Superman #9: Any damsel in distress, be outta that dress when they meet Jim West…

After the devastating events of last issue between Superman, the Superfamily, and the Chained, we see Clark at Supercorp trying to recoup from the Kryptonite poisoning that he exposed himself to, Joshua Williamson’s back in Metropolis with comics superstar artist Bruno Redondo! Plus the return of Marilyn Moonlight and Graft! Plus the surprise ending that’s been telegraphed from the beginning is actually here! So let’s cut the chit chat out, and get on our merry little way…

Joshua Williamson continues on this journey with Clark as he returns to earth, and more specifically Metropolis, where he rightfully reclaims his title as the world’s greatest superhero. After last issue’s battle, where upon learning that Lex had put a Kryptonite failsafe on Sammy Stryker, aka the Chained, Superman exposed himself to levels of Kryptonite poisoning, and nearly died from it. Graft returns to Metropolis to recruit Marilyn, but she passes on the offer. Superman arrives in his own Supersuit, left to him by Lex, to try to stop Graft from destroying any more of Metropolis than he already had. What happens next is pretty neat, and looks like it’s going to be a fun, and light hearted adventure, which is something that we haven’t seen in a very long time.

Williamson’s take is a pretty basic approach to Superman is fairly unorthodox. He’s not out trying to break the mold, or try a new, innovative take on Superman, he’s out here trying to tell some good, fun adventures for the Man of Steel, and that’s just what he’s done here. He’s just giving us some no-nonsense cape comics, and that’s where Williamson works the best. Whether it’s dealing with a Parasite who was experimented on to become hundreds of mini Parasites, to new threats like Graft, Dr. Pharm, the Chained, or Marilyn Moonlight, some fun additions to the rogues gallery, and what looks like we’re going to get an adventure in the wild, Wild West with the next issue, so I can’t wait to see what else comes our way. 

If I’ve had anything negative to talk about the run this far is the art. The team started off strong having Jamal Campbell as the opening launch, and he knocked it out of the park, as he’s become one of DC’s hottest talent in their artist roster, but the follow up arc just didn’t deliver like the first one did. This arc sees superstar artist Bruno Redondo, who has seen a meteoric rise for the last couple years, with his fan favorite run on Nightwing with Tom Taylor, so seeing his name attached to this arc made me elated. The art is clean, and slick, and the characters are a delight to look at. Hopefully he’ll be on after this arc is over, because that would be a definite win for the fans.