Comics Fondle

I hate to say it, but All-Star Superman #10 serves as a definite example of why no Superman book’s ever going to be a big bestseller. This issue, chronicling the last day before the radiation poisoning is going to defeat Superman, is the best (so far) in the series–I imagine Morrison will do big things with the finale. Superman will never be big because he cares about people.

Here, he presents a somewhat confusing multilayered narrative (the Earth Q thing really threw me for a while, I thought that’s where Superman would send the Kandorians). It’s a meticulously constructed ode to Superman, both classic and (to some degree, particularly in his relationship with Lois Lane) modern, ending with the wonderful moment of Joe Shuster drawing Superman (on Earth Q).

This issue captures the best tones of All-Star Superman, Morrison adding equal parts Silver Age appreciation with full-fledged Superman wonderment. Except the wonderment isn’t in his physical feats, but his mental and emotional ones. Most of the action is off panel, except a nice robot fight.

Quitely only has one bad moment (one of his few in the series to date). When Lex spits at Superman, it looks fake.

The moment that gets me–even more than Shuster’s hand–is Superman watching his dead skin cells flake off.

Morrison does an amazing job here.

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