Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Jamal Campbell
Colors by: Jamal Campbell
Letters by: Ariana Maher
Cover art by: Jamal Campbell
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: September 18, 2024
Superman #18, by DC Comics on 9/18/24, sends Zatanna and Superman along the Dark Roads to reach the House of Heroes, where the secret to Amanda Waller’s control of the multiverse awaits.
Is Superman #18 Good?
I want to like Superman #18, but I don’t. When Joshua Williamson architects or participates in events, he has a tendency to get distracted and throw in all kinds of developments out of nowhere. Superman #18 gives you a mini demonstration of that lack of focus, and it comes across as messy.
When last we left the Man of Steel in Superman #17, Superman traveled with Zatanna through the Dark Roads of the Earth as a way to get from point A to point B outside of Amanda Waller’s view. After a few unpleasant run-ins, their journey ended at the Oblivion Bar, where Neron was waiting to make a deal.
In Superman #18, Superman agrees to make a deal with Neron to acquire the map that will take our heroes along the Dark Roads. What’s the deal? Superman has to tell a lie. Superman quickly agrees, but the deal may or may not be a nothing burger because Superman privately tells Zatanna that he lied to Neron about telling a lie, so he told a lie about agreeing to tell a lie. Ehh…
Why? Why bring in a heavy-hitter like Neron just to do away with his potential for a silly bit? Technically, Superman’s solution is clever, but it’s a waste of page space.
Elsewhere, Lois in her Lex power suit (without a helmet), Mercy, Jimmy, Siobhan, and amnesiac Lex head to the Fortress of Solitude to reunite with the heroes. Unfortunately, they arrive after the battle in Absolute Power #2 and find the place an abandoned wreck. After a brief strategy session, Lois and Mercy remain behind in case somebody returns while the rest head back to Metropolis to counteract Waller’s disinformation campaign.
Lois’s reaction to the trashed Fortress is in line with her character, but it’s not clear why she and Mercy chose to stay behind if the place is abandoned. What did they hope to accomplish there? Why wouldn’t they leave to keep searching? We’ll see later that their presence works out for Superman, but Williamson doesn’t set it up well.
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