Knight Terrors: Superman #2
Scheduled to arrive in stores: August 15, 2023
Cover date: October 2023
“Maid of Mayhem”
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artists: Tom Reilly
Cover: Glen Melnikov
Variant Cover #1: Mikel Janin
Variant Cover #2: Pete Woods
Variant Cover #3: Jon Bogdanove & Hi-Fi
Variant Cover #4: John Giang
Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel
Supergirl remembers discovering a Doomsday skeleton back on Krypton but when events unfold differently she realizes she was in the grips of Insomnia’s nightmare realm and discovers she can smash through dreams and heads to Kal’s. As they try to fight off Insomnia’s manipulations they wonder if anyone is still awake.
In the waking world the Atlanteans, lead by Aquaman’s family, are trying to help protect the suddenly comatose planet from disaster. Aquaman and Mera are taking Superman’s sleeping body back to the Super Corps building.
They discover that their natural evolution gives Atlantean’s an immunity and if they use Super Corps tech they might be able to engineer a way for some people to wake up. Before they can try out their theory one of Insomnia’s acolytes attacks.
Superman and Supergirl traverse the nightmare realm across the 1800s, the fields of Kansas and the Fortress until they arrive at the Daily Planet. They rescue Lois from one of her nightmares but are attacked by the Super Reaper who was secretly pursuing them.
Superman, now familiar with the realm thanks to Supergirl, forces Super Reaper across several manifestations until they reach the sun and Superman hurls him into it.
At that moment Mera is able to wake Superman and the rest of Metropolis.
Arthur and Mera agree to help Super Corp mass engineer their solution to wake the rest of the planet and Superman races to the Hall of Justice to find Insomnia and a way to defeat him.
To Be Continued…
Story – 3: Although it touches upon story elements from the main storyline, the two issues amount to nothing. There are some neat easter eggs and the story at least acknowledges the bigger storylines but it ended up being more a nostalgic nod to 90s comics endless tie-ins.
Art – 5: As with last issue, everywhere the story fell flat, the art brought it back to life. I enjoyed the vibrant panels and it really help make it feel the story had a little more punch.
Cover Art – 3: I really like this supernatural feel. It has a real 90s throwback feel which matches the interior story perfectly. The heat vision effect looks especially eerie here.
Variant Cover Art #1 – 5: This nightmare looks really cool. I wish this was actually a nightmare scenario in the story! Wish it was both Kal and Kara though!
Variant Cover Art #2 – 5: I know Doomsday is a hugely overused character nowadays but I still get a thrill when I see him, even as a possessed skeleton. This is really creepy and has that horror vibe I was hoping for.
Variant Cover Art #3 – 5: This is a great depiction of last issue’s cliffhanger. The darkness of the ocean makes this look really scary especially when you think Superman is losing consciousness as he breaks the surface.
Variant Cover Art #4 – 5: This depicts the Super Reaper’s realm really well. The killer skeletons give off a “Jason and the Argonauts” feel. The splitting skull looks really cool and Superman feels like he’s been pushed to the edge here.
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