SUPERMAN #18
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Ivan Reis
Inker: Joe Prado
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Publisher: DC
Rating: 9/10
Well everyone, this is it, the issue we've all been anticipating. Superman finally reveals his identity to the world. While his Clark identity was exposed in New52, I tend to (as most fans do) ignore most of that stuff. When Bendis announced he was gonna do this I have to say I wasn't that shocked. It felt like a natural progression of the story he's been telling all along. Going back to that conversation that Superman has with Martian Manhunter in SUPERMAN #1, where MM tells him that he could be doing so much more yet he holds himself back. From there we continued to see "truth" play a huge theme over the book. When we learn about Jor-El's lies about Rogol Zaar and Kryptons destruction. From there we continue to see Cark question whether he truly is doing all he can do.
Which has brought us to today. Having helped form the United Planets, along with Jon, Clark is seeing things from a whole new perspective. He's even getting along with Zod, who the hell would have thought that would be possible. With Clark now the representative of Earth for the United planets, Jon off in the future with the Legion, something is still not sitting right with him.
Bendis has what might be one of the funniest conversations I've ever seen Superman have take place as we begin the story. Adam Strange asks Superman what's bothering him and again it all comes down to "truth". He questions why he still keeps this secret (his identity) when he is supposed to stand for TRUTH, justice, and the American way. He sees where his fathers lies got him and how it all started with one little secret. The hilarity of this scene is that Adam doesn't know why he would do it either, his reaction to Superman going to an office and sitting at a desk, had me laughing as I read. That look on Adam's face was drawn perfectly by Reis.
After deciding what he's gonna do, we get back to Earth. After returning to the Daily Planet, Clark just looks around at everyone and you can see that he's nervous. The first person he "reveals" the truth to is Perry. This might have been my favorite page. No dialogue just the silhouette of Clark opening his shirt to reveal the Superman costume. He hangs his head a little and we just see Perry walk up and hug him. It was such a beautiful and heartwarming scene. The art team conveyed every emotion without one word of dialogue.
From there he goes to Jimmy who doesn't even seem fazed by it. Superman's like "jimmy it's me Clark, I'm Superman!". Jimmy still doesn't bat an eye. Then we learn Lois got to him first. Haha Superman literally had a WTF moment. Bendis executed this one brilliantly. When he confronts Lois she tells him that she's know Jimmy longer than him and wanted to tell him the secret that she's been keeping form him as well. Damn I love Lois.
With two of his closest friends learning his secret, it's time to tell the world. As the issue close we are treated to one of the most powerful speeches I've ever read in a Superman comic. It gave me chills. He tells the world that he realizes that he no longer has to hide who he is and wants to be able to show every side of himself, both Kryptonian and human. He shares his love for the world and explains why he even hid himself to begin with. We see the reactions around the world, mostly filled with joy, until we see Lex's reaction. My god that last page, holy shit Reis, you could feel the anger coming of that page.
When Bendis took over the Superman books he promised a lot and so far has surpassed my expectations. I had no idea what to expect with this issue and I have to say that Bendis handled this one with a lot of love. This could have come off like a cheap publicity stunt, but it isn't. It's a new day for the Man of Steel, and I can't wait to see where we go from here. This is just the beginning.