The Man of Steel 3: Failure to Protect

Read this emotional issue for yourself!

Man of Steel, Part 3

Creative Team

Brian Michael Bendis - Writer; Ryan Sook & Jason Fabok (pp16) - Artists; Wade Von Grawbadger - Inks (pp12-13, 15); Alex Sinclair - Colors; Josh Reed - Letters; Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Sinclair - Cover; Jessica Chen - Associate Editor; Michael Cotton - Editor; Brian Cunningham - Group Editor; Superman Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Superboy Created by Jerry Siegel; Supergirl - Basied on the Characters Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; By Special Arrangement With The Jerry Siegel Family

DC Comics' Solicitation

The merciless killer and zealot calling himself Rogol Zaar has searched the cosmos for Superman—and when he reaches the Fortress of Solitude, his actions will cut Superman to the core.

Failure to Protect

Brian Michael Bendis is building up a thrilling mystery surrounding the disappearance of Lois and Jon, but this issue strikes an entirely different emotional chord.  What results in an issue that takes your breath away and leaves Superman absolutely devastated before meeting the perpetrator head-on.  This collision is our cliffhanger but he is hit much harder a few pages earlier in the climax.  Superman is facing a threat that is as ruthless as any he has ever seen.

I realize that this may sound like an audition for me to write solicitations for DC, but in my time of being a Superman fan, I don't know if I have seen anyone in his rogues gallery go this low in an attempt to draw him out.  Lex is superior in intellect, Doomsday was equal to or superior in strength, and Zod was his equal in almost every way, but Rogal Zaar is a being hell-bent on the destruction of the Kryptonian race at all costs.  If we judge his effectiveness by this issue, I would say he is quickly rocketing up to the top of the list of Superman's potent Rogues Gallery.

What exactly did Rogal Zaar do that hurt Superman so badly?  He broke into his Fortress of Solitude and destroyed the Bottled City of Kandor (for more information on Kandor, check out this great wiki article)!  Superman vowed to protect them and he took that responsibility very seriously.  It was the last remnant of his Kryptonian heritage, and now they are gone!  Not only that, but he was supposed to be their protector and he failed.  It was a deeply personal mission, and Superman usually excels in these situations.  This is exactly what makes Rogal Zaar such an imposing threat!

Have you ever found yourself helpless in the face of adversity?  Have you ever had something happen to you that was so devastating that you did not know what to do next?  Know that you have a Savior in Jesus who can empathize with your struggles and has overcome them for you!  The author of the letter to the Hebrews says it so well,
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Life will be tough, and we will be faced with some very difficult situations.  I encourage you to come to your Savior for comfort and restoration.

What did you think of this issue?  I would love to talk about it with you.  You can comment below, or find me @behindthecapes on Twitter, or by liking the Behind the Capes Facebook page.


  

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