Broken Frontier

Anniversary comic issues are usually hit or miss in terms of content and by now readers should be aware of the self-congratulatory nature of such stories.  While there are exceptions to this, and Grant Morrison's recent Batman #700 stands out as the most recent example, Superman #700 fails to live up to the hype and promotion DC has been publicizing since news of J.M. Straczynski's association with the title broke several months ago.

Instead of the "look how far we've come" approach to anniversary issues, DC had a forum here, an opportunity that will likely never come again to capitalize on Superman's cultural significance as a major figure in twentieth century history.  After hearing JMS' own words about the significance of the "S" symbol for him, after reading pre-release interviews with JMS about his intentions for the series, the end result, to quote a recent Mark Waid tweet, is "you will believe a man can walk."

The entire 56 page book is divided into three separate stories penned by James Robinson, Dan Jurgens, and lastly, JMS.  Robinson is afforded the opportunity to bow out after his nearly two-year run on the title.  Ongoing readers may welcome his departure, while certainly some will lament it; however, as a transitory story linking Robinson's work and the culmination of the Kryptonian War saga into the future of Superman, it is rather disappointing.  Little more than a tried-and-true Superman vs. insert villain here trope with a splash of surface only romance between Superman and Lois, the story does not do justice to Robinson as craftsman and storyteller.

Next up is former Superman writer Dan Jurgens with a "tale from Superman's early years."  While the first page image of the captured crooks and a motor boat should generate a chuckle for fans for which the 1978 Richard Donner film was the closest thing to manna from on high, the story itself leaves very little to be championed.  Opening with a father knows best back-and-forth between a pre-teen Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne about the hazards of solo adventuring, Superman makes a single appearance in the beginning and then again at the very end.  The narration presented as Robin's inner monologue is almost insulting to readers.  Does DC honestly believe that audiences who purchase this issue (either casual readers who saw it mentioned in USA Today and want to join in on the nostalgia or longtime supporters who have been waiting for this release for months) don't know the basic Wikipedia back-story of Batman and Robin?  Of course, Robin finds himself in over his head only to be rescued by Superman's intervention.  Camp and kitsch definitely have their place in comics and are a welcome reprieve from either the formulaic "dark and gritty" or regurgitated plotlines of old; however, for what should be an investigation of Superman's history as well as a staging point for his future, this story is out of place, unnecessary, and not reflective of Jurgens' talents.

Lastly, JMS presents his prologue to the much anticipated "Grounded" story arc.  Although it begins with what appears to be another "Superman is misunderstood by the world," "Superman's infallibility," or "man out of place" approach, and very nearly falls into those traps, Straczynksi pulls out just in time.  The most significant aspects of this teaser storyline, because essentially that is what people will discover they have received upon purchase, are the brief dialogue with the Flash and the memories of Jonathan Kent.  Obviously, Straczynski is returning to the heartland motif as the key factor in shaping Superman's morality and values.  Yet, the incorporation of the road and travel/quest themes into this may result in a very poignant examination of the character in subsequent issues.

For such a history-making issue, Superman #700 perhaps could never live up to its own promotion and responsibility.  Yes, DC could have chosen to deviate from format and welcome back more history-making Superman writers to each pen their own "definitive" Superman story.  In turn, this could have showcased the evolution of the character throughout the generations and presented how JMS fits into this chronicle.  Superman #700 could have been a stellar offering for the casual, the ongoing, and even the non-comic reader who simply wants to share a moment in the history of America's most significant creation of popular culture in the past century.