‘Multiplicity’ begins with this issue, and judging by the cover many different Supermen are going to be involved. We dive into this issue to answer the question, is it good?
Future Quest #8 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? The summary reads:
“MULTIPLICITY” part one! The New Super-Man of China has been taken! The Red Son Superman of Earth-30 has been beaten! And who knows what’s happened to Sunshine Superman! Someone is collecting Supermen across the Multiverse—this looks like a job for our Kal-El as he is joined by Justice Incarnate in this multi-Earth epic!
Why does this book matter?
Is it just me, or is it surprising that this series is going to loop in all the multiple Earths that DC once eradicated? In the hands of Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason with art by Ivan Reis, we can rest easy knowing they got Supes on lock and it’ll look good to boot. Also, Russian Superman is in this issue!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Super whistle.
This issue introduces Soviet Superman, the immediate threat, and the bigger picture quite well. It’s the type of issue that’ll have you on the edge of your seat as the writing team keeps the plot moving and the new details coming. It also ties in well with another certain Superman series and should have folks talking. This is a classic example of the hero not having a chance to get their bearings which allows the reader to sit back and enjoy the ride.
This is classic Superman at his best–he’s the boy scout who wants to do right no matter what. Meanwhile, a group of heroes with a nifty name are introduced which should have elseworld fans positively giddy. There’s a rather generic villain introduced too, though the creative team makes them scary as heck with a few tricks up their sleeves.
The art by Reis is sharp as ever, rendering everything in high detail. The double page spreads, two or so, are gorgeously epic. Reis has a great handle on making a dynamic image that has depth and also captures the gravitas of a situation. The goon baddies that make up much of the threat in this issue are pretty gnarly (reminiscent of something from Apokolips but not quite) in an insectoid shark sort of way. The final pages have plenty to ogle including a certain Grant Morrison character that Reis renders well.
It can’t be perfect can it?
While Superman does do some punching in this issue, he’s serving as the audience outsider we can all relate to, which makes him mostly an observer in his own book. Considering it ties into another Superman book entirely, one might wonder why this wasn’t an event book.
We’re not in Kansas anymore…or are we?
Is It Good?
Get out your Earth number guide, because the multiverse is back! This issue kicks off the story arc with plenty of clues, questions, and immediate threats to tantalize.
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