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Superman (2023)
Superman, Vol. 2: The Chained
Superman has learned that Lex Luthor kept a prisoner beneath Stryker's Island for decades.
Who are they and why did Lex lock them up? Can Superman unlock the secrets of the Chained?
The Man of Steel is challenged like never before when the menace called The Chained is freed from deep beneath Supercorp! Why did Lex Luthor imprison this mysterious foe there in the first place? And will even super-powered armor be enough to give an outmatched Superman the upper hand?
Plus, new threats from a transformed Brainiac, the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad, and Luthor’s mother and...daughter?!
This acclaimed new chapter in Superman’s adventures teams all-star writer Joshua Williamson (Batman and Robin) with artists Bruno Redondo (Eisner Award winner for Nightwing), Gleb Melnikov (Batman/Superman), and Dan Jurgens (The Death of Superman)!
Collects Superman #6-12.
Who are they and why did Lex lock them up? Can Superman unlock the secrets of the Chained?
The Man of Steel is challenged like never before when the menace called The Chained is freed from deep beneath Supercorp! Why did Lex Luthor imprison this mysterious foe there in the first place? And will even super-powered armor be enough to give an outmatched Superman the upper hand?
Plus, new threats from a transformed Brainiac, the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad, and Luthor’s mother and...daughter?!
This acclaimed new chapter in Superman’s adventures teams all-star writer Joshua Williamson (Batman and Robin) with artists Bruno Redondo (Eisner Award winner for Nightwing), Gleb Melnikov (Batman/Superman), and Dan Jurgens (The Death of Superman)!
Collects Superman #6-12.
176 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2024
60 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Seven quick read (almost super-speed) issues/chapters. It was a very good story and I really liked the artwork. Lots of double page spreads. For me, every character has their moment to shine.
Superman could not save Lex from getting stabbed, but he will do everything to protect the city, but will his mistrust of Lex cause him to unleash even more trouble on Metropolis?
One of the things I really like is, as Superman says, he "gets to stretch muscles I don't normally get to." Showing his brains as well as him brawn. This is a fun and fast-paced book that leads into the House of Brainiac superfamily crossover.
Superman could not save Lex from getting stabbed, but he will do everything to protect the city, but will his mistrust of Lex cause him to unleash even more trouble on Metropolis?
One of the things I really like is, as Superman says, he "gets to stretch muscles I don't normally get to." Showing his brains as well as him brawn. This is a fun and fast-paced book that leads into the House of Brainiac superfamily crossover.
Read
December 22, 2024Joshua Williamson is giving us the Superman we need right now: a Superman who stands for hope and healing, forgiveness and friendship. This comic book is bright, colourful, and camp; it feels like vintage Supes brought into the modern day. Pair this with the trailer for James Gunn's upcoming Superman movie and I think we can finally say goodbye to the loser edgelord crap we've had to suffer through, courtesy of Hack Snyder.
This is the Superman the world needs.
This is the Superman the world needs.
February 1, 2025
3.2 stars
August 7, 2025
At the start of Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell's Superman run, the Man of Steel suddenly finds himself not only in an uneasy alliance with his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor, but now he is now the head of a corporation known as Supercorp, formerly Lexcorp. What sounds like an interesting set-up as Superman being the reluctant corporate figure, Williamson is still more interested with a back-to-basics approach by treating him as a simple hero-in-blue of Metropolis.
At the end of the previous volume, the jailed Luthor gets knifed and is left for dead. Whilst Lex remains in critical condition, Superman goes out to investigate a file about "Project Chained" that Lex was directly involved. Learning that Lex kept a prisoner beneath Stryker's Island for decades, Superman decides to free him, only to unleash the Chained himself who not only plans his revenge on Luthor, but Metropolis itself.
With a greater focus on the evil scientific brothers Graft and Pharm than before and along with the arrival of the Chained, this volume does a much better job of showcasing the new villains, serving as both a physical threat towards Superman and a reminder of the reckless mistakes from Lex's past. Along with the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad, things take an even more personal turn with Lex's mother and daughter, the latter of which has an interesting dynamic with Supes and her estranged father, whilst immediately setting up the return of another classic Superman villain: Brainiac.
Williamson is juggling a lot of elements, some of which aren't as well-developed, such as Daily Planet's former editor-in-chief Perry White running for mayor, which he pretty much gives up halfway through the volume. Certainly, the wildest moment here is when Superman is suddenly transported to the American Old West. Although the Western setting doesn't last as long as I would've liked, it was awesome seeing Supes rocking the cowboy outfit despite not needing a gun, whilst partnering with this run's breakout character Marilyn Moonlight, whose backstory is finally explored.
Whereas Jamal Campbell drew the first five issues, he draws only three pages in issue #8, which is disappointing. This is not to discredit to the seven other artists who have contributed over the course of these seven issues, such as Gleb Melnikov who draws some destructive action, whilst iconic artist Dan Jurgens drawing a couple of conversations, the transition from one artist to another can get jarring. Though none of these artists come close to the high quality of Campbell's artwork, Nightwing artist Bruno Redondo should do more Superman comics as his work on the two issues where Supes goes west are visually spectacular, but a master of facial expressions that gets across the emotion.
The first year of Joshua Williamson's time on the main Superman title ends on a high note, showcasing this new dynamic between Superman and Lex Luthor, who seem able to put aside their differences and build a better future for Metropolis.
At the end of the previous volume, the jailed Luthor gets knifed and is left for dead. Whilst Lex remains in critical condition, Superman goes out to investigate a file about "Project Chained" that Lex was directly involved. Learning that Lex kept a prisoner beneath Stryker's Island for decades, Superman decides to free him, only to unleash the Chained himself who not only plans his revenge on Luthor, but Metropolis itself.
With a greater focus on the evil scientific brothers Graft and Pharm than before and along with the arrival of the Chained, this volume does a much better job of showcasing the new villains, serving as both a physical threat towards Superman and a reminder of the reckless mistakes from Lex's past. Along with the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad, things take an even more personal turn with Lex's mother and daughter, the latter of which has an interesting dynamic with Supes and her estranged father, whilst immediately setting up the return of another classic Superman villain: Brainiac.
Williamson is juggling a lot of elements, some of which aren't as well-developed, such as Daily Planet's former editor-in-chief Perry White running for mayor, which he pretty much gives up halfway through the volume. Certainly, the wildest moment here is when Superman is suddenly transported to the American Old West. Although the Western setting doesn't last as long as I would've liked, it was awesome seeing Supes rocking the cowboy outfit despite not needing a gun, whilst partnering with this run's breakout character Marilyn Moonlight, whose backstory is finally explored.
Whereas Jamal Campbell drew the first five issues, he draws only three pages in issue #8, which is disappointing. This is not to discredit to the seven other artists who have contributed over the course of these seven issues, such as Gleb Melnikov who draws some destructive action, whilst iconic artist Dan Jurgens drawing a couple of conversations, the transition from one artist to another can get jarring. Though none of these artists come close to the high quality of Campbell's artwork, Nightwing artist Bruno Redondo should do more Superman comics as his work on the two issues where Supes goes west are visually spectacular, but a master of facial expressions that gets across the emotion.
The first year of Joshua Williamson's time on the main Superman title ends on a high note, showcasing this new dynamic between Superman and Lex Luthor, who seem able to put aside their differences and build a better future for Metropolis.
March 1, 2024
While I hate the idea of Luther having a “secret past” Williamson knows how to make a story decision like that work.
Still can’t care less about the villains pulling the strings but I love the chained as a villain, I love Marilyn moonlight and the new dynamics at the daily planet.
Williamson makes Superman worth reading by making him save a metropolis that you want to live in!
Still can’t care less about the villains pulling the strings but I love the chained as a villain, I love Marilyn moonlight and the new dynamics at the daily planet.
Williamson makes Superman worth reading by making him save a metropolis that you want to live in!
April 18, 2024
Another excellent book from Joshua Williamson! He knows how to write a compelling Superman story and to include Lex in the story and NOT have him be the villain.
July 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this run!! Clois is amazing, and the art has so much dynamic and fun.
May 26, 2024
Really enjoying this series! Williamson is taking some interesting liberties with Lex that I really don’t mind and while there are some questions that arise within this run while reading it, most of them are eventually answered within the story. Williamson definitely covers all bases here with a very entertaining Superman series!
February 13, 2025
Im really enjoying this take on Superman. Looking forward to see how it goes.
February 26, 2025
The Lex Luthor-Superman team-up continues in The Chained, with Superman finding ever more use out of the Supercorp business. Well, except for the old prison in the basement housing a chained guy with superpowers who hates Lex and anyone associated with him.
The Chained feels a tad overpowered and his relationship with Pharma and Graft (and their relationship with Lex) feels murky, even as its explained extensively. That said, The Chained is a solidly fun volume of Superman heroics. We get all the requisite building-shattering battles, but also many small surprises (like the arrival of Lex's mother and daughter at Supercorp HQ) and a pleasant number of scenes where Superman has to make some kind of dramatic sacrifice. Oh, and best of all, a totally random Old West issue featuring Superman and Marilyn Moonlight.
It all looks absolutely terrific, even as the artists shift between issues. Really solid Superman stuff here. A honest-to-god fun read.
The Chained feels a tad overpowered and his relationship with Pharma and Graft (and their relationship with Lex) feels murky, even as its explained extensively. That said, The Chained is a solidly fun volume of Superman heroics. We get all the requisite building-shattering battles, but also many small surprises (like the arrival of Lex's mother and daughter at Supercorp HQ) and a pleasant number of scenes where Superman has to make some kind of dramatic sacrifice. Oh, and best of all, a totally random Old West issue featuring Superman and Marilyn Moonlight.
It all looks absolutely terrific, even as the artists shift between issues. Really solid Superman stuff here. A honest-to-god fun read.
April 29, 2024
Друга сюжетна арка «Супермен: Прикутий» (2023) #6–12, яку далі пише Джошуа Вільямсон, мені сподобалася ще більше.
Супермен з'ясував, що Лекс Лютер тримав під островом в'язня Семмі Страйкера, Прикутого, протягом кількох десятиліть. Кларк Кент стикається з найбільшим випробуванням, коли ця загроза вибирається на свободу. Чому Лекс Лютер ув'язнив цього загадкового ворога там? Супермен бажає дізнатися таємницю Прикутого, але бажання в нещодавного в’язня зовсім інші. Тепер постає питання тільки чи вистачить сил у бездоганного Суперемена, щоб протистояти цій таємній особистості з потужними силами телекінезу.
Спершу я думав, що Прикутий це старий герой, якого Джошуа Вільямсон видобув із архіву забутих персонажів. Але здивувався, що це зовсім новий персонаж. Також сподобалося, як у цьому випуску Супермен протистоїть Фарму та Ґрафту, показуючи, наскільки вони небезпечні, розкриваючи їхні плани та мотивацію, а також їх зв'язки з Лексом. Останні кілька випусків показали слабкості Лютора та процес його зміни. Але, звісно, це може бути черговий обман Лютора, в результаті якого він хоче знову обернути все у свою сторону.
Також в цій арці ми ще маємо історію із двох випусків, де Кларк Кент потрапив у минуле Дикого Заходу. Не сказав би, що я був у захваті від цього міні-сюжету, але загалом було досить весело та незвично читати.
У висновку скажу, що в Джошуа Вільямсона вийшла цікава арка, яка залетіла, як вода в суху землю. З цікавістю буду читати продовження. Поки автор пише досить непоганий ран.
Супермен з'ясував, що Лекс Лютер тримав під островом в'язня Семмі Страйкера, Прикутого, протягом кількох десятиліть. Кларк Кент стикається з найбільшим випробуванням, коли ця загроза вибирається на свободу. Чому Лекс Лютер ув'язнив цього загадкового ворога там? Супермен бажає дізнатися таємницю Прикутого, але бажання в нещодавного в’язня зовсім інші. Тепер постає питання тільки чи вистачить сил у бездоганного Суперемена, щоб протистояти цій таємній особистості з потужними силами телекінезу.
Спершу я думав, що Прикутий це старий герой, якого Джошуа Вільямсон видобув із архіву забутих персонажів. Але здивувався, що це зовсім новий персонаж. Також сподобалося, як у цьому випуску Супермен протистоїть Фарму та Ґрафту, показуючи, наскільки вони небезпечні, розкриваючи їхні плани та мотивацію, а також їх зв'язки з Лексом. Останні кілька випусків показали слабкості Лютора та процес його зміни. Але, звісно, це може бути черговий обман Лютора, в результаті якого він хоче знову обернути все у свою сторону.
Також в цій арці ми ще маємо історію із двох випусків, де Кларк Кент потрапив у минуле Дикого Заходу. Не сказав би, що я був у захваті від цього міні-сюжету, але загалом було досить весело та незвично читати.
У висновку скажу, що в Джошуа Вільямсона вийшла цікава арка, яка залетіла, як вода в суху землю. З цікавістю буду читати продовження. Поки автор пише досить непоганий ран.
September 16, 2025
5-Stars just for Issue #10 alone - Cowboy Superman? Yes, please, and thank you.
April 3, 2024
Very good. A few elements I wish wasn't in this arc but it was still a fun ride.
December 15, 2025
A very strong continuation of the first volume, with great stories and great art. The chained storyline as well as the lex story lines that follow are really engaging and set up an exciting next book.
October 30, 2025
The big question for me with Williamson's second Superman volume, Superman: Chained, is if Williamson can continue the stellar quality from the first volume. Well, he doesn't do too badly at it.
The first, 'Chained' story is a consequence of Superman's having taken over Lexcorp/Supercorp from Lex. Superman's more optimistic management of Supercorp leads him to release a prisoner Lex had kept in inhuman solitary confinement for decades, and deal with whomever this person turns out to be. This figure, known as 'the Chained' is powerful and has rage pented up towards Lex, so Superman has to stop him somehow.
This is good, logical progression from Supes now having Lex as an ally (see Volume 1) and his being in charge of Lex's corporation. I like that this progression feels natural and logical, and not out of the blue.
That Chained story accounts for the first three issues, but Superman protecting Lex continues in the rest of the TPB, against a compiled 'Lex Luthor Revenge Squad'. This is a play on the Superman Revenge Squad from Superman's Silver Age, and, being a Superman fan, I appreciate the nod. This isn't the only Silver Age reference in this Volume though, and Silver Age villian Terra Man makes a cool appearance in one issue. Also, there are different colours of Kryptonite, which is straight out of the 50s/60s. Fun references, all.
Williamson is drawing on other contuities also though, and Lex Luthor's mother and his daughter are reintroduced as support characters. I am not familiar with them, but Williamson catches us up to speed on who they are. Similarly the wider Super-family of Kara, Conner, Kong Kenan and Natasha Irons, all assist Superman in Metropolis against Chained. Williamson thus is picking from the decades of Superman coninuity, and he utilises it well in creating his new story.
There are three main artists in this volume, and they're a bit different in style to one another. Bruno Redondo draws a tale set in the Old West with Terra Man, and is a highlight. The other art isn't too bad either, no matter that I'd prefer just the one single artist. It's alright.
There are B plots to do with Perry White, and Brainiac and Czarnians, which are going to pay off in future volumes. I'll be reading.
I am enjoying Josh Williamson's run thus far, and I hope his writing on Superman stays this good.
The first, 'Chained' story is a consequence of Superman's having taken over Lexcorp/Supercorp from Lex. Superman's more optimistic management of Supercorp leads him to release a prisoner Lex had kept in inhuman solitary confinement for decades, and deal with whomever this person turns out to be. This figure, known as 'the Chained' is powerful and has rage pented up towards Lex, so Superman has to stop him somehow.
This is good, logical progression from Supes now having Lex as an ally (see Volume 1) and his being in charge of Lex's corporation. I like that this progression feels natural and logical, and not out of the blue.
That Chained story accounts for the first three issues, but Superman protecting Lex continues in the rest of the TPB, against a compiled 'Lex Luthor Revenge Squad'. This is a play on the Superman Revenge Squad from Superman's Silver Age, and, being a Superman fan, I appreciate the nod. This isn't the only Silver Age reference in this Volume though, and Silver Age villian Terra Man makes a cool appearance in one issue. Also, there are different colours of Kryptonite, which is straight out of the 50s/60s. Fun references, all.
Williamson is drawing on other contuities also though, and Lex Luthor's mother and his daughter are reintroduced as support characters. I am not familiar with them, but Williamson catches us up to speed on who they are. Similarly the wider Super-family of Kara, Conner, Kong Kenan and Natasha Irons, all assist Superman in Metropolis against Chained. Williamson thus is picking from the decades of Superman coninuity, and he utilises it well in creating his new story.
There are three main artists in this volume, and they're a bit different in style to one another. Bruno Redondo draws a tale set in the Old West with Terra Man, and is a highlight. The other art isn't too bad either, no matter that I'd prefer just the one single artist. It's alright.
There are B plots to do with Perry White, and Brainiac and Czarnians, which are going to pay off in future volumes. I'll be reading.
I am enjoying Josh Williamson's run thus far, and I hope his writing on Superman stays this good.
March 19, 2024
This is quickly turning out to be one of my favorite Superman runs and this story was so good especially and it had so many storylines from the introduction of "The chained" who was such a cool villains and some cool connections and references to past continuities and that is probably the biggest strength of this volume, and its fun seeing the battle and then Superman without powers and a fun western story exploring Marilyn Moonlight and her origins and some fun easter eggs haha!
I love how this one now had Superman fight against Pharm and Graft and showing how they have become more dangerous and what their plans and motives are and connections with Lex, and the last few issues really made me like Lex a lot showing his faults and how he is sort of changing and I am assuming we are again in the "Lex is a hero" arc for him after rebirth and the face off he has here in the end vs a certain someone and the coming of a very close someone to him makes this volume so intriguing and I just love the direction and the ending was predictable but I love how it all came together in the end like the first 12 issues and it was a wrap up to the first year of Williamson's Superman and thats so awesome!
I seriously loved this story arc and how it ends and promises maybe these characters will return and sets up the next big story vs Brainiac really well!!
I love how this one now had Superman fight against Pharm and Graft and showing how they have become more dangerous and what their plans and motives are and connections with Lex, and the last few issues really made me like Lex a lot showing his faults and how he is sort of changing and I am assuming we are again in the "Lex is a hero" arc for him after rebirth and the face off he has here in the end vs a certain someone and the coming of a very close someone to him makes this volume so intriguing and I just love the direction and the ending was predictable but I love how it all came together in the end like the first 12 issues and it was a wrap up to the first year of Williamson's Superman and thats so awesome!
I seriously loved this story arc and how it ends and promises maybe these characters will return and sets up the next big story vs Brainiac really well!!
July 18, 2024
The..."Lex Luthor Revenge Squad" gets new members in this collection...
It's, arguably, the weakest part of this whole run. After twelve issues I should be more curious about these new villains. One doesn't speak. (We learn SO much about that one). The other is a paraplegic and uses a synthetic kryptonite claw-hand. (The overly talkative one who has to push the villain narrative along). I'm pretty sure you could have slotted in ANY 3rd tier, seldom used Superman villain and got the same results as we're seeing.
EVERYTHING ELSE in this series has been great.
The restructuring of the Daily Planet with Perry White on sabbatical and Lois running things? Great! Jimmy Olsen dating Silver Banshee? Wow. Add some backstory for someone else besides the Superman family. Heck, we even get Lex's early years as a superhero (that's right, BEFORE Clark got to Metropolis). I wasn't expecting them to give Superman the keys to LexCorp while Lex is locked up and reforming. There's so much NEW they can spin into something we haven't seen before.
And then we have the lead weight that IS Dr. Pharm and Graft...
(can you tell I'm not a fan?)
======
Bonus: Callbacks to Imperiex and Brainiac 13? Deep cuts, baybee!
Bonus Bonus: Marilyn Moonlight reminds me too much of the modern JSA's 'Crimson Avenger'...
It's, arguably, the weakest part of this whole run. After twelve issues I should be more curious about these new villains. One doesn't speak. (We learn SO much about that one). The other is a paraplegic and uses a synthetic kryptonite claw-hand. (The overly talkative one who has to push the villain narrative along). I'm pretty sure you could have slotted in ANY 3rd tier, seldom used Superman villain and got the same results as we're seeing.
EVERYTHING ELSE in this series has been great.
The restructuring of the Daily Planet with Perry White on sabbatical and Lois running things? Great! Jimmy Olsen dating Silver Banshee? Wow. Add some backstory for someone else besides the Superman family. Heck, we even get Lex's early years as a superhero (that's right, BEFORE Clark got to Metropolis). I wasn't expecting them to give Superman the keys to LexCorp while Lex is locked up and reforming. There's so much NEW they can spin into something we haven't seen before.
And then we have the lead weight that IS Dr. Pharm and Graft...
(can you tell I'm not a fan?)
======
Bonus: Callbacks to Imperiex and Brainiac 13? Deep cuts, baybee!
Bonus Bonus: Marilyn Moonlight reminds me too much of the modern JSA's 'Crimson Avenger'...
November 4, 2024
Superman takes on a new foe who definitely gives him trouble. While the art shifts in quality, the story is still top notch and elevates it above.
Highlights:
- With Luthor in jail, Superman decides to take on the day-to-day of Supercorp. He discovers a imprisoned being deep in a sub-basement, and being the person who finds good in everything until proven wrong, let out the being. A terrifying and powerful being known as The Chained! It takes kryptonite to knock him down, but in doing so, Clark gets terribly kryptonite poisoning.
- Luthor's mother and daughter return to Metropolis and Lena begins to work for Supercorp.
- Superman must wear one of Lex super armors to help stave off his body's reactions to the Kryptonite.
- Newer (and odd) villain Stave goes after a (unknown to me) hero called Marilyn Moonlight, but when Superman blocks the attack, they both get sent off on an old west adventure in time (this one really derailed the Volume, but it was able to get back on track afterwards.)
- Pharm, Graft, Chained and Lex's Mother join to create the "Lex Luthor Revenge Squad" and it takes help from Parasite and Lex to stop them.
Next time, we dive into a return of Lobo and Brainiac, which is always a big crossover.
Overall, a good Volume, but had its ups and downs.
Recommend.
Highlights:
- With Luthor in jail, Superman decides to take on the day-to-day of Supercorp. He discovers a imprisoned being deep in a sub-basement, and being the person who finds good in everything until proven wrong, let out the being. A terrifying and powerful being known as The Chained! It takes kryptonite to knock him down, but in doing so, Clark gets terribly kryptonite poisoning.
- Luthor's mother and daughter return to Metropolis and Lena begins to work for Supercorp.
- Superman must wear one of Lex super armors to help stave off his body's reactions to the Kryptonite.
- Newer (and odd) villain Stave goes after a (unknown to me) hero called Marilyn Moonlight, but when Superman blocks the attack, they both get sent off on an old west adventure in time (this one really derailed the Volume, but it was able to get back on track afterwards.)
- Pharm, Graft, Chained and Lex's Mother join to create the "Lex Luthor Revenge Squad" and it takes help from Parasite and Lex to stop them.
Next time, we dive into a return of Lobo and Brainiac, which is always a big crossover.
Overall, a good Volume, but had its ups and downs.
Recommend.
May 4, 2024
A Superman Revenge Squad isn't a new idea, but a Lex Luthor one? That's something fun.
Pharm and Graft assemble a new squad of evil to menace Superman, and only by teaming up with Lex himself can he think to stop them and save all of Metropolis - but when Clark is thrown back in time alongside Marilyn Moonlight, he'll have to solve two problems at once.
Superman's been a fun read under Williamson so far, and this second volume's much of the same. It brings the first year-long arc to a close nicely, and despite the larger cast and the addition of new villains, it's definitely a book about Clark at its core.
It's a shame that Jamal Campbell couldn't stick around for interiors. Bruno Redondo pops over from Nightwing for the time travel issues which is nice, and I'm not knocking David Baldeon and the other artists who contribute to the others, but it's definitely a jarring change from the bright, colourful visuals that Campbell always brings.
Also, sidenote, this volume brings you right up to date for House Of Brainiac which just started in single issues - I can't remember the last time DC were that up to date on their releases.
Pharm and Graft assemble a new squad of evil to menace Superman, and only by teaming up with Lex himself can he think to stop them and save all of Metropolis - but when Clark is thrown back in time alongside Marilyn Moonlight, he'll have to solve two problems at once.
Superman's been a fun read under Williamson so far, and this second volume's much of the same. It brings the first year-long arc to a close nicely, and despite the larger cast and the addition of new villains, it's definitely a book about Clark at its core.
It's a shame that Jamal Campbell couldn't stick around for interiors. Bruno Redondo pops over from Nightwing for the time travel issues which is nice, and I'm not knocking David Baldeon and the other artists who contribute to the others, but it's definitely a jarring change from the bright, colourful visuals that Campbell always brings.
Also, sidenote, this volume brings you right up to date for House Of Brainiac which just started in single issues - I can't remember the last time DC were that up to date on their releases.
April 2, 2025
Trash. Absolute junk.
All the things I kinda liked about the first volume-- the breezy tone, low stakes, and lack of heavy lore-- are all chucked RIGHT out the window as Williamson quadruples down on all of his worst impulses as a writer. Obsessive hyperfocus on continuity and lore over storytelling? Check! WAY too many characters? Check! Twist reveals that aren't adequately built up to land with a reader? Check! Complete lack of personal stakes, subtext, or thematic significance? BIG check on that one...
This all just feels so hollow. None of the dramatic beats feel earned, and neither the new villain the Chained, nor the previously established baddies Dr. Pharm and Graft, have coherent motivations or clear backstories. It's just a lot of noise. There's a whole issue where Superman gets sent back in time to the Old West, which MIGHT have been a fun little one-off... except it conveniently also happens to provide Superman with a deus ex machina to defeat the bad guys in the present day, and ALSO serves as an origin story for a superfluous new character who amounts to little more than a cameo, and it's just... SO goddamn sloppy.
I refuse to waste any more time on this crap.
All the things I kinda liked about the first volume-- the breezy tone, low stakes, and lack of heavy lore-- are all chucked RIGHT out the window as Williamson quadruples down on all of his worst impulses as a writer. Obsessive hyperfocus on continuity and lore over storytelling? Check! WAY too many characters? Check! Twist reveals that aren't adequately built up to land with a reader? Check! Complete lack of personal stakes, subtext, or thematic significance? BIG check on that one...
This all just feels so hollow. None of the dramatic beats feel earned, and neither the new villain the Chained, nor the previously established baddies Dr. Pharm and Graft, have coherent motivations or clear backstories. It's just a lot of noise. There's a whole issue where Superman gets sent back in time to the Old West, which MIGHT have been a fun little one-off... except it conveniently also happens to provide Superman with a deus ex machina to defeat the bad guys in the present day, and ALSO serves as an origin story for a superfluous new character who amounts to little more than a cameo, and it's just... SO goddamn sloppy.
I refuse to waste any more time on this crap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 15, 2024Secrets from Lex's past are revealed as someone he wronged emerges and wreaks havoc on Metropolis. Action and a brief time travel detour follows.
Williamson continues to cook up some Superman comfort food. At times, this run reminds me of 90s Superman comics, which similarly had a large cast, soap opera elements, and Metropolis world-building. Things get a little overblown and I don’t like the new villains (those designs, yikes), but am intrigued by Williamson’s handling of Lex. He’s more good-natured than I think I’ve ever seen him and I welcome this change. Though I know it probably won’t last.
There are lots of artists on this book, some better than others. Bruno Redondo is easily my favorite. He draws the most emotional scene here, where Lois reads "get well Superman” cards to Clark while he’s in a hospital bed. Redondo also draws the old west time travel section. This immediately brought to mind Back to the Future Part III, one of my all time favorite movies.
Williamson continues to cook up some Superman comfort food. At times, this run reminds me of 90s Superman comics, which similarly had a large cast, soap opera elements, and Metropolis world-building. Things get a little overblown and I don’t like the new villains (those designs, yikes), but am intrigued by Williamson’s handling of Lex. He’s more good-natured than I think I’ve ever seen him and I welcome this change. Though I know it probably won’t last.
There are lots of artists on this book, some better than others. Bruno Redondo is easily my favorite. He draws the most emotional scene here, where Lois reads "get well Superman” cards to Clark while he’s in a hospital bed. Redondo also draws the old west time travel section. This immediately brought to mind Back to the Future Part III, one of my all time favorite movies.
December 27, 2025
Historia entretenida, nada del otro mundo, blablabla. Sobresale el episodio dibujado por Bruno Redondo, lógicamente, pero en el guion Joshua Williamson no está especialmente inspirado en ningún número. Todos sabemos que Luthor va a traicionar a Superman en algún momento, así que el suspense es nulo. Los nuevos malos ni causan una gran impresión ni parecen capaces de constituir una verdadera amenaza para el Hombre de Acero. El pasado como héroe de Luthor... psché, tiene su gracia pero tampoco es una gran revelación: todos sabemos que Lex es capaz de hacer el bien si se lo propone. En fin, otra historia más del súper por excelencia, que no perdurará en la mitología del personaje, pero que se deja leer. Llamadme nostálgico, pero hasta me ha hecho gracia ver a Jurgens dibujar algunas páginas del volumen. El hombre no ha envejecido mal porque nunca fue gran cosa, ni como dibujante ni como guionista...
Bueno, que ni frío ni calor, pero al menos no aburre a las ovejas. Algo es algo.
Bueno, que ni frío ni calor, pero al menos no aburre a las ovejas. Algo es algo.
July 7, 2025
I loved most of this. The new dynamic between Superman and Lex is, ahem, super-entertaining. The Chained is an awesome new villain. The art throughout these issues is great. The only downside for me was the time-travel, wild west divergence section with Marilyn Moonlight. Marilyn seems cool as a concept in general, but I don't think Williamson has done enough to develop her and her backstory. So every time she shows up, I feel like we're reading about a character where we're missing a lot of crucial backstory and context, so it's just too confusing and unfocused. And beyond that, the time-travel part feels like it needs one or two more issues to really deliver the story it's aiming for, but instead it just feels rushed and crammed in here. But other than that, this is a very well-done Superman story with excellent villains and exciting action.
June 23, 2024
More of Luthor's secrets come to light, leaving Superman to clean up the messes. It's solid stuff. I do like that Williamson is leaning into some longtime continuity from 20 years or so ago. This leads directly into House of Brainiac too and now I'm interested, especially since the ramifications of that are used in DC's summer event, Absolute Power.
There are a crazy number of artists on this book. I'd love to get that paired down to some semi regular art teams to tag team if we can't get one team to do it all.
There are a crazy number of artists on this book. I'd love to get that paired down to some semi regular art teams to tag team if we can't get one team to do it all.
June 6, 2024
Fun book - some exposed (or retconned) history, some time travel, the long awaited return of Lena Luthor, good use of Mercy and Supercorp, good action. Art was erratic and often a little loose, but mostly solid. The book, and the recent Superman titles in general, could use a lot more Lois Lane*, but it's been fun.
*Best semi-recent Superman comics were the Rebirth books that focused so intently on Clark, Lois, and Jon.
*Best semi-recent Superman comics were the Rebirth books that focused so intently on Clark, Lois, and Jon.
March 26, 2025
Pretty enjoyable up until the last two issues, then oof! Nothing about the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad storyline has been particularly interesting and I've not remotely bought into Lex's new secret past. Not to help matter, but the art on those two issues was easily the weakest in the entire trade. On a positive side of the art, I would not be sad if Gleb Melnikov became the series regular artist and Alejandro Sanchez continues to be an absolutely fantastic colorist.
May 7, 2024
Between a 6/10 and a 7/10 for me. I like a lot of what Williamson is doing with the character, but some of the interior art changes really didn't work for me and in general I'm not a huge fan of any of the antagonists from this part. Definitely some cool stuff around here, but feels like a stepping stone to something bigger (House of Brainiac).
May 25, 2024
I felt a little baited and switched when it was announced that Jamal Campbell would only be doing covers after the first arc, but the other artists on this series have been really good in their own right, and the way Williamson writes the characters and Metropolis is spot-on. Superman is one of my favorite ongoing series right now.
May 30, 2024
Continue to enjoy Williamson’s take on Superman’s world. The new villain, The Chained is interesting but maybe a little overpowered. Supercorp is still an excellent concept. The art is great too. Didn’t need the trip into a western past, but boy, did Superman look good in a poncho. And it was over in one issue thankfully.
July 30, 2024
Awesome! I loved the old west chapter. Superman and friends are at the whims of Lex Luthor again now that someone from his past has reappeared and is a bit too much for the Super family to handle. Supes was overwhelmingly naive in this one for my tastes but overall the story was good. Can’t wait for House of Brainiac and Lobo!
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