Superman #18

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason Artist: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: March 1, 2017 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 26 User Reviews: 54
8.4Critic Rating
8.7User Rating

"SUPERMAN REBORN" part one! In DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1, the enigmatic Mr. Oz told this Superman, "You and your family are not what you believe you are. And neither was the fallen Superman." Now, in the first Rebirth crossover between SUPERMAN and ACTION COMICS, the shocking truth behind Oz's words is revealed. It begins with one of Oz's prisoners escaping, and ends in a tragic moment for Lois and Superman. The covers by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray and the variant covers by Gary Frank for SUPERMAN #18-19 and ACTION COMICS #975-976 will connect to form a single vertical image.

  • 10
    Newsarama - Jon Arvedon Mar 2, 2017

    Superman #18 is an incredible introductory chapter to the "Reborn" story arc, setting an emotional and ominous tone for what's to come, and definitely leaving you wanting more. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Mar 1, 2017

    The biggest gripe with this issue? It's just the kickoff to Superman Reborn. Fortunately we only have to wait a week for the next chapter in Action Comics 975. And still seven days is going to seem way too long. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComiConverse - Kyle King Mar 4, 2017

    In DC Universe: Rebirth #1, Mr. Oz cryptically remarked to the ostensible pre-Flashpoint Metropolis Marvel: You and your family are not what you believe you are. And neither was the fallen Superman. In Superman: Reborn Part 1, the journey to learn the hidden truths underlying those worrisome words begins. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Critical Blast - S.J. Mitchell Mar 1, 2017

    The four-part crossover event will appear in Superman 18 & 19 and Action Comics 975 & 976. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    Supergirl Comic Box Commentary - Anj Mar 3, 2017

    While overall this felt a little decompressed, it did what an opening chapter should do. It stoked the fires of mystery and made me want to read more right away. And I still don't know who this Clark is! Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Comic Book Corps - Tim Montoya Mar 1, 2017

    Tomasi really shines here, as usual, depicting the Superman family as just that, a family. This run of Superman has been particularly good about establishing the family of Superman, portraying Superman as a father and Lois as a caring mother. Tomasi has really done an excellent job with this, which I feel is one of the reasons that makes this one of, if not the best Rebirth titles from DC. Superman as a father figure just plain works and it allows Tomasi to explore that character in ways that we never could before. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    ComicBuzz - Tony Thornley Mar 8, 2017

    Superman Reborn is going to be a game-changer for the Man of Steel, and really its just scratching the surface. However, if it continues this momentum, itll be a Superman epic for the ages. I cant wait for more. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    We The Nerdy - Aron Pohara Mar 1, 2017

    If you like Superman books, if you just like Tomasi/Gleason dynamic you will not be disappointed, as we have both here, and the future is bright for the Boy in Blue. As I keep saying about the Batman and Wonder Woman books, DC has really pulled the big guns here, making sure that their Trinity is done correctly, and so far all three of those books were stellar. This is something that should be on your pull list! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Bin - Deejay Dayton Mar 1, 2017

    There really isnt a lot else to say about this issue. Its a damn good first part of the story, but it is primarily a set up. Still, it did excite me for the resolution of Rebirth, and that was its mission, after all. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Terrence Sage Mar 1, 2017

    Now, how the two mysteries of Creepy Kal erasing the entire of existence of his other self and just who escaped Mr. Oz's prison remains to be seen. There are three chapters left in this Super Crossover with plenty of aftermath issues to follow in several books. The Superman Family of titles are prepping everyone for a story that'll be sure to have everyone talking when the dust settles, with chapter one now in the books, we can only look forward to both Action Comics and Superman to unravel the tangled web of cosmic and personal intrigue that started all those months ago. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Big Comic Page - Chris Bennett Mar 1, 2017

    All in all, this is easily the most excited I've been about a DC book in a good long while. I think you will be too. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Ryan.L Mar 1, 2017

    This issue proves why Superman is one of the best series being released from DC. This story will be a crossover with Action Comics so get ready, this is going to be a crazy ride! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    DC Comics News - Derek McNeil Mar 1, 2017

    This title has focused on Superman's family, and now it's his family that is threatened. His life has been taken, but more importantly, so has his son. The stakes are higher than they've ever been, with Jon's life on the line. This promises to be a defining story in Superman's life. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Multiversity Comics - Gregory Ellner Mar 6, 2017

    Excellent characterization and artwork that shifts between happily warm and utterly cold, but may require reading other "DC Rebirth" issues to understand parts. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    IGN - Blair Marnell Mar 2, 2017

    This issue doesn't really have any traditional action, but it delivers an emotional gut punch that was very effective. Can't wait to see where this is going. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Doom Rocket - Jarrod Jones Mar 1, 2017

    I'd suggest to anybody about to read Superman #18 that they keep their inhalers within arm's reach. With "Superman Reborn, Part One" the future is uncertain. But it is also thrilling. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Source by SuperHeroStuff - Ethan Supovitz Mar 13, 2017

    All and all, Superman Reborn hits the ground running with a stunning first act. The writers cooperate effectively as both issues provide more details to the Rebirth mystery. However, if you havent been readingAction Comics before this, then I recommend you read those first. This story is building offwhat Jurgens started inAction Comics #957, so unless youve been reading those you might be lost! If youre all caught up, then I say dive right in and experience it for yourself! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Flickering Myth - Ricky Church Mar 3, 2017

    'Superman: Reborn' is off to the right start as it kicks up the emotion with a tense plot. The mystery around Mr. Oz and the other Clark is heightened, as is their threat level, but could other Clark be responsible or is their something else amiss? Tomasi and Gleason's Superman #18 asks the right questions and it will be interesting to see this unfold in the next few weeks. 'Superman: Reborn' continues with the anniversary issue Action Comic #975 next week. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Beat - Alexander Lu Mar 1, 2017

    Overall, Superman #18 should prove to be an interesting read for those who have been following along with the events of the series so far. However, it makes for a relatively poor jumping on point and establishes a new identity for the series that feels a little more plot-centric than character-centric than I'd like. Fingers crossed things change course at the end of this event! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    We Got This Covered - Sergio Pereira Mar 1, 2017

    Simply powerful. Part one of "Superman Reborn" pulls no punches as it takes a huge leap forward in unraveling Rebirth's mysteries. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Mar 1, 2017

    Anyone dying to learn more about Mr. Oz needs to read this issue. Superman #18 not only teases a new threat quite well, but it establishes a very big shift due to Superman not being of this dimension. Readers should also note this should be read before Justice League #16. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Capeless Crusader - Jeremy Radick Mar 1, 2017

    With Superman #18, the creative team delivers an opening issue that intrigues and engages even as it is filled with a palpable sense of dread. For the first time since before the New 52, it feels like DC has a handle on Superman, and I know I'm not alone in hoping this turns into a classic arc that cements this version of the Kents in the DC Universe, rather than throwing it aside. As an opener to the "Superman: Reborn" arc, this issue delivers a lot of promise as the heartbreaking events Superman faces here allow for no opportunity to punch, fly or heat vision his way out, putting him in an interesting place to move onto the next chapter, with a huge motivation. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Weird Science - Eric Shea Mar 1, 2017

    While this issue will definitely get you interested in what's going on with the Superman Family, I can't say for certain that it's something that you'll be able to walk away satisfied after reading because while we get a decent amount of stuff thrown at us, everything seems to be completely random and without any kind of explanation given, I feel kind of empty after reading it.  The art in this issue is great though and it did get me interested in what this arc will bring, but at the end of the day it really just left me scratching my head to what the hell happened. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    All-Comic - Jeremy Matcho Mar 5, 2017

    Superman #18 is a good read, but is almost entirely set-up even as it continues to be one of the true winners to come out of DCs Rebirth line. These are the kind of stories that got lost in the crowd when Superman was being written as an object of mass destruction. The care that Tomasi and Gleason are putting into this title shows with every new issue, and theyve really made Clark a likable and relatable guy. Whether youre a Superman fan or not, this is definitely a book that should be read consistently. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Newsarama - Matthew Sibley Mar 1, 2017

    This isn’t to suggest that the blame lies with Tomasi and Gleason as storytellers either. As already stated, when the issue does start to build in that final third, the genuine emotion hits in the same way the best issues of this series have already. Which means that the problem is the connection to the wider "Rebirth" plot and as a result, it’s possible to make links between this and Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, which also started with residents of a prison escaping. The stuff with the Kents feels like it could be a normal arc of this series, easily fitting into the two or three issue structure that the book has followed since that opening arc, but instead it’s a part of the "Rebirth" narrative and you’d think that after all this time that it’s spent simmering, it might finally want to feel like a rush. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    The Hub City Review - Matthew J. Theriault Mar 1, 2017

    In the long chain of Superman stories, the Death and Return are among the weakest links, ones which Superman should break free from with a heave of his chest, letting them drop. Much more than Kryptonite, clinging so closely to the past is what's really weakening the Man of Tomorrow. Read Full Review

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