Superman Volume 1: The Unity Saga: Phantom Earth is a new series for our favorite out-of-this-world crimefighter, filled with epic fight scenes and monsters straight out of Kryptonian nightmares. There’s also a large cast of supporting DC characters which made for an exciting read.

There were many facets of the story, from life lessons to good versus evil to saving the planet from doom. I was surprised at how well the story flowed, given the many plot directions and the back and forth between past and present day amidst the explosive action. I haven’t read the previous Superman series and had no trouble following the action throughout. There were a number of villains, to be sure, but their stories were well described. On a side note, I was surprised at how funny the heroes were with each other. There were a few jokes that took me by surprise and it made for a great break in the action.

I was especially impressed with the art in this series. There are a lot of battle scenes between especially grotesque monsters and the artist filled every inch of the panels with delicately drawn details. It’s the kind of art that requires examination to take in everything hiding in the corners.

In the end, this was an extremely entertaining volume, one that promises an intriguing new series. We’re sure to see the phantom zone again, and I look forward to seeing our heroes defend Earth against the powers that would destroy it.

Review will publish on 3/5/19: https://reviewsandrobots.com/2019/03/05/superman-volume-1-the-unity-saga-phantom-earth-book-review

That was fun! Following the events of the "Man of Steel" mini-series, the Earth is suddenly taken into Phantom Zone. The story manages to be both fast and epic at the same time. The art is good, and I like Bendis take on Superman. He is still a boy scout, but we see more of his thoughts and reasoning, then in Jurgens run.
Bendis even gives us some great puns, without damaging the feel of the story.
All in all - a solid book, but not the best place to get into the story for the new readers, as it follows on the mini, and also uses some elements from recent Jurgens run

I did not read the mini-event that happened before this run started, but have always followed Brian Michael Bendis and thus I am starting this Superman title. Bendis is a fabulous writer and storyteller, and this Superman is no different. Within the large, overreaching story we learn little bits about what has happened - Superman's son and his father going off together, Lois, Krypton, etc. We see both Superman's emotional human side and later the side he keeps back, the alien monstrosity if he wanted to unleash himself. Ultimately it is his humanity that sets him apart, since he is not human.

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A reader has to be up on the DC comics universe to be able to follow this story line. There were villians popping in and out along with superheros that showed up for a panel and then disappeared. Hard to keep up when that happens. Many panels showed what is obviously meant to be pregnant pauses or contemplative moments that told nothing to the reader. I like my story flow to be a bit more obvious.

An enjoyable take on Superman. Not the best of Bendis but quite good, and I'm looking forward to what's next.