Smallville: Alien #9 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Edgar Salazar
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: February 14, 2014

Identity Crisis

Batman and Jim Gordon try to identify the "other Clark", but when Batman finds out who the killer is he goes dark.  Chloe realizes Gotham isn't a great place to raise a family and Nightwing sees just how right she is. Meanwhile in Russia, the multiverse is in jeopardy and Lex wonders where Superman is these days. The way things are going, Clark may show him very soon.



I don't want to start every Smallville review telling everyone that Bryan Q. Miller really knows Superman and the Smallville Universe.  That is now a given fact.  Instead I will start with a question to those reading this review who haven't read any of the Smallville comics.  What the hell are you waiting for?  Seriously, this series and it's miniseries offshoots (of which Alien is one) has been so consistently good.  In fact, it's these minis that I have enjoyed the most.  Alien is no exception and it is not only getting better with each issue, but the events are turning the Smallville Universe on it's head, throwing it on the ground, stomping on it's face, then kissing it and then throwing it out a window.

Bryan Q. Miller is a magician.  In this chapter he fits more story and twists into this small package then is possible.  Seriously, he fits 20 pounds of awesomeness into a 10 pound sack.  Batman figures out who killed "other Clark" and it is incredible.  Lex and Clark fight Ray-Lan and while it looks bad, Clark's secret identity is the thing in real trouble.  We also see how much of a badass Nightwing is and what Lex is really made of. Throw in the fact that our reality is about to end and you have one hell of a chapter.  To say that I can't wait until next
 week is an understatement.

This is the part where I always tell you Edgar Salazar's art is great.  I do it each week and this issue is more of the same. If being constantly great is boring then Salazar is the most boring artist on the scene.  That is a huge compliment, by the way.

Bits and Pieces:

Smallville: Alien #9 is a great story with great art.  Bryan Q. Miller throws so many twists and turns at the reader and each are potential game changers.  I'm just glad that this comes out weekly because I'm not sure I could take a longer wait for the next chapter.

9.8/10