Superman/Wonder Woman #18

Overall, I didn’t care for the first arc by Peter J. Tomasi on Superman/Wonder Woman #13-17 very much. The focus wasn’t on the interpersonal dynamics between the titular heroes and more on the modern role super heroes play in fiction. With the same typical conclusions drawn when someone writes a story dealing with the aftermath and culpability of these heroic figures.

When “Truth” started appearing in solicitations across the major Superman titles (Superman, Action Comics, Superman/Wonder Woman, Batman/Superman), I started to get a queasy Doomed feeling. The last thing this title needs is to be pulled into a crossover with four other titles…again. Thankfully the “Truth” storyline appears to be, according to, interviews limited to the main Superman title now written by Gene Leun Yang. But such an enormous event, the outing of Superman’s secret identity, must be felt in other titles which is what happens in Superman/Wonder Woman #18 “Dark Truth”.

The idea of Clark Kent being outted as Superman is an interesting idea, especially if it sticks, but one that most intrigues me as a reader of Superman/ Wonder Woman due to the questions it raises. The first arc by Charles Soule had their relationship brought into the public light, and also dealt with the concept of who Diana is in love with, Kal-El, Clark Kent or Superman. Now with his civilian identity revealed what kind of new strain dose this put on the relationship? How dose Wonder Woman react to the news?

The last question is answered in the first three pages of “Dark Truth”, Wonder Woman vowing to protect her partner in this tempest of change that surrounds them.

In a recent blog post, new Superman writer Gene Leun Yang talks about the physical power based context that Superman was brought to life in the 1930s and the contemporary conception of power lying in just as much strength as it is information. That’s a major thread in “Before Truth,” the first Superman story arc I’m doing with the inimitable John Romita Jr. The Man of Tomorrow goes up against an enemy who wields information like a weapon”. This new information is the driving plot engine behind “Dark Truth” as Superman and Wonder Woman journey to Smallville after a frantic phone call from Lana Lang. Once home, Clark discovers that this new information has led to a rash of disappearances and the whole sale theft of his familial homes (both parent and grandparent) and bodies.

Previous arcs have emphasized Clark and Diana connecting and sharing their heritage but for Clark it was more his Kryptonian side, the plant. This made for good thematic contonuity when fighting General Zod and Faora. Returning home to Smallville, identity exposed, in search of what happened to your first “real girlfriend”, has to be the super heroic equivalent of taking your significant other home for dinner. Taking Diana into his grandfathers bomb shelter was an extremely personal gesture, perhaps the most personal Clark Kent thing he’s ever shown her. This was his island, one that only opened up after Lana followed him too it.

I don’t know how exactly Superman was depowered; I’m starting Superman with #41. But stripping him down to something more akin to his original power set creates for some interesting moments. He can no longer fly, meaning Wonder Woman is the one caring him as they fly to Smallville, reminding him that “if one of us can fly then both of us can fly”. A beautifully realized splash page by the art team. This is just one a few just nicely executed healthly relationship moments wherein each half (though Diana dose most of the physical/emotional carriage this issue) supports one another. There are a couple moments of dialog for Diana that read a little wooden or on the nose but it overall works.

My complaints against the last arc centered on the lack of personal stakes within it: how does this deepen, affect, or change their relationship? While Cerci is/was part of Wonder Woman’s side of things, Diana consistently quibbled with the villainess assertion that she was responsible for her current state. “Dark Truth” is all wrapped up in the personal and even if it is Clark Kent related, it’s Wonder Woman’ business just as much as his. They fly together after all.

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