Written by Michael Turner & Joe Kelly
Art by Talent Caldwell; Jason Gorder; Peter Steigerwald; Grafiksismik; Christina Strain; & Comicraft
Cover Art by Michael Turner & Peter Stiegerwald
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2004, this 128-page collaboration with Michael Turner’s Aspen Comics team reprints Action Comics # 812-813, Adventures of Superman # 625-626, and Superman # 202-203 (all from 2004). Clark Kent has been missing for weeks, as Lois Lane & Perry White worry about his unknown fate. Meanwhile, trapped on what he believes is present-day Krypton, a seemingly powerless Kal-El is a government bureaucrat happily living with his alien wife, Lyla. Harassment by a gang of renegade bikers soon causes his repressed super-powers to tragically ignite.
Not understanding where these monstrous powers originated from, Kal-El realizes that he has been deceived. Once the perpetrator and others escape from their ‘world’ to Metropolis, it’s up to the Man of Steel to restore his correct sense of reality. As Superman humbly acknowledges, he isn’t a god, despite what some in Kandor otherwise believe.
Note: This title is also available in paperback.
REVIEW:
Considering Aspen Comics’ involvement, the triumph of style over high-concept substance is hardly a surprise. As one can expect, the late Michael Turner’s artwork is exquisite. The same kudos apply to his Fathom cohorts, as Talent Caldwell & Peter Steigerwald gorgeously render the interior visuals.
Working against them, however, is Godfall’s uninvolving storyline that confines Superman inside a Total Recall sort of virtual reality (minus the gore). There’s also too much screen time re: Tron-like motorcycles that look great without boosting the actual plot.
While guest characters, like the enigmatic Lyla, are intriguing, plot twists they convey might have better suited an Elseworlds one-shot. Hence, far too little of Godfall is entertaining in a mainstream sense. Even the revelation that Perry White has long co-conspired with Lois Lane to cover up Clark’s lengthy absences isn’t explored – i.e. has Perry known Clark’s secret all along? One can only surmise and shrug, much like a long-suffering Lois is scripted to do by condoning her husband’s latest bizarre disappearance.
Come the story’s end, no matter how much this re-imagining of Kandor appealed to Turner & Joe Kelly, the journey they take readers on proves a blah experience. Hence, the only practical reason for keeping Superman: Godfall is Aspen’s lush brand of artwork.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
After a two-page foreword, co-writer Joe Kelly adds a helpful two-page summary explaining how Superman’s feud vs. Brainiac 12 and the Futuresmiths have landed him in an alternate-reality ‘Krypton.’ A list-of-characters (Kal-El; Lyla; Preus; Basqat; Shire; Mamoth; & Jigsaw) presents a paragraph-length bio for each of them.
In full-page format, the eye-popping Michael Turner cover gallery offers both sketch and full-color reprints. Turner’s sketch gallery offers nine pages of his concept work, including colorized test images.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars
Note: A recommended Michael Turner-related DC project is Superman/Batman, Volume 2: Supergirl.
