Superman #22

Some fans may not like how swiftly a few of the looming subplots are seemingly dealt with (another Bendis hallmark), but honestly, there's very little to hate about this very good superhero comic. Read Full Review

Lois is finally finished with her book ... you know the one that made her live somewhere else? I truly love how she won't let Clark superspeed read her laborious work. And I love even more his teasing her that he already did. In fact the whole issue is just a fantastic. The two plots interweave and play off each other nicely. The art is spot on brilliant. And we even get a little Supergirl moment! It all makes me smile! Read Full Review

So, glad to see that Bendis is (hopefully) sticking around for a while longer, and happy to keep giving this series my highest recommendation. Read Full Review

There are some spectacular action segments, and a great resolution to how he neutralizes Mongul " not that it lasts, as we saw in Superman: Heroes. Read Full Review

Superman #22 is a lot of fun. Bendis writing action can be a mixed bag, but this issue isn't like that at all. The battle between Superman and Mongul is pulse-pounding. The interplay between Lois and Cameron is a lot of fun as well. This issue sets up some interesting stuff for the future as well. Kevin Maguire's art makes the whole thing work- his action is bombastic, and his character work is top-notch. All in all, Superman #22 is a fitting ending for the "Truth" arc. Read Full Review

Bendis's writing is fast-paced, direct, and immensely impacful. Read Full Review

Superman #22 is a successful finale to the United planets story arc. Brian Michael Bendis delivers a good script that fleshes out Clark and Lois is a favorable way. The pencils and colors enhance the issue a great deal and really help convey the emotion in Bendis script. If youre looking a fun comic this week, Superman #22 is an excellent choice. Read Full Review

The final issue of the arc does tie everything together nicely. Superman and Lois Lane work on their own plotlines and both end up being heroes of their own stories. Also if you want to see a hairy Superman this is the comic for you. Read Full Review

Kevin Maguire does a really good job with the art. The fight between Superman and Mongul looks really good and there are some great dramatic shots throughout. The Lois side of the story is more subdued and aligns perfectly with the theme of the story. Read Full Review

In too many Superman/Action Comics arcs, Bendis not only fails to stick the landing but entirely miss the target altogether. It seems like faint praise, but The Truth finale does allow the title to move forward in a largely positive position for the first time in months. Read Full Review

Superman #22 (Bendis, Maguire) sees the series return after the COVID-19 induced hiatus to deliver an anti-climactic finale to an otherwise extremely well-done arc in "The Truth". Read Full Review

While this issue looks great and you get a big old fight between Superman and Mongul, the resolution just comes out of nowhere and leaves me wondering what happened to the stakes that were set up previously.  I'm still not a fan of Bendis' dialog and the majority of his ideas for Superman, but there is some stuff in this that can put a smile on your face, but ultimately things just come to a flat end and it's a bit disappointing. Read Full Review

Bendis' run on Superman has been something of a mixed bag for me. Some of his ideas have truly been great. But some of the changes he has made in service to his story have been horrible. I really love the introduction of the United Planets. But Bendis could have, and should have, accomplished this without questionable retcons and characters acting dramatically out of character. Read Full Review

Bendis proved again with this issue that he has no direction planned ahead. I wish he did. I also wish Maguire had better material to work with. If he did, he might be on a classic run here rather than an extremely tepid one. Read Full Review

jacoblikescomics

Jun 23, 2020

I haven't loved some of Bendis' run, but this overall was a great issue, definitely worth buying.

cincyfan

Sep 17, 2020

Great script and very good art with some great action scenes. This is a terrific end to this arc

AdmiralWhiskers

Jun 16, 2020

Brian Michael Bendis appears to have found a groove for Superman post-"reveal". His Superman/Mongul fight (with Legion/United Planets/Superboy implications) and his ongoing harassment/inquisition of Lois Lane on the homefront made for a fun juxtaposition. And then the two come together at the end to tie the issue up with a bow. Very well done. Kevin Maguire's art is great. I'd probably buy it for that alone, but the story made it that much sweeter.

Comics Code Authorities

Jul 16, 2020

Like all issues since Bendis started writing, this issue has its ups and downs. The showdown battle between Superman and Mongul wasn't too bad. The Lois/Agent Chase subplot was a snoozer that proves the obvious-Superman going public with his identity was a STUPID idea. The fate of the United planets seems rather uncertain, but do any of us honestly care? That idea became a yawner within 5 minutes. The art wasn't great, but acceptable. I think the best part of this issue was that this story finally ended. Let's face it, a single battle that lasts 3 or more issues is WAAAAY too long. This ain't a manga, you know? But like I said, the fight was Okay, so I'll give it a 6 out of 10. Bendis plans to leave soon. Let's hope he finds a reasonable way to undo the disaster he's unleashed the last 2 years. May I suggest Lois wake up, find Clark in the shower and realize everything since Man of Steel #6 was a BAD dream (and Jon pop back in as a kid)? more

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Jul 12, 2020

This one wasn't half bad. It had some genuinely good moments. If I had a better opinion of Bendis' idea of Superman, I may have even liked it. I can't get past that despite controlling both Superman titles that his idea of direction is a bit misguided and isn't as fresh as he thinks.

Nathan.Payson

Jun 17, 2020

This issue was mediocre at best because it is full of character inconsistencies, deus ex machina, and convoluted continuity. For a start, the whole Superman as the king of earth storyline with Agent Chase and Lois Lane is confusing and full of wholes. How did Daily Star get the video? Why is Russia and the rest of the security council okay with letting an American Super-powered immigrant being the ambassador of earth retroactively? Why does Agent Chase's message add up to that? On the other side, Superman and Mongols fight is weird. Why does Mongal end up on Venus? How can Superman destroy ALL of War World when no other continuity has ever let him just rip it apart? Why did this issue come out 4 months after Superman: Villains which takes p lace after this? Finally, HOW DID LOIS LANE A PULITZER PRIZE WINNING JOURNALIST FORGET THE GOVERNMENTS MESSAGE FOR HER? This issue, like many, reveals the problem with Bendis Run. He has lots of big ideas but executes them all poorly. War World threatening Earth is a cool idea, but the entire fight was bland and oddly paced and made Superman WAY too powerful. The Government reacting to the United Planets is cool, but it goes nowhere. I look forward to the day when Superman has real stakes and the ideas are executed better. P.S. Does anyone understand how Superman and Action Comics even connect anymore? more

Psycamorean

Jun 17, 2020

Ugh.

Spacey Medicine

Jun 19, 2020

Yeah I can definitely see the UN voting to make some guy the king of Earth, that feels legit.

+ Like • Comments (2)

• Likes (2)

• Psycamorean
• Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Batman Jones - Jun 19, 2020

I hated this issue and hate most Bendis stuff. But the complain that something in a comic book doesn't seem legit strikes me pretty funny. Superman can fly too, you know.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln - Jun 20, 2020

He can?! Man, if he were real we should definitely get the UN to vote him in as King of Earth.