The Good

The story isn't written poorly, but there are some moments that feel really cheesy and contrived, but we will get to that later on. The issue introduces a few new concepts: we see that Clark has moved on from the Daily Planet, and it will be interesting to see if he teams up with Cat Grant to launch the website she is looking to create. This could create a great opportunity for Clark (and Cat as well, honestly) and the idea is cleverly posed to Kent by Grant in a fun scene. There is also the interesting revelation and decision to bring Lois Lane back into the field as a reporter, and I look forward to seeing the character discuss that particular decision in more depth (since we didn't get a chance to see her perspective here in this issue).

Orion's moments are hands down the most interesting parts of this issue. The set-up of the story that features Orion's character and his upcoming interaction with Superman looks like it will be rather interesting, so that's something I am definitely looking forward to seeing developed and fleshed out a bit more.

The story ends on a pretty decent cliffhanger and this issue serves as a set-up of an upcoming story. Readers are also presented early on with the premise of the story they will likely be reading in future issues, which was a good thing.

The Bad

I have to admit, each time I read the word "ClarkCatTropolis.com," I cringed. There are plenty of bad one liners in this issue to make you wonder what the heck the writer was thinking. Cat is written like a total cliche, and it's a little bit obnoxious (even if her idea was a bit clever). I understand she's only 25, but she comes across as pretty vapid and her website is something she doesn't necessarily need Clark for -- something she proved when she interviewed Superman.

The Verdict

I actually enjoyed the depiction of Superman here, I thought it was pretty good even if there were definitely some moments that I simply did not find to be very interesting. This issue is definitely a good opening point for the story to come, even if it did have its flaws. Overall, though, it did not feel essential to the reading in total in the sense that there is a good chance you can go without this issue and pick up next month and be ok. As far as a jumping on point is concerned, this is a pretty good one. Easy to follow and read along.

I don't think the narration is Superman.

Lobdell's Clark thinks inside thought bubbles, but his issues also have an omniscient narrator present as well. Not saying I like it, but I just don't think Supes has caption control under Lobdell's pen.

Alright

Lobdell is soo bad

I like how the Senate went after Superman but I don't like how they made Superman respond. Yes he would and should tell them to buzz off but Superman wouldn't be so get in your face, and say fu, dumb about it.

Also I think the dialogue was off on a few of the characters but I often think that of Lobdell's work and to be truthful of many comic writers of today.

They also all sound like the same person talking not much distinction.

There were some other gripes I had bit other then that I enjoyed the issue. Either that or I'm just so happy that H'ell on Earth is over. :p

I liked the book. And all the hate lobdell gets I'm sure is because to moaning tim drake fans and people who just jump on the band wagon.

I was expecting the website link (cat tropolis) to work :( !! lol

Good stuff Sara, but did you have no opinion on the art?

Zach's right, it's an old-style omniscient narrator, not Superman: were it Supes, we'd have a wee logo in the corner, or colour coding.

@dernman: New 52 Superman doesn't take s**t from anyone dude.

@z3ro180: No, he's just a terrible writer who participated in bankrupting Marvel back in the 90's, and instead of fading to irrelevancy he keeps getting work writing awful stories with unlikable characters, like the bitchy teenage girl and the sassy gay latino stereotype whose friends with all the ladies and literally controls the color purple. So of course, let's give this guy Superman!

There is not taking shit and there is not taking shit like an idiot.

Can't help but feel the New 52 has lost a lot of steam, and that DC have missed a significant opportunity. Most of the books (with honorable exceptions) seem to be reverting to generic, broad, and not too bright stories--like much of Marvel in the 1990s. This is what Lobdell does. Superman should get the cream of writing talent in all books, and that's not Scott Lobdell.

I'm curious how Snyder does in the new "Unchained" series--to work, Supes needs a lighter touch than Batman. The key to the character is the joy he takes in Earth and humanity. A surprising number of writers miss this.

I tried reading this at the store to see if it was worth picking up. I couldn't get past the 3rd page.

The senate council was fun...then he decided to keep going with the story and I couldn't get past that.

@babs Hasn't Cat consistently been portrayed as pretty vapid in the past? Granted, I'm not very familiar with the New 52 version of her character, but it doesn't seem like vapid would be all that out of character for her.

Im not picking up another issue of superman until they change the writer. Because the H'el on Earth storyline was terrible

it was not. actually that story arc was ten times better than the Perez or the Dan Jurgens's one.

aaand this of course:

plus i liked how superman has reacted to the senate: he won't take orders from anyone.

Was so funny how Supes smacked down the Gov. I haven't been reading Wonder Woman and I really don't care about Orion, his speeder is kind of lame too. Like some others it will be hard for me to justify picking this with Tony S on AC and Unchained's superteam, and Bats/Supes.

The way Clark talked to the Senate felt out of character to me. To pretty much told them he doesn't have to follow the rules. And it doesn't make the situation better by telling then he has things in there, an hides them away from the people for their safety... It felt rather dumb on Clark's part.

QFT

I have a right to my own opinion I dont like what Lobdell is doing on superman right now, just because its better than jurgens or perez doesnt mean that its not mediocre.

Supes was really bitchy with Cat Grant in my opinion, but I liked how he told the Governement to basically f*** themselves.

You remember in that Iron Man 3 trailer where people are falling from a plane and Iron Man can't save them all? That's what this cover reminds me of...only, Superman CAN save them all.

@z3ro180 said:

Not really, he is just a terrible writer without a sense of direction or the ability to build momentum. For me, the most glaring example was the last page of TT #18, where someone with a big name shows up without announcement or a proper build up to his arrival.

Okay, I love KR's art and this new guy looks good too, but for me writing is a HUGE deal as well. I don't think I've read his work before but I'm seeing quite a bit of anti-Lobdell sentiment here so is it worth me even checking out this issue or not at all? Be honest with me viners

Um no. have you actually taken a literature class or anything? Lobdell's writing is very bad. and whats bad about it is that usually it all feels like he has no direction for his stories. its clear that plot and dialogue is made up as he goes along. Moreso, every character is contrived. Clark comes off as a good hearted person but then he turns around is a complete douche to everyone as superman. it makes no sense.

Lobdell needs to learn how to work with an artist, so many unnecessary thought/speech bubbles, just filling up pages with stuff that doesn't need to be said, like when people starting jumping off the building theres a pretty big panel of Superman flying to catch them saying "I have no idea what's causing these people to jump off the building, but NO WAY am I going to stand by and let it happen". He does that all the time, completely redundant.

@starkiller809: Uhm, it actually was very true to the New 52 Superman's character. He's not a "Yes, sir, here are the secrets to the universe, U.S. Government." type of character like the pre-52 version. He's right, he has a right to his privacy. He's not on any sovereign land, and thus, doesn't have to listen to international rules.

Plus, who else but Superman is powerful and intelligent enough to control such a powerful force like star eaters and Brainiac's shrink ray? The Senator got what's coming to him, the world has no choice but to take Superman at his word and leave it at that because they couldn't stop him or anyone else as powerful as him if they tried.

"Like some others it will be hard for me to justify picking this with Tony S on AC and Unchained's superteam, and Bats/Supes."

Absolutely