The Man of Steel #3

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Ryan Sook Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: June 13, 2018 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 30 User Reviews: 48
8.1Critic Rating
8.3User Rating

The merciless killer and zealot calling himself Rogol Zaar has searched the cosmos for Superman-and when he reaches the Fortress of Solitude, his actions will cut Superman to the core.

  • 10
    Comic Book Bin - Philip Schweier Jun 13, 2018

    Perhaps its the fresh perspective by an acknowledged superstar writer, but this is a remarkably solid series (so far) that may set the standard for other Super-titles, if Bendis can maintain this level of storytelling. Judging by his reputation, I see no reason why he wont. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Book Corps - Tom Zimm Jun 13, 2018

    Bendis excels with these iconic characters as much for the large-scale threat in Rogol, as he does with the intimate exchanges between characters. I highly recommend picking up this book and the two issues that preceded it. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Critical Blast - S.J. Mitchell Jun 15, 2018

    We're halfway through Bendis' first full storyline and it's shaping up to be one of the best Superman stories told in more than five years. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Big Comic Page - Dave MacPhail Jun 15, 2018

    Whether Zaar is evil for evils sake or has some genuine reason for his actions, one thing is sure, the battle that is about to unfold is going to be epic! This series is one you really dont want to miss. Bendis really understands the characters he is writing and knows exactly how to make Superman relatable and sympathetic. Action and epic battles may be on the horizon but it is the characterisation of the cast that ultimately sets the series apart from the other superhero books on the shelves right now. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    You Don't Read Comics - David Harth Jun 13, 2018

    Man Of Steel #3 delivers a big moment and sets up the cataclysmic confrontation between Zaar, Superman, and Supergirl. Bendis paces the issue perfectly and Sooks art brings it all to life, granting it a fluidity and sense of movement that it needs. Its a straightforward issue, but Bendis is still able to include little teases of other plots in a way that doesnt slacken the pace of whats happening. Bendis seems to have learned a lot of lessons about the deficiencies in his personal writing style and worked to correct them. So far, Man Of Steel has been an entertaining ride and this installment keeps that up. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz Jun 13, 2018

    Still, that's just because I want more. It's so well done that it goes too fast. But that is the sign of a creator at the top of their game. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    Supergirl Comic Box Commentary - Anj Jun 15, 2018

    Add Sook's wonderful art and page layouts and this is clearly my favorite issue of the run so far. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Jun 13, 2018

    For now, this was another solid issue on a series that so far hasn't disappointed. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Watch - John Jack Jun 19, 2018

    This mini continues to be one of my favorite things that have been done with Superman of late, I will be a fan for as long as this quality keeps up. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jun 13, 2018

    There are still a few bumps along the way, but I'm very intrigued by what Bendis is building here. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge Jun 19, 2018

    While I enjoyed Man of Steel so far it was this issue where I really liked what I was reading. Stripping away all the other stuff and focusing on just one of the stories helped a whole lot, making Superman's narration a lot smoother and the flow of events a whole lot more engaging without being tossed between multiple stories and personas. It also doesn't hurt that I think this it the best looking of the run so far with a lot of it owed to the color work since we get so many blues with the Fortress sequence and such a bright looking Metropolis. There's a lot of detail, some great perspectives, and some strong character design work that it just left me lingering on the pages more, which got me to re-read the narration more. Here's hoping the back half can provide enough payoff. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jun 13, 2018

    Bendis goes further than I would have expected in this story and does some pretty exciting and shocking things to Kal ahead of his confrontation with Rogol Zaar. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Garrett Hanneken Jun 13, 2018

    With that in mind, we have been strung along for two issues in this mini-series. Although Issue #3 may be guilty of continuing this habit, it did so in a suspenseful fashion that has me yearning to read the next installment. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    DC Comics News - Ari Bard Jun 13, 2018

    Bendis continues to surprise me with how quickly and easily he is grasping one of the biggest characters in comics. If only every writer could approve and adapt like he can. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Razorfine - Alan Rapp Jun 18, 2018

    We still aren't quite caught up to the tease we saw in Action Comics #1000, but by the end of the issue Supergirl and Superman finally have come face-to-face with Rogol Zaar. Worth a look. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Weird Science - Reggie Hemingway Jun 13, 2018

    Only two obvious plot developments to speak of, but the inclusion of some other DC characters, as well as the tone being set for Superman, makes for a good read. Whether or not it is worth the money can be assessed when the final issue is out. Read Full Review

  • 7.9
    Sequential Planet - Quinn Morris Jun 14, 2018

    It wasn't bad by itself, but it's disappointing when placed in complete context with the story and with Bendis as a writer. It's still worth your time, but I'm just worried about the future. Read Full Review

  • 7.7
    Black Nerd Problems - Mikkel Snyder Jun 13, 2018

    At the half way point of this epic prologue, however, I'm still waiting for all the elements to meld together. For a six-issue series that leads into two different titles, the pacing is feels glacial even with a lot of explosions on the page. Read Full Review

  • 7.7
    Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton Jun 13, 2018

    The mystery parts ofMan of Steel#3 barely progress (I have a fairly obvious theory about who the mysterious attacker is in the Lois and Jon flashbacks.), but Brian Michael Bendis and Ryan Sook hit a strong emotional beat with Superman and Supergirl's reactions to the destruction of the Fortress of Solitude and the Bottle City of Kandor. Rogol-Zaar's motivation is wholly tied to Krypton so this is line with his character and shows that Bendis understands Superman's alien and human heritage. A pity that the Batman subplot went nowhere. Read Full Review

  • 7.7
    Heroes Direct - Joseph Kime Jun 22, 2018

    The quality of this comic has remained consistent, and it only gets more exciting! Read Full Review

  • 7.6
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Jose Jun 13, 2018

    The midpoint to the Man of Steel series brings the past and present storylines together. Read Full Review

  • 7.3
    On Comics Ground - Damon Cagnolatti Jun 19, 2018

    Ryan Sook's artwork is amazing! With the exception of MOS #2, Jason Fabook, Ivan Reis, and Alex Sinclair have sustained my interest in Bendis' overall reworking of the Superman mythos. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Flickering Myth - Ricky Church Jun 27, 2018

    The Man of Steel #3is an improvement over the last issue and Bendis displays a good level of characterization with Superman and his supporting characters. Ryan Sook's art hits the emotional notes and the story moves along at a good pace. However, since we're now at the halfway mark of the miniseries, we should have a bit more of a grasp on where it's heading or what has happened to Superman's family than the little bits we've been getting. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    AIPT - Robert Reed Jun 13, 2018

    Beautiful artwork and Batman help boost an issue that mainly serves to set up the initial meeting between Superman and Rogol Zaar. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Batman-News - Jay Yaws Jun 13, 2018

    A good chapter in a good series that hasn't quite achieved greatness. It looks amazing and the narrative flows really well, with Bendis getting the characters' voices down pretty pat. I just wish there was a little more to this than there actually is, especially after months and months of anticipation. If nothing else, I'm glad that Bendis isn't trying to completely reinvent Superman from the ground up, it just feels like he's playing it too safe. Still, it's an enjoyable read, I'm liking the series even if I don't love it, and there's a fun scene with Batman to boot. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Newsarama - Matthew Sibley Jun 14, 2018

    There's a strong emotional core to this instalment, as Clark has the chance to process what Rogol Zaar has done due to the pacing of the issue, but it's not likely to land unanimously because of how incremental everything leading up to it has been. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Heroic Hollywood - Louis Otero Jun 13, 2018

    Man of Steel hasn't quite become a slog just yet, but it's come very close to doing so. In fact, each issue so far has more or less ended the same way. Bendis' refusal to capitalize on this ending is worrisome and could mean that the battle we've been heading to won't be as impactful as teased. Still, there is fun to be had here. Superman fans will no doubt eat this mini-series up. However, if you're not a big fan of the character, this story may not be enough to hook you. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Jun 16, 2018

    Man of Steel remains largely generic, with little to no depth. But Bendis is still a good writer, with an all-star art team, so the comic is still fine and enjoyable. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Newsarama - Pierce Lydon Jun 13, 2018

    Man of Steel is an effective bit of storytelling but your mileage with it may vary depending on how much emotional investment you can muster for it. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    ComicBook.com - Russ Burlingame Jun 13, 2018

    Decompressed storytelling is what it is, but even if it reads marginally better in the trade, spending literally one page at a time on Jason Fabok's Lois-and-Jon-getting-kidnapped scene is just" exhausting. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    SloboSOY Jun 14, 2018

    The story make another turn & some part of the mystery about lois is revelated, not much but a good lead.
    I liked to see bruce in this one & Supergirl too.
    Very pleasant.

    Cover - Well in a way related ... 2/2
    Writing - Bendis take is time and try to set up superman in a very nice way. There is still mystery and maybe 5 issue will be to much at the end. But he did better than I credited him at the ad. 3/3
    Arts - Love sook ... Maybe not perfect (The panel with superman & Supergirl crying in the forteresse is too much). 2.5/3
    Feeling - When someone will ask for a jumping point on superman, I will point him on this. 3/3

  • 8.5
    Dispatchdcu Jun 18, 2018

    Welcome to the Oblivion Bar where the first round is on me and the pretzels are free! Be warned: like the pickled eggs at the bar, this issue is going to get SPOILED rotten.

    Man of Steel was very straightforward this week, which can be a great thing. Why? Because we get answers..... maybe not to everything but some things... definitely. I still want to know who visited Clark, Lois, and Jon. I still want to know where Lois and Jon are in all of this. But, we get action and a well done, interesting story moving forward. Now why don’t we fly on in?

    The first thing that I liked about this issue was the cover. I normally don’t talk about them because they don’t say much about the story. Sure, the cover normally has t more

  • 8.5
    Ashearer88 Jun 16, 2018

    Im loving this so far i love how Bendis is showing supermans powers.

  • 8.5
    mglsts Jun 14, 2018

    After a solid first issue and a disappointing second issue, it finally feels like we're picking up steam and things are getting interesting, and I got hooked back in.

  • 8.0
    Spock's Brain Jun 26, 2018

    I liked this issue of "Man of Steel," a powerful, action-packed, fast-paced issue that also packs an emotional punch as key parts of Superman's history and heritage are destroyed. This Rogol Zaar dude is kind of plagued by 1990s design, but Bendis certainly does a nice job of establishing him as a threat, if not a unique, distinct character. And Ryan Sook's art was really cool. I don't know how much of him I've seen before, but I'll keep an eye out for him now.

  • 8.0
    DarePool53 Jun 15, 2018

    The pistons are starting to pump on this story - bring on issue #4!

  • 8.0
    mrDovydas Jun 14, 2018

    Very decompressed but a better read than last week. The story is moving forward and it seems that next week we will finally get some proper action.

  • 8.0
    egonnn244 Jun 14, 2018

    "The politest man in the galaxy"

    Rogol Zaar finally arrives on Earth and is ready to fulfill his mission to eradicate everything Krypton. He starts with a leisurely stroll through Fortress of Solitude, while Superman investigates, with some little help, suspicious fires in Metropolis.

    I don't have much more to say. This is another good issue in this miniseries. I'm usually not a big fan of artist change with every issue, but so far with this one every artist did a fine job. I just can't wait for issue 6 where Jason Fabok is on the art.

    Keep at it Mr. Bendis.

  • 8.0
    Nihilist Jun 13, 2018

    Bendis so far proves he understands Superman and his personality - we can see it during his conversation with Moore and Batman. His first appearance in the issue sums this up perfectly, and shows you the bbig difference between Bats and Sups.
    Unfortunately, there's one important character who didn't make a good first impression on me - and that's Supergirl. Can't say exactly what didn't click to me in her, but I can't say I enjoyed her as much as I though I would, considering I genuinely like the character. Hopefully she'll get some spotlight in the next issues, some development, identity.
    Aside from this one problem, I can definitely recommend this issue.

  • 5.0
    MKW69 Jun 13, 2018

    Nothing happened. Or at least it taken me only 10 minutes to read. Half of it is splashpages.

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