Let's see... a new writer, a new artist and a strong promotional campaign/price? Yep, this is what I've been looking from DC's Superman line of titles for a while now. The good news is that Seagle and McDaniel deliver an entertaining, amusing and intelligent Superman story, but whether or not this translates into a rejuvenation of the entire line of Super-titles remains to be seen. Seagle is continuing down some of the paths set out before him, but he's exploring some new plotlines as well, it would seem.
A loser super-villain who clashed with the Man of Steel once in the past returns -- along with a powerful suit of futuristic armor -- to get even, and to expose Superman for the dangerous alien presence he perceives him to be. Later, Perry White confronts Clark Kent about an oddity in his activities as an undercover reporter, while the alien scientists from the future who empowered the third-rate villain set their true plan into motion, and it involves recruiting a Kryptonian of their own.
McDaniel's artwork is most closely associated with dark, urban super-heroes. He developed a fan base on such titles as Daredevil v.1, Nightwing and Batman, so I was surprised to find that his style would work so well with the brighter, sci-fi tones of Superman. His exaggerated style really conveys the enormity of the title character's power and the threats he faces. Though McDaniel's style doesn't convey the humanity of some of the characters as well, his vision of weird, alien antagonists is sharp and chilling.
Seagle does an excellent job of not only summing up the general premise and status quo of Superman, but of introducing potential new readers to the more unusual developments as of late in the Man of Steel's world. Luthor's presidency is referenced, and Clark and Lois's relationship is covered as well. Seagle also touches upon the odd professional circumstance that Clark finds himself in at the moment.
I think what really won me over here, though, is Seagle's intelligence. He launches a great new subplot with Perry and Clark, touching upon a logical problem with Superman's casual use of his powers, and the main plot touches upon political themes that are more than a little relevant at present in the United States. Sure, the monologue during the climactic scene is ham-fisted, but it's in keeping with the idealism and purity that the title character represents throughout its Western audience, not just among regular comics readers.
