Review: Superman and the Authority #2
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Grant Morrison
Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Letters: Steve Wands
Artist: Mikel Janin
Reviewed by: Carl Bryan
Summary
Superman and the Authority #2 – Clark Kent and Manchester Black continue to put Superman’s new team together, even though keeping Black in check seems like just as difficult a job as convincing the new recruits to come along.
The pair hits different parts of the world looking for different types of heroes. While Midnighter, Apollo, and Natasha Irons only need to tie up some loose ends before getting on board, the Enchantress is going to be a little harder.
Superman is going to have to set her free from a deadly illusion hell-bent on destroying her before she can help him save the universe.
This new limited series helps launch an all-new Superman status quo, setting up story elements that reverberate across both Action Comics and Superman: Son of Kal-El in the months to come.
And not only is Superman putting together a superstar team, but it takes superstars to tell the tale: Grant Morrison (The Green Lantern, All-Star Superman) and Mikel Janín (Batman, Future State: Superman: Worlds of War)!
Positives
Grant Morrison provides a story that really is based on a story from long ago where Superman lost his powers and he had to combat Amazo. Older Superman fans will love the Easter Egg of a certain Supermobile that is integral to the storyline. I love that DC is going in that direction in “repurposing” some old pieces (See Tom Taylor’s Ragman in the DCeased series). Seeing an unveiling of the Supermobile took me back to the fourth grade…ahem..1970sh.
This book screams Oakland A’s baseball as it is Superman assembling a group that can eventually replace him…the sum of the parts equals Superman. Morrison shines in this foreshadowing…Clark recognizes that the world will need him, but how do you replace a Superman?
This particular issue has the Manchester Black tasked with pursuing Midnighter and Apollo to join the group. Morrison’s dialogue between these two are reminiscent of a Modern Family episode between Cam and his partner Mitchell. Natasha Irons is a perfect fit as well. But for this team to go straight to Hell to obtain the Enchantress is pure genius!
Positives 2.0
The switching of art gears is amazing on this book as you get the clean and pristine Fortress scenes where Superman’s costume stands out. Switch to the busyness of Natasha Irons scenes…it is a testament to this art team to switch gears and provide a different look depending on the scene and characters.
Love the workout regiment scenes of an older Clark trying to maintain what strength, speed and stamina he has left!
Negatives
The timeline throws me in how it is going to intersect with Clark’s mission to War World. Is this Future State…why are Lois and Jonathan not a part of this endeavor? Why do we need a replacement team if the world has Jon and Kara? Some things are not adding up so I am giving a lot of leash here to the comic as the art is phenomenal and the writing is strong. As I am with the Batman titles…am I current or in the future? Future State scrambled a lot of eggs at DC, but I am willing to wait!
Verdict
Buy this book. So many Easter Eggs are found from days gone by. This “A” team lead by a graying and weakened Superman (if by weak, we mean he still can bench press the equivalent of a Death Star). It is early to see if the parts do equal the sum, but I’m in for the long haul!
