“Superman” #23 Review

Superman #23

Written By: Mike Johnson
Art By: Eddy Barrows, Jesus Merino
 

The Superman series could use a magnetic personality to liven it up, and Psycho Pirate is an interesting choice. Unfortunately, Superman #23 uses the character’s narration only to explain the events of the plot, and does little to give any inside scoop on Psycho Pirate’s personality. Overall, it’s a pretty cartoonish book.

There is a lot of enjoyable and pretty action behest of Merino’s visuals, particularly Superman constricted in the Psychic energy, but he looks a little too young and lacks that depth of expression or urgency in his face.

The narration is used only to describe what Superman is doing, i.e. his X-Ray vision, but doesn’t go into the toll it takes on seeing his fellow Metropolis men kill each other.

Overall, the idea of a psychic antagonists is a good threat for Superman, but the H.I.V.E. and Hammond’s ultimate goals are unclear and their battle becomes exhausting as they relentlessly attack one another with an army of psychic puppets.

The reveal of Psycho Pirate at the end is a good one, and definitely makes me curious for his interaction with Superman next issue. Unfortunately, Superman #23 doesn’t give enough of a taste of what that conversation may be like, and uses Psycho Pirate’s narration only to assist the basic storytelling.

Score: 5.5/10