What do you think?
Rate this book
Superman (2016)
Superman, Vol. 4: Black Dawn
Though Superman and his family have found a measure of peace in their adopted town of Hamilton, they’ve also sensed a sinister presence lurking beneath its idyllic rural façade—something, as a visiting Batman and Robin are about to discover, that is stripping young Jonathan Kent of his powers and pitting neighbor against neighbor, hero against hero, father against son.
Soon the time will come for Jonathan to choose: Will he follow his father into the light of truth and justice? Or will this Boy of Steel be forever warped by the corrupting powers of darkness?
Find out in SUPERMAN VOL. 4: BLACK DAWN, featuring the creative team of Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Doug Mahnke, Mick Gray and more! Collects issues #20-26.
Soon the time will come for Jonathan to choose: Will he follow his father into the light of truth and justice? Or will this Boy of Steel be forever warped by the corrupting powers of darkness?
Find out in SUPERMAN VOL. 4: BLACK DAWN, featuring the creative team of Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Doug Mahnke, Mick Gray and more! Collects issues #20-26.
176 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2017
About the author
Peter J. Tomasi
1,291 books473 followersPeter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 23, 2018
Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, and Doug Mahnke deliver yet another knockout punch with this entry into the Superman mythos. All of the oddness in Hamilton County is finally explained. Something of a redux of Superman -
What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way? (Action Comics #775) for the next generation. My one complaint would be too many inkers on a few of the issues. You can definitely see a distinct shift in the quality of the art and style. Fantastic art, fantastic story.
What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way? (Action Comics #775) for the next generation. My one complaint would be too many inkers on a few of the issues. You can definitely see a distinct shift in the quality of the art and style. Fantastic art, fantastic story.
August 28, 2024
The main sequence here was a bit freaky and intense...but fun! This is shaping up to be a great comic series.
October 14, 2018
Another really strong volume. I'm reading these so slow because I really don't want Peter J. Tomasi to leave this title (even though he already has).
So we begin our story here in a semi-dark way. The town Superman and his family live in is becoming unhinged. Something isn't right in our little farm-town and things are going wrong. Before that Batman and Damien show up and Bruce tells Clark that Jon has untapped potential. In fact, Batman is convinced he should be stronger than he is already. That's when the town begins to collapse on itself and a new evil arises, one you might not expect. When friends become foes, and secrets begin to show themselves, will our heroes make it out okay?
Good: The dynamic of family is still strong here. Clark and Lois are both caring parents and Jon is growing quick and dealing with life situations. I really love that Peter makes Lois a fucking badass without trying. She is able to handle herself in this series, and more than once comes to the rescue. I thought the villain here was a great choice to counter Clark's views on saving people and fighting villains and the twist of the town was cool.
Bad: The last issue, while cute, was a little overdone. Having Clark relive his days with his Pa to share the same storyline with Jon felt a bit cliche. I also will be sad to see them leave the farm.
Overall this was a great volume. I really am loving Peter's run. I think he did wonders for the character if you ask me. A 4 out of 5.
So we begin our story here in a semi-dark way. The town Superman and his family live in is becoming unhinged. Something isn't right in our little farm-town and things are going wrong. Before that Batman and Damien show up and Bruce tells Clark that Jon has untapped potential. In fact, Batman is convinced he should be stronger than he is already. That's when the town begins to collapse on itself and a new evil arises, one you might not expect. When friends become foes, and secrets begin to show themselves, will our heroes make it out okay?
Good: The dynamic of family is still strong here. Clark and Lois are both caring parents and Jon is growing quick and dealing with life situations. I really love that Peter makes Lois a fucking badass without trying. She is able to handle herself in this series, and more than once comes to the rescue. I thought the villain here was a great choice to counter Clark's views on saving people and fighting villains and the twist of the town was cool.
Bad: The last issue, while cute, was a little overdone. Having Clark relive his days with his Pa to share the same storyline with Jon felt a bit cliche. I also will be sad to see them leave the farm.
Overall this was a great volume. I really am loving Peter's run. I think he did wonders for the character if you ask me. A 4 out of 5.
April 21, 2018
What kind of a sick sadistic fuck is Peter Tomasi? Not only did he introduce the character of Jon in his first volume of Superman by murdering a cat, not only does he keep rubbing it in every chance he gets (see also Super Sons), but now there's also this?
Why do you hate cats so much, Tomasi? If you don't like them, just don't include them in your stories, you asshole.
But anyway. This huge 6-part story is a continuation/rehash of Joe Kelly's famous Action Comics one-shot What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?, and it's shit. The idea of The Elite as a one-off team of crazies worked fine for an issue just to make the point that Kelly was trying to make, but to base an entire story arc around that same premise only shows how little life there is in this concept beyond its original intent. Manchester Black is a pastiche character who just doesn't work on his own, his beliefs are comically wrong and villainous, and honestly, we don't need yet another story to explain how Superman is still actually a good and relevant character. The guy's got 1000 issues under his belt and trunks, of course he's still relevant! Now go and do something useful with him instead of torturing that poor cat's soul even more, Peter Tomasi YOU SICK FUCK.
The volume is capped off with an issue written by Michael Moreci, and it's honestly even worse than Tomasi's story. It's a one-shot about Clark parenting Jon, and it undermines everything we've learned about Jon to date by depicting him as an insufferable ill-mannered brat more akin to Damian Wayne, who never listens to his father and does everything backwards. Looks like the only thing Michael Moreci knew about the character before writing this issue is that Jon is a teenager. Sorry, dude, but he's not THAT kind of teenager.
Just as I was ready to give Tomasi another chance at redeeming himself as a writer in my eyes, he goes and does shit like Black Dawn. A useless, derivative story that desperately tries to say something meaningful about an 80-year-old character by rehashing a story that is almost 20 years old. I'm so glad that Bendis is replacing this hack, he can't possibly be worse than this.
Why do you hate cats so much, Tomasi? If you don't like them, just don't include them in your stories, you asshole.
But anyway. This huge 6-part story is a continuation/rehash of Joe Kelly's famous Action Comics one-shot What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?, and it's shit. The idea of The Elite as a one-off team of crazies worked fine for an issue just to make the point that Kelly was trying to make, but to base an entire story arc around that same premise only shows how little life there is in this concept beyond its original intent. Manchester Black is a pastiche character who just doesn't work on his own, his beliefs are comically wrong and villainous, and honestly, we don't need yet another story to explain how Superman is still actually a good and relevant character. The guy's got 1000 issues under his belt and trunks, of course he's still relevant! Now go and do something useful with him instead of torturing that poor cat's soul even more, Peter Tomasi YOU SICK FUCK.
The volume is capped off with an issue written by Michael Moreci, and it's honestly even worse than Tomasi's story. It's a one-shot about Clark parenting Jon, and it undermines everything we've learned about Jon to date by depicting him as an insufferable ill-mannered brat more akin to Damian Wayne, who never listens to his father and does everything backwards. Looks like the only thing Michael Moreci knew about the character before writing this issue is that Jon is a teenager. Sorry, dude, but he's not THAT kind of teenager.
Just as I was ready to give Tomasi another chance at redeeming himself as a writer in my eyes, he goes and does shit like Black Dawn. A useless, derivative story that desperately tries to say something meaningful about an 80-year-old character by rehashing a story that is almost 20 years old. I'm so glad that Bendis is replacing this hack, he can't possibly be worse than this.
June 15, 2019
I just don't know if I'll ever really enjoy these books as much as I do the Gotham centered books. I'm not a huge fan of galactic comics, Marvel or DC. I'm just not all that big on the alien politics and all the different alien bad guys after Superman. This series works best for me when it takes place in town. I like the domestic life of the Kents and watching Clark and Lois struggle with parenting decisions.
I love Jon as a character. I really like seeing Clark slowly come to realize he needs to let Jon make his own mistakes. However, the issue that takes place that was solely about that wasn't written by Tomasi and I found the message a little hard to follow.
I really liked seeing Bruce and Damian pop up in this volume. I always love the contrast between their styles. I really love the emphasis on how different Gotham is from Hamilton.
So, I liked the characters in this but the bad guy didn't do a lot for me.
I love Jon as a character. I really like seeing Clark slowly come to realize he needs to let Jon make his own mistakes. However, the issue that takes place that was solely about that wasn't written by Tomasi and I found the message a little hard to follow.
I really liked seeing Bruce and Damian pop up in this volume. I always love the contrast between their styles. I really love the emphasis on how different Gotham is from Hamilton.
So, I liked the characters in this but the bad guy didn't do a lot for me.
August 15, 2017
Not my favorite choice by Tomasi and Gleason.
World: The art is good, I've always liked Gleason art, it's full of character and bits and pieces. The world building is okay but it is a bit wonky and out of left field. I don't really like what they did with the town of Hamilton and I don't agree with it.
Story: The pacing is fine and so is the tone and the dialog. The issue I had with this arc was the fact that it exists. I like Kathy and Farmer Cobb and I did not like what they did with these characters. Why could there not just been this little beautiful slice of Americana in Hamilton. The villain also annoyed and the fight in the end contrived and far easily dealt with. Not a big fan of this arc at all.
Characters: This is probably the first step in Rebirth that I don't agree with this creative team. I don't need a dark sinister thing brewing beneath a wholesome town. I don't need it. Kathy was a great character for Jon to be friends with and the town was a good place for Jon to learn to love humans and people and life. This was unnecessary. The villain was stupid zzz.
Not my favorite arc.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is good, I've always liked Gleason art, it's full of character and bits and pieces. The world building is okay but it is a bit wonky and out of left field. I don't really like what they did with the town of Hamilton and I don't agree with it.
Story: The pacing is fine and so is the tone and the dialog. The issue I had with this arc was the fact that it exists. I like Kathy and Farmer Cobb and I did not like what they did with these characters. Why could there not just been this little beautiful slice of Americana in Hamilton. The villain also annoyed and the fight in the end contrived and far easily dealt with. Not a big fan of this arc at all.
Characters: This is probably the first step in Rebirth that I don't agree with this creative team. I don't need a dark sinister thing brewing beneath a wholesome town. I don't need it. Kathy was a great character for Jon to be friends with and the town was a good place for Jon to learn to love humans and people and life. This was unnecessary. The villain was stupid zzz.
Not my favorite arc.
Onward to the next book!
November 29, 2017
Having read the initial three volumes of Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s Superman run, it’s been interesting to see how DC is retconning the Man of Steel throughout the Rebirth initiative. Although I have not read Action Comics as well as the crossover event Superman Reborn, based on this fourth volume, some things have changed (with a suit with a new belt buckle) and some haven’t (failing to maintain a normal family life in Hamilton County, USA).
Please click here for my full review.
Please click here for my full review.
November 17, 2019
Superboy becomes an issue for Batman but Superman disagrees as any blind father should disagree.
Their hometown isn't what it seems.
Pretty almost anime artwork.
MY GRADE: B.
Their hometown isn't what it seems.
Pretty almost anime artwork.
MY GRADE: B.
January 11, 2022
This was quite good!
Batman comes in to tell whatever is going wrong with Jon and as he investigates Bessie and Mr Cobb, their neighbor he gets stuck and so its upto Jon and Damian and Clark to investigate and see whats wrong but when they split up, we find the real culprit behind it all: MANCHESTER BLACK! Superman's old foe and he has his hands on the whole town with his Super Elite and its son vs father and will Clark be able to save his son and what more revelations will Jon have about his powers and what it means to be Super?
Such a great volume and I love how Tomasi expands on this mystery he has been building for the previous volumes and focuses on Jon and this weird relationship and puts the entire family at risk but builds to this amazing moment between them, its such a great learning for the son and he does it wonderfully.
Plus a great one off story showing Clark teaching his son the same things his father taught him and its just perfect and makes you love them even more and the art is just awwesome! One of the best volumes of Superman filled with heart and everything that will make you love Clark and his world all over again! <3
Batman comes in to tell whatever is going wrong with Jon and as he investigates Bessie and Mr Cobb, their neighbor he gets stuck and so its upto Jon and Damian and Clark to investigate and see whats wrong but when they split up, we find the real culprit behind it all: MANCHESTER BLACK! Superman's old foe and he has his hands on the whole town with his Super Elite and its son vs father and will Clark be able to save his son and what more revelations will Jon have about his powers and what it means to be Super?
Such a great volume and I love how Tomasi expands on this mystery he has been building for the previous volumes and focuses on Jon and this weird relationship and puts the entire family at risk but builds to this amazing moment between them, its such a great learning for the son and he does it wonderfully.
Plus a great one off story showing Clark teaching his son the same things his father taught him and its just perfect and makes you love them even more and the art is just awwesome! One of the best volumes of Superman filled with heart and everything that will make you love Clark and his world all over again! <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2018
Rebounding quite nicely from the blah Vol. 3: Multiplicity, Vol. 4 finally explains some of the oddness that has been percolating under the crust of Hamilton County since the arrival of Clark, Lois and Jon. Also, Lois has a true deus ex machina moment ("Now we're talking!" exclaims Lois . . . and the reader), courtesy of an unexpected visit to the farm from Gotham's dynamic duo, that I wished would've lasted longer than three pages. With said visit we get the amusing dialogue many other reviews have commented on - "Batman doesn't eat pie" - during dessert with our superheroes.
Though the epilogue chapter seems sort of tacked-on, this was an otherwise really good volume that seems to get things back on track. DC's doing something right with this Rebirth title.
Though the epilogue chapter seems sort of tacked-on, this was an otherwise really good volume that seems to get things back on track. DC's doing something right with this Rebirth title.
June 14, 2023
Finally this started to read itself like an actual story again, however it still doesn't feel like Superman, it's so much darker and gruesome, just as if Batman had his hands way too much in this. Not sure this direction of the new superman really fits my taste anymore, but I like Jon.
October 10, 2020
This was fine, Hamilton, the new town Superfamily is living in turns out to be something else altogether. It was an okay read, maybe 3.5 stars, now let's see how are the next volumes.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
October 28, 2017
[Read as single issues]
Pete Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are back with a vengeance in this volume of Superman, which brings a lot of the stories from the first year of the book into tight focus as Superman, Jon, and Lois are all tested to their fullest when a mysterious yet familiar threat emerges from the shadows.
Black Dawn is a bit of a rehash of Whatever Happened To Truth, Justice, and the American Way?, but in a good way. It's reimagined nicely, and it brings Superboy along for the ride on the next step of his character arc too. There are a few quick handwavey explanations about things, but it's a decent way to close down this chapter of the Kents' lives as they move away from Hamilton and back to Metropolis where they belong.
Gleason is also back on art, with Doug Mahnke tag-teaming with him for certain issues, like the extra-sized #25 that tops off the story. They have a great visual synergy that means this is the most consistent the book has looked for a while, and that really helps sell the story overall.
Strong character work as ever and a decent homage to a very famous story gives us a great volume of Superman adventures.
Pete Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are back with a vengeance in this volume of Superman, which brings a lot of the stories from the first year of the book into tight focus as Superman, Jon, and Lois are all tested to their fullest when a mysterious yet familiar threat emerges from the shadows.
Black Dawn is a bit of a rehash of Whatever Happened To Truth, Justice, and the American Way?, but in a good way. It's reimagined nicely, and it brings Superboy along for the ride on the next step of his character arc too. There are a few quick handwavey explanations about things, but it's a decent way to close down this chapter of the Kents' lives as they move away from Hamilton and back to Metropolis where they belong.
Gleason is also back on art, with Doug Mahnke tag-teaming with him for certain issues, like the extra-sized #25 that tops off the story. They have a great visual synergy that means this is the most consistent the book has looked for a while, and that really helps sell the story overall.
Strong character work as ever and a decent homage to a very famous story gives us a great volume of Superman adventures.
May 16, 2018
The main six-part story here is an epic Superman family story that, despite being set in and around the farm and (under) the local town, is epic, as a villain from the ‘wrong’ timeline makes his reappearance (I had to read the Wikipedia page for his back-story), reveals the secrets of those strange neighbours, their cow, the haunted house, and even the whereabouts of Mr & (”Ex.”) Mrs Frankenstein.
Despite the presence of Batman & Robin, Lois still manages to be a full-partner in the story, reminding us that she has been a strong female character in comics ever since the 1930s, surviving the forced domesticity of the 1950s to take her place as the role-model she started her career as.
This has an excellent story, with humour, tragedy and epic action, and with excellent artwork, recapitulating the villain’s original raison d’etre, and also reminding us of the importance of the Superman Family to the main character and his back-story.
The seventh issue is a stand alone with Superman and son doing a bit of bonding with a flashback to young Clark and Pa Kent’s similar situation back in the day.
Despite the presence of Batman & Robin, Lois still manages to be a full-partner in the story, reminding us that she has been a strong female character in comics ever since the 1930s, surviving the forced domesticity of the 1950s to take her place as the role-model she started her career as.
This has an excellent story, with humour, tragedy and epic action, and with excellent artwork, recapitulating the villain’s original raison d’etre, and also reminding us of the importance of the Superman Family to the main character and his back-story.
The seventh issue is a stand alone with Superman and son doing a bit of bonding with a flashback to young Clark and Pa Kent’s similar situation back in the day.
July 3, 2018
(3.5?) I am really enjoying this superman series, I think mainly because of the strong family story they got going on. After a sidestep with volume 3, volume 4 gets back into the flow with a good twist about the town Hamilton that the Kent family has made home. We also get a great villain cameo that I wont spoil. Like I mentioned I really enjoy the family aspect that Tomasi is writing. The father and son relationship with Jon and Clark is heart warming and I love seeing how they struggle at times but ultimately succeed. Lois isn't forgotten either, she has few nice moments too. Solid series so far.
June 7, 2025
Superman Vol. 4: Black Dawn is exactly what I was hoping for. After a bit of a dip in Multiplicity, this volume brings the series roaring back with heart, tension, and serious payoff. The family dynamics are rich, the emotional stakes are real, and the creeping darkness in the “Black Dawn” storyline adds a thrilling edge.
Jon continues to shine, and the mystery surrounding the town and its secrets unfolds in a way that’s both surprising and satisfying. The action hits hard, but it’s the character work that really makes this volume stand out.
This is Superman storytelling at its best—grounded, heartfelt, and epic all at once. 5 stars.
Jon continues to shine, and the mystery surrounding the town and its secrets unfolds in a way that’s both surprising and satisfying. The action hits hard, but it’s the character work that really makes this volume stand out.
This is Superman storytelling at its best—grounded, heartfelt, and epic all at once. 5 stars.
September 7, 2018
Some moments of really great artwork (I totally dig Mahnke’s style); however, I found this storyline to be a little lacklustre. What starts as an intriguing mystery unravels into a bit of nonsense, even though it does tie up a few loose ends from before Superman Reborn.
3.5/5
3.5/5
December 21, 2017
I received this book through a GoodReads giveaway.
I'm not a big fan of this kind of artwork. On practically page one I've got a nitpick. They go out of their way to show the Kents now live on a farm way out in the boondocks, yet Lois takes the trashcan out to the curb. When you live in the county you haul your own trash off. Ain't no truck gonna come pick this up. But as I said, that's just nitpicking.
My true complaints contain spoilers so Spoiler Warning.
Batman and Robin stop by to chit chat about Superboy. Immediately Robin gets on my nerves with his constant pshaw noises. Batman disappears early on and frankly has nothing to do with the story at all. Even at the end with the big boss battle he's barely in two or three panels. Heck, the Batmobile did more. Why was the Dynamic Duo even here? They were unnecessary.
Another complaint has to do with Lois being severely injured during a fight scene. She's hurt bad enough for Superman to leave the fight to fly her to the hospital. Yet at the very end she shows up at the battle, her body intact, and we're given a throwaway line to explain it all away. It just pissed me off. I would have been more interested in seeing how the family dealt with her injury than be told, "Oh, it was all an illusion."
I'm not a big fan of this kind of artwork. On practically page one I've got a nitpick. They go out of their way to show the Kents now live on a farm way out in the boondocks, yet Lois takes the trashcan out to the curb. When you live in the county you haul your own trash off. Ain't no truck gonna come pick this up. But as I said, that's just nitpicking.
My true complaints contain spoilers so Spoiler Warning.
Batman and Robin stop by to chit chat about Superboy. Immediately Robin gets on my nerves with his constant pshaw noises. Batman disappears early on and frankly has nothing to do with the story at all. Even at the end with the big boss battle he's barely in two or three panels. Heck, the Batmobile did more. Why was the Dynamic Duo even here? They were unnecessary.
Another complaint has to do with Lois being severely injured during a fight scene. She's hurt bad enough for Superman to leave the fight to fly her to the hospital. Yet at the very end she shows up at the battle, her body intact, and we're given a throwaway line to explain it all away. It just pissed me off. I would have been more interested in seeing how the family dealt with her injury than be told, "Oh, it was all an illusion."
January 4, 2018
Without a doubt Tomasi & Gleason are writing one of the best comicbook series around. The bonds of the Kent family are tested as an old Superman for, Manchester Black returns to wreck the peaceful town of Hamilton. In this volume of Superman young Jon is tempted to see the life of being a hero differently than his father. I fondly remember being exposed to Manchester Black from the DC Animated film, Superman & the Elite. I never read the Superman and Justice League books that introduced Black & the Elite. I did enjoy the concept of Superman confronting his ideology of trying not to kill an enemy versus the eye for eye code that Black follows. This story brings this battle of ideologies to a more personal conflict as Black tries to manipulate Superman's son into going to the dark side. There is a a lot of jaw dropping action moments in the book and the emotional moments are incredibly written and drawn. I can not express how much the family dynamic has made the Superman series both relevant and just a all around fun read. I am going to try to go back and read some of the earlier stories with Black. Superman continues to be one of the strongest series in the DC Rebirth era of DC comics.
February 4, 2018
With 'Superman, Volume 4: Black Dawn,' Peter J. Tomasi continues a really great run on this title. It's one I always look forward to reading.
The Kents have had a pretty idyllic existence in the farm town of Hamilton, but that is about to end. It's been hinted at in other story lines. It comes to a head here. Something is not right with how Jon's powers are developing and Batman shows up with Robin to investigate. What they uncover unleashes a secret that the town holds. When one of Superman's old enemies shows up, he tries to turn Superboy toward the darkness. Will a dark Superboy find new powers or will he be able to fight it off?
It was only inevitable, I guess, that this perfect town would be hiding some secret. Part of me wishes that it hadn't been so, and there is a change to a couple characters that I wish hadn't been part of the conspiracy.
Overall, I did enjoy the story, and, especially, the back up story that Clark teaching Jon about decisions and responsibility while having a flashback to an episode with his own father Jonathan.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The Kents have had a pretty idyllic existence in the farm town of Hamilton, but that is about to end. It's been hinted at in other story lines. It comes to a head here. Something is not right with how Jon's powers are developing and Batman shows up with Robin to investigate. What they uncover unleashes a secret that the town holds. When one of Superman's old enemies shows up, he tries to turn Superboy toward the darkness. Will a dark Superboy find new powers or will he be able to fight it off?
It was only inevitable, I guess, that this perfect town would be hiding some secret. Part of me wishes that it hadn't been so, and there is a change to a couple characters that I wish hadn't been part of the conspiracy.
Overall, I did enjoy the story, and, especially, the back up story that Clark teaching Jon about decisions and responsibility while having a flashback to an episode with his own father Jonathan.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
December 30, 2018
Tomasi, Gleason and Mahnke did a fantastic job with this storyline. It was mysterious and dark at times and tied deeply into the Super family.
Not a wasted moment.
And you just end up loving every character even more.
Jon is becoming such a great boy to read about.
Not a wasted moment.
And you just end up loving every character even more.
Jon is becoming such a great boy to read about.
September 9, 2017
(Read as Single Issues) In a darker, more cynical age, it is perhaps more important than ever that Big Blue Boy Scouts remain so ... for they really do have the power to change the world.
July 15, 2022
English/Spanish review:
Soo Bats comes over to check out why Supes kid hasn't developed his powers to be a potential threat yet but then thing get creepier and creepier and hey not everyone seems to be what they really are huh?
I liked the whole mistery/fake town aura but then it got real over the top too fast,the "noo this isn't you" blabbery entered the room full speed to bore me and ugh the Frankensteins again.
I didn't know Manchester Black and yeah,cool come back bad John Constantine,but I think the Elites are lacking of any interest. I mean,Cobb and the girl were pretty core on the story to end up as "won't explain much,cos who cares,traumatized aliens" aand the rest of the supposed to be "known" towners well,didnt ever see em apart of Mrs. Candice who was kidnapped by some weaker foe before? Hmm. I don't care much.
I laughed when that happened,like,WHY so brutal out of nowhere? Can't say I hated it but Tomasi took it back later so meh. Anyways,stop with the cat you sick fucker,don't wanna remember that again and again.
I didn't dislike this. Mostly preferred the first half of the volume since the set-up seemed different.
Español:
Eeh,Bats viene a ver por qué el pibe Sups no desarrolló sus poderes para ser una amenaza potencial todavía,pero luego las cosas se vuelven cada vez más raras y che no todos parecen ser lo que realmente son, ¿eh?
Me gustó todo el aura de misterio/pueblo falso,pero se fué muy al choto demasiado rápido y la boludez de "noo,este no sos vos" entró en la habitación a toda carrera y ugh los Frankenstein otra vez.
No conocía al Manchester Black y sí,buena vuelta John Consantine malo,pero creo que a la Élite le falta interés. A ver,Cobb y la chica eanr bastante centrales en la historia para terminar como "no voy explicar,porque a quién le importa, aliens traumados". El resto de los supuestos habitantes "conocidos" nunca los ví aparte de la Sra. Candice que fue secuestrada por un enemigo más débil antes? mmm. No me importa mucho
Me reí cuando eso pasó,¿POR QUÉ tan brutal de la nada? No puedo decir que lo odié,pero Tomasi se lo sacó de encima al toque,así que meh. De todos modos,déjate de joder con ese puto gato,enfermo,no quiero recordar eso una y otra vez.
No me disgustó esto. Prefiero la primera mitad del volumen ya que el set-up parecía diferente.
Soo Bats comes over to check out why Supes kid hasn't developed his powers to be a potential threat yet but then thing get creepier and creepier and hey not everyone seems to be what they really are huh?
I liked the whole mistery/fake town aura but then it got real over the top too fast,the "noo this isn't you" blabbery entered the room full speed to bore me and ugh the Frankensteins again.
I didn't know Manchester Black and yeah,cool come back bad John Constantine,but I think the Elites are lacking of any interest. I mean,Cobb and the girl were pretty core on the story to end up as "won't explain much,cos who cares,traumatized aliens" aand the rest of the supposed to be "known" towners well,didnt ever see em apart of Mrs. Candice who was kidnapped by some weaker foe before? Hmm. I don't care much.
I laughed when that happened,like,WHY so brutal out of nowhere? Can't say I hated it but Tomasi took it back later so meh. Anyways,stop with the cat you sick fucker,don't wanna remember that again and again.
I didn't dislike this. Mostly preferred the first half of the volume since the set-up seemed different.
Español:
Eeh,Bats viene a ver por qué el pibe Sups no desarrolló sus poderes para ser una amenaza potencial todavía,pero luego las cosas se vuelven cada vez más raras y che no todos parecen ser lo que realmente son, ¿eh?
Me gustó todo el aura de misterio/pueblo falso,pero se fué muy al choto demasiado rápido y la boludez de "noo,este no sos vos" entró en la habitación a toda carrera y ugh los Frankenstein otra vez.
No conocía al Manchester Black y sí,buena vuelta John Consantine malo,pero creo que a la Élite le falta interés. A ver,Cobb y la chica eanr bastante centrales en la historia para terminar como "no voy explicar,porque a quién le importa, aliens traumados". El resto de los supuestos habitantes "conocidos" nunca los ví aparte de la Sra. Candice que fue secuestrada por un enemigo más débil antes? mmm. No me importa mucho
Me reí cuando eso pasó,¿POR QUÉ tan brutal de la nada? No puedo decir que lo odié,pero Tomasi se lo sacó de encima al toque,así que meh. De todos modos,déjate de joder con ese puto gato,enfermo,no quiero recordar eso una y otra vez.
No me disgustó esto. Prefiero la primera mitad del volumen ya que el set-up parecía diferente.
Read
August 8, 2018This starts beautifully, with the heroism and hope of the Kent family, their happy hometown, contrasted with the ludicrous posturing of the Waynes ("Batman doesn't eat pie!"). And then Batman gets taken down by a cow. Alas - and spoilers follow - it soon turns out that this lovely small town is an experiment, a lie - and at the back of it is Manchester Black, an Authority analogue who started out forced and hasn't improved with age. There follows the usual debate about whether heroes kill, and when it's Superman versus this increasingly threadbare straw badass, obviously the answer is no. And yet, as tends to happen with this, the story ends up largely embodying the very dark and dreary world it rejects.
June 3, 2020
Well a lot of people have said a lot of things about the Tomasi, Gleason and Mahnke run, and while this particular arc (Black Dawn) wasn’t one of my favorites I still think DC and Co made a smart decision to include the Supes family in the Rebirth. The New 52 Superman was so agonizingly, embarrassingly bad that I’m just glad that the overall story is in more capable hands. Other reviews do a better job of discussing the ups and the downs of this arc, but overall it works for me. I feel like Tomasi has horror sensibilities and does a good job of balancing that with the lighter side of the characters. The whole Superman Rebirth is worth checking imho.
August 10, 2019
This series has been very strong and whilst this volume is good it is not as good as previous volumes. This story like the rest is about family but this time it is about how Clark deals when his family comes under a very real threat.
There is a great little story at the end showing how Clark is struggling to teach Jon and it is a very real situation only super powered of a father trying to teach his son how to deal with situations.
There is a great little story at the end showing how Clark is struggling to teach Jon and it is a very real situation only super powered of a father trying to teach his son how to deal with situations.
April 15, 2018
This book collects Issues 20-26 of Superman.
The six-part Black Dawn story brings the Kent family's time in Hamilton County as mysteries are unfurled that have been raised throughout the run. The story features the return of an old enemy and also features highlights like Batman and Robin sitting around the dinner table where we learn that Batman doesn't like pie Also, Lois Lane drives the Batmobile. As usual, there's a lot of cool art in the book and the Kent family shines through.
The final issue is the one part, "Brains v Brawn" which finds the Superman-Superboy team running into conflict about how Jon uses his powers. It's a good story with a mostly true but somewhat flawed moral that brings up the importance of respect.
Overall, I found this another strong Superman book by Peter Tomasi.
The six-part Black Dawn story brings the Kent family's time in Hamilton County as mysteries are unfurled that have been raised throughout the run. The story features the return of an old enemy and also features highlights like Batman and Robin sitting around the dinner table where we learn that Batman doesn't like pie Also, Lois Lane drives the Batmobile. As usual, there's a lot of cool art in the book and the Kent family shines through.
The final issue is the one part, "Brains v Brawn" which finds the Superman-Superboy team running into conflict about how Jon uses his powers. It's a good story with a mostly true but somewhat flawed moral that brings up the importance of respect.
Overall, I found this another strong Superman book by Peter Tomasi.
September 11, 2017
Quite liked this story! The ending was rather dull/sappy though :/
February 3, 2021
5 🌟
The truth of Hamilton is finally revealed. Batman and Robin also make an appearance.
The truth of Hamilton is finally revealed. Batman and Robin also make an appearance.
August 20, 2022
3.5
kyrah read me the entire thing
kyrah read me the entire thing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews