Runner Up: Superman #11 – Brian Michael Bendis, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, Alex Sinclair and Josh Reed
The lives of those in the House of El are unreasonably hectic.
Maybe an hour or so after Jon returns and tells his parents about his time with his Grandfather, he and Superman are thrust into a giant war instigated by the returning Jor-El. Somehow, he’s managed to piss off the Thanagarians, the Khund, the normally peaceful Trilium Collective and they’re all gunning for him.
Ivan Reis absolutely makes this issue with his stunning visuals! The space combat is intense and Superman only makes it even better as he glides through ships with his red after image and beautiful explosions. The ships themselves are amazingly unique and specific to the races they come from. Heck, there’s a lot to be said for the many facial expressions that Superman makes as he “politely” asks each of them to stand down.
While the art was amazing, the story was good too. Finally, coming back to General Zod after about five issues, Rogol Zaar offers him a truce. Zaar promises to tell Zod why he destroyed Krypton if Zod can help him get out of the Phantom Zone. Somehow, because of Jor-El, the monstrous brute escapes. Zod appears as well, looking like he’s about to offer Jon Kent the ASS WHOOPING OF A LIFETIME, but he simply calms the boy as Zaar faces Superman and an unexpected ally appears.
This issue was a lot of fun and definitely helps to begin the pay off of Zod returning from the Phantom Zone and Zaar confronting the House of El in three generations. Superman was hilarious as he merely has to look at people, mildly annoyed, to get most of them to stop. Zaar, however, continues to be a bland brute as we only get teased about his motivations without any real development. I am excited about Zod’s future, however. I really REALLY want him to come out of this almost year long arc as a reluctant ally of Superman and for that, this is a high recommend!
Ty Talks Comics 