Review – Superman #32 (DC Comics)

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: James Bonny
Art: Tyler Kirkham
Colours: Arif Prianto
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Release Date: 4^th October 2017

Superman goes up against Deathstroke in the second chapter of Breaking Point! Why is Slade Wilson trying to force Clark into killing him, and just where is that ‘point of no return’ for the Man of Steel?

James Bonny seems to be having a great time pushing Superman’s buttons, and even someone as powerful and as fast as Superman is finding it hard to keep up with one of the world’s deadliest assassins here. His taunting of Clark, edging him closer and closer to an all-encompassing rage is truly fun to watch. Lois unfortunately appears to have lost all of her common sense, and literally hours after being kidnapped runs straight into danger again and gets herself into trouble. After watching her in previous issues of both Superman and Action Comics outsmarting many members of Clark’s rouges gallery, it does seem very out of character for her to be so careless here.

Tyler Kirkham is on art duties here, and his work is simply breathtaking. Every panel is visually striking with an intricate attention to detail on everything from Superman’s ripped physique to the fibres used on Deathstroke’s costume. Backgrounds are busy with life giving the world a living breathing feel, and facial expressions perfectly capture every emotion and moment of pain.

Arif Prianto’s colours help give the book an ‘animated series’-esque appearance with every panel leaping off the page in dazzling hues. Fires feel warm on each page and the sunset on the final few pages is truly a thing of beauty, signifying the end of the story but also start of a new chapter, its rays touching not only Clark and Lois but Deathstroke too.

The issue is fairly new reader friendly and seems to hint at an upcoming crossover of sorts. The action sequences are of the highest standard and the art is absolutely exquisite, raising its visual appeal way above most of this week’s other books. That said, I still can’t quite get over Lois and her sudden swing towards stupidity half way through the book. I suppose she had been made a cog in the story at this point but it felt very unnatural to see return to her original ‘damsel in distress persona’ when she has already demonstrated her intellect and battle prowess only a few issues before.

This tale isn’t a bad one and actually in some places provides a fun adventure, pitting two of the DCU’s biggest names against each other. Gorgeous art direction helps to make the action all the more spectacular, and watching Superman have to battle not to give in to his aggression is always interesting. It will also be interesting to see what the final panel leads to, and just what new adventures will begin as a result.

Rating: 4/5.

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