Did Truth Set Free? Review of Superman Volume 1 Before Truth

 

Review:

"What is truth?"  - Pontius Pilate

"You can't handle the truth!" - Col Nathan Jessup, A Few Good Men

"The truth shall set you free" - Jesus Christ

Truth, at least in the context of DC Comics, is the 2015 event that crossed all Superman titles. It was a time when the Man of Steel's powers were dwindling and his secret identity had been exposed by Lois Lane, of all people. I have shared my thoughts elsewhere (in reviews of Action Comics, Batman / Superman and Superman / Wonder Woman books) about how unpleasant I found this story.

But here, in Gene Luen Yang's capable hands, these tales are much more enjoyable. This collection spans the run-up, the moment of global exposure and the immediate aftermath of the big Superman = Clark Kent revelation. These tales are engrossing, engaging, absorbing, filled with passions and the drama of real relationships. The action is edge-of-your-seat intense, with close calls and narrow escapes. You feel Superman's confusion, frustration, even hints of fear, mixed with his anger and betrayal. But never the bitterness or nihilism that lurks in the other Truth collections. Rather, this is a Superman seeking peace, understanding and trust.

The first chapter, written and drawn by John Romita Jr, is a delight. The Justice League tries to work with Superman to understand his new "solar flare" power and its strengths and limitations. Delightful banter permeates these well-imagined situations, and the visuals convey as much or more than the words themselves. A casual, coffee-sipping, cowled but cape-less Batman seems so relaxed in this environment. Aquaman covering Wonder Woman's eyes at the naked "nature boy" post-flare Superman - and her swatting away that hand. A powerless, human Clark Kent drinking too much and getting hung over. Romita Jr's tale is exquisite, a somewhat standalone tale that sparkles with more fun than any of the Justice League or Superman titles of the day.

Gene Luen Yang takes the rest of the writing duties in this collection, with Romita Jr focusing on the pencil-work. And the tension ratchets up and up on almost every page. Hordr_root knows Clark's secret and manipulates (blackmails) Superman into doing his bidding. But Lois Lane's exposé robs Hordr_root of his "sort of" blackmail power. He has nothing left to hold over Clark's head.

With themes of friendship, loyalty and betrayal, duty and honor saturating these chapters, it fits into the stronger vein of Superman narratives. The characters grow; relationships fracture while others hold; the social-media world plays a believable role. This is a very well-written story arc.

John Romita Jr and Klaus Janson show us the pwer of the solar flare with stunning blasts of page-rending yellows and oranges. You can practically feel the all-consuming power it unleashes, and the disorienting after-effects.

Truth in this collection is at last an enjoyable experience.

Description:

POWERLESS, EXPOSED — BUT STILL THE WORLD’S GREATEST HERO!

Superman is going through some changes. First, there’s his new “solar flare” power, which releases tremendous amounts of energy but leaves him functionally human—fragile, vulnerable, prone to hangovers—for 24 hours.

But an even bigger change is coming. A new company called Hordr has sprung up, and its business is secrets. If you have one that you want to keep hidden, Hordr can control you—and no one has a bigger secret than Clark Kent.

Now, Hordr is threatening to expose Clark’s alter ego unless he does everything they command. Will Superman play into the hands of blackmailers to keep his loved ones out of danger? And if the truth that Superman has been hiding is exposed, will it set him free—or ruin his life?

A new era for the Man of Steel begins here - crafted by National Book Award nominated writer Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese) and legendary artists John Romita, Jr. (Kick-Ass, The Amazing Spider-Man) and Klaus Janson 

Collects: issues #40-44 and the 8-page SUPERMAN story from DIVERGENCE: FCBD SPECIAL EDITION #1

Authors:  Gene Luen Yang, John Romita Jr.
Artists:  John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson
Published By:  DC Comics
Published When:  April 12, 2016
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN:  978-1401259815
Pages:  224 pages