Adventure Comics #2 ( DC - Johns and Shoemaker / Manapul / Henry )

Superboy is back and living out his teenage years in Smallville. But all is not as it seems in Superman’s hometown. And while Conner reunites with his former girlfriend, Wonder Girl, to see if they have a future together, Lex Luthor and Brainiac form a partnership that will cause havoc throughout the DC Universe. But what do their plans have to do with Conner and the other students at Smallville High?

Plus, in the Legion of Super-Heroes co-feature, which takes place all the way in the 31st century, Lightning Lad travels to the prison planet of Takron-Galtos to confront his brother, Lighting Lord. There, Lightning Lord informs Lighting Lad of a shocking family secret that sets the pieces in motion for a war that will decide the future of the universe. Yeah, the universe. No big.

In this less than booming economy, it’s tough to justify buying comics. Especially bad ones.  This is always been the reason my relationship with the Superman books has become strained in the past year.  I have had to re-evaluate my “gotta collect ‘em all!” collector mentality into something more discriminatory when.  Cuts have already been made (see ya Star Wars books), while others are still on the bubble ( I’m looking at your less-than-Action Comics).  But this is what I love about the Superman books.  When they suck, and there are those times, I can always jump back in when it gets good and not feel like I’ve missed anything.

Prior to the first to ADVENTURE, I’ve been feeling like I really don’t need drop my hard earned cash on another Superman title.  Looking through previews I see that DC has once again upped the number to 7 different comics a month (and I think I still may be missing one) which is more than my meager teacher salary is willing to provide. Now I loved what they did with Conner/Superboy in his later run with the Teen Titans and was not happy with his death, but his return seemed too much like ploy to grab my wallet.  I almost past it up…almost.

Geoff Johns is the master of subtle awesomeness, and it shows in this issue.  From Conner making reference to his “faded” haircut of his creation, to the twisting of the dialog to pull at the heartstrings, the issue is a joy to read.  I had no use of giant robot killing machines, although they do make an appearance. All I wanted was the characterization of Conner and Cassie coming together again.  Then I also go a dose of what Lex is up to (what’s in the stasis tube?).  Everything just came together, well almost everything.

I don’t want to say the artwork of Francis Manapaul is all bad, just inconsistent.  Inconsistent even in the same book.  There are times when I see his work be up to part with the current state of comics, and then there are times when I’ve seen Xeroxed work in artists alley look a thousand times better.  He just need to keep the bar where it should be.

Bottom line is I’m very happy I gave this book a change, and yet sad that something else will get to axe to justify the cost.

Grade: A