Writer: Robert Venditti
Art: Gavin Guidry and Jordie Bellaire (colorist)
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 5th, 2023
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THE DISPATCH
In Superman ’78: The Metal Curtain #2 we see the first confrontation between Christopher Reeve’s Superman and the Metallo of this universe. Obviously they want to keep it fitting for the 1970’s or early 1980’s time period, both in what would have been possible to show on film during that time, as well as a connection to historic events happening during that time period. Metallo has been reimagined as a Russian agent in a kryptonite powered metal suit. Also, in this issue we get nods to both Superman II and the events of last year’s Superman ’78 comic, which featured Brainiac.
That series revealed that Superman’s parents, Jor-El and Lara, are still alive in the bottled, shrunken Kryptonian city of Kandor. Also, for those that saw the second Superman film starring Reeve, we know that Clark’s “super kiss” of Lois wiped her memories, so therefore she has no remembrance of having been to the Fortress of Solitude. This issue built on that well. It even toyed with the idea of Clark once again attempting to reveal his super secret to Lois like he had previously done in the second film before wiping her memory. It also showed us a good confrontation between Metallo and Superman and gave us a good characterization of this version of Metallo.
ART
The art in Superman ’78: The Metal Curtain #2 is very well done and Guidry does a good job at capturing the likenesses of Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando and Susannah York. The fortress is also very accurate compared to how it looked in the films. There’s also a great panel showing Clark changing into Superman and opening his shirt to reveal the Superman logo. The fight between Superman and Metallo is depicted very well showing the kryptonite radiation, as well as an explosion that happens as a result of the fight.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Superman ’78: The Metal Curtain #2 continues a great storyline that feels like another Christopher Reeve film. It pays homage to the second movie and builds off of the previous comic series well, while also introducing new characters. This version of Metallo is a formidable opponent, even if he’s not the traditional version of the character. What do you think might happen next?