Truth, Justice, and Unprecedented Achievements: Action Comics #1000

The following is my review of Action Comics #1000, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

In June 1938, the first issue of Action Comics came out, introducing the hero by which so many future heroes are still measured. Toady, it's impossible to assess the state of modern superheroes without appreciating the impact of Superman. From the early days of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster to the modern era Geoff Johns and Dan Jurgens, the position Superman holds in the pantheon of the superhero genre is without parallel. He is very much the ideal in terms of just how great a hero can be.

It's hard to imagine how Siegel and Shuster expected their creation to evolve over the years. It's hard to imagine their reaction to the knowledge that this series that began in the latter part of the Great Depression would go on for another 1,000 issues that span eight decades, two reboots, a rebirth, multiple movie franchises, a slew of cartoons, and a never-ending supply of merchandise. Action Comics isn't just special to the brand of DC Comics. It's very much an institution, one in which the milestones carry even more weight.

That's why Action Comics #1000 is a truly momentous achievement for both Superman and the superhero era that he helped to start. It's one of those rare comics for which there is no template to draw from. No other series can offer insight into how such a milestone comic should be handled. That doesn't stopped DC Comics from assembling an all-star team of writers to pack plenty of content into a single comic with a $7.99 price tag.

With so much talent and so many reasons to celebrate, the expectations for Action Comics #1000 are almost too big to contemplate. Then again, much of Superman's entire appeal is his ability to defy the impossible, do what's right, and do it for the right reasons. He already embodies the ideal for multiple generations of superheroes. It's only fitting that he set the bar for such a milestone issue, if only to make things a little less daunting for Detective Comics and Amazing Spider-Man.

Action Comics #1000 doesn't try to reinvent Superman, push him to new extremes, or make him more up-to-date with modern audiences. More than anything else, it's a celebration of who Superman is and everything he represents. It's not just that he can fight off a fleet of alien invaders and make it back to his family in time for dinner. It's not just that he can outwit Lex Luthor, save an innocent woman being held at gun point in the blink of an eye, and even beat an army of alternate versions of himself.

These are all feats of strength and that's par for the course with Superman. There are plenty of superheroes in superhero comics, fiction, and mythology of all kinds with obscene strength. What sets Superman apart isn't in how he uses it. It's in how he inspires others with it. That's what sets Superman apart and makes him the kind of icon who can transcend decades, generations, and trends of all kinds. From upbeat and hopeful to grim and gritty, Superman finds a way to inspire. Of all the impossible things he does on a day-to-day basis, that's the most meaningful.

Celebrating that core ideal of Superman's character is difficult to do with just one story. Action Comics #1000 doesn't bother trying. Instead, it tells a series of short, concise stories that embody the best of who Superman is and why he's such an inspiration. Each story varies in terms of theme and challenge, but the message is the same. Superman doesn't just overcome the impossible. He raises the bar for everyone.

He can even do this without having to throw a single punch. In one story by Dan Jurgans, he attends a special celebration that Metropolis is holding to honor Superman. He's there as Clark Kent, but constantly worrying about other threats. Then, when he finally decides to don his iconic cape and red underwear, he finds out that he doesn't always have to be the one to right these wrongs. The people he inspires, from the heaviest hitters in the Justice League to the ordinary people on the streets, can do the right thing too when the opportunity arises.

In another story by Geoff Johns, Superman confronts the man who he hung from a telephone pole in the first issue of Action Comics in a fitting extension of that historic first issue. Whereas most other heroes are content to either let the man wallow in his humiliating defeat or just throw him in the nearest jail cell, as though that somehow is enough to make someone change their ways. Superman dares to go the extra mile

He talks to the man, but he doesn't talk down to him. Superman tries to relate to him, showing the kind of empathy and understanding that resonates with him. The fact that he can do this while being an alien from another world helps show the strength of Superman's humanity, despite the fact that he's not human. If he, an alien can embody that level of compression, then what's everyone else's excuse?

Through each story, there are insights into Superman's legacy and how he went about crafting it. They cover current and past era, referencing different timelines and iconic moments. Action Comics #1000 doesn't try to tie them all together through some elaborate sub-plot. While that renders the stories disconnected, they still convey the right message with respect to who Superman is and why his legacy matters.

Like the man himself, these insights are crafted to reflect an ideal. They show just how good a hero can be. They demonstrate that just being exceedingly powerful, able to stop a speeding train or break chains of Kryptonite, is not enough. The real power that makes Superman great is in how he uses it, doing the right thing and never hesitating to do so.

A being of his power can do so many other things, right and wrong. He's even tempted at times, both by circumstance and by men like Lex Luthor. No matter the situation or the challenge, Superman will still do what's right and he won't compromise that. He won't make excuses, either. That may make his decisions predictable, but the way he goes about making them only reinforces why he's an icon who has endured for so long.

The fact that Action Comics makes it to 1,000 issues, despite changing trends in culture and the superhero genre as a whole, is a remarkable accomplishment. Action Comics #1000 does plenty to celebrate the past and chart Superman's course for the future. There's still only so much a single issue can do to encapsulate over 80 years of heroics, even with extra content and a higher price tag. Since the stories are so short and focused, it's difficult to show the breadth of Superman's story through the ages.

For a hero like Superman, though, even a 1,000 page comic isn't be enough to tell every aspect of his story or why he's the most iconic hero of all time. It doesn't have to, though. Like the Man of Steel himself, Action Comics #1000 does plenty to raise the bar and bring hope to generations past and present. What started Siegel and Shuster nearly a century ago is still going strong today. It still seems impossible that any character could endear for so long, but that's exactly what makes him Superman.

Final Score: 9 out of 10

Broken Legacy Chapter 8: Scars and Bonds is LIVE!

I know it's been a long, tedious wait during sad, solemn times for Superman/Wonder Woman fans, but it's finally here. The last chapter of my second Superman/Wonder Woman story is complete. I know it's not quite as long or as epic as "Strangers In Paradise." I never intended it to be in the first place. I also didn't intend for this to focus entirely on romance. I wanted to explore other concepts along the way that I think are worth exploring. A part of me feels I didn't explore them enough, but I still made sure that this story had a satisfying ending of sorts.

Now I'm not going to lie. The recent developments between Superman and Wonder Woman in the comics with DC: Rebirth did affect this story. I started it off with the idea that I build layers on top of the core plot around Tyr-El, the Amazons, and Lex Luthor. Then, DC: Rebirth happened and I just didn't feel the same energy I felt during "Strangers In Paradise." I didn't have the will or desire to expand this story to same extent that I did with my last story. For this, I apologize.

That said, DC: Rebirth did not change the ending I had in mind for this story. I always intended it to be a story that would bring Superman and Wonder Woman together in a profound way. I made it much more personal and much more dramatic this time. They both had to fight bitter personal battles with their past and their legacies. Along the way, they connected. That connection helped carry them through the final battle against Tyr-El in the previous chapter. Now, this final chapter will complete that connection.

If you're a Superman/Wonder Woman fan, this chapter is what you've been waiting for. It's the culmination of all the personal struggles and personal dramas that have tormented these two as individuals. Finally, after all this emotional upheaval, they can come together a couple. It's a moment I've been building towards. It's a moment that I hope Superman/Wonder Woman fans will find satisfying during these difficult times.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 8: Scars and Bonds

As I've said before, this is going to be my last Superman/Wonder Woman story for the foreseeable future. I had some other ideas, but I now don't have the time, energy, or desire to pursue them. I now intend to focus my efforts on a few other projects, some of which I hope to announce soon.

That's not to say I'll never write another Superman/Wonder Woman story. If I get an idea that's just that good, I will pursue it. I don't like to leave ideas like that hanging. For now though, I'll let "Broken Legacy" and "Strangers In Paradise" be my primary contributions to Superman/Wonder Woman stories. To everyone who has supported these stories, as well as my other projects, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Broken Legacy Chapter 7: Blind Injustice is LIVE!

Maybe it's just the romantic in me, but I believe every romance has a defining moment of sorts. Sometimes it comes before a couple gets together. Sometimes it comes after several decades of marriage. Sometimes it comes on a Sunday afternoon during a football halftime show. It's hard to really quantify, but these are the moments that make a romance powerful. So why should that be any different for DC's resident Power Couple?

DC's Rebirth event may have horribly undermined Superman/Wonder Woman in the most contrived way possible without the aid of powerful hallucinogens, but there's no question that they shared plenty of moments. From that magical moment in Justice League #12 to the end of Charles Soule's first arc in the criminally underrated Superman/Wonder Woman series, this romance had more moments than every season of Friends and Two and a Half Men combined. It gave DC's Power Couple plenty of power. Now, I hope to create a moment like that in "Broken Legacy."

As I've said before, this series is not on the same level as my first Superman/Wonder Woman story, "Strangers In Paradise." I never intended it to be. It also doesn't help that as I'm writing this story, DC Rebirth is delivering a heavy gut punch in a dozen nut shots to the Superman/Wonder Woman romance. It makes getting motivated on this story pretty difficult. As such, it will be my last Superman/Wonder Woman story for the foreseeable future. That can always change, but for now, I'm going to treat "Broken Legacy" as my last Superman/Wonder Woman story in the near-term.

That means I have to take these last two chapters and make them extra awesome. I've already set the stage for the final showdown between Superman and Tyr-El. It's a showdown that has a lot of emotional stakes. Wonder Woman is part of it now as well since Try-El got the Amazons involved. Just like in "Strangers In Paradise," this is a battle that Superman and Wonder Woman can't win on their own. They can only win it together. It sets the stage for one of those powerful moments that Superman/Wonder Woman fans sorely need at a time like this. I hope this story can provide it.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 7: Blind Injustice

The future may look bleak for Superman/Wonder Woman in the comics. This may be a romance that DC will table indefinitely as they try to make their comics line up with the themes of their upcoming movies. Despite the best efforts of Rotten Tomatoes, DC and WB will try to capture the most classic elements of their heroes. Sadly, that doesn't leave a lot of room for Superman/Wonder Woman. I hope that my contributions through this and my other stories can help fill that void. Until then, I'll focus on making the final chapter of "Broken Legacy" as awesome and heartfelt as it can be.

Broken Legacy Chapter 6: Divine Conventions is LIVE!

There’s a time to shake things up and there’s a time slow things down, but there’s never a time for outright regression. No matter how it’s packaged and no matter how it’s presented, regression is toxic to characters, relationships, story, and everything in between. This is what has me so dismayed about the current state of Superman and Wonder Woman with DC Comics right now. While some characters, like Aquaman and Batman, are allowed to progress, Superman and Wonder Woman are basically being forced back into the box they were in before Flashpoint. It’s tragic because it basically abandons all the progress that they made as characters and as lovers.

Tragedy or not, it does help give what I’m going in Broken Legacy more meaning. I’m developing this story with the idea that Superman and Wonder Woman, who they are and what they stand for, can be deconstructed without regression. I like to think I’ve taken some chances and pushed these characters into unknown domains. It has been dramatic, strenuous, and challenging. However, the payoff is just around the corner.

The stage is set. The final showdown is here. Superman is laying everything on the line to stop Tyr-El. He can’t win this fight as Superman. He can’t even win this fight as Clark Kent. He has to be Kal-El. He has to be the last surviving son of the House of El. That’s the only way he’s going to preserve what’s left of his legacy. Moreover, he needs to trust that Wonder Woman can preserve hers. Now that the Amazons are involved, she has just as much to lose and just as much to gain. It’s a battle of high emotions and high drama, one which will change both characters in a major way, but it sure as hell won’t regress them. And it all unfolds in this latest chapter.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 6: Divine Conventions

As I’ve said before, I don’t have any plans for other Superman or Wonder Woman stories after this. Plans do change though. While this story hasn’t garnered the same support as Strangers In Paradise, not that I expected it to, I am continually amazed at the passion and support by fans.

The Superman/Wonder Woman crowd are proud, passionate bunch. The support they give writers like me can’t be overstated. I know these are dark times for them and they’re bound to get darker with DC’s current policy of constant regression. I hope that changes, but for now I hope to do my part with stories like Broken Legacy. There are only a couple chapters left, but I intend to make them count. For beleaguered Superman/Wonder Woman fans out there, I hope to make it worth the wait. Nuff said!

Broken Legacy Chapter 5: Rising Bloodlust is LIVE!

Let’s face it. There are some topics that DC will just never touch with Superman. He’s too much of an icon and an ideal to ever address tough issues that make people feel too uncomfortable. There’s no question that if he wanted, Superman could fly all over the world and confront atrocities like war crimes, refugees, and mass exploitation by governments and criminals alike. It exposes the very depths of human corruption and depravity. It’s just too hard and distressing to create a story about that.

I like to think I’ve made a concerted effort to tell that story in Broken Legacy. It isn’t just a Superman/Wonder Woman story. It’s a story about them dealing with a very sensitive, very harsh issue that will never be mentioned in the comics. These aren’t just unpleasant secrets surrounding who their ancestors are or who Zeus knocked up. These are direct affronts to every concept of justice that we as a people value. It’s not Lex Luthor trying to take over the world. It’s the scars left by atrocities that cannot and will not heal.

Tyr-El is the personification of this concept. He is on a different level compared to Lex Luthor. It’s not about ego or greed for him. He just has a goal and he’s willing to torture, maim, and desecrate anyone or anything that gets in his way. In fact, he will go out of his way to do just that if it makes his goal more stable and achievable. That’s what makes him a threat unlike anything Superman, Wonder Woman, or the human race have ever faced before. It’s also what makes him so dangerous.

This story has set up and confronted all these grim concepts. Now, it’s time to set up the final clash. As I’ve said before, I have had to tweak this story at times. The recent events of the comics, especially those surrounding Superman, have made it difficult to make this story on the same level of Strangers In Paradise. It’s just hard to put that kind of energy into a story when inspiration is lacking. However, I am still committed to completing this story in as satisfying a way I can. This chapter should set the stage for a defining resolution that I hope Superman/Wonder Woman fans will enjoy during these dark times.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 5: Rising Bloodlust

I don’t yet know how many chapters this story will end up being. Again, don’t expect anything on the scale of Strangers In Paradise. I always intended this story to be more concise and focused. It may be my last Superman/Wonder Woman story for a while, but that’s just all the more reason to make it awesome as it can be.

Broken Legacy Chapter 4: Deep Wounds and Deeper Scars is LIVE!

Like many fans of DC Comics, I’ve been caught up in the universe-warping nut punch that is DC Rebirth. Once again, DC Comics is sick of Marvel hogging the market share. Once again, they’re trying to boost their share in ways that make Alan Moore want to bang his head against the wall. I’ve had mixed feelings about it, but I know that for Superman/Wonder Woman fans, DC Rebirth might as well be a knife in the heart.

There’s no way around it. DC is basically just abandoning the concept of Superman/Wonder Woman in favor of more familiar territory. They need their comics to line up with the movies and the nearly 80-year history of their comics more. Sure, that means tearing their continuity yet another asshole and pissing all over Watchmen yet again, but they’re trying to satisfy every generation of fans. As such, there are sure to be fans who miss out. In this case, it’s Superman/Wonder Woman fans.

Personally, I think it’s a heaping load of horse shit that DC killed off one version of Superman just to make room for another. They basically rendered the act of killing the most iconic hero in the history of comics utterly pointless. Think about that for a moment. They made killing fucking Superman of all characters pointless. That takes some weapons grade bullshit. I could make multiple blog posts about how fucked up this is, but I’m going to temper my opinions out of respect for ailing Superman/Wonder Woman fans.

I admit the recent developments in the DCU have undermined my passion for my Broken Legacy story. Don’t get me wrong. I’m committed to finishing it. It’s just hard to get too excited about something that DC just went out of their way to piss on. I was hoping to update sooner, but disappointment has made it hard to really get into it. In fact, I might end up shortening the story because I just don’t have the energy or passion to draw it out like I did with Strangers In Paradise. I’ll still try to make it as awesome as can be and that’ll continue with this issue.

I know there hasn’t been a lot of Superman/Wonder Woman moments in this story so far, but that’s about to change in a major way. Both characters have suffered a blow to their legacy and identity. That’s going to bring them together in a profound way, but not before they take on the daunting threats before them. That process and the drama behind it begins with this chapter.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 4: Deep Wounds and Deeper Scars

Like I said, I’m still committed to finishing this story. However, it might end up being my last Superman/Wonder Woman story for a while. I had some ideas in the works, but it’s hard to put much energy into them after the recent developments in the comics. I hope that changes, but for now I’ll try to make the most of this story.

Broken Legacy Chapter 3: Confrontation and Subjugation is LIVE!

Perfection does not come easy and it doesn't take much to taint. Just ask the 2007 New England Patriots. We, as flawed human beings, have a hard time wrapping our heads around ideals. That's a big part of why Superman and Wonder Woman are very much these larger-than-life heroes that push the concept of what it means to be a hero. They are, for all intents and purposes, embodiments of ideals. So what happens when those ideals are tainted?

That's exactly what I've been exploring here with Broken Legacy. Wonder Woman already had her ideal tainted when she found out that she was not molded out of clay and brought to life through the love of her mother. Instead, she now knows that she is a product of infidelity. She is very much effected by this change, an ideal built on a foundation of deceit. It forces her to reevaluate what it means to be Wonder Woman. Now, Superman has to deal with that as well.

Superman, for most of his history, has been as pure an ideal as can be. He is the alpha and omega of heroes. His foundation, his morals, and his legacy are crafted on an ideal foundation. So what happens when that foundation is tainted? Well, that's what Tyr-El is doing. His arrival brought with it a dark secret that will strike Superman at his core. Both he and Wonder Woman will be left wondering what it means to be heroes and what these ideals even mean. And this process is going to be a lot harder than they think.

That's what they're about to find out in the next chapter of Broken Legacy. I know it has taken a while to come out, but this is a challenging story with a challenging premise. But I hope it brings out the best in Superman and Wonder Woman. Because you don't know just how powerful an ideal is until it's tainted. But sometimes tragedy and hardship can breed a new kind of strength, as these two will soon find out. Enjoy!

Broken Legacy

Chapter 3: Confrontation and Subjugation

Expect plenty of tough, dramatic upheavals for Superman and Wonder Woman. Also expect it to bring out the best and worst in them. Sometimes that's necessary for two people to come together. And when it happens, it's a thing of beauty. Things might be bleak in the comics, but I'm hoping that beauty will help as this story unfolds. Nuff Said!

Broken Legacy Chapter 2: Strategic Atrocity is LIVE!

Let's face it, there are just certain themes that DC, Warner Brothers, and the humorless fucks at the FCC will never explore with Superman. I can't say I blame them. It's not like the market is huge for cartoons that feature Batman burning the Joker alive or Superman ripping out someone's spine through their anus. There's a time and a place for that sort of shit and if it's not being directed by Quentin Tarantino, it's going to be of questionable quality at best.

That said, I do think there are some themes worth exploring. The legacy and history of Superman's people is one of them. Like so much else about Superman, that legacy and history is often idealized as though it came from some hippie's wet dream. I like to think there are more interesting stories to tell about an alien civilization and not all of them have to involve anal probes.

My Broken Legacy story is built around the premise of Superman's legacy. We already saw what happened to Wonder Woman when DC retconned/shit all over her Amazon legacy. She's no longer from a simple tribe of warrior women. She's from a tribe of warrior women who seduce, murder, and abandon their own children. Like finding out you're related to an axe murderer, it's not a pleasant feeling. Superman can't relate to that feeling...yet. That all changes with this new chapter of Broken Legacy.

At this stage in the New 52 canon, Superman and Wonder Woman aren't together yet. They don't have a lot of common ground either. That's something that will change very soon. Expect it to lead to some intense moments. Those moments will be fully clothed...for now. But expect a lot of tension as the story continues to unfold. That tension really starts to escalate with this chapter.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 2: Strategic Ambiguity

From here on out, the story is going to start dealing with some pretty mature themes. This is the kind of shit that would not make it past an editor at DC comics. It might get approval from a Game of Thrones producer, but we're dealing with a different context here. That context will become much clearer as the story unfolds. Enjoy!

Broken Legacy: A New Superman/Wonder Woman Story

It's an uncertain time for DC Comics. The New 52 reboot has run its course. Now, DC is gearing up for yet another major relaunch, which they're calling Rebirth. It's not being billed as a reboot on the same scale as the New 52, but it promises to bring major changes to DC Comics once more. For some, that's going to be a good thing. For others, it'll be a bad thing. As always, everyone will find something to bitch about.

But of all the developments from the New 52 that have been most memorable, I'd say the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship is definitely near the top. For the first time, DC actually put some serious effort into developing this relationship in a meaningful way and they did it without denigrating Lois Lane or resorting to Elseworlds. The result has led to some pretty damn awesome stories, which have become one of the greatest sources of romance in superhero comics. Then again, this is an era where both Marvel and DC just love fucking up iconic romances so it's not like the bar is that high. Just ask Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson.

There's no sign yet that the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship will continue after rebirth. Whatever the case, the New 52 helped establish that this relationship can work and be awesome. It helped inspire me to write my first ever Justice League story, Strangers In Paradise. Now, I feel like I'm ready to write another one.

This new story actually takes place within the New 52 continuity, specifically before Justice League #12, the now-iconic issue where Superman and Wonder Woman came together. The premise of this story is built around bring them together in a different way. It takes place at a time when Wonder Woman is learning about the dirty secrets of the Amazons and Superman's identity is still intact. That's not to say I won't take a few liberties here and there, but I'll try not to take as much as I did before.

This story won't be quite as long or as elaborate as Strangers In Paradise. It'll also be a bit more mature in terms of content, but not overly graphic. It deals with themes that are difficult even for superheroes to deal with, but in a way I hope will bring out the right kind of drama. Given the response to my previous story, I hope this one helps raise the bar.

Broke Legacy

Chapter 1: The Arrival

As always, I ask that readers take the time to leave feedback for this and all my other stories. Feedback, be it constructive or otherwise, helps inspire me to keep improving and that's exactly what I want. For Superman fans, Wonder Woman fans, and every fan in between, I want this story to be as awesome as it can be. Anything less is unacceptable. Nuff said!

Anatomy of a Betrayal: Superman #43

The following is my review of Superman #43, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

It takes many years of work and dedication to build trust. Conversely, it takes only seconds to destroy. It's akin to a wholly unfair law of physics. It takes a master artist years to craft a beautiful painting or a sculpture whereas it takes an idiot with a hammer or a blowtorch just a few seconds to destroy it. Trust is like a work of art that everyone tries to create. For Superman, however, this work of art might as well be in a museum surrounded by pyromaniacs and drunks.

Despite his dedication to helping his adopted home, Superman does not readily trust others with the intimate details of his personal life. It's how he maintains both an alien and a human persona. And for decades, this has been a big part of his identity. Being able to live both lives helps anchor him to humanity, even though he's an alien with the power to bench press a planet. Now, one of those lives is shattered and the other is severely wounded. And it hits him in way that makes a bath in liquid kryptonite seem relaxing.

Of the very few people that Superman has trusted over the years, Lois Lane is the trustworthy equivalent of the Sistine Chapel. Whether they're married or just respected co-workers, few relationships have been integral to the Man of Steel's mythos than the trust he has in Lois Lane. She's the one who helped introduce Superman to the world. She's the one who helped create the very concept of Superman. Like Steve Jobs and Apple, Lois Lane helped create the iconic brand of Superman, minus the turtleneck and jeans.

Yet in Superman #43, she's the one who does to most to undermine that concept. She betrays a trust that was once as implicit as a dog and his bone. It's this betrayal that gives weight to the, but that weight turns out to be hollow in some areas. The main purpose of this story is to put Lois Lane in a position where she has to be the one to expose Superman's identity. By that most minimum of standards, it succeeds. Anything beyond that, however, requires the story to be graded on a curve.

Even without that curve, the details of the story still warrant a passing grade. The entire first half of the story is dedicated to reaffirming the trust and bond that Superman and Lois Lane share. It's a trust and bond that circumvents the usual romantic undertones and in many respects, that helps make it more genuine. Superman and Lois trust each other in a way that isn't clouded by emotion. It's built heavily on mutual respect. When the concept of every romantic comedy and 70 percent of all sitcoms revolve around friends becoming lovers, it's a refreshing moment.

It's this moment that gives Lois' actions a sense of impact. It's also a moment that adds complications to the ongoing conflict between Superman and Hordor. It's a conflict that began with Hordor revealing that he knows Superman's identity as well and is using it to extort him. It has already put Superman in a difficult position, one of which ended up with him waking up naked in a bed next to a fully-clothed Lois. The idea that it could lead to some much more volatile situations isn't too much of a stretch, especially for someone dating Wonder Woman.

The circumstances are in place. The details of the story are present to give Lois' actions significant emotional weight. Like all the ingredients to a good turkey dinner, everything is in place. But when the time comes to put these ingredients together, the end result isn't as savory as it could've been.

The main issue with the cooking process of this story is that it was rushed. The clash that unfolds between Superman and Hordor seems to skip multiple steps, some of which might have involved pre-heating the proverbial oven. Superman basically goes from confronting Hordor to doing exactly as he says, not making a significant effort to work around it or find another way. For most heroes, that could be understandable. But this is Superman. Even if he's at half-strength, he's still more resourceful than an army of Angus McGuiver clones.

Because this process is so heavily rushed, Lois Lane essentially follows suit. She skips those same critical steps, never stopping for a moment to contemplate another way to remedy the situation. Instead of trying to find a more cunning way to stop Hordor from extorting Superman, she essentially jumps the gun and exposes his identity. And even though she told him earlier in the story that she would keep his secret, she does it in a downright callous manner. It gives the impression that Lois Lane treats her promises the same way Donald Trump treats bankruptcy.

This is the biggest shortcoming of the story. It doesn't give the sense that Lois revealing Superman's identity was the only solution to the problem. And even if those details where present, there's nothing emotional or dramatic about Lois' decision. She just assesses the situation, shrugs, and goes through with it. That is the impression she gives. It's not outright cold, but it is still callous on a level more befitting of Hillary Clinton than Lois Lane.

Even with this shortcoming, Superman #43 still accomplishes its main goal. It creates the circumstances in which Lois Lane has to be the one to expose Superman's identity to the world. Those circumstances aren't wholly unreasonable. It's just the execution of those circumstances that limits the impact of the story. It doesn't create the impact of an unavoidable tragedy. It just creates the sense that Lois Lane is a lousy friend.

There is still merit to the story in Superman #43 in that it makes an effort to establish an impact. It effectively asserts that even in a world where Superman and Lois Lane are not Shakespearean star-crossed lovers, there is still a powerful connection between these two. It's a connection that is now heavily damaged, but not completely shattered. However, it's probably going to be a while before Superman trusts Lois with anything other than his shoe size.

Final Score: 6 out of 10

Trolling the Man of Steel: Superman #41

The following is my review of Superman #41, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

In the movie "Coming To America," Eddie Murphy plays a disillusioned prince in Akeem Joffer who kept a pretty big huge secret from the woman he loved. Granted, being the prince of a rich African nation is not the kind of secret that would upset most women, especially in the post-Jerry Springer era. However, Akeem kept this secret from his love for all the right reasons. He wanted her to fall in love with him for who he was and not just because he was a prince. As such, Superman maintained a secret identity in Clark Kent for a similar reason. He couldn't be the Superman he wanted to be without an anchor to the people he wanted to protect. So what happens when he loses that anchor and a good chunk of the ship it was attached to?

That's the premise of whole "Truth" arc that starts to unfold in Superman #41. It's an arc that has already unfolded on other books, such as Action Comics, Batman/Superman, and Superman/Wonder Woman. These books establish that Superman's identity has been revealed to the public, Lois Lane is primarily responsible for doing so, and he's lost a sizable portion of his powers. Even by Superman standards, this is the ultimate trifecta of a bad day. Even a collective attack by Darkseid, Brainiac, and Lex Luthor couldn't challenge him like this. Unlike his enemies, Superman can't punch this problem into submission or inspire it do good. He has to deal with it and he must do so in a weakened state.

It continues DC's ongoing theme of stripping Superman down to his core values, removing the powers that make him almost god-like and putting him in situation where bench pressing a small planet won't do him any good. Time and again, these situations offer compelling reminders that Superman is not just defined by his powers. He's defined by doing the right thing, even when he has the power to do otherwise. The narrative here is very different. It's not just about doing the right thing anymore. For once, Superman will have to pay a price for doing what he does. What does that do to him as a character? The answers in Superman #41 are incomplete, but it does lay the foundation for this dramatic upheaval in Superman's life.

The main conflict is fairly basic, but nicely refined in that it builds on a story that was established in previous issues. Somebody is selling some very powerful, very illegal weapons that even Ted Nugant wouldn't want to own. It's up to Superman and Jimmy Olsen to stop them and uncover the truth about where these weapons are coming from. It has many of the same themes as a typical Nicholas Cage movie, but there's one major complication that prevents this from being just another Tuesday for Superman.

There's this unknown mystery figure who happens to have footage of Clark Kent turning into Superman. We don't get a clue who he, she, it, or they might be. There's no ominous, Morpheus-like voice. There's no CSI style shadowy figure. There's just a series of text messages that attempt to blackmail Superman. It might as well be an overly ambitious internet troll. This just isn't the kind of troll that can be blocked or muted.

It feels kind of cheap on some levels, having somebody use text messages to blackmail Superman of all people. At the same time, there's something oddly fitting about it. In some respects, it's the state of the modern world catching up with Superman. This isn't the era of phone booths and goofy disguises anymore. This is an era where lives can be ruined with a single tweet. Just ask Anthony "Carlos Danger" Wiener. Superman has always been able to navigate the times and keep functioning as he has since the days of FDR. This time, even he's not powerful enough to overcome the power of internet trolls.

This isn't immediately clear to him from the beginning. Superman doesn't really take this threat very seriously at first. This is one of the biggest weaknesses of the story. The tone is almost casual in how Superman deals with this threat to his identity. He gives the impression that he can deal with it, but the very first page, which briefly flash-forwards to the future, reveals that he fails. It's somewhat of a disconnect in the path to this final outcome is unclear.

The helps feed the second major weakness of Superman #41, which is that it feels incomplete. The end result is already spoiled, both on the first page and in other associated Superman comics. In fact, this issue is way behind the curve in terms of tone and theme. It's like watching Terminator 3 before watching the first two movies. It only sets up for Superman's identity to be revealed and not in a satisfying way either. We know it's coming, but it just ends too abruptly.

It's disappointing in terms of what is promised by the reveal on the first page. There's no dramatic moment where Lois Lane gasps or Twitter explodes with the revelation that Clark Kent is Superman. This may still happen in the next issue. But at this point in Superman's narrative, it just limits the kind of dramatic impact. It obscures the perspective and undermines the substance of the story.

Without that first page reveal, there's less to obscure. But on its own merits, Superman #41 feels like only three-fourths an episode of the Wire. It has the right pieces in place. The characterization of Superman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen is spot on. Superman knows his identity is in danger of exposure, but that doesn't stop him from doing the right thing. And the plot surrounding these mysterious weapons is one that has merit as well. It just fails to connect these pieces in a way that feels like a polished product.

Future issues may help fill in the gaps and make those connections. But on its own, Superman #41 feels less like a blockbuster movie and more like a teaser trailer. And in this age of cat videos and internet celebrities, that's simply no longer sufficient.

Final Score: 6 out of 10

A Stiff Drink of Humility: Superman #40

The following is my review of Superman #40, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

The true strength of a hero is not defined by how they conduct themselves when they’re at their best. It’s defined by how they carry themselves when they’re at their most pathetic. Any hero can come off as a paragon of virtue and strength when they’re standing atop the corpse of a slain dragon amidst a crowd of cheering admirers. But if that same hero has a bad day and deals with it by getting into a bar fight with a clown, they’re not going to come off as very heroic.

Bad days are everyone’s kryptonite. Even Superman is capable of having one for reasons that don’t always involve a cage fight with Doomsday. Those kinds of days help reinforce the traits and values that make him the alpha and omega of superheroes. He’s already had his share of bad days lately, which have ranged from dealing with Jimmy Olsen as a roommate to Lex Luthor as a teammate on the Justice League. But the day he endures in Superman #40 reveals something even more profound about the Man of Steel. And it does so in a way that’s both oddly insightful and laughably entertaining.

Superman’s rough day at the office begins with his flashy new power, which involves him firing off a potent solar flare at an intensity that only makes it a slight Dragonball Z rip-off. It’s the power that helped him defeat Ulysses. But unlike his many other inhuman feats, this power comes with a side-effect that even Dr. Oz couldn’t overlook. It renders Superman powerless for a brief span of time. It sounds like only a more convenient form of kryptonite, but it gives Superman an opportunity that he hasn’t had before and it’s an opportunity he exploits in the story.

While learning about his new power under the observation of the Justice League, Superman reveals a side of himself that’s easy to ignore. Being so powerful, he’s hopelessly numb to certain human experiences. He can never know the joys of an ice cream headache, dumping tobacco sauce on a taco, or taking a dip in a hot Jacuzzi on a cold winter day. This is a man who takes punches from Mongol and falls into volcanoes at least once a week. These are human feelings he can’t experience. Now thanks to this power, he has a window with which to be human and he embraces it.

This in and of itself is a profound statement about Superman. Most superheroes who don’t rely on cosmic forces, enhanced biology, or gadgets that cost more than MC Hammer’s old house go out of their way to avoid losing their powers. They see losing this power the same way a typical high school student sees losing their smartphone. It’s like having a limb amputated. But for Superman, it shows that what he stands for goes beyond his powers. Doing the right thing doesn’t take the strength of Superman. It just requires the desire to do it.

This is a trait Superman has shown on many occasions, but one that’s becoming more and more relevant in an era where every superhero goes through an emo period. Being without his powers doesn’t discourage Superman in the slightest. In fact, he’s probably the most upbeat person in the Justice League when he’s without his powers in this story, except for Wonder Woman when she gets a chance to see him naked. The ability to actually experience being human without it involving a plot by Lex Luthor is exhilarating for Superman. To him, being human only reinforces why Superman is such an icon.

It makes for a fun and engaging story, following Superman as he partakes in some very human experiences. The fun ends for him, however, when he experiences one of the least appealing human experiences that doesn’t involve root canal. He gets hung over. Let that concept sink in. Superman, the icon of all things just and true, gets hung over after sharing a friendly meal with his friends in the Justice League. It’s as funny and outlandish. Anyone who has ever experienced a hangover after a Super Bowl party can appreciate its impact.

Yet despite being so hung over, Superman still wakes up the next morning and continues being Superman. Even with his powers returning, it’s very clear that he’s fighting the urge to curl up next to a toilet for the rest of the day. But he still puts on his cape and manages to do what Superman does, stopping a fairly typical battle involving street thugs armed with alien weapons. In any other context, it would be as generic as Peter Parker breaking up with his girlfriend. But the fact that Superman is doing this while fighting a hangover just adds an extra bit of value to the story.

It’s still a fairly short battle with few details worth remembering, but it’s not intended to be another epic struggle against Brainiac. It’s meant to show that Superman is still capable of being Superman while exploring human experiences. He doesn’t rely on his powers, nor is he hindered by human weaknesses. He still does the right thing, even when he’s fighting the urge to throw up every 15 minutes.

Superman #40 is an entertaining, condensed narrative that tells and important story. Some parts of that story are rushed, but the important parts are not glossed over. Superman learns more about his new power. He also learns more about human experiences, from the pleasant taste of a cold beer to the unmitigated agony that too many beers can incur. But he still finds time to be Superman. It’s a perfect summation of what makes him an icon among icons. Only now, he’s not just an icon that can inspire others to be better. He’s an icon they can share a cold beer with and that just makes him all the more heroic.

Final Score: 9 out of 10