In his Fortress of Solitude (all in ice crystals), Superman listening interactive recordings of his father reminded him that he is the last survivor of Krypton. Back in Metropolis, Perry White admonishes Jimmy Olsen because the Daily Star (daily competitor the Daily Planet) has better photographs of Superman. Clark Kent quietly slipped away during the conversation to get to the hard landing the site of a small spaceship. On the inside is a small child of ten years. After several tests conducted by the army and the discovery that includes Kryptonian, doubt is not allowed: this is another survivor of Krypton.
After Infinite Crisis, the continuity of Superman is to rediscover because of Superboy punches changed reality. The writers therefore have a free hand to tell their story, with little regard to respect of the years of heavy continuity. In fact in the second episode, the reader discovers that Richard Donner takes the foundations laid in his two films of Superman, especially with the Phantom Zone prisoners and 3 General Zod, Ursa and Non. Why not? Compared to movies, the only major change is that Clark Kent and Lois Lane are still married. As Johns Give and take care to recall some vital information along the way, the reader can easily fit in the narrative, without suffering from schizophrenia. This is also a positive point that the two writers have managed to create a self-contained story. He follows his own pace by providing a satisfactory level of entertainment. Give up Clark Kent in an unusual and tasty position, it must in turn adopt a child with special powers, as once did Martha & Jonathan Kent.
The Last Stand several surprises, all pleasant. The reading gives the impression that Geoff Johns takes hold of the story and the narration for a solution more in line with comics Codes, less in line with the film Donner. Depending on your sensitivity, you will be seduced by the first part or the second. Anyway, the end is lively and intelligent. Give Johns and find a solution to confine the apparitions of other superheroes to the bare minimum (2 pages) and allow the projector to Lois Clark and Jimmy. The result is both elegant and logical, and provided wonderful moments one of the classic enemies of Superman.
Adam Kubert is an illustrator, less prolific than his brother Andy, but also with a bit more personality. From the beginning, it is clear that reviewed the film Giving shortly before drawing this story and it took time on each board given the level of detail greater than that of a lambda comics. It therefore takes some visual elements of the film such as the appearance of the Fortress of Solitude, or sometimes the face and haircut Christopher Reeves when he plays Clark Kent. The level of detail is obvious especially in street scenes. Each facade is designed as a whole, and is different from the neighboring building. There is a double page overview of Metropolis where the reader can contemplate each building with its own architecture and detect traces of combat (including a car stuck in a facade to an improbable height). The interiors of the rooms (apartment or suite) receive the same care, and have rarely looked so inviting kitchen and plausible than that of Ma Kent. The layout is inventive, with thoughts boxes regularly on 2 pages vis-à-vis. Of course, Adam Kubert is still heavily influenced by comic book superheroes and clashes are felt, and the wicked costumes of history that do not change from the beginning to the end (while it s' is their prison uniform). Kubert therefore produces detailed drawings, impregnated with a very nice positive energy reading.
This is also an element that makes a big difference in this story: the first degree and good-humor. Adam Kubert indulges draw some good views pouts when spits Not a molar, the look askance Bizarro breaking the arm of a child, including Superman Zod and his cronies are not really come alone. Giving and Johns are not still they also insert some fun touches, one of my favorites being Metallo demonstrating all kinds of kryptonite its disposal (kitchissime artifice inherited the Golden Age).
This story is an entertaining and enjoyable read that revisits the character of Superman by manhandling continuity, but by booking well found passages, and full of true emotions. I would have gladly given a fifth star if Geoff Johns and Richard Donner had a little less emphasis on integration at all costs of the legacy of the films of 1978 and 1981 and slightly more developed characters. Richard Donner and Geoff Johns have again collaborated to Escape from Bizarro World (Action Comics 855-857 Donner & Johns, + DC Comics Presents 71, Man of Steel Superman 5 and 140).