From acclaimed veteran writer Christopher Priest (Black Panther, Deathstroke) and artist Carlo Pagulayan (Planet Hulk, Wonder Woman) comes a story of the Man of Steel adrift in space and time in Superman: Lost #1. Featuring inks from Jason Paz, colors by Jeremy Cox, and lettering by Willie Schubert, this opening issue features Priest’s signature intelligent scripting and some incredible visual work to create a comic that is wholly engrossing – and sets up potentially one of the most personally challenging Superman stories in recent memory.
“SUPERMAN’S ODYSSEY OF SOLITUDE! After Superman is called away on a routine Justice League mission, Lois Lane awakens to find a complete stranger standing in her living room. The Man of Steel, home much sooner than expected, reveals he has, in fact, been lost in space for 20 years. Nothing and no one seem familiar to him anymore, and the timeless bond between them has been severed…or has it? Can love conquer all?”
Writing & Plot
Christopher Priest brings a softer yet still wholly compelling version of his brand of intelligent writing with his script for Superman: Lost #1. The Black Panther writer is famously known for his sardonic sense of humor, biting satire, and tendency to make many of his arcs centered around some sort of geo-political conflict. Those first two habits are entirely missing from this first issue – but this isn’t a bad thing. Priest does hit readers with some political drama early on, but it’s used as fodder for a playful conversation between Lois and Clark. Priest flexes his character writing abilities in this comic in a way that often gets overlooked in his other books. He’s always been a solid character writer – his Deathstroke run and his handling of that series’ cast is ample proof of this. However, even for a veteran mainstream comics writer, writing an entertaining and emotionally fulfilling Superman comic can be a serious challenge. Just from this first issue though, Priest seems to already have it nailed. While much of the script is broiled in action and political jargon, there’s a sense of personal weight and character understanding on every page. Priest’s script may be wordy, but the dialogue flows remarkably well and is constantly fascinating. This book serves as a reminder that superheroes are typically supposed to be super-smart, and watching the Justice League rattle off info about an otherworldly mystery they uncover is truly awesome. Every character’s voice sounds distinct and true to themselves, all while still making the book feel like a Priest comic. Lost itself is home to a familiar premise, but it’s written so well that the wait for the next issue is going to be a difficult one.
Art Direction
The whole Deathstoke team made their way over for this series, with Carlo Pagulayan and Jason Paz providing an incredible visual experience for Superman: Lost #1. Pagulayan’s pencils are full of detail for both characters and setting, making for a high-fidelity mainstream comic experience that holds a distinct artistic feel. His defined linework is unique among other “Big 2” comic artists, with a slightly edgier aesthetic that still feels perfectly suited for action scenes and quieter moments. His facial expressions bring an intensity and intimacy to both the big JL action sequence, and the conversations in Lois and Clark’s apartment. Lost is given a lot of dimension and atmosphere by Paz’s inks. The dynamic between his work and Pagulayan’s pencils makes for a stunning visual experience that pulls the reader into the room with Supes, Lois, and any other guests they may have. There’s a sullen sadness at a certain point in the book that I could scarcely imagine being better crafted by another creative team. The color art from Jeremy Cox finishes the visual experience with vivid yet subtle tones. Every part of his work here is impressive, but an absolute highlight has to be the cityscape shots from Lois and Clark’s apartment in Metropolis. The way the distant city lights mimic stars – and how that parallels with this story’s subject – is truly stunning. Finally, Willie Schubert’s lettering makes for a stellar reading experience with reflexive fonts that reflect character tone in each exchange. Overall, this opening chapter is a phenomenal visual read, fitting this sci-fi driven and emotionally tense Superman story.
Verdict
Superman: Lost #1 is a fantastic opening chapter to this new limited series from the acclaimed former Deathstroke creative team. Christopher Priest takes a familiar science fiction premise and wonderfully applies it to a Superman story, all while offering emotional intensity and his signature brand of geo-political bantering. The visuals from Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz, and Jeremy Cox are absolutely stunning and expertly sequenced, making for one of the best-looking DC comics to come out this year so far. Be sure to grab this debut chapter today!
