1. Superman Unchained #1
Writer: Scott Snyder Artist: Jim Lee
As if anyone thought the team up of two of comics hottest creators, Scott Snyder and Jim Lee, could produce anything less than sheer brilliance, Superman Unchained #1 is assuredly a comic thats as big, bold and exciting as an iconic character like Superman deserves. Snyder is firing on all cylinders as he turns his attention from the shadows of Gotham to the blinding brilliance of Metropolis, from the Dark Knight to the Man of Steel. Instantly we see the difference between the two characters - whereas with Batman the stories are based around detection, clues, and earthbound adventures more-or-less self-contained within Gotham, Superman begins in space and then heads to the depths of the ocean floor. Snyder has gone bigger with Superman, taking advantage of his superpowers to tell a wildly ambitious story on a massive canvas. For new readers wondering why Clark Kent is no longer working at the Daily Planet, its because he left to pursue a career as a blogger, focusing on stories that feature real people rather than the kind of trashy news that the Planet must pursue to stay afloat and which Clark disdains. Snyders Clark isnt the bumbling stooge hes often depicted as but more of a human version of Superman - idealistic and moralistic - and its really effective. Jim Lee matches Snyders bombastic script by bringing his full talent to the fore. Supermans first appearance in this series needed to be big so Lee literally drew a giant sized Superman which folds out from the comic to become four times the size of the regular comics page! Lee is the master of action which makes him tailor-made for Snyders Superman as the Man of Steel throughout this issue is saving astronauts lives, stopping earthbound satellites from crashing into populated areas, and saving doomed helicopters. We find out that General Sam Lane (Lois Lanes dad) is up to no good again and the last page reveals a dangerous foe for Superman to battle with. Elsewhere, Lex Luthor makes an appearance and I loved the way Snyder wrote him, coolly reading The Iliad while the helicopter hes in hurtled downward, and it turns out he was doing something even more cerebral with the book at the same time! I also liked that Jimmy Olsen wasnt some kid with a bow tie constantly gawping and goshing to people. The character deserves some respect, despite being a traditionally mockable character, and Snyder gives it to him, making him more than a 2-dimensional cut-up. Theres a lot to say about Superman Unchained #1 but Ill leave it there for you to discover what those extras are. Suffice it to say, it is the best Superman series going at the moment and much-needed too after Grant Morrisons Action Comics run ended earlier this year and Andy Diggle left the title after just one issue. Its a fantastic start and a great Superman comic to enjoy alongside Man of Steel this Friday. * Those are my picks for this week but maybe I left your favourite comic out? Maybe you dont agree with my picks or maybe you do? Let me know in the comments below!