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Mild Mannered Reviews - Superman/Wonder Woman Comics

Superman/Wonder Woman #11 Superman/Wonder Woman #11

Superman/Wonder Woman #11

Scheduled to arrive in stores: August 13, 2014

Cover date: October 2014

"Assimilation"

Writer: Charles Soule
Penciller: Thony Silas
Inker: Thony Silas
Cover: Ed Benes and Alex Sinclair

Reviewed by: T.A. Ewart (aka liheibao)

Click to enlarge



Superman/Wonder Woman #11 Mongul and Non have been freed from the Phantom Zone, but after seeing the state the physical world is in, they decide to return to the Zone. Above the Earth, Superman and Martian Manhunter plow through Brainiac's constructs to save a jettisoned Cyborg, Steel, and Lana Lang. Martian Manhunter returns to Earth with Steel and Lana, protecting them from Brainiac's intrusions as they go, while Cyborg elects to stay and fight the constructs. However, Cyborg is quickly co-opted by the constructs and becomes yet another thrall of Brainiac. The remaining heroes sort out Brainiac's plan, and look to beef up their ranks. Wonder Woman enters the Phantom Zone and calls for Mongul. Mongul and Non come to her, and Wonder Woman begins to offer a deal that involves Warworld. Meanwhile, Superman revisits his mind to where Doomsday resides, caged and waiting. He releases Doomsday, and allows himself to be totally consumed by his evil persona when Doomsday snaps his neck. Free of Superman restraints, the bone-spikes of Doomsday's body shred away Superman's costume, as he prepares to unleash himself on a very desperate Earth.

2Story - 2: Superman: Doomed has been hit or miss for the most part, but unfortunately, the misses have squarely hit every issue of Superman/Wonder Woman. The story is just too long and without any gravitas to justify the length that's been taken to tell this particular story. Pak's work on Action Comics and Action Comics Annual drew on seed he had planted, which gave the reader a better chance at satisfaction, if those saplings were enjoyed to begin with. If you liked Baka, you were probably happy to see him back and play a significant role in his return. Superman/Wonder Woman doesn't have these sorts of seeds or saplings, and has to draw on others. We are given Mongul and Non, who are in a position to throw some major complications into the story, but they retreat by page 3. Martian Manhunter appears, but unless you've been following him, you might wonder as to what he's doing here at all. Cyborg makes the noble sacrifice, and it's pointless rather quickly. Wonder Woman returns to the Phantom Zone to bargain with Mongul, and the deal involves Warworld, something he could have done himself if he didn't grow a yellow streak and become the one alive. Superman isn't to be left out,as he allows himself to be consumed by Doomsday, and for no apparent reason other than he doesn't believe or know of another way to save the day, except for unleashing a solution that is equally destructive. It's poor fare to be given if one has followed the storyline. The lazy art doesn't give any consolations.

Eleven issues in to the Superman/Wonder Woman run and there is still no bond between them that can be explored or exploited, which would have made for a more interesting chapter. We've seen the two placed in terrible situation after situation, Wonder Woman has twice had to decide whether or not to kill Superman, with a one-sided expression of love between them. There is no core to their relationship, nothing that can be drawn on in a situation like this, as they've been in this situation before and nothing was established. If we look back to Superman saying, "I love you" and Wonder Woman's response of "I know you do," that was the point to establish something between them more than just their flimsy pairing. Now as Superman gives way to Doomsday, and Wonder Woman enters the Phantom Zone to parley with Non and Mongul, what should be a scene that is heightened due to the connection they share, is a flatline as they just don't seem to care about each other, enough. Wonder Woman seems to believe that she can put of being involved with Superman any further than she is, as the world will all ways come first, and Superman is just a dullard. Why are these two together? It's not helpful to them, the planet, or anything else, and what is worse is that there seems to be no commitment towards establishing and a reason Aye or Nay.

3Art - 3: It's obvious why it looks so bad, but still, did it have to look so bad?

4Cover Art - 4: Compared to the rest of the issue, the cover, which is good, seems like ambrosia.


Mild Mannered Reviews

2014

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

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