Source: Smallville Season 11 (2012-)
Type: Non-canon
Guys, I've never watched Smallville. Maybe one episode of the first season. Probably not the whole thing. And that's why I wasn't reading Smallville Season 11, the digital comic that continues the long-running TV series. Then I noticed Bryan Q. Miller was writing it, and I so liked his Batgirl book that I vowed I would eventually read it and Smallville background be damned. Now here we are, the week of Superman's 75th Anniversary, and I want to do something special for Reign. Looks like the stars are aligning. This is, after all, a currently-published Superman book, and one I'm coming very fresh to.
The task I have decided to undertake is to read as much of Smallville Season 11 as possible before my eyes give out and live-post my reactions right here on the SBG. So if you're an early bird, check back again during the next few hours. I'll be adding to the post. 43 issues to date? Oh boy...
#1... I'm catching up with this version of reality fast here... There's a JLA Watchtower in the middle of Metropolis, Green Arrow and his... wife? Not-Black-Canary live there. Lois and Clark are together (this is already a better version of the DCU). Otis works for Luthor. OTIS!!! And... what is that, the Nexus?
Right off the bat, while I was worried that Clark would play second fiddle to the load of characters introduced on the show (Ollie appearing before he does and so on), it all ended on Superman saving some cosmonauts and in general being an inspiration. I've missed this take on the character!
#2... Pushing planets? Apokolips invasion? Did that all happen in Season 10 or off-stage during the "summer"? And I see Lex has lost his memory so he doesn't remember Clark (because he knew who Superman was?). It makes the TV series sound in turn like an epic comic book and like a melodramatic soap opera.
#3... According to Lois, when will she and Clark finally get married?
#4... Hahaha, texting buckle. Oh God, Hank Henshaw... FOREBODING!
#5... I've got to say, Bryan Miller's dialog is full of little gems, moments of humor and inspiration... I really, really like his stuff.
#6-7... The writing's very good, the art is pretty good, but the lettering is full of errors. Let's do something about that, eh, Saida Temofonte? Also, I hope Clark doesn't hear about Mrs. Henshaw's dissatisfaction with his job performance and go walk across America to find himself.
#8... Thought it was about time to post a cool moment:
Done. Ooh, and is Henshaw going to possess a Superman robot in the making?
#9... Romance isn't dead, until you start talking babies with Oliver Queen.
#10-11... A little superhero fighting to clear the palate, because it can't all be rescues (no matter what Superman Returns tried to tell us). Wait... the show had an Earth-2?
#12... Lex is one manipulative, clever bastard. And that's how it should be. Love his layered plans.
#13... There's a great bit with Lois trying to drag Clark back to bed, but he's completely immovable. And then a stupendously badass female Nightwing shows up!
#14... May I suggest not swearing in front of kids?
Holding them hostage inside a bus held up in the air by a crane that's strapped to a bomb is also out of the question.
#15... Geez, Terrible Turpin as a hot blond dude? Smells like TV casting. Where's the Kirby look-alike I so dearly loved in the comics and cartoons? That cool Nightwing is Barbara Gordon, so that's even cooler. (I bet I'm being a complete noob here and this is all from the TV series.)
#16... And now, Babs-Nightwing messing with Green Arrow.
Hahaha. Why is it that I like DC's alt-universes so much better than their mainstream continuity? Superman Family Adventures. Ame-Comi Girls. This. All more exciting reboots/takes on the material.
#17-18... Who's following the clues right to Joe Chill? Why, the World's Finest, that's who!
The expressions on their faces say it all.
#19... Bryan Q. Miller: Making the Prankster a potable threat. Incredible.
#20-21... Well that was an exciting chase! Ollie and Lois on motorbikes racing against the Batmobile while Superman lays dying in the passenger seat from kryptonite bullet wounds. The in-continuity books could learn a trick or two from Miller.
#22... In the interests of showing every possible permutation of Superman (that's what Reign is all about, really), here's his anti-kryptonite armor:
#23... CAPTAIN CARROT SIGHTING!!!
They ARE very valuable... to the Prankster. He steals a page from the Toy-Man and has the little guys act as hacking transmitters to take over an airport control tower! Also featuring a boxing glove arrow AND Lois kicking ass. Yeah, baby, yeah.
#24... The change in artists gives Bruce Wayne an odd make-over, but otherwise, this breather epilogue/prologue issue is loaded with good stuff. Superman visits Crime Alley, Green Arrow gets surprising news, the heat wave comes to an end, and Lex makes a promise/threat that launches the next arc.
#25-27... "Haunted" has Lex try to peer into his dead sister's mind (she's been subletting his brain since the start of the series) to find what he's forgotten, and Impulse is being haunted too by some kind of Dark Flash thing. But it gets brilliant when Monsieur Mallah and the Brain show up with an army of monkey art thieves!
That's MY kind of comics. And looks like the two of them are still lovers. Morrison's Doom Patrol really did change everything.
#28... J'Onn J'Onzz with Oreos. Booster Gold merchandise. The Dark Knight Returns' Mutants. White Martians. "Stately Wayne Manor". This interlude is a love letter to DC's past.
#29-31... Of course, it's easier to create a coherent superhero universe when it's all limited to a single title and writer, but I like how Superman's interactions with other heroes is part of this story. It feels like they're part of the supporting cast, with lives connected to that of the Man of Steel's, and not guest-stars. Speaking of guest-stars, JSA on the horizon! And finally we're seeing movement on the whole Crisis subplot.
#32... I love the Batman/Martian Manhunter interludes! Here's one reason why:
FROGZILLA!!! (And it really is the best Martian Manhunter stuff I've read in a LONG while.)
#33... Oh, I see! Earth-2 is Morrison's, not Julius Schwartz's! The evil Clark was in the show, right? I seem to remember seeing pictures.
Another "haunt" in Haunted is Chloe implanting herself with Chloe-2's memories to find out as much as she can about the coming Crisis. Giving three engaging plots the same theme, how clever you are, Mr. Miller.
#34-35... Another newaction figure look for Superman, Bryan Miller's riff on the Electric Superman, an energy-collecting suit modified to absorb the evil Speed Force haunting Bart Allen.
#36-37... The interlude concludes in most unusual fashion. Batman and J'Onn J'Onzz, two of DC's best detectives, make a great pairing, but further adventures will have to wait because J'Onn is... otherwise engaged. (Cough.)
#38-39... Shocker!
#40... I really love Miller's epilogues (or let's call them post-fight climaxes). Moments of humanity and humor. I mean, how satisfying is the scene of Clark Kent coming home? Or the fate they've planned for Lex?
#41... Hey Lois fans! She's the star in a four-parter called Valkyrie that's going to be alternating with the main storyline. That's right. What the New52 refuses to do, Smallville Season 11 will render up for your pleasure. It's just cruel that I have to wait for part 2.
#42-43... Holy crap! Miller's Booster Gold is HILARIOUS!
And then he turns it into a Legion story? Yes, please! Plus: Lois & Clark shower scene!
So I'm all caught up, and I plainly love this series. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me it's not going away anytime soon. Like to make room for some kind of Man of Steel-continuity comic. We're already losing Superman Family Adventures this month, and we need and deserve a Superman book that's fun, romantic and inspirational. This is the only one we'll have left.
Type: Non-canon
The task I have decided to undertake is to read as much of Smallville Season 11 as possible before my eyes give out and live-post my reactions right here on the SBG. So if you're an early bird, check back again during the next few hours. I'll be adding to the post. 43 issues to date? Oh boy...
#1... I'm catching up with this version of reality fast here... There's a JLA Watchtower in the middle of Metropolis, Green Arrow and his... wife? Not-Black-Canary live there. Lois and Clark are together (this is already a better version of the DCU). Otis works for Luthor. OTIS!!! And... what is that, the Nexus?
#2... Pushing planets? Apokolips invasion? Did that all happen in Season 10 or off-stage during the "summer"? And I see Lex has lost his memory so he doesn't remember Clark (because he knew who Superman was?). It makes the TV series sound in turn like an epic comic book and like a melodramatic soap opera.
#3... According to Lois, when will she and Clark finally get married?
#5... I've got to say, Bryan Miller's dialog is full of little gems, moments of humor and inspiration... I really, really like his stuff.
#6-7... The writing's very good, the art is pretty good, but the lettering is full of errors. Let's do something about that, eh, Saida Temofonte? Also, I hope Clark doesn't hear about Mrs. Henshaw's dissatisfaction with his job performance and go walk across America to find himself.
#8... Thought it was about time to post a cool moment:
#9... Romance isn't dead, until you start talking babies with Oliver Queen.
#10-11... A little superhero fighting to clear the palate, because it can't all be rescues (no matter what Superman Returns tried to tell us). Wait... the show had an Earth-2?
#12... Lex is one manipulative, clever bastard. And that's how it should be. Love his layered plans.
#13... There's a great bit with Lois trying to drag Clark back to bed, but he's completely immovable. And then a stupendously badass female Nightwing shows up!
#14... May I suggest not swearing in front of kids?
#15... Geez, Terrible Turpin as a hot blond dude? Smells like TV casting. Where's the Kirby look-alike I so dearly loved in the comics and cartoons? That cool Nightwing is Barbara Gordon, so that's even cooler. (I bet I'm being a complete noob here and this is all from the TV series.)
#16... And now, Babs-Nightwing messing with Green Arrow.
#17-18... Who's following the clues right to Joe Chill? Why, the World's Finest, that's who!
#19... Bryan Q. Miller: Making the Prankster a potable threat. Incredible.
#20-21... Well that was an exciting chase! Ollie and Lois on motorbikes racing against the Batmobile while Superman lays dying in the passenger seat from kryptonite bullet wounds. The in-continuity books could learn a trick or two from Miller.
#22... In the interests of showing every possible permutation of Superman (that's what Reign is all about, really), here's his anti-kryptonite armor:
#24... The change in artists gives Bruce Wayne an odd make-over, but otherwise, this breather epilogue/prologue issue is loaded with good stuff. Superman visits Crime Alley, Green Arrow gets surprising news, the heat wave comes to an end, and Lex makes a promise/threat that launches the next arc.
#25-27... "Haunted" has Lex try to peer into his dead sister's mind (she's been subletting his brain since the start of the series) to find what he's forgotten, and Impulse is being haunted too by some kind of Dark Flash thing. But it gets brilliant when Monsieur Mallah and the Brain show up with an army of monkey art thieves!
#28... J'Onn J'Onzz with Oreos. Booster Gold merchandise. The Dark Knight Returns' Mutants. White Martians. "Stately Wayne Manor". This interlude is a love letter to DC's past.
#29-31... Of course, it's easier to create a coherent superhero universe when it's all limited to a single title and writer, but I like how Superman's interactions with other heroes is part of this story. It feels like they're part of the supporting cast, with lives connected to that of the Man of Steel's, and not guest-stars. Speaking of guest-stars, JSA on the horizon! And finally we're seeing movement on the whole Crisis subplot.
#32... I love the Batman/Martian Manhunter interludes! Here's one reason why:
#33... Oh, I see! Earth-2 is Morrison's, not Julius Schwartz's! The evil Clark was in the show, right? I seem to remember seeing pictures.
#34-35... Another new
#38-39... Shocker!
#40... I really love Miller's epilogues (or let's call them post-fight climaxes). Moments of humanity and humor. I mean, how satisfying is the scene of Clark Kent coming home? Or the fate they've planned for Lex?
#41... Hey Lois fans! She's the star in a four-parter called Valkyrie that's going to be alternating with the main storyline. That's right. What the New52 refuses to do, Smallville Season 11 will render up for your pleasure. It's just cruel that I have to wait for part 2.
#42-43... Holy crap! Miller's Booster Gold is HILARIOUS!
So I'm all caught up, and I plainly love this series. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me it's not going away anytime soon. Like to make room for some kind of Man of Steel-continuity comic. We're already losing Superman Family Adventures this month, and we need and deserve a Superman book that's fun, romantic and inspirational. This is the only one we'll have left.
Comments
Season 10 seems like the only worthwhile season of the show as they knew they were going off-air so they could get as geeky as the wanted (Booster Gold! Earth 2! The Legion! The Monitors!)
Reading this liveblog has made me want to pick up Season 11. Seems like a quality series.
I wouldn't have thought it, but a lot of these digital-first titles are a lot better than the main line they keep trying to push as their "real" focus.