Comic Review: Superman #18 (2018-)

Superman #18

DC Comics

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artists: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Alex Sinclair

Superman #18 is the issue that had the highest chance of souring me on the Bendis run. I’m not a fan of the idea, in fact, before reading I’d have said that it’s a terrible one. I tend to align with the idea that these characters have core characteristics that should, for the most part, remain as they are. Revealing Superman’s identity is dangerously close to crossing that line, and considering it’s been done before to less than ideal results, I wasn’t confident. However, this story does what great Superman stories do. It inspires hope. 

At this point, it’s too early to guess if revealing Superman’s identity is a great idea or not. The only thing I know with certainty is that Bendis and Reis nail the revelation itself. The team has been planting seeds throughout the run that, in retrospect,  naturally led us to this point. When Clark delivers his speech and we see the way he perceives these events and how they inform his mindset, it works. It makes sense from a plot standpoint, and on top of that it’s done in such a way that is entirely true to his character. Superman works as an inspiration to the people, but the way he sees it is that the people are his inspiration to make this decision. It’s fantastic character work. 

That’s why a change as huge as this, at least right now, doesn’t bother me. There’s just no angle I can look at this issue that it doesn’t feel true to the character. Does that mean I think this should be the new status quo forever? Absolutely not. In fact, I think if it’s not undone at the end of the run or the start of the next one, it’ll be a mistake. It’s a great story so far and I love the way it’s handled, but it can’t be this way forever. Knowing exactly the right time to put the toys back is going to be the key to success for this particular story, and letting it drag for too long is potentially devastating to the quality of future Superman books. For the time being, however, I’m all in for this. 

Ivan Reis is back on pencils after a short break and it’s well worth the wait. Reis delivers maybe his best work on the book yet, and does so without relying on the bombastic action sequences that he does so well. This issue is all character drama without a single punch thrown. Before this, I would never have said that’s where Reis strength lies, but he’s proved me wrong. Silent pages aren’t common in Bendis books, but this one does have a few and Reis works them perfectly. His acting and storytelling are the best I’ve ever seen from him, and it makes for the most impactful moments in the book. The page where Clark reveals himself to Perry is the best example of this. The pacing of it is so strong, and the story is told both without dialogue and without seeing either character’s face. That is not easy in comics, and to do it so effectively has significantly heightened my opinion of Reis as an artist. 

Superman #18 is shockingly great. Given it’s premise, it was expected to sour me on the book, but instead it has me more excited for the future than ever. Bendis delivers a tight script brimming with outstanding character moments, and Reis takes those moments and exemplifies them with what is maybe the best work of his career. This is one of the good ones, folks.