Superman (2011), Volume 7

April 18, 2016
Two-time National Book Award–finalist Yang (American Born Chinese) makes his superhero debut with superstar artists Romita (Kick-Ass) and Janson (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns). After Superman discovers a new “solar flare” superpower that temporarily drains him of his powers, he sets out to understand how his powers are changing. But the world’s greatest hero has no time to rest as a new threat emerges from the shadows: the nefarious Hordr_Root, whose technological crimes aim to reshape the world. With his secret identity exposed to a mysterious enemy and his powers still returning, Superman faces challenges that will alter his place in the DC Universe. Yang’s creative script deftly merges modern technology with super-pseudoscience, and introduces a new, intriguing character of color to the DCU. His writing skill is all the more apparent in contrast with Romita’s clumsy introductory story. Luckily, the creative team works together seamlessly to show the widescreen action in Yang’s tale; collectively, they succeed in turning the Superman mythos on its head.

Starred review from June 1, 2016
DC scored a coup when Yang came aboard to write Superman. His first arc, collected here, features two significant qualities the National Book Award finalist and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature brings to the hero's exploits. First, with his keen talent for gracefully simple and charming character moments, he injects the Man of Steel with an accessible humanity. This heightened humanity is apparent as Superman's powers reach a low ebb, forcing him into difficult decisions about how he protects his loved ones, highlighted by his relationship with Lois Lane. Indeed, this central relationship's balance and understanding are given unusual nuance and poignancy. Second, Yang taps into an urgent relevance, with the inclusion of the villainous Hordr, a data-driven villain who roots out secrets and ruthlessly exposes them, including our hero's most precious and closely guarded secret: his true identity. Both Jimmy Olsen and Condesa, a new character of Yang's own invention, bring a convincing youthful energy long absent from the title. Had Yang not been writing, Romita Jr.'s art would be cause enough for celebration. His visual story structure is the cleanest, most fluidly exciting in mainstream comics, and his action, reminiscent of the artwork of both Romita Sr. and Jack King Kirby himself, imbues a full sense of impact, both physical and emotional. A high point for the world's first superhero.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)