Superman #23.3 H'el Review

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Dan Jurgens

As a whole this series has been a bit disappointing, as although it has had some brilliant moments, it has been overshadowed by the even more brilliant Superman series, Superman: Unchained, Action Comics, and Batman/Superman. I am however still slightly excited about the upcoming Krypton Returns story, having also been slightly looking forward to this issue.

Plot

H'el has returned to Krypton, but at a much earlier time than when he left the planet.

Review

This was overall quite a poor issue, as although the story itself was good I felt that it was a bit unnecessary. As I said though the story was decent, and Scott Lobdell should be slightly praised on that. At the same time I felt that he missed the point of Villains Month completely, as the issue focused too much on Jor-El, and not enough on H'el himself. The issue also did the same as other Villains Month issues have done by setting up future events, as although I don't have a huge problem with that, I do when it takes away from the central character too much. Lobdell did however also give some drama, and suspense in this issue, and although it was far from good, it wasn't quite horrible.

The artwork on this issue was however much better, and easily the best thing about this issue as Dan Jurgens did an outstanding job on this issue. The detail in Jurgens artwork was near perfect, as bar the odd imperfection everything simply looked phenomenal, as you'd expect from Jurgens. The layouts were also amazing, as they added an unique style to the issue, making it feel more spectacular, also adding more depth. Jurgens also did a brilliant job of handling the characters expressions and emotions throughout this issue, with it also making the issue feel more lively. Hi-Fi would also do a phenomenal job of colouring this issue, with his colours working perfectly with Jurgens artwork.

I was happy to see H'el back in a Superman comics, as although H'el on Earth was a very inconsistent story, the character interested me a lot. I did however feel that he didn't get used properly in this issue, as due to it being a set-up for the upcoming Krypton Returns it didn't allow quite as much focus on H'el as a character. I also felt that he was overshadowed by Jor-El in this issue, as although I like Jor-El it isn't his name on the cover. I did however enjoy seeing the change in attitude that He'l would have throughout this issue, and loved seeing his reactions to certain parts of the plot, even though it wasn't anything special.

I've already mentioned how Jor-El took too much time in this issue, but I'll now go into what I liked and about his appearance besides that. Seeing more of Jor-El has been something that I've enjoyed since the New 52 started, as although he's not always featured in amazing stories, it's nice to see more of him, and with the modern look. The things I liked most about Jor-El in this issue was how Lobdell showed his intellect, as he'd notice things that the other members of the Kryptonian Science Council would laugh at. I also loved H'el would learn new things about his mentor, though at the end of the day although there are a lot of positives I still think that he should have took more of a back seat to H'el.

What this means for Krypton Returns? I've already said how this does a lot of set-up work for Krypton Returns, and although that takes away from this issue quite a lot, in the long run it might actually help the upcoming storyline. I say this as without going into details, we get a lot of impactful developments in this issue, all of which lead to the upcoming story, and although this issue has left me slightly sceptical over the upcoming story, I hope that this set-up helps make it into something amazing.

Final Verdict

This was a very poor issue that has taken away some of the excitement that I had for the upcoming Krypton Returns crossover. It did however have some amazing artwork by Jurgens, as well as a half decent story, though overall it didn't quite work with the Villains Month concept, focusing too much on Jor-El rather than H'el, also being more to much of a set-up issue. Given all this I'd not recommend getting this issue, and that only people who are going to get Krypton Returns should consider it.

Rating: 4/10

Action Comics #23.2 Zod Review

Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Ken Lashley

With both my favourite Superman villain in General Zod appearing in this story, as well as it being written by one of my favourite writers Greg Pak I was really looking forward to this. I was however also hoping that it was better than Pak's last villains month issue (Darkseid), which although interesting was slightly disappointing.

Plot

Growing up watching his family die at the hands of a monster life seemed hard for Zod, but after being found by Zor-El, and Jor-El he would have a new life in Krypton becoming it's millitary's general.

Review

This was a phenomenal issue, and is one of the best issues that Villains Month has produced so far, along with the Riddler issue. Greg Pak simply did a wonderful job, and more than made up for the slightly disappointing Darkseid issue. The tone, and style of this story was simply amazing, and Pak did a brilliant job at telling Zod's origin, changing it slightly whilst not completely butchering it. There was also plenty of drama in this issue, but the best thing had to be the excitement, as Pak managed to give us some  explosive action sequences, that also showed what type of character Zod is. I also loved how Pak paced this issue, as the transitions through time were much smoother than they were in Darkseid.

The art in this issue was very good, and although not spectacular, Ken Lashley overall did an amazing job. The detail to Lashley's art was overall very impressive, but there was the odd imperfection that let it down slightly. I did however enjoy his style, as although it's not my favourite style for a Superman story, it really helped with this one, as it worked perfectly with the younger Zod, as well as his older self. I also loved how Lashley handled all the creatures, or rather, "monsters," that were in this issue, as with a lot going on it'd be understandable for slightly less than perfection, but most of the time it was just that, adding a lot of excitement to the issue.

Zod was perfectly portrayed in this story, as although I was slightly sceptical about the changes to his origin, as I said it was very well handled, and the perfect characteristic made up for any small quibbles. I especially loved how this story showed a slightly different side to Zod at the very beginning, whilst ultimately showing him as the determined war general that he is, wanting to make Krypton as he envisions it, no matter what the cost. I was however in two minds about changing Zod's father to a scientist, as I liked the idea that every Zod was a warrior, whilst all El's were scientists.

Talking about the House of El, both Zor, and Jor-El would also feature in this story, being the people who found Zod. I liked the way that both characters were portrayed in this issue, as although I'm not full aware of the changes made to Zor-El since the start of the New 52 these younger versions were fairly close to the characters I know. I also loved seeing the connection that Zod would make with both these characters, as well as the differences between Zod, and them.

This issue would also show Zod's abilities as a general, as it would see the Kryptonian army face the Char in a very explosive fight. I also enjoyed seeing how Krypton saw Zod following this fight, and how it was in a much different light than he'd ultimately be seen in. I also loved that we also got to see Zod's lieutenants, Non, and Faora Hu-Ul, and how they interacted with Zod, having similar goals as him. I also feel that Zod is always much better with his lieutenants, and I especially enjoyed seeing Faora again following her appearance in Man of Steel.

Final Verdict

This was a truly amazing story, and one of the best that Villains Month has produced so far. Pak did a fantastic job of showing the characteristics of Zod, whilst also showing a slightly different side to him. The story itself was also filled with some brilliant drama, and amazing action, and I'd highly recommend this, and hope that Pak does just as good a job when he takes over Action Comics.

Rating: 10/10

Man of Steel Review

I've been a fan of Superman for as long as I can recall, having grown up watching the 90's Animated series, and the earlier films, and although Batman became my favourite superhero, Superman isn't far behind. The more recent Superman films have not been kind to the Man of Tomorrow, with Superman Returns, and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace being very poor, and Superman III also not being too great. This however is the perfect time to rectify that.

Plot

SPOILER FREE

When Krypton starts to destroy itself Jor-El sends his only son to Earth. After growing up on Earth, Clark Kent searches for the truth about his real parents and where he's from, and becomes Superman. His first task however is to stop the vengeful General Zod.

Review 

This was a phenomenal film, and possibly the best Superman film to date. Now it's not really fair to compare this film to the Christopher Reeves films, as both are from different times, and are truly different films. This film was however very different to any Superman film I've seen before, and that was nice, as things can get a bit repetitive if they stick to the same blueprint. With director of the Dark Knight Trilogy, Christopher Nolan on as producer, as well as Dark Knight Trilogy writers, David S. Goyer, and Jonathan Nolan writing the script, as well as Watchmen, and 300 director Zack Snyder directing, I had high hopes that I'd get the Superman film that I've long wanted to see, and I wasn't disappointed. The film had everything from emotion, to action in it, and was handled perfectly. I also loved how the film was laid out, having flashbacks to Clark's childhood instead of starting there. This did however cause the film to be slightly slow at the start, but with it being the first one that's expected, and needed, and the prolonged action near the end more than made up for it.

Besides the direction, and script, the cast is one of the key things to a brilliant comic book film, and this one had a fantastic cast. Prior to seeing the film I wasn't too sure if every cast member would suit their role, but now that I've seen the film I have to say that they've done an excellent job, and it would have been hard for anyone to have done better. Henry Cavill was brilliant as Superman, and although I always thought that he'd do a good job, he did an excellent one, and really suited the role. I also really liked how we finally got a muscular Superman, as it really made the Man of Steel look the strong being  that he is. Amy Adams also did a fantastic job of playing Lois Lane, and although I wasn't originally sure whether she'd pull it off, she played the part perfectly, showing the determination that Lois has, whilst also showing that she's good natured. Another actor who I wasn't sure whether he'd fit his role or not was Michael Shannon as Zod, but he did a fantastic job, and I can't think of anyone who could have done better. Superman's two father's, Jor-El played by Russell Crowe, and Jonathan Kent played by Kevin Costner were also perfectly cast, and these two former Robin Hood's did an excellent job at playing Superman's two very different fathers. The rest of the cast was also brilliant, with Laurence Fishburne being perfect as Perry White, and  Diane Lane doing an excellent job as Martha Kent, and overall this film had a spectacular cast.

Jor-El on Krypton

The start of this film spent a lot of time showing the demise of Krypton, as well as the birth of Kal-El, and Zod's rebellion. I loved that we got to see some of Krypton at the start of this film, as with CGI graphics being as good as they are now it's the perfect time to show this futuristic word in all it's glory, and then take it all away in a explosive destruction. I also liked how due to this we got to see a lot more of Jor-El, and that we actually got to see him fight, which was nice, and really made the start of the film that much more exciting. I also really loved the design of the Kryptonian's cloth's, as well as the design of the planet itself, as everything looked amazing, and wonderful, and I'm glad that the film took the time to show this.

A good portion of the start of the film would show Clark travelling around the world, trying to find the truth about his parents, and where he's from. Again it was nice that the film took the time to show us this, and although it did slow it down a bit, it was well worth it. I also felt that this was a very different approach for a Superman film, and origin, as most telling's of Superman's origin have him find the Fortress of Solitude easily, and learning of his heritage that way, whereas this was a much more realistic take (for a Superman film that is), and very unique. It was also nice that these scenes had drama, and emotion in them, which made it's slow pace even more appropriate.

The Man of Tomorrow's New Look

This film would see a slightly different look for Superman, as although he was still in the blue suit, with red boots, and cape, with a red S on his chest, the suit was still very unique, and different from the version that we've seen in other films, TV series, or comics. I loved this look, and the design was simply marvellous. I really liked the gold trim around the sides, and the gold buckle in the middle, and how it took a page from the New 52 re-design by removing the red pants, making it look much more modern. I also loved how the S, and it's gold backing had a metallic tint to it, making it stand out at times, which was really nice, and impactful.

Kneel Before Zod

The villain in this film would be vengeful Kryptonian, General Zod, who along with his army of Phantom Zone escape's come to Earth in search of Kal-El. Now Zod is a villain that I've always enjoyed, and I much prefer him to the more popular Superman villain, Lex Luthor. I also love that due to him also being from Krypton, as is his army, it gives a more equal opponent for Superman to face. As I said earlier, Michael Shannon played Zod perfectly, and you could really see the viciousness, and malice that's built up in him. Another thing that I've liked about Zod over the years, and Shannon showed this perfectly is that although he's evil, and callus, he appears to have the best interests of Krypton at heart, seeing his work as the greater good. His army was also very interesting, and the design of their armour, was also amazing, as was all the costume designs.


It was announced prior to this film that there would be no Kryptonite in it, which had a lot of fans worried. Added to that there were some fans that weren't happy about the fact that Lex Luthor wouldn't be in it. Although I wasn't too bothered about this prior to going to see the film, after watching it I have to say that the film was better for dropping these. I say that as all but one of the previous Superman films has featured Lex Luthor, so do we really need to see him again so soon. Also the general go to thing when trying to weaken Superman is Krytonite, which again makes the films slightly repetitive, and although I'm not comparing this film to any of the others, I felt it was brilliant how they managed to come up with a different way of evening the playing field between Zod, and Superman.

Finally I come to the action, and the fight between Superman, and Zod. Now I won't go into details during this section as to avoid spoilers, but as usual I will say what I though about both. The action itself was nothing short of phenomenal, with the last hour (possibly more) being packed full of amazing action, and excitement. What I loved most about the action however was that although it was basically non-stop, it was  very diverse, and kept moving at a wonderful pace, never getting dull, or feeling prolonged, which was wonderful. The fight between Superman, and Zod was no different, as these two warriors went at it tooth, and nail, in what was a very entertaining, and exciting fight, which also had a bit of emotion to it. I also felt that the dialogue during this fight was perfect, and really made the fight not only flow smoother, but also more dramatic, and dynamic.

Final Verdict

Finally we have the Superman film we deserve. This film had a lot of action, and emotion, as well as being very dramatic. The team behind this film truly did a fantastic job, bringing the Man of Steel into the 21st century, and I can't wait too see what they'll do in the sequel. The acting in this film was also very strong, and the costume, and set designs were also perfect. I'd highly recommend this film, and although this was phenomenal, I have a feeling that we've still to see the best from Superman in films.

Rating: 5/5