Superman: The Coming Of The Supermen #2 Review
By Steve Lam
Superman: The Coming of the Supermen #2
Story/Artist: Neal Adams / Words: Adams & Tony Bedard / Colorist: Alex Sinclair / Letterer: Saida Temofonte / Cover: Adams & Sinclair
Where do I even begin? If you thought Superman: The Coming of the Supermen #1 was a great start, #2 launches you right into the heart of the action. The overall issue is a treat for the eyes. Big bold inks and pencils really emphasize the power of Superman and the daunting challenge he has ahead of him. Above all else, Neal Adams has a great understanding of Superman as a character, and it shows through the dialogue.
The issue starts off with Clark leaving the boy with a nanny named Goody. And if that name doesn’t give away who this person is, I’m not sure what will. Clark, with Lois badgering him, rushes out to cover a story involving an explosion at LexCorp. Clark soon transforms into Superman and meets Jimmy, who gives our Man of Steel a rundown of the multiple Supermen fighting against Kalibak’s forces. What happens next is an all out brawl of superpowers.
There are a few twist and turns to the story — all of which I won’t give away — but all of it serves to keep the reader engaged. Don’t get me wrong, this issue isn’t about gimmicks. The mysteries all serve as part of the story. Superman is played smart (just as Neal Adams had promised in his interview) and catches on quickly to various situations. Again, I’m not going to give away any plot specifics as to not ruin the story for you, the reader.
The art is grandiose and beautiful. The large action panels and spreads are what really showcase Adams’s art and Alex Sinclair’s masterful coloring. You really have to sample this sumptuous feast for the eyes yourself.
Another quality I want to note is the very retro-nature of the art. This might be purposely done by Adams. Or it could be that Adams is working on it. What do I mean by that? Well, Adams defined the comics in the 1970s with his signature style. If he had come to fame in the 1990s, we might be saying that this run reminds us of that specific era. In short, the art stands out and it’s undeniably Adams-esque.
Next: Superman: The Coming of the Supermen #1
An engaging story coupled with a great fight scene make this another exciting installment for Superman: Coming of the Supermen. Adams solidifies his return to Superman with his big bold, no holds barred art style. Sinclair’s colors pair up nicely with Adams’s art and really makes all the characters and scenes pop. This whole issue, with it’s large spreads and panels, really show off Superman’s powers and the larger-than-life characters involved. If you’re hungry for some retro-style storytelling, Superman: The Coming of the Superman #2 is the go-to issue for you.