Superman has been off-world on several occasions, mostly on humanitarian missions. Whether it’s a world-shattering cataclysm or an all-out war, Kal-El has always rushed off to the ends of the galaxy to help those in need. If anything, the recent Warworld Saga is proof of the sacrifices he is ready to make which he utilizes to bring liberation to people less fortunate than him. What happens when he loses years in space at the blink of an eye and returns home feeling alienated? Written by Christopher Priest and Carlo Pagulayan with artwork from Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Pax, and Jeromy Cox with lettering by Willie Schubert, Superman: Lost #1 is a10-issue limited series continuing the 85th-anniversary celebration of the timeless character.
The masterminds behind the Eisner-nominated Deathstroke series are back with a new tale that places the Man of Steel at the center of a terrifying puzzle. Superman: Lost #1 opens with Clark and Lois going over the specifics of a case while enjoying the bliss of their home in Metropolis when a Justice League emergency alert goes out. As he attends the call, Lois goes over her report but soon falls asleep, only to wake up a few hours later to find Clark standing in the middle of the living room. Superman looks outside the windows and suddenly breaks the silence by claiming that he has been away for 20 years, to the dismay of Lois.
One of the most iconic couples in comic book history, Clark and Lois’s relationship is a well-documented affair. Christopher Priest and Carlo Pagulayan begin their story with them, letting the reader revel in their domestic bliss. This setup feels like the foundation for the story as well, as it helps Superman stay tethered to his friends and family on Earth, especially with Lois. After setting up the premise, the issue delves directly into the plot. It begins like a regular Justice League mission — a situation that needs to be defused swiftly to avoid further escalation. Each problem creates another, piling up the stakes to keep the thrill going. While much of the terminologies may seem convoluted, fortunately, real-life physicist Dave Van Domelen grounds the adventure in the space-time continuum.
Carlo Pagulayan makes Superman look larger than life with broad shoulders and a striking crest that reminds readers who the protagonist is. This happens in every panel, whether he’s saving a driver from falling to death or conversing with his Justice League teammates. Even Lois gets a new hair design, and the inking accentuates her waves. That credit goes to Jason Paz, whose inking adds a plethora of details to the surroundings and outlines the characters in directional shading. This makes colorist Jeromy Cox’s work easier, but gives his bright range of colors more prominence. Meanwhile, Willie Schubert has his work cut out as he navigates through Pagulayan’s paneling to place the speech balloons accordingly. Some moments perfectly portray silence, while others are too congested with dialogue.
Even with so many League members surrounding him, Superman steals the spotlight. Superman: Lost #1 gives a poised look into the relationships that Clark holds dear, all through the lens of a pivotal moment, a significant moment that has stolen two decades’ worth of time from the Man of Tomorrow. Although readers of the debut issue are not yet privy to Superman’s adventures in this long time span he has been away, they have nevertheless left a lasting impact on Clark, making Superman: Lost #1 a great opening hook for the series.
