REVIEW: ‘Superman’ Issue 30

Superman Issue 30 is published by DC Comics. Written by Joshua Williamson, art by Dan Mora, colors by Alejandro Sánchez and letters by Ariana Maher.

Taking place right on the heels of the previous issue. Superman Issue 30 follows Superman, who is without friends in a dangerous future, as Superboy-Prime switches sides. The comic takes things even further into the darkness. Superman had questionable backup before, but that’s vaporized now.

Things look bleak for him, but the book has an electric energy and a terrific pace. The action is there from start to finish, with a seemingly endless army of the Legion of Darkseid and Superboy-Prime. This future is deadly, and the heroes are hurt. Not just Kal-El, but Booster Gold, who has been through hell. It gets to a point where Booster’s life truly hangs in the balance.

All of Superman Issue 30 is exhilarating, but it gets absolutely breathtaking in the second half. The ramifications and ripples are huge. And despite the bleak nature of the situation, there is a flicker of hope and a beautiful redemption arc. The last moment is enormous, crossing over with Justice League Unlimited Issue 11. There’s not a desperate need to read either book because they end in the same spot, but it helps make the story more rounded.

Williamson sensationally writes the characters. The villains, and there are many of them, ooze menace. Superboy-Prime blends in well with the Legion of Darkseid. He can threaten to murder and relish in evil just as much as they can. And he can cause much more damage. The other figures are welcoming of their new ally, but dubious. He had to be tested, something Superboy-Prime is more than willing to match. The tone is serious, with Superman trying to appeal to the good in a set of characters that are devoid of it.

Even Booster, who is usually so cheery and delighted, is quiet. He has been a toy for this brutal group, forgotten about by his allies in the main universe and tortured. Superman’s main focus is getting Booster home. The conversations towards the end are superb, returning a bit of light to such a pitch black story.

The art is glorious. The battle of the Supermen is violent and vicious. It’s not just the brutality of the fight, it’s the facial expressions of the characters involved. There is an evil grin on the faces of Superboy-Prime, Saturn Girl and the other villainous characters in Superman Issue 30. At other times, they become threatening and forceful as they bicker among themselves.

Behind Superman, Booster Gold is barely alive. He’s slumped on the floor, unable to come to his rescue. The designs of the Legion of Darkseid are fantastic because they blend the futuristic concept of their uniforms with the cracked rock texture of their master. The way the world and laws of time are toyed with is both funny and exciting. To move between points in time, Superman and Superboy-Prime shatter the walls of reality, resulting in some remarkable visuals.

The colors are stunning. Superman’s red, gold and blue is alone in a dark sea of orange as the world burns around him. There were glimmers of that blue on Superboy-Prime in the previous chapter, but now he’s switched over, the black and chrome of his armor, which looks colder and more militaristic, is much more prominent. The lettering is crisp and clear.

Superman Issue 30 is just a glimpse of what’s coming. Superman had seen an abhorrent future and faced absolutely terrifying enemies: versions of his friends that are vicious and bloodthirsty. But they’re only the heralds of their master.

The depths of the darkness in this arc have been mesmerizing and intoxicating, with a brilliant usage of Superboy-Prime. The differences between the two versions of the same character are spectacular. And the bottomless darkness means that when some light and hope poke through, they shine even brighter.

Superman Issue 30 is available where comics are sold.