Review: Superman #12

Superman #12 came out last week, the next chapter in The House of El portion of the Unity Saga. It is an interesting book because it overlaps heavily with Supergirl #31. The two books tell the same story from the different angles of their main characters. In many ways it succeeds in giving us some added information of the perspective of the other protagonist. In others it fails where dialogue and some interactions are different.

Of the two, the Superman books succeeds more in my mind. Remember, this is coming from an avid Supergirl fan.

Writer Brian Michael Bendis succeeds in showing us the power of a united El family. Superman, Supergirl, Superboy, and Krypto all clearly love each other and are supportive of each other. That felt like a wonderful throwback to past times when the super-cousins regularly teamed up and had each other's back. We haven't seen much of that since 2011. I also love the outright respect that Bendis gives Supergirl as a character. Kara is treated very well.

The down side to the story is my rather lack of sustained interest in Rogol Zaar. I also fear about the long lasting besmirching of Jor-El's character. I liked the noble scientist who tried his best to save the world but could only save his child. Not this Mr. Oz character who seemingly knew about Zaar's plans to blow up the world.

Ivan Reis has shined on every Superman issue. But this issue with it's double page vertical spreads and space battles as well as family hugs and reunions is a tour de force. I knew I would love seeing Reis draw Supergirl. I didn't think I would love it this much.

On to the book.

We start in the space battle between Jor-El, Khunds, thee Trillium army, Thanagarians, Rogol Zaar, Zod, Jax-ur, and Superman and Superboy. Jax-Ur was hoping the Phantom Zone escapees could kill Jor-El before the El family showed up. The best laid plans Jax-Ur ...

Because Supergirl and Krypto come screaming onto the scene, brought there by Zaar's axe.

I love how Kara uses the planetary mass glommed onto the axe to use it like a trebuchet missile, ripping through Zaar's ship. Nice strategy.

And what I love is the pleased and proud smile on Superman's face when Kara shows up. He is thrilled that his family is together. Thankfully, the prickly relationship with Kara and Kal has melted away since Rebirth.

And check out the old school Krypto logo!

And then, we see that Kara gives Kal a side glance and a little smile. She knows something. And she is here to help.

As someone who loves the super-cousins to be familial and loving, this tiny little interaction made me smile. Superb.

The arrival of Supergirl is enough to make the space armies scatter. I guess she was one Kryptonian too many on the playing field.

For me, Zaar right now is as much a Supergirl villain as he is a Superman villain. She is the one who fought him first in Man of Steel. She is the one who sent him to the Phantom Zone. She is the one bearing his axe (whether I like that or not). So I love that she wastes no time singling him out and bashing him.

Also, over the years, I have come to notice that Supergirl fights as a southpaw. This is a nice left cross.

Ivan Reis really delivers the power of this blow.

The red skirt looks so normal to me that I had to be reminded by blog friend Professor Feetlebaum that this is a coloring error!

All the supers level their heat vision at the bad guys, jump into Jor-El's ship, and warp away. The time was right for a retreat.

If that Kara/Kal smile exchange made me smile, this page made me well. The super-family, Krypto included, all hugging each other. This is what the super-family should be.

And just as important as that middle panel is seeing how Jor-El really isn't part of this. He didn't join in. Right now, given all that has been going on, he shouldn't.

There is definitely a need for everyone to catch up.

Kara says that Zaar's axe is now hers. Kal wants to know why Jor-El was in the midst of this firefight.

And then Kara says all she learned about Zaar. More worrisome is that Jor-El asks if the Circle was behind it. He knows about the Circle.

Given recent events, Superman asks if Jor-El was part of this Circle.

Jor reminds everyone that he lost everyone and everything when Krypton died. How could be part of it?

Instead Jor-El says he is always being attacked because people don't want unity and peace and are lashing out at him.

I can't help but laugh at this. Jor-El, as Oz, sowed the seeds of dissension and war on Earth just last year. How can he crow that he is all about peace and unity?

Despite the fact that Zaar, Zod, and Jax-Ur are all out there, out of no where, Kara says she needs to leave and finish off Gandelo. And she is taking Jon. That initially seemed off. After all, isn't Zaar and Zod the bigger threat?

Yes, she says she is going after Gandelo for Kandor and for justice.

But there is this side benefit. Superman needs to wrap up this business with Jor-El. And Jon shouldn't be around to see dad fight gramps.

It is pretty mature for Kara. I liked this little side strategy to give Kal the space to deal with Mr. Oz. It shows how much respect Bendis has for Supergirl.

Once alone, Jor-El says he noticed that Zod and Kal were talking while they 'fought'.

We then flashback to that conversation.

Zod isn't really teaming up with Zaar. He is using Zaar to get information about the conspiracy to blow up Krypton. And, more importantly, he admits that he can't defeat Zaar by himself. That had to be incredibly difficult for someone like Zod to admit.

Oh, by the way, Jor-El might have been involved. How can Superman be surprised by this or demand proof? He knows how Jor-El has been shown to be criminally insane.

I guess we'll find out more.

Finally Superman asks the question we all have been asking ourselves since this story unfolded.

Who is this Jor-El/Mr. Oz?

The answer is coming now that they have traveled to the site of Krypton's destruction. Nice cliffhanger.

There was a lot to love here. The El family dynamic was wonderful, so much of that love and pride reflected solely in the expressive artwork. Supergirl being as big a player as Superman in this story, including her ability to get Jon out of there, was great. And the promise of closure to the Oz arc is good news.

Overall grade: B+

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