As I have mentioned before, DC has made the move to make more content available digitally through these DC Digital Firsts. I love this move. They aren't technically new books... these stories were previously found in the DC Giant stories available at Walmart. Nonetheless... I am pretty pumped to get DC content coming out daily and at a great price. $.99 ($.84 if you are a Comixology Unlimited subscriber). The Monday through Sunday lineup is as followed: Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Batman: Gotham Nights, Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace, Aquaman: Deep Dives, Flash: Fastest Man Alive, DC Super Hero Girls: Infinite Frenemies, Swamp Thing: New Roots. So let's take a look at this quick rip roaring classic Superman adventure.... as always, SPOILERS ahead! Bitten Off More Than You Can Chew
What I have loved about these Walmart books, is that they are usually a self contained story. It feels like I am watching an episode of Superman: The Animated Series. Yes, there's some continuity... but you don't need to necessarily know it going in to it and you leave it feeling pretty satisfied. The story written by Robert Venditti and art by Paul Pelletier pits Superman against Parasite. We see Parasite heading off to drain the power from the Metropolis power plant, causing a blackout across the city. Of course Superman is at the Daily Planet working alongside Lois. There was a great little moment where Lois mentioned that she appreciated that Clark didn't ruin his suit in order to change into Superman since it was draining their budget. However, due to Perry and Jimmy surprising her on the roof, she had to knock Clark's clothes off the roof before they noticed... Touches like that, makes for great storytelling. The battle between Superman and Parasite had some great Superman one liners as he brought haymakers like "Big meals always make me tired" and "You should sleep this one off." Alas, as the power plant blows, Parasite makes his get away. Next there is a great scene where Supes is addressing the concerned citizens of Metropolis during this blackout. He encourages everyone to look out for someone else, which means everyone will get taken care of. Pretty fitting moment considering the COVID-19 times we are in right now. Superman ends up taking Parasite to the dark side of the moon where there is no power to be had and offers him help knowing that he did not choose to become this purple monster. Of course Perry isn't happy the next day when he sees Lois wrote a story about the people of Metropolis stepping up to help during the blackout vs the chaos of a monster attacking the city. Just Perry being Perry. We then wrap things up with Lex Luthor of course. He isn't happy that he wasn't mentioned in the story for providing generators that kept hospitals going. So, naturally... he has to take out Superman. The art in this was fantastic. Paul did a great job with Parasite. When he was gorged with power... he captured every swollen detail. Robert did a great job pulling out all the classic things we love about Superman: power, humanity, others above self, and so on. Superman inspired the masses and was also willing to let Parasite drain his powers completely if it mean saving the city. All in all this was just a solid Superman story. No Jor-El back from the dead, no aged up Jonathan Kent, no wondering "is this pre New 52 or rebirth?", no... it was just good old Superman fun. I am excited that there will be books available to me cheap and often with this Digital First format from DC. If this book is any indication on how the rest will be, there should be a lot to look forward to. Pick it up at READ DC. -CBD
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