Review: Superman #7

Superman #7 came out last week.

Maybe I should stop there.

Overall I have loved Brian Michael Bendis' take on the Superman family. I have been impressed with the characterization of Superman, the inclusion of the Daily Planet, the threat of the Silent Mafia, and even the way the Rogol Zaar/Phantom Zone storyline ended.

You knew there was a but, right.

The Lois relationship just stands out as a problem. Or rather, the lack of a meaningful relationship with Lois. And that trickles down to the relationship with Jon too. The family was what completely worked in the Tomasi/Gleason Rebirth book. Now that is gone.

Little that has happened regarding Lois and Jon in this book makes sense. Clark and Lois letting Jon go away with the homicidal Mr. Oz makes no sense. Lois joining them made some sense but leaving to come home made no sense. Lois living apart from Clark because 'she needs to' makes no sense. Clark rolling with it and living the life of 'friends with benefits' makes no sense.

And the idea of Jon coming back as an older teen is nonsense. The sheer joy of Jon being the gangly, awkward pre-teen was delightful. Now he's a scarred teen.

This issue at least addresses some of this. But it also had me shaking my head. So much of all this could have been avoided had common sense been used.

I haven't even mentioned the art, a mishmash of Ivan Reis, Brandon Peterson, and a cameo page from Jason Fabok, a Man of Steel epilogue. It's all lovely.

I can only hope this somehow straightens out.

Last issue, Jon arrived as an older teen.

There is a nice opening moment of Superman hugging Jon, assuming this aging is temporary. It has to be an exposure to some odd Kryptonite.

But Jon drops the bad news. It might be three years of Earth time. He has been gone for years.

Hmmm ... what did you think might happen Superman when you sent your son off into space with a lunatic? That he would return perfectly normal and on time?

I do like how Jon calls Superman 'Pa'. Nice touch.

And he's worried about Lois. Remember, he doesn't know about her either.

There is that scar on his cheek.

At least, so far, he hasn't been angry, evil, or jaded.

Superman brings Jon to Lois' swinging singles apartment. With Superman floating over her balcony, and before she sees Jon, Lois gives Superman a 'come hither' look, loosening the belt on her robe. Glad they have a healthy sex life. But this really does seem like that stable healthy marriage has been devolved to a 'booty call' relationship.

Of course, when Lois sees Jon and sees how she has missed out on years of his life, she is saddened.

Hmmm ... what did you think might happen Lois when you sent your son off into space with a lunatic? That he would return perfectly normal and on time?

And then she asks what that maniac grandfather did to Jon.

Hmmm ... what did you think might happen when you sent your son off into space with a lunatic? You knew he was a lunatic. You left your son alone with him. What did you think? That he would return perfectly normal and on time?

We flash back to when they initially left.

The ship Jor-El showed up in was but a flyer. His real ship is a massive ship.

Okay, I chuckled at the 'cabin of solitude' line.

Almost immediately, the ship is attacked by a Dominion fleet.

Jon and Jor leap out into space and mop the floor with the Dominators, smashing the fleet and sending them packing.

I love the look of pure joy on Jon's face as he finally lets loose. And it could be considered a family moment, a second where he and Jor connected.

For her own protection, Lois dons Superman's New 52 super-suit. It gives Jon a good laugh.

The three head to a nearby planet to grab some lunch. While there, Lois learns just how widespread the legend of the S-Shield goes.

This group of peasants consider Superman royalty. As such, Lois is a queen.

I don't know if Lois or Clark would embrace this concept that they are above the masses. Still, I like how word of Superman and his actions have reached even this part of the cosmos. He is a universal hero.

And Jon meets the Main Man, Lobo.

I like how Jon has some gumption in him, demanding that Lobo calls him 'Superboy' and getting in the Czarian's face.

And who would ever expect Lobo to mete out some wisdom! It is Jon and Jon alone who decides when he is no longer a boy and truly a man.

I wonder if this Jon, after years in space dealing with Jor-El, has been aged beyond his years. I wonder if he considers himself a man these days.

Those worshipers tell Jor and Jon about Khund slavers on Daxam stealing the people's children. Heading to Daxam, Jon pinwheels his way through the prison camp, thrashing the Khunds and freeing the wrongly imprisoned.

Okay, one day, two humanitarian missions. Not bad.

But oddly, so good that Lois thinks 'she isn't needed' and heads home.

What?

WHAT?

Please go back and reread the Mr. Oz stories. How menacing and evil and murderous this Jor-El was. After one day, Lois feels comfortable enough to let Jon stay there? Did she make a plan about his return? Did Jon have a way to contact them?

What parent would ever do this?

Hmmm ... what did you think might happen Lois when you sent your son off into space with a lunatic? That he would return perfectly normal and on time?

And then Jon says the thing that Lois and Clark knew.

Jor-El is completely insane. Completely ... italicized for emphasis.

Ummm ... duh!

This was Mr. Oz who imprisoned Mxy and Tim Drake. Who gave rebels guns to slaughter each other. Who incited evil on the planet to show Superman that Earth wasn't worth saving. Who tried to kill Superman.

He did all those things! Why would you ever let your son go with him ... alone? WHY!?

What did Lois and Clark think would happen?

I don't know. Maybe this will all make sense in the end. But right now this whole story doesn't make sense because I can't believe that it ever should have happened. Clark and Lois willingly let their innocent son be left alone to be mentored by the malevolent Mr. Oz.

That simply shouldn't have happened.

Overall grade: C-

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