Ever since its debut, Superman Unlimited has left me with mixed emotions. I’m always for more Superman books, and the focus it put on the Man of Steel’s supporting cast was more than welcome. On the other hand, it tends to get bogged down in setting up subplots that lead to future issues, which is surprising given that Dan Slott managed to do this far better in his other comic work, particularly his run on Amazing Spider-Man.
That tendency for subplots chokes the opening pages of Superman Unlimited #12, as it not only returns to the “Kryptonite Kingdom” of El Caldero but also introduces a new element with a runaway monkey that’s been tested with a new form of Kryptonite serum. Said monkey, Beppo, ends up forming a bond with Bibbo Bibbowski that’s honestly heartwarming, but I feel it cuts into the main plot of the issue, which finds a younger Jon Kent and his present-day self – now going by “Tomorrow Man” – adjusting to the present day. There’s also the fact that a Kryptonite-powered ape already exists in the form of Titano, meaning Slott is going to have to work extra hard to make Beppo stand out.
Slott does do some amazing work when it comes to writing the Jons, especially Superboy Jon. He might have been rescued from years of torment at the hands of the Crime Syndicate, but this is still a preteen with Superman’s powers, and being in an open space ultimately overwhelms him. It’s up to Tomorrow Man to calm him down, without also dropping the massive bombshell of “I’m actually you from the future.” Slott manages to lace these moments with plenty of emotional weight, and also doesn’t hold back when the younger Jon finally comes face-to-face with Lois Lane. In a good use of a subplot, he also sews a fair bit of tension between Jon and Damian Wayne, hinting at a potential battle between the Super Sons.
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Lucas Meyer continues to deliver incredible artwork, whether it’s in the fields of Smallville or the massive Kryptonite structures that make up El Caldero. He also has a great sense of design, especially with Tomorrow Man’s suit. In the same way that Dick Grayson drew on different influences in his life when creating Nightwing, Jon Kent has forged a suit that pays homage to his father’s legacy and even features a bat-shaped symbol that nods to his friendship with Damian. It’s also very eye-catching, courtesy of Giuliano Peratelli’s brightly-colored art.
Peratelli also has a gift for filling dark spaces with shadows that seem utterly menacing, particularly in the scene introducing Beppo. While you don’t know what’s happening to Beppo and his fellow apes, the hints of green in the darkness indicate that it’s nothing good for the Superman family or the rest of the world. Even Batman cuts a terrifying figure when standing in the shadows, even though Peratelli highlights the Dark Knight’s blue and gray costume as a beacon of sorts.
Superman Unlimited #12 works best when it puts its emotional core over setting up future issues, and deftly resolves the idea of two Jon Kents inhabiting the same space. Now that Slott has set up enough for a year’s worth of issues, let’s hope that future issues put character first.
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