Right in time for Supergirl movie synergy, Lobo faces off against Supergirl in Lobo #4. It’s the Main Man versus the Woman of Tomorrow, but why, and who will win? And will Lobo like getting his butt beat? All those questions answered, plus Jorge Corona continues to put on a clinic with every panel.
Once again, Lobo #4 is highlighted by some of the craziest, detailed art you’ll read all week. Corona stuffs every panel with little details, from the opening panel that shows Lobo’s motorcycle ridden with tickets, to a wildly bearded Lobo inside playing Uno with his dog. Creative looking guns, pee gags, and more await. A standout is a full-page splash 2D cutout of Lobo and his heist buddy sneaking into a facility through tubes. The various rooms they slip past make for a Where’s Waldo sort of experience.
The story isn’t bad either, as writer Skottie Young continues to sprinkle in humor, letting Lobo’s rough, loud personality shine. Making an alien pee out of his ears wasn’t something I expected, which is a testament to Young keeping the ideas up. A major win in this issue is the characters who can talk to their pets, namely Lobo and Supergirl. It adds a fun wrinkle to their love of their trusty dogs.
I guess this alien pees from his ears.
Credit: DC Comics
As far as the plot, it’s about as loose and nonsensical as a Lobo adventure, with Lobo needing to steal something out of a vault. That something has ties to Superman, which brings in Supergirl, and that leads to her punching Lobo, who loves it. Seeing Supergirl let loose with her laser vision is quite cool, since it appears as if she’s not holding back. Ultimately, that’s what this book and the series are about: a character who doesn’t hold back, and neither do the creators.
The comedy doesn’t quite work throughout, but that may vary from reader to reader. There’s a recurring Karen joke concerning Supergirl that’s more or less okay, while cutaway jokes certainly look good, but aren’t necessarily laugh-out-loud funny. The chaos Lobo inflicts on others and brings to the book is usually more punk rock than comedic.
Lobo #4 knows exactly what kind of comic it wants to be and rarely lets up from start to finish. Young leans into the absurdity of the character, crafting a story that feels appropriately chaotic while still finding room for a few clever character moments, particularly through Lobo and Supergirl’s shared affection for their canine companions. The plot itself is little more than an excuse to bounce between outrageous situations, but that’s largely by design. The real attraction is Corona’s artwork, which rewards readers who take their time to soak in every panel, background detail, and visual gag. While some of the comedy doesn’t hit as hard as the action and spectacle, the sheer creativity on display makes the issue hard to put down. Loud, ridiculous, and packed with personality, Lobo #4 is another reminder that nobody does cosmic chaos quite like the Main Man.
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