Once again, DC hits its readers with a Superman comic book driven by a fight scene, leaving the plot unexplained. There are some intriguing ideas scattered about this action-oriented issue, but they're barely hinted at and never explained. It seems as though DC was so gung-ho about throwing its latest Superman "event" at readers that a plot was categorized as a secondary concern. It's a shame, as this issue boasts boasts some sharp artwork that explores the immensity of power of the title character and the world in which he exists.
Metropolis has been turned into a giant prison by the Master Jailer, thanks to some help from Manchester Black. Black's got a mad-on for the Man of Steel, and worse still, he knows Superman's greatest secret. But before he can find Black, Superman must first contend with the literal army of super-villains gathered by Black and the Jailer, many of whom -- like Metallo, Mongul and Bizarro -- can be counted among Superman's greatest and deadliest enemies. Meanwhile, Lois finally has enough of hiding and ventures out into a veritable warzone to get her story.
Aucoin manages to bring the altered landscape of Metropolis to life; its harsh, unwelcoming new look adds to the grave and urgent tone of the plot. His interpretations of some familiar Superman villains are sharp, but he also seems to put a great deal of effort into designing a legion of throwaway baddies as well. Another visual strength of the book is the use of computer color effects. The Galactus-like villain here boasts a thoroughly cosmic look thanks to some hazy yellows that seem detached from the rest of the art.
Here, Casey mines some familiar comic-book territory: political bigotry aimed toward super-heroes. Marvel's X-Men titles are best known for this type of storyline, and now it's being explored here through the character of Senator Kale. Casey handles it well; the suspicion and rejection of metahumans doesn't come off as played out at all.
Unfortunately, I just can't get into that subplot, or any other plotline in the book. I'm completely at a loss. While I haven't read every issue of every Superman title in the past couple of years, I've read a lot of them. Nevertheless, I'm at a loss in this story. Where did Kale come from? And that's not the only question that arises here. I'm faced with the same ones I posed after reading other chapters of "Ending Battle." Where did Black get the power? Or the Jailer? What exactly is going on?
Perhaps the point I find most puzzling is the use of Manchester Black as a mastermind Superman villain. He didn't come off that clever in his initial appearance, but characterization aside, why is this character -- who, at best, served well for a one-time examination of the appeal of The Authority from a traditional super-hero perspective -- being used in this context? Weren't there enough cosmic-level Superman villains to choose from for this role already?
