SUPERMAN #38 (DC COMICS)
It’s PRIME TIME BAY-BAY!
Superboy-Prime is carving his own legacy as the New Prime of Tomorrow while Clark Kent is missing. The path hasn’t been easy to follow. There is much to learn and little time to do it in.
One area CK is completely lost in is the world of Magic. He had better learn his way fast because Witchfire is making plans involving him!
SUPERMAN #38 by Joshua Williamson, Dan Mora, Alejandro Sánchez & Ariana Maher sees how CK fares wit his latest challenge.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what unfolds now.
SUPERMAN #38 by Joshua Williamson, Dan Mora, Alejandro Sánchez & Ariana Maher (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Williamson doesn’t delay in bringing CK to some conflict. An easy night out with “friends” is interrupted by a monster attack. The writing plays out like a traditional superhero start. It turns quickly once Witchfire plays her hand. Their exchange teeters on flirtatious and business. It provides a fun look at how CK is processing this latest encounter. The moment also gives a playful recap of Prime’s past. This serves as a solid transition point for Witchfire to take lead.
Readers watch as the underground club provides some insight onto the fiery witch. The writing steers them into uncharted space. Considering the effects Magic has on Superboy, the mood shifts quickly into trouble. Pacing doesn’t delay in bringing the conflict in fast. Seeing how CK responds to the powerful forces demonstrates his tendencies haven’t drifted too far away. The conflict gets a solid finish before moving into the closing moments. Once here, Williamson throw a major curve into the path. Readers see an old friend return with bad intentions. Their entrance is creatively made to switch things up. Once in close, there’s no doubt CK’s situation went from bad to worse.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!
Mora and Sánchez welcome readers in with an easy rollout. The full page shot of “Monsters” chasing Witchfire kickstarts CK into action. Their altercation leads into quick visual recap of Prime’s past. It serves its purpose to remind readers what a true danger he is. The moment allows the story to shift gears into the goth standpoint of Witchfire’s perspective. Panels give her origin a new flair before turning things upside down….literally.
The art uses a nine panel page to twist events into new directions. It lands on an impressive two page splash. The fight speeds up with Prime unleashed. Panels show his delight in letting loose. This helps move Witchfire into a show-stopping full page image. The fallout seems to land on steady ground. This gets upended by a unique half page panel. The aura swings into a very surprising direction. It lands on an open space with a full image of a return character. The exchange thrusts Prime into an unwelcomed spot. An incredible full page shot lights the match for next issue’s explosive brawl.
FINAL GRADE: 9
Prime-Time and Magic mix better than Oil and Water in this deceptive chapter. Williamson plays off the supernatural mythos for a surprising path. Mora and Sanchez deliver exceptional work taking Prime into dark places. This series never misses on delivering the best of Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow!
Let me know your thoughts on Superman #38 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
