Superman 41: Hope Will Prevail

The Last Days:  Part Two

Story - James Robinson, Artist - Ed Benes, Colorist - Dinei Ribeiro, Letterer - Rob Leigh, Cover - Viktor Bogdanovic with Mike Spicer, Associate Editor - Jessica Chen, Editor, Paul Kaminski

Initial Reactions

I am still conflicted about this story.  The inhabitants of Galymayne are shown in a more sympathetic light, and we even see that this planet's destiny is more like Krypton than what we initially thought.  In the end, there was some really good "Superman" moments in this issue, but the tail end of this book left me disappointed.

The Story

Our story opens up with Superman and Jon battling the inhabitants of Galymayne.  Then we flash back to Superman, Jon, and their lone ally Klain (the only scientist on the planet) frantically making their way to his lab.  Klain is sure that the militia is already there, ready to take them in.  The readers are reminded that Galymayne is full of religious zealots.  In fact, we learn that Klain lost his wife during a purge of the "truth".

When they arrive to the lab, fortunately the militia has not arrived yet.  Klain is explaining to Superman and Jon why he would want to save his people, comparing them to a child who misbehaves.  It is confirmed that the planet could blow up at any moment, and so the only way to save his species is to transport an orb filled with eggs from Klain and his wife.  They must make it off of the planet before it is destroyed.  If you are noticing parallels to Superman's origin story, so am I.  Klain, like Jor-El feels the need to transport his offspring to a different world so they can live their lives.  There is no doubt that Superman has felt a kinship to Klain because of the similarities.  Jon is also taking it all in, and asking the questions you would expect a child to ask in such a moment.

Klain shows them where he wants to transport his offspring to, but is not sure his rocket can make it, since he has been holed up in his underground lab and unable to test it.  Just as they begin making their way to the rocket, the hordes of militia arrive.  Unlike the first battle, Superman is not effected by their magic, and is able to remain strong.  During the fight, Klain is shot while trying to preserve his rocket.  Superman tells Jon to get the orb off the planet.  Jon is scared, but his dad reassures him that he will find him.  In one triumphant blow, Superman defeats the horde of soldiers.  As an aside, the depiction of this battle was simply stunning by the art team.  They definitely brought their A-game.

Immediately after disposing of the militia, Superman goes to Klain.  Superman apologizes for not being able to take care of him.  Klain, seemingly at peace with his fate, is happy his children will live free of Galymayne, and that in death he will see his wife again.  This is when Klain says, "I believe in God, and science, and truth.  They can all go together if one chooses to let them."  At this point, I was cheering in my head.  I thought that at this point, this 2-part story was not about pitting science against religion, just the radicals.  In the end, Klain was the voice of reason, but still had faith.  In his last words, he asks Superman to save his children.  Klain is dead.

The religious leaders approach Superman.  However, instead of trying to kill him, they are ordered to stand down.  He tries one last time to reason with them.  The leaders accuse him of arrogance because they think he is defying the absolute will of their god Dhermet.  Superman assures them it is not arrogance, "It's hope."  At this point, he makes a very impassioned speech that comes off as messianic in tone.  Superman says, 

"Hope will never die in my heart.  The hope that what's right will prevail.  That bad men may yet take the path of good.  That those of a clouded view may yet see clearly.  That you'll come with me.  I'll take however many of you with me who choose life."

This is a beautiful speech!  It is very reminiscent of the redemption that our true God offers us, that unfortunately many of us reject.  We are given clear direction and guidance from our God, and the free gift of salvation, yet we continue in our stubbornness and often do the opposite of God's will.

Ultimately, the two sides come to an amicable difference of opinion, but at least the leaders acknowledge Superman had pure intentions.  They however choose to stay on their doomed planet.  As a distraught Superman is flying away to meet Jon, the planet explodes in an awesome splash page.  When he meets Jon, they talk about his guilt of finding the explosion both beautiful and tragic.  Superman assures his son that that is part of the balance of the life they choose to live.

Jon continues to ask questions, this time about God.  He asks if he should believe in a god, asking his dad if he believes.  After such a good issue that dealt with many of my concerns from the previous issue, this quote from Superman really bugged me.  He says, "Honestly, Jon, I've see too much not to believe in 'something'.  But this is the important part...'something' isn't everything."  To me, this reads as though Superman is telling his son that if there is a god, it is not worth everything.  When applied to the true God of the Bible, are we not to lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel?  Of course, we are not to misuse the Words of God to hurt others in any way, but it seems to me he is telling Jon that science and reason are above God, not pieces of the same puzzle.

Our last page shifts tone suddenly, as now Superman and Jon hurry to the planet Klain wanted them to drop off the eggs so they can make it back to Metropolis for apple pie and ice cream.

Final Thoughts

This 2-part arc has really left me conflicted.  There are some solid points made that leaves us thinking, and even a strong Superman-as-Messiah moment that can help us ponder how we react to the Good News of Jesus.  However, the ending really sticks with me in a negative way.  Why would he say that to Jon?  Are the readers to question their faith, and place science and reason ABOVE God, instead of confirming the truths of God through these avenues.

What did you think of the issue?  How did you feel about the ending?   Where do you find your hope?  I would love to discuss these questions and more!  You can leave comments here, find the blog on Twitter @behindthecapes, and by following the Behind the Capes page on Facebook.