By: Math El
Story Title: N/A (not to be confused with P.U.)
Written by: Mark Waid
Penciled by: Leinil Francis Yu
Inked by: Gerry Alanguilan
Colored by: Dave McCaig
Lettered by: Comiccraft
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Publisher: DC Comics
We get to see Metropolis this issue. And from Clark’s cab ride to the Daily Planet we see that it’s a, well bustling metropolis. Once he gets there we see the Daily Planet is looking very 21st century, as the world’s best news service. We meet Jimmy Olsen, who is getting manhandled by publisher Quentin Galloway. But then Lois Lane swoops to Olsen’s rescue, and to “Clark Kent’s†heart.
After that Clark goes in for his interview with Perry White, which doesn’t go well. It is here that we see “Clark†in full on façade mode. Fortunately nothing disrupts a horrible interview like a terrorist attack. Lois and Jimmy go for the exclusive and end up in peril, only to be rescued by (surprise) Clark in costume. Supes battles the terrorists, but get distracted by Lex, opening himself up for a brutal attack.
I don’t hate Waid’s story. It is what it is, a bright fresh 21st century look at the beginning of a legend. That said, I had problems with the issue. I didn’t like Lois’ confrontation with her boss. As a matter of fact I didn’t like Lois at all. I appreciated “Clark†becoming Clark when pressed by Perry. This issue just leaves me “eh.†I’m not really keen on Waid’s take on the big blue Boy Scout. But I suppose DC is gambling that this tale will allure more “Smallville†fans that it does alienate “Man of Steel†fans.
The art is fantastic. While I’m not a big splash page fan, they look great here. Yu does a great job of capturing facial expression. The detail overall is amazing. McCaig does a fine job on colors. Actually everyone on the art side really compliments each other spectacularly. Yu does a find job of capturing Waid’s earnest look at Supes visually. I have no beefs with the art.
