Darwyn Cooke is a genius. Plain and simple. And, like me, he doesn’t like event comics. Event comics are pretty much the reason why he doesn’t write in continuity. Event comics always include retcons or such major changes that whatever a writer does to a character one year may be completely moot or forgotten the next. So, Darwyn Cooke (genius, remember) writes stories that stand outside of continuity so that they can stand the test of time. “New Frontier”, his work on Batman, and his run of Will Eisner’s The Spirit are great examples, and so is “Superman: Kryptonite”.
While Darwyn has a different idea about Kent’s first contact with Kryptonite and introduces a character that may or may not sit well with Superman fans, he still presents a wonderful Superman story that deals with the Big Blue Boy Scout’s origins and mortality. The relationships are great and the plot is good, and Tim Sale’s art is as great as ever. We get to see Superman sip champagne atop the Eiffel Tower, fight a volcano, learn about Krypton, and almost die. Lex Luthor is his usual badness. Lois Lane is her usual spunkiness. Jimmy Olsen is his usual eagerness. It’s all there and it’s all good.
The art of Tim Sale and the timelessness of Darwyn’s story make this seem like a spiritual sequel to “Superman for All Seasons”. I highly recommend this book.
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