It's the depths of the Cold War. The United States and the Soviet Union scramble to the finish line of a never-ending arms race. Superman is the face of American pride, a symbol of truth and justice–and to the USSR, the tyranny of a capitalist system. But the Soviet Union has received an unlikely gift from an even more unlikely place–a hunk of kryptonite straight from Superman's long-dead home planet, and with it, a chance for the Soviet forces to create their own super-soldier ideally designed to dent the Man of Steel.
Written by Robert Venditti, illustrated by Gavin Guidry, with colors by Jodie Bellaire and letters by Dave Lanphear, Superman '78: The Metal Curtain #1 is the sequel to the Superman '78 series, set in the cinematic universe of the late Christopher Reeves' portrayal of Superman in the 1970s and 80s. Balancing period drama, superhero action story, and political thriller Superman '78: The Metal Curtain #1 re-introduces one of Superman's strongest Soviet rivals and his role on the world's stage of a not-so-distant past.
Superman '78: The Metal Curtain #1 is a throwback in many ways–it harkens back not just to the continuity of a nearly fifty-year-old cinematic take of Superman and the ongoing politics at the time the film was released but also to a certain form of storytelling, especially in comics. Though not without high stakes, some nail-biting sequences, and plenty of intrigue, Superman '78: The Metal Curtain #1 is as straightforward an introduction as one can get. There is little moral ambiguity here, no deconstructions of the Superman image, at least so far–very few of the trappings of most contemporary and cynical Superman runs in recent times. Writer Robert Venditti's take on Superman reflects not only the old-school cinematic depiction of the character but also pushes forward a growing trend of reconstruction and back-to-basics characterization for superheroes in comics.
This isn't to say that the writing for this issue is boring. Venditti's Silver and Bronze Age sensibilities and homage to Cold War era tropes still read well and strong to contemporary audiences, helped by his strong characterizations. Granted, the Cold War setting and the continuation of the beat-for-beat black-and-white thinking of the original 1978s film does mean that there is some lack of nuance in the depiction of the Russian and Soviet characters–and the incoming threat of Metallo–but given the setting and the tone of the Donnerverse, this is understandable. While Superman '78: The Metal Curtain #1 can sometimes be a bit moralizing and simplistic, Venditti's devotion to the depiction of this world runs strong through his writing, to the point that even the reader can tell how much he cares for this particular IP. Overall, this makes this issue a fun and joyous read.
The visuals of this issue, helmed by illustrator Gavin Guidry, colorist Jodie Bellaire, and letterer Dave Lanphear, are straightforward and no-nonsense as far as art styles are concerned. There is nothing baroque or lavish about the designs–and considering the vintage storyline and the homage to the 1978 film, this works. The characters are designed with the right balance between realistically proportioned and cartoony, stylized with a certain softness that evokes old-school cartoons of the era. Special mention should go to Lanphear's layout and lettering, his choice of font lending to the vintage charm of the issue; likewise, his balloon placement allows plenty of room for the visuals to breathe, easy for the eye to follow–a large part in why this issue feels so seamless alongside its simple story.
Colorist Bellaire, no stranger to superhero palettes, sticks to a simplistic and back-to-basics set of primary colors for this issue, making it eye-catching against backgrounds of neutral and mundane tans, khakis, and beiges. Red dominates the majority of the issue, serving a dual purpose as a Soviet Union color–a symbol of mystery and danger–and Superman, a symbol of the United States. Another color that stands out throughout this issue is green, either a bright, bold neon or a soft, seafoam hue–all meant to evoke the growing power and threat of the kryptonite now in the hands of the USSR forces.
Although not the most intrigue-laden or complex Superman story so far, Superman '78: The Metal Curtain #1 has all the charm, likability, and strong writing necessary for a worthwhile story–a welcome return to a previously explored cinematic universe and strong enough to stand on its own.
Superman '78: The Metal Curtain
When the planet Krypton exploded, its last son was rocketed across the cosmos and came to settle in a small town in Kansas. But what else came with him, and what if a piece of his home landed somewhere we never knew about? As Superman has become a symbol of strength and pride for America, the Soviet Union looks to crush that image with a creation of their own, built by their own might and forged by their own power! Robert Venditti returns to the Man of Steel with new artist Gavin Guidry!