Superman New Krypton Special #1

This is everything I wanted in a new Superman story arc. I was a bit surprised to find that all of the writers and artists from the main Superman titles (Superman, Action Comics, and Supergirl) were joining forces for this special. Wouldn’t the story and the art be jumbled and thrown together? Wouldn’t the writers get in each others’ way? Isn’t this the recipe for a giant mess? Oh ye of little faith!!

Let me state from the start the biggest reason that Superman is once again worth reading: Geoff Johns. Although some will disagree, Johns has catapulted to the top of the comic writing ladder and lately it seems he can do no wrong. Johns has shown us a deeper, more human (yes I know he’s an alien) side of Superman both in his Action Comics run and here at the beginning of New Krypton. Johns gives us a shocking and memorable scene early on that shows Superman fantasizing about revenge for the loss he has suffered. Even though great storytelling and artwork are found in the rest of the issue, this is the image I still can’t get out of my mind.

Let’s not give Johns all the credit here though. James Robinson and Sterling Gates bring us some great story angles and their writing meshes seamlessly with Johns’ throughout. Despite having multiple artists draw this story, never do we lose continuity or any sense of relevancy. Strangely enough, the different styles work together and feed off of each other. The double page spread of all of the Kryptonians leaving Kandor is both awesome in scope and an ominous forecast of the conflict in store both for Superman and the world.

No new story arc would be complete without a global dilemma and we get one heck of one here. One hundred thousand full powered Kryptonians loose on Earth with none of Clark’s human influence or compassion. Yeah, this is going to be one giant mess for Superman to deal with. If that wasn’t enough, we have an underlying conspiracy that includes a reinvented classic DC hero turned villain and Superman’s arch nemesis himself. What we now have is the perfect formula for Superman to be the Superman we know and love. The world needs Superman again!