SUPERMAN (2023-) #1 Review

Superman (2023-) #1 is published by DC Comics and written by Joshua Williamson. Artwork and main cover art (left) are by Jamal Campbell whilst letters are by Ariana Maher.

Superman (2023-) is available now, in print and on digital, where all good comic books are sold.

Synopsis

IT’S THE DAWN OF DC! Superman has returned to Metropolis and his greatest enemy Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman family has never been brighter! As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the Man of Steel! But waiting in the wings to back up Big Blue is…Supercorp?! What secret project has Lex given to Superman?! “A hero is only as good as their villains” will be put to the test in this brand-new oversize #1 featuring comics’ greatest superhero by DC Comics architect Joshua Williamson and award-winning superstar artist Jamal Campbell!

Review

The original Man of Steel is back, not just on Earth but also in a new solo title under the new Dawn of DC label. After a hugely success era of storytelling which spun out of the Rebirth branding, DC is looking to, once again, go back to basics and ensure that all its best and brightest characters are in the spotlight.

After a lengthy break from Earth, Kal-El has returned and this new Superman title sees him once again acting as one of humanities brightest heroes. With the now legendary Joshua Williamson taking over writing duties here and Action Comics presenting an anthology of Super-family stories, the future has certainly never looked brighter.

Our story starts in a flashback to Ma & Pa Kent in Smallville, as all good Superman stories do. It serves as a quick reminder of the heart of the character but also as to where he gets hit values. Williamson uses just a single page to communicate to the audience that his version of Superman hasn’t lost any of those values which made the character so beloved amongst readers.

In fact, everything Williamson does in setting up the story feels like classic Superman. It’s a strong opening gambit for a writer who has quickly ascended from The Flash, to Justice League and masterminded the incredible Dark Crisis event. But all isn’t quite as the reader may suspect.

Whilst Williamson brings in all those classic elements: the Kents, The Daily Planet, Lex etc. they aren’t all exactly as we have seen them before. Perhaps all is not what it seems. The story perfectly sets up all the elements, laying out the board and putting the pieces exactly where they need to be. It also sets everything in motion, leading to a cliffhanger ending which teases the reader with a reveal of what might really be happening.

This new creative team seems to have struck gold right out of the gate. Campbell’s artistry eloquently brings a hopeful visual quality to Metropolis. His wraparound cover alone is a superb illustration of what to expect from the entire story. It’s bright, vibrant and most importantly, it’s full of life.

Metropolis itself has a grand sense of scale. Campbell deftly handles the landscapes in a way which makes Superman feel as theatrical as a comic book can. Equally impressive are some of the interiors, for instance the lobby within Lex Corp is beautifully executed with clean lines and a more stark colour palette. But this is all wonderfully contrasted in the small detail in clothing and, most importantly, character’s facial expressions.

Verdict

The Man of Steel returns to Earth (and to comics) with a new solo title which perfectly honours the legacy of one of the world’s greatest super heroes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐