Everyone knows Superman as the invincible man of steel who can defy any danger. But what if every small-time crook could suddenly hurt him? The start of a new comic series already offers a strong premise for MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes.
Even if you may have never seen a movie of his, everyone knows Superman. Together with Batman, he is among the most famous DC heroes. Last year he even started a new film universe with a new movie.
As one of the most powerful heroes in comic history, he doesn’t seem that exciting on paper. Even though he has even died once, he seems invincible. The stakes seem to be missing.
The new comic Superman Unlimited No. 1 creates a new, dangerous premise for the man of steel without simply taking away his powers.
Superman Unlimited No. 1 was sent to us as an editorial review copy by Panini.
Every small-town crook becomes a dangerous encounter
What is Unlimited Superman No. 1 about? The comic is essentially not a new origin story, but picks up with a Superman who has already spent a few years as a hero. One day, a mysterious meteorite flies to Earth, and when Superman tries to stop it, he discovers that behind a thin metal layer lies a lot of Kryptonite.
He manages, despite his weakness, to move the stone so that no humans are hit, but he lies in a coma for a whole 3 months. When he wakes up, the world has changed. The meteorite lands near the fictional country El Caldero. At the helm is President Castilho. Thanks to the Kryptonite, the country has become a wealthy nation, using Kryptonite for everything: for equipment and weapons, but also for gigantic sculptures.
At the same time, Kryptonite weapons also make their way onto the black market, and suddenly the smallest gangsters are running around with Kryptonite knives and bullets.
But Superman has a new power: When Superman has too much contact with Kryptonite, he releases the solar energy stored in his cells and heals himself. For 3 minutes, he turns golden and is immune to Kryptonite. However, after those 3 minutes, he initially has no powers left.
This makes him stronger but also limited. He must quickly capture and stop criminals. If he fails, he has to find another way to defuse the situation. This is a pleasant limitation that still allows him to retain his abilities.
A good starting point for new fans, without dismissing the old ones
What makes this comic so good? Since the comic refrains from rehashing an origin story, it relies on short flashbacks at a moment when he seems to sacrifice himself for the people. In just a few panels, his family, his villains, and his deeds are shown. This is an elegant solution. At the same time, this story doesn’t require too much prior knowledge, making it suitable for fans of the new movie as well.
I liked the premise here. Instead of presenting Superman with an overwhelmingly powerful opponent, the situation for the world is changed. Kryptonite seems to exist at every corner, and Superman can only fight against it for 3 minutes. Other Kryptonians like Krypto, Supergirl, or Superboy have more problems.
Additionally, the political situation makes everything more exciting. Unlike a small piece of Kryptonite in the hands of a villain, it has now become a global resource. A whole country has become wealthy because of it, and Superman can and will do nothing against it. Superman is pushed to his moral limits.
Dan Slott as the author creates a beginner-friendly premise without boring the fans. No matter who you are, you can relate to the premise. The story is exciting in this first volume, but never too serious, ensuring a relaxed reading experience. Rafael Albuquerque’s drawings fit excellently with this. They are modern, clear, and capture Superman’s heroic character perfectly.
A lot of potential for the kind-hearted hero
Superman Unlimited No. 1 has great potential to tell loving stories that capture the true essence of Superman. I just hope that the premise doesn’t become too convoluted and that the story follows a clear line, as the secrets hinted at definitely ignite the desire for more.
The premise shows that Superman can still feel fresh and be a role model for everyone even after almost 90 years.
How can I read Superman Unlimited No. 1? With Superman Unlimited No. 1, Panini compiles issues 1 to 3. This collected edition was released on March 24, and this version was also provided to us as a review copy. If you prefer the individual issues, you will have to rely on English imports. They are also available digitally or as a subscription at DC Unlimited. You can read more about this Superman story here: Superman is one of the most powerful heroes of DC, a new story even makes him stronger
Your opinion is important to us!
Do you like the article? Then let us know!