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Superman 701

The best Superman stories have always been the ones where we are reminded that he is human.

J Michael Straczynski brings us a different kind of Superman story in the first part of Grounded. Starting in a prologue in Superman 700, Superman has come to the realization that via his super heroics and his year away from Earth, he has lost base with humanity. Realizing that you can’t truly understand life on Earth while flying through the sky, in an attempt to reconnect with society and, once again, learn what it is like to be human, Superman decides to “go for a walk.” With the press on his heels, Superman roams the streets of Philadelphia, encountering real people with real problems, and helping everyone he meets along the way with problems as small as a leaky fuel line to a drug dealer infested neighborhood, while passing wisdom and philosophies to all that he engages.

Grounded is a very different type of Superman story and possibly will not prove popular to some readers, while others will consider it a classic. One of the pop culture industry’s most brilliant writer, Straczynski has become known for adding a third dimension to every character that he writes. His stories are not just action/adventure stories. They contain an emotional element that leaves readers thinking about what they’ve read long after they reach the final panel. Grounded does seem like a sounding board for Straczynski to depart with all his personal philosophies and, as a result, it often gets wordy and slightly pretentious as Superman seems to vomit wisdom at every turn, often sounding like a cross between the Dalai Lama and Mike Brady. However, there is often truth to each of the philosophies that Superman presents in these pages and if the reader listens perhaps they might learn something about themselves and the world around them.

But what Grounded has that many comics today are missing is the element of heart. Once again it shows that although he is an orphan from another planet with super power far greater then those of mortal men, Superman is, essentially, more human then the rest of the superhero community. Feeling that he has lost touch with his humanity, Superman’s walk seems to be either a spiritual journey or a total emotional breakdown. Watching Superman engage with normal people, and to deal with non-earth shattering issues helps literally bring Superman down to Earth. Straczynski also manages to draw high emotions out of the reader. As someone with a true interest in mental illness, I got goose bumps when Superman talks a suicidal woman down from a building, and I got choked up as he holds her in his arms to comfort her. Grounded isn’t without its humor as well, including Superman’s quest for a Philly Cheese Steak and detecting an elderly man’s heart attack. Superman 701 proves to be subtle and oddly sweet.

After a year of intergalactic adventures via the New Krypton storyline, Grounded is a way for Superman to finally come back to Earth. Grounded is like no other Superman story you’ve read before, but for those who like something a little more subtle and thoughtful Grounded is worth taking a look at.

Also worth checking out this week at your local comic book shop!

Birds of Prey #3 – As the Black Canary’s world continues to fall apart; she realizes that she must face the mysterious White Canary alone. Meanwhile the surprising masterminds behind this vicious plot are revealed to Oracle. And what does the Penguin dream about at night? Probably the same thing a lot of fan boys do, revealing the sick fuck that lives in all of us.

The Brave and the Bold #35 – J Michael Straczynski brings two of comic’s biggest loser teams into the current century! In an attempt to be taken seriously, The Legion of Substitute Superheroes try to undermine The Legion of Superheroes and The Doom Patrol’s team-up by saving the Earth before they do. However, by teaming up with the Inferior Five, the Subs are more likely to doom the Earth then save it. And where has the Inferior Five been these last forty years? This issue explains it all…and the final panel is a laugh out loud classic!

The Amazing Spider-Man #637 – The Grim Hunt is over. Deaths, rebirths, resurrections and redemption abound as one of the most epic Spider-Man stories in years concludes, changing the status quo of New York based spider powered character forever. If you haven’t read Spider-Man in a while, make sure to pick all The Grim Hunt issues, or put it on your radar for the upcoming trade paperback. You won’t be disappointed.

Batgirl #12 – Batgirl Rising concludes as Steph finally faces off against the Calculator, and Oracle gets a brand new side kick.

Archie and Friends #145 – Archie Comics spoofs The Jersey Shore! When the Lodges rent a beach house next door to a camera crew filming a Jersey Shore type program, Mr. and Mrs. Lodge watch in horror as the Riverdale High gang get caught up in spray tans, big hair and being douche bags. However, the fun starts to fall apart when the new breakout stars turn out to be Reggie and Cheryl Blossom. Will they be leaving Riverdale for a life on the Jersey Shore? The gang can only hope!