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Action Comics (2016)
Superman: Action Comics, Vol. 1: Warworld Rising
A new chapter in Superman's life begins as the challenges of Dark Nights: Death Metal are causing Clark Kent to feel...a change in his powers. Is it possible the Metropolis Marvel could be losing a step?
The Man of Steel's struggles in taking down the creatures from the Breach would suggest as much! If he's going to continue to protect the people of Earth, he'll have to adapt--especially with threats like Mongul out there waiting to launch their biggest attacks on the Earth yet. After a war-torn battleship escapes Warworld and makes the perilous journey to Earth, Superman searches for answers about the identities of its mysterious refugees and their apparent link to the planet Krypton. Could there be other Kryptonians in the universe? Meanwhile, Atlantean scientists study the wreckage of the Warworld vessel...and make a shocking discovery that could change the balance of power on Earth.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Mikel Janín begin an exciting new era for the Last Son of Krypton!
Includes Action Comics #1030-1035!
The Man of Steel's struggles in taking down the creatures from the Breach would suggest as much! If he's going to continue to protect the people of Earth, he'll have to adapt--especially with threats like Mongul out there waiting to launch their biggest attacks on the Earth yet. After a war-torn battleship escapes Warworld and makes the perilous journey to Earth, Superman searches for answers about the identities of its mysterious refugees and their apparent link to the planet Krypton. Could there be other Kryptonians in the universe? Meanwhile, Atlantean scientists study the wreckage of the Warworld vessel...and make a shocking discovery that could change the balance of power on Earth.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Mikel Janín begin an exciting new era for the Last Son of Krypton!
Includes Action Comics #1030-1035!
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2022
About the author
Phillip Kennedy Johnson
413 books77 followersPhillip Kennedy Johnson earned a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where he served as Teaching Fellow for the Department of Jazz Studies, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University. SFC Johnson has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, Dallas Opera, Washington Symphonic Brass, and the Moscow Ballet, and was a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2004 to 2005. SFC Johnson remains active as a composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician, and also enjoys a second career as a writer of comics and graphic novels. His work has been published by DC Comics, Marvel Comics, BOOM! Studios, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 27, 2022
A very good Superman book. The conflict between governments really hit home with what I'd going on in the world right now.
This is a great start to the Warworld arc. Though the story really started in Superman and the Authority. Here we found out why Superman needed another team ready.
Feeling immense guilt from the loss of jud fellow Kryptonians Superman (Clark Kent) stops an "attack" from Warworld to find escaped refugees/slaves from Warworld. He knows it is a trap but what can he do? On earth the US government and Atlantis are willing to go to war over a fragment found on a crashed Warworld ship. Which crisis need yo rake priority? Also what of the prophesy Jon Kent discovered in the future?
A very tension filled book, and and emotional time for the whole Kent family. I am looking forward see how things go in Warworld. Especially as the Warworld parts were my favorite in the Superman Future State books.
This is a great start to the Warworld arc. Though the story really started in Superman and the Authority. Here we found out why Superman needed another team ready.
Feeling immense guilt from the loss of jud fellow Kryptonians Superman (Clark Kent) stops an "attack" from Warworld to find escaped refugees/slaves from Warworld. He knows it is a trap but what can he do? On earth the US government and Atlantis are willing to go to war over a fragment found on a crashed Warworld ship. Which crisis need yo rake priority? Also what of the prophesy Jon Kent discovered in the future?
A very tension filled book, and and emotional time for the whole Kent family. I am looking forward see how things go in Warworld. Especially as the Warworld parts were my favorite in the Superman Future State books.
September 3, 2022
This has gotta be one of the most epic Superman stories ever!
I freaking love the way it starts as we see ships from Warworld land and well what they bring and a "Genesis fragment" which falls to Atlantis and coming to refugees there is "Thao-la" and other "Phaelosians" and we see who they are and their connection to Krypton and how it shakes Superman's world and then the conflict between Atlantis and earth and what it results for Superman's relationship with Aquaman and JL and then the big battle with Mongul's forces here, whats happening to Thao-La and what Superman does next which will change everything we know about him and his world.
Its gotta be one of the best Preludes to the main event and even beyond that I love how it shows Clarks relationship with like everything and how it pushes even him beyond his moral limits and the things he does and how it changes a lot of things. I love the conflicts on both ends and the prelude to the war thats to come with Mongul and setting up of Authority and his relation with JL and all and its just perfect! The scenes with Lois and Clark and then between Jon and Clark are just perfect and Daniel draws the heck out of them!
Its easily one of my fav Superman stories ever and I can't recommend it enough and yes I will keep gushing about it and before I spoil it all, I will just say read it and trust me everything is perfect here from the writing to the art and everything in between and the setting of the big conflict feels like PLANET HULK but even better maybe. So yeah! :)
I freaking love the way it starts as we see ships from Warworld land and well what they bring and a "Genesis fragment" which falls to Atlantis and coming to refugees there is "Thao-la" and other "Phaelosians" and we see who they are and their connection to Krypton and how it shakes Superman's world and then the conflict between Atlantis and earth and what it results for Superman's relationship with Aquaman and JL and then the big battle with Mongul's forces here, whats happening to Thao-La and what Superman does next which will change everything we know about him and his world.
Its gotta be one of the best Preludes to the main event and even beyond that I love how it shows Clarks relationship with like everything and how it pushes even him beyond his moral limits and the things he does and how it changes a lot of things. I love the conflicts on both ends and the prelude to the war thats to come with Mongul and setting up of Authority and his relation with JL and all and its just perfect! The scenes with Lois and Clark and then between Jon and Clark are just perfect and Daniel draws the heck out of them!
Its easily one of my fav Superman stories ever and I can't recommend it enough and yes I will keep gushing about it and before I spoil it all, I will just say read it and trust me everything is perfect here from the writing to the art and everything in between and the setting of the big conflict feels like PLANET HULK but even better maybe. So yeah! :)
March 8, 2022
I’ll save my full thoughts on this Action Comics saga when Warworld wraps, but this is a fantastic prelude to that story, with Daniel Sampere elevating Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s solid script with his beautiful art.
Although rules of the fictional DCU Earth mean that Superman will never truly change the world he and the other characters inhabit, he can still change other worlds. It’s a “get to have your cake and eat it too” situation, as you can still have the thrill of seeing dictators & authoratarian regimes fall before the might of the good guys, as on these other worlds it could be engaged with as either allegorical or metaphorical without being literal and/or minimizing real world issues.
Johnson starts to establish just how high the stakes are, we get a decent explanation why he needs The Authority, while it also ties in well enough to Morrison’s Superman and the Authority. Great start to the Warworld saga, the best Superman story in years.
Although rules of the fictional DCU Earth mean that Superman will never truly change the world he and the other characters inhabit, he can still change other worlds. It’s a “get to have your cake and eat it too” situation, as you can still have the thrill of seeing dictators & authoratarian regimes fall before the might of the good guys, as on these other worlds it could be engaged with as either allegorical or metaphorical without being literal and/or minimizing real world issues.
Johnson starts to establish just how high the stakes are, we get a decent explanation why he needs The Authority, while it also ties in well enough to Morrison’s Superman and the Authority. Great start to the Warworld saga, the best Superman story in years.
March 22, 2022
Probably the most I've enjoyed a Superman book in a long while, and that even with me only half understanding the context.
The key thing about being Kryptonian is staying as on-brand as possible.
Mongul is a good Big Bad for Supes, and I look forward to seeing how their conflict pans out.
The key thing about being Kryptonian is staying as on-brand as possible.
Mongul is a good Big Bad for Supes, and I look forward to seeing how their conflict pans out.
January 19, 2023
This is more of a prelude to the Warworld Saga.
And I loved it.
I'm not going to go into any spoilers, because this is one that everyone needs to read. I loved the conflict with the Altanteans, and I really do feel that Johnson gets Superman and his values. I'm thinking about giving this 5 stars, but for now I'll leave it at 4. Maybe It'll change upon a reread.
And I loved it.
I'm not going to go into any spoilers, because this is one that everyone needs to read. I loved the conflict with the Altanteans, and I really do feel that Johnson gets Superman and his values. I'm thinking about giving this 5 stars, but for now I'll leave it at 4. Maybe It'll change upon a reread.
March 23, 2024
I really liked the characterization of Superman in this volume. This portrays him as someone who has a really good heart. He is someone who tries his hardest to make peace between rival factions, and when it comes to saving people, he'll do it even if it seems like it might be a trap. Additionally, the love he has for his family is strong here.
August 31, 2022
When it was announced that Brian Michael Bendis would shift from Marvel to DC, starting with writing Superman and Action Comics, there was certainly some excitement to be had. However, once I started reading both runs, which I was enjoying, my interest quickly grew thin as it felt that Bendis is repeating the same problem that he was committing when at Marvel and that is writing too many books, resulting in lack of quality. It’s been a while since I read a new Superman comic and with a new writer taking over Action Comics, I was curious.
Best known for writing The Last God for DC, Phillip Kennedy Johnson has written a couple of Superman issues, which are collected as Superman: The One Who Fell, of which I have not read, though it would perhaps get a bit of context to where Clark Kent and his son Jon have been going through. That being said, this initial volume of Johnson’s run is a great start for those wanting to read some modern Superman comics.
As prior events have caused the Man of Steel’s powers to begin to change for the worse, this couldn’t come at a worst time as Mongul is waiting to launch an attack on Earth. After a war-torn battleship escapes Warworld and makes the perilous journey to Earth, Superman and his family searches for answers about the identities of its mysterious refugees and their apparent link to the planet Krypton.
With this intergalactic threat, setting up a chain of events causing friction between the U.S. Government and the Atlanteans, there is a lot that happens throughout these six issues. We even get a few scenes with the Justice League, from a feud between Superman and Aquaman, to a fun chase sequence with Batman taking out some goons whilst having a conversation with Supes, continuing the fact that Batman is the best. The stakes are certainly high, especially when minions of Warworld are at the doors of the Fortress of Solitude, but there is also a playfulness that Johnson has with the characters, such as the appearance of Krypto the Superdog and a witty scene between the Super-Sons, Jon Kent and Damian Wayne.
One thing’s for sure, is that Johnson knows how to write Superman, a compassionate figure who is really about saving people and never uses violence as the initial choice, even forces around him suggest otherwise, creating an emotional conflict for the Man of Steel. In fact, the rest of his family has their moment to shine, from his son Jon Kent wrestling with the worry of taking over his father’s mantle if Clark was suddenly gone, to his wife, Lois who is also shown compassion to those in need of help, whilst being a badass. The final scenes between Superman and his family are so touching that it’s heart-breaking knowing that the new status quo ends up splitting the family.
My first introduction of artist Daniel Sampere was through the couple of issues he did on Suicide Squad: Bad Blood and I immediately became a fan. Along with colourist Adriano Lucas, who uses a lot of bright colouring with the emphasis on blue, Sampere’s art is just ideal when it comes to Superman and his world, which feels huge, especially when Superman has to fight figures that are bigger than him. There is a temporary change when Christian Duce draws issue #5 and although his work is just as efficient, Sampere has the edge.
As I said before, a new status quo occurs for the Man of Steel, who can’t rely on the Justice League and seeks aid of a new team to assist him, tying in with Superman & The Authority by Grant Morrison and Mikel Janin. Although I wasn’t a fan of that miniseries, which was just a set-up for what Philip Kennedy Johnson has planned for Action Comics, based on this terrific first volume, this is hopefully the start of something new and interesting for Superman.
Best known for writing The Last God for DC, Phillip Kennedy Johnson has written a couple of Superman issues, which are collected as Superman: The One Who Fell, of which I have not read, though it would perhaps get a bit of context to where Clark Kent and his son Jon have been going through. That being said, this initial volume of Johnson’s run is a great start for those wanting to read some modern Superman comics.
As prior events have caused the Man of Steel’s powers to begin to change for the worse, this couldn’t come at a worst time as Mongul is waiting to launch an attack on Earth. After a war-torn battleship escapes Warworld and makes the perilous journey to Earth, Superman and his family searches for answers about the identities of its mysterious refugees and their apparent link to the planet Krypton.
With this intergalactic threat, setting up a chain of events causing friction between the U.S. Government and the Atlanteans, there is a lot that happens throughout these six issues. We even get a few scenes with the Justice League, from a feud between Superman and Aquaman, to a fun chase sequence with Batman taking out some goons whilst having a conversation with Supes, continuing the fact that Batman is the best. The stakes are certainly high, especially when minions of Warworld are at the doors of the Fortress of Solitude, but there is also a playfulness that Johnson has with the characters, such as the appearance of Krypto the Superdog and a witty scene between the Super-Sons, Jon Kent and Damian Wayne.
One thing’s for sure, is that Johnson knows how to write Superman, a compassionate figure who is really about saving people and never uses violence as the initial choice, even forces around him suggest otherwise, creating an emotional conflict for the Man of Steel. In fact, the rest of his family has their moment to shine, from his son Jon Kent wrestling with the worry of taking over his father’s mantle if Clark was suddenly gone, to his wife, Lois who is also shown compassion to those in need of help, whilst being a badass. The final scenes between Superman and his family are so touching that it’s heart-breaking knowing that the new status quo ends up splitting the family.
My first introduction of artist Daniel Sampere was through the couple of issues he did on Suicide Squad: Bad Blood and I immediately became a fan. Along with colourist Adriano Lucas, who uses a lot of bright colouring with the emphasis on blue, Sampere’s art is just ideal when it comes to Superman and his world, which feels huge, especially when Superman has to fight figures that are bigger than him. There is a temporary change when Christian Duce draws issue #5 and although his work is just as efficient, Sampere has the edge.
As I said before, a new status quo occurs for the Man of Steel, who can’t rely on the Justice League and seeks aid of a new team to assist him, tying in with Superman & The Authority by Grant Morrison and Mikel Janin. Although I wasn’t a fan of that miniseries, which was just a set-up for what Philip Kennedy Johnson has planned for Action Comics, based on this terrific first volume, this is hopefully the start of something new and interesting for Superman.
November 30, 2021
Check out my interview with Phillip Kennedy Johnson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVwqA...
He goes into even more details on his current action comics run + other stuff.
But I'm even more excited to review this volume since this run has been really strong for me. Coming off the Bendis Superman/Action comic run I was hoping for something fresh and exciting again. I liked most of Bendis run even if it was running out of steam.
In comes a great story about Superman dealing with slaves as well as other political issues including people trying to claim what isn't there's. What we have here is a great story of Superman being, well, Superman. Trying to balance doing what's right while also dealing with his family. Trying to save people at all cost, while not letting people fight needlessly. And while this feels like a prologue to a bigger arc that is coming it sets the tone of a man trying to do his best, which is why we love Superman to begin with.
Dialogue is great, with some excellent art, and well paced storylines. This was the most excited I've been for Action Comics in awhile. I also LOVE the family dynamic here, and Kara, Jon, and Lois all get to shine too.
We're in for some good stuff people. Check out Action Comics.
He goes into even more details on his current action comics run + other stuff.
But I'm even more excited to review this volume since this run has been really strong for me. Coming off the Bendis Superman/Action comic run I was hoping for something fresh and exciting again. I liked most of Bendis run even if it was running out of steam.
In comes a great story about Superman dealing with slaves as well as other political issues including people trying to claim what isn't there's. What we have here is a great story of Superman being, well, Superman. Trying to balance doing what's right while also dealing with his family. Trying to save people at all cost, while not letting people fight needlessly. And while this feels like a prologue to a bigger arc that is coming it sets the tone of a man trying to do his best, which is why we love Superman to begin with.
Dialogue is great, with some excellent art, and well paced storylines. This was the most excited I've been for Action Comics in awhile. I also LOVE the family dynamic here, and Kara, Jon, and Lois all get to shine too.
We're in for some good stuff people. Check out Action Comics.
March 5, 2022
A mysterious element is discovered on Earth, which puts Superman at odds with Atlantis, the Justice League, and the US Government. And then things get even more complicated when a new group of super-powered aliens who strangely resemble Kryptonians arrive. What does this have to do with Mongul, and the mighty Warworld?
Phillip Kennedy Johnson's Action Comics run begins here, and it's very clear that he's playing the long game. He introduces concepts and characters here that will reverberate through his entire Warworld saga, and he does so while never forgetting the core of the book, which is of course Superman and his quest to save literally everyone he can.
The tragedy of Warworld Rising is that Superman's always going to fail. Whatever he does in the situations PKJ puts him in, someone's going to get hurt, or hate him, or be forced to take an action that they don't want to take. It's the perfect kind of moral quandary to throw at a character like Superman - even when he wins, he loses.
On art for all six issues is Daniel Sampere, whose visuals have grown more and more impressive in recent years, to the point that he's headlining Dark Crisis for DC in the next few months. There's a damn good reason for that, and these issues are perfect evidence as to why - his pencils are clean and clear, his characters pack a punch and feel like they can jump off the page, and he never skims out on the details.
Warworld Rising is the calm before the storm, and if this is the calm, then you know that the storm's going to be painful. It looks great, it reads well, and it shows that PKJ has a lot of tricks up his sleeves to pull out at just the right times. I can't wait to see what he does next.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson's Action Comics run begins here, and it's very clear that he's playing the long game. He introduces concepts and characters here that will reverberate through his entire Warworld saga, and he does so while never forgetting the core of the book, which is of course Superman and his quest to save literally everyone he can.
The tragedy of Warworld Rising is that Superman's always going to fail. Whatever he does in the situations PKJ puts him in, someone's going to get hurt, or hate him, or be forced to take an action that they don't want to take. It's the perfect kind of moral quandary to throw at a character like Superman - even when he wins, he loses.
On art for all six issues is Daniel Sampere, whose visuals have grown more and more impressive in recent years, to the point that he's headlining Dark Crisis for DC in the next few months. There's a damn good reason for that, and these issues are perfect evidence as to why - his pencils are clean and clear, his characters pack a punch and feel like they can jump off the page, and he never skims out on the details.
Warworld Rising is the calm before the storm, and if this is the calm, then you know that the storm's going to be painful. It looks great, it reads well, and it shows that PKJ has a lot of tricks up his sleeves to pull out at just the right times. I can't wait to see what he does next.
December 20, 2021
Філіп Кеннеді Джонсон прийшов на ран «Action Comics» на заміну Майклу Браяну Бендісу. Чи були сподівання на покращення серії? Думаю так, хоча я не багато коміксів читав від цього автора.
У «Action Comics: Повстання Світу Війни» (2021), #1030-1035 розповідається про те, як старий-добрий ворог Монґул стоїть на чолі планети Світ Війни, де він взяв у рабство місцевих жителів. Одному кораблю із біженцями вдається втекти і приземлитися на
Землі. Побачивши на долонях цих людей знаки його родини, Супермен намагається знайти відповіді про таємничих біженців та їхній очевидний зв’язок із планетою Криптон. Тим часом вчені атлантійців вивчають уламки розбитого корабля і роблять шокуюче відкриття, яке може змінити баланс сил на Землі.
Як на мене, у Джонсона вийшло досить добротно. Мені цікавий був сюжет із біженцями, наростаючою загрозою в особі Монґула, конфлікт із Атлантидою і Акваменом, переживання Джона Кента за свого батька. Мені зайшло і було цікаво.
У «Action Comics: Повстання Світу Війни» (2021), #1030-1035 розповідається про те, як старий-добрий ворог Монґул стоїть на чолі планети Світ Війни, де він взяв у рабство місцевих жителів. Одному кораблю із біженцями вдається втекти і приземлитися на
Землі. Побачивши на долонях цих людей знаки його родини, Супермен намагається знайти відповіді про таємничих біженців та їхній очевидний зв’язок із планетою Криптон. Тим часом вчені атлантійців вивчають уламки розбитого корабля і роблять шокуюче відкриття, яке може змінити баланс сил на Землі.
Як на мене, у Джонсона вийшло досить добротно. Мені цікавий був сюжет із біженцями, наростаючою загрозою в особі Монґула, конфлікт із Атлантидою і Акваменом, переживання Джона Кента за свого батька. Мені зайшло і було цікаво.
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June 22, 2024This was my first experience with a Philip Kennedy Johnson comic, and the man really knows how to plot! He juggles a lot, and he does so with real flourish! This is a Superman comic that at once feels reminiscent of the Golden Age—campy characters speaking in Shakespearean tongues, bizarre and inventive sci-fi concepts—while also delivering a story that evokes contemporary political talking points, deepens the relationships between Superman's family and the Justice League, and pushes the Superman mythos forwards into new territory.
Beyond all of this, Warworld Rising is also, quite simply, a wildly fun adventure! I'm so impressed by PKJ's command of the Man of Tomorrow, the voices he gives these characters (especially Lois Lane), and the way he writes meaningful conversations between larger-than-life characters but never skimps on the action and excitement. This is a real kitchen sink story, and I can't wait to read more!
Beyond all of this, Warworld Rising is also, quite simply, a wildly fun adventure! I'm so impressed by PKJ's command of the Man of Tomorrow, the voices he gives these characters (especially Lois Lane), and the way he writes meaningful conversations between larger-than-life characters but never skimps on the action and excitement. This is a real kitchen sink story, and I can't wait to read more!
May 27, 2023
I loved this!!
This is the beginning of the Superman: Warworld Saga. I really liked this. It was amazing to see the relationships Superman has with his families and Justice League members.
Now, the majority of this book was just set up, but I really enjoyed the other story lines that were connected.
I can't wait to read more! 4/5
This is the beginning of the Superman: Warworld Saga. I really liked this. It was amazing to see the relationships Superman has with his families and Justice League members.
Now, the majority of this book was just set up, but I really enjoyed the other story lines that were connected.
I can't wait to read more! 4/5
April 6, 2023
What a great big breath of fresh air after the fetid stink of Brian Michael Bendis! What a difference competent writing makes! I enjoyed these six issues very much, and I am glad that--for the time being--Superman and Action are in very capable hands with Phillip Kennedy Johnson
March 20, 2022
I never was the biggest DC reader (it’s been up and down over the years) but prior to Future State it was pretty much zero. Even more so I never got into Superman.
The covers to Future State Superman Worlds of War caught my eye and I started picking up 3 of the Superman Future State titles and started digging into older series for Superman as well.
FS Worlds of War was really the only of the FS minis I ended up being invested in but I also found a bunch of previous runs that I enjoyed as well.
So post FS is kept up with both Action and Superman and really enjoyed both! So I read all this as it released in singles but stopped shortly after #1035 due to the price per ($4) and the backups being not anything I caught myself carding about and that’s where that extra dollar was going to.
But I’m continuing with trades for Action and Son of Superman going forward.
But this specifically has a lot of the big themes and feeling I want with a Superman book plus one of my favorite B/C list villains in Mongul.
And do yourself a favor and get the hardcover of Son of Superman that’s out soon because they do a great job of showing the things that make Jon a worthy replacement AND how he upholds the ideals in his own ways as well.
The covers to Future State Superman Worlds of War caught my eye and I started picking up 3 of the Superman Future State titles and started digging into older series for Superman as well.
FS Worlds of War was really the only of the FS minis I ended up being invested in but I also found a bunch of previous runs that I enjoyed as well.
So post FS is kept up with both Action and Superman and really enjoyed both! So I read all this as it released in singles but stopped shortly after #1035 due to the price per ($4) and the backups being not anything I caught myself carding about and that’s where that extra dollar was going to.
But I’m continuing with trades for Action and Son of Superman going forward.
But this specifically has a lot of the big themes and feeling I want with a Superman book plus one of my favorite B/C list villains in Mongul.
And do yourself a favor and get the hardcover of Son of Superman that’s out soon because they do a great job of showing the things that make Jon a worthy replacement AND how he upholds the ideals in his own ways as well.
October 19, 2022
Warworld Rising is mostly setup, but it's good, intriguing setup. Depowering Superman and stripping him of his allies is kind of key to my being interested in him - an invincible, infinitely kind and just superhuman just isn't that interesting! We've also got a great villain in Mongul - pure, logical evil, which is something that Superman can really bash against.
A fair bit of Warworld Rising went over my head (Am I supposed to recall previous battles with Mongul? And what's the deal with the artifact?). Perhaps this will all be explored in future entries. Excellent art and top-notch action kept my attention in the meantime. I'm excited to see where Phillip Kennedy Johnson takes this flagship Superman series - it's already a vast improvement on Tom Taylor's bland Son of Kal-El.
A fair bit of Warworld Rising went over my head (Am I supposed to recall previous battles with Mongul? And what's the deal with the artifact?). Perhaps this will all be explored in future entries. Excellent art and top-notch action kept my attention in the meantime. I'm excited to see where Phillip Kennedy Johnson takes this flagship Superman series - it's already a vast improvement on Tom Taylor's bland Son of Kal-El.
January 6, 2023
It is a stunning breath of fresh air to read this comic - because I love the big blue boy-scout and it's always great when we get a good comic about him. He is without a doubt one of the hardest characters to write given his immense power, his character and the image/legacy of Superman.
I had decided to try this out because the story sounded curious and Phillip Kennedy Johnson also wrote The Last God which I've been reading (it is a great dark fantasy series!) and it gave me a bit of confidence. That confidence has borne fruit aplenty with this series!
Post the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal, Superman has been feeling a little less himself, his powers are not quite what they used to be and he's doing his best to put on a brave facade and keep fighting the good fight. But it's not going well and though he has been winning the day, we see that he is struggling. On top of that, there arrives on Earth, a wayward ship from the primary Warworld, containing refugees seeking help, including one wanting to save her people who are the last of their kind, enslaved on the brutal planet. Superman being who he is, sees the looming threat of Warworld inevitably coming to Earth and the plight of the countless innocents from a multitude of worlds that are imprisoned under the Mongul regimes.
Taking the technology brought by the Warzoon (Warworld citizens) refugees away to keep it from falling into the wrong hands, Clark seeks the aid of long-time friend and JL team-mate Aquaman to keep them under lock and key in Atlantis. This of course is where things get more and more strained as there are the inevitable attempts by surface nations to steal the tech and then failing that, tensions rise and flare and Superman has to intervene to try and keep the peace as nations are literally on the brink of going to war. In the meanwhile, machinations and dangers come closer to home as some of the refugees are not what they seem and Supermans family and fortress are in danger.
There is tension aplenty, enough action to live up to the title and keep fans of the stuff happy but more importantly, there is good story-telling! Micheal Avon Oeming leads the art team the first few issues and it is a style quite different from that with which people might be familiar - but don't doubt that it is top-notch! The latter chapters we see the lead art being done by Daniel Sampere. They all manage to bring just as much impact to the action-packed moments as to the more quiet ones and the colouring is nicely bright and crisp. Things feel detailed and yet not cluttered and over-inked and the end result for me was a pleasant visual experience.
Kennedy does a good job bringing us a Superman that feels like the heroic, mild-mannered and good-hearted Man of Steel that I love most. He's not bogged down by grimness and darkness, he isn't broody and morose and definitely not a whiner. There are moments where his goodness is almost naive but never foolish and the core of the heroic character shines out well in this tale that shows us a new challenge in a new phase of Supermans life and how he faces it, including being at loggerheads with his superhero peers, all leading up to a decision that leads into the next volume as he embarks on a truly dangerous mission that will test even his might and resolve.
If you are a Superman fan, I highly recommend this comic and the Warworld arcs that follow - it's maybe not for everyone, but if you like your Supes as I do, chances are it'll be a good change from what we've seen for a good few years now.
I had decided to try this out because the story sounded curious and Phillip Kennedy Johnson also wrote The Last God which I've been reading (it is a great dark fantasy series!) and it gave me a bit of confidence. That confidence has borne fruit aplenty with this series!
Post the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal, Superman has been feeling a little less himself, his powers are not quite what they used to be and he's doing his best to put on a brave facade and keep fighting the good fight. But it's not going well and though he has been winning the day, we see that he is struggling. On top of that, there arrives on Earth, a wayward ship from the primary Warworld, containing refugees seeking help, including one wanting to save her people who are the last of their kind, enslaved on the brutal planet. Superman being who he is, sees the looming threat of Warworld inevitably coming to Earth and the plight of the countless innocents from a multitude of worlds that are imprisoned under the Mongul regimes.
Taking the technology brought by the Warzoon (Warworld citizens) refugees away to keep it from falling into the wrong hands, Clark seeks the aid of long-time friend and JL team-mate Aquaman to keep them under lock and key in Atlantis. This of course is where things get more and more strained as there are the inevitable attempts by surface nations to steal the tech and then failing that, tensions rise and flare and Superman has to intervene to try and keep the peace as nations are literally on the brink of going to war. In the meanwhile, machinations and dangers come closer to home as some of the refugees are not what they seem and Supermans family and fortress are in danger.
There is tension aplenty, enough action to live up to the title and keep fans of the stuff happy but more importantly, there is good story-telling! Micheal Avon Oeming leads the art team the first few issues and it is a style quite different from that with which people might be familiar - but don't doubt that it is top-notch! The latter chapters we see the lead art being done by Daniel Sampere. They all manage to bring just as much impact to the action-packed moments as to the more quiet ones and the colouring is nicely bright and crisp. Things feel detailed and yet not cluttered and over-inked and the end result for me was a pleasant visual experience.
Kennedy does a good job bringing us a Superman that feels like the heroic, mild-mannered and good-hearted Man of Steel that I love most. He's not bogged down by grimness and darkness, he isn't broody and morose and definitely not a whiner. There are moments where his goodness is almost naive but never foolish and the core of the heroic character shines out well in this tale that shows us a new challenge in a new phase of Supermans life and how he faces it, including being at loggerheads with his superhero peers, all leading up to a decision that leads into the next volume as he embarks on a truly dangerous mission that will test even his might and resolve.
If you are a Superman fan, I highly recommend this comic and the Warworld arcs that follow - it's maybe not for everyone, but if you like your Supes as I do, chances are it'll be a good change from what we've seen for a good few years now.
June 12, 2022
Here I am, listening to London Symphonic Orchestra's 'Can You Read My Mind' after reading Daniel Sampere and Phillip Kennedy Johnson's 'Superman: Action Comics Vol. 1: Warworld Rising'
After reading this, Superman: Son of Kal-el and Superman and the Authority made more sense! The Warworld Saga started with this one, with Superman leaving the Justice League (and the Earth) to save Kryptonian slaves under Mongul-Who-Is.
Now, why the solid 5 stars?
1. Amazing, popping visuals by Daniel Sampere!!!! Coupled with awesome covers by Mikel Janin!! It's fun to see different artists take on diferent DC Comics characters and how these characters evolve through the years! This graphic novel maximizes COMICS as its medium.
2. Hooray for the Superman fam! The family dynamics often observed with the Batman family, working as a team, can be seen here: Clark, Kara, Jon and Lois!!
3. Clark here reminds me why I'm more of a Superman than a Batman fan: always seeing the good out of everyone, always placing other's safety before his own.
4. I love Jon!!! This gave me a more solid background on Superman Son of Kal-el! Also love his dynamics with Damien!
5. Really love that Superman and Lois flying in the night scene! Quite nostalgic!
After reading this, Superman: Son of Kal-el and Superman and the Authority made more sense! The Warworld Saga started with this one, with Superman leaving the Justice League (and the Earth) to save Kryptonian slaves under Mongul-Who-Is.
Now, why the solid 5 stars?
1. Amazing, popping visuals by Daniel Sampere!!!! Coupled with awesome covers by Mikel Janin!! It's fun to see different artists take on diferent DC Comics characters and how these characters evolve through the years! This graphic novel maximizes COMICS as its medium.
2. Hooray for the Superman fam! The family dynamics often observed with the Batman family, working as a team, can be seen here: Clark, Kara, Jon and Lois!!
3. Clark here reminds me why I'm more of a Superman than a Batman fan: always seeing the good out of everyone, always placing other's safety before his own.
4. I love Jon!!! This gave me a more solid background on Superman Son of Kal-el! Also love his dynamics with Damien!
5. Really love that Superman and Lois flying in the night scene! Quite nostalgic!
January 1, 2023
That’s more like it. This is setting up a real paradigm shift for Superman and I’m here for it.
February 22, 2023
[3.5/5]
Fine book. Nothing mind blowing happens but it wasn't bad. It was fun to read and made me want to keep reading.
Fine book. Nothing mind blowing happens but it wasn't bad. It was fun to read and made me want to keep reading.
February 23, 2023
Wow! I can't believe that this is the same Phillip Kennedy Johnson that wrote the awfully boring and uninspired previous storyarc.
July 7, 2023
Pierwszy raz sięgnąłem po Supermana i nie umierałem z nudów, kto wie... Może sięgnę po 2 tom.
June 26, 2023
I liked this one alot. Set up something big while holding true to its own story. A very good start.
December 30, 2023
Finalmente decidi dar uma oportunidade para a tão falada fase do Homem de Aço comandada por Phillip Kennedy Johnson (ou PKD). Queria entender o motivo de suas histórias serem tão apreciadas. Faz anos que acompanho esporadicamente o Superman porque ele é um personagem difícil de se criar um roteiro. Poucos foram aqueles que conseguiram extrair o melhor do personagem como Mark Waid, John Byrne e Grant Morrison. Como apresentar um desafio para alguém tão poderoso? Colocar alguém mais forte nem sempre é a resposta. Mas, o que PKD conseguiu fazer para voltarmos a discutir um bom roteirista no personagem se nem Brian Michael Bendis conseguiu fazer alguma coisa interessante com ele? Bom, temos algumas respostas e o que observei aqui me animou bastante. Isso porque o roteirista preferiu uma abordagem mais sutil, voltada na moralidade do personagem e reduzindo parte de seus poderes. O resultado é um começo de saga muito boa e que se for aquilo que se propõe a fazer, promete ser uma das melhores coisas já feitas com o personagem.
Antes de mais nada, deixar bem claro que a minha edição é o encadernado americano formado só pelas histórias da Action Comics. No Brasil, as edições tem sido publicadas no mix do Superman. Como só a fase do PKD me interessava, deixei a edição nacional para lá.
Para entender bem esse começo de história é preciso ter visto parte dos acontecimentos de Noite de Trevas. Apesar de que PKD conta aquilo que o leitor precisa saber: aconteceu alguma coisa durante esse evento que fez com que os poderes de Clark ficassem erráticos. Erráticos é a melhor palavra: nem fortes, nem fracos... às vezes sim, às vezes não. Para o Batman é algo que gera bastante preocupação, mas eles decidem manter o assunto privado. Isso quando uma enorme espaçonave vinda do Mundo Bélico está sendo atacada estranhamente por seus próprios companheiros. Depois de sondar a nave, Clark percebe que tem um grupo de refugiados a bordo que falam uma antiga variante do idioma de Krypton. Depois de uma escaramuça, Superman, Supergirl e o Jonathan Kent conseguem salvar os refugiados e prender os guerreiros do Mundo Bélico (os warzoons). Um estudo sobre os refugiados faz com que Clark fique curioso acerca de suas identidades. Mas, pode ser que tudo não passe de um plano de Mongul. No meio dessa confusão, os destroços da nave revelam uma relíquia energética com poder para abastecer o planeta por várias gerações. Algo que pode mudar para sempre a história da humanidade. Mas, a nave está no oceano, dentro do território de Atlântida. Isso provoca uma disputa diplomática entre os terráqueos e os submarinos. E o Superman está no meio disso tudo.
Falando da arte do Daniel Sampere, ela combina perfeitamente com o título. Não considero a arte dele revolucionária ou algo fora da curva. Nada como um Bruno Redondo, por exemplo. Mas, ele consegue entregar cenas heroicas do personagem. Sabe quando um artista parece simplesmente certo para um título? Pois é. Assim é o Sampere. Seus quadros são vibrantes, repletos de traços arredondados e bons ângulos de câmera. Tem umas tomadas que ele faz vez ou outra que parecem saídos de um filme do Zack Snyder. Os personagens em poses magníficas, se preparando para um momento de ação ininterrupta. Tudo exala épico. As cenas parecem estar saindo das páginas, os momentos de batalha parecem envolver o leitor no meio do furacão. Gosto que esses momentos de ação, mesmo com um grande número de adversários, são bem cerebrais, pensados do começo ao fim. Tem dois momentos que definem bem o que é a arte do Sampere: um em que o Clark, a Kara e o Jon estão chegando para deter uma confusão entre atlantes e americanos e o sol está propositalmente atrás deles dando um aspecto quase de deuses saídos do Olimpo; outro é um momento romântico entre o Clark e a Lois com eles voando e dando um beijo no ar. Sampere é O artista para mim para essa fase do Homem de Aço.
PKD é bastante habilidoso ao, de cara, reduzir parte dos poderes do Clark. Ele quer realizar a jornada do herói, devolvendo os poderes do personagem aos poucos. Primeiro, ele precisa levar o personagem ao limite e fazê-lo tomar uma decisão difícil. O que me parece é que o autor está planejando escrever a duologia homérica com a primeira parte representando a Ilíada, com o Superman precisando ir até Troia, digo, o Mundo Bélico para derrotar um inimigo poderoso. Vou deixar para confirmar essa minha teoria lá no terceiro volume. O autor aumenta a aposta ao fazer com que Jon relate que as últimas histórias do futuro sobre o Superman terminam exatamente nesse momento. Nada se sabe do que aconteceu a seguir. Então, é feita toda uma construção para que o leitor acredite que dessa vez pode ser algo realmente perigoso. A gente sabe que o personagem vai escapar dessa porque ele é o Superman... mas, o bom roteirista sabe nos enganar bem e fazer com que a gente se importe. Todos os seis números desse encadernado fazem esse trabalho e mesmo a Lois, que sempre acredita que seu marido irá voltar, está meio balançada dessa vez. Ela coloca um exterior forte para esconder seus sentimentos de preocupação. O roteiro é fantástico ao nos apresentar uma personagem segura, empoderada e apaixonada ao mesmo tempo. É a intrépida jornalista, a mulher do homem mais poderoso do planeta. Mas... é a Lois. E o autor deixa isso bem claro que ela não é pano de fundo para ninguém.
Temos alguns temas políticos bem relevantes. Antes de mais nada, temos refugiados que são conectados a Krypton. Uma delas é alguém que tem lembranças do Superman, do ódio que Mongul sente por ele. O tirano marcou os refugiados com o símbolo da casa de El, como uma piada de mau gosto para demarcar seus escravos. Thao-La, aos prantos, questiona o Superman porque ele não foi ajudá-los antes. Os refugiados vivem sob o medo de terem suas correntes retiradas. A escravidão é tão internalizada neles que o prospecto de obter a liberdade é um sonho distante e o medo do chicote é ainda maior. Mais do que isso: os questionamentos da personagem jogam a culpa em Clark que durante muito tempo fez pouco caso ou olhou para o outro lado enquanto Mongul continuava seu domínio de escravidão na galáxia. Essa história joga na cara do personagem o quanto ele se tornou um personagem dedicado à Terra exclusivamente. É doloroso ver as lágrimas de Thao-La que deixam Clark sem resposta. Ele sabe que parte da culpa é dele e ele quer fazer alguma coisa por conta disso. Essa responsabilidade, esse fardo que é colocado em cima dele vai guiar algumas de suas ações mais extremas que virão a seguir.
É aí que chegamos no segundo componente moral, o do artefato. E o Superman tenta reavê-lo no começo, mas os atlantes descobrem o seu valor após algumas pesquisas. Como a nave caiu em território atlante, o Homem de Aço não tem muito o que fazer a respeito. Ele acaba por confiar na inteligência e na tecnologia dos atlantes, mesmo que Arthur Curry, o Aquaman, não seja mais o seu líder. Só que os EUA não aceitam muito bem a situação. Eles querem também a posse do artefato e Amanda Waller envia a Força de Ataque X para roubar secretamente o objeto. Eles são descobertos e o ataque de Waller provoca uma crise internacional sem precedentes. Como uma força do bem o Super acaba tentando intervir, buscando trazer a razão de volta aos dois lados. Só que as diferenças de pensamento são grandes demais e o personagem acaba cansado de tentar encontrar um meio-termo. Principalmente com ele preocupado com o que fazer com os refugiados. O Super raramente se envolve em questões políticas e gostei de ver que o PKD não se incomoda em lidar com situações espinhosas. O personagem toma uma decisão complicada que não agrada a ninguém e o deixa em maus lençóis até com a Liga da Justiça.
A decisão que ele toma mais à frente é a mais lógica possível dentro das poucas que ele tem disponíveis. E é aí que temos que conversar sobre o Jon. Tenho acompanhado também as edições do Asa Noturna e o Clark pede ao Dick que seja o mentor de seu filho enquanto ele procura solucionar a situação com Mongul. Há dois sentimentos conflitantes aqui: o temor de perder o pai e o medo de assumir a capa. Esse temor se reflete por toda a edição e é responsável por algumas atitudes bem irracionais da parte do personagem. E elas nada tem a ver com birra adolescente. Acho que o PKD entendeu errado o temor dele. Daí ele parecer um personagem enjoado para quem acompanha a história. Não há problema em temer a perda de um pai, o problema vem quando você coloca seu pai em mais perigo ainda. O único bom momento do Jon nesse volume é a conversa que ele tem com o Damian que aborda as duas situações. E o Damian tem toda razão ao dizer que se tornar o próximo Superman não é uma escolha do Jon. É algo que já foi feito por ele. Querendo ele ou não.
Ótimo começo de fase e gostei bastante do roteiro do PKD. Ele encontrou uma solução muito mais inteligente para bolar histórias para o personagem. Elas possuem mais profundidade e espelham preocupações de nossos tempos. Pode ser até que seja possível atualizar o personagem para uma nova década enquanto permite ao Jon amadurecer mais como herói. Daniel Sampere está muito bem como artista da edição e fico triste por saber que na próxima edição teremos a introdução de um novo artista regular. As apostas são maiores e o resultado pode ser um épico bem bacana como foi a saga Exílio há tantos anos atrás que inspirou essa do PKD. Diria até que é uma releitura desse arco de histórias. Para mim, nota 10 total.
Antes de mais nada, deixar bem claro que a minha edição é o encadernado americano formado só pelas histórias da Action Comics. No Brasil, as edições tem sido publicadas no mix do Superman. Como só a fase do PKD me interessava, deixei a edição nacional para lá.
Para entender bem esse começo de história é preciso ter visto parte dos acontecimentos de Noite de Trevas. Apesar de que PKD conta aquilo que o leitor precisa saber: aconteceu alguma coisa durante esse evento que fez com que os poderes de Clark ficassem erráticos. Erráticos é a melhor palavra: nem fortes, nem fracos... às vezes sim, às vezes não. Para o Batman é algo que gera bastante preocupação, mas eles decidem manter o assunto privado. Isso quando uma enorme espaçonave vinda do Mundo Bélico está sendo atacada estranhamente por seus próprios companheiros. Depois de sondar a nave, Clark percebe que tem um grupo de refugiados a bordo que falam uma antiga variante do idioma de Krypton. Depois de uma escaramuça, Superman, Supergirl e o Jonathan Kent conseguem salvar os refugiados e prender os guerreiros do Mundo Bélico (os warzoons). Um estudo sobre os refugiados faz com que Clark fique curioso acerca de suas identidades. Mas, pode ser que tudo não passe de um plano de Mongul. No meio dessa confusão, os destroços da nave revelam uma relíquia energética com poder para abastecer o planeta por várias gerações. Algo que pode mudar para sempre a história da humanidade. Mas, a nave está no oceano, dentro do território de Atlântida. Isso provoca uma disputa diplomática entre os terráqueos e os submarinos. E o Superman está no meio disso tudo.
Falando da arte do Daniel Sampere, ela combina perfeitamente com o título. Não considero a arte dele revolucionária ou algo fora da curva. Nada como um Bruno Redondo, por exemplo. Mas, ele consegue entregar cenas heroicas do personagem. Sabe quando um artista parece simplesmente certo para um título? Pois é. Assim é o Sampere. Seus quadros são vibrantes, repletos de traços arredondados e bons ângulos de câmera. Tem umas tomadas que ele faz vez ou outra que parecem saídos de um filme do Zack Snyder. Os personagens em poses magníficas, se preparando para um momento de ação ininterrupta. Tudo exala épico. As cenas parecem estar saindo das páginas, os momentos de batalha parecem envolver o leitor no meio do furacão. Gosto que esses momentos de ação, mesmo com um grande número de adversários, são bem cerebrais, pensados do começo ao fim. Tem dois momentos que definem bem o que é a arte do Sampere: um em que o Clark, a Kara e o Jon estão chegando para deter uma confusão entre atlantes e americanos e o sol está propositalmente atrás deles dando um aspecto quase de deuses saídos do Olimpo; outro é um momento romântico entre o Clark e a Lois com eles voando e dando um beijo no ar. Sampere é O artista para mim para essa fase do Homem de Aço.
PKD é bastante habilidoso ao, de cara, reduzir parte dos poderes do Clark. Ele quer realizar a jornada do herói, devolvendo os poderes do personagem aos poucos. Primeiro, ele precisa levar o personagem ao limite e fazê-lo tomar uma decisão difícil. O que me parece é que o autor está planejando escrever a duologia homérica com a primeira parte representando a Ilíada, com o Superman precisando ir até Troia, digo, o Mundo Bélico para derrotar um inimigo poderoso. Vou deixar para confirmar essa minha teoria lá no terceiro volume. O autor aumenta a aposta ao fazer com que Jon relate que as últimas histórias do futuro sobre o Superman terminam exatamente nesse momento. Nada se sabe do que aconteceu a seguir. Então, é feita toda uma construção para que o leitor acredite que dessa vez pode ser algo realmente perigoso. A gente sabe que o personagem vai escapar dessa porque ele é o Superman... mas, o bom roteirista sabe nos enganar bem e fazer com que a gente se importe. Todos os seis números desse encadernado fazem esse trabalho e mesmo a Lois, que sempre acredita que seu marido irá voltar, está meio balançada dessa vez. Ela coloca um exterior forte para esconder seus sentimentos de preocupação. O roteiro é fantástico ao nos apresentar uma personagem segura, empoderada e apaixonada ao mesmo tempo. É a intrépida jornalista, a mulher do homem mais poderoso do planeta. Mas... é a Lois. E o autor deixa isso bem claro que ela não é pano de fundo para ninguém.
Temos alguns temas políticos bem relevantes. Antes de mais nada, temos refugiados que são conectados a Krypton. Uma delas é alguém que tem lembranças do Superman, do ódio que Mongul sente por ele. O tirano marcou os refugiados com o símbolo da casa de El, como uma piada de mau gosto para demarcar seus escravos. Thao-La, aos prantos, questiona o Superman porque ele não foi ajudá-los antes. Os refugiados vivem sob o medo de terem suas correntes retiradas. A escravidão é tão internalizada neles que o prospecto de obter a liberdade é um sonho distante e o medo do chicote é ainda maior. Mais do que isso: os questionamentos da personagem jogam a culpa em Clark que durante muito tempo fez pouco caso ou olhou para o outro lado enquanto Mongul continuava seu domínio de escravidão na galáxia. Essa história joga na cara do personagem o quanto ele se tornou um personagem dedicado à Terra exclusivamente. É doloroso ver as lágrimas de Thao-La que deixam Clark sem resposta. Ele sabe que parte da culpa é dele e ele quer fazer alguma coisa por conta disso. Essa responsabilidade, esse fardo que é colocado em cima dele vai guiar algumas de suas ações mais extremas que virão a seguir.
É aí que chegamos no segundo componente moral, o do artefato. E o Superman tenta reavê-lo no começo, mas os atlantes descobrem o seu valor após algumas pesquisas. Como a nave caiu em território atlante, o Homem de Aço não tem muito o que fazer a respeito. Ele acaba por confiar na inteligência e na tecnologia dos atlantes, mesmo que Arthur Curry, o Aquaman, não seja mais o seu líder. Só que os EUA não aceitam muito bem a situação. Eles querem também a posse do artefato e Amanda Waller envia a Força de Ataque X para roubar secretamente o objeto. Eles são descobertos e o ataque de Waller provoca uma crise internacional sem precedentes. Como uma força do bem o Super acaba tentando intervir, buscando trazer a razão de volta aos dois lados. Só que as diferenças de pensamento são grandes demais e o personagem acaba cansado de tentar encontrar um meio-termo. Principalmente com ele preocupado com o que fazer com os refugiados. O Super raramente se envolve em questões políticas e gostei de ver que o PKD não se incomoda em lidar com situações espinhosas. O personagem toma uma decisão complicada que não agrada a ninguém e o deixa em maus lençóis até com a Liga da Justiça.
A decisão que ele toma mais à frente é a mais lógica possível dentro das poucas que ele tem disponíveis. E é aí que temos que conversar sobre o Jon. Tenho acompanhado também as edições do Asa Noturna e o Clark pede ao Dick que seja o mentor de seu filho enquanto ele procura solucionar a situação com Mongul. Há dois sentimentos conflitantes aqui: o temor de perder o pai e o medo de assumir a capa. Esse temor se reflete por toda a edição e é responsável por algumas atitudes bem irracionais da parte do personagem. E elas nada tem a ver com birra adolescente. Acho que o PKD entendeu errado o temor dele. Daí ele parecer um personagem enjoado para quem acompanha a história. Não há problema em temer a perda de um pai, o problema vem quando você coloca seu pai em mais perigo ainda. O único bom momento do Jon nesse volume é a conversa que ele tem com o Damian que aborda as duas situações. E o Damian tem toda razão ao dizer que se tornar o próximo Superman não é uma escolha do Jon. É algo que já foi feito por ele. Querendo ele ou não.
Ótimo começo de fase e gostei bastante do roteiro do PKD. Ele encontrou uma solução muito mais inteligente para bolar histórias para o personagem. Elas possuem mais profundidade e espelham preocupações de nossos tempos. Pode ser até que seja possível atualizar o personagem para uma nova década enquanto permite ao Jon amadurecer mais como herói. Daniel Sampere está muito bem como artista da edição e fico triste por saber que na próxima edição teremos a introdução de um novo artista regular. As apostas são maiores e o resultado pode ser um épico bem bacana como foi a saga Exílio há tantos anos atrás que inspirou essa do PKD. Diria até que é uma releitura desse arco de histórias. Para mim, nota 10 total.
October 27, 2022
Okay fine. Everyone was right, this is dope.
January 2, 2024
This one was a lot of fun. I’m excited for Warworld!
April 14, 2022
Phillip Kennedy Johnson work has been on my radar ever since I read The Last God. I gave that series a 5 star review. It was probably one of the best comic books I have read in years. The start of Mr. Johnson's run with Superman was just a bit muh for me. This was probably due to the fact that his earlier issues had terrible art. In his collection, Johnson is firing on all cylinders because the art is amazing and the story works flawlessly. First, I am a longtime Superman reader and this series has not been this good since the DC Rebirth runs by Tomasi and Jurgens. I tried getting in the Brian Michael Bendis run with The Man of Steel but it didn't take long for the goofballs in DC comics editorial & Bendis to ruin the series. One of the worst mistakes DC Comics has ever made was aging up Superman's son Jon. I didn't stick around for the Bendis era and I'm glad I didn't. Not many writers get the character of Superman. Johnson proves here that he not only gets the character but he also loves the lore that Supes inhabits. Mongul has always been just a knock-off of Darkseid to me but in this tale, Johnson builds up the tyrant's mythos and adds some mystery to the villain's history. The same richness and deep fantasy Johnson brought to the world of Last God Johnson is building up the world of Warworld. Many writers complain that it is hard to write a Superman story because the character is too powerful and it is hard to write a worthy challenge for the hero. This is a false assumption, Superman's biggest weakness, and strength has always been his compassion for the defenseless and the weak. Johnson easily writes Supes into a challenge that we the readers know Superman is going to accept and be put through the fire. Some of the best moments in these issues are the moments when Supes is faced with a moral dilemma but smiles confidently and still fights the battles other heroes can not face. Well done Mr. Johnson, and I am truly looking forward to seeing what awaits Superman and his ragtag team of misfits when he willing walks into enemy territory as the Warworld saga begins. If you are looking for more good Superman here are a few recommendations: Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?, Man and Superman 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, Superman, Volume 1: Son of Superman, Superman Unchained, and Superman: Up, Up, and Away!.
March 7, 2022
First of all, I want to thank NetGalley and DC Entertainment for an advanced copy.
I ended up reading this graphic novel twice because there was so much to unpack. This is actually one of the first Superman comics I've read, and I feel compelled to read more now. In this comic, Superman is already dealing with some troubling news that he has cellular decay. Later Kelex informs Superman that extraterrestrial vessels are approaching the Earth. And all hell breaks loose. The ships are Warworld ships and they're holding refugees and a very important fragment that sources a ton of energy.
This graphic novel has shown the amount of kindness and concern Superman has for others. He wants nothing else but to help these refugees. I believe in the next volume we find out the mystery of the refugees and the fragment as well.
I ended up reading this graphic novel twice because there was so much to unpack. This is actually one of the first Superman comics I've read, and I feel compelled to read more now. In this comic, Superman is already dealing with some troubling news that he has cellular decay. Later Kelex informs Superman that extraterrestrial vessels are approaching the Earth. And all hell breaks loose. The ships are Warworld ships and they're holding refugees and a very important fragment that sources a ton of energy.
This graphic novel has shown the amount of kindness and concern Superman has for others. He wants nothing else but to help these refugees. I believe in the next volume we find out the mystery of the refugees and the fragment as well.
November 1, 2022
Phillip Kennedy Johnson really seems to get Superman and his family. Their views are point on. Superman will always do what's right, no matter the cost, even when he knows it's a trap. The story is all prologue. Warworld leaves a ship behind hat contains three ancient maybe Kryptonians behind. They have been in thrall to Mongul for generations. Superman knows it's all a trap but if there could be more proto-Kryptonians there, he'll go no matter what to free all of Warworld. Sampere's art is great. So is Duce's fill in issue. Yo can also read Superman and the Authority if you feel you need more backstory about what's happening.
February 23, 2022
Have been/am thoroughly enjoying this ongoing arc (reading in single issues). Superman's greatest power is his ability to find hope in others, and hope in the most dire of situations. That trait being on display is the key ingredient to a good Superman story, and I think Phillip K Johnson gets Superman at his core.
July 7, 2022
One of the best Superman books I've read in a while. Johnson has the voices for these characters *just right*, and his plot does a great job creating tension, getting under Superman's skin, and cultivating the culture of Warworld under Mongul. Really interested to see where this goes.
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