Showing posts with label Gene Luen Yang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gene Luen Yang. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

I Reads You Juniors: January 2024 - Update #62

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DC COMICS - From BleedingCoolKatie Kubert is the new editor of DC Comics' monthly "Batman" comic book series.  Kubert is the granddaughter of the late comic book icon and legend, Joe Kubert, and the niece of the acclaimed artists, Adam Kubert and Andy Kubert.

DC STUDIOS - From THR:  "House of the Dragon" actress, Milly Alcock, will play "Supergirl/Kara Zor-El" in the planned DC Studios' film, "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow."  Alcock will appear in one or two DC projects before "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow."

COMICS TO FILM - From THR:  "2000 AD's long-running comics serial, "Rogue Trooper," is being adapted as a 3D animated film.  The voice cast will include Aneurin Barnard, Hayley Atwell, and Jack Lowden.  “Rogue Trooper” will be written and directed by Duncan Jones, whose credits include “Source Code” and “Warcraft.”  The film has wrapped principal photography at Rebellion Film Studios in the U.K. and is set to be finished next year.

DC GAMES - From YouTube:  There is a now a deluxe trailer for the upcoming video game, "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League."  The game is due Feb. 2nd, 2024 for the PSF, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

DC ANIMATED - From DCBlog:  DC Comics' legendary event maxi-series, "Crisis on Infinite Earths," is being adapted as three-part animated film series.  The producers talk about "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part One."

DYNAMITE - From Dynamite:  Comics scribe David Avallone has a message for readers about his upcoming miniseries, "Elvira Meets H.P. Lovecraft."  First issue arrives Feb. 21st, 2024.

SONY SPIDER U - From ComicBook:  "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" has received a "Best Animated Feature" Oscar nomination at the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards.  The winners will be announced Sunday, March 10th, 2024.  The previous film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, won the "Best Animated Feature" Oscar.

CHARITY - From BleedingCool:  An update on the medical conditions and GoFundMe campaigns for comic books writers, Peter David and Brett Lewis.

EISNERS - From Popverse:  When submissions for the "2024 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards" officially opened earlier this month (Jan. 2024), there was a surprise. The slot for "Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism" was not included among this year's categories for awards. It has apparently been folded into another category.

ORIGINAL ART - From OrlandoWeekly:  The site has an article on the first ever "Original Art Expo," that is being held in Orlando, Florida Fri-to Sun, Jan. 26th-28th.  The event will occur at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel at Universal Orlando.  A number of big name artists will appear, including Amanda Conner, David Finch, Michael Golden, and Matt Wagner, to name a few.

DC GAMES - From YouTube:   There is a teaser trailer for the upcoming video game, "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League."  The game is due Feb. 2nd, 2024 for the PSF, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

IMAGE TO FILM - From YahooEntertainmentJason Mamoa, Emmy-winner Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad), and more react to actor Channing Tatum's announcement that he is bringing Sam Keith's cult comic book, "The Maxx," to the big screen.  Previously, "The Maxx" was a 13-episode animated television series for MTV in 1995.

BOOK BANS - From Boston:  New legislative bills in the Massachusetts' House and Senate would protect school librarians selections and reduce book selections in the state.

PUBLISHING - From Deadline:  "Sports Illustrated," the 70-year-old venerable sports news and features magazine, is probably dead.

CHARITY - From THR:  Via "Humble Bundle," writer Jimmy Palmiotti is offering hundreds of pages of his comics at a steeply discounted price.  The funds will go to the World Wildlife Fund.  One of the comics offered, "Back to Brooklyn," was being developed as a feature film by the late Oscar-nominated director, John Singleton, before he passed.

DYNAMITE - From YouTube:  Dynamite Entertainment has released a trailer for the comic book, "Vampirella #666," which is due in comic book shops Feb. 7th, 2024.

IMAGE - From YouTube:  Eisner Award-winning comics creator, Rob Guillory (Chew, Farmhand), now has a YouTube show.

ELFQUEST - From TeamElfquest:  "Elfquest" co-creator, Richard Pini, clarifies information on the planned "Elfquest" television animated drama from Wolfrider Productions and Modern Magic.

IDW - From BleedingCoolJason Aaron is apparently going to write IDW's new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" comic book, which is set to debut this coming summer.

ARCHIE - From PWArchie Comics Publisher and CEO, Jon Goldwater, talks about the future of the company in comic books, graphic novels, films, and television.

From BleedingCool:  According to the publisher of Archie Comics, Jon Goldwater, there will be a comic book in which the publisher's lead character, Archie Andrews, becomes a superhero.  To be published in 2024, the series will be serious superhero, not tongue-in-cheek like previous Archie superhero stories.

IMAGE - From BleedingCoolImage Comics co-founder, Jim Valentino, has been hospitalized with pneumonia.  Valentino is also a comics creator, ("normalman," Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy," and "Shadowhawk"), and as a publisher is know helping a number of creators at pivotal moments in their career, including Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Oeming, Nick Spencer, Robert Kirkman, and Jimmie Robinson, to name a few.

ELFQUEST - From Deadline: 20th Television Animation (a division of 20th Century Studios) has given a script commitment to "Elfquest," a one-hour animated drama series based on the epic fantasy adventure comic series created by Wendy and Richard Pini, which debuted in 1978.  The series will be from Rodney Rothman and Adam Rosenberg’s Modern Magic. Susan Hurwitz Arneson will pen the series adaptation and serve as showrunner and executive producer.

MANGA - From BleedingCoolTOKYOPOP is collecting the comic book series, "Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness - The Beginning" in a paperback graphic novel, debuting March 12th.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Writer-director David Ayer is so desperate for people to see HIS cut of the 2016 film, Suicide Squad, that he would settle for showing a one "funeral screening" of the film he says was "taken away" from him.

IMAGE COMICS TO TV - From Deadline:  Writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips' long-running crime comic book series, "Criminal," is headed to Prime Video, which has made a series order for it.  Amazon MGM Studios will produce "Criminal" with Brubaker and crime fiction author Jordan Harper acting as co-showrunners.

IDW - From THR:  IDW has announced that it has renewed its license with Paramount to continue producing comic books based on the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," which Paramount has owned since 2009.

COMICS TO TV - From Deadline:  "American Born Chinese," the streaming series adapated from Gene Luen Lang's graphic novel of the same title, has been cancelled by Disney+ after one season.

AI - From BleedingCool:  AI art-generator, MidJourney, has apparently appropriated the work of numberous artists known for their work in comic books. The list includes such luminaries as Brian Bolland, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Frank Miller, Alex Toth, and Wally Wood, to name a few.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Greg Capullo's first project for Marvel Comics in over a decade is a new "Wolverine #1."

From BleedingCoolGreg Capullo teases his first work from Marvel Comics in over a decade.

From ComicBookMarvel Comics' "Timeless #1" teases the return of the "Guardians of the Galaxy."

---------------------

DECEMBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Bleeding Moon Comics LLC for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Hexagon Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "G.I. Joe" comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Spider-Man" and "Gang War" titles for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Star Wars" titles for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Massive for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment Inc. for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for December 2023

JANUARY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios! for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Energon Universe for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive/Whatnot for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000 AD for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for January 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  1First Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "X-Men" titles for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  10 Ton Press for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for February 2024

MARCH 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC "Batman" comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dead Sky Publishing LLC for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  IPI Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "X-Men" from Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "Fall of the House of X" and "Rise of the Powers of X" from Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive/WhatNot for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for March 2024

APRIL 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Batman" titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' Superman's "House of Braniac" titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' Todd McFarlane titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  X-Men & Avengers crossover from Marvel for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  "The Fall of The House of X" and "The Rise of The Powers of X" from Marvel Comics for April 2024.
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for April 2024

MAY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2024 for May 4, 2024


----------------


Thursday, May 6, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN #1

SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN No. 1 (OF 3)
DC COMICS

[This review was originally published on Patreon.]

STORY: Gene Luen Yang
ART: Gurihiru
COLORS: Gurihiru
LETTERS: Janice Chiang
COVER: Gurihiru
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Kyle Baker
80pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (October 2019)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Part One


Superman is the most famous DC Comics superhero characters.  Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (cover dated: June 1938).  Superman was first a baby named “Kal-El” shot into space via rocket from the doomed planet, Krypton.  Brought to Earth by that rocket ship (or space craft), Baby Kal was adopted by Martha and Thomas Kent of Smallville, Kansas.

They named their new adopted baby, “Clark Kent.”  Earth's yellow sun gave Clark amazing powers, and he used those strange powers and abilities to become the superhero, Superman.  As a character Superman was an immediate hit.  In the 1940s, Superman was not only the star of comic books, but also of movie serials, novels, and radio serials.

The Adventures of Superman was a long-running radio serial that originally aired from 1940 to 1951, originating on New York City's WOR radio station and eventually being syndicated nationally by the Mutual Broadcasting Company.  One of The Adventures of Superman story arcs was “Clan of the Fiery Cross,” which found Superman fighting an racist and terrorist organization that was a fictional stand-in for the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

The “Clan of the Fiery Cross” is the inspiration for a new young readers and “all ages” Superman three-issue, comic book miniseries, Superman Smashes the Klan.  Acclaimed comic book creator, Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese, Superman), is the writer of Superman Smashes the Klan, presenting his personal retelling of the adventures of the “Lee family” (the target in the original radio serial) as they team up with Superman to smash the Klan.  Superman Smashes the Klan is drawn and colored by Gurihiru and lettered by Janice Chiang.

Superman Smashes the Klan #1 opens in 1946 at the Metropolis Dam.  There, Superman smashes “the Atom Man,” a Nazi-inspired villain seeking to avenge the “humiliation” of the “master race.”  Witnessing Superman's victory is Lois Lane, the star reporter of Metropolis newspaper, The Daily Planet; and Jimmy Olsen, a cub reporter for the Planet; and Inspector William Henderson (an African-American character) of the Metropolis Police Department.  Shortly after the battle, Superman is overcome by a powerful smell that emanates from the device that powers the Atom Man.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lee, a scientist, is moving his wife and two children, Roberta and Tommy, from Chinatown to the new home located in a neighborhood in Metropolis.  Tommy quickly adjusts to his new home, even joining a baseball team that was started by a local religious organization (“The Unity House”) and is managed by Jimmy Olsen.  Roberta struggles, feeling awkward and out of place.

You see Dr. Lee and his wife are Chinese immigrants to the United States, but their Roberta and Tommy were born in America.  Although the family tries to fit in with their new neighbors, they have drawn the ire and attention of a dangerous racist and terrorist organization, “the Klan of the Fiery Kross.”  Now, Superman must help protect a family and perhaps save three children from the evils of racism and bigotry.

If I remember correctly, Superman Smashes the Klan was announced early last year (2018), so it has been long-awaited and eagerly-awaited.  And I am not at all disappointed; in fact, I am absolutely thrilled.  It is one of the most enjoyable Superman comic books that I have ever read.  If the remainder of the series delights me as much as this first issue did, I might call Superman Smashes the Klan an instant classic.

Writer Gene Luen Yang and artist Gurihiru seem to act as one creative unit, fashioning a story that captures the true all-American spirit of Superman.  That spirit conjures the Man of Steel as a fighter for the little guy; a model of fair play and honesty, and a champion of truth, justice, and the American way.  Yang's depiction of Roberta Lee is superb character writing, delving into the struggles of a pre-teen girl who is trying to adjust to a new life and new neighbors.  However, I also like that Yang has made Roberta a fighter and a budding champion of justice in her own right.

Giruhiru's lovely art, with its Walt Disney-like qualities, might be called “cartoony,” but it is also true to the spirit of the clean, somewhat minimalist comic book art of American comic books' first three decades, especially the comic book art of the 1950s and early 1960s.  On the other hand, Giruhiru's compositions are clearly inspired by the kinetic and expressive nature of animated films and television series.  Giruhiru's graphical storytelling is also powerful and immediate, and her glorious colors pop off the page.  Paired with Janice Chiang's classic-cool lettering, Giruhiru's art and colors recall the graphic classicism of Darwyn Cooke's DC: The New Frontier (DC Comics, 2004).

Superman Smashes the Klan #1 also includes the first part of a feature article or essay by Gene Luen Yang that discusses the history of the Ku Klux Klan and its history of violence against African-Americans after the civil war and against Chinese immigrants.  The essay also concerns the history of the persecution of Chinese immigrants and Yang's personal background.

Obviously, I love Superman Smashes the Klan #1 and can't wait for the second issue or graphic novel (because this series is really like a graphic novel miniseries).  By the way, I must congratulate Yang for making the saying of the slur, “ching-chong,” feel like someone is saying “nigger.”

[This comic book includes the essay, “Superman and Me, Part 1,” by Gene Luen Yang.]

A+
10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.dccomics.com/
https://twitter.com/DCComics
https://www.facebook.com/dccomics
https://www.youtube.com/user/DCEntertainmentTV
https://www.pinterest.com/dccomics/
https://www.periscope.tv/DCComics/1ZkKzezXwZdxv


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

--------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).


Sunday, August 13, 2017

Review: NEW SUPER-MAN #1

NEW SUPER-MAN No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Gene Luen Yang
PENCILS: Viktor Bogdanovic
INKS: Richard Friend
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Viktor Bogdanovic with Kelsey Shannon
VARIANT COVER: Bernard Chang
40pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (September 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

“Made in China” Part One

DC Comics is having a “Rebirth,” and that means lots of new comic book series.  One of the new titles is New Super-Man, which uses Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's original spelling for the Man of Steel, whom they named “The Super-Man.”  Even the “S” shield on this “New Super-Man” recalls Joe Shuster's original “S.”

New Super-Man is written by Gene Luen Yang; drawn by Viktor Bogdanovic (pencils) and Richard Friend (inks); colored by Hi-Fi; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.  The series is set in China and introduces “The Super-Man of China.”

New Super-Man #1 (“Made in China” Part One) opens in Shanghai, China.  We meet our lead character, Kenan Kong, who is bullying rich kid, Luo Lixin.  However, Kenan ends up saving Luo from Blue Condor, one of Shanghai's first American-style supervillains and a dangerous dude to boot.  Kenan's interaction with Blue Condor brings him into contact with the Ministry of Self-Reliance, a meeting that will change his life in unbelievable ways.

It is not often that I call a comic book cute, even when describing children's comics, but New Super-Man #1 is cute.  It is an amusing, mildly intriguing, pleasantly entertaining comic book, and while I wouldn't go out of my way to read it, I will read it when the occasion arises – if for no other reason than that I am also intrigued by the Chinese versions of Batman and Wonder Woman.

The art by the team of penciller Viktor Bogdanovic and inker Richard Friend is gorgeous.  That alone tempts me to return to this title.  The New Super-Man has the potential to be a good book, especially with Gene Luen Yang as the writer, but something tells me that the series could just as easily become just another tepid superhero title.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Review: SUPERMAN #41

SUPERMAN #41
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Gene Luen Yang
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Klaus Janson
COLORS: Dean White
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: John Romita, Jr. and Klaus Janson with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Karl Kerschl (Joker 75th anniversary cover)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

“Before Truth” Part 1

DC Comics' new-look slash new-direction, “DCYou,” not only means the launch of new comic book series, but it also means a change for ongoing titles.  One of those titles taking on a new direction is Superman, featuring the debut of acclaimed graphic novelist, Gene Luen Yang, as the series' new regular writer.  The art team of Superman remains the same as it has been for the last year:  John Romita, Jr. (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks), with colorist Dean White and letterer Rob Leigh.

Superman #41 (“Before Truth” Part 1) opens with a tease of what is to come for Superman.  The story returns to the “present” with Clark Kent still dealing with the changes in his Superman powers and abilities.  Something else that is new in Kent's life is unknown figures who sends mysterious text messages that offer tips about the kind of illegal activities that Superman fights.

One tip guides Kent and Jimmy Olsen, who now knows that Clark is Superman, to the underground factory of a black market, hi-teach weapons dealer.  It is indeed a hot and accurate tip, but what are the real motives of this “unknown source?”  And how does it affect Superman's future?

Although I am aware of Gene Luen Yang's work, I have never read any of it.  I was curious about how he would approach Superman, but I expected only a minor change in tone.  Boy, was I wrong.  Everything about Superman #41 seems fresh and, in some instances, new.  This is a Superman that looks forward, with hope and possibility and ready for whatever comes with change.  I think that Superman has always been about tomorrow, about hope, and about the new.  The character grows moribund when the status quo takes hold for years at a time.

In fact, I think that Yang is a better Superman writer for John Romita, Jr.  Previous Superman writer, Geoff Johns, played to Romita's ability to summon the spirit of Jack Kirby in creating king-sized brawls between super-powered beings.  Yang plays to Romita's strengths as a storyteller who is both inventive and imaginative, also to his ability to change mood, tone, and atmosphere within a single chapter.  So this new direction for Superman is about both Gene Luen Yang and John Romita, Jr.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.