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Mild Mannered Reviews - "Superman Adventures" Comics

Superman Adventures #4

Cover date: February 1997

"Eye To Eye"

Writer: Scott McCloud
Penciller: Rick Burchett
Inker: Terry Austin

Cover: Rick Burchett and Terry Austin

Jimmy Olsen is showing Perry White some photos he took of Superman in action. However the chief thinks the lad can do better by taking more risks to get the perfect snapshot. Disappointed and angry, Jimmy wishes that he were more like Superman. Clark Kent then gives him advice on facing his fears. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is waiting for the proper time to have some hired men steal something from S.T.A.R. Labs. This object could possibly help him to destroy Superman.

It is nearly 10:30 PM. Alarms from S.T.A.R. Labs are ringing, and Superman is on the scene. A gravity weapon has been stolen. In order to find it, Superman must use a tracking device created by Professor Emil Hamilton. The Last Son of Krypton soon catches up with the thieves. However, they fire the cannon as they make their getaway. With his own gravity changed, the Man of Steel is unable to fly to get the bad guys. Despite this, Superman is running after the thugs. Unfortunately, his excess weight is causing tremors to occur throughout Metropolis. Superman may not reach his objective without destroying the entire city.

Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are chasing the Metropolis Marvel in a taxi. Unfortunately, the cab is severely damaged in an impact with Superman. Lois has a sprained leg, leaving Jimmy to follow the gravity cannon's thieves to LexCorp. Lex's security is ordered to shoot the robbers on sight to avoid any implication of Luthor. With both Superman and Jimmy in pursuit of the criminals, it's only a matter of minutes before everyone is at Lex's door. Jimmy is the first to get there. He then snaps a picture of the crooks for the Daily Planet. The two hired goons want to kill the young man, but Superman stops them. Luthor as usual, denies doing anything wrong. The mercenaries are now taking the entire blame for the crime.

S.T.A.R. Labs has reversed the effects of the gravity cannon on Superman, and Jimmy has gotten some great photographs for the Daily Planet. Unfortunately, Perry will only give the lad thirty-five dollars for them because, as Jimmy points out, he is a photographer, not a negotiator.

Story - 5: I was pretty harsh on the previous issue's story. However, this one makes up for that a hundred times over. Scott McCloud seems to have settled into the series well. This is his best issue of Superman Adventures so far. It was full of action and fun. I honestly felt like I was watching a lost episode of Superman: The Animated Series. It's just that darn good. Thank you, Scott McCloud for writing such a great comic book.

One thing that McCloud seems to excel in during his run on Superman Adventures is characterization. Jimmy Olsen and Lex Luthor are particularly well done in this issue. I hope he returns to the Superman universe to do something with those members of the Man of Steel's supporting cast in the future.

Art - 5: In addition to the story, the visuals really make this book incredible. As Superman Homepage member "Kal-L" said in a comment on last week's review, it's a shame that Superman Adventures had not been printed on glossy paper. The art would have been more stunning if it had.

Cover Art - 4: The blurb at the bottom of the image is unnecessary. Otherwise, the cover art itself is perfect. It conveys suspense, and it makes the buyer curious about the comic book.