Superman #658 *SPOILERS*

[MaxofSteel]

No one got this yet? Just picked this up today from my LCS. Pretty sweet issue.

I'm no good at summaries, so here's some little tidbits of info I rounded up:

spoilers:

-The survivors prepare for a final assault on Khyber's forces. It's revealed that Sirocco has some sort of physical connection to Khyber, and that he hold's Khyber's human emotions. -Parasite bites the big one at the hands of one of Khyber's troops. Lex busts out with a cavalry of monsters he created to turn the tides. -Khyber shows up though, and pwns evryone until Superman makes his triumphant return from the Earth's core. -A kickass battle ensues between the two, with Supes ready to deliver the final blow, but he then backs down at the last moment and Khyber kils him... for real this time.:( -Right then, Sirocco comes in and stabs Khyber in the back with a spear, killing him. But his death creates a power vacuum that in years makes the global situation even worse. -In time all the good guys die off or disappear altogether, and Jimmy Olsen is -for all he knows- the last man left on Earth. -We then go back to the Daily Planet roof, where Arion has finished his little story, and tells Supes that he has to give up superheroing, or else evil will just keep coming back stronger and stronger. Dum Dum Duuuummm!

end of spoilers

Well I pretty much summarized things already but, whatever.:rolleyes:

The art was great. Pacheco has really grown on me in this run. Overall, I give this issue a couple o' thumbs up. Any thoughts?

BTW I waited til tonight to post this so as not to be accused of stake claiming.
So there.:p

[wes_rk]

I got it and just finished reading it, amazing story, the ending is truly magnificent. The story wasn't that fresh in my memory so I went back and read before reading #658. All I can say is that I am waiting to see what effect this will have in the future, I honestly can't wait.

[karasu]

It's grand. I love everything about this arc. Well, except for Lex as a hero again.

[Joe Acro]

Although the story of the future is nice and the comic as a whole it drawn well, I don't like the overall story. The focus on this future is unnecessary. In the end, events won't play out that way. This comic is mostly page after page of a world that will have little to no worth within the rest of the story. The future tale is intriguing, sure. I just don't see the point.

[saintsaucey]

As much as i love the story. I love the art more. I picked it up based on the cover of the first issue of this team. Pacheco and Buesik for ever.

I love the future story btw Yeah its an ending that most likely won't happen but thats the point right. this guy is trying to prevent it from happening and to convince supes to stop heroing he's got to paint a picture of a completely hopeless future. that said. im wondering where this will fall with action comics in the way of cohesion. cause kurt me loves me some cohesion between the various titles..

is cohesion the right word?

[Joe Acro]

I love the future story btw Yeah its an ending that most likely won't happen but thats the point right. this guy is trying to prevent it from happening and to convince supes to stop heroing he's got to paint a picture of a completely hopeless future.

True, but does the description really need to be that detailed? Can't we just see scenes of the tragedies he causes merely by acting?

[J. Robb]

True, but does the description really need to be that detailed? Can't we just see scenes of the tragedies he causes merely by acting?

Yes, it was definitely an over-detailed story considering the "moral" was so vague. Arion shows up saying Superman will doom us all at the end of one issue, says Superman is going to "make things much much worse!" at the end of the next, and now this issue ends with Arion saying "Superman, let civilization fall!"

I understand the intended logic, but that's still pretty anti-climatic.

[Jack Zodiac]

It's grand. I love everything about this arc. Well, except for Lex as a hero again.

Eh, occasionally, I like the idea of Lex being humankind's savior, whenever Superman is out of the way. In the context of this story it worked really well.

Great end to a really fun arc. Loved the action, and the lettering was incredible (which is something I never usually pay attention to). Pacheco's art was perfect, especially for the post-apocalyptic Metropolis (those Bizarro Swamps, whatever the hell they were, looked great in this issue and the last). Busiek pulled out some really insane stuff between the Chemo/Plasmus monsters and robot dogs, Jimmy being a "road warrior," and Parasite being overwhelmed by absorbing Superman. It all played out really well, and I'm anticipating what's coming next in the second act of "Camelot Falls."

Also, we get Krypto back next month! Gotta' get my box of tissues ready, what with me being a sappy bitch an' all.

Although the story of the future is nice and the comic as a whole it drawn well, I don't like the overall story. The focus on this future is unnecessary. In the end, events won't play out that way. This comic is mostly page after page of a world that will have little to no worth within the rest of the story. The future tale is intriguing, sure. I just don't see the point.

I saw that as the point. It was an interesting look at a post-apocalyptic world Superman could indirectly be responsible for. If not this, we would've gotten a similar story via time-travel. I like this idea more because Busiek tapped a woefully underused character as the bridge between the present and a possible future.

[J. Robb]

The apocalyptic future that Superman could be responsible for idea is good, I was just let down by the vague "holding back the tide of darkness makes it stronger" explanation. Making Superman face a "bad versus worse" dilemma could be interesting if it had a more solid story behind it.

[karasu]

Eh, occasionally, I like the idea of Lex being humankind's savior, whenever Superman is out of the way. In the context of this story it worked really well.

Its kind of lame to me though. It happens so often. If Superman wasn't around, Lex would cure cancer. If Superman wasn't around, Lex would be earths greatest hero, etc. If you go by that and how many possible apocalyptic futures Superman has been blamed for between Elseworlds, Superman/Batman, and his own books, writers are essentialy writing Superman as the worlds biggest idiot. He has great intentions, but he should really go home.

[Jack Zodiac]

Its kind of lame to me though. It happens so often. If Superman wasn't around, Lex would cure cancer. If Superman wasn't around, Lex would be earths greatest hero, etc. If you go by that and how many possible apocalyptic futures Superman has been blamed for between Elseworlds, Superman/Batman, and his own books, writers are essentialy writing Superman as the worlds biggest idiot. He has great intentions, but he should really go home.

Well, that's the "possibility." The "reality" is that, without Superman, the world would be even more screwed because while there are other heroes, they could all be as responsible for a future like we saw in "Camelot Falls," but with him, the world is a safer place right now. Much safer than it'd be without him.

Hell, look at 52. World went to pot without them big guns around.

[karasu]

but with him, the world is a safer place right now. Much safer than it'd be without him.

I agree, that's the take I enjoy most. The 'If Superman wasn't here, *insert big bad* would still have come knocking." I like Lex as an asshole because he's Lex, and he's an asshole. I'm not too fond of the idea that he's ultimately a good guy who's just confused by his hatred for Superman.

[kal_el21]

The story's been okay for me. I love the art but I really hate reading that damn journal. Too much monologue for me. Gimme ol' fashioned dialogue.

[lonewolf23k]

Of course, the thought that occured to me was this:

Is Arion serious about convincing Superman of giving up and letting civilisation fall, or is he just trying to rile him up so he'll fight harder?

'Cause Arion is just that kind of manipulative bastard, really.

[astronato]

This was one of three excellent Superman stories I read this week. The other two being Superman Confidential and All Star Superman.

Keep Busiek and Pacheco on this book forever.

good time to be a Superman fan.