Although DC Comics’“New 52” comic assortment has had ups and downs since its launch in 2011, Superman: Unchained, a series in that assortment, is easily one of the best comic series of the modern age.
The first two issues of Unchained, released in June andJuly, are modern stories that remind Superman fans why they love the classic hero, and comic book legends Scott Snyder and artist Jim Lee provide a wealth of entertainment for longtime readers and newcomers alike.
The plot follows mysterious crashing satellites on Earth and leads readers to question the satellites’ origins. They appear to be the work of eithera new cyber terrorist organization called Ascension or imprisoned villain Lex Luthor. With the fate of the world at stake, it is a job only Superman can accomplish.
The defining component of Unchained is the manner in which Snyder and Lee revitalize the character’s mythology like never before. A poster-sized image of Super man searching for the satellites’ source is included in the first issue that presents some of Lee’s best work while holding a significant amount of story.
As captivating as the images on the large sheet are, it also brings into light aspects of the character that have been brushed aside in other stories.
What makes Superman such an iconic hero and pop-culture figure is that he’s larger than life. Any time that gets toned down–which has happened in both the comics and film adaptations–the character becomes much less captivating.
Both Snyder and Lee demonstrate their understanding of the character’s origin, and they each strive to reconcileaspects of older and newer versions of the character. While the New 52 version has replaced his red underpants with a red belt and a more armor-based suit, Superman retains the ideals and morals he developed growing up in Smallville.
Snyder and Lee’s depiction of Lex Luthor is another fan-pleaser. While Luthor has never really been portrayed poorly, scenes where he is featured make the book all the more intriguing. At first glance, the legendary supervillain is seen reading a copy of The Illiad while being transferred to another prison. His deviously smart mind and self-absorption add the perfect element to this already invigorating tale.
Although Clark Kent (Superman) does not work for the Daily Planet newspaper during Unchained, he is still a hard working reporter. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen also get some great scenes together, which both pay homage to classic Superman stories while also bringing fresh and exciting to dialogue, making this comic engaging toward a broad audience.
In addition to the main storyline, a miniseries at the end of each issue provides a solid amount of intrigue that correlate well with the overarching plot. Dustin Nguyen’s art here reflects the darker and more mysterious elements of Snyder’s script. (What kind of “miniseries?” We need just a detail or two more about what it is to judge how well it might or might not “correlate” with the body of the book)
Snyder is also wise to have Superman reference other Justice League members in the first issue, making this story a fittingand fundamental component of the New 52.
Whether you’ve been collecting for years or have never picked up a comic book in your life, Superman:Unchained offers an incredible amount of depth and imagination to engage readers of all kinds. It’s stories like these that illustrate the artistic value of the medium.
