In this review of Superman Unlimited #10, Clark deals with the Prankster while trying to figure out who’s responsible for a recent crime wave. Can he figure it out while avoiding dangerous pranks?
SUPERMAN UNLIMITED #10
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art by MIKE NORTON
Main Cover: DAVE JOHNSON
Variant Covers: GUILLEM MARCH, DON AGUILLO, MIKE CHOI, FERNANDO BLANCO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 2/18/26
This review contains spoilers
Superman Unlimited #9 started the “Die Laughing” storyline, a two-parter about Oswald Loomis and the Prankster’s quest to take out Perry White courtesy of Minnie Mannheim’s funding. After they failed to do so, Minnie meets with Oswald to discuss repayment. To send a message, Minnie’s goons chop off Oswald’s hand, but fortunately for him, he was using a fake-hand prank. The fake-hand stays in the car after they kick Oswald out, but it has an embedded one-way radio and transmits Minnie’s conversation back to Oswald.
Clark was secretly following Oswald and hears everything that takes place. He almost gets run over by a car filled with robotic clowns. The clowns attack him, but since there are people around, Clark has to get creative with how Superman comes to save him from under the ground.
As Superman Unlimited #10 continues, there’s a brief interlude with the meeting between Jon and Mxyzptlk, but it’s nothing more than a recap of the information from the previous issue.
Back at the Daily Planet, Clark talks to Steve Lombard about pranks, just as a delivery guy brings 12 Hawaiian pizzas for Clark. Everyone enjoys the food, but Clark chases down the delivery guy, who turns out to be Oswald. Oswald convinces Clark that his nephew is out to kill him and offers to show Clark the Prankster’s hideout.
Once there, Oswald opens a can of peanuts, releasing a kryptonite snake in a can. It wraps itself around Clark, weakening him. Oswald reveals himself to be the Prankster in disguise and leaves the room once Superman doesn’t show up. Clark uses his golden powers to escape and he finds the fake-hand recorder that was used earlier. Minnie’s conversations are saved and he uses that to write a story for the Planet, exposing the criminal acts, leading to Minnie’s arrest.
Analysis
Dan Slott’s story in Superman Unlimited #10 and the last is entertaining, but mostly feels like filler. The ending preview line reads, “Next: Reign of the Superboys!” so that, along with the brief interlude between Jon and Mxy, is obviously leading us to a bigger storyline. If you’ve been following DC KO and monthly solicitations, you probably already know that Superman is about to disappear in the near future.
I was hoping for a little more information about this Txyz character that Mxyzptlk tells Jon about, but that will have to wait for a future issue, as the few panels (a single page) we’re given are just a recap of what’s already been said. I found that to be a frustrating waste of an opportunity. I’m not saying the whole character has to be revealed, but at least give us a few more morsels to chew on.
While this two-parter was entertaining enough, the only resolution is Minnie’s arrest. The Prankster and Oswald are still free at the end, but for lower-tiered villains like these, I suppose this story is sufficient. I liked the way Superman rescued Clark from the robot clowns early in the story, as it was a clever way to keep his secret identity protected. Overall, the writing is fine, but it’s nothing that will really get you hooked for more.
The artwork by Mike Norton and the colorwork by Marcelo Maiolo remain solid. There’s a lot of variety in the colors and tones used throughout the issue. Some sections are more muted, while some are brighter. This variation keeps the look fresh from start to finish. I’m a big fan of golden Superman and the illustrations for those few panels are great.
Final Thoughts
Superman Unlimited #10 wraps up a short arc that is ultimately a filler story. Fans of the Prankster should love this one, but details on the new character “Txyz” are limited. Have fun, comic lovers!
