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Mild Mannered Reviews - Superman Comics

Superman #12

Scheduled to arrive in stores: June 12, 2019

Cover date: August 2019

"The House of El" - Part 6

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: Ivan Reis
Inker: Joe Prado & Oclair Albert
Cover: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado & Alex Sinclair
Variant Cover: Adam Hughes

Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel

Click to enlarge

Rogol Zaar sees Kara with his staff and attempts to take it back. This is a mistake as Supergirl has unlocked its power. Amid the chaos Clark sees Krypto race to greet Jon and for a moment he is filled with joy, but a battle doesn't wait and General Zod grabs the Man of Steel and they blur into super speed.

Jor-El calls out that the ship has fully repaired and they must leave and with that the El family is whisked to safety galaxies away and reunited after so long apart.

Supergirl reveals everything she has discovered on her quest which shakes them to their core. Including the revelations that Jor was a founding member.

Jor reveals his motivation for sending Kal to Earth and Kara takes the opportunity to ask Jon to help her take on Gandelo once and for all. Though Clark is reluctant, Jor backs up Jon's story that he has grown into a young Superman himself and has a suit that can teleport him anywhere he wants to go and back again. Clark agrees reluctantly but sends Krypto with them as back up.

With the others gone Jor breaks down and reveals The Circle began with noble intentions but decended into madness. Jor asks Clark what Zod whispered to him on the battlefield and Clark reveals Zod's secret plan.

Jor promises to deliver the truth as his ship arrives at its destination...

To Be Continued...

Story - 4: There are some truly shining moments this issue. Jon reuniting with Krypto, Supergirl beating up Rogol Zaar, Jor-El and Clark finally opening up and the secrets of The Circle, finally coming to light.

The other threats took such a step back I forgot the other armies that were present. It was such a puzzle to me as to why, with the element of surprise and their combined might, they didn't end the battle here? Added to this we have Zod's duplicity and the odds seemed to be in their favor.

The peril seemed to be absent. It shouldn't need Supergirl #31 to expand the story, given how much padding there is. Still I enjoyed the issue because the story is now moving to a point, an endgame if you will.

Art - 4: Some stunning layouts and creatively brilliant depictions of speed. The large scale panels and splash pages really give some of the most spectacular scenes. The smaller panels suffer a little but only under the intense scrutiny of a reviewer.

Love to hear which panels really spoke to you. I think the Superfamily reunited is clearly a contender but fight between Supergirl and Rogol Zaar is a close second.

Cover Art - 3: Superman doesn't kill I hear you say? Well, he seems to be continually beating a dead horse here. How many variations issue after issue can you have of this scene. I have to say it considering the work that's gone into it but I felt... BORED. With a book's front cover that is never a good sign.

Variant Cover Art - 5: Hughes delivers another beautiful cover here. Evoking memories of that final scene of the Fleischer cartoon opening credits. I have loved these variants. I hope there are more to come.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2019

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

January 2019

February 2019

March 2019

April 2019

May 2019

June 2019

July 2019

August 2019

September 2019

October 2019

November 2019

December 2019

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Mild Mannered Reviews - Superman Comics

Superman #12

Mild Mannered Reviews

2019

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