Written by: Max Landis
Art by: Jae Lee
Publisher: DC Comics
Last month, Max Landis and DC Comics continued Clark Kent’s very entertaining story by throwing him in the midst of drunken fools and rich playboys. This issue included all manner of goofiness and some unexpected twists, but these aspects worked together quite well to make a fun and colorful romp. This latest issue has a surprisingly different tone, but that’s not a bad thing. Actually, it finds a way to continue this entertaining run while almost completely tackling the serious side of Superman.
Unlike in the last issue, Clark Kent is focused more on work and less on booze and women. Kent is back in Metropolis continuing his work as a reporter, and he has a doozy of an assignment—covering the Cerberus Summit. Before you ask, this is not related to the mysterious company from Mass Effect. No, the Cerberus Summit is actually a big meeting between Bruce Wayne, Lex Luthor, and post-Starfish Island Oliver Queen. Not much is known about the meeting beyond the fact that all three men want to change the world in different ways. Even Oliver Queen can’t explain it during his press conference, but that’s mostly because he is easily distracted.
The entire American Alien series may be focused on Clark Kent, but he actually takes a backseat at times because of Lex Luthor. The classic villain is just as much of a psychopath in this series, and he isn’t particularly afraid to show it. Luthor goes full on “Bond villain” throughout the issue, which unfortunately grows tiresome after a while, but he is still a necessary part of the story. Luckily, everyone else picks up the slack and keeps the overall quality high. Clark Kent has some unique interactions, all of which seem to fit with the actual story.
Max Landis has been cranking out a great series with Superman: American Alien, and issue #4 continues that trend. Sure, Lex Luthor gets tiresome after a while, but that’s a small complaint. The more serious Clark Kent has all manner of interactions with big characters, most of which seem like a really cool form of “Easter Egg”. Half of the included characters logically shouldn’t be spending time with Kent, but who cares because it’s spectacular! Even the ending makes the inner comic fan squeal with joy!
Thank goodness that Superman: American Alien exists, because it’s the best form of Superman around. Reading this series honestly helps build the excitement for the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
