Graphic Novel Review – Adventures of Superman Vol. 3

Doing Him Justice

Adventures of Superman Volume 3, written and drawn by various, published by DC Comics.

This reprints the digital first stories of the Man of Steel and as with any anthology, it is a little bit of a mixed bag. However, the writers and artists working on the series all seem to understand what makes Superman tick and so we are treated to a selection of entertaining and sometimes heartwarming tales. Peter Milligan’s story The Demolisher is let down by some sub standard art but there are a number of highlights here: B Clay Moore and Gabriel Rodriguez’s Exposed is a great story with beautiful art and an inventive script while Ron Marz and Evan Shaner’s Only Child is a rather sweet nod to The Iron Giant.

We even get to see Steve Rude draw Superman and OMAC in a story written by Jerry Ordway. Joe Keatinge’s Strange Visitor, drawn by a number of different artists, shows that he understands the history of the character. Max Landis and Jock’s The Sound of One Hand Clapping shows the first meeting between Superman and The Joker and it is works on so many different levels. Jock manages to shift the story tonally from light to dark and it plays to his many strengths as an artist.

There is just such a diverse mix of styles and approaches here, which is one of its most refreshing facets as a series.  It is a bit of a shame that the series has now ended because in many ways, Adventures of Superman is more faithful to the idea of Superman than much of what has been published in the regular Superman books in recent years, with a range of intriguing and impressive creators getting the opportunity to tell their stories of the last son of Krypton…

www.dccomics.com