Review: Superman #27

Last week I gushed about Action Comics #983, claiming it transported me back to a younger age. The brutal fight, the twists and turns, the Superman Family feel of that comic grabbed me. Suddenly I was young Anj again.

This week I got transported back in time again. Reading Superman #27, I felt like that young Anj again. This time it wasn't the epic action or crazy super-heroics that did it. Instead it was the lesson in civics within the issue.

I grew up in a time when comics were a place to learn lessons about good and evil. It was a place where the heroes were immaculate role models. I learned right and wrong from my parents, growing up in a stable, loving home with 'by the book' parents. But comics reinforced those lessons. Do good by people. Follow the law. You have rights but we live in a society; your rights shouldn't supercede anyone else's. This was also a time where the heroes starred in one page public service announcements talking about not running away, keeping the streets clean, and the danger of hitchhiking.

I didn't mind those lessons. I was inspired by them. In comics today, where every hero seems conflicted, where heroes kill, where 'evil is relative', where fighting/flaunting authority is the default, there are few lessons in civics or civility. (I know ... I know ... I'm old.)

This issue shows Superman and Lois taking a vacation, reminding Jon what a great country America is at its core, and teaching him a few lessons along the way. Plotters Patrick Gleason and Peter Tomasi give us a nice throwback sort of a story. And the art by Scott Godlewski is loose enough to keep the book from feeling weighed down by the material.

I loved it.

The book opens with a fun little moment. An exhausted Lois and Jon fall asleep at the dinner table waiting for Superman to get home from heroing. An exhausted Superman falls asleep while flying home, crashing into the Hamilton homestead. It is clear. Everyone needs a vacation.

I love the idea of Superman being so worn out that he snoozes. It humanizes him. We can all empathize with this. Too funny.

Lois surprises everyone by renting a mobile home to travel the country and see some sights of American history. Everyone gets two places of interest. Plugged into the GPS they head out.

I love how excited Jon is as he explores the Winnebago. This is a kid who has been on the moon and fought demonic cows. But he is still a kid, jumping on the bed, hoping to fill the fridge with hot pockets, and generally jazzed. That just feels right.

The first stop is a sight that is about a mile down the road from my home.

In Sharon MA, Lois visits the grave of Deborah Sampson, a woman who posed as a man and fought in the Revolutionary War. When discovered she was honorably discharged. She fought for back wages and won. Nice lesson. Break down silly barriers. Fight for what is right. Never stop fighting until you get what you are deserved.

On the road again, Lois then discusses the 'Coexist' bumper sticker with Jon.

In New York, Jon takes the family to a WWI statue honoring those who fought. Jon notices that graffiti has been spray painted on one of the soldiers. Clark tells him that whoever did that has no respect for the past or those who fought for them.

A superspeed cleaning later, everything is better.

Another nice lesson. Respect those who earned us the rights we enjoy.

In Philadelphia, Clark brings the family to Independence Hall.

There Clark talks about honor. This was a scary and bold step these forefathers were taking. They were risking their lives, staking their sacred honor on this decision.

Sometimes to get things right, you need to risk everything.

Later, the Kents bring a homeless vet into a restaurant to buy him a hot meal. The waitress warns them that should the homeless man become a distraction, they have the right to kick him out. Clark says outright that this soldier should be honored for what he has done for that restaurant, protecting it. He did more than the celebrity's who dot the wall.

During the meal, the man talks about how he lost his leg in battle and how coming home has been tough. In the end, the owner of the restaurant offers the vet a job in the kitchen. The job might be overkill but this lesson in empathy and respect and appreciation was great.

There is Jon seeing his parents ideals, learning these lessons, and becoming a better person.

These were the lessons my folks taught me. And  these were the lessons Superman and others repeated. Yep, I'm young Anj all over again.

But my favorite page might be the last couple. With Jon in bed, the two adults decide to have a glass of wine and make out under the stars. Just fantastic. There is something so wonderful about seeing these two together, still so clearly in love, taking a moment to just enjoy each other's company. And it is so beautifully rendered by Godlewski. I wish the book ended on a kiss but instead Clark gets called away as Superman to an emergency. I guess that's a lesson too.

Call me old fashioned. Call me ancient. I loved this issue. I wouldn't need this every month. But now and again, I don't mind being reminded that these are heroes with morals and ethics and a sense of civility that transcends the tawdry cynicism of these days.

Overall grade: A

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