Editor's Desk 
‘Superman: The Stranger’ #1 is full of grit and Golden Age charm
Long before he was called “The Man of Steel,” “The Man of Tomorrow” or any of the sobriquets fans currently use, Superman was called the “Champion of the Oppressed.” This stems from the fact that he’d use his incredible powers to fight corruption and injustice in all its forms, including stopping an innocent woman from being executed and stopping a man from beating his wife. And this was all the way back in Action Comics #1! It’s this energy that Superman: The Stranger #1 taps into, as the Black Label series goes back to Superman’s roots in more ways than one.
The year is 1938, and Clark Kent is at a crossroads. Having discovered he has superhuman powers, he puts them to work protecting the innocent. Yet he’s struggling in his personal life, holding down multiple jobs while also racing to make rent. While he doesn’t have any friends or family, Clark knows he has to use his powers to fight more than bank robbers or stop runaway cars. He might get his chance, thanks to the Machiavellian machinations of Lex Luthor.
From the very first page, it’s clear that writer/artist Wes Craig has a firm grasp on what makes Superman such an iconic character. Throughout the issue, Clark’s sparingly shown as Superman, but when he does, it makes an impact – both on the people who witness him in action and the people who are unfortunate enough to be caught in his wrath. The difference between Clark and Superman is also distinct, thanks to Craig’s art. Clark is often shown hunched over, often going on tangents and feeling out of place in his oversized blue suit. Superman stands out thanks to his signature red cape and blue uniform, and how he takes off with a single leap. Yet they both feel out of place; a page shows Clark hunched over and defeated in the hustle and bustle of Metropolis while Superman often stares out into the night sky.
DC
Craig also isn’t afraid to shake up people’s expectations. The issue opens with Clark interviewing for a position at the Daily Planet, only to learn from editor-in-chief Perry White that the Planet‘s being brought out by someone with big pockets. That effectively means Clark might not meet Lois Lane or Jimmy Olsen in this story, but it also doesn’t mean that Superman will stop protecting the innocent. Craig even dials Superman’s powers back to Golden Age levels; no heat vision or Arctic breath to be found, just immense strength and leaping in a single bound. Jason Wordie’s colors help bring plenty of energy to the page, whether it’s the red and blue of Superman’s uniform or the more sinister hues of green and white surrounding Luthor.
I also love that while Superman: The Stranger #1 is a period piece, it taps into some of the modern issues people face today. Journalistic outlets being snapped up by rich owners, men who think money gives them the right to break any rule they want, struggling to keep a roof over your head…these are struggles a lot of people are dealing with, and it makes this comic stand out that much more. Yet the pure displays of power and the bold artwork by Craig feel reminiscent of Superman, especially the Fleischer-era animation that introduced the Metropolis Marvel to the world. It’s not an easy feat to balance all of this, yet Craig pulls it off with nearly ridiculous ease.
Superman: The Stranger #1 returns to Clark Kent’s roots, spinning a story that shows why Superman is such a timeless character. If you’re a Superman fan, pick up this comic. If you aren’t familiar with the character, pick up this comic. If you want proof that superheroes still matter, pick up this comic.
News reported through various sources and compiled with AI. This is automatically generated news content from known, popular, and reliable sources available at the time of publication.
We do not take any responsibility for, nor make any representations regarding, the accuracy, completeness, credibility, or
reliability of the content.
In case of any discrepancy, error, or copyright claim, we will promptly review and remove the content in question where appropriate.
We do not claim ownership of third-party content and assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any information contained herein. The credit, links and images are kept intact as an honest gesture, are property of its respective owners.
