Reviewer: Mathan “Super Chief? Really?” Erhardt
Story Title: Burial Ground
Written by: Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid
Art Breakdowns by: Keith Giffen
Penciled by: Eddy Barrows
Inked by: Rub Stull
Colored by: Alex Sinclair
Lettered by: Ken Lopez
Cover by: JG Jones & Alex Sinclair
Assistant Editors: Harvey Richards & Jeanine Schaffer
Editor: Stephen Wacker
Publisher: DC Comics
The issue begins with Lex in Metropolis. Lex has been working on the mystery that is Supernova and his tech guys seem to have solved that puzzle. Y’see they intercepted the convo that Wonder Girl had with Supernova and caught her saying “Kon-El.” Lex throws a tirade explains, with the use of a visual aid, that Supernova (who happens to be flying outside) is actually Superman. Then he decides to undergo his own metagene treatment. Later we find out that he’s not compatible for the treatment. Still later we see Lex get accosted at the opening of his Business School. While he gets spurned, Steel comes around and opens his hand in friendship to the gent who did the accosting.
Meanwhile we meet Jon Standing Bear who does a heroic deed while on a bus en route to Metropolis to deal with some family affairs. After burying his father Jon’s grandfather reveals that they actually descent from Saganowahna aka (groan) Super Chief! After a quick bit of euthanasia (at his grandfather’s behest) Jon seems to have accepted his destiny.
Finally we get the featured cover character of Doc Magnus. Doc is running through current events with an almost mobile Mercury, as he packs. Meanwhile it appears that some gent in dark suits and some robots are about to pay the good doctor a visit. As Doc prepares to leave he is confronted by Iron, Lead and Platinum in full automaton mode, sans any personality. Doc incapacitates both Iron and Platinum as Mercury tries to deal with Lead. And things get worse as the issue ends in an explosion.
This issue has some good parts and some not so good parts. The writers did a great job of showing how Lex’s Superman fixation completely rules his life. It’d be sad if it wasn’t such a great character trait. The stuff with Lex at the business school was kind of boring and while it furthers Steel’s plot it’s far from exciting.
The stuff with Jon Standing Bear just reeks of forced diversity. I mean I’m all for having culturally diverse characters, but does a character with the mildly offensive name of “Super-Chief” really need a legacy? Here’s to hoping that Jon opts for a new name.
Doc Magnus’ story was by far the most fun. Seeing the writers recton the Metal Men miniseries as a figment of the addled mind of Magnus was a great touch. And Mercury was perfect comic relief. The Magnus storyline has really been the one story that I’ve been the most interested in so I’m glad that it’s picking up.
The art was as suitable as always. The scene with Lex and Supernova was very well handled and the euthanasia scene was pretty creepy. Barrows does some great facial expressions, like the doctor who has to tell Lex that he can’t get super powers. His Mercury practially leaps off the page it’s so animated. And the colors do a great job of making things glow, like the Manitou Stone and Supernova’s forehead.
