Superman #8 Discussion

[crossbones]

Jurgens' writing really isn't much of an improvement over Perez's, i'm sorry to say.

the art has been good since issue 1, but c'mon now... DC should give Supes a much better writer.

[Desaad]

I thought the sub plots were fun and Superman's voice and explanation was right on point.

But the dialog was stilted, Helspont was a terrible villain, and the plot was so thin that I'm not sure if it was real or just an optical illusion.

Basically this was bad, but bad in such a way as gives me hope for future issues -- it's the lackluster villain and mandate that made it bad, I think, rather than any lack of ability from Giffen.

[OldSchoolfan]

Yes, same reaction as you.

Here's a requote from the Superman #8 Preview Board. I thought it was appropriate to the discussion.


Originally Posted by Auguste Dupin

I don't really know what to think of this issue. On one hand, it's sort of well done. The possibilities for the supporting cast are starting to show, I actually enjoy Hellspont old school villainism (although I'm not quite sure to take him too seriously), and I like how he doesn't seem interested in Earth at all and to be a bablant liar. The fight was okay, maybe not quite as impressive as it should be. Superman managed to find a common ground between the newer badas incarnation, and the classic one, and that's a good point.
Now, the whole thing felt....pointless. I mean, that's it? They fight, Hellspont disapeaer, "Ho well, I'm sure we will meet again", end of story?
As for next issue.....To be honest, this "Masochist" person seems to be such a lame villain I'm kinda scared of what's going to happen. But wait and see.

I felt the same way at the end of the story. Of course my negative Morrison bent immediately thought that he said something that prevented Giffin/Jurgens from actually taking the story anywhere....but I am trying to "cool my jets" as it were and give the benefit of the doubt. Just based on the set up from issue 7, I did expect this story to go somewhere and you are right, it didn't really.

Still liked it! The Gil Kane influence on Dan Jurgens is really starting to show. This version of Superman by Jurgens is different, he's a lot leaner, maybe a little taller.

One of the things that I felt missing from the story was, back in the day at least, when a villain went toe to toe with your hero, you would find out stuff about him, like how his powers worked or what drove him and this issue we got a display of Helsponts powers but really not much in the way of how they worked. The face blast he gave Superman was pretty powerful but what was that any way?

Looking forward to the next issue. I also noticed that in the latest solicits, Keith Giffen's names not in the writing credits...again I wonder why.....

[dupersuper]

Jurgens' writing really isn't much of an improvement over Perez's, i'm sorry to say.

I think this is wrong not because I disliked Perezs writing, but because Jurgens is the artist, not the writer.

[Mr. Holmes]

Jurgens is co-writing, and his art, and I think he's only doing the layouts. I don't know why they didn't just let Giffen be the sole writer.

[Will.S]

You know, for a "editorially mandated" two part story I quite enjoyed this.

Hellspont wasn't a spectacular villain or anything but he makes for a fun enough bad guy for a two parter and as a partial Wildcats fan I liked seeing him tussle with Superman. Plus the supporting cast stuff is becoming more interesting as the co-writers continue to develop them. The art by Jurgens and Marino was rock solid as I had no problems following the art, Superman's costume looked pretty darn good, and they made everything in the book seem effortless.

Overall while it's not the deepest of stories or villains, these two issues have been just fun accessible comics to read which is fine by me.

7.5/10

[paulski]

Jurgens' writing really isn't much of an improvement over Perez's, i'm sorry to say.

Less words, just as boring.

the art has been good since issue 1, but c'mon now... DC should give Supes a much better writer.

I said the very same thing myself last week. I don't understand why they can't find someone better to compliment Morrison on Action.

[Lexrules]

Maybe now we could move on to Real Superman villains not these hacks from Wildstorm.

[manduck37]

I'm glad that the Hellspont story is done. It had that "editorial mandate" fell to it, like no one's heart was really in it but they had to get it out of the way. Hellspont was amusing but I was hoping for more from villain that can be a threat to Supes than the old fashioned, mustache twisting, evil for the sake of evil villain. He felt cliche to me.

There were a couple of things I really loved though. The supporting cast stuff was a lot of fun. I really loved Superman's dialogue about seeing the world through his parents' eyes. Even though the villain and conflict were pretty weak for this two part story, you get some real gems on insight to Superman's personality. Superman making sure civilians aren't hurt by falling debris and his views as a protector of the people or his perspective on his adopted family were pure gold and classic Superman. I'm eager to see what Giffen and Jurgens can come up with now that the Wildstorm mandate is out of the way. After Perez's run, were finally getting some insight into what our modern Superman is like. He feels like a good blend of Superman's classic moral code with of that toughness and take no crap attitude from Morrison's Action. It feels like Superman finally has a voice and we get to see who he really is in our current timeline, which I like. The villains and Superman's adventures really need to improve though. We should be seeing some epic stuff for Superman to deal with.

[Spartan1961]

I have to agree with Godzilla. I was ready. Being a Wildcats fan from the 80's I hoped to see a Helspont from those days tangle with the Man of Steel.

The issue was disappointing for me. Unfortunately, I got to see Helspont as an over the top actor (i.e. William Shatner) who was marroned on Earth (not because the other Daemonites were afraid but probably for his long winded speeches). Does Helspont know his brethren are in orbit above earth now (see Voodoo)?

Supes fights a robotic daemonite, is transported from Metropolis to the Himalayas, blasted by a bolt from Helspont (all #7), spits out a giant "slug" mind control device (The Matrix inspired?) and all he can say is "Give me one good reason..."? Then...they both start acting like 19th century gentleman discussing (while walking) the ramifcations of living among a different culture were one was accepted and the other not.

The fight was sub-par. Couple of punches thrown, a few bio blasts, and Supes appears to leave but does a loop and hits Helspont. Not to be caught, Helspont transports away...not very imaginative. I thought Superman's imaginary fight was better, at least it was interesting.

I did like Lucy Lane's character...maybe a hate-love interest for Clark could be developed? Maybe Lois becomes jealous or interested after seeing what a good catch Clark is?

Bland is a good choice of words. I won't be skipping the next book, however, I want to see more of Lucy Lane.

[misslane38]

I did like Lucy Lane's character...maybe a hate-love interest for Clark could be developed? Maybe Lois becomes jealous or interested after seeing what a good catch Clark is?

My problem with Lucy as a hate-love interest for Clark is that is pretty much the role her older sister played in Superman mythology for the past 75 years. It makes little sense to me to introduce a love interest with the surname Lane, give her Lois's personality and relationship dynamic with Clark, and then pretend what's being done is fresh and new. Is DC so afraid of bringing back any sort of relationship between Lois and Clark that they would stoop to using Lucy as a Lois stand-in? I hope not.

[Robotman4]

i think Giffen did the best with what the editors gave him.