Plot: Priest and Carlo Pagulayan
Script: Priest
Art: Carlo Pagulayan
Inks: Jason Paz
Colors: Jeremy Cox
Letters: Willie Schubert
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: April 11th, 2023
Superman: Lost #2 continues the epic miniseries featuring Superman isolated and lost in deep space. Last issue, Superman got tossed thousands of light years away from Earth while trying to save the planet. He eventually returned, but though he seemingly returned hours later, 20 years had passed for him where he was lost in the depths of space. The book alternates between the present and the past, showing how Superman is coming to grips with his experience in the present while flashing back to show how he survived over those 20 years.
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The Story
You know a book is in some heavy territory when it opens with Superman laying in the fetal position on his bedroom floor. That’s how Lois finds him at the beginning of Superman: Lost #2, which begins Superman’s healing process from his ordeal as well as shows the beginning of his odyssey through space. The parts of the book set in the present are interesting, with Lois agonizing over how to comfort her husband and help him through his PTSD. She also comes into conflict with Bruce Wayne, who she feels is responsible for what happened to Superman. The scenes set in the past though, as Superman realizes the dire situation he’s in and has to deal with it, are the most intense and gripping parts of the book.
Superman’s a hard character to write. He can pretty much do anything, very rarely makes mistakes and has a moral code as unyielding as granite. But this miniseries uses the “stranger in a strange land” plot device to push Superman to his limits. There’s the obvious first problem of Superman being dumped into space, and though he can hold his breath a long time, ultimately he’ll die if he is unprotected in space for too long. But once Superman manages to get to the surface of a planet, he still has to deal with the planet’s gravity, which is far heavier than that of Earth. He has to relearn how to use his powers just to do the simplest things. It immediately makes him relatable again, he’s no longer the omnipotent hero, he’s just a guy having to mentally adjust to survive and keep pushing forward to make it home.
We’re introduced to a couple of alien races, one of whom reminded me of the Ferengi from “Star Trek” and another race of people living on a “Dune”-style world. This is what makes this issue (and this miniseries) so intriguing. It’s going to be fun watching Superman out of his element, going from world to world, seeing exotic new locations, struggling with his powers and making friends and enemies along the way.
The Art
Carlo Pagulayan and Jason Paz’s art on Superman: Lost #2 reminded me of the great Neal Adams in places, with its stark detail, both in rendering of the characters and the alien landscapes. The art plunges us into the story, much like Superman is dropped into this crisis situation, and like the best art, it enhances the story.
Final Thoughts
The first issue set up the story, but Superman: Lost #2 kicks it into overdrive, showing us Superman’s first days cast adrift in space. There are some great moments as we watch Superman adjust to new alien landscapes, even as we switch to the present where Lois struggles to help him recover. It’s a thrilling read from beginning to end and makes me look forward to what’s to come. Highly recommended.