Just read it....SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!
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This was a flash from the past in a pleasant sense. This is supposed to be the Pre-Flashpoint Superman based on the summary in the back...but it actually feels like Pre-Loeb Post-Crisis Superman, which I'm fine with. I'm pretending all that New Krypton/Grounded nonsense didn't happen for the time being.
This was a visit with old friends to be sure. I've come to grow fond of New 52 Superman, especially in the past year, so it's strange seeing the Superman I spent much of my youth and teen years following his adventures. It's like seeing an old friend you left on unresolved and somewhat negative terms a long time ago. It's like old times one minute, then you remember how things ended the next...and you feel a little sad over what was lost, yet grateful for having known them.
One thing that stuck with me is that the guy I read now on a monthly basis, although he wears an inferior suit, is largely the same guy in personality. I know there will be some posters that will chime in and start the whole "MY SUPERMAN IS BETTER THAN YOUR SUPERMAN" or the "MY SUPERMAN IS MORE ICONIC THAN YOURS!!!" debate again somehow...but seriously...aside from some window dressing and history...it's the same guy. I'm guessing when we revisit EARTH 2 and PRE-CRISIS EARTH 1 Supes over the next month,I will feel the same there as well. Superman is Superman is Superman.
However...one thing...the ONLY thing the New 52 Superman is missing...is the Lois and Clark dynamic . God I miss them and their relationship. I'm sorry if this offends the WW/Superman shippers out there...but there is NO contest. I am hoping that this sells well enough that going forward editorial at DC comes to it's senses, ends the current publicity stunt, and begins to restore the REAL power couple of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. (hmmm next year is the 20th anniversary of their marriage.....)
It's a bummer this doesn't take place in Metropolis though, as I would have liked to have seen some more of the "old gang" cameo...particularly Bibbo...but we get non crazy non murderous Prof. Hamilton....who seems to have somehow got his hand back. They don't address how or why...although there is a throw away line where he refers to his "rehabilitation", again hinting that all the stuff with Overmind and Ruin did happen...but I have a feeling Jurgens, like most of us, are in no hurry to revisit the pile of horse dung that Superman and his books had devolved to in the decade ish leading to FLASHPOINT, so I'm ok seeing Ham be himself again.
The Flashpoint Superman shows up near the end, thinking New Earth Lois is his Lois he lost. A kinda creepy scene and of course the issue ends in a cliffhanger....to be resolved NEXT MONTH!!
Dan Jurgens does a great job on the story,although some of the dialog comes out of the mid-90's. Strangely it actually helps the vibe. Lee Weeks' art though is the highlight. Great stuff.
I enjoyed a visit with the past. Yeah, I'm more emotionally invested in the fate of Earth-0 Clark going into June (which two years ago I likely wouldn't have cared a whit about)...but if say, DC decides to revisit this Superman from time to time in the future, I'm more than ok with it, as long it's of this quality.