CREDITS: Written by Scott McCloud; art by Rick Burchett and Terry Austin.
REVIEW: I got excited when I saw Scott McCloud's name in the credits, and he didn't disappoint. A woman screams for help just so she can meet Superman, and though he leaves in a hurry, she uses the encounter to fuel her crush on him and foolishly tells other people he's her boyfriend. It's not a crazy obsession, just sweet daydreaming, but it of course gets her in trouble when a villain - Metallo - overhears her talking about this. It's a fun little idea, filled with character and humor (Lois' reaction, for one thing, and the way the woman gets out of the limelight's bright glare at story's end).
It's a story that provides ample opportunity for action, and though I'm not particularly keen on Metallo - just a super-strengthster with a cheap kryptonite blast that always takes Superman out of commission - I love how the situation puts everyone's lives on the line at the same time just as Superman is weakened. The police helicopter doesn't just go down without a fight, their last move is actually very heroic and adds some spice to an otherwise tired fight formula.
Throughout, McCloud does lots of classic Superman bits, and I think you can tell he's enjoying himself. There's the whole "Superman's girlfriend" of course, a nickname that by rights should belong to Lois, but this early, she hasn't embraced it yet. There's a scene an almost-phone booth scene (not quite a booth, since those have gone out of style). He mentions the Metropolis sign, develops relationships between the various journalists, etc. Seems to be the regular writer for at least a little while, and I couldn't be happier.
REREADABILITY: Medium-High - Metallo, whatever, could have been any number of villains threatening that girl. It's in the amusing premise and its fun execution that this story really shines. I expect good things from Scott McCloud in the near future.
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