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Superman (2016)
Superman, Vol. 5: Hopes and Fears
Reeling from the events of BLACK DAWN, author Peter J. Tomasi pens the next epic tale of the Man of Steel in SUPERMAN VOL. 5: HOPES AND FEARS!
In the wake of BLACK DAWN, the super family decides to take a much needed vacation. What the Kents don't realize is that this may not be the relaxing family time they had initially planned.
Superman, the Man of Steel, continues to be one of the most famous superheroes in history. His timeless, classic sagas are constantly retold in various realms of mass media across the globe. With the 2017 theatrical release of Justice League, Superman's popularity will soar to even greater heights.
Collects SUPERMAN #27-32.
In the wake of BLACK DAWN, the super family decides to take a much needed vacation. What the Kents don't realize is that this may not be the relaxing family time they had initially planned.
Superman, the Man of Steel, continues to be one of the most famous superheroes in history. His timeless, classic sagas are constantly retold in various realms of mass media across the globe. With the 2017 theatrical release of Justice League, Superman's popularity will soar to even greater heights.
Collects SUPERMAN #27-32.
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2018
48 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Tomasi
1,393 books468 followersPeter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
May 24, 2018
Three stand alone stories by 3 different creative teams. First up Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason send the Kents on a summer vacation to various historical sites throughout the Northeast honoring our fallen soldiers. There's some great civic lessons here and if DC was smart they'd hand out this two part story to schools to get kids interested in both the country's history and DC comics.
Next was a story written by the inker Keith Champagne and drawn by Doug Mahnke and Ed Benes. Champagne surprised me as this was quite good. He sticks with what he knows having inked Doug Mahnke on Green Lantern for several years and pits Superman against Sinestro. I loved the dichotomy of Superman's hope and determination versus Sinestro's fear.
Finally was a crummy Deathstoke story by James Bonny and Tyler Kirkham. It felt like some unprinted story from their unremarkable run on Deathstroke.
Next was a story written by the inker Keith Champagne and drawn by Doug Mahnke and Ed Benes. Champagne surprised me as this was quite good. He sticks with what he knows having inked Doug Mahnke on Green Lantern for several years and pits Superman against Sinestro. I loved the dichotomy of Superman's hope and determination versus Sinestro's fear.
Finally was a crummy Deathstoke story by James Bonny and Tyler Kirkham. It felt like some unprinted story from their unremarkable run on Deathstroke.
August 29, 2024
This incarnation of the Man of Steel has officially jumped the shark.
The first two issues were merely Clark, Lois, and Jonathan touring the country; there wasn't really any action, though I did like what Clark said about people who put graffiti on public property. While the rest of the stories were usual DC Comics fare, the inclusion of profanity, a buxom villainess, freaky and/or gruesome images, and three or so profanities made this the worst collection yet in this series.
At least this was the last one--I think it is, anyway--so, now, I can move on to a different version of Superman.
The first two issues were merely Clark, Lois, and Jonathan touring the country; there wasn't really any action, though I did like what Clark said about people who put graffiti on public property. While the rest of the stories were usual DC Comics fare, the inclusion of profanity, a buxom villainess, freaky and/or gruesome images, and three or so profanities made this the worst collection yet in this series.
At least this was the last one--I think it is, anyway--so, now, I can move on to a different version of Superman.
January 16, 2018
Beautiful, simple and fun.
World: The art is good, a lot of different artists which I still don’t like but overall the artists that this series has chosen has been consistent and the colors pop. The splash pages especially were quite beautiful. The world building is very solid this arc. After the ho hum Black Dawn storyline which I loathed what they did with the world we get a really quite and small world building arc, I liked the road trip I liked the cosmic stuff, but I did not like the Deathstroke stuff. Solid world building.
Story: I had tears at the end of Declaration, it was simple, it was melodrama but I loved it. It fit that after Black Dawn that we would get a breather, but not only that it was very topical with the current political and just the mood of America at the moment. It’s very on the nose, it’s very simple but it’s beautiful and moving and really pushes the stance of where Superman and his hope is, I liked it a lot. The Sinestro story was fantastic also, with what’s happening in the DC cosmic side I was surprised that this story was put into Superman as he’s been fairly Earth based so far but this story was good cause the core was character driven. I loved the pacing and how Sinestro and Superman was played, solid. Then there’s the Deathstroke story which I did not like at all. I’ve always felt that the icon suit was a cheat and it was stupid and it’s the same here. I also did not like Priest and how he wrote Superman in his book and it’s an extension of that here. I liked that this story kinda wanted to right the ship but I felt it was stupid and overly convoluted and unnecessary (meaning Slade’s plan). I wanted a Lois story but this was not done well, I want Lois series I’ve always thought a Daily Planet series would be great but here it starts of being Lois as a strong character and then it ends with her being a plot device and a damsel…not good. The end was just stupid.
Characters: The Kents as a family unit are so well written in Declaration, it’s beautiful, it’s quiet, it’s slice of life and gives them time to interact and just be a family. I love the interaction and the small moments. Sinestro was fantastic, he’s back to his old space Hitler self and it’s great. I love it. I’ve already said I’m not a big fan of Deathstroke and this arc did not change anything of my feelings.
A beautiful first arc, a solid second arc and a meh third arc.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
World: The art is good, a lot of different artists which I still don’t like but overall the artists that this series has chosen has been consistent and the colors pop. The splash pages especially were quite beautiful. The world building is very solid this arc. After the ho hum Black Dawn storyline which I loathed what they did with the world we get a really quite and small world building arc, I liked the road trip I liked the cosmic stuff, but I did not like the Deathstroke stuff. Solid world building.
Story: I had tears at the end of Declaration, it was simple, it was melodrama but I loved it. It fit that after Black Dawn that we would get a breather, but not only that it was very topical with the current political and just the mood of America at the moment. It’s very on the nose, it’s very simple but it’s beautiful and moving and really pushes the stance of where Superman and his hope is, I liked it a lot. The Sinestro story was fantastic also, with what’s happening in the DC cosmic side I was surprised that this story was put into Superman as he’s been fairly Earth based so far but this story was good cause the core was character driven. I loved the pacing and how Sinestro and Superman was played, solid. Then there’s the Deathstroke story which I did not like at all. I’ve always felt that the icon suit was a cheat and it was stupid and it’s the same here. I also did not like Priest and how he wrote Superman in his book and it’s an extension of that here. I liked that this story kinda wanted to right the ship but I felt it was stupid and overly convoluted and unnecessary (meaning Slade’s plan). I wanted a Lois story but this was not done well, I want Lois series I’ve always thought a Daily Planet series would be great but here it starts of being Lois as a strong character and then it ends with her being a plot device and a damsel…not good. The end was just stupid.
Characters: The Kents as a family unit are so well written in Declaration, it’s beautiful, it’s quiet, it’s slice of life and gives them time to interact and just be a family. I love the interaction and the small moments. Sinestro was fantastic, he’s back to his old space Hitler self and it’s great. I love it. I’ve already said I’m not a big fan of Deathstroke and this arc did not change anything of my feelings.
A beautiful first arc, a solid second arc and a meh third arc.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
May 16, 2018
Hopes and Fears made a great first impression with the two-part opener 'Declaration' and 'Independence Day.' Clark and Lois rent an RV and take Jon on an educational vacation. Now, I know how underwhelming it sounds with that one-sentence description, but it was a pleasant, patriotically non-partisan trip that ends with Superman performing a very heartfelt act of kindness and closure. (Full disclosure -- I was also reminded of my parents taking me to historical sites in Gettysburg and Philadelphia as a child, so maybe my positive opinion is swayed by good memories.)
The title story has Superman investigating the odd disappearance of a dozen children in Metropolis. Sinestro, moonlighting from being a pain to the Green Lantern Corps, is involved and I had to laugh when Superman comments "Hal wasn't kidding when he said you're a real piece of work." Word.
Things wrap up with 'Breaking Point,' featuring Lois on assignment (!) with the lethal Deathstroke.
Lastly, the variant cover art for issue# 28, displayed at the end (and also on the back cover) was just quietly awesome, with a nice assortment of Americans in the "Look! Up in the sky!" reaction pose.
The title story has Superman investigating the odd disappearance of a dozen children in Metropolis. Sinestro, moonlighting from being a pain to the Green Lantern Corps, is involved and I had to laugh when Superman comments "Hal wasn't kidding when he said you're a real piece of work." Word.
Things wrap up with 'Breaking Point,' featuring Lois on assignment (!) with the lethal Deathstroke.
Lastly, the variant cover art for issue# 28, displayed at the end (and also on the back cover) was just quietly awesome, with a nice assortment of Americans in the "Look! Up in the sky!" reaction pose.
April 7, 2018
[Read as single issues]
Superman battles a history textbook, a being of pure fear, and Deathstroke in this mishmash new volume of Superman.
The first arc of this book is very well meaning, as Clark, Lois, and Jon go on a tour of America's landmarks after the events of Black Dawn shook them as a family unit. Unfortunately Pete Tomasi goes overboard with the facts and walls of text on each page turn this into a preachy read that feels far more expositional than any story should be. Scott Godlewski delivers some solid art but it's all mostly covered by text bubbles so you don't get much of it.
Next we have a fill-in arc written by Keith Champagne, who is mostly known as an inker (at least by me) in a Parallax story that pits Superman against the fear bug while it kidnaps children. Champagne was a longtime collaborator of Doug Mahnke's while he was on Green Lantern with Geoff Johns, so it's no wonder that this works pretty well. The art in the first issue is Mahnke himself, while Ed Benes takes the second issue, two very reliable artists. I really appreciate the continuity here between the previous Sinestro series and the events of Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps too.
And then finally we get a second fill-in arc by James Beatty who pits Lois Lane against Deathstroke when she attempts to write an exposé about him. Beatty used to write the Deathstroke ongoing, so he gets the character fairly down. This is a fun diversion, with some great art by Tyler Kirkham (who again used to work on that Deathstroke series).
A mostly forgettable volume unfortunately, oddly enough with the two decent filler stories dragged down by the one less than impressive one by the usual writer. Four stars for Parallax, three for Deathstroke, and one for the Independence Day stuff averages out at a three.
Superman battles a history textbook, a being of pure fear, and Deathstroke in this mishmash new volume of Superman.
The first arc of this book is very well meaning, as Clark, Lois, and Jon go on a tour of America's landmarks after the events of Black Dawn shook them as a family unit. Unfortunately Pete Tomasi goes overboard with the facts and walls of text on each page turn this into a preachy read that feels far more expositional than any story should be. Scott Godlewski delivers some solid art but it's all mostly covered by text bubbles so you don't get much of it.
Next we have a fill-in arc written by Keith Champagne, who is mostly known as an inker (at least by me) in a Parallax story that pits Superman against the fear bug while it kidnaps children. Champagne was a longtime collaborator of Doug Mahnke's while he was on Green Lantern with Geoff Johns, so it's no wonder that this works pretty well. The art in the first issue is Mahnke himself, while Ed Benes takes the second issue, two very reliable artists. I really appreciate the continuity here between the previous Sinestro series and the events of Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps too.
And then finally we get a second fill-in arc by James Beatty who pits Lois Lane against Deathstroke when she attempts to write an exposé about him. Beatty used to write the Deathstroke ongoing, so he gets the character fairly down. This is a fun diversion, with some great art by Tyler Kirkham (who again used to work on that Deathstroke series).
A mostly forgettable volume unfortunately, oddly enough with the two decent filler stories dragged down by the one less than impressive one by the usual writer. Four stars for Parallax, three for Deathstroke, and one for the Independence Day stuff averages out at a three.
October 17, 2018
While I didn't think this was awful it was pretty average. Which is sad, because been loving this run so far.
So we have three tales. One is basically a gigantic history lesson for Jon to learn about America. Don't get me wrong, cute to see a family doing this, but it dragged on for two whole issues. Then we have a story about Peralax or whatever his name is, and his return to taking over kids. Superman finds him, they get into it, and Senisto comes to the rescue. Then last two issues is Deathstroke playing games with Superman.
Good: The middle stuff was fun enough and I did like Jon's curiosity throughout. I think the art is still great too.
Bad: It was kind of boring and if you skipped it honestly you missed nothing. This is a skippable chapter in the Superman run to be honest.
overall a 2.5. I wish I could say it's worth getting like the rest but it really isn't that great.
So we have three tales. One is basically a gigantic history lesson for Jon to learn about America. Don't get me wrong, cute to see a family doing this, but it dragged on for two whole issues. Then we have a story about Peralax or whatever his name is, and his return to taking over kids. Superman finds him, they get into it, and Senisto comes to the rescue. Then last two issues is Deathstroke playing games with Superman.
Good: The middle stuff was fun enough and I did like Jon's curiosity throughout. I think the art is still great too.
Bad: It was kind of boring and if you skipped it honestly you missed nothing. This is a skippable chapter in the Superman run to be honest.
overall a 2.5. I wish I could say it's worth getting like the rest but it really isn't that great.
April 4, 2018
Considering where America is at the moment, "truth, justice, and the American way" is not a cliche as it's more important than ever, as people’s beliefs in them are challenged during the current administration. No matter how dark things are getting, we need a light to guide us out of the shadows, even if it’s a fictional creation as iconic as Superman. In their current run on the main Superman title, how does Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason explore this responsibility? By taking the Kent family on a road trip.
Please click here for my full review.
Please click here for my full review.
April 2, 2018
Basic plot: first the Kent family goes on vacation, then Superman deals with Parrallax, then Lois interviews Deathstroke.
Too much. Just too much. I really liked the vacation story, though it was a bit heavy handed in getting its point across. The Parrallax story felt way rushed. The build up was great, then everything went too fast to feel fully developed. The Deathstroke story was decent, if a bit odd. Art was great for the most part, no complaints there.
Too much. Just too much. I really liked the vacation story, though it was a bit heavy handed in getting its point across. The Parrallax story felt way rushed. The build up was great, then everything went too fast to feel fully developed. The Deathstroke story was decent, if a bit odd. Art was great for the most part, no complaints there.
January 12, 2022
This was quite an interesting read.
Superman and his family go to famous historical locations of America like exploring the artefacts of World war I and 2 or forgotten war ot even the civi war and like help old soldiers and that restaurant was so cool and I love the way its handles or the one with Doud family and how Clark connects them to their history which they thought lost. That was so well done and some people will feel emotional reading it and its solid issue right there.
And then a couple of short stories with Clark taking on Parallax and battling Sinestro and showing how his hope can beat fear and I love that short story and just shows how Clark battles fear and the one with Deathstroke which was so cool showing how far he can be pushed and the stuff with Lois and Slade is tough and seeing whose behind it.. seems like it will be a future storyline. Good stuff here.
Overall its a pretty good volume of short stories showing different aspects of Truth, Justice and the American way and the rich history and legacy Superman has and makes you love him more and the art here is just stellar. <3
Superman and his family go to famous historical locations of America like exploring the artefacts of World war I and 2 or forgotten war ot even the civi war and like help old soldiers and that restaurant was so cool and I love the way its handles or the one with Doud family and how Clark connects them to their history which they thought lost. That was so well done and some people will feel emotional reading it and its solid issue right there.
And then a couple of short stories with Clark taking on Parallax and battling Sinestro and showing how his hope can beat fear and I love that short story and just shows how Clark battles fear and the one with Deathstroke which was so cool showing how far he can be pushed and the stuff with Lois and Slade is tough and seeing whose behind it.. seems like it will be a future storyline. Good stuff here.
Overall its a pretty good volume of short stories showing different aspects of Truth, Justice and the American way and the rich history and legacy Superman has and makes you love him more and the art here is just stellar. <3
January 30, 2019
As it says on the back cover, these are three stories (two issues each).
One is a Kent family road trip - a break from the action, to be sure.
Next comes a fight with Sinestro and Parallax (Green Lantern foes).
Third, Deathstroke targets Lois.
Nothing really wowed me, though it was all right.
One is a Kent family road trip - a break from the action, to be sure.
Next comes a fight with Sinestro and Parallax (Green Lantern foes).
Third, Deathstroke targets Lois.
Nothing really wowed me, though it was all right.
June 6, 2018
ugh, Superman family road trip was kinda lame, but I get that the writers wanted to share some little known American history and ideals. The rest was just okay....it is what it is.
February 20, 2019
This was a bit bland. It’s not even Tomasi and Gleason for the most part, and the issues by them are boring history lessons (sorry I’m English I don’t need preachy American Independence stuff)
Sinestro and Deathstroke turning up was cool but there’s no follow through between any of it, it all just feels like filler
Sinestro and Deathstroke turning up was cool but there’s no follow through between any of it, it all just feels like filler
May 14, 2018
Weird volume. First couple issues are a straight history lesson. Another couple issues with Sinestro, then another couple issues pitting Superman and Deathstroke, which at first seems cool but feels very by the numbers.
Once again this series seems to jump around with no real flow. Perhaps this volume collects some fill-ins because the majority of the issues were not written by Tomasi.
Once again this series seems to jump around with no real flow. Perhaps this volume collects some fill-ins because the majority of the issues were not written by Tomasi.
January 23, 2019
A pretty weak volume. It started with some old fashioned smaltz, then it went to a Parallax story that should have been much larger, finally it went to a Deathstroke story (bleh). I enjoyed the art.
July 12, 2018
Not all that great. Only the first arc is written by Tomasi and Gleason, and this book suffers as a whole. The second arc dealing with Parallax and Sinestro is literally boring af, and the last arc with Deathstroke is better but still not as compelling as what we've seen before. The last page surprise wasn't a big surprise, either.
The first couple of issues by Tomasi and Gleason showcase the Kent family taking a road trip for the US Independence Day holiday. Superman has been a part of Americana since the beginning, so it's not to surprising to see such nationalistic chauvinism. The Kents do live in the US, Lois does come from a military family, and it's a good lesson for Jon to learn about heroism and sacrifice and all that.
Where the T/G team comes up short here, though, is that they present a very rosy picture of the US. The Founding Fathers are treated with the utmost respect and reverence, with no commentary on their shortcomings with regard to the contradiction between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution with the system of human slavery, non-existent rights for women and white men who weren't property owners, and just the overall undemocratic system of government set up under the Constitution. The Kents visit the Vietnam war memorial and Lois recounts how her uncle died in the war, but nothing is said of the geopolitical issues that led to the US involvement in the war, the human rights abuses of both the US and the Viet Cong, or the fact that the US pretty much was the loser in the conflict. There is a nice aside about the Korean Conflict, why it wasn't a war, etc., but no historical analysis and why the UN stepped in over this situation.
Lastly, the Kents travel to Gettysburg, sight of one of the bloodiest battles in human history. Jon gets told the narrative of sacrifice, heroism, brother vs brother, but is told nothing about why the American Civil War started. Nothing about slavery and human bondage. T/G's story comes across as a family quarrel with no underlying reason. Once again in American history, blacks are invisible, as if they were not a part of this country or had no impact on our history. In Texas, there are new history textbooks which are trying to portray the slave trade as nothing more than the migration of workers from Africa to the US, as if they had agency at all in the slave trade. This is such bullshit. https://www.ranker.com/list/how-texas...
Comics have a choice: either they exist in a facsimile of the real world or they do not. They can pretend that in comic book land everything is fine except when super-villains attack, or they can mirror the society which produces their content. DC really missed the mark here. American imperialism, colonialism, and white supremacism is ignored in order to make our conflicted past palatable to...who? Right-wingers? Trump? Neo-nazis? Why did DC think it was such a good idea to have this white washed view of history presented as truth?
In this age of misinformation, where truth is suspect and lies are pushed forward as propaganda, this kind of omission is dangerous. DC, Tomasi, Gleason, et al., should have known better. I guess this is what passes for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" in the age of Trump.
The first couple of issues by Tomasi and Gleason showcase the Kent family taking a road trip for the US Independence Day holiday. Superman has been a part of Americana since the beginning, so it's not to surprising to see such nationalistic chauvinism. The Kents do live in the US, Lois does come from a military family, and it's a good lesson for Jon to learn about heroism and sacrifice and all that.
Where the T/G team comes up short here, though, is that they present a very rosy picture of the US. The Founding Fathers are treated with the utmost respect and reverence, with no commentary on their shortcomings with regard to the contradiction between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution with the system of human slavery, non-existent rights for women and white men who weren't property owners, and just the overall undemocratic system of government set up under the Constitution. The Kents visit the Vietnam war memorial and Lois recounts how her uncle died in the war, but nothing is said of the geopolitical issues that led to the US involvement in the war, the human rights abuses of both the US and the Viet Cong, or the fact that the US pretty much was the loser in the conflict. There is a nice aside about the Korean Conflict, why it wasn't a war, etc., but no historical analysis and why the UN stepped in over this situation.
Lastly, the Kents travel to Gettysburg, sight of one of the bloodiest battles in human history. Jon gets told the narrative of sacrifice, heroism, brother vs brother, but is told nothing about why the American Civil War started. Nothing about slavery and human bondage. T/G's story comes across as a family quarrel with no underlying reason. Once again in American history, blacks are invisible, as if they were not a part of this country or had no impact on our history. In Texas, there are new history textbooks which are trying to portray the slave trade as nothing more than the migration of workers from Africa to the US, as if they had agency at all in the slave trade. This is such bullshit. https://www.ranker.com/list/how-texas...
Comics have a choice: either they exist in a facsimile of the real world or they do not. They can pretend that in comic book land everything is fine except when super-villains attack, or they can mirror the society which produces their content. DC really missed the mark here. American imperialism, colonialism, and white supremacism is ignored in order to make our conflicted past palatable to...who? Right-wingers? Trump? Neo-nazis? Why did DC think it was such a good idea to have this white washed view of history presented as truth?
In this age of misinformation, where truth is suspect and lies are pushed forward as propaganda, this kind of omission is dangerous. DC, Tomasi, Gleason, et al., should have known better. I guess this is what passes for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" in the age of Trump.
August 25, 2018
Issue 27-32 features three two-part Superman stories that examine the Man of Steel.
Issues 27 and 28 find Lois, Clark, and Jon on a patriotic road trip across America. This is heartfelt and really patriotic with some beautiful and moving art. It can also seem a bit talky and preachy, but I think it does a good job of showing how Lois and Clark would raise Jon and the values they taught them. Plus, we could use a bit non-partisan patriotism feels, so I like this one.
Issues 29 and 30 is by a guest creative team and finds Superman looking for lost children who are being taken by an incredibly scary looking alien creature. This one is...fine. It turns out to involve a villain most commonly associated with another character. The plot is less interesting than the simple character insights into Superman.
Issues 31 and 32 is by yet another guest team and finds Lois getting into danger while doing her job and settling for an interview with Deathstroke killed the person she was sent to interview. Then Deathstroke is hired to go after her. This one is good for the character insights and has an interesting idea about what even those morally gray characters want of Superman.
Overall, all the stories in this book are good enough. None are great, but they're all enjoyable. What works is that they do show an understanding of Superman's character and so often, writers just don't get Superman and I think every writer on this book did. So, that's enough for me. Well done.
Issues 27 and 28 find Lois, Clark, and Jon on a patriotic road trip across America. This is heartfelt and really patriotic with some beautiful and moving art. It can also seem a bit talky and preachy, but I think it does a good job of showing how Lois and Clark would raise Jon and the values they taught them. Plus, we could use a bit non-partisan patriotism feels, so I like this one.
Issues 29 and 30 is by a guest creative team and finds Superman looking for lost children who are being taken by an incredibly scary looking alien creature. This one is...fine. It turns out to involve a villain most commonly associated with another character. The plot is less interesting than the simple character insights into Superman.
Issues 31 and 32 is by yet another guest team and finds Lois getting into danger while doing her job and settling for an interview with Deathstroke killed the person she was sent to interview. Then Deathstroke is hired to go after her. This one is good for the character insights and has an interesting idea about what even those morally gray characters want of Superman.
Overall, all the stories in this book are good enough. None are great, but they're all enjoyable. What works is that they do show an understanding of Superman's character and so often, writers just don't get Superman and I think every writer on this book did. So, that's enough for me. Well done.
October 21, 2018
Overall, boring and disappointing.
This volume is split into three stories and three different creative teams.
1. I'm surprised by how boring Peter Tomasi was able to make the first story -the Kent's trip traveling around America being super patriotic, learning history, and honoring our fallen troops... It was written so stiffly and read boring as hell.
Both Clark and Lois spoke in legit paragraphs and sounded like lecturers on course: America 101.
This would be great to give kids in school, but did not read well in a comic book trade paperback IMO.
(It really reminded me of Superman’s Mission for President Kennedy.)
2. I have nothing to say on the middle story. Superman is looking for a bunch of missing children and finds Parallax instead, written by Keith Champagne and drawn by Doug Mahnke and Ed Benes (+ Tyler Kirkham and Philip Tan?). Superman/Parallax fight Sinestro and they talk a lot while they do...
I did like seeing all of Superman's fears laid out, especially the one with Jon fighting him... But other than that, I didn't find the story exciting in the least.
3. Third, and maybe least, we have a terrible story where Lois interviews Deathstroke and keeps calling him Slade. Written by James Bonny and drawn by Tyler Kirkham.
The only excitement is the last page with Amanda Waller, though highlighting the word "Suicide" was a bit on the nose.
This volume is split into three stories and three different creative teams.
1. I'm surprised by how boring Peter Tomasi was able to make the first story -the Kent's trip traveling around America being super patriotic, learning history, and honoring our fallen troops... It was written so stiffly and read boring as hell.
Both Clark and Lois spoke in legit paragraphs and sounded like lecturers on course: America 101.
This would be great to give kids in school, but did not read well in a comic book trade paperback IMO.
(It really reminded me of Superman’s Mission for President Kennedy.)
2. I have nothing to say on the middle story. Superman is looking for a bunch of missing children and finds Parallax instead, written by Keith Champagne and drawn by Doug Mahnke and Ed Benes (+ Tyler Kirkham and Philip Tan?). Superman/Parallax fight Sinestro and they talk a lot while they do...
I did like seeing all of Superman's fears laid out, especially the one with Jon fighting him... But other than that, I didn't find the story exciting in the least.
3. Third, and maybe least, we have a terrible story where Lois interviews Deathstroke and keeps calling him Slade. Written by James Bonny and drawn by Tyler Kirkham.
The only excitement is the last page with Amanda Waller, though highlighting the word "Suicide" was a bit on the nose.
February 3, 2021
5 🌟
The Kent's go on vacation, Superman investigates a child kidnapper, and Deathstroke comes to town.
The Kent's go on vacation, Superman investigates a child kidnapper, and Deathstroke comes to town.
September 18, 2021
This volume contains 3 separate stories by 3 separate creative teams and tells 3 different stories. All fine all fun. The first two issues go through American history. Then it's a battle with being of pure fear Parallax and Sinestro and then it's time to battle Deathstroke.
The art was beautiful and as others said especially the spread page art was great and colors pop out at you. Nice volume now it's time to continue to the next volume.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to the bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
The art was beautiful and as others said especially the spread page art was great and colors pop out at you. Nice volume now it's time to continue to the next volume.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to the bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
March 29, 2018
In a lot of ways, this one felt a bit like a filler episode on TV--a couple of short stories that were powerful in places, but overall weren't that gripping.
We start with a family vacation around the USA. I liked the moments of humor and the small superhero tasks Superman found along the way, but I also felt like this was at my limit of sentimental/patriotic boooooorderline propaganda. It didn't feel as genuine as some of Peter J. Tomasi's other work.
The middle arc (which was a crossover with the Green Lantern universe, I think? excuse my ignorance) had a few moments in the climax that got me, and I loved the end, but I wasn't terribly invested because I'm not familiar with the characters who jumped in the story.
The last arc (Lois Lane interviews Deadpool) I enjoyed because anything Lois Lane centric is my jam. The art sort of got anime-ish in places, here, though, and I also wished that it wasn't so obviously a test of Superman--I feel like we've played those games, done that story before. Still, Lois Lane 5ever.
Rebirth is my favorite Superman run to date because I just love seeing him navigate with family dynamics. This volume isn't the best in the series, but any excuse to hang out with the Clarks is one I'll take.
We start with a family vacation around the USA. I liked the moments of humor and the small superhero tasks Superman found along the way, but I also felt like this was at my limit of sentimental/patriotic boooooorderline propaganda. It didn't feel as genuine as some of Peter J. Tomasi's other work.
The middle arc (which was a crossover with the Green Lantern universe, I think? excuse my ignorance) had a few moments in the climax that got me, and I loved the end, but I wasn't terribly invested because I'm not familiar with the characters who jumped in the story.
The last arc (Lois Lane interviews Deadpool) I enjoyed because anything Lois Lane centric is my jam. The art sort of got anime-ish in places, here, though, and I also wished that it wasn't so obviously a test of Superman--I feel like we've played those games, done that story before. Still, Lois Lane 5ever.
Rebirth is my favorite Superman run to date because I just love seeing him navigate with family dynamics. This volume isn't the best in the series, but any excuse to hang out with the Clarks is one I'll take.
April 29, 2018
'Superman Vol. 5: Hopes and Fears'by Peter J. Tomasi and many others consists of three shorter stories. They all feel a bit disconnected from each other.
In the first story, the Kents rent an RV and take a long overdue vacation, which turns into a civics lesson for Jon. The story has moments, but overall has the feel of an educational comic and is just a bit too wordy. The bits with the family work fine, but the exposition just comes across as preachy.
The second story deals with Parallax and Sinestro and the yellow lantern power of fear as Superman tries to rescue some children as is forced to face his own fears.
The final story has Lois Lane interviewing Deathstroke. Deathstroke then gets a contract to kill Lois, but who is behind this contract?
There are different creators and artists, so the art and stories vary in consistency. I liked the latter two stories, but the first one just kind of left me wishing they'd taken a different approach to telling it.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
In the first story, the Kents rent an RV and take a long overdue vacation, which turns into a civics lesson for Jon. The story has moments, but overall has the feel of an educational comic and is just a bit too wordy. The bits with the family work fine, but the exposition just comes across as preachy.
The second story deals with Parallax and Sinestro and the yellow lantern power of fear as Superman tries to rescue some children as is forced to face his own fears.
The final story has Lois Lane interviewing Deathstroke. Deathstroke then gets a contract to kill Lois, but who is behind this contract?
There are different creators and artists, so the art and stories vary in consistency. I liked the latter two stories, but the first one just kind of left me wishing they'd taken a different approach to telling it.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
January 2, 2019
This was terrible.
The first arch felt like a Civic class.
The one with Parallax started great, but derailed so quickly into generic storyline.
And the third one, featuring Deathstroke, was also disappointing. Superman trusts Lois. She's her own woman and that's the basis of their relationship. Somewhere down the line, the guest writer forgot about this.
The first arch felt like a Civic class.
The one with Parallax started great, but derailed so quickly into generic storyline.
And the third one, featuring Deathstroke, was also disappointing. Superman trusts Lois. She's her own woman and that's the basis of their relationship. Somewhere down the line, the guest writer forgot about this.
May 18, 2018
'Superman Vol. 5: Hopes and Fears'by Peter J. Tomasi and many others consists of three shorter stories. They all feel a bit disconnected from each other.
In the first story, the Kents rent an RV and take a long overdue vacation, which turns into a civics lesson for Jon. The story has moments, but overall has the feel of an educational comic and is just a bit too wordy. The bits with the family work fine, but the exposition just comes across as preachy.
The second story deals with Parallax and Sinestro and the yellow lantern power of fear as Superman tries to rescue some children as is forced to face his own fears.
The final story has Lois Lane interviewing Deathstroke. Deathstroke then gets a contract to kill Lois, but who is behind this contract?
There are different creators and artists, so the art and stories vary in consistency. I liked the latter two stories, but the first one just kind of left me wishing they'd taken a different approach to telling it.
In the first story, the Kents rent an RV and take a long overdue vacation, which turns into a civics lesson for Jon. The story has moments, but overall has the feel of an educational comic and is just a bit too wordy. The bits with the family work fine, but the exposition just comes across as preachy.
The second story deals with Parallax and Sinestro and the yellow lantern power of fear as Superman tries to rescue some children as is forced to face his own fears.
The final story has Lois Lane interviewing Deathstroke. Deathstroke then gets a contract to kill Lois, but who is behind this contract?
There are different creators and artists, so the art and stories vary in consistency. I liked the latter two stories, but the first one just kind of left me wishing they'd taken a different approach to telling it.
April 17, 2018
Thankfully, the opening issue wasn't a sign of what was to come later. The book starts with a horrible American PSA about US wars and veterans; it contains no other value. Then we move on to a hodgepodge of encounters which I did enjoy. First, Sinestro and Paralax himself show up, great stuff there as I'm always up for some Lantern intrigue. This leaves one wondering what is going on at the moment in the GLU. Finally, a very interesting episode between Deathstroke and Lois which brings in Superman and hints at a tie-in with the Suicide Squad. No full storyline to hang your hat on but some good villains and battles plus the whole volume has the feel of a crossover title hinting at what's to come in various aspects of the DCU.
June 15, 2025
Just finished Superman Vol. 5: Hopes and Fears — and honestly, it’s a mixed bag, with only one part that really felt worth the read. The Tomasi story up front is easily the standout: heartfelt, well-paced, and full of great father-son moments that remind you why Superman works so well as a symbol and a person.
The Sinestro arc that follows is solid but pretty by-the-numbers—nothing bad, just not particularly memorable. The final story, though, really didn’t land for me. It felt disjointed and lacked the emotional punch of the first.
Three stories, three very different gears. Pick it up for the Tomasi chapter, but don’t expect the whole volume to soar.
The Sinestro arc that follows is solid but pretty by-the-numbers—nothing bad, just not particularly memorable. The final story, though, really didn’t land for me. It felt disjointed and lacked the emotional punch of the first.
Three stories, three very different gears. Pick it up for the Tomasi chapter, but don’t expect the whole volume to soar.
June 26, 2021
This volume is broken up into 3 arcs:
The first is by Tomasi and is a nice lesson in the history of America, and while a little bit history lesson, it still lives in the Superman world of being humanity driven.
The second arc is Superman vs Parallax, a nice but not astonishing Fear vs Hope story.
The last arc is a convoluted Deathstroke trying to...get a rise out of Superman? This wasn't terribly clear and definitely a step down from the normal Tomasi/Gleason stories.
The first is by Tomasi and is a nice lesson in the history of America, and while a little bit history lesson, it still lives in the Superman world of being humanity driven.
The second arc is Superman vs Parallax, a nice but not astonishing Fear vs Hope story.
The last arc is a convoluted Deathstroke trying to...get a rise out of Superman? This wasn't terribly clear and definitely a step down from the normal Tomasi/Gleason stories.
May 23, 2018
Really three unconnected arcs.
The family road trip is a nice concept, and super educational, but maybe it was stretched out a bit too much.
The family road trip is a nice concept, and super educational, but maybe it was stretched out a bit too much.
December 8, 2018
This series was nice family centered book, which I was saving as a treat. Then came this little something which is basically an ontology of three stories. None of them has the series previous vibe, and fun.
The first story try to educate the reader about american history and patriotism. The way he does that is by idolizing symbols and soldiers. It also tells you there are people who are bad because they didn't ask the homeless person who didn't have money to pay them if he was a soldier or just plane crazy. I don't mean they didn't bring a few good points, but it was simplistic and shallow it came borderline fascist.
Second story was a Sinstro corps story that didn't fit GL or Superman style, seem too important, plot wise to be just a filler in a superman story , and will probably find itself being ignored in future continuity.
I can't tell you what the last story is about. I already forgot.
What a waste of time
The first story try to educate the reader about american history and patriotism. The way he does that is by idolizing symbols and soldiers. It also tells you there are people who are bad because they didn't ask the homeless person who didn't have money to pay them if he was a soldier or just plane crazy. I don't mean they didn't bring a few good points, but it was simplistic and shallow it came borderline fascist.
Second story was a Sinstro corps story that didn't fit GL or Superman style, seem too important, plot wise to be just a filler in a superman story , and will probably find itself being ignored in future continuity.
I can't tell you what the last story is about. I already forgot.
What a waste of time
June 13, 2018
Collects Superman issues #27-32
This collection is made up of three, two-issue stories.
The first story is about a Kent Family road trip to Washington DC.
The second story is about Superman taking on the power of the Yellow Lanterns.
The third story is Superman vs. Deathstroke.
Overall, there are good ideas here that are all done just OK.
This collection is made up of three, two-issue stories.
The first story is about a Kent Family road trip to Washington DC.
The second story is about Superman taking on the power of the Yellow Lanterns.
The third story is Superman vs. Deathstroke.
Overall, there are good ideas here that are all done just OK.
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