Mild Mannered Reviews – Superman: Man of Tomorrow #14

Superman: Man of Tomorrow #14

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Superman: Man of Tomorrow #14

Scheduled to arrive in stores: August 3, 2020

Cover date: August 2020

“Hero Envy” – Part 1

Writer: Robert Venditti
Penciller: Paul Pelletier
Inker: Drew Hennessy

Reviewed by: Craig Boehmer


Metallo attacks Sam Lane and breaks free from the containment building. He states that he wants to be a hero with greater glory than even Superman. Lois cannot get a hold of her father with the phone, after receiving an urgent voice mail from him. A casual comment by Clark wondering if Sam has discovered Clark’s “other” job, showing that this story does not follow the Bendis continuity. Perry calls Lois in with a tip that Metallo has escaped military custody, Perry immediately calls to improve security worrying that Metallo will come to attack the Daily Planet. Metallo enters the MPD citing their need for a better soldier. Lois finds Clark’s suit gently folded on his desk and immediately worries for his safety, but Clark believes he is doing what he must for the city. He confronts Metallo and is losing the fight badly, when Lois crashes into him with the car allowing Clark to escape. Lane is showing flying with a platoon of military helicopters towards Metropolis and watch Superman fly away. Superman breaks Parasite free of his prison and asks him to help him.

5Story – 5: This story was fun and had a very 1990s Dan Jurgens feel to it. It is fun, has great emotional beats with Lois and Clark, and great bombastic action. The fight between Metallo and Superman is brutal and one sided. The twist of Superman turning to Parasite for help is a great way for Venditti to tie his previous arcs to this one. It really shows that his run on these digital firsts are not one off issues, but rather part of an ongoing story.

4Art – 4: Like the story, the art had a real early 90s feel to it. Not the bombastic X-Men 90s, but kind of the grittier early 90s Superman. Pelletier’s figure work is really good, and he poses the characters in dynamic ways. The few pages of fight between Superman and Metallo are a blast to read, and the story layout of the battle really guides you. His face work still has some hiccups that occasionally cause characters to look different.

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