Superman #31
Superman and Superboy walk right into the Shadowbreed’s trap in Superman #31, by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson, artists Scott Godlewski and Norm Rapmund, colorist Gabe Eltaeb, and letterer Dave Sharpe. In the backup, by writer Sean Lewis, artist Sami Basri, colorist Ulises Arreola, and letterer Dave Sharpe, Loose Cannon and Gangbuster clash, but it’s all part of Projectress’s plan. Johnson is really knocking it out of the park with this story, and that’s really all there is to say about it.
The easiest way to describe this issue isn’t really to summarize it- basically, everything is a lot worse than suspected- the Shadowbreed have been in control for a lot longer than anyone knew. They lured Superman and Superboy there to take them over and use them to spread. Superman is overtaken, but Superboy is able to get away. In the backup, Loose Cannon doesn’t like what he sees in Gangbuster and confronts her, but it’s all part of Projectress’s plan- he takes Gangbuster down and is arrested because Projectress was using him.
It’s strange for Superman to be tricked so thoroughly, but this issue shows one of Superman’s greatest weaknesses- his trust. His friends called him, and he went, never suspecting what could be awaiting him. Superman is a good person- something Superboy talks about with Qarath O Bakkis- and that can be a weakness at times. However, his love for his son is on full display in this issue- it’s the last thing he thinks about as he’s being taken by the Shadowbreed.
Superboy shows just how powerful he can be in this issue as well, as he teaches his father a new way to use his heat vision. Superman is extremely proud of Jon- he never even thought to use his heat vision the way Jon does. Kennedy uses the scene between Qarath O Bakkis and Superboy to show how important a good father and what a little kindness can do to a person. O Bakkis was raised by a cruel man, but his father’s friend Faldr was nice to him. He feels like this is why he’s such a weak person- the kindness. It also influenced his decision with the Shadowbreed, and that set the story’s events into motion. Again, Kennedy is playing with his narrative about fathers and sons, and it works wonderfully. The backup by Lewis feels shorter than previous ones but shows just how much Projectress has everyone beaten.
The art by Godlewski and Rapmund is pretty good. Godlewski handles pencils and breakdown for most of the book, with Rapmund coming in for some finishes. There’s a couple double-page spreads in the issue, and they all look great. Basri’s art in the backup is great; it’s a fast story that’s more concerned with action than the last few, and he really captures that feel.
Superman #31 is another great Superman comic. Kennedy highlights one of Superman’s weaknesses while also showing one of his strengths- his selflessness. He keeps playing with the whole fathers and sons thing, and it works. Godlewski and Rapmund’s art is pretty great and fits the story well, and the backup is pretty good, even if it reads a little fast. All in all, this is an entertaining read.
