Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artists: Rafa Sandoval & Miguel Mendonca
Color Artist: Alejandro Sanchez
Cover Artists: Rafa Sandoval & Alejandro Sanchez
Publisher: DC Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
Brainiac has invaded Metropolis to steal all of its metahumans for his own purpose. What is that purpose? To create the Brainiac Queen, a deadly creation unlike any other. But she requires power, and to that end, Brainiac has sent his Czarnian army led by General Chacal to apprehend Superman. But the general swayed Lobo, who was working with Superman, to join him and his Bad Blood crew. Now it’s The Man of Steel vs. the Main Man in Superman #14.
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Review:
Alright, we’re heading into what can be the halfway point of this crossover event. First, we have Superman vs. Lobo to kick the comic off. Why? Because Lobo wants to give being leader of his own gang a shot. For however long that’ll last. Meanwhile, we have Brainiac monologuing to Lena Luthor while his counterparts hunt down Supergirl and Luthor in his Coluan Bottle City. Which was collected before his homeworld’s destruction and has been resized back to full size on the top of the Skull Ship. All of the pieces converge together towards the Brainiac’s latest creation, the Brainiac Queen.
Okay, let’s get into the good stuff then the negatives of this comic and possibly this storyline. First off, Rafa Sandoval killing it on the art as usual. I’m glad that he’s stuck around for so long and hopefully he’ll be here till the end. From the locations like the exterior and interior of Brainic’s Skull Ship to the characters themselves look great in motion while fighting and when they’re not in action. The dialogue is great in the characterization and interactions between characters such as Superman and Lobo, Supergirl and Lex, and finally Brainiac all stand out here and they’re well written and in-character. Mostly.
See, this is where we get into the negatives. So, we’ve finally come to the part I’ve been dreading this whole time: the creation of the Brainiac Queen. I’m not a fan of most new characters these days in Marvel & DC Comics since most of them tend to be derivatives of existing popular characters, in this case villains, and they often lack distinction and staying power. It’s sad to say, but Joshua Williamson doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to creating new characters other than Flatline, especially when it comes to villains. Case in point, Joshua Williamson’s new villains in the main Superman run who form the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad, and the new villainess Shush from his ongoing Batman and Robin run. They’ve all been underwhelming and unremarkable to the point of making me wonder why he made them if he wasn’t going to do anything fun or significant with them.
But my fears have simply grown with his newest character the Brainiac Queen. I’m mostly worried that Williamson will try to have her supplant Brainiac as a major villain for the upcoming Absolute Power event. It doesn’t help that Brainiac’s motivations for creating her seem tacked on and weak at this point. We get some insight into Brainiac’s motives for doing all this from Lex, but the explanation isn’t that convincing in the slightest. On top of that, wee see Williamson have Brainiac go full Victor Frankenstein with Brainiac Queen’s creation, from the way he sets up Superman and the other captive metahuman as a power source, even plugging himself into, to power Brainiac Queen on, all while Brainiac has the smile of a proud mad scientist on his face as he’s amazed by his creation. And if you’re familiar with Frankenstein’s story, even the movies, then you have a good idea how this will predictably go for Brainiac and Brainiac Queen.
However, despite my concerns, I’m willing to give Williamson a chance to convince me on Brainiac Queen. I have voiced my concerns for this character and the storyline, but I will withhold full judgement of her until the next two parts. If he pulls it off, then he pulls it off. If he doesn’t, then we’ll just add Brainiac Queen to the ever-growing pile of failed new characters in Marvel and DC Comics have tried to make a thing. Hopefully, I’m proven wrong at least for this story, and Joshua Williamson doesn’t strike out with Brainiac Queen.
Final Thoughts:
Superman #14 brings the third part of the House of Brainiac story and things are heating up. While Superman is facing off with Lobo who’s turned traitor to no one’s surprise, Brainiac finalizes his preparations for the creation of the Brainiac Queen. Naturally, the art, pacing, and dialogue are good for the most part, and the action is great, but it’s Brainiac Queen that’s worrying. Sadly, Joshua Williamson doesn’t have the best track record recently with making new characters with staying power or distinction aside from Flatline, especially villains. But this story’s been good so far, so here’s hoping he delivers with Brainiac Queen in the next part.