DC Comics reviews 8/7/19 – Batman #76, Justice League #29

Lois Lane #2

Greg Rucka and Mike Perkins are delivering the thrilling, tension-filled Lois Lane comic I never knew I needed until now.

Lois is continuing her crusade for the truth and doesn’t care if her White House press pass gets revoked in the process. It’s impossible to ignore the real world analogies here, but Rucka’s script takes it to the next level of shady politicians getting their hands dirty with assassinations. Good thing that kind of craziness never happened in the real world, right?

Just like his take on Wonder Woman, Rucka knows how to write a likeable, well-rounded and fearless female lead. Lois is charming with her almost laughable spelling challenges, but her courage in chasing the story makes her endearing — doubly so since she doesn’t have super powers. The pairing with Renee Montoya’s Question was inspired and works wonderfully. It’s early, but I’m hoping Rucka will also work in some other lower-tier heroes that don’t get enough time in the spotlight.

Rucka smartly isn’t acting like Lois isn’t married to Superman/Clark Kent and features at least one segment with him, but he’s not necessarily a co-star in the title either.

Perkins’ art style isn’t pretty and clean. It looks like the grounded, real world and that works very well in this book. It’s not about the flash, but more the hidden underbelly of politics and a conspiracy that’s leaving more bodies in its wake. Perkins captures the exact tone Rucka’s story requires. Paul Mounts does some strong work with the colors as the lighting is vitally important in this story, but Mounts doesn’t just shroud the color palette in darkness either.

Lois Lane is starting to become a lock for me in terms of one of my most anticipated monthly titles. As this conspiracy deepens and Lois gets further in, the more invested I am in seeing how it all will unfold.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10