My Adventures with Superman #4: Found Family

It’s Christmas time in Metropolis and Lois and Jimmy have a plan to make Clark’s first Christmas away from home perfect! However, with the trio on the run from the government after saving a captured Amazo robot, is everything holly jolly?  Written by the head writer of the My Adventures with Superman TV series, Josie Campbell, and drawn by Pablo M. Collar, My Adventures with Superman #4 is the long-awaited team-up of Superman and the Amazo robot against Amanda Waller. When the ruthless Task Force X and Team 7 attack the Amazo robot, Superman fights to save the newest member of his family. This issue is full of heart, emotional moments, and incredible action.

This is the most emotional issue of the series thus far and highlights why Superman is a figure of justice, hope, and the American way. Writer Josie Campbell really understands who Superman is and the way the Kents have played a massive role in making him human. The issue opens with Pa Kent talking to Amazo about Christmas and what family is. He goes into detail about how they met Kal-El and the way he began their family. It’s an incredibly heartfelt moment that perfectly demonstrates the way the Kents made Clark the hero he is today. This idea of family is carried throughout the issue, as Amazo tries to recall his creation and learns he fell from the sky. The theme of family and belonging as an outsider is an important aspect of Superman comics and Campbell is nailing it on the head with this story arc. Without going into spoilers, this issue really has an emotional high point that makes this series feel more serious than it seems at first glance. Although the story and art are more cartoonish and light-hearted, this issue packs on the teary-eyed moments. My Adventures with Superman strikes the perfect balance of humor, action, and emotion.

Artist Pablo M. Collar adds to the whimsy of this series with his anime-inspired art. This issue is filled with action and Collar is clearly inspired by Japanese-style animation as the robots and suits he draws look straight out of a manga. The action in this issue is elevated by Collar’s art, with dynamic poses and stunning laser blasts. I think my only complaint is that Task Force X and Team 7 look too similar. During the action sequences, it was hard to tell who was who, and some of the mech-suit designs looked like the Amazo. However, this team is designing some of my favorite Superman character designs.