We’re all gonna die horribly, so we might as well jump off a cliff now. Lunch first?
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Art and Cover: Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino
Summary: The epic storyline concludes in this volume collecting SUPERMAN #662-664, 667-668 and SUPERMAN ANNUAL #13! The Man of Steel defends Metropolis from harm, but now faces a dilemma: are his heroics only making things worse?
Review: Superman comics aren’t usually my cup of tea. In fact, they’re more like my kryptonite-laced tea considering my strong tendency to avoid them at all costs. I’ve never really been into the whole gods and aliens thing that comprises a lot of DC comics, so I was definitely surprised to find myself enjoying the second volume of SUPERMAN: CAMELOT FALLS, “The Weight of the World.”
Jumping into volume two isn’t difficult, thankfully. The editors of the trade include a very helpful one-page character breakdown that also functions as a detailed summary of recent events. That introduction comes in handy immediately, for Subjekt-17 (gotta love those intentionally misspelled character names) is the first recognizable character we see. Subjekt-17—a lab rat who just happens to be an alien … go figure—broke free from his experimenters and rebelled against humanity. And we’re not talking about the punk rock sort of mutiny, either. Superman had to come in and kick his extraterrestrial ass; the self-righteous sorcerer Arion teleported him away before he could be reduced to a squishy grey, dead pulp. Okay, ew.
Now Arion is bothering Superman like a small, fidgety child bugs his parents in a multiple-hour long road trip … but instead of repeatedly asking, “Are we there yet?” he’s inquiring, “Have you decided to, like, stop saving the world yet?” According to Arion and his mighty prophecy, every time Superman and his power pack of heroes band together to stop the world from going poof and ending humanity, the natural order gets a little messed up. Of course, “a little messed up” really translates to “uh-oh, I think I just saw Hitler command some of the devil’s armies to advance.” Sirocco—the literal embodiment of Khyber’s exorcised conscience and emotion—might have managed to stop the super-villain Khyber from destroying mankind in the future, but the universe will only continue to hurl devastation at Earth until it brings about the fall of civilization. Prevent that natural balance from doing its job so many times, and something has to give–-permanently. Like, apocalypse permanently.
Throughout the book, Arion endeavors to persuade Superman to see things his way; while Superman endures the moral pickle he finds himself in, he eventually decides that just giving up and accepting destruction isn’t how humanity rolls. We survive. While both Arion and Superman make arguments that together could catch a debate team on fire, the entire situation kind of sucks if you ask me. It’s death now or later—like the candy? Or the earth becoming to close to the sun and burning itself up. Or hey, maybe it’s that whole Mayan 2012 year of doom thing, and then we’re all just screwed anyway. Still, Superman’s sort of has the better point: It’s better to go out swinging than crawling in a hole if you don’t even have a choice in the matter.
The story is fairly well-rounded and enjoyable, but the comic does have its share of problems. The numerous time shifts can get rather confusing as a whole, which leaves you to wonder when the hell this is all taking place and whether in reality everybody is just cracking a cold one at the front-row viewing of humanity’s annihilation. In fact, by the last issue it even seems like writer Kurt Busiek either lost track of it himself, somehow became a Slider, or simply gave up caring. I mean, “Not long ago—Centuries in the future—It depends on your perspective, I suppose …” practically reeks of who-the-hell-cares syndrome. In short, the comic takes the whole idea of possible futures a little too far, particularly with Arion and Khyber.
The Prankster—besides being another jerk in the long line of Joker wannabes, ugh—is completely unnecessary in this arc, and just plain annoying. Then again, I guess that’s the point. On the other hand, Sarka and Turrek’s miraculously random reappearance and Subjekt-17’s all too convenient reason for approaching Superman were both basically deus ex machinas. However, the comic reads well and never fails to keep your interest, despite its flaws. And together, the artwork by Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino makes for some fabulous eye-candy.
I still might not be an avid fan, but I’m willing to give more Superman a try. Don’t worry, Bats—you’re still my #1 in my book.
Rating: 3 out of 5
February 27th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I’m with you
No contest for the Dark Knight.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:38 am
First of all, I just have to say that I lol’d at the opening line.
But anyway, yeah, I agree. I’ve never been a big fan of the typical Superman-type storyline where it’s just a bunch of guys in tights vs. a bunch of ugly aliens. But if this incarnation worked for you, I may have to give it a shot as well.
February 27th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
You know, I’ve never really been a huge superman reader either. Supergirl, on the other hand, is alot more interesting to read. The story sounds pretty decent so far, I might have to check it out once I get my tax return and can afford such luxuries
February 27th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
@tusense Just any FYI, I haven’t read the first volume, so no idea if it’s any good! :O
@Melissa Kay Hmmm, you know, I’ll have to try Supergirl sometime.
Lol seriously! I have such a long list of comics I want to read, but yeah … time and money, man, the ultimate buzz kills.
February 27th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I wish I had a lab-rat/alien. That would be awesome. I got a few Superman books I need to review as well, and am kinda in the same boat as you. Hope they are easy to pick up and read!
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
WITA, be wary of which Supergirl you try. The last few years have been…iffy. I’d actually recommend picking up the last few months worth instead, Sterling Gates is trying to fix up her whole book and he’s doing a great job so far.
I remember reading this particular arc, it was entertaining. Personally I like seeing possible, horrible futures. I also liked how no matter how bad Superman thought the future might be, he still couldn’t stop helping people in the present. That’s just who he is.