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Superman: Ruina #2
Superman: That Healing Touch
Ruin unleashes Replikon and his son to attack Superman before releasing the Parasites, who can drain the life from anyone, including Kryptonians.
168 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
76 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,495 books1,923 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 16, 2025
Greg Rucka's Superman: That Healing Touch graphic novel picks up after Unconventional Warfare, and we see Lois Lane on the mend while a new big bad named Ruin sets his sights on Superman. Ruin is a seriously creepy dude, and the mystery of who he is keeps you hooked. What's wild is how much he knows about Superman, even unleashing new, super-dangerous Parasites that can drain the life out of even a Kryptonian. Superman's got his hands full, not just with the physical fights but also with the unsettling feeling that Ruin's attacks are super personal, hinting at some past connection. He even gets some help from Steel and, surprisingly, Mr. Mxyzptlk.
Now, let's talk about the good and the not-so-good. While the last volume was a tough act to follow, this one has its moments. The biggest sticking point for me was the fourth-wall breaking and all the imp stuff with Mr. Mxyzptlk. Honestly, it just doesn't land well for Superman stories. It feels out of place and, for me, just doesn't work. Plus, some characters act a little bit irrational, which can be a bit frustrating.
On the flip side, the moments between Lois Lane and Superman are gold. Their marriage feels incredibly real, and their fear for each other? Even more so. This really shines through because it's happening right after Identity Crisis, so all the superheroes are freaked out about their loved ones. That tension and concern for their partners makes the story feel grounded and very effective. Even with the Mxyzptlk antics, That Healing Touch sets up more of the Ruin mystery while giving us some genuinely heartfelt moments with Lois and Clark as they figure out their future.
Now, let's talk about the good and the not-so-good. While the last volume was a tough act to follow, this one has its moments. The biggest sticking point for me was the fourth-wall breaking and all the imp stuff with Mr. Mxyzptlk. Honestly, it just doesn't land well for Superman stories. It feels out of place and, for me, just doesn't work. Plus, some characters act a little bit irrational, which can be a bit frustrating.
On the flip side, the moments between Lois Lane and Superman are gold. Their marriage feels incredibly real, and their fear for each other? Even more so. This really shines through because it's happening right after Identity Crisis, so all the superheroes are freaked out about their loved ones. That tension and concern for their partners makes the story feel grounded and very effective. Even with the Mxyzptlk antics, That Healing Touch sets up more of the Ruin mystery while giving us some genuinely heartfelt moments with Lois and Clark as they figure out their future.
September 30, 2020
So there is this evil guy, Ruin, and his alien twin slaves who are out to get Superman. These twins (kidnapped children from previous stories as it seems) can grow stronger by consuming other people's life energy. Therefore, Ruin locks them up without food for some time so that they grow hungry enough to lose their minds and feed on Superman's.
The story is tolerable at first, but in the second issue, the alien twins break into Superman's house and kick his butt, which is when Mr. mxyzptlk jumps in from the 40s to save him. Mr. mxyzptlk is an outdated character of Slapstick humor and physics-defying superpowers. He kisses other people on their lips like Bugs Bunny does and even has a catchphrase.
Most of the second issue is spent in the real world using real photographic pictures of writers having crazy conversations with Mr. mxyzptlk. I suspect that the entire crew was smoking weed when they made this part, and you can probably catch some of them doing so in the background of some panels.
Mr. mxyzptlk barely helps before disappearing back into the 40s, leaving the powerless Superman to fight the twins. Good thing there is this secret super-powered suit that anyone can wear to gain as much strength as Superman naturally has. Even better that they made in Superman's size, allowing him to catch the twins himself (which any normal human could have done wearing that same suit).
In the end, Superman calls for Batman and Wonder Woman to help him find Ruin (you know, Batman being a detective and all, division of labor), giving the writer a great opportunity to open another philosophical debate about Debny's rape and how the league took away Dr. Light's sanity (events from Identity Crisis, which, in case you have missed, haven't missed much).
This is a terrible book. I suppose the art is fine, and the action was OK when there was action, but hell, the drugs really ruined the mood, and the writing is average at best.
The story is tolerable at first, but in the second issue, the alien twins break into Superman's house and kick his butt, which is when Mr. mxyzptlk jumps in from the 40s to save him. Mr. mxyzptlk is an outdated character of Slapstick humor and physics-defying superpowers. He kisses other people on their lips like Bugs Bunny does and even has a catchphrase.
Most of the second issue is spent in the real world using real photographic pictures of writers having crazy conversations with Mr. mxyzptlk. I suspect that the entire crew was smoking weed when they made this part, and you can probably catch some of them doing so in the background of some panels.
Mr. mxyzptlk barely helps before disappearing back into the 40s, leaving the powerless Superman to fight the twins. Good thing there is this secret super-powered suit that anyone can wear to gain as much strength as Superman naturally has. Even better that they made in Superman's size, allowing him to catch the twins himself (which any normal human could have done wearing that same suit).
In the end, Superman calls for Batman and Wonder Woman to help him find Ruin (you know, Batman being a detective and all, division of labor), giving the writer a great opportunity to open another philosophical debate about Debny's rape and how the league took away Dr. Light's sanity (events from Identity Crisis, which, in case you have missed, haven't missed much).
This is a terrible book. I suppose the art is fine, and the action was OK when there was action, but hell, the drugs really ruined the mood, and the writing is average at best.
April 7, 2020
My reread of the Greg Rucka era Superman continues. This one was...uneven. I think Rucka's ambitions outmatched his page count, and we are starting to see it in this volume. He want's to include a lot of the supporting cast in a meaningful way, From Lois (of course), Jimmy, Pete Ross (who somehow became President during Jeph Loeb's tenure and is now acting as sad sack/red herring), and so on, and it stretches the plot a bit thin. And of course Lupe Leocadio gets entirely too much page time relative to her importance to the narrative. Ruin, Superman's primary antagonist in Rucka's run, is still a shadowy, brilliant mastermind who seemingly knows everything about Superman and is staying multiple steps ahead of him. Like the previous volume, he is working through proxies; this time by creating his own set of Parasites out of twins he kidnapped and coercing them to work for them. (Of course one is conflicted and one is a sadist, because that's how twin stories roll.) Fortunately, they kind of suck at their job, so Superman stops them, but because Ruin is playing 11-dimensional chess, it doesn't really matter. (I'm not a fan of Ruin. Not now. Not back in the day. And, quasi-spoilers, I thought the reveal of who he is his motivations --not in this volume, btw--was kind of stupid.
Of course, this collection has the Identity Crisis tie-in issue, so as a bonus we get to see Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman all behave like one-dimensional children because Brad Meltzer was the only person working for DC that understood the point that he was trying to make in Identity Crisis-- that the Justice League endures no matter what--and everyone else saw it as an opportunity to further sully the League and fracture the Trinity.
As much as I'm carping on this collection, the characterization (Identity Crisis tie-in excepted) was brilliant. Rucka gets superman. He gets Lois. And he gets Mr. Mxyzptlk. And thank God for that, because Rucka decided to bring him in every three months like they did back in the Silver Age, only this time he acts as an agent of foreshadowing for the greater story. Mxy is his goofy self, but with a sense of foreboding because he wants to help Superman with what's coming but can't, so he tries to help him focus on hope and joy in his life. The Lara Lane Kent issue is particularly nice, and earns this collection the third star on its own.
I think that Greg Rucka is a great writer and can write a great Superman, but something is getting in his way here. Part of it may be the pacing of writing this story in a monthly comic. Yes, he can do it well and has done it for years, but honestly, pacing is my greatest criticism of his work on this series. (It goes like this: Characterization: great! Plot: meh. Pacing: weak.)Part of it may be the transition into the Identity Crisis-Infinite Crisis crossover mode that consumed the entire DC line and that is eating up the space he will need to tell the Ruin story. I don't know. The next collection is Sacrifice, the OMAC Project (also by Rucka) tie-in, and that one, if I remember right, was god-awful. Anyway, the point I was trying to get to was that Rucka's Superman vs Ruin story could probably have been absolutely brilliant if he wrote it as a novel or as a completely isolated graphic novel outside of the greater DC editorial bubble. As it is, I can only see moments of greatness beneath something that is much less on the surface. There are still two more Rucka trades, and I don't remember them all that well, so maybe he does pull it off in the end.
Of course, this collection has the Identity Crisis tie-in issue, so as a bonus we get to see Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman all behave like one-dimensional children because Brad Meltzer was the only person working for DC that understood the point that he was trying to make in Identity Crisis-- that the Justice League endures no matter what--and everyone else saw it as an opportunity to further sully the League and fracture the Trinity.
As much as I'm carping on this collection, the characterization (Identity Crisis tie-in excepted) was brilliant. Rucka gets superman. He gets Lois. And he gets Mr. Mxyzptlk. And thank God for that, because Rucka decided to bring him in every three months like they did back in the Silver Age, only this time he acts as an agent of foreshadowing for the greater story. Mxy is his goofy self, but with a sense of foreboding because he wants to help Superman with what's coming but can't, so he tries to help him focus on hope and joy in his life. The Lara Lane Kent issue is particularly nice, and earns this collection the third star on its own.
I think that Greg Rucka is a great writer and can write a great Superman, but something is getting in his way here. Part of it may be the pacing of writing this story in a monthly comic. Yes, he can do it well and has done it for years, but honestly, pacing is my greatest criticism of his work on this series. (It goes like this: Characterization: great! Plot: meh. Pacing: weak.)Part of it may be the transition into the Identity Crisis-Infinite Crisis crossover mode that consumed the entire DC line and that is eating up the space he will need to tell the Ruin story. I don't know. The next collection is Sacrifice, the OMAC Project (also by Rucka) tie-in, and that one, if I remember right, was god-awful. Anyway, the point I was trying to get to was that Rucka's Superman vs Ruin story could probably have been absolutely brilliant if he wrote it as a novel or as a completely isolated graphic novel outside of the greater DC editorial bubble. As it is, I can only see moments of greatness beneath something that is much less on the surface. There are still two more Rucka trades, and I don't remember them all that well, so maybe he does pull it off in the end.
March 20, 2018
My general opinion of Rucka's Superman run remains unchanged. On a dramatic level, he's telling a decently compelling story, but as a Superman story, it's lacking something. It's lacking SUPERMAN.
If I never read another story about Superman needing advice from Batman, doubting himself or not understanding how to use his own powers effectively, it's be far, FAR too soon.
Still, there are some compelling moments, and Ruin is set up as a scary villain. The new Parasites are interesting, even if Alexandra's bratty teenage girl persona could use some work. The Mxy interludes are cute and fun, and I enjoyed the potential happy future that was shown to Lois and Clark regarding their daughter. That said, Superman's inability to do the obvious (look for the lead-lined structures!) when searching for the Allston twins, his desperate need for advice from Batman and Wonder Woman, and his ignominious defeat due to the old red-sun-projector cliche (how would such a thing instantaneously remove all of the power that he soaked up under a yellow sun anyway?) left a bit to be desired. Superman, to me, is the ultimate hero. He does the job, saves the lives, beats the villain.
On paper, the plot of this book works for the most part, but in execution, I feel that Superman does not come across. Not that he should always win, but he should never seem ineffectual.
On the plus side, His fight with the Parasites was pretty good, and it was great to see Superman show up at the Shack to prevent Ruin from harming Lupe or killing Jimmy. That was Superman doing what Superman does. All of the scenes between Lois and Clark were well done as well. Rucka handles Clark very well, although the Pete Ross scenes could've used a bit more breathing room.
Also worth noting, Greg Rucka and I seem to have a clear difference of opinion regarding how Superman would react to the Identity Crisis conspiracy. To me, Superman would NEVER say "there wasn't another option." He would see no difference between destroying the body or destroying the mind, and he WOULD have brought the entire League in to whatever authorities they would be answerable to.
Matt Clark did a decent job on the art. He's versatile, although his storytelling is confusing at times and his figures are inconsistent.
The Secret files chapter, by the Johns brothers and Jim Fern, was a weak point. Fern's art was sloppy and rushed, and the story didn't seem to accomplish anything. This post-script to President Luthor really had no business being in this particular TPB that I could see.
Overall, it was decently fun book, but it just lacks the spark that makes truly exciting Superman stories kick ass.
If I never read another story about Superman needing advice from Batman, doubting himself or not understanding how to use his own powers effectively, it's be far, FAR too soon.
Still, there are some compelling moments, and Ruin is set up as a scary villain. The new Parasites are interesting, even if Alexandra's bratty teenage girl persona could use some work. The Mxy interludes are cute and fun, and I enjoyed the potential happy future that was shown to Lois and Clark regarding their daughter. That said, Superman's inability to do the obvious (look for the lead-lined structures!) when searching for the Allston twins, his desperate need for advice from Batman and Wonder Woman, and his ignominious defeat due to the old red-sun-projector cliche (how would such a thing instantaneously remove all of the power that he soaked up under a yellow sun anyway?) left a bit to be desired. Superman, to me, is the ultimate hero. He does the job, saves the lives, beats the villain.
On paper, the plot of this book works for the most part, but in execution, I feel that Superman does not come across. Not that he should always win, but he should never seem ineffectual.
On the plus side, His fight with the Parasites was pretty good, and it was great to see Superman show up at the Shack to prevent Ruin from harming Lupe or killing Jimmy. That was Superman doing what Superman does. All of the scenes between Lois and Clark were well done as well. Rucka handles Clark very well, although the Pete Ross scenes could've used a bit more breathing room.
Also worth noting, Greg Rucka and I seem to have a clear difference of opinion regarding how Superman would react to the Identity Crisis conspiracy. To me, Superman would NEVER say "there wasn't another option." He would see no difference between destroying the body or destroying the mind, and he WOULD have brought the entire League in to whatever authorities they would be answerable to.
Matt Clark did a decent job on the art. He's versatile, although his storytelling is confusing at times and his figures are inconsistent.
The Secret files chapter, by the Johns brothers and Jim Fern, was a weak point. Fern's art was sloppy and rushed, and the story didn't seem to accomplish anything. This post-script to President Luthor really had no business being in this particular TPB that I could see.
Overall, it was decently fun book, but it just lacks the spark that makes truly exciting Superman stories kick ass.
Read
May 31, 2022Tough show for Rucka. He’s said that his Superman run is what he’s least satisfied with from his DC lineup, and he’s not wrong. The book is pulled in a few different editorially mandated directions to deal with President Lex material, Identity Crisis, and Infinite Crisis that drag it down and absolutely destroy pacing and narrative focus. The main storyline is not much better, its just boring as hell. Thankfully there’s less hot cops in this one, but the two new secondary antagonists are weirdly over-sexualized by the art and continue to be generic. We had one page with Luthor that was a blessing, but Ruin continues to run free and I’m pretty tired of him and his generic ass story and I just want it to end please. The Mr. Mxy stuff is annoying, and I can see ideas that alone may sound funny (i.e. the sin city bit) but in context stops the narrative momentum for a host of #random humor that wastes soooo many pages.
And once more, the spectre of Geoff Johns continues to weasel his way into my reading list whether I like it or not. Begone foul demon!
And once more, the spectre of Geoff Johns continues to weasel his way into my reading list whether I like it or not. Begone foul demon!
August 8, 2025
Du bon et du moins bon, les nouveaux parasites sont finalement assez fades, suivre leurs péripéties n'a finalement que peu d'intérêt, d'un autre suivre Superman essayer de découvrir qui est Ruin est plutôt bien amené même si la révélation de son identité n'a à mon sens que peu d'utilité, Rucka nous utilise plutôt cela comme une excuse pour montrer le dilemne morale de Superman envers quelqu'un qui a la possibilité de s'en prendre à tout le monde, ce qui tombe bien en soit, car cela se passe juste après Identity Crisis et les dilemnes moraux qui ont été apportés avec.
Cerise sur le gateau, une issue complétement déjanté avec Mr Mxyzptlk. On aime ou on aime pas.
Et une autre plantant quelques graines, qui est très intéressante, encore plus quand on connait les décennies des aventures de Superman qui vont venir.
On
Cerise sur le gateau, une issue complétement déjanté avec Mr Mxyzptlk. On aime ou on aime pas.
Et une autre plantant quelques graines, qui est très intéressante, encore plus quand on connait les décennies des aventures de Superman qui vont venir.
On
March 6, 2025
Empezamos con un regular número de Johns para actualizarnos sobre el Universo DC y continúa con 6 números de Rucka.
Este arco me ha parecido muy bueno, en la linea del anterior. Aumentando tanto el drama, cada vez más personal, como la intriga que rodea a este villano. No he podido dejar de leer. Incluidas las hilarantes situaciones, comentarios e imitaciones de las apariciones de Mister Mxyzptlk.
El dibujo continúa a buen nivel, siguiendo el estilo del anterior arco y resolviendo decentemente las numerables escenas de acción.
Recomendado. Ruina continúa sus planes y la escalada de violencia aumenta. Quiero más. 8/10
Edición: Rústica buena calidad. Incluye introducción, portadas al comienzo de cada núm. y un artículo final.
Un saludo.
Guion-8 Dibujo-7 Edición-8
Este arco me ha parecido muy bueno, en la linea del anterior. Aumentando tanto el drama, cada vez más personal, como la intriga que rodea a este villano. No he podido dejar de leer. Incluidas las hilarantes situaciones, comentarios e imitaciones de las apariciones de Mister Mxyzptlk.
El dibujo continúa a buen nivel, siguiendo el estilo del anterior arco y resolviendo decentemente las numerables escenas de acción.
Recomendado. Ruina continúa sus planes y la escalada de violencia aumenta. Quiero más. 8/10
Edición: Rústica buena calidad. Incluye introducción, portadas al comienzo de cada núm. y un artículo final.
Un saludo.
Guion-8 Dibujo-7 Edición-8
October 2, 2025
Greg Rucka was writing some great books at the time this came out, so I'm not too mad that his Adventures of Superman is only okay. This volume's got twin Parasites, Supes borrowing Steel's armor, and a guest appearance by sexual predator (and former editor) Eddie Berganaza. More Lupe Leocadio in this one, too. Feels a little like Rucka's trying to replicate the success of Renee Montoya over in the Batman books. But, hey, it might be the best Mr. Mxyzptlk story...? Definitely beats Superman: Reborn.
July 10, 2023
Greg Rucka's Superman isn't hitting for me. Here, maybe its just how its collected, but nothing gets resolved. Ruin somehow creates Parasites and is after those close to Superman. We've seen it many times before and recently. There were some odd Mxy interludes that I hated because he's beyond annoying. I enjoyed the conversation between Clark, Bruce, and Diana I thought the art solid. Overall, the story was weak or at the very least, incomplete.
June 21, 2024
Worst superman comic I have ever read, would not recommend at all. Couldn’t even finish the book.
books-abandoned
October 13, 2025So thoroughly unpleasant that I could not finish.
July 20, 2014
Superman continues to face threats cooked up by Ruin in this graphic novel from Greg Rucka. Determined to take down the Man of Steel, Ruin twists the abducted Allston twins into two brand new Parasites. With a little help from Steel's armory and Mr. Mxyzptlk, Kal-El is able to subdue his newest foes before they can reveal his identity to their creator. Despite the new-look villains, this volume continues to be bogged down by the Ruin mystery. Enough hints have been dropped to deduce the identity of the man behind the mask, but pacing continue to be drawn out for dramatic effect. The odd gem at the end of the collection is the true prize. Overhearing Clark and Lois discuss children, Mxyzptlk conjures up baby Lara Lane-Kent - daughter of Superman. Despite being a one-and-done fantasy story, it is the varied popular artistic styles used in Lara's tale that catch an artist's eye: Frank Miller noir, Bill Waterson cartooning, and Bruce Timm animation. Despite the one-off coda, That Healing Touch still needs therapy to help the Superman title regain its magic.
July 17, 2011
Meh. This story is so wrapped up in Identity Crisis, already a crisis of storytelling, that it's hard to follow exactly what Superman is doing to stop the man testing him physically and invading his life as Clark Kent.
The only reason to read this book is to catch up on that little imp from the fifth dimension, as his story has a touching conclusion next volume. Also, check out more sweet marital interaction between Lois and Clark, as she confronts him about having a baby and then applies the right words to get him to calm down about the chaos enveloping their world.
The only reason to read this book is to catch up on that little imp from the fifth dimension, as his story has a touching conclusion next volume. Also, check out more sweet marital interaction between Lois and Clark, as she confronts him about having a baby and then applies the right words to get him to calm down about the chaos enveloping their world.
February 4, 2025
Si no me equivoco, leí la totalidad de este libro en la edición en revistas de Sticker Design. Cuando lo corrobore, seguro ownee el book, pero como no estoy totalmente seguro, lo reseño provisoriamente recordando la sensación que me causó: en parte me aburrió, en parte me resultó muy ridículo. Sin duda parte del material que SD no tendría que haber publicado si querían tener un material interesante para enganchar a los novatos. Claro que lo que vino después tampoco es que fuera mucho mejor, pero ese ya es otro tema...
April 4, 2012
This really felt more like a filler book, as Superman is caught up in all that is swirling around the rest of the DC Universe.
September 3, 2013
Was about a 2.5, but the Calvin and Hobbes section moves it to a 3.
November 12, 2016
I love this one! Myx is my fav and I loved all the 4th wall breaking he did along with all of his other crazy shenanigans!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews