Superman #32 might just be the most anticipated DC book since the New 52 relaunch two years ago. After all, it combines Geoff Johns, who wrote a fantastic run on Action Comics a few years back, with John Romita Jr., the legendary Marvel artist, and the equally great Klaus Janson on inks.
It would all be for nothing, of course, if the trio (with colorist Laura Martin) didn’t deliver on what was expected of them. So you’ll be glad to know, the end result means the main Superman book is back to greatness.
To say Superman, as a character and book, has struggled during the New 52 is to underestimate the situation. That’s not to say there hasn’t been good stories told, thanks to Scott Snyder and Jim Lee on Superman Unchained, and Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder on Action Comics. The former, however, has been hit with numerous delays, and the latter only told a quick story before having to deal with the “Doomed” crossover.
Plus, it’s important to have quality when it comes to the flagship title for the character, ask any Batman or Wonder Woman fan. With Johns arrival, there’s an immediate sense of change, instead of stories dealing directly to his Superman-side, we have one that shows Clark Kent in his everyday life. There’s a job proposal, there’s not being able to talk to friends, there is eating at home alone while watching TV.
This gives us a fresh perspective that has lacked into the New 52, before introducing status-quo changes it’s important to make us relate to the character. Johns is a master on that, and if you’ve read his Green Lantern or Aquaman, you know it. There’s a clear slow start here, but things get bombastic, of course, the moment Clark hears a cry for help. Then it’s Superman time.
When it comes to the action moments, John Romita Jr. brings his A-game, and though I was worried about it, his art more than pleased me, at least in this particular department. There are multiple splash pages that are just so Superman, and Romita nails each and every beat with great visuals and a unique look. His art’s greatest achievement is giving the reader the feeling of greatness and power that comes with those moments.
His work is not so great on the quieter, dialogue-based moments where I’d like to see more emotion and reactions come from the characters. It’s nothing bad by any stretch of the imagination, but when you open your comic with a powerful double splash of Superman punching a gorilla, I’ll set my expectations higher.
Overall, Superman #32 is exactly what any fan wanted. A new take on the character that clearly feels like a fresh beginning. It’s Geoff Johns, it’s John Romita Jr. It’s time for Superman to truly make his comeback, and this is just the start.
