Review: ‘Adventures Of Superman: The Book Of El’ #1 Is A Welcome Surprise

About eighteen months ago, an extended run on Action Comics came to what seemed like a truncated end. This week, Adventures of Superman: The Book of El picked back up those plots, and it’s a welcome return.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Scott Godlewski, Alex Guimaraes, and Dave Sharpe face the aftermath of the fall of Warworld.

The Super-Family is approaching normal. Otho-Ra and Osul-Ra both have settled into their new lives on Earth, while Clark, Lois and Jon have come to welcome them into the family. But when a former ally turns against them, the entire planet will be put in danger, and this time Superman may not be able to help…

I honestly picked this up without having heard anything about it (I legitimately haven’t read solicitations in probably a year). I assumed it was a one-shot or miniseries continuing Johnson’s extremely well received future adventures of the House of El. Not only was I pleasantly surprised to see Johnson’s unresolved story threads from Action Comics continued, but that it was also a maxi-series.

It honestly picks up without missing a beat too. Johnson’s take on the Kent family is realistic despite the sci-fi craziness — Otho and Osul are adopted children struggling to fit into their new home, Jon is doing his best to be a good big brother, and Lois and Clark are doing their best  just to love their kids despite the craziness. It sets an emotional core that means the next moments — in which Warworld invades Earth — hits harder, and transporting Clark into the distant future in the middle of the fight is even more shocking for it. Johnson even fits in two data pages at the end of the issue to deepen what’s happening (with a great assist from Sharpe at bringing it to life).

Godlewski’s art fits right in. Despite having a generally cartoony style, he’s able to show the connection between the characters easily. He’s also great at switching from the slower, interpersonal drama and light comedy to the darker, science-fantasy Warworld invasion in just a page turn. His layouts are always clear, and his figure work is clean and easy to follow.

Adding to the line art, Guimaraes adds depth with his colors. He does such good things with both the mundane (the Kent farm is bright and welcoming) and the fantastic (the far future is obviously bleak just for the palette choice). It just plain looks great, and I’m glad for it.

Sharpe is a very good letterer at doing what a letterer needs to do. He makes the storytelling clear, and never muddies up the page. A great subtle thing he does alongside that though is make the “Book of El” narration feel like actual excerpts from a journal. It’s not just the font, but how he puts it on the page, enhancing the story as the best letterers always do.

Adventures of Superman: Book of El #1 is available now from DC Comics.