“Memorial Day”

It’s been a while since there was an issue of Superman that was simply a filler issue. There’s also been a trend in current stories where writers are seemingly focusing more and more on Superman’s past as Geoff Johns and James Robinson prepare to reshape the Man of Steel’s future. The latest issue of Superman continues the trend and takes a look back at Superman’s first Memorial Day in Metropolis. With the loss of Superman: Confidential, a series I rather enjoyed, and the fact that there really is no sense of “real time” in comics, I honestly don’t mind having a story that takes place in the past every now and then. I also most certainly don’t need everything to be “canon changing”. Everyone pretty much knows the basic story of Superman, so it’s always fun to explore the past and create new adventures to fill up some issues, regardless as to whether or they are relevant to current continuity. This story was actually supposed to appear in Superman: Confidential #8, and Superman #676 was supposed to be by Keith Champagne and Rick Leonardi. Honestly, that is kind of inconsequential because a fill-in issue is usually a “one and done".

While this story does indeed take place during Superman’s first Memorial Day in Metropolis, it’s kind of irrelevant. What’s more important to this story is the fact that it takes place at the dawn of the modern age of heroes. Superman is still infallible, Batman is still a mystery, and the Golden Age heroes are also re-emerging. I really like the general concept of this issue, it re-tells the first meeting of Superman and Alan Scott, as well as the first battle between Superman and Solomon Grundy. It’s definitely meant to be a classically styled story and writer Vito Delsante does a good job keeping it as such. However, because I am a Green Lantern fan, I can’t help but be a continuity cop when it comes to this issue. I’m really not going to make a big fuss about it, but it does bring up the question about the order in which the heroes appeared in the Post-Crisis universe. I think it’s pretty much set in stone that Batman came before Superman and Barry Allen came before Batman, but the character in question is Hal Jordan, who doesn’t even appear in this issue. The reason I bring this up is because in Green Lantern Volume 3 #19, the issue where Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner and John Stewart discover that Alan Scott and the Justice Society are stuck in limbo. I’m almost positive that this whole event has been erased from DC canon and the much more logical “retirement” of the JSA at the hands of the House on Un-American Activates is considered the truth. I guess I am trying to ask that DC clear up a few timeline basics in regards to the heroes.

Regardless, I really like stories featuring the original Green Lantern. I really liked the fact that he could probably carry his own book, but he does not, which makes his appearances all the more special. Delsante also has a decent grasp on the classic incarnation of Superman’s supporting cast, although the repeated references to Clark Kent as “Smallville” get to be a bit much after 4 straight panels. Lois has called Clark other things such as “Farm Boy” so that’s my only complaint in terms of the supporting cast. As for Clark himself, he meets Alan Scott when a meteor is conveniently about it hit Metropolis. I thought Delsante portrayed Clark as a little too overconfident as he changes into Superman. As the Daily Planet staffers run in fear, Clark walks calmly, unbuttoning his shirt. This is Superman early in his career, sure, he’s established himself and the people love him, but I have never pictured Superman as coming off as arrogant as he seems to here. Either way, the scene is strong and Delsante does do a great job leading into an interview between Alan Scott and Clark Kent.

During the interview, Alan Scott briefly explains the whole situation with the House on Un-American Activates. For any new reader, or any reader who is not well-versed in the history of the Justice Society between 1950 and the Modern Age in DC time, this is actually an excellent and easily understandable read. Delsante handles it in a way where there is really no need to complicate it and anyone who wants to know more can Google the House on Un-American Activities and learn a few things. I really like the use of Alan Scott in this issue as well as the use of Solomon Grundy. Delsante utilizes the characters very well and also does an excellent job of covering the basics about each of them that won’t leave any new readers out in the cold. I’m also a fan of the way Delsante uses Lex Luthor. He’s depicted as the classic Lex, the slightly overweight megalomaniacal madman obsessed with saving humanity from Superman. Delsante also very cleverly ties the battle with Grundy into a much larger aspect of the Superman mythos. Overall, this was very tightly written and very well put together and thought out. Delsante really does a great job with pacing, dialogue and action, as well as cleverly giving the story some relevance in the Superman mythos. Oh and there’s some great banter between Alan Scott and Superman that is quite noteworthy.

I really liked the art team assembled for this issue. Julian Lopez provides very clear and crisp pencils which are enhanced by the always consistent inks of Bit, and Marta Martinez brings an almost dream-like feel to the page with her color work. The team does a great job capturing the action and the iconic look of the heroes, as well as the “classic” look of Lex Luthor. There were a few anatomical issues when it came to Solomon Grundy, at times he looked bigger than the heroes, as he should, but there were times when he looked the same size.

This is a good issue of Superman if you are looking for a simple, action-oriented Superman tale that reads rather smoothly from start to finish. Also if you’re a fan of the never-ending battle between Alan Scott and Solomon Grundy, this is a very formidable addition if DC ever decides to put out a Scott vs. Grundy omnibus. Again, nothing groundbreaking here, just a well told classic style story that doesn’t require a PhD in current DC continuity.

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