Knight Terrors: Superman #2: This Strange Topsy Turvy World

If Knight Terrors: Superman #2 proves one thing, it’s that Supergirl has always been the most underrated character in the DC Universe. Joshua Williamson’s reveal about Supergirl’s fear is that she is worried that she will never be able to build the kind of life that Superman has, on earth. Fans of Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will recognize this characterization as something that ties both of these iterations of the character together. There is a strong factor about her that ties her back to Krypton in ways that Superman will never really be able to understand on a fundamental level. The way Williamson explores this character in just one short issue is fantastic. In an alternate multiverse there has to be a world where Knight Terrors: Supergirl was part of these spinoffs and went more into depth with this, these concepts would likely have gotten a lot more attention.

Another subject explored here is Superman’s fear of the unknown in addition to his fear of not being able to save someone. It is crazy to think that the man who has all the power in the world is afraid of those moments when he is not able to use that power to do the right thing. Superman’s fears are intrinsically tied back to his character in a way that proves Williamson understands this character on a deep and profound level. Williamson also uses this issue in a brilliant way, pursuing aspects of his main ongoing Superman book, while making sure that anything that happens here is not required reading. This means that when Marilyn Moonlight shows up, it serves as an introduction or re-introduction to her character. Other elements from the run such as Supercorps also make an appearance, really cementing this series as part of ongoing continuity in a way that continues to make Dawn of DC feel very cohesive and well thought out. 

Tom Reilly and Nathan Fairbairn do a fantastic job with the art here, maintaining the same Superman: The Animated Series feel that they gave Knight Terrors: Superman #1. Reilly does a lot of diverse art here, traversing from several different settings as Williamson takes the story in and out of Superman, Supergirl, and Aquaman’s perspectives. This cartoony style also works well as a juxtaposition of the horror themes that are ever present throughout the issue. Thematically, this shows that Superman and co. are present in this nightmare, yet they are strong and able to withstand almost everything that Insomnia has to throw at them. Overall, the art works perfectly with this theme in mind, establishing many core tenets about these characters purely through the details on the page. 

The only detracting factor of Knight Terrors: Superman #2 is how the narrative constantly shifts from different perspectives. Transitioning between Supergirl and Superman makes sense, but the inclusion of Aquaman seems forced. Like Supergirl, Aquaman and his cast of characters would have benefited from having their own spinoffs. This shows that Williamson used his status as the architect of this event to try and shove as much as he could into these issues while also following the limitations given to him by DC editorial. Thankfully, this issue still works given these constraints, with the multiple plotlines mirroring each other thematically and coming together as one in the end. This is also in part to the lettering from Ariana Maher who maintains a level of consistency throughout this issue to make sure that there is a similar feeling on each page.