DC's first journey into Earth One finally gets its third volume and wraps up the mystery of their Man of Steel's homeworld with promises for the future. Hopefully, one of those promises is more books on the Earth One concept coming out regularly.
Review:
J. Michael Straczynski's third, and long awaited, volume of Superman: Earth One concludes with what happened to this universe's Krypton and as well as Earth One Superman's relationship to the denizens of his adopted planet.
I'll be honest and admit that of the Earth One books so far Superman: Earth One has been a little...lackluster for me mainly in how this Superman seems to be struggling to feel like the Superman/Clark Kent in most ways. For example, Teen Titans: Earth One shook up quite a lot of things from the characters' original origins yet in a way they still channeled aspects that reminded me of their old selves, at least for me. This Superman has a lot of classic origin in tact and some glimpses of the character's usual characteristics but Earth One seemed to be very intent on focusing on this Superman's isolation. At times it felt like other times were writers seemed intent on injecting angst and loneliness in Superman to be more like Batman. However, Superman feeling alone among earthlings isn't new or bad idea at all it's just been feeling like it's dragging, especially in Volume One. A lot of this series so far felt like a treading of old ground with not much new or interesting injected into it until this particular volume where many of the previous issues are addressed someway and some positive moves forward. Also, kudos to the new artist on the book for not only looking nice but being similar to the previous volume's art to keep some consistency.
As stated before, this volume reveals to the readers what really lead to Krypton being destroyed, gives new twists on classic villains, and handling Clark's problems from the previous volumes including those that involve intimacy, trust, and as well as his handling of a violent dictator. There's also a knock against one of the biggest problems with Man of Steel involving its Superman's regard for fighting carelessly in populated areas. The plot is good, giving the true details of Krypton's end and some some really nice moments with Clark connecting with those around him such as forging a partnership with Lois Lane and starting to date his friend Lisa. However, I'll admit I'm worried for Lisa's future especially given Straczynski talking in interviews that the iconinc comics couple will eventually blossom in Earth One.
For villains of this volume we have Zod as the main one here, sporting an interesting 90s-esque cloak and spikey armor. He also seems more partial to having others bow before him instead of kneeling and is apparently Clark's uncle in this universe. Here, Zod not only played the role in bringing Clark's birth planet to it's end but attempts to turn the already scared and untrusting earthlings against him. Which brings us to the other antagonists of this volume, the Luthors who were commissioned to stop Superman in the last volume and here we're given quite a twist on not just Superman's major foe, but one of the most well-known and dangerous villains in all of western comics. Admittedly this twist was a little unsurprising given how the Luthors were characterized in the past volume and this being an alternate universe dedicated to doing new things without a fear of the general status quota. Nonetheless, Earth One Lex has a plan for the Man of Steel and will no doubt be an interesting and formidable foe in future volumes just as other Lex Luthors have been.
Recommendation:
Like its previous volumes, Superman: Earth One vol 3 delivers plenty of action, violence, and a couple casualties but nonetheless solid addition for the YA shelves and some Superman fans.
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