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COMIC REVIEW: FTN reviews Superman Unchained #4

November 11th, 2013 by Irwin Fletcher Comments

Writer: Scott Snyder

Artist: Jim Lee

Published by DC Comics

Clark’s not going to catch a break any time soon, is he? Our favorite Metropolis citizens seem to all be in some sort of not-so-great situations, with them only getting worse from here!

Snyder writes a spectacularly creepy Lex Luthor in this issue, and even though about halfway through I figured out what his ‘big reveal’ was about Jimmy Olsen, his overlying voice really tied a lot of the issue together. And writing about Superman actually getting physically injured is difficult, but Snyder continues to make writing these characters in awful situations look like a piece of cake. The action mixed with story development is awesomely done as well and, once again, the somewhat-cliffhanger ending made me shout lots of expletives and hate that this title only comes out once every four weeks.

I just wasn’t entirely sure what Luthor was actually doing to Jimmy Olsen, though. I get that you kidnapped him and are trying to rile him up, but does he need to be on a science experiment table? And I’m still trying to figure out what he was attempting to do to Jimmy’s hand. And then Lois’s reluctance to follow the mysterious man with the shard was a little frustrating. I get that you wanted to help the others from the plane crash, but come on Lois. I don’t have more than a little info on these crazy baddies, but I know that this might be bigger than rescuing a few pilots.

Jim Lee is spot on again with basically all that he does. There was a certain feel to each section (Clark, Lois, Jimmy and Luthor) of scenes that was different from the others. And those paper dolls were equally as creepy, but in an awesome way, as their creator. I’ve gotta say, though, the pages of Superman and Wraith’s battle had to be my favorite. From the action to the quieter moments, such as Clark bleeding, it was all grimly lovely. Though, I have to commend Lee on his consistency with the Ascension masks, and that page of the members attacking Lois was pretty amazing, especially in the mask details.

Clark is about to be busier than a university student on finals week, and it can only get more exciting from here.

4 out of 5 nerds

I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.