Meds!

As for this issue, it "sounds" good, but really, makes no sense. Superman is god-like, not Batman. Batman is a vigilante who beats the snot out of people and is a polarizing figure, in "real" life. Plus, what kind of sense does it make for a whiny Bruce Wayne to lament (in vague terms) that when his heart was broken, he turned to Batman to fix it? Batman doesn't do Romance! And geez - "Playboy" Bruce Wayne, you're the first person who ever got dumped?? It comes off pathetic. And finally, what does any of this have to do with the EVIDENCE, which was still pretty over-whelming, if "baked."


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[My original review for posterity. I originally gave this issue a rating of 4.5.]: "I don't see what people apparently see in Bendis. I find his voice to be utterly generic. I do love me some Ivan Reis art (esp. Superman) so that's what the points are for.

"If you're looking for a good Super-book this week that seems to well accomplish what Bendis seems to be trying to do I'd recommend Supergirl #21 by Andreyko and Maguire instead. Even with Rogol Zaar they drank BB's milkshake."

I just gave Superman #2 a second chance and I think I just had so much bias going against him (based only on his prior DC work which I found really unremarkable) I wasn't able to enjoy his writing. On a re-read I finally felt like I got what people enjoy about Bendis and I enjoyed it too.

His writing is more natural than I was giving it credit for. I'd felt he was trying too hard and not advancing the ball very much earlier and I suppose it would be fair to say I projected that onto this issue. If I hadn't had that bias this would have been a solid 8 from me, as it was on my re-reading of it, nearly a week later.

On second read I enjoyed the cameos particularly much. And I love that Bendis thinks of the Justice League as potentially including Plastic Man and Hawkman along with the current membership... It gives the DCU a lived-in feeling that New 52 robbed it of... It honors the history. (Ralph would do that better than Plas but I was happy enough to see either of them.) I wonder if it's coincidence they each launched series' three issues back. Regardless, I loved seeing each in a JLA context.

And Bendis' tweets since he took the gig, showing old DC books as he did his research, were very endearing. He's obviously done a lot of research and he's obviously really enjoyed it. And it's paid off. (After all, he didn't color Barry's hair like Wally's.)

I'm giving it an extra point as a mea culpa. I don't have any problem with reversing myself when I come to a different opinion. And I quite like it when it happens in a positive direction, not so much when I cease to love a thing (oh, Louis CK). "I contain multitudes" and all that. We all do. more

I've said, while reviewing one, or maybe more of the previous issues, that Marionette and Mime deserve a spin-off comic, and I guess for now, that's the closest thing we'll get. And it's absolutely amazing, from the very first to the very last page. I absolutely love Erika's development throughout this comic, and can understand her, and her motivations better.

Aside from her arc, we can see more smaller plot lines interconnecting - we get to know more about the shady actions of Department of Metahuman Affairs, we have an insight into Gotham's criminal underground wondering whether or not they should accept Black Adam's offer to come to his contry, of course there's more Joker as well.

Wonderful issue - there's plenty of action, drama, and great dialogues (including a small easter egg from Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight). It's a step up compared to last few issues (which were very good, don't get me wrong), for sure. more

Here's the thing: the issue itself was great and this was definitely one of the greatest origin story I've probably ever read. It was done so well that you start wishing for a series starring these two characters. But when a book comes out once in a blue moon, I definitely understand people being angry about this, as the story did not move much. Probably a tie-in issue in between the main issues would've been a better way to release this origin story, but I don't mind - I just want a good story that's worth my money, and this issue is just what I need. more

I will give to Bendis that he use superman like I like to see using. Making jump here & there to help & fight but quickly.
I also like the mood he is in missing is family. And the last part was very surprising. But I'm not a fan of what Manhunter suggest.

Cover - I take a David Mack Variant. Beautiful & in a way related to what I read. The shape of a hero in rebuilding. 2/2
Writing - There is a lot of god & Manhunter apart Bendis convince me a lot there. Once more I hope this will not finish with Manhunter & her niece to become the enemies (Yeah I read Titans too this week). 2.5/3
Arts - Damn I love Reis. It's just perfect from the first panel to the last one. 3/3
Feeling - Mixed, but well done. I will try the second part of this story. 1/2
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Sooo close to giving this a 10. Love the art. Love how BMB writes Supes and finally liked how he wrote Lois and Jon. But his J'Onn...what was up with that? Take over? And "it's garbage?" That is not how J'Onn talks. (Also not sure about his Flash.) Overall, though, it was a joy to read and to look at. Give me more.

It's hard to believe, but we're here, with Superman's 1000th issue. What a time to be alive, and celebrate the long and successful life of Clark Kent. A lot has changed throughout last 80 years - there was the second world war, rise and fall of the eastern bloc, computers shrinked down from apartment sized vacuum tube giants to something we can hold in one hand, and humans been to space, just to mention couple of things. You know what didn't change, though? Superman. He always stood for the same core values and principles, standing for those who are in need. He is a symbol of hope, and a true role model to follow, even if we don't have any super powers.

This historic issue features couple different stories celebrating the rich legacy of Supes, with nods to his first appearance (elegantly simple story by Johns), and other iconic stories, like The Dark Knight Returns and Kingdom Come (Tomasi's work). There's also a solid dose of pure sweetness, like the opening story written by Dan Jurgens, concluding with a mass cameo of Superman's closest friends (well, for the most part, which makes the scene even better).
There may not be something as emotional and heartwarming as Superman's #39, but nonetheless, I believe eneryone should find something they like in this anniversary collection - it sure is diverse.

My only problem is related to the very last story - written by Michael Bendis. And don't get me wrong - it reads very well, it looks beautiful (after all, it's drawn by Jim Lee), and definitely made me feel hopeful about Bendis joining DC (since he's partially, among many others, responsible for Marvel's regressive downfall) but his story was a teaser, not a self contained "thank you". I definitely will pick The Man of Steel when it comes out, I just wish this issue was, from the beginning to the end, a celebration of Superman's history, not a ferecast of what's to come, even if that something looks very promising. more