Comic Review: Superman #27 (2018-)

Superman #27

DC Comics

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artists: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Alex Sinclair

I love this run of Superman. I’ve had an absolute blast with every issue (outside of a few outliers), and Superman #27 is not an exception. The story is not without flaws, but it more than makes up for it in every other aspect.

As fun as this story is, it has something of an issue with pacing. This one in particular faces the problem of being very similar to issue #26 in that it’s essentially a big action sequence intercut with some Lois/Lana story. It’s well written, but I can’t help but feel the last two issues could have been cut down to one. The dialogue and art are both as strong as they’ve ever been, it’s just being dragged down by being stretched thin. Which is an odd complaint for me, because I also think there’s just too much to wrap up in another issue. It’s thin in some places, and on the other hand may have too much waiting on the backburner.

However, the story itself is intriguing. The Synmar is a pretty interesting villain that was set up a few issues ago, and while we haven’t gotten much payoff yet, it’s set up to seem we’ll see some of that in the next one. Plus, his fight with Superman showcases some fantastic characterization of the titular hero. Superman is very clear about how he can’t understand Synmar, and because of that he tries everything in his power to stop the fight and solve the issue without violence. It’s to a degree that it borders on naïve, and maybe a bit stupid, and yet it’s endearing all the same.

The interspersing of the Lana/Lois scenes are a nice touch that keep the issue from feeling entirely like an all-out punch fest and manages to add a bit of meat to it’s bones. Bendis’ Lois has been so consistently strong since his run began, and to see her bounce off of the newly re-introduced Lana makes for a really fun dynamic. With that said, Bendis sets up a new plot point between the two characters, and I question the wisdom of that with the last issue of the book being next month. It seems like there’s a lot left to do with only one issue left, and I’m not entirely certain it can be done. The only way, I think, is if Bendis continues to pull these threads in whatever book he does next.

Of course, Ivan Reis is an absolute powerhouse of an artist. I’ve been open about the fact that his style isn’t my favorite, and yet the raw talent behind his pen keeps me appreciating it month after month. He shines in action sequences, with bombast, colorful explosions, and a fluid sense of motion. I may complain that there was so much action it left the story behind, and yet I can’t help but be okay with it when it’s done so well. And though action is his specialty, he doesn’t shirk on scenes that are purely driven by dialogue. His acting is on-point, and his art is perfectly in control of the pacing of panels.

Superman #27 is, as usual, a very fun read. While I think the story is being stretched in weird places and not given enough room to breathe in others, it’s hard to hate something that’s page after page of fantastic art and dialogue. The characterizations sing and are the main draw for the issue. I’ve had a blast with this run, and I’m sad to see it come to a close with the next issue.

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