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Superman: Ruina #3
Superman: Ruin Revealed
Ruin, supposedly out to destroy Superman and his loved ones, is revealed to be someone near and dear to the Man of Steel – one of his best friends. As Superman tries to uncover the truth to prove his friend's innocence, he must contend with the return of Lex Luthor and the arrival of the OMACs, malevolent cybernetic warriors who have every super-hero marked for death.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2006
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89 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,493 books1,924 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 25, 2022
"You look at Superman, and you wonder 'What can he possibly have to worry about? What could possibly ever hurt him?' But just because his skin is invulnerable, that doesn't mean his heart is . . . and that's how you hurt Superman - you break his heart." -- the thoughts of Lois Lane, on page 7
Often serviceable but occasionally a fairly good Man of Steel graphic novel - a supporting turn by the enchanting superheroine Zatanna will always improve a book for me - in which our title superhero determinedly works to free a wrongly-imprisoned friend who was mistaken for the vicious supervillain known as 'Ruin.' The action-fueled climax features a great moment in which Superman actually has to be "faster than a speeding bullet" (in a nod to the old radio and/or TV series opening narration) as he multi-tasks with saving lives AND seeing that justice is served for those involved.
Often serviceable but occasionally a fairly good Man of Steel graphic novel - a supporting turn by the enchanting superheroine Zatanna will always improve a book for me - in which our title superhero determinedly works to free a wrongly-imprisoned friend who was mistaken for the vicious supervillain known as 'Ruin.' The action-fueled climax features a great moment in which Superman actually has to be "faster than a speeding bullet" (in a nod to the old radio and/or TV series opening narration) as he multi-tasks with saving lives AND seeing that justice is served for those involved.
March 23, 2017
Well that was a bit of a turd. The art and story both were subpar.
September 18, 2014
This tale follows shortly after Superman was mind controlled to wreak havoc against those who hurt his loved ones. It got so bad that Wonder Woman had to come in and do something unspeakable. That segment was titled “The Sacrifice”.
In this installment Superman faces off against a mysterious supervillain named Ruin who is more interested in hurting “The Man of Steel” mentally by threatening friends and family than plain out violence against Superman. Early on we think the super villain is defeated when he is revealed as an old high school chum but it's early on in the page count so we know there's a lot more about to take place.
Interesting top and lower panel display (past shown in a big top panel and then the current story in the lower part in smaller, multiple panels). Lois Lane is commando style in her fighting skills. I have never seen that before as she typically was the being rescued from various super villains but that could be any mortal.
Wonder Woman and Zatanna make brief appearances.
This particular comic seems focused on showing that “The Man of Steel” is still a good guy after he was mind controlled in the “Sacrifice” version.
STORY/PLOTTING: B minus to B; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B to B plus; ACTION SCENES: B minus to B; OVERALL GRADE: B; WHEN READ: early June 2012.
In this installment Superman faces off against a mysterious supervillain named Ruin who is more interested in hurting “The Man of Steel” mentally by threatening friends and family than plain out violence against Superman. Early on we think the super villain is defeated when he is revealed as an old high school chum but it's early on in the page count so we know there's a lot more about to take place.
Interesting top and lower panel display (past shown in a big top panel and then the current story in the lower part in smaller, multiple panels). Lois Lane is commando style in her fighting skills. I have never seen that before as she typically was the being rescued from various super villains but that could be any mortal.
Wonder Woman and Zatanna make brief appearances.
This particular comic seems focused on showing that “The Man of Steel” is still a good guy after he was mind controlled in the “Sacrifice” version.
STORY/PLOTTING: B minus to B; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B to B plus; ACTION SCENES: B minus to B; OVERALL GRADE: B; WHEN READ: early June 2012.
March 5, 2012
A great story that keeps you guessing until the shocking end. The only disappointment was the character assassination of one of Superman's allies.
Read
July 14, 2022Though this is the best collection of stories in Greg Rucka’s Superman run, thats not saying much. The ending is rushed due to Infinite Crisis, and Ruin was never an interesting antagonist. The final twist that he’s Emil Hamilton bears no weight as Hamilton has been absent from this whole run and has no clear characterization other than maniacal bad guy. There’s some stuff here that ties into Infinite Crisis and OMAC in terms of the “world getting darker” that I don’t care for, and the fallout of Wonder Woman’s killing of Max Lord that at this point feels redundant given we’ve seen that story in several other books. The reveal that Ruin is actually Pete Ross made for an interesting issue, lacking action for most of the pages, a breath of fresh air honestly in a largely monotonous punch and monologue-fest. The art too is finally serviceable, shout out to Karl Kershl.
If this run had been been more focussed on Lois Lane uncovering that Sasha Bordeaux shot her on orders for Max and Checkmate that would be exciting, but it’s paced all wrong and her rabbit hole adventure is crammed into basically one issue. Overall, some good Lois ideas (that Rucka would return to in his Lois series) drowned out by the Ruin story arc.
If this run had been been more focussed on Lois Lane uncovering that Sasha Bordeaux shot her on orders for Max and Checkmate that would be exciting, but it’s paced all wrong and her rabbit hole adventure is crammed into basically one issue. Overall, some good Lois ideas (that Rucka would return to in his Lois series) drowned out by the Ruin story arc.
May 25, 2019
I picked this up at the library "just cuz." I wanted to read something that wasn't a part of the Rebirth continuity (something that, if I didn't remember every single detail wouldn't bite me in future comics), and I was surprised to find that this was an actually really excellent read. I had trouble putting it down and devoured it in one sitting. Obviously, there was a lot leading up to this graphic, and other tie-ins that weren't included. But the page-long summaries that were sprinkled throughout the book really helped. (And, honestly... it made me want a giant collection of ALL the connected stories: the OMACS, Maxwell Lord, Zatanna's memory stuff--if we don't have a collection telling us the WHOLE story then... DC, get on that! Pretty please.) This story, obviously, focused more on Ruin, and I loved the twists and turns of that case as Superman slowly figured out who it was that was trying to destroy, not only Superman, but Clark Kent as well. The best part was that the ending theme was about Superman's hope, about how he refuses to despair, and about how he strives to protect life (all life). That is who Superman is, in a nutshell, and in a world that is getting crazier and crazier... we need heroes like that--fictional and otherwise. On another note, I was shocked that they killed Mxy--I mean, he's one of my favorites! I saw he was in this comic, and I got excited, and then at the end I was like, "Wait... what?!?!?" But still, that was a good way for him to go out and... yeah, he's not really dead. I know that. I mean, he's an imp from the fifth dimension (and I've been reading Rebirth). So... yeah. But, still, this was a very solid read that has me wanting to find more stories from this time in Superman's history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
The mystery of who Ruin is hasn't been something I was invested in since his debut. However, Greg Rucka turns it around and delivers a satisfying conclusion to his arc. I haven't really enjoyed Rucka's run so far but this was good. His handling of the mystery, the reveal (understandable but jarring), the red herring, Mxy's treatment, and more were all done so well. I still think some of Clark's choices, and Lois's for that matter, were questionable. Karl Kerschl is super underrated and does some super solid work here. Overall, Superman books are never collected well due to how DC releases them but this is a good read that explains what's happened before, tells a very good story, and entertains.
April 8, 2020
Ruin Revealed collects the end of Greg Rucka's Adventures of Superman run and represents the end of my Great Greg Rucka Superman Reread of 2020. The story reads like a good first draft, which is the same thing I would say about Rucka's entire run. (Minus Sacrifice. Sacrifice was the worst. Fortunately it lifts right out and you don't miss anything if you just skip it like you really, really should.) Rucka does get to wrap up all of his plots regarding Ruin, Pete, Lupe, Mxy, and Lois, but, as I've mentioned in my previous reviews, the pacing is just no good. It's just over so quickly and there's no real satisfaction in any of the plot threads. Lois tracks down the sniper that shot her, resulting in yet another unnecessary OMAC Project tie-in. (Apparently there are only about three people in the entire Checkmate organization, and they all make an appearance in this collection.) Pete Ross and Lana Lang resolve their differences relatively amicably, with the aid of Superman and a weird murder/kidnapping plot. Superman makes his peace with Zatanna and the mindwiping stuff in a belabored Identity Crisis tie-in, and Lois tells Superman that Wonder Woman was right to kill Max Lord and he should stop being such a baby about it. (Okay, the last part was me.) Also, Ruin was revealed to be Emil Hamilton, Superman's old scientist buddy from the Nineties, because why the hell not? Seriously, this run ended so suddenly that, despite there being resolutions to everything, there was basically no satisfaction to be had in any of it.
Let me put it this way: this run had lots of promise at the beginning, then *thud*. How could it have been better? Rucka's character work was consistently the best part of his Superman stories. Let's keep all of that. Then let's tighten up the plot by dumping all the Identity Crisis/OMAC Project/Infinite Crisis stuff and giving the Ruin plot the page time it deserves. Then, maybe, Rucka could acknowledge that Superman might have a slightly better grasp of the realpolitik of Wonder Woman killing Max Lord in battle and he wouldn't necessarily spend entire issues clutching his pearls about it, or better yet, leave all that in a revised OMAC Project miniseries WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE BEGINNING. Finally, an epilogue would be nice. We spent over a dozen issues with the mystery of Ruin. Nothing on motivation besides a throwaway line here or there. Nobody checked to see if he had a legitimate point about Superman depowering the sun; I know that doesn't justify all the murder and mayhem, but it would be nice to follow up on at least a little. Or, maybe we find out how he drew these conclusions, or, well, anything at all about Emil Hamilton besides him just all of a sudden switching from nice scientist to mad scientist and, oddly, man-of-action in a power suit.
I have to close by saying that I'm disappointed in this run. I expected more of Rucka, and I'm surprised about how tolerant of the Identity Crisis/OMAC/Infinite Crisis character assassination I actually was when it was happening, because boy it does not age well. I'm still going to give it 3 stars because there's a lot of good mixed in with all of the stuff I'm complaining about, but it should have been an easy 4, and it just wasn't.
Let me put it this way: this run had lots of promise at the beginning, then *thud*. How could it have been better? Rucka's character work was consistently the best part of his Superman stories. Let's keep all of that. Then let's tighten up the plot by dumping all the Identity Crisis/OMAC Project/Infinite Crisis stuff and giving the Ruin plot the page time it deserves. Then, maybe, Rucka could acknowledge that Superman might have a slightly better grasp of the realpolitik of Wonder Woman killing Max Lord in battle and he wouldn't necessarily spend entire issues clutching his pearls about it, or better yet, leave all that in a revised OMAC Project miniseries WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE BEGINNING. Finally, an epilogue would be nice. We spent over a dozen issues with the mystery of Ruin. Nothing on motivation besides a throwaway line here or there. Nobody checked to see if he had a legitimate point about Superman depowering the sun; I know that doesn't justify all the murder and mayhem, but it would be nice to follow up on at least a little. Or, maybe we find out how he drew these conclusions, or, well, anything at all about Emil Hamilton besides him just all of a sudden switching from nice scientist to mad scientist and, oddly, man-of-action in a power suit.
I have to close by saying that I'm disappointed in this run. I expected more of Rucka, and I'm surprised about how tolerant of the Identity Crisis/OMAC/Infinite Crisis character assassination I actually was when it was happening, because boy it does not age well. I'm still going to give it 3 stars because there's a lot of good mixed in with all of the stuff I'm complaining about, but it should have been an easy 4, and it just wasn't.
August 8, 2025
Une fin de Run décevante. Mais c'est finalement une constante dans toute mes lectures DC pre Infinity Crisis.
Tout les runs en cours au moment du Crossover ont du être bâclé, et c'est le cas ici, même si c'est amené plus en douceur, on voit que Rucka savait un minimum où ça allait mener, même si la résolution de l'affaire de Ruin est finalement une déception. Et même si - comme je l'avais noté dans la review du TPB précédent - ce n'est pas réellement l'identité de Ruin qui est importante mais la réaction de Superman vis à vis de cette menace - et bien j'ai quand même été déçu.
Sans spoiler, il n'y avait aucun indice dans tout le run qui pouvait faire penser à ça, cela retombe vide et brutalement.
Dommage, et même la fin de l'histoire secondaire de Loïs qui enquête sur son tireur semble avoir été rush afin de terminer dans les temps.
Alors oui, tout ça reste bien travaillé pour inclure correctement Sacrifice et Identity Crisis dans le run, mais tout l'enrobage reste assez fade.
Tout les runs en cours au moment du Crossover ont du être bâclé, et c'est le cas ici, même si c'est amené plus en douceur, on voit que Rucka savait un minimum où ça allait mener, même si la résolution de l'affaire de Ruin est finalement une déception. Et même si - comme je l'avais noté dans la review du TPB précédent - ce n'est pas réellement l'identité de Ruin qui est importante mais la réaction de Superman vis à vis de cette menace - et bien j'ai quand même été déçu.
Sans spoiler, il n'y avait aucun indice dans tout le run qui pouvait faire penser à ça, cela retombe vide et brutalement.
Dommage, et même la fin de l'histoire secondaire de Loïs qui enquête sur son tireur semble avoir été rush afin de terminer dans les temps.
Alors oui, tout ça reste bien travaillé pour inclure correctement Sacrifice et Identity Crisis dans le run, mais tout l'enrobage reste assez fade.
March 22, 2018
In the past, I've enjoyed Rucka's Superman stories, but I've felt that there was something lacking - a certain quality of inspiration. Although there were some moments of un-Superman-like indecision (his hesitation around the OMACs over Metropolis), this book was decidedly remarkable in Rucka's ability to capture the qualities of hope and inspiration that all great Superman tales showcase.
From Superman's proclamation that "No one dies," to his willingness to stand by Pete Ross ("Let me through or read about in tomorrow's Daily Planet!"), Rucka really reminded us how cool Superman is.
I do wish, however, that there had been less Infinite Crisis crossover. Less OMACs, less Checkmate and Max Lord, and less crumbling-of-the-Trinity. It was a gripping story without those distracting elements.
From Superman's proclamation that "No one dies," to his willingness to stand by Pete Ross ("Let me through or read about in tomorrow's Daily Planet!"), Rucka really reminded us how cool Superman is.
I do wish, however, that there had been less Infinite Crisis crossover. Less OMACs, less Checkmate and Max Lord, and less crumbling-of-the-Trinity. It was a gripping story without those distracting elements.
March 8, 2025
La historia de Rucka con Superman termina para que comience la Crisis. Me han gustado especialmente el #640 y #641, ambos con una narración y final sublimes. Muy buen tomo para cerrar el arco de Ruina.
El dibujo aquí sube un escalón, sobretodo a nivel narrativo. Lo mismo con la acción, que se siente más viva, con mejores perspectivas y ayudado por unas tintas y color menos sobrecargados. Y gran número final con Renato Guedes al completo.
Recomendado. Gran final para una historia que nos ha dado suspense, drama y acción en cada número. Mención especial para Mister Mxyzptlk. 9/10
Edición: Rústica buena calidad. Incluye introducción, portadas al comienzo de cada núm. y un artículo final.
Un saludo.
Guion-9 Dibujo-8 Edición-8
El dibujo aquí sube un escalón, sobretodo a nivel narrativo. Lo mismo con la acción, que se siente más viva, con mejores perspectivas y ayudado por unas tintas y color menos sobrecargados. Y gran número final con Renato Guedes al completo.
Recomendado. Gran final para una historia que nos ha dado suspense, drama y acción en cada número. Mención especial para Mister Mxyzptlk. 9/10
Edición: Rústica buena calidad. Incluye introducción, portadas al comienzo de cada núm. y un artículo final.
Un saludo.
Guion-9 Dibujo-8 Edición-8
May 17, 2025
I’m glad the Ruin storyline finally ended and wrapped up cleanly. It’s worth reading for the issue with mr mxyzptlk. I usually hate everything to do with him but the issue with him was exceptional and emotional.
December 5, 2017
I don't think I had enough context to understand the impact of everything that happened. That's what you get for picking up a random trade at the library.
September 16, 2019
Buen final a la trama de "Ruina". Mucha presenciade la dualidad Superman/Clark Kent y de los problemas que causan al cruzarse ambas.
June 10, 2020
Levanta el final, en el medio caen todos los acontecimientos de Sacrificio y Crisis infinitas que desdibujan un poco la trama, pero mejoró bastante desde el número anterior
May 8, 2025
Tomo final de la sub-saga de RUIN. Listado pendiente.
July 24, 2010
Como la edición de SD se cortó justo cuando se devela quién se supone que es Ruin (el capítulo cuya imagen ilustra también el tomo), me quedé con una idea equivocada de cómo se resolvía la historia. Y la verdad que mucho no me importó. Cuando finalmente leí esos capítulos faltantes en la edición del coleccionable de Planeta, me di cuenta de que había una vuelta de tuerca más... Y que tampoco valía demasiado la pena. Si hiciera una improbable relectura seguro me explayaría más en los porqués. Creo que lo tengo completo entre la edición de SD y la de Planeta. Cuando lo corrobore lo marco como "I own a copy".
August 22, 2016
I didn't know Clark had so many friends who knew his true identity! I thought it was just a few. I liked that Lana was his good friend since I enjoyed their relationship in Smallville. I am not familiar with all the characters but I am sure I will see them again.
My favorite part of this collection was the fact that it was one cohesive storyline with summaries between to let me know what I missed from other comics.
My favorite part of this collection was the fact that it was one cohesive storyline with summaries between to let me know what I missed from other comics.
July 17, 2011
Still a continuity disaster area, but that being said, this story ties up the Ruin storyline as best it can, and provides a lovely exit for Mr. Mxy, and a great showcase for the Lane-Kent marriage. Probably only worthwhile for completists -- but so few storylines involving Lois and Clark are realistic about their marriage, this run is particularly refreshing.
November 25, 2008
I'm pleased at the way DC writers have been able to keep Superman vital. He's super, for corn's sakes, so what do you do? Lots of personal interaction, lots of emotion, and of course lots of fighting.
October 6, 2009
Ruin: Revealed was very well-written. Unsurprising, as Greg Rucka`s comics rarely disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews