Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Jim Lee; Scott Williams; Alex Sinclair; Dustin Nguyen (flashback); John Kalisz (flashback); & Sal Capriano
Cover Art by Jim Lee; Scott Williams; & Alex Sinclair
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Let the Light In,” the finale of this New 52-related mini-series was published by DC Comics for January 2015. At the Arctic Circle, Superman accepts a suicide run offered by Lex Luthor against an alien armada by turning himself into a solar bomb. Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, General Sam Lane, and from afar, Lex Luthor witness Superman’s departure.
Before saying farewell to Lois, the Man of Steel declines Batman & Wonder Woman’s offer for Justice League intervention. They’ll have their hands full, as the aliens’ initial attack effectively disables the Earth’s electronics, creating worldwide havoc.
Interspersed is a nightmarish Smallville flashback to Clark’s childhood. Making a critical decision, young Clark protects his adoptive mother from a deranged neighbor seeking to expose the boy’s secret. While Luthor reconsiders Superman’s impact on humanity, the Man of Steel faces the armada’s onslaught on the other side of the Sun. In the present-day epilogue, Lois reconnects by phone with a recuperating Clark, who relives an exhilarating memory of boyhood
Note: There are evidently two variant covers: one by Bryan Hitch & Alex Sinclair and the other by David Finch & Sonia Oback.
REVIEW:
Bolstered by Jim Lee’s high-caliber visuals, Superman Unchained # 9 is a glossy exploration of the New 52’s Superman. Between the haunting flashbacks (convincingly depicted by artists Dustin Nguyen & John Kalisz) and the poignant Superman-Lois sequences, this issue is a solid effort from writer Scott Snyder.
Anticipating Superman’s imminent doom, Luthor’s articulate commentary re: the Man of Steel proves another highlight that Snyder delivers spot-on. If anything, Superman Unchained # 9 is an effective advertisement for the complete mini-series.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
It’s a double-sided cover. A two-page spread for DC’s ‘Channel 52’ column depicts the artistic production of an image of Deathstroke and guest star Harley Quinn from Deathstroke # 4. The single-page “DC All Access” column hypes the LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham video game.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
