Joshua Williamson’s been putting Superman through a gauntlet: he had to work with Lobo to battle an army of Brainiacs, briefly lost his powers during Absolute Power, and is dealing with not one but two different versions of Doomsday. Superman #21 seems to be Williamson stepping back from his computer and realizing, “I need to give Superman a break.” Therefore, the issue is dedicated to the Man of Steel and his wife Lois Lane – aka the newly minted Superwoman – going on a date night!
In true Superman fashion, it doesn’t go as planned. Clark and Lois are dealing with their own issue; he’s still shaken from his battle with Doomsday, and she’s struggling to deal with her newfound superpowers while serving as editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet. To Williamson’s credit, he actually has Clark and Lois talk out their issues instead of burying them, which is a sign of a healthy couple.
There’s also the fact that Clark and Lois step in to help Amythest, the princess of Gemworld, avert a war. It’s here where Dan Mora swings from “regular superhero comic” to “superhero fantasy comic,” as Gemworld resembles a very crystalline version of Middle-earth. Mora doesn’t skimp out on showcasing how “super” the Kents’ date night is, as the issue opens with Clark and Lois playing their own version of “darts” – in lieu of actual darts, they use pieces of the moon.
Credit: DC Comics
The best part of Superman #21 comes in its three interludes, which picks up on what the rest of the cast is doing. Jimmy Olsen and Silver Banshee have a simple movie night – which is utterly relatable. Doomsday dreams of some…rather disturbing moments, which Mora draws in graphic detail. Sparks start to fly between Mercy Graves and an amnesiac Lex Luthor. Not only is this a clever way to sow future plot threads, but it also shows how big Superman’s world is.
The interludes are only matched by a quieter moment where Lois and Clark walk the streets of Smallville, discussing their relationship. If it weren’t for the fact that they both live in the DC Universe, you’d think this was just a regular couple. But like the great Grant Morrison once said, Superman is a guy who has problems like anyone else, only they tend to be bigger – and now that’s extended to the love of his life, which is extremely moving.
Superman #21 delivers a standalone story that’s not only emotional but a great reminder of why Clark Kent and Lois Lane are the #1 couple in comics. It also ends with a massive cliffhanger, but at the very least, Lois and Clark get their date night.
Superman #21 is available wherever comics are sold.
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