Superman Unlimited #1 Review

 

Writer: Dan Slott

Artist: Rafael Albuquerque

Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artists: Rafael Albuquerque & Marcelo Maiolo; Frank Quietly; Gabriele Dell’Otto; Leinil Francis Yu & Romulo Fajardo Jr; Seba Fiumara; Dave Rapoza; Christian Ward; Dan Mora; Sozomaika;Jim Lee, Scott Williams & Alex Sinclair

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: May 21, 2025

 

It’s a big day for Lois Lane. The Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Planet gathers her staff for an announcement that could reshape the international media landscape. But when some of her reporters question the viability of her new plan, Clark Kent hurries from the room. What could be so important for Clark to abandon his wife at this crucial moment in her career? Let's stop by a phone booth, leap into Superman Unlimited #1, and see!

 

Story

Superman doesn't just tackle world-threatening events. He also takes the time to handle the smaller dangers to life in Metropolis. Yet life is filled with all kinds of struggles. While saving people from burning buildings and preventing criminals from getting away, he takes the time to encourage struggling idealists. Clark Kent has many reasons to be Superman. But he has more reasons to bless others’ lives.

 

While fighting crime and protecting his world, Clark remembers key moments from his youth. These flashbacks remind him that he may hail from Krypton, but he belongs to the people of Earth. Clark was the son of Jonathan and Martha Kent before his superpowers manifested, and their values shaped his outlook. As Clark remembers the friends from his youth, he compares himself to Lex Luthor. And it was Jonathan and Martha, not Jor-El and Lara, who helped Lois Lane see Clark Kent without being blinded by Superman.

 

In Superman Unlimited #1, an approaching asteroid proves a pivotal moment for Humanity. Superman goes into orbit to prevent it from hitting Earth. That effort will take more out of Clark than he imagined. Yet the significant changes for the planet, and Clark Kent, seem yet to come in Dan Slott's new series.

 

Art

Rafael Albuquerque fills pages with scenes from Clark’s past and present. He provides glimpses of key moments in history, such as Clark flying like a kite, clutching a crystaline shard, proposing to Lois, and his death. While most pages feature multiple panels, Superman's discovery of the asteroid's nature fills two pages. Clark’s realization that his life has changed fills the final page.

 

Marcelo Maiolo lavishes a loaded palette on Superman Unlimited #1. Green infuses his fight in space and promises to dominate Superman's future. Yellow dominates, helping Clark shine in both the past and present.

 

Dave Sharpe places uppercase black letters in white dialogue balloons and white letters in colored narrative boxes. Superman's stylized S within a shield accompanies his thoughts, reminding us that, like the House of El, he brings hope to those in need. Music notes bulge from one recipient's dialogue balloons, as Clark takes a moment from saving lives to perform a random act of kindness in a world that sometimes seems cruel.  

 

Final Thoughts

Dan Slott pays homage to Superman's history in comics, TV, and film as he embarks on a bold new series for Earth's foremost protector. Beautifully written, drawn, colored, and lettered, Superman Unlimited #1 is a great launching point for new readers while entertaining lifelong DC fans.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see a preview at Comic Book Dispatch. 

 

For another reviewer's thoughts, see his review at Comic Book Dispatch.