What can I say--it’s a sad day in Smallville. Not simply for the fact this long-winded maxi is finishing, seeing how we’re still hit with the obvious cliffhanger at issue’s end, but more so due to the soaring potential of the maxi giving way to disruptive crossover threads and obligatory guest spots. Maybe I’m being a little harsh, considering Codename: Patriot was actually pretty functional. With World of New Krypton likely outselling or at least grabbing more attention than its sister titles Action Comics and Superman, the event showcased Metropolis’ new substitutes Mon-El, Nightwing, and Flamebird reacting to a catastrophe with Kal-El at their side. It’s just that Greg Rucka and James Robinson began to lose focus once all the crossing over was finished, never reestablishing their initial goals of spotlighting this new planet and how Kal would react to his newborn leadership. Rather, Kal’s guise appeared feeble, unsophisticated, and second-rate compared to General Zod.

In this concluding issue, what should appear to be a frantic race for celestial supremacy turns into an all too standard whodunit conversation between Zod and Kal-El. Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying the creators’ improved characterization of Zod from two-dimensional baddie to man among his people. I’m even glad he didn’t turn out to be the obvious culprit at the end. Even so, the conclusion is unsatisfactory.

Speaking of disappointing, James Robinson’s been receiving a lot of flack on various message forums as of late. If you’re a seasoned DC follower the odds are you know about his exceptional, prolific run on Starman. Some even go so far as to saying it’s the best character work in comics of all time. While I’m a little biased towards Alan Moore’s Watchmen, I can’t argue with those sentiments. It’s just sad to see such a promising creator not keep up with his end of the bargain. His recent work on JLA has been horrendous, his Mon-El-featured Superman is adequate at best, and I’m wondering whether New Krypton’s second-half tilt in quality was his own doing. Greg Rucka’s track record speaks for itself.

Before my tangent on Robinson forces me to forget the artwork, I should mention that Pete Woods and Ron Randall step it up in their sketching. In no way will this performance allow us to forget that DC’s finest are currently working on Batman and Green Lantern-related titles, but the extra effort placed into angles, shadowing, and panel placement is a huge improvement over recent issues. With that said, the artists failed at taking advantage of one particular scene in which New Krypton turns war torn to beautiful. While the Kryptonians are saying it, the viewers aren’t able to witness this discovery other than a page or two. Better luck next time.

Where does Superman’s status quo go from here? Thankfully the next cross-over, The Last Stand of New Krypton, is only a few issues in length heading into the War of the Supermen. But can a free book in May give New Krypton any hope? Will anyone care by then? I’m sure comic’s all-time celebrated super hero is wondering the same thing.

Final Say: It feels like my whole review has been a final say, for a series I had such high hopes for, that didn’t have the widespread expectations of a Batman Reborn or Blackest Night, still came up empty. No one’s talking about Superman these days and it’s up to DC to find out why.

---

What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!

---