This first volume of New 52 Super is supposed to exist in conjunction with DC's Action Comics line. I really enjoyed the first volume of Actions Comics. In my review for that I had said that it set the Superman character up perfectly as a God-like, powerful alien, living a lonely life on Earth as the last of his species. In AC's first arc, Superman saves the world (for what will be the first time in this new DCU) from this universe's version of Brainiac. I only mention all of this because much of the story, as well as the main villain from that other series play a direct role in this first Superman arc. Basically, if you want to walk into all of this informed on the current goings-on of the man of steel in the new DC universe, I HIGHLY suggest reading Action Comics volume 1, issues #1 - #6 (I think, it's been a while) before plunging into this. What I enjoyed the most about this book was it continues to portray Superman's image to humanity as the biggest problem the man of steel faces – with alien fire and ice monsters attack Metropolis added into the mix, that's saying something. Superman become the target of attacks on Metropolis, putting thousands of innocents in mortal danger just to harm Superman. The public's already shaky allegiance with the Kryptonian is further tested by a scandalous TV journalist who's broadcasts put further questions into the public's consciousness. What makes things even worse is when a doppelganger of Superman runs through Metropolis actually taking the law into his own hands, and killing several rogues he formerly brought to justice. After Superman takes care of his doppelganger issues, the damage to his reputation done by the clone still remains. Superman must deal with the heightened sense of public fear he brings amongst the people he tries to save. It's great stuff that started in Action Comics and continues here. I'm really enjoying how much of the Superman titles deal with Superman's relationship with the public, because I find it's one of the more fascinating elements about this Godly protector. It's written really well in this arc. Let's hope they continue these types of politics going – it makes for interesting comics. For those interested, there's also a Supergirl cameo in issue #6 as Kryptonian cousins collide. Additionally, issues #1 and #6 respectively hint at something involving newly integrated Wildstorm team Stormwatch. I enjoyed the Supergirl vs Superman issue. Here's to hoping they actually fight just them in the future. Originally I was going to give this a middle of the line 3, but after writing all of that in the review, and consider the more than stellar artwork throughout, I'm going to have to go and give this a 4. I'm really enjoying what DC is doing with Superman in the first six months of The New 52. Between him and Batman, it's showing that DC isn't screwing around when it comes to their top properties. Now if they can only find a way to make some of their other heroes this intriguing they would be on to something. I have only recently started to read comics. Naturally, I was very interested in the new-52 reboot of the DC comics, because it gave me a chance to see these comics develop from a first issue and get to know many different characters. I had already red the staple “Best superhero comics of all time” that everyone touts, and I had passing familiarity with the stories of the characters, but I was excited to get started reading actual serial comics and follow them as they happened for the first time.First I read a Court of Owls, starring Batman. It was very good.Then I read The Trench, starring freakin' Aquaman. And it was good too (shockingly).Then I picked this baby up, and it sucked.Sorry, it was awful. Specifically, the writing. Terrible. First of all, the book includes narration in the past tense, juxtaposed next to dialog and action in the present tense. This is extremely jarring to read. The fact that there is narration at all is a little silly, but it should at least be in the present tense so I can see it is happening along with each panel. Plus, after the first issue the narration disappears. This improves the feel of the comic by a lot, but why was it there in the first place?Secondly... dat DIALOG. Hoo boy. Who can forget such amazing lines as these:“Sweet jeez – the fire monsters hit the swan towers building!”“The fire creature pointed at the Man of Steel, the language still a Tower of Babel of indecipherability.”'ARRRGH! It's freezing in here! I can feel the ice winds blasting through my suit! It's like when I fought the fire creature. I felt that burning heat, too!” Someone give this guy a Nobel Prize.Thirdly, WHY does every single person have to explain what is going on? “No! The fire creature set a building on fire! Now superman is fighting the fire creature! Now he is fighting it some more!” SHOW DON'T TELL.Oh, and what's with the jeans and the superman t-shirt? That KIND of makes sense... except he's wearing the red cape, too. How come he can go out and get a special t-shirt with an S on it, a red CAPE with an S on it, but can't get a freakin' pair of pants?Anyway, I was really disappointed with this one. I've read Superman done well, but this feels more like fanfiction than a professionally-done, widely-lauded reboot of one on the world's most famous comic book franchise. This was lauded as their opportunity to make a new generation fall in love with the character. Knowing that, this issue is sad, and it makes me sad.Now for one positive: I actually like what's going on with the Daily Planet, Clark Kent, and Lois. Lots of good stuff there, story-wise. It's too bad that the dialog is an abomination and for every 5 pages of interesting story, I have to sit through 10 pages of superman being thrown into buildings while people yell, “look! Superman is being thrown into a building! Now he's being thrown into a lake! Now he's being thrown into a trailer park!” It's Man of Steel all over again. Not a compliment.Every three pages, Superman is being attacked and getting the crap beaten out of him by different things. Fire. Ice. Metal bugs. Invisible versions of creatures I already saw in Aquaman (AQUAMAN! WATCHING HIM ORDER FISH & CHIPS WAS MORE INTERESTING THAN THIS). After seeing what felt like the ten-dozenth shot of him being rendered completely helpless by simple things, it came to me:George Perez hates Superman.It's the only explanation. The terrible dialog, the ineffectualness of the character in what should be his first awesome and impressive first introduction to new readers, the terrible dialog, the boring plot, the terrible dialog... all of these could only come from a man who has a deep loathing for Superman, who certainly does not want him to succeed in this new-52 venture. A man who has been plotting his entire life for the chance to write for Superman. A man who rose through the ranks, waiting. Just waiting. Until his opportunity comes. He is the ultimate Superman villain, because HE decides what happens. I wonder how our dear ol' Clark will get out of this one?!You win this time, Aquaman. Sweet jeez, you win.
What do You think about Superman 1: Cena Zítřka (2013)?
I liked the back-references to "five years ago", but story wise: evil nanites? Sigh.
—Kayaangelica
It has to be an amazing story for me to even like Superman comics and this ain't it.
—Kevin
Most disappointing of the new 52 so far. Won't be reading the next one.
—Britt
