Superman #27 Review

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason

Art By: Scott Godlewski, Gabe Eltaeb, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: July 19, 2017

When talking in my comic social circle, the topic of the current Superman comic is usually split. On the one hand, some fans enjoy the family dynamic that first appeared in the Lois and Clark comic series during the Road to Rebirth phase, with Clark now teaming up and training his son to be the Boy of Tomorrow. On the other hand, some want the book to focus on the Man of Steel and him alone. 

While I can see why I personally have been enjoying these stories, watching Jon grow-up as Superman is growing into his role as protector of Earth. With every passing story, we watched the pair face off against bigger and bigger threats, ranging from Dinosaurs to Mxyzptlk to Manchester Black. 

So after all of these crazy events in the past year, what could this crazy family be up to next? Well lets dive in and find out!

*WARNING! SOME SPOILERS BELOW!*

I didn't know that S in Superman stood for snoozing. That's putting it a little bit harsh, But really that's what basically happened when I read this issue.

After all of the crazy adventures that the Man of Steel and his family have gone on over the past few months, Lois decided it's time for the Kents to go on a road trip… And that's basically what we get. We watch them travel from one place to another, learning about America and the people who make up its 'greatness.' 

In a way, it's a story to show off the human side of the Kent family. The problem with this is that we already have a fantastic issue with a similar premise: Superman #7. In that issue, Superman takes the day off so he can spend time with his family at the county fair. We get nice character developing moments, bonding, and humor. This feels like the writer decided to take the premise and stretch it over more than one issue.

This issue in comparison has replaced the humor for life lessons for Jon. What are these life lessons? Most Americans are kind of bad. First, we see graffiti on an army memorial, which probably happens in certain places across the country, but it is extremely rare and really felt like a way to have Superman doing something super by using his super speed to clean it up. Second, and a more unbelievable part of the story, we have the Kents taking a veteran who had lost his legs out to dinner… Which a waitress says she would turn away the bunch of them because of said veteran. No waitress would do that and still keep her job! It's not as if he's a known criminal or a hassle, she basically calls him a bum and that's the reason why. 

This story feels like it is trying to elevate the Kent family to be one that holds morality in high regards. The problem is we already know they are, so when we get an issue/storyline like this one it feels like the writer doesn't seem to understand that we already know this. All the previous story lines in both the Superman comic and Action Comics show that the Kents are a moral people. If that is the case of this story, why make it?

Overall the issue was a pretty boring opening to this coming arc and while I am hoping for something a little bit more, If it's anything like I've seen in this issue, you might want to skip this upcoming story arc altogether.

5/10

Issue Description 

“ROAD TRIP” part one! It’s been an emotional and physical rollercoaster for Superman, Lois, and Jon: the Eradicator, Dinosaur Island, Frankenstein and the Bride, Multiversity, Reborn and Black Dawn—a barrage of terror and horror! What does the family need right now? Yep, you got it...a vacation!