In this review of Adventures of Superman: The Book of El #5, we find out what it takes to stop a Sun-Eater, as well as the birth of a new Lantern.
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN: BOOK OF EL #5
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art and Main Cover: SCOTT GODLEWSKI
Variant Covers: SAOWEE, LUCIO PARRILLO, CORIN HOWELL
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 1/7/26
This review contains spoilers
Adventures of Superman: The Book of El #5 opens with an explanation from the Book of El explaining how Kryl-Ux came to control Thularamm the Sun-Eater. The battle between Thularamm and Superman, Ronan, and Rowan begins while the heroes are trying to save the remaining Lightborns from the Sun-Eater’s destruction. During the fight, Superman gets blasted by Black Sun radiation, momentarily weakening him. While Ronan assists him, Rowan attacks Thularamm, who is able to take her Darkstar Ring. After quickly recovering, Superman grabs a massive chunk of Lanternholm and uses it as a projectile, piercing Thularamm’s armor and setting the Will of Olgrun free.
In the resulting explosion, Superman disappears, but the Lightborn are saved. Ronan has a plan for finding Superman, but is interrupted by Ellie Stewart’s spirit back at the remnants of Stewart’s Crossing (last seen in Book of El #4). The spirit is speaking to Rowan, telling her that, because of her bravery in the face of certain death, she has been chosen to become the first of a new Green Lantern corps – the Lantern El. Rowan speaks the words and slips on the green ring, taking on the powers of the Green Lantern and combining them with her own powers as a member of the House of El.
Adventures of Superman: The Book of El #5 closes out with a quick scene of Otho-Ra aboard a ship far away from Lanternholm and the ship’s crew about to hail the Valkyries of the Warworld Engines.
Analysis
Philip Kennedy Johnson continues to pack plenty of action and excitement into this story. Adventures of Superman: The Book of El #5 never slows down, as there’s always something going on with the fight between the heroes and the Kryl-Ux controlled giant. This story is heavily focused on family. Of course, Superman is trying to find the supertwins. Kryl-Ux is trying to save his children, and Rowan and Ronan are able to patch things up. The message of fighting through your struggles and fears in life to help the ones who are relying on you is strong.
I liked that Rowan actually becomes a Green Lantern in this issue. In the last issue, she had similar powers, but that was based on the Darkstar Ring. Now she’s got an actual Green Lantern Power Ring and all the abilities that come with it. In other words, she has just leveled-up in the power department. The splash page with her wielding the ring and costume is beautiful, as Scott Godlewski and Alex Guimaraes give us some great artwork. Everything from the pose to her expression to the green energy surrounding her evokes strength.
This wasn’t the only page that looked good, though. The whole issue is eye-catching. The battle with Thularamm is easy to follow, thanks to the differences in colors used for the characters. One of my favorites pages is when Superman crashes the chunk of Lanternholm into the giant, shattering his armor. The layout of the page and the electric arcs of energy scattered across it is well done.
Final Thoughts
Adventures of Superman: The Book of El #5 has some very cool action moments, but its strength is in the writing about the love of family. If you’re a fan of a good story, grab this title. Have fun, comic lovers!
