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Review: Lois Lane #1

By Philip Schweier
July 3, 2019 - 08:11

Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane #131 was one of the first comics I bought back in the early 1970s. It was one of the many titles in the Superman line, and one I especially enjoyed. But tastes change, and long after it merged with Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen to form Superman Family, I had moved on to other titles. But to this day, Lois Lane remains DC’s oldest supporting player. Growing from a plucky gal reporter to a love-struck woman with a super crush, IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME she came into her own.

Here’s the thing: I used to work for a great metropolitan newspaper, so I know there’s a lot of drama behind the press, and a lot of stories that are only told in the city room. Lois is no slouch as an investigator, so I applaud DC Comics for finally capitalizing on the idea – and for choosing Greg Rucka to write it. He has a history of crafting well-rounded female characters, without the cliché of thinking of a man, and taking away reason and accountability*.

Lois is long overdue for taking center stage, and she is in excellent hands. Don’t believe me? Pick up the first issue. Rucka has her firmly planted in 21st century journalism, without turning in stories on paper**. The “publish-without-oversight-or-review” button, I’m not so sure of. Every story needs a second pair of eyes. Especially hers, cuz I hear she’s not that a good a speller†. Though Rucka does push the boundaries somewhat. I can’t imagine someone who puts words together for a living struggle so much with common words, even in this era of laziness and spell check.

This appears to be a story of intrigue and deception, (again, right in Rucka’s wheelhouse), and I hope it stays that way. Lois has no super-powers, and it would be a disservice to her growth as a character if she has to rely on Superman (or any other meta-human) to bail her out. With that in mind, Mike Perkins’ artwork is a bit scratchy in texture, but it fits the tone of the story very well.


* As Good As It Gets, starring Jack Nicholson, 1997

* I Love Trouble, starring Julia Roberts, 1994

* Superman – The Movie, starring Christopher Reeve, 1978

Rating: 9 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12