The events of Superman #4 are so breathtakingly, dizzyingly hectic that taken on their own they might have represented one big mess of an issue. But, in the context of a series that's worn its heart on its sleeve and made you fall in love with this version of the Superman Family, it's a triumphant turning point of an issue Read Full Review

It's Superman...and Son...and Wife...and all is right with the world. Read Full Review

Overall the things I've enjoyed during this run are still present, although it feels like some of the character interaction was cut to make room for more of the Eradicator's backstory. I'm hoping that we'll soon circle back to the Justice League featured at the end of the #1 issue as their interest and concern in Jon's powers seems to have been quietly ignored for the time being and (although perhaps this is asking too much) I would like to challenge the comic to start weaving in characters with more diverse backgrounds in critical roles rather than falling into the traditional trap that Superman stories can often lead to. Read Full Review

I suppose I have to wait and see. So how do I grade this? I think the opening moment with Jon is near perfect. I like the visuals of souls and ghosts swirling around people. The colors are spectacular. I like Bibbo and Lois playing a role. Even the fights are great. I just have to somehow get past the idea of the Eradicator being a Well of the Souls, a Chamber of Guf. Read Full Review

Packed full of color, inspiring moments, and tear-inducing sequences, SUPERMAN #4 is an emotionally riveting issue in a story arc that continues to deliver month after month. Read Full Review

It's an issue not short of action, and it's very pacy. Whilst only stopping occasionally to catch it's breath – Superman#4 is constantly at full throttle. All the action is fine for now, but they're going to need a slower issue soon or they're going to burn out too quickly. Read Full Review

In the Fortress of Solitude, Superman counters the Eradicators attempted attack on Lois Lanes and his son, Jonathan Smith. Jon wrestles with what to do until his mother gives him guidance, then Superboy joins forces with his father to deliver a devastating blow to the Kryptonian construct. Read Full Review

The turns in this issue were unexpected, though not completely bad. I didnt foresee the first arc using these developments, which took me away from what I initially found worthwhile and engaging about the series. I still want to see how the story progresses, but I also want to see a return to the dramatic and evocative storytelling surrounding Jon that was present in the previous issues. Superman #4 feels weird and more disparate in the context of the rest of the story, which has me wondering where it and the characters will go from here. Read Full Review

Overall though,Supermanis still the Rebirth book for me. Issue 4 is definitely the weakest book so far (aside from the Rebirth one shot) though still contains powerful moments and great character drama that make this book special for me. Read Full Review

Overall, I enjoyed this issue. It was nice to once again see Jon step up and fight alongside his father, as well as see other characters step up and create little touching moments that serve to add to the overall feel of the book, if not the plot itself. While this issue didn't do a lot in terms of resolving the current conflict, it had enough of these moments of character growth, as well as some plot revelations, to make itself an enjoyable read. While perhaps not the best issue of Superman since Rebirth, this issue is more than capable of standing alongside the rest of the issues of this series, and I continue to recommend this to anyone who has even a passing interest in Superman. Read Full Review

Still, it's a very good issue. Even though he hasn't officially taken the name yet, we finally see Jon in action as Superboy " a milestone in his continuing story. Read Full Review

Tomasi and Gleason continue to propel Superman in the new Rebirth Era with vivid and explosive imagery combined with emotional and personal storytelling. There are a few awkward transitions and Lois is used in a limited capacity. Superman #4 hits a minor speed bump in the fast paced story of the new Superman series. Although it may not have been the strongest book in the series, it still adds to the Superman story as we eagerly await the next installment. Read Full Review

Superman #4 continues to be very good when it comes to the writing and characterization (loved the opening scene between Lois and Jon). It's paced well, the action is nice, and the dialogue is decent. However, it also continues being rather slow going and not particularly heavy on the story. We got an interesting development this time around and we're setting up for a major throwdown next issue, but that's really it. It's essentially a middle of the arc sort of issue: Not bad, but it feels better when you have the whole arc in front of you so you can experience it all at once. Read Full Review

Patrick Gleason here gets to draw more vivid and colourful panels in this issue, making the most of an explosive contrast with ice at the Fortress of Solitude, and quite how he depicts the central ‘souls' at the heart of the story is excellent, but his work sits alongside Tomasi's writing as he forwards this very personal story for Superman into its next mini-arc. It's refreshingly not about a world-ending conflict, this challenge for the Man of Steel, and indeed excitingly by the end of this issue, it appears Superman & his super family may be heading beyond the atmosphere as the connections to his home planet deepen. Read Full Review

Then theres the art. Wow, awesome stuff from Gleason as his artistic rendition of Jon Kent is so going to inform the rest of the DC artists as Jon Kents legend grows. And grow it well, because DC and Superman #4 has done the impossible and gave fandom a character it already rejected- the son of Superman. Good show all around. Read Full Review

Superman has continued to be a bright spot in DC's "Rebirth" era publishing line. Tomasi and Gleason are writing a compelling narrative that puts the characters first, even if they aren't exactly as many fans would remember them. Their work with Jonathan has greatly improved since the debut issue, even as Lois is still getting the short end of the stick. The art, however, is still some of the best in comic books right now, so hopefully the writing will catch up. Superman reminds us that there is no such thing as a bad or broken character. Tomasi and Gleason and the rest of the art team are elevating the concept of Superman while keeping the character's core intact. It's a model that many other creators could stand to learn from. Read Full Review

This issue of Superman is weird as hell in that not a lot of explanation is given to all the strange ass things that go down in this issue........ and I don't need much, but something, anything would have done me some good while reading this.  We do get Patrick Gleason back on art this issue, but the overall story just felt really forced to get characters and locations in this issue and because of that I was just left scratching my head. Read Full Review

Superman has been a steady post-Rebirth read. Hopefully this was just an off issue and the next one returns to form. Read Full Review

theres something strange in metropolis, who you gonna call SUPERMAN!

this is without a doubt my FAVORITE of all the DC Rebirth titles!!! . . . . . . when Peter Tomasi is on, he is really ON!!!! . . . . . he characters are very believable and have LOTS of heart! . . . . . and Patrick Gleason really delivers the goods as far as action goes!! . . . . . last issue was a real heart-wrencher when we saw the Eradicator devour poor Krypto, as the faithful dog tried to protect Jonathan. . . . . . i was very relieved that Tomasi has planted the seed of hope that Krypto might just be able to fight his way out of the Eradicator? . . . . . . . this was a bit of an in-between story, just bridging the gap in-between issues. . . . . . but next issue promises to be a BIG Showdown!!!! . . . . . . i HIGHLY recommend this series!!! more

This was weird for a number of reasons, but also exceedingly enjoyable... I never know what's coming next with this arc and that is very exciting indeed. The artwork was good on the whole, but there were two things which bothered me in particular; firstly, the pupils (and lack thereof) in eyes and secondly a few rushed parts. Every single time Superman's (and other characters) eyes had a completely different design; with a very weird first panel with no pupil at all, just black purely black. Also I noticed that some of the drawing was a little lazy in the smaller panels at the start; on the 2nd page (top-left) point Jon seemed to have an angular almost square shaped head which looked very unnatural- perhaps a sign that the two-week schedule is insufficient time for the artist to produce their best work? Nitpicking aside though, the plot is good and overall this arc is shaping up to be a great rebirth start for this series. more

Some great moments combined with a good set-up for the next part.

A regression from the last two fantastic issues, this installment of the run is still an exceptional outing. The action is still balls to walls crazy, and Tomasi continues to move the plot forward at a fast pace. The pacing pattern is clearer with every issue and it should offer some interesting results. Seeing Bibbo once again was a treat for older fans, and it goes to show just how much influence Tomasi and Gleason are taking from the 90s. However Gleason ends up being the real star of the show. The imagery he's produced in this book has been just as epic as his work on Batman and Green Lantern. It's powerful and larger-than-life, just like the title character.

This issue is a little unorthodox. There were a few things that weren't quite clear to me as a causal comic book fan but the heart is still there. There are a few throw away characters in there that seem fairly useless though.

Great art but a step down from the three previous issues. Lots happens, but there's not a lot of explanation, it kind of reminded me of a Jeph Loeb comic. Great art, but I hope the story self corrects next time around,

I like the series but this issue was all over the place, still want to see what happens next though.

Full version of the review is on my website:
"I was really thinking this could not be happening. I was wondering to myself, "How come a series so good decided to screw up so easily?" It's a jumbled mess if it comes down to tone, character motivations, art, and unnecessary, distracting characters. The thing that manages to keep this thing alive is the coloring, and lettering. Very disappointed in what Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason didn't accomplish here. Just when I started warming up to the writer."
-Olaf Lesniak of ComicBooger.com
https://comicbooger.com/2016/08/05/superman-4-2016-review/