ACTION COMICS shocked the world by taking a well-worn concept, often done poorly in the past (removing all or some of Superman’s powers to make him more “interesting” or “relatable) and doing it the best it’s been done in a very long time. They also outed him publicly and irrevocably. This ain’t the kind of thing that’s going away once Supes build a robot and tells everyone “Why, HERE’S the REAL Superman all along!” while dressed as Clark Kent. One of the first questions that came up was: how would this impact his relationship with Wonder Woman. Or would it even be addressed seeing as the books are now much looser on continuity? The answer, in order, is “extremely well” and “yes”...probably should’ve reversed the order of those questions. THERE ARE SPOILERS FOR SUEPRMAN/WONDER WOMAN #18 WITHIN!
We open on one of the best, most intimate moments this series has shown us of the power couple as Supes sleeps and Diana keeps watch over him. Her monologue is a testament to how well this character can be written: she doesn’t care that he’s weakened or that his identity is public, she loves him and she is GOING to protect him. No matter what. We also get to see a rare moment of Superman with his guard completely down, implying he completely trusts Wonder Woman. In just a few pages we get to see a side of Wonder Woman we don’t often see: the protector. Not just of the world, or Amazonian society but of a specific person she cares for. It reminds us that while she might have been made from clay (or might not), she’s clearly become iron.
But there’s no rest for the still-happy couple as a frantic phonecall from Lana Lang rouses Clark and sends him rushing to Smallville courtesy of Air Wonder (Supes can’t fly). This is another interesting scene for Wonder Woman, who really takes center stage this issue, as she’s let in on the relationship that has passed between Lana and Clark and, again, the creative team deftly side-steps a character pothole by having Wonder Woman genuinely want to meet such an important figure from Clark’s life. There’s no hint of jealousy nor comparing herself to his past love, and why would she? She’s freaking WONDER WOMAN.
The end of the issue is, by far, the best part though as it turns out that people have gone missing from Smallville as have a few buildings prominent to Superman’s life as well as the corpses of his family? And who’s behind this ultimate desecration of Supes’ past? It’s only the UNITED STATES’ GOVERNMENT as the power couple of the DCU are confronted by the New Suicide Squad as the issue’s ending cliffhanger.
This is about as logical a step as the government would take, what with their relationship with Kal-El already being rocky to begin with. Now they know who he is and how to draw him out and they rather smartly send in the big guns right out of the gate. The biggest of big guns, in fact.
Looks like it's date night for Superman and Wonder Woman as they'll have their hands full with the Suicide Squad.