Superman No. 707
The Man of Steel has always stood for three things: truth, justice and the American way. Recently, though, those paragons of ideals have not made as much sense to Superman. The world, he is slowly discovering, is not black and white but rather many shades of gray.
When vile supervillains are taken out of the equation and replaced by modern-day issues, Superman's plethora of abilities are not enough to fight the corrupt capitalist underbelly of America. This moral ambiguity isn't the only problem that has his iconic underpants in a knot as his relationship with Lois Lane has also taken a turn for the worst.
Superman has turned from a force of unstoppable might to a mere civil service member overnight, and these real-world problems are DC's way to talk about issues facing everyday people.
This stark realism in comics is a welcome change to the rather uninspired challenges that usually occupy a hero's agenda. While Supes isn't taking down Luthor or Grundy in these issues, he sheds light on the dilemmas of corporate America.
For a real-life Man of Steel, look no further than DC's current plotline for its most beloved superhero.
Daredevil Reborn No. 1
In the wake of the Shadowland events that nearly tore apart his soul, Matt Murdock is left to wander the American West in search of the man who used to fear nothing. As Murdock roams the Dust Bowl, he finds more than tumbleweeds and jackrabbits as he uncovers a town's dirty little secret.
The shell of the man has hit an all time low, and as any superhero from the Marvel universe would say, redemption is not easy to come by. The first stop on Murdock's journey is a small backwater town that is currently experiencing a crime problem.
Daredevil, too emotionally damaged by recent events, is quick to walk away until he meets a child who, like Murdock, has lost his sight. The blind vigilante finds his inner strength as he begins to unravel the town's sinister conspiracy.
While all of the Shadowland series was an incredible adventure, full of brutal battles and atrocious murders, Rebirth brings back the Daredevil the world once knew. His interactions with the afflicted child are heartwarming, and his way of dealing with the small town's laws is admirable. This is the inspirational Matt Murdock the Marvel community has come to love.
Andy Diggle has written an outstanding comeback for "the man without fear," and it is well worth its $3.99 price tag.
Spawn No. 200
For the 200th issue of Todd McFarlane's original masterwork, the toymaker has put forth an issue worthy of bringing the series into a new era. While a new Hellspawn takes center stage in McFarlane's universe, McFarlane breaks new ground by resurrecting old arch-nemesis Malebolgia to shake the foundations of heaven and hell.
Even though the series has seen hundreds of issues and offshoots, the artwork in this goliath comic is still phenomenal. McFarlane's hellish and rather morbid take on the underworld has never looked better, and the team at Image does well to model the undead defender on a multitude of eye-catching splash pages.
For those who haven't followed the underworld crusader since his terrible 1997 feature-length film, a lot has happened to Al Simmons in the past 18 years. Between dying, coming back, and committing suicide, Spawn knows a thing or two about death. His battles between street crime, demons and hell are almost as legendary as the children's toys that made him famous.
As Jim Downey ventures down the rabbit hole as the new Hellspawn, he has a lot of work to do to make things right. However, with a creative team like McFarlane's behind him, everything doesn't look so bleak.
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Photo: Album covers courtesy of Island Records, The Avalanches, Warner Bros. Records, 88rising Records, Smithsonian Folkway Recordings and Numero Group
