In this review of Superman #19, we see a new Superwoman, some Absolute Power fallout, and the return of a legendary Superman foe.
Superman #19
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Art and Main Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Cover Artists: Simone Di Meo, Carla Cohen, Ben Oliver, Chris Samnee, Daniel Sampere, Kelly Jones
Release Date: October 23, 2024
This comic book review contains spoilers
The Story
Superman #19 begins in media res with the title card: “The End.” In the midst of a fiery explosion a cloaked Time Trapper tells Superman their conflict will never end, and that if he won’t do what is necessary, he will find someone who will.
Back in the present day, Editor in Chief of the Daily Planet, Lois Lane, hounds Jimmy Olsen for a picture of Metropolis’ new “Superwoman.” But when an explosion breaks out across town, she ducts into a broom closet with Clark Kent, the pair of them become Superman and Superwoman, and they dart towards the commotion where Atomic Skull is performing a heist.
Over at Supercorp Tower, Mercy and her team are monitoring Superwoman’s control of her new abilities after the Absolute Power incident redistributed superpowers. Frost breath is fine, but heat vision is out, as it may burn up too much of the solar energy in her cells. Lena Luthor is supposed to be there monitoring Superman but instead she’s staying with her amnesiac father who has recently grown an auburn beard.
After Superman and Superwoman neutralize the Atomic Skull threat, they come across another familiar foe wreaking havoc nearby. The lethal alien threat: Doomsday. But before Superman can engage in battle, all of time stops around him and a cloaked Time Trapper appears. Superman asks why he’s there. Time Trapper says he needs Superman’s help as he removes his hood to reveal the face of a slender Doomsday.
Analysis
Superman #19 is such a great issue. And it’s a solid start to DC’s soft reboot of the line for the “All-In” event. Initially I was a little worried that I may have missed a tie-in issue explaining the origins of Lois’ Superwoman persona, but it’s briefly implied that her newfound powers are a result of the superpower redistribution mentioned at the end of the Absolute Power crossover. There are a few other lingering threads that are touched on such as Luthor’s amnesia, Mercy’s handling of Supercorp, and a blink-and-you-miss-it mention of Pharma and Graft, but for the most part, this is the perfect jumping-on point for new fans that DC purported it would be.
Dan Mora and Joshua Williamson hit the ground running with a visceral and surprising story that has just enough candy to leave even a casual Superman fan clamoring for more. What do I mean by candy, you ask? Well I’ll tell you. There’s the framed newspaper on the Daily Planet wall depicting Lois’ first one-on-one interview with Superman (iconically rendered in Richard Donner’s classic film), here featuring Superman and Lois in their original 1938 designs. There’s seeing Lois Lane fly beside Superman as Superwoman, once again. And of course there’s the absolutely irresistible Doomsday twist at the end. Love it or hate it, that’s pure comic books.
I could’ve used a bit more explanation as to the how’s and why’s of Lois becoming Superwoman as we only get a couple lines and a brief montage panel, but I understand the desire to play it as a reveal. And the double page splash of the pair of them flying together is iconic. The entire issue is so beautiful and full of joy thanks largely to Dan Mora’s incredibly dynamic art. This whole series has looked great but Mora gives the book a reinvigorating new look that’s sure to draw in new readers flipping through issues at the comic shop. His work here makes me even more excited that he was chosen to draw the forthcoming Justice League Unlimited book.
The brief tease of Lex Luthor, while essentially just a hint at what’s to come, was intriguing. I like his more homely slimmed down appearance with fully committed facial hair. He’s like a guy fresh out of rehab, barely recognizable from his old self which Lena shows him footage of on TV. This feels like a natural evolution for Lex who’s been flirting with the idea of redemption throughout this run. He even says he might go for a walk.
Speaking of reinvention, I can’t close out this review of Superman #19 without talking Doomsday. I know people have been ragging on Doomsday since he first cropped up during the peak of 90s comic book excess to kill everyone’s favorite Kryptonian, but for kids like me who read those collected issues until the spines broke, or for kids who grew up watching the Doomsday cartoon or even the more recent two-part Death & Return adaptations, this is one heck of a moment. I don’t know what Williamson is doing with him by making him a slender eloquent Time Trapper instead of the inarticulate hulking death machine (although we see a glimpse of that version too) but I can’t wait to pick up issue #20 to find out.
Final Thoughts
Superman #19 is a beautiful issue filled with so much joy and fun. Superman is back, baby and you don’t want to miss it!
You can find this comic and help support The Comic Book Spot in the process by purchasing this issue digitally on Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
