Letters to SUPERMAN: LOST SON #1 (of 3)

I have to admit, you set up your shop well with that cold open. Superman teaming with one of his arch foes is great fodder for this kind of story. Something has happened over the last decade that has led to Superman trusting his life to his race's greatest enemy. Brainiac and Superman, together for the first-- and last-- time. What does this mean? Who is the mysterious bold-type villain and why is Superman quoting Pat Benatar? Read on, true believer!

And then we smash to the opening credits, and that cover from Steve. There's only so much I can say before I become repetitive and loud, but that cover is so SAD. Just... the pathos on display is palatable, and I'm glad we were lucky enough to secure some of our 'classic DC2 talents' for this final event. Greatness on the page.

And then we're back in the 'present day' of ten years AGO. I love hints at stories that have come and gone, and I know that the Empire of Zod is an epic you wanted to tell. Us seeing the conclusion here is something I find very cool. Obviously there was a battle worthy of a story with that title, and the end result is destruction. Seeing Superboy, Supergirl and Superman united for what could be the last time is great. A villain is vanquished, another has escaped with her tail between her legs. I can assure you, that's a thread you'll see picked up in the Superwoman mini (I'm hopefully wrapping up the first two issues today, after gutting it three times at this point. Like you, I know there's a lot I want to say, but I need to exert some control over my ideas or I'll drown in them!).

Supernova's appearance was ominous, and ties into the scope of this story. Obviously we had a Supernova in Miracle Monday (a story I referenced in my Superwoman story in the primer) but also 52. This is a character who has become shorthand for "UH OH" and her warnings here are dire indeed.

Lex Luthor being a dick was spot on, but I think it's quite hard to get a gauge on how to use him. Here he's 'being good', a Hannibal Lecter figure for the folks at STAR. I like it, I do, but I think it'd quite naive for the folks there to trust him with ANY technology, or even allow him in their building! He's Lex bloody Luthor! That said, the dialogue between Superman and his true arch-enemy was spot on. I'm a big Emil Hamilton fan from the 90s, and seeing here was great. The ominous words from Lex directing Superman into space were... ominous, but I took it with a pinch of salt that Clark would trust him. I'm glad that Lois calls him on it in the next scene, even if Superman's belief in the words is a bit wishy washy.

On that topic, I like Lois and Clark's story here, their romance. I also like how you didn't limit their 'getting together' to being during this ten year break. There's room for his identity reveal, their relationship, to happen in the present-day continuity. That's great!

Lex saving the day is... convenient. What with Kara being off-world at that point in time. I wonder where she was? I WONDER WHEN WE'LL FIND OUT? Okay, it's in the first issue of the Superwoman mini, but hey... plug.

I have to admit, I grate when I read Luthor's xenophobic dialogue, and i grate when I write it. I think he's the WORST. The actual WORST. Him being Metropolis' hero is aggravating, because he's such a monster, but seeing him playing at being a good guy tears me up because he's a villain. Even if he's still being the arrogant jackass he always was, it's just... concerning.

The scene on the moon reminded me of Starship Troopers (cool) and this new role for Lois is great. The Challengers are embedded in the DC2, especially 'Ace' Morgan, and their wonky position in-continuity is something I intend to address in Justice League at some point. How come there are two Kyle Morgans in the DC2? Maybe one day soon we'll find out.

The set up for the journey into the unknown was fantastic, a great cast set up and a great dynamic established between them all already... and then that final scene... how will Superman get out of that one?

All in all, a great first issue, though it could have used an editor to go over the typos. I've noticed you insist on spelling Apokolips as Apokalips here and elsewhere, but c'mon, David! The King spelt it "-ops", get on it. Every character is true to the vision you have for them (I think our Lexs differ, and we might see that when the first issue of Superwoman hits) and they interact in ways that resonate, as well. Seeing Bulleteer and her husband Starman were great-- but where does this leave Jack Knight? And our two Christmas themed stories involving the Starman of 1952?

Good work, mate. No misfires yet! I just wish more people headed back to the site and appreciated the work we're all putting in for the anniversary!

I liked this. I'm surprised Lois was more the main character than Superman, but it works because she's such a great character (someday I'll figure out the right story to write for her. Or I have and I just haven't gotten around to it). I like seeing her keep on keeping on in the absence of her beloved; like I said in the 10YL letters section, the idea of a "world without Superman" is intriguing to me and it makes perfect sense that Lois would land on her feet and soldier on in his absence.

That being said, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about where it goes from there. Don't get me wrong, the idea of Lois becoming a Challenger is interesting and I have no doubt she has the qualifications, but it seems like she gave up on journalism pretty quickly. I feel like there might be a scene on the cutting room floor so to speak, because she went pretty quickly from "bring the truth to the people of Metropolis" to "shooting space bugs on the moon" (btw, "lunaticks"? Great name. Very Grant Morrison, very goofy and weird. Love it). Still, I can't deny that her being on a spaceship searching for her fiancé is a pretty awesome idea and I'd like to see how it concludes.

You've got a good handle on Lex here. He feels somewhere in between the 1980's businessman version and the shameless tyrant version; condescending and egotistical, but still wanting to save face and look good in the public's eyes. It'll be interesting seeing him on the ship with the others, being all schemey and whatnot.

And as for the Big Blue himself, it all feels very ominous, very much a "this is the end" feel, and that's appropriate and well done. I like how everyone's first thought as to who the villain is is Darkseid (because who else would it be), which makes me hope it's someone else. The Source Wall bit at the end seems to indicate it's him, but we'll have to see, won't we? By the way, loved that ending. Great reveal.

Good stuff here, man. I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.

-UDC

Wonderful issue here! Considering that we're, in a way, jumping in cold due to this being in DC2's future, it flowed perfectly from one scene to the next. Lois's career move from reporter to Challenger does seem odd on the surface, but when you take into account Superman's disappearance, it makes sense: she wants to be ready for when he comes back, just in case trouble is following him. I also agree that "lunaticks" is a great name for those bugs!

As for the Knights and their holiday adventures...yes, I wrote a Christmas tale that revolved around Jack Knight, and was set just after David joined the JSA and moved to Metropolis. It was a one-off, so what happened to the sons of Starman in later years is up to other folks.

Thanks for the feedback, Susie! I'm glad you liked the issue, and I'm glad Lois' transition worked for you. At it's heart, this story asks "what are you willing to do for love?" and I hope Lois' answer is loud and clear.

I remember your "Christmas Knights" tale very well. Hit right in the feels, as the hipsters say.