Random Thoughts On... Brian Michael Bendis' Run on the Superman Books Part 1

I called it. I seriously called this one. When I heard that Brian Michael Bendis was coming over to DC, I wrote here that I hope they didn’t throw him on Superman first. Whelp, I think something screwed up with in the atmosphere or something because BMB came and did some Superman. Was it everything I was hoping? Dreading? Both? Meh? You’ll find out below.

For those not in the know, Brian Michael Bendis made his career with Marvel for a majority of the 2000’s. For whatever reason (I’ve heard various rumors), he left his exclusive job at Marvel and came over to DC. I think everyone was shocked by this especially me. I’m a BMB fan, but even I’ll admit that he has his low moments. Remember Civil War 2? While he was on the Superman books, he also helmed his own event (Event: Leviathan), revamped the Legion of Superheroes,  and handled a line of teen superhero comics (Young Justice, Naomi, and others). Anyway, his time on Superman came after what some would call a good period for the Man of Steel. His history was back, his marriage was back, and he had a heroic kid in tow. So, how does Bendis screw all that up? Well, he didn’t… sorta.

Here’s how it all panned out:

• Action Comics #1000 – a small side story that set up a new villain and the return of Superman’s other ally… his trunks.
• Man of Steel (not to be confused with Byrne nor Zach Snyder) – This set up the status quo with the Daily Planet and  with the new villain, Rogol Zaar, an alien who has a hatred for Kryptonians. We also have Lois and Jon Kent leave the book to hang out with Jor-El Debarge… yeah, I’m sticking with that name for this version. I talked about this mini last year.
• Superman #1-28 – With this book, Bendis pretty much goes cosmic on us. If you want Superman in space kicking butt and taking names, this was the book that had him on those adventures. First, we get “The Unity Saga.” Here, we get a Phantom Zone story that deals with Rogol Zaar and more recognizable Superman villains. Next, we get what is one of the first controversial moments with Superboy Jon Kent. The saga then concludes with the fate of evil Jor-El as well as some space shenanigans. After all that fun, we get The Truth (I touched on that here), more Mongul, a team up with Dr. Fate, and some more space fun.
• Action Comics #1001-1028 – As for Action Comics, it was more grounded and city-based. We get a lot of the Daily Planet here as well as a plot involving a gang called the Invisible Mafia. We get to see more of the new faces that were introduced in Man of Steel. While Clark is trying to figure out who the Invisible Mafia is, we also have Clark and Lois (who returns) go through some relationship woes. Add in a major tie-in to Event: Leviathan, and the return of Rose/Thorn. Next, we get a major fight involving the Legion of Doom, Leviathan, and Red Cloud (a new villain) in Metropolis, the meeting of the two Superboys (Conner Kent and Jon Kent), and John Romita Jr. unfortunately returning to Superman.
• Superman: Heroes and Superman: Villains – These two one-shots were basically the reactions of the different heroes and villains to Superman outing his double life.
• Superman: Leviathan Rising – This one-shot was basically another prologue to Event: Leviathan and other Superman-related titles. 

OPINION

So, what do I think of the run overall? Honestly, it’s alright. It’s not the worst run ever nor is it the best thing to happen to Superman. I know that a lot of fans were worried what Bendis would do since he has a knack for shaking things up in a major way. I also know that this drove some fans away, and while I didn’t leave, I can understand their frustration. Heck, I kinda felt them while re-reading some of this. Still, there were a lot of things I did like about the run. Since this is going to be a lot, I’m splitting this up into a few topics.

While Romita and Janson unfortunately returned, it was cool to have the meeting of the two Superboys.

Superman at his best? Maybe?

One thing I will say that should calm some fears is that Bendis writes a good Superman. You see it all over the run. He’s kind-hearted and doesn’t try to start a fight. He tries to de-escalate first. That being said, when it does come down to fists, he will finish that fight and do it in style. I felt Bendis was able to show Clark at his high points and low points. I felt he was definitely good at showing both sides to the character, the mild-mannered journalist and the powerful but kind hero. His interactions with everyone were good.

Good Lois and Clark interactions

Let Superman keep a beard, DC!!!

Now, I was afraid for a bit when Bendis said that he wanted to redefine their relationship. We just got these two back together (sorta) in Rebirth, so I was hoping that we didn’t’ get another shakeup for drama’s sake. We had enough of that with the New 52. Thankfully, things get straightened out in Action Comics #1004 after some admittedly contrived drama. Basically, Lois just needed some time to herself to write a book. Other than all that, Clark’s and Lois’s interactions throughout both books were pretty good.

“Cosmic Action!” or “Fun in Metropolis?”

If you think Action Comics would be the one to bring the punches, you’d be almost right. Superman for a majority of Bendis’s time was pretty much the “Fighty McFightensten” (copyright Andrew Leyland) of the two. “The Unity Saga” was pretty much that with Superman protecting Earth from the denizens of the Phantom Zone and brokering peace in space since “Jor-El DeBarge” screwed up a lot of stuff between the major races. I’ll touch on ‘ole Jor-El later though. There’s also the big Mongul fight and his fight with a new threat named Symnar Utopica, an alien who was created to essentially be the equivalent to Superman for a race.

As for Action Comics, it was more Earth-based and Metropolis-based. Basically, if you missed Clark doing his job at the Daily Planet, this would be the book for you. The main focus for the book was Clark and Lois investigating what became known as the Invisible Mafia. Basically, they were a group that would meet in secret whenever Superman left Metropolis. Now, that doesn’t mean it lacked in action. You had Superman going up against threats like the Invisible Mafia (mainly their enforcer, the Red Cloud), Leviathan, the Legion of Doom, and other threats.

When it comes down to which one was better, I kinda have to go with Action on this one. Superman was fun with its action and stellar art, but I just liked seeing Clark do his thing Earth-bound. It’s where we get a couple of new characters and see the inner working of the Daily Planet. It’s also where we saw him interact with most of the DCU. We had cameos from the Justice League, Batman, Naomi, Young Justice, Superboy and others. Even the Question (the Vic Sage variety) made a cameo. While its artwork wasn’t as stellar (especially toward the end), I liked it over Superman. I think the fact that Bendis doesn’t do cosmic that well played into that.

This was just a cool reveal.

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If you think I'm done, you'd be wrong. Come back tomorrow for the really juicy stuff like Young Man Jon Kent, "Jor-El DeBarge", and that pesky "Truth".