Mild Mannered Reviews – Superman ’78 #4

Superman ’78 #4 [of 6]

Scheduled to arrive in stores: November 23, 2021
Cover date: January 2022

“Brainiac” – Chapter 4

Writers: Robert Venditti
Artist: Wilfredo Torres
Cover: Brad Walker and Nathan Fairbairn
Variant Cover: Chris Samnee and Giovanna Niro

Reviewed by: Marc Lax

We begin with Brainiac remembering the devastation of his planet Colu. He was the last survivor. We then see in present day the A.I. in the ship putting Brainiac’s body together piece by piece. He thinks how all the existence of Colu and all the knowledge he gained from every galaxy is all inside his ship and robotic body.

Cut to the the bottled city of Kandor where a ceremony is taking place. Jor-El is passing his authority of all council affairs to Kal-El. After the ceremony it doesn’t take long for the council and people of Kandor to swarm Kal with questions and suggestions. Afterwards Jor-El and Kal discuss fitting in. Kal remarks how he’s basically a farm boy and this is all new to him. Jor-El tells him that’s in the past and this is his new life from here on in.

Meanwhile at Lex’s secret hideout he begins to tell Lois about transmitters and alpha waves and explained when he clapped Superman on the back before Brainiac took him he planted a receiver on his cape. Under Lois’ request they use the receiver to contact Superman in Kandor. When Superman sees Lois’ face he’s overcome. She says they never got to say goodbye. But when she tells hm Lex has a plan he gets angry and tells her not to trust him. Luthor seems to have a plan that Superman is very leary of.

While this discussion is taking place Brainiac’s ship intercepts the transmission and locates its origin from Metropolis. Brainiac is mad! And decides it time to excise Metropolis. Jor-El tells Superman that this receiver is what he needs to send him back to earth. Lara is against it but back in his suit he tells her how he’s needed and must go back. She tells him she’s proud.

With this going on Lois decides she needs to write the story of everything that has transpired. She doesn’t get too far before a giant earthquake hits Metropolis. Trying to be brave Lois jumps off the bridge landing safely on the ground only to witness the city being lifted away into the sky.

Story – 4: This was an exciting issue. We get a little bit of a backstory for Brainiac. Witness to the destruction of his planet making him the last son. Watching him being put back together had a bit of a creep factor.

The passing of the torch ceremony on Kandor made Superman very out of place. You can tell he just doesn’t belong.

Finally seeing some of Lex’s plan being put into motion. Watching Lois and Superman having that conversation was heartbreaking. But it looks like with the receiver Jor-El is coming to the rescue. He does seem to truly care about his son which is a feeling I didn’t get in earlier issues.

Brainiac finally having enough with all the meddling and deciding to excise Metropolis is an exciting scene. The earthquake, the crumbling of the bridge and Lois deciding to jump off the bridge (which is of course very Lois) were exciting. What will Brainiac do with Metropolis? Will he shrink it like the other cities? We will soon find out.


Art – 4: Torres does a great job with characterization. There’s familiarity but it doesn’t take you out of the story. Brainiac looks great! Watching him being put back together was a terrific scene and gives us a peak behind the character. The landscape on Colu was devasting but also breathtaking. Seeing the small figure against that backdrop was done beautifully. All in all an impressive job.


Cover Art – 4: It conveys what’s going to happen in the issue and the drawing of Lex and Lois looking over the bottle was nicely done.


Variant Cover Art – 4: It looks like 4’s all around this issue. While it doesn’t have anything to do with the story it shows us what we already know. Superman is awesome! All in all a very solid issue.


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