Issue #84: Catch Up Week #19 Part III: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, April 7, 2010:

Superman: Last Stand Of New Krypton #2 (#36) (DC)
Invincible Returns #1 (Image)
Superman: Secret Origin #5 (DC)

Superman: Last Stand Of New Krypton #2 (#36) (DC) * * * *

I really like the George Perez cover. He's one of the can't miss comic book artists. Insidde the issue, the battle for New Krypton reaches a fever pitch. Zod and Allura clash over the Legion Of Super-Heroes, while Superman and Mon-El continue their battle against Brainiac and Luthor aboard Brainiac's ship. Things are setting up to potentially have a great climax in the third and final issue.

Invincible Returns #1 (Image) * * * * *

Invincible meets with Cecil to have a very frank conversation. Conquest faces his superiors to accept the consequences for his failure. Atom Eve talks with the only person she can trust about her condition. Oliver has a short talk with his step-mother. Invincible battles another group of super-villains, then confides in super-tailor Art. The result is a new costume. Mark and Eve have a date, where the events of past issues are summarized for new readers. Everything is in place for the upcoming Viltrumite war. Even though the flashbacks are familiar to longtime readers like myself, this was still a great issue, as usual. While it's not necessary to read between issues 70 & 71, it has its usual excellent characterization by Kirkman, and the seeds of future storylines planted in the tale.

Superman: Secret Origin #5 (DC) * * * * *

Superman begins to make a little progress in making Metropolis accept him. Luthor and Gen. Lane have a lot in common in their contempt for this new superhero. There's a great scene with John Corben and Clark Kent, and Superman faces his first heavy resistance. Some readers may feel disdain to this retconning Superman's origin to fit upcoming stories, and I can understand their point of view, but I can't help enjoying this mini-series. John Corben's origin as Metallo is quite different from the John Byrne version of the Man Of Steel mini-series of 1986. I'm not sure I care for metallo's costume on the cover, especially his mask. That's about the only negative thing I have to say about this issue. I'm looking forward to the final issue.

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