SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #9 REVIEW

[Walt Kneeland]

Review by: Walt Kneeland (walt.kneeland@gmail.com )
Quick Rating: Decent
Story Title: World of New Krypton Part Nine

New Krypton answers to Jemm's people over the moving of a moon and general re-arranging of the solar system to suit their own needs.

Writers: Greg Rucka and James Robinson
Artists: Pete Woods and Ron Randall
Colorists: Nei Ruffino
Asst. Editor: Wil Moss
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Gary Frank, Brad Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics

There's definitely some stuff to like with this book. Unfortunately, the overall feeling I have with it is that I'm now buying it "just because" I'm buying the other Superman-family books. That these are all based in the same continuity now and not taking place in an individual vacuum adds weight to each book. This one of course is "officially" the only book that has Superman himself...or should I say, Kal-El.

I wonder if my waning enjoyment of the whole New Krypton thing is that I miss the Clark Kent side of the character. I grew up on the Byrne Superman wherein Clark was the core character and Superman was more of a mask, and the complete lack of Clark Kent's presence and seeing Clark and Lois and just Clark doing the reporter thing really leaves a void.

This issue sees Kal dealing with an "alien" "invasion" of New Krypton as Jemm (whoever this is--I vaguely recognize the character but don't recall much of anything about him) and others of his kind come to confront New Krypton for their recent activity reshaping the solar system (particularly for moving a moon recently). Kal manages to get things solved his way rather than Zod's way; and interacts with Zod (who is still healing from the assassination attempt recently). Finally, a new visitor arrives who seems to have accomplished a different assassination (or so it's made to appear).

The story itself doesn't seem all that wonderful. Again, that may be because I've grown tired of the status quo as it is presently. Though he can function as a "cosmic" character, I'm not interested in Superman in a "cosmic" sense--at least, not THE Superman. I would have very little problem if there was A Superman existing in the cosmic side of the DCU. This issue is marked as part of the World Against Superman bit--though it doesn't deal at all with that Earth-based aspect of the story.

The art still doesn't thrill me, and is perhaps hampered here by my growing dislike of the art in Superman and in Action Comics--this visual style works well in comparison to those, but I far prefer Gary Frank's art (as seen on the cover). If you're enjoying the story and visuals lately, this is another solid issue in the ongoing story. However, this seems in no way any sort of jumping-on point; this is the 9th issue of a 12-issue series; this is numbered "14" of the current "act" of the New Krypton saga (World Against Superman); and nothing seems significant enough here to warrant picking this issue out of any grouping.


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