Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Matthew Clark; Nelson DeCastro; Tanya Horie; Richard Horie; & Rob Leigh
Cover Art by Matt Wagner & Gene Ha
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Battery, Part Two,” it was published by DC Comics for July 2004. Superman ruminates over his apparent killing of Replikon in front of abrasive Metropolis S.C.U. Lt. Lupé Leocadio. At The Daily Planet, Clark fails to inspire new colleague Geraldine “Jerry” Frank to try harder on her Replikon assignment. Preparing for a dangerous assignment to the Middle Eastern nation of Umec, Lois asks Wonder Woman to watch over Clark during her absence.
Clark has another unpleasant encounter with Lt. Leocadio, who brashly dismisses Superman as one of her ‘deputies.’ In deep space, Green Lantern John Stewart helps Superman investigate the ominous debris leading to Replikon’s ravaged world. While another threat awaits the Man of Steel, Clark & Lois share private time before she discreetly leaves for turbulent Umec.
REVIEW:
Supported by top-tier artwork, this comic proves a solid read. The sole oddity is why Lt. Leocadio’s second scene with Clark has her flashily dressed and driving a Porsche. This hint of Miami Vice-style glamour just seems implausible for a relatively young police officer. Still, writer Greg Rucka does a nice job with this story, including a great bit of sisterly chemistry during Lois & Wonder Woman’s scene. The sequence where a disillusioned Jerry Frank tells Clark that he used to be a legendary journalist is an intriguing realization re: Clark’s career prospects. The same applies to John Stewart’s guest spot, as his rare team-ups with Superman should inspire DC’s writers to give this pairing more to do.
The mostly low-key Adventures of Superman # 628 is spot-on depicting ongoing sub-plots in the Man of Steel’s life.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The single-page “DC in Demand” column includes a thumbnail cover reveal for Adventures of Superman # 629.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
