Superman Unlimited #9 is Chock Full of Killer Jokes (Review)

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If you weren’t sure about the Superman Unlimited comic, this issue could change your mind. Last year, well-known Spider-Man writer Dan Slott moved to DC Comics from Marvel and played a key role in the ‘Summer of Superman’ event. Superman Unlimited was designed to be different from the main Superman and Action Comics titles, offering fans a wider range of stories focusing on Clark Kent and those around him. The result is one of the most enjoyable Superman comics currently available.

The Superman Unlimited comic is moving forward with some key developments. The Daily Planet is now a global news organization, and Superman can now resist kryptonite for three minutes. However, new threats have emerged. A meteorite has made kryptonite widespread across the Earth, giving villains more opportunities to challenge Superman. Issue #9 introduces what many consider to be the most imaginative villain the series has seen so far, making it another strong addition to the Superman Unlimited run.

Rating: 4 out of 5

PROS CONS
Interesting new villain Fairly short
Easy jumping-on point for new readers New Prankster feels a little flat

Superman Unlimited #9 is Cartoonishly Hilarious

Superman Unlimited #9, created by Dan Slott, Mike Norton, Marcelo Maiolo, and Dave Sharpe, immediately dives into a mystery. Several DC reporters are discussing a string of bizarre murders, each one based on a cruel joke – like a pie to the face or a falling piano. The culprit is a villain with a penchant for pranks, but it’s not the Joker – it’s Superman’s longtime enemy, the Prankster. This time, he’s teamed up with a metahuman protégé to make some money.

I’m honestly disturbed by what the Prankster is doing now. It’s not just harmless jokes anymore – he’s offering to kill people, and make it as embarrassing as possible! What’s even worse is that Perry White, the mayor and someone Superman clearly respects, is a target. Some criminal named Minnie Mannheim put a hit out on him, and the Prankster planned to have him killed with baseballs during the first pitch of a game – can you believe the nerve? Luckily, Superman was there and saved him, which means this new Prankster is going to have to try even harder, and that’s a scary thought.

The Prankster tried to harm White again, this time preparing for Superman’s powers by using kryptonite and carefully planning the timing. But the attempt failed, and the mayor had to be moved to a safe, hidden location. Both the original and new Pranksters watched Clark Kent’s news report about the incidents. Clark, realizing who was responsible, cleverly tricked the new Prankster by publicly giving him credit for the outlandish crimes. The tactic worked – the new Prankster became furious and swore to kill Clark Kent in the most embarrassing way imaginable.

Superman Unlimited Continues to Deliver Solid Superman Stories

What I enjoy most about this series is its unpredictability. One issue might focus on Superman’s son back in Smallville, while the next sends Superman himself into outer space. This particular issue was really fun and showcased everything that makes Superman Unlimited great: high stakes, fresh challenges, and the heartwarming core that defines the series. It’s a very accessible comic – you can easily jump in and enjoy it without needing to know a lot of backstory or worry about a complicated overarching plot.

As a long-time fan of the newer version of the Prankster, it’s strange to see Oswald Loomis revert to his classic, older appearance. It’s also odd that he’s changed what he does – instead of just causing trouble for criminals, he’s now arranging elaborate and ridiculous murders. However, the combination of Loomis and this new metahuman is compelling. The story doesn’t reveal much about their connection yet, but I’m definitely curious to learn more about their partnership and how it works.

This book likely won’t win over readers who didn’t enjoy the previous Superman Unlimited series. It continues the same style and direction the creative team established last summer. However, for fans of the series, this is another solid installment. It’s a strong start to the story and leaves me wanting to see how Superman will deal with this new version of the Prankster. I’m hoping the next issue is just as engaging and humorous as this one.

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2026-01-21 17:42