‘Superman: Kal-El Returns Special #1’ Review (DC Comics)
Written by Mark Waid, Sina Grace, Marv Wolfman, Alex Segura | Art by Clayton Henry, Dean Haspiel, Jack Herbert, Fico Ossio | Published by DC Comics
Move over Batman, there’s a new flavour of the month in town. Superman’s having a good time of it right now. He’s just finished a mammoth storyline featuring Mongul in his own books, has been involved in Dark Crisis, just celebrated/ commemorated the 30th anniversary of his death/return, and is now getting another shiny special. Throw in the fact we get stories from Mark Waid and Marv Wolfman here, and I’m a happy man. This special has the typical DC anthology setup, with four different stories from four different creative teams.
Let’s take a look.
First up is ‘The Concert that Ate Gotham,’ by Mark Waid and Clayton Henry, featuring you-know-who as a guest star. The story reunites Clark and Bruce, of course, and gives Waid a chance to do what he does best, craft a fun story with plenty of nostalgia threaded through. Gotham is under attack from Doom Patrol villain, Mr. Nobody, and it takes Bruce’s smarts and Clark’s abilities to take him down. All fun stuff of course, but it’s the interaction between the two heroes that is the real filling here. It’s lovely stuff, nicely drawn and laid out by Henry.
Next up, we get Jimmy Olsen guest-starring in ‘A Friend, in Need!,’ by Sina Grace and Dean Haspiel. Can’t have a Superman story without his Pal now, can you? Grace does a good job here showing the closeness of the relationship between Superman and Jimmy, but also is at pains to show their relationship is a little more equal than it used to be. Jimmy’s no kid sidekick anymore, he’s his own man. Times have changed, and so have these old friends. Sentimental, yes, but affectionately done. Haspiel’s art may be a little cartoony for some, but for me works well here. Nicely done.
The third story is completely different, in both script and art. ‘Distractions’ is by Marv Wolfman and Jack Herbert and opens with Clark and Lois enjoying a much deserved second honeymoon in Venice. The family angle comes into play as Jon Kent arrives, and Wolfman plays up the Super-family angle nicely. All those years we had the ‘what if’ Superman stories (married to Lois, super-sons etc.) and now it’s all real. Luthor makes the obligatory cameo, showing he’s the thorn in the side of both Supermen, but also gives Jon a chance to show he’s got Lex’s number. The writing is very nicely done, capturing the characters perfectly, and Herbert’s art is gorgeous, Gary Frank-like, with a scarily good Christopher Reeve-like Superman. I really enjoyed this one.
Last up is ‘Home,’ from the team of Alex Segura and Fico Ossio. The focus this time is on Superman’s relationship with his workmates. The Justice League, to you and me. It emphasizes the fact they are family, no matter what. Clark returns there and reminds both himself and the others just what legacy means. The Hall of Justice Museum is of course perfect for that job. Seguera gives us a reminder of Superman and the League’s history and legacy, and what their future is. It’s nicely done, though I was a little on the fence with Ossio’s art, finding it a little scruffy, for want of a better word. Decent enough, but the worst of the four stories for me.
DC rarely read the room wrong with these Specials, and you know legacy and history are going to feature heavily with Mark Waid and Marv Wolfman involved. They didn’t disappoint either, with their two stories my favourite ones. I’ve been reading Superman comics for a long time now, and it’s nice every now and then to have a little reminder of Just how special Clark is as a character. Special to the fellow denizens of the DC Universe of course but, most importantly, special to us readers.
Big Blue is back.
Here to stay? Who knows? I guess we’ll have to pick up the monthlies to see.
Ah, I see what you did there DC.
**** 4/5
