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ponch22's review
5.0
The 7-part series Max Landis has created finally takes Clark Kent into Metropolis. As a student, he meets (who he thinks is) Louis Lane at an event featuring up-and-comers Oliver Queen, Lex Luthor, and Bruce Wayne. Thanks to Clark's adventures in Superman: American Alien (2015-) #3, Oliver Queen takes him on his helicopter and grants him an exclusive interview. The helicopter lands atop Luthor's building where Queen has a meeting. Kent gets passed off to Lex who talks and talks until Kent lets slip he's just a student and not a Daily Planet reporter, after which Luthor dumps him on his tower's daycare floor. Here, Clark meets a young Dick Grayson & uses his x-ray vision to trick Dick into giving him an interview about Bruce Wayne (who has never given an interview).
The issue finally feels connected to what we've read previously (with the direct reference to issue #3) which is nice. The first page sums up how simple & trusting Clark still is despite his move into Metropolis. Much of the rest of the issue pushes Clark to the side as he basically listens to the three businessmen (Bruce by ward-proxy). We get an interesting look into each of these main characters and their worldviews.
The final few pages feature one final introduction as Batman crashes into Clark's apartment and tries to find out who this Bruce-Wayne-imposter, Deathstroke-defeater, Dick-Grayson-interviewer is. The two have their first fight as both are growing into their roles as heroes. One minor complaint (I assume is from my lack of comics knowledge) is what exactly happens during the fight—Batman seems to use a few toys from his Bat-Belt, but I can't tell exactly what they do (or are supposed to do). Also, there was a weird looking kid in Luthor's daycare holding an axe that feels like one of Landis's easter eggs, but I have no clue who he is.
As per usual, there is another one-page standalone story which apparently tells the story of Rudy Jones/Parasite. I'm not familiar with this character, but the simple 12-panel story is clever in its progression and parallels.
I love how the story is growing and I hope there will be more interactions between Clark and Bruce in the upcoming stories. If things start connecting and linking together, this may end very well. I'm really glad I got into this short series...
The issue finally feels connected to what we've read previously (with the direct reference to issue #3) which is nice. The first page sums up how simple & trusting Clark still is despite his move into Metropolis. Much of the rest of the issue pushes Clark to the side as he basically listens to the three businessmen (Bruce by ward-proxy). We get an interesting look into each of these main characters and their worldviews.
The final few pages feature one final introduction as Batman crashes into Clark's apartment and tries to find out who this Bruce-Wayne-imposter, Deathstroke-defeater, Dick-Grayson-interviewer is. The two have their first fight as both are growing into their roles as heroes. One minor complaint (I assume is from my lack of comics knowledge) is what exactly happens during the fight—Batman seems to use a few toys from his Bat-Belt, but I can't tell exactly what they do (or are supposed to do). Also, there was a weird looking kid in Luthor's daycare holding an axe that feels like one of Landis's easter eggs, but I have no clue who he is.
As per usual, there is another one-page standalone story which apparently tells the story of Rudy Jones/Parasite. I'm not familiar with this character, but the simple 12-panel story is clever in its progression and parallels.
I love how the story is growing and I hope there will be more interactions between Clark and Bruce in the upcoming stories. If things start connecting and linking together, this may end very well. I'm really glad I got into this short series...
marisacarpico's review
4.0
The device of having Clark hear speeches about superheroing from his future friends and allies may be a little heavy-handed, but it's also incredibly effective. This is truly the best Superman series I've ever read.
http://pop-break.com/2016/02/18/review-superman-american-alien-4/
http://pop-break.com/2016/02/18/review-superman-american-alien-4/
etienne02's review
4.0
Way better then the last one. Maybe a bit too much of talking, but good story and interesting rivality in development.
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