Superman #43: Superman After Dark

It’s a new day for the Man of Steel, if only he could go out in the sunlight. Superman is back after his King Omega journey following the DC K.O. tournament. Superman #43 follows Superman as he tries to get back into the swing of things. He’s has been away for months, and coincidentally Clark Kent hasn’t submitted an article in months. Editor-in-Chief Lois Lane tasks Clark with investigating a series of disappearances in Metropolis. But this looks like a job for Superman and … Marilyn Moonlight? See what comes to light from the dark in this exciting new arc where anything can happen. 

This run of Superman has been excellent, and Joshua Williamson has done an exceptional job at tying everything from the DC Universe into this story. After Superman’s absence and eventual return in Action Comics #1101, seeing Clark once again positioned at the center of the Superman line carries some genuine weight. Williamson has spent much of his Superman run exploring the idea that Clark’s greatest strength isn’t necessarily his Kryptonian abilities; it’s the effect he has on other people. This new arc seems interesting and is releasing at the perfect time for Halloween. I’m excited to see a spotlight on some lesser-known Superman characters, namely Marilyn Moonlight and Cat Grant. I also like this new twist on Superman without his powers by making him burn in sunlight. This is a creative way to twist the “Superman without his powers” storyline. The writing in this issue is sharp, comical, and heartfelt. It’s the perfect Superman story, and I expect nothing less from Williamson.  

This issue features the new ongoing superstar artist Xermánico. This is my first introduction to Xermánico’s art, and it is fantastic and an excellent match for this chapter. Xermánico gives this issue a muscular, dramatic quality that immediately sells the scale of the threat. Characters feel powerful without losing their humanity, and the environments have enough detail to make this conflict feel considerably larger than an evil cult. It’s hard to bring such a bright character like Superman into the dark, but Xermánico does it perfectly.