Review: ‘Superman’ #21 Unleashes The Man Of Steel’s Inner Fury

by Tony Thornley

Superman has done his best to keep things together since the revelation of his identity to the world and the foundation of the United Planets. Now it’s starting to unravel, revealing a Superman unlike any other we’ve seen before.

Brian Michael Bendis, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, Alex Sinclair, and Dave Sharpe unleash the Man of Steel in Superman #21.

Mongul has torn the United Planets apart in his cowardly attack on the first assembly of the organization. Superman may have mere moments to save the goodwill that he’s built up. Meanwhile on Earth, things are getting much more complicated that anyone could have predicted for Lois and Clark.

Bendis has gradually escalated everything happening to Clark Kent over the course of this arc and it’s made for great drama. It’s been one of the most fascinating Superman stories in years, as he sets up the Man of Steel for a fall from grace. It’s a precarious situation for Superman, with threats that can prove a challenge for him and his family on multiple levels.

Reis continues to prove why he’s one of the best artists in DC’s house. He continues to experiment with layouts that paces the action perfectly, using several two page spreads with tall thin panels to drive the action forward. He’s also able to sell the emotion as the cast starts to break down as the truth unravels.