Superman Unlimited #9: Faster Than A Speeding Baseball

There’s chaos in Metropolis as several comical deaths occur back-to-back. Who is behind these chucklesome crimes? And is Superman’s new gold power strong enough to stop them? Superman Unlimited #9 begins the humorous new arc, Die Laughing. The sudden spree of questionable killings causes Clark to think the Joker might be in Metropolis, but the truth is even more chilling. The Prankster, formerly Oswald Huber Loomis, has a new successor- his metahuman nephew. This new Prankster is set on killing Mayor Perry White in a way that will ruin his legacy. But when Superman is on the case, nothing is funny. Will the Man of Steel be able to stifle the Prankster’s last laugh? Find out in this issue full of pranks, baseballs, and pink.

This issue is incredibly fun and feels like the perfect imaginative addition to the Superman Unlimited series. The dialogue in this issue is sharp and purposeful, balancing philosophical weight with classic Superman whimsy. This issue explores plays on some of the common Superman tropes and twists them in a way that only Slott can think of. I like how Slott integrated some of the feel of the new Superman movie, so new readers coming from that audience can feel connected. He still brings new ideas and a new spin to Superman. While the last issue didn’t explore Superman’s new power too much and kind of failed to bring up the whole “kryptonite is readily available” plot, this issue brings it back in a subtle way. This new arc seems promising, and we get a glimpse at what is to come for the Superman family. I enjoy any time we get to see Jon Kent, and seeing him work with Mr. Mxyzplk is a fun twist. I’m excited for what seems to be a big summer event for Jon Kent! I am hoping it means he gets his own series again. This issue doesn’t do much to the overall story, but it stays true to all of the characters. I will say some of the writing felt a little flat and “matter-of-fact.” While the kryptonite-threat setup is effective, some readers might find the idea of Superman being put in a kryptonite-heavy environment a little too familiar. That being said, the introduction of a new Prankster is exciting. Superman stories often use kryptonite, so differentiating this scenario enough to feel new and not just a remix is a challenge. Overall, this issue is an exciting start to a new arc.

Visually, the book is stunning. Mike Norton develops dynamic panel layouts and action sequences. The design of the new Prankster is absolutely terrifying, and it’s perfect for a villain so comical. I love the way that Norton illustrates the Prankster’s powers and how dynamic the character feels. Jon Kent also deserves some much-needed praise as he looks adorable in his new “secret identity.”  Norton delivers a stunning visual palette, clean, kinetic linework paired with bold colors that leap off the page.