Written by Joshua Williamson with art by Dan Mora, Superman #29 has everything: Superman, Booster Gold, the Legion of Super-Heroes, and an ‘unexpected’, yet welcome, return of Superboy-Prime. This action-packed issue kicks off what feels like the next big Superman event, and it’s an absolute joy.
The story wastes no time getting right into the action. Darkseid’s Legion has been causing chaos across the timeline, and Superman is forced to team up with the volatile and unhinged Superboy-Prime to search the future for the lost Legion of Super-Heroes. Williamson expertly navigates the messy and convoluted history of the Legion, providing just enough information to keep the plot moving without getting bogged down in dense continuity. The story is full of twists, and the inclusion of Superboy-Prime is nothing short of brilliant.
His fourth-wall-breaking commentary is both hilarious and surprisingly clever, making him a truly unique storytelling device. Superboy-Prime’s dialogue, like his sarcastic quip, “I’m a good guy now, you substitute,” will make you laugh out loud. The plot takes a dark and intense turn when Superman and Superboy-Prime discover the dead bodies of Legion members, a grim hint at a dark future created by Darkseid himself. The pacing moves quickly, yet the issue still manages to deliver a shocking cliffhanger that will leave you eager for the next issue.
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Dan Mora’s art is a huge reason this issue is a knockout. A fan-favorite for a reason, Mora’s art is stunning. The pages leap out at you with dynamic action, and his character designs are incredibly crisp, particularly the terrifyingly rendered Chameleon and the haunting double-page splash showing the dead Legion members as skeletons. A standout for me is when panels break and crack as Superboy-Prime punches through time and space; it’s such a cool visual that never gets old. Lastly, the colors by Alejandro Sanchez complement Mora’s pencils, making every scene pop.
However, it’s not all roses. As a long-time fan, I’d love to see a Legion of Super-Heroes story that isn’t another reboot of a reboot. Just give us the classic concept and the original stories. It feels like we’ve gotten so far from those roots that whenever the Legion shows up, it’s always tied to some kind of crisis event. You don’t see this happening with Batman Beyond, so why is the Legion so prone to these constant narrative disruptions? As a fan, it’s pretty disheartening to see.
All in all, Superman #29 is an exciting, thrilling, and satisfying read. It has an all-star creative team delivering on all fronts. Don’t miss out on this one.
‘Superman’ #29 Review: The Return of an Unlikely “Hero”
All in all, Superman #29 is an exciting, thrilling, and satisfying read. It has an all-star creative team delivering on all fronts. Don’t miss out on this one.
