bedsitter23 | Comics Review- Superman #1

Superman (2018-) #1 by Brian Bendis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bendis to DC to write Superman has been the event of the year. Yet, it's been a bit underwhelming. His six-issue weekly Man of Steel miniseries, didn't start off with a bang. I waited patiently to see what would happen, and have to call it a mixed bag.

So, I wasn't sure what to expect from Superman #1. I have to say it was the big bang I expected in a #1. It played off Bendis's strength to advance story in dialogue. Reis's art is of course, cinematic.

I always try to give writers the freedom they need to tell their story. In this case, Bendis has done some serious ret-conned things. For me, I am not crazy about the changes. They would not be choices I would have made. That said, we can tell that Bendis used Man of Steel to set up the universe, so he can take off on Page 1.

For me, Superman #1 works well with this launching point and feels like a kick-off issue (which Man of Steel never did). Much has been said about the Jonn Jones/Supes conversation which ends the book. It's pure Bendis and will likely determine whether you have time for this series or not. For me, it's a scene I will remember 5 years from now.

It also sort of made me feel a bit cheated for paying a $3.99 cover price. In giving it a bit more thought, the story only feels deceptively short.

So while what you think of this will likely depend on your impression of Bendis. I felt this actually delivered on the promise of Bendis to the title; which is something I had not felt in the various prologues to get here.

In any case, Bendis made it work, and while I think it's very possible that he may fall short of some of the storied runs, I think we will all be pleased enough with how things turn out.

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