In this review of Superman Unlimited #9, Superman’s got his hands full with investigating mysterious murders while protecting Mayor White. Who’s behind all of this?
SUPERMAN UNLIMITED #9
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art by MIKE NORTON
Main Cover: DAVE JOHNSON
Variant Covers: GUILLEM MARCH, KRIS ANKA, CARLO PAGULAYAN, CLAYTON HENRY, MIKE ALLRED
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 1/21/26
This review contains spoilers
As Superman Unlimited #9 begins, strange deaths are happening in Metropolis. An innovator for the blind dies due to an allergic reaction to a pie in the face. A founder of charities is drowned in pink paint at a gender reveal. A songwriter has a piano drop on him from above. Clark’s unable to turn up any information on them. All seem to be committed in an almost comical manner, similar in style to the Joker, but there’s no evidence that he’s involved.
While Clark’s trying to figure things out, Minnie Mannheim of the Mannheim Crime Family is off in Suicide Slum, buying the services of the Prankster. She wants him to take out Mayor Perry White, who has put an end to Intergang’s Advanced Weapons Division. Prankster makes his first strike at Perry while the Mayor is throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game. As part of the promotion for the game, each fan gets a baseball that’s been rigged by the Prankster to launch at the Mayor with deadly force. Fortunately, Clark is in attendance and he’s able to save the Mayor, easily blasting the balls with heat vision.
As Superman is busy saving Perry’s life, Jon Kent is at Steelworks investigating dimension fissures. Mr. Mxyzptlk shows up, warning Jon that a fourth-dimensional demon named Master Txyz is coming for him. Apparently, he’s Jon’s greatest archenemy, but that’s all we’re told.
To thank Superman for saving his life, Perry presents him with a key to the city, but the Prankster is set on revenge for his first thwarted attack. He’s replaced the key with one that is made of kryptonite, but covered in gold. At the touch of a button, the gold melts away, exposing the kryptonite inside, weakening Clark. His gold powers activate, giving him time to save the Mayor from a bird and plane attack. Yes, a literal bird and a literal plane.
Clark later reports on television that these recent attacks are being conducted by someone similar to Central City’s Trickster. The Prankster is offended by the comparison and vows to kill Clark Kent, ending the first part of the “Die Laughing” storyline.
Analysis
Early in Superman Unlimited #9, I found Dan Slott’s story to be a little slow. I wasn’t hooked immediately and wasn’t really sure where he was going with the whole crazy deaths thing. I should know by this point in his run as writer that things would pick up, though. It got more interesting with the first assassination attempt on Perry’s life. Then, in the last third of the book, we finally get to see the return of Superman’s new gold powers. I like that they have a brief time limit and then leave him without powers, which makes for a more intriguing story since the consequences are greater. Slott hasn’t overused this ability, but several issues without an appearance of golden Superman and after a prime opportunity in Superman Unlimited #8, I was wondering when they’d show up again.
I am quite curious about this Master Txyz character that Slott is teasing. We don’t get much information, but he must be dangerous enough if it warrants Mxyzptlk coming to warn Jon. Of course, it could be some big prank. It is Mxy relaying this information, after all.
Artist Mike Norton makes a return to the title, as he previously did some work in Superman Unlimited #6. His characters are drawn with minimal, yet smooth, linework. I enjoyed his depictions of Clark and Superman. Of course, they naturally look similar, but Norton draws Clark in a slumped-shoulder, floppy-haired manner, while Superman has the perfect posture, spit-curl hair. It makes for a good distinction. Colorist Marcelo Maiolo gets to use a full range of colors throughout the story. There are plenty of bright colors when Superman shows up and darker greens and purples with Prankster and his Uncle Oswald are scheming. Even though it was just a few panels, I really liked the coloring on Mxyzptlk. The highlights and shading worked nicely for the imp.
Final Thoughts
Superman Unlimited #9 kicks off a new storyline that has a mix of mischievous characters, wacky kills and attempted murders, plus the return of golden Superman. Have fun, comic lovers!
