There are two stories going on in Superman #34. The first concerns the Superman robots, but in addition to a flashback showcasing just how the Man of Steel created the lifelike automatons that occasionally stand in for him, the main story focuses on how they work to protect Lois Lane and Superboy-Prime from the Legion of Darkseid. Within the framework of this story, Joshua Williamson, Eddy Barrows, and Eber Ferreria tackle the age-old question: “What makes Superman Superman?”
The answer lies in the choice to help people, no matter what. There’s a standout moment where the trio discovers a group of people in peril, and said people turn out to be the Royal Flush Gang. While Prime opts for punching them, the Superman robot accompanying him notices that the Gang needs help, rather than fisticuffs. It’s a pure Superman moment, and shows that while the robots might not have all of Clark Kent’s abilities, they definitely have his heart. We also get the most hilarious (and relatable) line when the Royal Flush Gang’s King utters, “Where are we going to spend money if the whole planet’s on fire?”
It’s a shame that the issue can’t fully explore this dynamic, as it’s also landing smack dab in the middle of DC K.O. Multiple editor’s notes remind you of that fact: in order to understand where Superman is, you’ll have to pick up DC K.O. #3. Why is Mercy Graves’ ship wrecked? You’ll need to pick up DC K.O: The Kids Are All Fight #1. Mr. Terrific is going through stuff in Justice League Unlimited. This is the double-edged sword of crossovers, as they tend to take over a good deal of a publisher’s titles and often make you feel like you’ve missed part of the story.
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Equally double edged is Superboy-Prime’s presence in the book, specifically the way he keeps breaking the fourth wall. It was a neat little gimmick at first, but now Prime is dancing dangerously close to sounding like that annoying Deadpool cosplayer you meet at a con. (We’ve all met at least one). Considering Williamson is setting Prime up to be Superman‘s lead post-DC K.O., he’s either going to shift into a more serious mode in future issues or the book will shift into an extremely meta format. I’m hoping it’s the former.
While Superman #34 may be scattershot in terms of plotting, it’s very solid thanks to its artwork. Barrows and Ferreria spend a lot of time focusing on characters’ faces, revealing their innermost thoughts. The Superman robots are the best example of this, as you can see the determination and the compassion in their eyes…but also see the steel underneath their flesh. A moment between Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl is also surprisingly tender, considering the two have been remade into Darkseid’s servants. Alejandro Sanchez backs it up with intense shades of black and orange, bringing the hellish landscape of Apokolips on Earth to life.
While Superman #34 has an interesting train of thought concerning the Superman Robots, it quickly gets overwhelmed by DC K.O.‘s storyline. Here’s hoping the final issue of this tie-in can stick the landing.
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