Letters to Superman #1

Excited to get to this! Long past time we had a book focusing on the Man of Steel!

This wild ride reminded me of my favourite era of the Super-books, that mid-90s time when Clark and Lois were bantering about and fully in love, with zero doubt that they were meant to be together. That's the era I grew up with, and it's the one I love the most, so this was a joy to read. I feel like we might have the same inclination toward the character and era, so that's exciting in a big way.

So, what about Superman #1? Firstly, what a great first issue! The players are set up well, mysterious abound, and a nice little glimpse into the main character's past, as we get another spin on his arrival on Earth-- though as it's something we've seen a hundred times before, I'm glad it was short and didn't overstay its welcome. Clark and Lois' interaction was great, as was their mutual respect for each other, and I really enjoyed seeing Clark be a journalist, and not just wearing the cape and flying around as Superman all day.

We get the introduction of a great new monster-- not a villain!-- and Superman doing his best to take it down without making the situation worse. The power surge due to the solar radiation was interesting, and the final scene suitably creepy. I wonder who could be lurking on Stryker's?

If I had any criticisms, it would be that the dialogue-- at times-- felt rather stilted. Looking at introducing some contractions here and there would smoothen up some of the lines the characters are speaking, but all in all, it didn't take me out of the story that much. It was this line that made me blink and realise what had been niggling at me on my read through: "Nothing, I just need to get rid of this energy soon. I absorbed it from Kitty and it is too much for me"; I don't see Superman talking in such a stiff manner, but if that's the sole criticism I have for a first time writer on the site, I think we're onto a winner!

I'm looking forward to the second issue, and whatever's next from you, Eric! Let me be the first to officially and publicly welcome you to the DC2 staff!

Personally, I would love to see a Batbook-- or Batbooks-- return to the site. Oblique and I have spoken at length about what we want to do with such a relaunch, but nothing's come of it, simply due to the lack of time we both have to churn out something that would require such dedication. That said, we both know what we'd do if we could find the time, and I've already started plotting something over the last few years. It's sparse, but if I suddenly had zero writerly commitments, I'd be all in on it. That said, you've all seen my recent announcements... 2019 is about to get mega busy, and from 2020 onwards... busier still. Jeez, 30 years old at that point, and still with so many DC2 stories left to tell...