Superman #11: The Unity Saga: The House of El (pt. 5)

This issue only moves forward by a few inches. We get a little insight on how Zod and Rogol Zaar escaped the phantom zone before jolting straight into an epic, action-packed space battle. Attempting to broker peace so he can get a grasp on things Superman is forced to fight instead and the battle rages on.

People complain that the recent Knightmares story line in Batman was Tom King having it both ways. But I’m yet to hear stern words about Bendis writing multiple branches of the same tree. Jon Kent being aged up, not terrible, also isn’t popular and doesn’t lend itself to improving this story. It worked as a shock but when that wore off fans realized they were happy with the adventures of Jon when he was a boy.

But that’s OK because there are other books where this hasn’t taken effect right? For now. So we get Teen Superboy. Except we’re getting the one true teen Superboy over in Young Justice. Written by Bendis I might add. Bendis is doing fine writing some space adventure for Superman, but he’s also showing over in Action that he really knows how to write Superman at a higher level.

Does any of this mean this issue isn’t worth your time? Not at all. While there isn’t anything really crucial here it’s not like Bendis hasn’t stretched a story into more parts than it needs before.

It’s just that every other issue there’s another layer added to proceedings. So much so that it feels like this thing could collapse under its own weight. When really if there was less fat on this it would have worked so much better.

Ivan Reis though, as with Patrick Gleason’s Young Justice, draws one hell of an issue despite the flaws of the writing.

Man does he draw one hell of an issue. There’s something like an amalgam of George Perez, Jerry Ordway, and Dan Jurgens in his artwork. Even if you’re not one for DC’s cosmic leanings he uses Superman’s power set and renders his character traits so effectively it’s a wonder to view.

No matter whether you’re for or against Jon’s growth spurt Reis draws him so well you suspend judgment for the time being.

The art really elevates an OK story and revels in the ‘more is more’ edict to present the reader with truly epic scale rife with creativity.