ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #598
"Cult of Persuasion, Prologue"
Mildly Recommended (5/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Joe Casey
Pencils: Mike Wieringo & Mauricet
Inks: Jose Marzan, Jr.
Colors: Wildstorm FX
Letters: Bill Oakley
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
Casey tackles some interesting politics of people in this issue, setting up a larger storyline, if the story title is any indication. The set-up is a bit confusing, with its link to the "Our Worlds at War" crossover event, but overall, Casey has some interesting things to say about the class war, the responsibility of the media and the dangers of extremism. It's too bad that some partial fill-in pencils distract from the story.
Through his Daily Planet editorials, Perry White's been lobbying for the removal of B13 technology from Metropolis, to be replaced with machinery that can be trusted not to turn on the city's residents. However, the laborers who have hitched their careers to B13 tech take issue with White's call for change. It leads one of their number, taking a cue from broadcast of Superman's battle with holographic replicas of a futuristic villain called the Persuader, to take up arms against White's cause.
Wieringo's art is lovely. His take on the title character is one of the strongest to come along in a while, as it captures the iconic nature of the character perfectly. Adding to that strength are the dark colors Wildstorm FX brings to this issue. They convey the more reflective and intelligent tone of the story, and they take the cartoony edge off of Wieringo's pencils.
However, those strengths are countered by the weakness in Mauricet's fill-in pages. His stuff lacks the consistency of Wieringo's, reminding me of some of Joe Staton's weaker efforts. His art also lacks in background detail. Furthermore -- and this has nothing to do with Mauricet or Wieringo's work -- my distaste for the new Superman costume persists.
Though I think Casey worked a little too hard to connect his new character to the name "Persuader," the idea of an extremist labor villain is a clever one. There's a lot of potential in the character and his cause, and it's nice to see Casey using the B13 tech as something more than a foil for Superman. It's a catalyst for social commentary, and I hope the notion returns in future issues.
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