Review: Superman #14

The “House of Brainiac” event continues in what was probably my least favorite issue of the event so far. However, it was still an enjoyable read w/ some epic moments!

One of the highlights is the artwork, which continues to impress. Sandoval & Mendonça’s illustrations are dynamic & engaging, w/ two awesome splash pages early on showcasing Superman & Lobo’s battle. The light/elemental effects throughout the book are also really cool design elements that add depth to the scenes. Alejandro Sánchez’s vibrant color palette makes each individual environment unique, particularly the dark tones of Brianiac’s ship.

However, the issue’s pacing feels a bit disjointed, w/ too many plot threads competing for attention. Superman’s capture & delivery to Brainiac, Supergirl & Lex’s meeting Vril Dox, Lena Luther’s brief reappearance, & Brainiac’s awakening his new creation all feel like chess pieces being moved into place for the next phase of the event. While this setup is necessary, it makes the issue feel a bit like a transitional moment rather than adding to the event.

My bigger gripe is Lobo & the Czarnians becoming the typical caricatures, though they do become literal “filler” by the end. I would have loved to see more of that final scene. It had the potential to be epically brutal, but we only got a glimpse of it. Those two pages were awesome though!

Overall, this was still a good installment in the “House of Brainiac” event. While it has its flaws, the artwork & some standout moments make it worth reading. I’m looking forward to seeing how the all unfolds further next in Action Comics #1066.

Rating: 8/10