Superman Unlimited #3 Review

• Written by: Dan Slott

• Art by: Rafael Albuquerque

• Colors by: Marcelo Maiolo

• Letters by: Dave Sharpe

• Cover art by: Rafael Albuquerque, Marcelo Maiolo (cover A)

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: July 16, 2025

It’s a dog’s life in Superman Unlimited #3, by DC Comics on 7/16/25, as Krypto causes chaos for the Man of Steel and his family, while a new "Toyman" emerges to wreak havoc.

First Impressions

My initial reaction to Superman Unlimited #3 was one of immediate amusement thanks to Krypto's antics, quickly followed by a growing sense of unease as the facial expressions throughout the book started to look…off. It’s a comic that tries to be both heartwarming and action-packed, often succeeding in the former more than the latter.

Recap

In Superman Unlimited #2, the world grapples with the widespread ramifications of a Kryptonite asteroid strike, leading to radical global changes. The epicenter of this new Kryptonite power is the Emerald City, the capital of El Caldero, a nation-state built atop a massive stockpile of the resource and ruled by the formidable Kryptonite King and his Krypto-Knights. Superman faces the daunting challenge of upholding truth and justice in a world where Kryptonite is now a common danger, forcing him to adapt to new threats. Additionally, the Daily Planet's expansion continues, welcoming a representative from Gorilla City to its team.

Plot Analysis

The story opens with a flashback to "many years ago" at the Kent Family Farm, depicting a young Clark Kent struggling to control his powers, particularly when trying to rein in a super-powered puppy, Krypto. This early scene establishes Krypto's immense power and playful, yet destructive, nature, leading to Ma and Pa Kent deciding Krypto must live in the barn due to his inability to control himself indoors. The narrative then jumps to the present day, with Superman reflecting on Krypto's immense powers and the challenges of managing a super-dog, showcasing a sequence where Krypto effortlessly catches a car driven by a criminals.

The focus shifts to the Kent family home in Metropolis, where Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and their son Jonathan reside. Lois encourages Clark to cover the Science Expo despite potential Kryptonite exposure, as avoiding it would look suspicious. Meanwhile, Jonathan is tasked with walking Krypto, a job he begrudgingly accepts, highlighting the family's busy lives and Krypto's demanding exercise routine. Krypto's walk quickly turns into a global adventure, with Jon struggling to keep up as Krypto zooms across continents, showcasing the dog's boundless energy.

The comic then introduces a new character, Tee-Nah, in Gorilla City, who is heading to Metropolis to run the Daily Planet's I.T. Department for Lois Lane. Tee-Nah plans a stop in Gotham City to help a coworker, James Olsen. The thought of Tee-Nah in Gotham City prompts a misunderstanding that alarms her godfather, King Solovar, about human weaponry. Concurrently, Krypto's scent trail leads ten miles outside Metropolis, where a character resembling Toyman, who is a truck driver, announces his intent to head to the Metro Science Expo.

At the Metro Science Expo, Clark Kent questions a scientist from El Caldero about a display sponsored by Schott & Sons, which he suspects contains Kryptonite. "Toyman," arrives at the Expos and activates a giant robot in the parking garage. Superman intervenes, but Krypto, still playfully excitable, inadvertently causes more damage. When Krypto tears into the heart of the robot, he finds the heart of the automaton is powered by a Green-K reactor, making him sick. The issue concludes with Superman taking Krypto to the Fortress of Solitude for healing, while also receiving a mysterious new gift from the "Toyman" to apologize for the misunderstanding. The issue sets up a continuing challenge for Superman in managing Krypto’s power and adapting to new threats.

Detailed Review

Story

The story, written by Dan Slott, has some genuinely fun moments, particularly anything involving Krypto. The initial flashback to a young Clark trying to manage Krypto is a delightful peek into their shared history, setting up a clear understanding of their bond and Krypto’s untamed power. The idea of Krypto’s "walk" becoming a global romp, dragging Jon along for the ride, is inherently entertaining and provides some much-needed lightheartedness. The introduction of a new "Toyman" and the mystery surrounding the Kryptonite asteroid hint at larger plot developments, which is always appreciated. That said, the new "Toyman's" presence seems like a convoluted misplay.

Art

Rafael Albuquerque's art, with colors by Marcelo Maiolo, really shines during the action sequences involving Krypto. The super-dog's dynamic movements and expressions are beautifully captured, conveying both his immense power and his playful nature. The panel where Krypto catches the thrown car, and the subsequent "Good Boy" moment, are prime examples of the art perfectly complementing the chaotic but fun energy of the scene. The overall vibrancy of Maiolo’s colors also adds to the energetic feel of these high-octane moments.

However, the human character art is a significant misstep. Many of the faces, especially for Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jonathan, appear consistently misshapen, awkward, or just plain off. Clark's facial expressions often look contorted, making it hard to take some of the more serious moments seriously. Lois and Jonathan also suffer from this inconsistency, with their features sometimes appearing distorted, detracting from the emotional impact the script tries to convey. This makes it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the human interactions when the characters themselves look so strangely rendered.

Positives

The strong point of this issue is undoubtedly Krypto and his interactions with the Kent family. The humor derived from Krypto's overwhelming power contrasted with his dog-like instincts provides genuine laughs and heartwarming moments, especially the flashback scenes establishing his puppyhood antics and Clark's early struggles to control him. The action sequences involving Krypto are thrilling and visually dynamic, effectively conveying the sheer power of a "superdog" without feeling overwhelming. Furthermore, the underlying narrative threads, such as the implications of the Kryptonite asteroid and the introduction of a new "Toyman," successfully pique interest for future issues, promising a larger, unfolding saga.

Negatives

The primary drawback of Superman Unlimited #3 lies squarely in the inconsistent and often unsettling rendering of the human characters' faces. While Krypto is a visual delight, the same cannot be said for Superman, Lois, and Jonathan, whose expressions frequently appear distorted or just plain unnatural. This artistic flaw pulls the reader out of the narrative, making it challenging to connect with the characters on an emotional level when their visages are so jarring. Additionally, some of the dialogue feels a bit clunky, particularly when characters are explaining plot points rather than letting the visuals or action do the talking. The pacing can also feel a bit uneven, jumping from lighthearted family moments to sudden villain introductions without a smooth transition, giving the impression of a story that hasn't quite found its rhythm.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts

Superman Unlimited #3 is a comic with a lot of heart, especially when Krypto is on the page. The story has some genuinely fun ideas, and the Krypto-centric action is a blast. However, the inconsistent art, particularly the wonky human faces, is a persistent distraction that keeps this issue from reaching its full potential. It's a fun ride, but prepare for some visual bumps along the way.

6/10

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