Mild Mannered Reviews - Superman Comic Books
Superman vs. Lobo #1 [of 3]
Scheduled to arrive in stores: August 24, 2021Cover date: October 2021
"Book One"
Writers: Tim Seeley and Sarah Beattie
Artist: Mirka Andolfo
Cover: Mirka Andolfo
Variant Covers: Simon Bisley, Tony Harris, Philip Tan
Reviewed by: Tony Parker
Click to enlarge
Lex Luthor's new social media app is inciting toxic behavior among the people of Metropolis, with division, hate, and mistrust spreading like wildfire. Clark Kent endeavors to return kindness to the forefront, but isn't allowed to by Perry White.
Things go from bad to worse after a planetary disaster involving the Main Man, Lobo, and another lone survivor of a doomed planet. Superman gets all the publicity, and to get back at him, Lobo stokes the fires of hate in Metropolis, hosting a talk show on Lextube and sending A.I to criticize the Man of Steel.
With help from Lois, Jimmy, and Batman, Superman manages however to remind people of their hearts, beating Lobo, but the surviving alien from before adds another twist to the tale, rewarding the two with a return to their doomed planets.
Unfortunately, Superman is now on Czarnia, and Lobo is on Krypton...
To be continued...
Story - 5: I really, really, really loved this! (I know, finally, a 5 out of 5!)
Completely, totally, absolutely. This was a blast from start to finish!
In the current climate, kindness and compassion seem to be in short supply, or, well, they aren't vocalized as loud as hate and ignorance.
So many horrible, horrible things have been happening in recent years, and Superman being Superman, we were bound to see his character tackle this sort of issue eventually.
The story handled it magnificently, acknowledging that the apps themselves feed the flames because it gets clicks.
Throughout the story, I felt like I was reading Superman, and that's a character I feel has been hard to find these days. The obsession with a fallen Superman, or a god like Superman have grown tiresome in my opinion, and seeing a loving Superman, who helps a child when he is lost or whose first action is to comfort a confused alien behemoth, that is something that makes me indescribably happy.
Lobo as well provides much fun and humor, his distinct brand of utter awfulness is so raw and over the top, you can't help but enjoy it!
You might see that this review is different than my others, a little less in depth perhaps. And I would say that's because sometimes, when something is good, there isn't much to say. Which I mean in the best way, of course! I don't feel like I can describe why I feel what I feel when I see Superman show faith in humanity, it's just... That's what he's all about, isn't it? Compassion and love. We need more of that.
This issue is a must read, in my opinion, I wholeheartedly recommend it, and I cannot wait for the next issue! It's just great! It's fun, it's inspiring, it's engaging, it's hilarious, it's kind!
It's a Superman story.
What more can you really ask for?
Art - 3: I feel a little odd moving from such praise to a 3, but it's not meant in a bad way! I simply found the art serviceable, reminiscent at times of the art of Dan Slott's work at the other company. It's not bad by any means, in fact, some designs really work (Lois and Lobo especially), but I found Supes a little lacking at times (the dynamic shot of him flying in space could have used perhaps more muscle or size), and I didn't find any shot or panel to be that unique. Then again, not every ceiling must be a Sistine Chapel! I like the art, and that's good enough!
Cover Art - 4: It might not be the most original cover, but I love the purple tint, the mood, and the conflict between Superman and Lobo. You immediately get a feel for the story, and I'll always like that kind of cover!
Variant Cover Art - 4: Weirdly effective Lobo sketch, kinda makes him feel scary! Like the visceral feel!
Variant Cover Art - 2: This one isn't that great, though. It feels almost like a collage, or a mad magazine artwork that got taken too seriously. It's nothing special or interesting. Very meh.
Mild Mannered Reviews
2021
Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.January 2021
- Superman #27
- Action Comics #1027
- Batman/Superman #14
- Justice League #56
- Justice League #57
- Young Justice #20
- Legion of Super-Heroes #11
- DCeased: Dead Planet #5
- Dark Nights: Death Metal #5
- Justice League: Endless Winter #1
- Superman: Endless Winter #1 [of 1]
- Superman #28
- Justice League #58
- Action Comics #1028
- Batman/Superman #15
- DCeased: Dead Planet #6 [of 6]
- Dark Nights: Death Metal #6 [of 6]
- Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1
- DC's Very Merry Multiverse #1
- Challenge of the Super Sons #4
- Challenge of the Super Sons #5
- Justice League: Endless Winter #2
- Legion of Super-Heroes #12
- Future State: Superman of Metropolis #1
- Future State: Kara Zor-El, Superwoman #1
- Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #1
- Future State: Justice League #1
- Future State: Superman: Worlds of War #1
- Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #1
- Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1
- Future State: Batman/Superman #1
- Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Dark Nights - Metal #1
- DCeased: Dead Planet #7
- Dark Nights: Death Metal #7
- Challenge of the Super Sons #6
- Challenge of the Super Sons #7
- Challenge of the Super Sons #8
- Challenge of the Super Sons #9
- Truth & Justice #4
- Future State: Superman of Metropolis #2
- Future State: Kara Zor-El, Superwoman #2
- Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #2
- Future State: Justice League #2
- Future State: Superman: Worlds of War #2
- Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #2
- Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #2
- Future State: Batman/Superman #2
- Future State: Superman: House of El #1
- Challenge of the Super Sons #10
- Challenge of the Super Sons #11
- Challenge of the Super Sons #12
- Challenge of the Super Sons #13
- Challenge of the Super Sons #14
- Truth & Justice #5
- Truth & Justice #6
- Infinite Frontier #0
- Crime Syndicate #1
- Superman #29
- Action Comics #1029
- Superman: Red and Blue #1 [of 6]
- Batman/Superman #16
- Justice League #59
- Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #3
- Superman by Grant Morrison Omnibus HC
- Superman #30
- Action Comics #1030
- Superman: Red and Blue #2 [of 6]
- Batman/Superman #17
- Justice League #60
- Crime Syndicate #2
- Superman #31
- Action Comics #1031
- Superman: Red and Blue #3 [of 6]
- Batman/Superman #18
- Justice League #61
- Justice League: Last Ride #1
- Crime Syndicate #3
- Superman #32
- Action Comics #1032
- Superman: Red and Blue #4 [of 6]
- Batman/Superman #19
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 [of 8]
- Justice League #62
- Justice League #63
- Justice League: Last Ride #2
- Crime Syndicate #4
- Infinite Frontier #1
- Action Comics Annual 2021
- Action Comics #1033
- Superman: Son of Kal-El #1
- Superman: Red and Blue #5 [of 6]
- Batman/Superman #20
- Superman & The Authority #1 [of 4]
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #2 [of 8]
- Justice League #64
- Justice League #65
- Crime Syndicate #5
- Justice League: Last Ride #3
- Infinite Frontier #2
- Infinite Frontier #3
- Justice League Infinity #1
- Action Comics #1034
- Superman: Son of Kal-El #2
- Batman/Superman #21
- Batman/Superman 2021 Annual #1
- Superman: Red and Blue #6 [of 6]
- Superman & The Authority #2 [of 4]
- Superman '78 #1 [of 6]
- Superman vs. Lobo #1 [of 3]
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #3 [of 8]
- Justice League #66
- Justice League: Last Ride #4
- Justice League Infinity #2
- Crime Syndicate #6
- Infinite Frontier #4
- Infinite Frontier #5
- Action Comics #1035
- Superman: Son of Kal-El #3
- Batman/Superman #22
- Superman & The Authority #3 [of 4]
- Superman '78 #2 [of 6]
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #4 [of 8]
- Justice League #67
- Justice League #68
- Justice League: Last Ride #5
- Justice League Infinity #3
- Infinite Frontier #6
- Superman: Son of Kal-El #4
- Superman & The Authority #4 [of 4]
- Justice League: Last Ride #6
- Justice League Infinity #4
- DC vs. Vampires #1 [of 12]
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Check out the Comic Index Lists for the complete list of Superman-related comics published in 2021.