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Superman #7 Superman #7

Superman #7 [Legacy #850]

Scheduled to arrive in stores: October 17, 2023
Cover date: December 2023

"The Chained" - Part Two

Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artists: Gleb Melnikov, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Edwin Galmon
Cover: Jamal Campbell
Variant Cover Artists: Lee Bermejo, Frank Cho and Sabine Rich, Dave Nakayama, David Finch, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glampion & Dave McCaig
1:25: Gerald Parel
1:50: Chris Samnee & Matheus Lopes
Jim Lee Icon Series Variant: Jim Lee, Scott Williams & Alex Sinclair

Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel
Click to enlarge


After his health scare Perry has re-evaluated his life and decided his future is still intrinsic to Metropolis and has put himself forward for Mayor.

The positivity of the crowd is interrupted as the chained prisoner crashes through the streets with his remarkable telekinetic abilities.

Perry is shocked to recognise him and whispers his name. The chained one responds with demands to see Lex Luthor but before Perry can respond, Steel (Natasha), Super-man, Superboy and Supergirl arrive.

The four heroes fight but are quickly at a standstill, frozen in place by the villain's powers and Superman is trapped in the prison by the very same machine he had released the prisoner from. Mercy and Superman try their hardest to free him before the chained one catches up with Lex.

The Superman family clear the city streets as Superboy uses his own tactile telekinesis to get close to the villain, but though Conner gets close, it is remarked his powers have not yet reached their full potential.

In the nick of time Superman interrupts and tells the confused prisoner that they just want to help him. They disagree, and while the city is being damaged, the Superfamily rescue all the people while Superboy uses his powers to stop skyscrapers from falling.

Conner realizes that the prisoner was right and that he has the exact power, only elevated far beyond his level.

While the heroes are distracted by the damaged city, Dr. Pharm and Mr. Graft appear and reveal they had orchestrated his escape to form a partnership.

Elsewhere Lois confronts Lex in Stryker's Island medical bay. They share some home truths about their past. Lex promises his every battle with Clark has changed him. But when a mysterious woman enters the room Lois is shocked to her core. Lex Luthor's mother is alive and she has brought along his teenage daughter Lena!

In far flung space, Brainiac is planning to attack Earth and has forged a partnership to enable that to happen... with the Czarnians!

To Be Continued...

5Story - 5: With the revelations this issue, it's kind of disappointed that The Chained One wasn't Lionel Luthor, but it's really cool that he has a connection to Conner. Meaning, even back to the Supermen saga, Conner's Tactile TK was a specific choice. I'm more interested however in the Lex Luthor story that Lois is part of. It's going to be really interesting to see the House of Luthor. Of course that Brainiac scene is a close second!

5Art - 5: I enjoyed the art this issue split into individual scenes. They helpfully keep each separate and easy to follow. It's difficult to rate and unfair to force a comparison. All I can say is that each brought me great joy as a Superman reader.

4Cover Art - 4: A joyful cover but I wish it hadn't taken a backwards shot of the iconic pose! Would have much rather seen how epic it was in full view. Feel like I'm in the cheap seats at a concert.

5Variant Cover - 5: Who didn't want to do this after reading a Superman comic, or watching the movies and cartoons? It connects on an emotional level and is probably the most cerebral of the covers on offer this month. Beautifully painted! Would love this as a poster.

5Variant Cover - 5: Speaking of iconic, this cover is a wondrous look as a silver age-esque youthful Superman. It's instantly recognisable... just SUPER!

3Variant Cover - 3: A really fantastic piece of art but I don't like that Superman is absorbed by the background. I know it's a design choice but I feel like it took away from the brilliant artwork.

4Variant Cover - 4: I know there are some readers that really love these dark covers where Superman has glowing red eyes and is about to unleash the full force of his might, and he definitely looks ripped and ready to take on the likes of Doomsday. There is no denying the art is stunning. For me the imagery is the issue, glowing eyes Superman has over saturated the character for such a long while that it no longer excites me as much as it did.

3Variant Cover - 3: Another youthful Superman cover this time enjoying the heat of the sun in the coldness of space. Much like the Bermejo cover this one is telling a story. It feels like the first moment Superman left Earth so it is a wonderfully emotive piece. The only downside it that it feels more like a sketch or panel than a cover.

5Variant Cover 1:25 - 5: Much like the Finch cover we have Superman looking like he means business, this time however it is far less aggressive. He looks serious and for Superman that's enough for a villain to be worried. I like the color palette also, it adds to the atmosphere.

5Variant Cover 1:50 - 5: Chris Samnee knocked it out of the park here. I love this ethereal vibe. Superman is iconic and this cover encapsulates that to perfection.

3Jim Lee Iconic Series Variant Cover - 3: I know this cover is viewed by many fans as an iconic image. If you love it, this reprint will be right up your street. I never liked it. Sorry! The linework is too busy and the image of Superman watching over the city is just a little bland, mostly because I know as an oldie that it was half of a larger image with Batman doing the same thing and it was a pose more fitting to the Dark Knight than the symbol of hope but thats just my opinion!

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

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

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