Superman ‘78: The Metal Curtain #6 – Robert Venditti, Writer; Gavin Guidry, Artist; Jordie Bellaire, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: It’s wild that this series has wrapped up while its sister Bat-series has just released its second issue, but both are delivering very satisfying tales so far. While Echoes might be the more suspenseful of the two, Venditti and new artist Gavin Guidry have done an amazing job of capturing the vibe of the classic Superman movies. I think some might find this final issue a bit earnest and jingoistic, but isn’t a bit of that vibe necessary for a great Superman story? When we last left off, Superman had arrived in the Soviet Union to confront Metallo and try to defuse the war between them—only to find a parallel universe where he’s hated and feared by the public, who sees him as an American intruder. As Metallo’s cruel handler plans to escalate the crisis and use it to gain further control, Metallo rises to the bait—ready to kill Superman by any means necessary, no matter how much damage it causes.
That’s where this issue feels quintessentially Superman. As Metallo destroys his own city, Superman tries anything he can to preserve the innocent lives around him, even when it puts him in harm’s way. And with each life he saves, minds are changed until Metallo finds himself opposed not just by Superman but by the very people he aims to protect. Metallo has never been a true villain in this story, just a fiercely patriotic soldier turned into a weapon and used by his military for a cause he doesn’t fully understand. While his ultimate decision here may feel a bit rushed, it lands well and leads to some very powerful moments in the last few pages of the issue. This whole run has been a great look into what made the initial Reeve Superman movies so great. I’m not sure if there are future plans for more, but I would love to see this creative team keep bringing in iconic Superman villains.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
