Jamel Stallings Comic Reviews

Overall, this issue is a reminder that not ever superhero story has to be a full-time costumed adventure and some of the best superhero stories are told when the hero is at their most vulnerable, but their courage and strength persists.

Danny Earl’s art has a cartoon-like style that peaks when there’s a fight scene or a serious moment, but the colors are a weird choice. One example that stood out to me was the cool fight scene between Superman and a familiar foe. While the fight was solid, Jor-El’s silver suit clashed with the bright colors in a weird way that didn’t appeal to my eyes; nonetheless, Porter’s take on this Elseworlds story and Earl’s clear art have captivated my attention, and I look forward to the next issue.

The story has its highs and lows, but this issue renewed curiosity and appreciation for Seely’s originality. Tim Seely took the basis of Biollante’s origins and retold it in a way that felt like a reboot of the original film, and Seely did great at pacing the battle with the human/G-mutant drama. It’s not every day that the human element of a Godzilla story gets my attention; still, the theme of loss and revenge bridged the intensity of the fight between Godzilla and Biollante and the complicated duality of Jacen and May.

I look forward to the next issue and to what challenges await Peter Parker as he weathers the unforgiving, cruel costs of having great powers and the great responsibility that burdens him.