Book Review: Superman Grounded Volume 2

Book: Superman Grounded Vol. 2 (issues: #707-711, 713 and 714) by J. Michael Straczynski 

Edition: Single print issues

Description:

In this second “Grounded” volume, Superman meets the new Wonder Woman for the first time! But why can’t he shake the feeling that he already knows her? Then, Superman visits Boulder, Colorado, where The Flash made a strange discovery that relates to Superman. And in Salt Lake City, Batman arrives to revisit one of his earliest adventures with The Man of Steel!



Rating: 4 stars

Review:

I read the individual issues #707-714 including #712 which focused on Krypto the Superdog.

I'm not sure why the Grounded series got so much flack from fans. I thought it was good, superheroes are not just big dumb muscle they are suppose to have feelings. So, it's not hard to imagine that Clark became a little depressed following the death of his father and destruction of New Krypton. He needed to take some time off to deal with it. So he took to walking across America and along the way he helped people with their problems. Almost every issue in the second volume featured at least one of Superman's family and friends: Lois Lane, The Flash, Batman, Jimmy Olsen, Wonder Woman, Superboy and Supergirl.

A few issues that stood out to me are:

Issue #707 had Superman versus Lois in a way. Because she wanted to get to the bottom of a factory polluting the area in a Kansas town and Clark while in his sad emotional state didn't really offer any help to the problem. However, when it was time for him to make a stand it wasn't for the best. Clark was hitting his low point emotionally during this instance.

Issue #708 finds Clark getting some assistance from the "new" Wonder Woman as well as him meeting people (the Superman Squad) who were influenced by the Man of Steel. Even though, Superman and Wonder Woman have know each other for years, but for some strange reason they did not know each other. Wonder Woman's strangeness can be understood best if you read "Wonder Woman: Odyssey".

Issue #710 had Batman (Bruce Wayne) showing up, they ended up talking about the first time they met as young men fighting against Vandal Savage. This was very interesting because even though they had not become "Batman" and "Superman" they were still heroes. I like that you got to see them operate without the costumes.

Issue #712 (which isn't featured in the trade) focused on Krypto. This issue took place after Superboy died and Superman went missing during the Infinite Crisis. It was sad to see the poor dog, he was shown sitting on the porch for days not eating or doing anything until he caught a familiar scent and started flying around attempting to find his friends. 

Issue #713 had Clark attempting to give up being Superman but not giving up helping people. He thought it would be best if he helped people in secret. Superboy and Supergirl made an appearance in the beginning of the issue trying to talk him out of it. I like this issue because while Clark was writing an article asking if Superman is still needed, a fellow writer thinking Clark didn't understand the first thing about Superman took him around town talking with people about Superman. Clark got to see and hear the good things that people thought about him.

The last issue #714 had Clark finally dealing with a mystery woman who has been following him since the first few issues of the Grounded series. The series concluded with Clark reconnecting with family and friends and creating The Superman Squad.

As I said above, I enjoyed reading this because Clark was going through something that he couldn't just punch through. He had to find a way to heal and his walking around helped him clear his head and to figure out his issues.