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A review by bmaackreadscomics
Superman – Action Comics, Volume 4: Hybrid by Scott Lobdell, Sandu Florea, Tony S. Daniel, Tyler Kirkham, Andy Diggle
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
There are 5 different stories occurring in this one volume:
1) Superman and Wonder Woman go on a date, are attacked by a pair of sirens and their mind-altering song who have taken control of Diana’s cousin Eros the demi-god. The story is short, somewhat out of left field, and not necessary in the slightest for this volume
2) Superman vs The Hybrid. A virus injected into him by Lex Luthor that acquires and adapts Superman’s powers. This was a solid Superman story that also had the strongest portrayal of Clark Kent as a man in The New 52 thus far.
3) Superman & Pax Galactica vs Lexus the Devourer. This was a charming adventure where superman encounters space-knights with magical weapons who are hunting a cursed incarnation of evil. Very classic feel, but not much in the way of character development or the Clark identity. The 4 Pax Galactica members are passionate and funny at times.
4) Jor-El Meets Lara and Saves Krypton from a Military Coup. This was a pretty straight forward sci-fi adventure story; not too much to complain about but not too much to write home about either. I appreciate the consistent artwork and understandable continuity of this side story.
5) Superman in the Psi War! Sort of a half story that probably didn’t need to be included in this Volume. Pieces of it are omitted and are simultaneously occurring in the Superman series. Fun to see other writers expand upon previous events like the Braniac Invasion at the beginning of New 52. Nothing wrong with this story and seems fun, just incomplete and therefore dissatisfying.
Overall, this trade is mostly some fun reading without any Morrisonian Headaches. None of the art was really noteworthy, nor was any of the writing. Andy Diggle had started something neat with the Hybrid story. But it didn’t last long and Clark Kent faded into the background like he usually does so that other wild adventures can happen.
1) Superman and Wonder Woman go on a date, are attacked by a pair of sirens and their mind-altering song who have taken control of Diana’s cousin Eros the demi-god. The story is short, somewhat out of left field, and not necessary in the slightest for this volume
2) Superman vs The Hybrid. A virus injected into him by Lex Luthor that acquires and adapts Superman’s powers. This was a solid Superman story that also had the strongest portrayal of Clark Kent as a man in The New 52 thus far.
3) Superman & Pax Galactica vs Lexus the Devourer. This was a charming adventure where superman encounters space-knights with magical weapons who are hunting a cursed incarnation of evil. Very classic feel, but not much in the way of character development or the Clark identity. The 4 Pax Galactica members are passionate and funny at times.
4) Jor-El Meets Lara and Saves Krypton from a Military Coup. This was a pretty straight forward sci-fi adventure story; not too much to complain about but not too much to write home about either. I appreciate the consistent artwork and understandable continuity of this side story.
5) Superman in the Psi War! Sort of a half story that probably didn’t need to be included in this Volume. Pieces of it are omitted and are simultaneously occurring in the Superman series. Fun to see other writers expand upon previous events like the Braniac Invasion at the beginning of New 52. Nothing wrong with this story and seems fun, just incomplete and therefore dissatisfying.
Overall, this trade is mostly some fun reading without any Morrisonian Headaches. None of the art was really noteworthy, nor was any of the writing. Andy Diggle had started something neat with the Hybrid story. But it didn’t last long and Clark Kent faded into the background like he usually does so that other wild adventures can happen.