Did No-one Read Superman Confidential #2?!

[AaronJ]

Wow. I thought, even in a really tough week (with titles like the spectacular Justice Society of America #1 and 52 and Manhunter making its amazing return), that this was the pick of the litter.

First, absolutely wonderful and beautiful and perfect art by Tim Sale. There's something about the way he puts together panels that just fits right in with what Cooke is writing.

The the story, itself: a masterpiece of simplicity. Just beautiful. It's a classic Superman and Lois story, except with a twist: we actually see Superman truly scared, fighting for his life, and causing mayhem instead of preventing it.

This issue had it all. I can't believe no one is talking about it. Am I the only one who liked it?

[TheSaltedSuperman]

I loved it, but then again I'd read anything with Tim Sale. But I think I appreciate it more because it's coming out steadily and filling the gaps that I have to wait through for All Star.

[Jack Zodiac]

Cooke's an amazing artist, but he's at least as amazing a writer, and between this and Batman/The Spirit, he's hands down my favorite new writer (new, of course, being a relative term in comics, but considering he's only now getting the attention he deserves, a fitting title). He took a stock-basic idea, "let's make Superman unsure of himself," spun it for an era where it made more sense, sort of like a "Year Two," and made it believable and emotional. That scene when Clark goes back to his folks' house after the volcano? I was reading it at work and I almost teared up, he looked so pitiful.

And Sale's art plays right into Cooke's writing, as it isn't unlike Darwyne's own art, with a rougher edge. Unlike other artists who try to do right by the idea of a secret identity, instead of making Superman look cool and confident and Clark look like a total mess, Clark actually looks pretty suave and Superman looks like a wreck, which is perfect for this story.

The book's quickly overtaking All-Star Superman, so far as how much I'm enjoying it, and it's one of the few books I'm gonna' be anticipating each month. I wish Batman Confidential could've been this good.

[dupersuper]

The scene with Clark showing up at the Kent farm was great. I found the "life threatening situation" he was supposedly in rather lame, but it works as long as I keep reminding myself this was early in his career, and I SUPPOSE the first time you're unexpectedly submerged in gushing magma could be a tad disconcerting... :cool:

[Jack Zodiac]

Yeah, maybe just a little bit. Especially when you don't know what'll happen to your insides when you accidentally swallow it.

P.S. "Superman vomiting lava" is now the coolest scene in history. :p

[Bored at 3:00AM]

P.S. "Superman vomiting lava" is now the coolest scene in history. :p

Yeah, that was a nice touch on Cooke's part.

Cooke & Sale are crafting a very different Superman story here and am loving it. As I said with the first issue, they've pulled off the formidable feat of taking this over half a century old cast and made them feel completely fresh without ever feeling out of character.

Bravo.

If you haven't checked out this latest issue, I suggest you do.

[J. Robb]

I'm just not a fan of Sale's art, so that hurt my enjoyment of the comic. I don't think he's a bad artist, his style is very evocative and there's a lot of stories I think it would be perfect for, just not Superman.

The only part I really find interesting is the seemingly sentient kryptonite. That's pretty different.

[Scott Taylor]

Nice moment between Clark and Pa Kent in the middle. All around great issue, I even like the way Cooke is handling Jimmy and Lois. Next issue, Lex Luthor, hmmm.

[tonearcher]

I'm really enjoying this series right now as a Superman hater. I never really got into a Superman series and always just felt that he was one-dimensional and too powerful, but with the art and the emotions on the page, this is one of the better books out there at the moment. I really like how Superman doesn't know what his limits are, so when he dives headfirst he doesn't know if it will kill him.

[bodie_3_7_ci5]

Cooke & Sale are crafting a very different Superman story here and am loving it. As I said with the first issue, they've pulled off the formidable feat of taking this over half a century old cast and made them feel completely fresh without ever feeling out of character.


I couldn't agree more. It's a damn fine story. As for the art, I love it and I couldn't imagine anyone else on it. The confidentials are here to stay.

[AaronJ]

Cooke's an amazing artist, but he's at least as amazing a writer, and between this and Batman/The Spirit, he's hands down my favorite new writer (new, of course, being a relative term in comics, but considering he's only now getting the attention he deserves, a fitting title).

I am not disagreeing with you at all, since I love Cooke.

But, for the sake of accuracy, Jeph Loeb wrote Batman/The Spirit. Darwyn did the art.

But starting this week, Darwyn Cooke's The Spirit will be coming out. And he is writing and drawing that one.

[Jack Zodiac]

Loeb and Cooke both wrote Batman/The Spirit. For the sake of accuracy.

[astronato]

I thought this was a much better issue than the first.

As others have said, the Clark stuff with his parents was touching.

And Tim Sale is fantastic.

[AaronJ]

Loeb and Cooke both wrote Batman/The Spirit. For the sake of accuracy.

You are absolutely right. I don't know how I missed that.

[Jack Zodiac]

If you're familiar with both of their writing, you'll notice that the book was definitely more in Cooke's style than Loeb's. I think that Jeph was, more likely, plotting with Darwyn than writing the actual scenes and dialogue. Either way, though, even if it was only co-written by Cooke, the book was amazing, and an excellent example of his multiple talents.

[AaronJ]

If you're familiar with both of their writing, you'll notice that the book was definitely more in Cooke's style than Loeb's. I think that Jeph was, more likely, plotting with Darwyn than writing the actual scenes and dialogue. Either way, though, even if it was only co-written by Cooke, the book was amazing, and an excellent example of his multiple talents.

Agreed on all fronts.

I had it in my head, when reading it orginally, that Loeb had written it. Therefore, I heard Loeb's voice in a lot of places. And I still think it is there.

But re-reading it without the blinders on, I see what you are talking about. I don't know how I missed it the first go around.

Anyhow, it is an amazing comic book. I can't wait for Cooke's The Spirit. There's so much potential goodness there, that it can't help but be wonderful.

[aukevin]

Loved issue #2. I hope they keep it up!

[Harding Prime]

I wasn't intrigued by Superman Confidental #1 enough to keep reading ANOTHER Superman story, so I just didn't pick up the second one.

[K10]

i bought the first one but wasnt too impressed, the storyline seems weak

[C.O. Jones]

Nice enough issue, I guess. Better than #1. But I still have problems with a Superman who worries more about being on Lois' bad side breaking a date than saving lives.

Plus, it seemed like he was so leery about trusting Lois around Gallo that he'd rather make sure nothing was going on between them---instead of jetting out of there to help the volcano victims. He even stayed the 2 hours into Olson's shift until he was satisfied. If he'd have left those 2 hours ago when he should have, he might not have had to worry about being too late to save folks, people killing themselves over him, puking pumice all over the place, etc.

[Jack Zodiac]

In the previous issue, it was implied that Clark wasn't making excuses to go save those people because he wasn't sure a volcanic eruption was something he could handle. That's what I got out of the monologue and the scene where he was fretting over the TV screen. Not that he was more interested in eavesdropping on Lois and Gallo.

[C.O. Jones]

Superman didn't have to do anything to the volcano if he was unsure about tackling something that huge. He just needed to get the victims out of harm's way which would've been a lot easier. I've just never read of him anywhere having to think twice about whether or not to attempt a rescue effort. He had a smile on his face when Lois told Gallo that she'd had a previous commitment (their date), and that assurance appeared to give him the go-ahead to leave Jimmy and see about the volcano victims.

[Jack Zodiac]

This is Superman's first or second year on the scene. The entire point of this arc is supposed to be about his uncertainty, as we saw in the first issue when the tanker truck flopped over on him and he flinched. I didn't get what you got out of that scene as he was listening in on Lois and Gallo, but that's the downside to action over narration. Interpreting scenes and their meanings without the character's monologue.

[Bloody Thumb]

I almost skipped this issue. I read the first issue and it completly failed to hold my interest. Really, how many times and in how many different ways do we need to read essentially the same Superman story over and over and over again. At this point, i know the Superman orgin and i don't need to read it again. Because of that the first issue did nothing for me. I was just going to let this series go but on a complete whim i gave issue two a chance and wow, am i glad i did. It was a great Issue. I loved superman getting "confused" and "Scared". It was a really nice way to make superman seem just a little bit more like a real person. Great issue and it will make me read more.


And Yes, Superman Vomitting Lava was the best image in the book. Great stuff.

[jeangreydp]

Yeah, maybe just a little bit. Especially when you don't know what'll happen to your insides when you accidentally swallow it.

P.S. "Superman vomiting lava" is now the coolest scene in history. :p

I entirely agree. I loved everything about this issue, but the icing on the cake was Superman vomiting lava. That's like the most hardcore thing I've ever seen.

[Rocket13]

I enjoyed the story but the artwork isn't really doing it for me. I did enjoy the small glint of green at the end of the story though.