Superman #17: Magic’s in the Air

The Absolute Power summer event continues with Superman #17, written by Joshua Williamson with art and colors by Jamal Campbell. After the attack on the Fortress of Solitude by the Brainiac Queen and a Waller-Controlled Jon Kent, Superman and Zatanna journey to the Justice League Dark headquarters to unearth the Map of Mordru and walk the Dark Roads. However, Waller’s army has found this dark hideout and has destroyed the Green that Swamp Thing protects. Can Superman and Zatanna find the Map of Mordru before Waller captures all the heroes? Or will they have to make a deal with the devil?

This is another fantastic issue featuring two of my favorite characters. Joshua Williamson proves he can write a compelling Superman with characters that match his character and aura. In such a dark event for SC, Williamson still manages to bring the light and whimsy that is expected for a Superman comic, and he cleverly weaves humor and joy into his dialogue. The issue is also perfectly paced and is able to follow different storylines without flickering the reader’s attention. My favorite thing about this arc is that it dispels the common misconception that Superman is weak to magic. This issue clearly states that he is vulnerable to magic, not weak to it. Williamson takes it even further and shows that Superman actually loves magic and has had a close connection to it growing up. I hope that future issues in this arc also tackle some of the common misconceptions about Zatanna and her powers, namely that she needs to speak to do her magic. This is a tie-in that I am enjoying just as much as the main event.

The art in this issue is also incredible as Jamal Campbell returns to Superman. Campbell perfectly captures the essence of Superman with vibrant colors and energetic panels. I think we can all agree that Superman’s recovery suit is badass, and it really works for this magically dark story. The art in this issue is a little more cartoon-like than I personally enjoy, but I think it works to bring some levity to the melancholic event. Despite the cartoony look, Campbell’s art still packs a punch as the action in this issue is nothing short of awesome. Campbell manages to make Superman look strong, even without his power. This issue is spectacular, and I eagerly await to see what this team does in future issues.