As Superman #37 continues the “Prime Time” story arc, and by extension the “Reign of the Superboys” storyline racing through the main Superman titles, it once again tackles the question: “Can Superboy-Prime truly be reformed?” This time, it shakes things up by having Prime visit Jonathan and Martha Kent to discuss his attempts to balance a normal life with his Superman duties. That adventure involved his new job at a comic shop and a heart-to-heart with Damian Wayne of all people.
I can’t think of a more perfect person for Prime to talk to than Damian; both are divisive characters, especially given Prime’s descent into darkness in Infinite Crisis and Damian being raised by the League of Assassins. Yet Damian managed to embrace Batman’s code of ethics, becoming one of the Bat Family’s biggest allies. Just because Damian shares a lot in common with Prime doesn’t mean that the two immediately get off on the right foot, as the Boy Wonder immediately attacks Prime when he enters Gotham City. It takes the looming threat of Clayface for the duo to establish a mutual respect.
That character work is the secret sauce of Joshua Williamson’s run on Superman, and it’s on full display here, especially with Prime. For once, we don’t see the fourth-wall-breaking, wisecracking former supervillain. Instead, we get a look at someone who’s truly trying to fit into a world that fears and hates him, to borrow a phrase from the “distinguished competition.” I can’t think of anyone better to help guide him than the Kents. After all, it’s not the first time they’ve helped a Superboy grow into a Superman.
Williamson’s script once again boasts strong art from Dan Mora, who captures both the superheroic and the mundane. Whether it’s an image of the Justice League hovering over the Kent Farm, or Prime and Damian cutting through the shadows of Gotham City, or even a heated discussion at the comic shop (including a moment that will have both Marvel and DC fans laughing), Mora gives each character defining features. A girl who shows interest in Prime at the comic shop is immediately recognizable by her bright red hair and the flame icon on her T-shirt, and the fiery werewolf Cadezos sticks out among the more traditionally superheroic members of the Justice League.
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The definition isn’t just limited to the artwork, though. It’s in the colors Alejandro Sanchez uses, transforming Smallville into a sunny paradise and Gotham into a nest of shadows. It’s also in Ariana Maher’s lettering; when Power Girl shouts at Mister Terrific that Prime is a monster, you feel the anger in her voice. When Clayface makes his grand appearance, his speech bubbles take on the same distorted, earthy tone that makes up his entire flesh. Even Cadezos has the guttural speech you’d expect from a werewolf who can breathe fire.
Williamson also begins planting seeds for future issues, including following up on the massive cliffhanger in Superman #36. These moments are meant to be read for themselves, but all I’ll say is that Prime’s quest to truly be good is about to hit a massive roadblock. He might also want to check in on his neighbors.
Superman #37 dials back the fourth-wall-breaking antics to deliver solid character work and shows that Superboy Prime is trying to be a good guy. Whether it all works out or not remains to be seen.
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