Book Review: Adventures of Superman issue #8

Book: Adventures of Superman issue #8 by Marc Guggenheim with illustration by Joe Bennett, ink by Belardino Brabo, color by Jason Wright and letter by Wes Abbott

Cover by Joe Bennett with ink by Belardino Brabo and color by Jason Wright

Edition: Single Print Issue

Description:

Dr. Emil Hamilton seeks out Superman with some shocking news - not only has S.T.A.R. Labs discovered the location of Krypton, but as far as they can tell, the planet remains intact!



Rating: 5 stars

Review:

In this story, Dr. Emil Hamilton showed up at The Daily Planet looking for Superman. He was talking to Lois Lane telling her about an unbelievable discovery he found about Krypton that he wanted to tell the Man of Steel. At that exact moment, Superman was downtown saving both Jimmy Olsen and the city from a gigantic ape (who I believe is Titano) and while he was doing that he couldn't help overhearing Dr. Hamilton's conversation with Lois.

With "Titano" captured and taken to S.T.A.R. Labs, Superman was able to learn more about Dr. Hamilton's discovery about Krypton. Turns out it wasn't destroyed but how can that be? Superman flew to Smallville back to his family's farm to rewatch the message his father Jor-El had included in the space ship that brought him to Earth so many years ago. The message told of Krypton's destruction and how Jor-El sent his son to Earth.

Seeking the truth, Superman flew to Krypton and once he arrived there, he was astonished by the sight of it. He was hoping to find his parents, Jor-El and Lara-El but communicating with the people of Krypton was difficult since he doesn't speak Krytonian. Despite, the language barrier, they were able to help him locate his father but unfortunately Jor-El was in prison.

He had been arrested for inciting panic and unease due to his warning that the planet was going to be destroyed. I wouldn't be surprised if he was also charged for abandonment after he sent his son away on a space craft.

After spending several days getting a chance to really see Krypton, Superman saw how beautiful the planet was and that it was teeming with so much life. He was learning so many interesting things about his home world and its people but he was also trying to get his father released from prison.

In speaking with the Kryptonian council, Superman succeeded in pleading his case to release his father. Things seemed to be going great, Clark was getting reacquainted with his father but it was starting to feel like everything was too good to be true.

This was an interesting story with very vivid and detailed art but at first I thought the writer was trying to rewrite Superman's origin story in regards to Krypton. However, the more I read, the more I was intrigued with how the story was unfolding especially as Clark got a chance to see what it was like to live on Krypton but it's not quite what it seems. Throughout the story, Clark experienced a range of emotions which is why I think it took a while for him to start questioning things. 

I really enjoy reading this, it was a good story that allows the reader a glimpse into the world of Krypton while at the same time questioning what was happening throughout.