Superman #1 Review

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Artist: Ivan Reis / DC Comics One thing you should know about me is that the only thing I like more than a Bendis story is a Bendis story with some David Mack art. So when I learned Mack was doing variant covers for the Bendis Superman titles, I did figurative backflips (literal backflips are difficult). This week brings us Superman #1 by the indomitable Brian Michael Bendis with art by Ivan Reis. There has been a lot of anticipation surrounding this new, Bendis-controlled Superman. On the Bendis-fanatic spectrum (My own camp) we’re ready for the greatest Superman story ever told. On the opposite end they’re dreading the destruction of all that is Superman at the hands of Bendis’ merciless, verbose terror. Full disclosure, I base that entire sentiment on a total of one conversation I had. David Mack Variants Give Me Life The reality lands somewhere between euphoric heavenly bliss and devastating immolation. Superman #1 is going to impress people who enjoyed the relationship-centered focus I remember from much of Peter Tomasi’s stories. Kent deals with the absence of his wife and son in a very relatable fashion. The Justice League members brought in are presented as friends rather than teammates. Bendis captures a characteristically “Incredibles” tone. It isn’t a superhero story as much as it’s a lonely father and husband story where the man cave is the Fortress of Solitude. Bendis Takes a Crack at Clark Kent: Family Man The action is not forsake…