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The fact that I loved Superman #701 so much makes it difficult to review #702 on its own. Last issue was a very emotional piece with a lot of little stories that set up Superman's walk. This issue continues with that at the beginning, but Superman stumbles upon something very interesting and unexpected to the reader with the span of pages we've had with no supernatural elements. It made for a really fun read, but not with the impact #701 had for me.

I feel the need to first address the criticisms out there of the arc, saying "walking around is stupid", which in their minds, means there's no plot. To the contrary, I find that the first couple issues of Superman are more packed with memorable plot than most comics out there.

Superman #702 starts out with a page of a joke and then Superman showing up to a basketball game in Detroit. He challenges the local residents, and one person naturally isn't as good as the others. The kids make fun of him, and the set up is a little bit obvious as Superman lets the kid who's not as good be the only one to score on him, the kid then being hailed as a hero. This mini-story fits in perfectly with JMS' vision on Superman, which is a person who simply gives the community hope. Despite the set up being obvious, it still played nicely and was very touching.

The meat of the story starts next as Superman notices a strange sound coming out of a seemingly normal house. Out erupts aliens, and a suit of armor that's supposed to be able to go toe to toe with Supes. Superman makes quick work of them and then the aliens launch into their backstory - where they come from an oppressed world. This is where I really noticed what the first couple of issues of JMS' Superman are about: it's really about defining Superman's morality to the reader. We're presented with a very idealistic Superman, who really just wants everyone to put in where they can and help out, even aliens. JMS does make a small political quip in the scene, but I'll forgive him because it wasn't overbearing.

It seems we get to see some flying each issue, just to assuage the fears of those who say he won't, and this issue's flying scene is a touching parallel of last issue's, though not as impactful for me. I like the way it was handled, and the way it tied in with earlier in the issue. Tying in stories like that is really what makes JMS' writing clean and easy to follow.

The story ends very nicely, showing the outcome of everything that happened and how Superman made a lasting impact just by paying attention to the little things in people's lives. It's a nice message, and really shows Superman as an unselfish, caring Super-man. Just like he's supposed to be. The issue had a really classic feel to it because of that.

Eddy Barrows art seems to have picked up a bit from the last couple issues as well. I think he's settled into the role nicely, and I didn't have points where I awkwardly paused at the expressions like I did in 700 or 701. What I really liked is the design of the alien's armor, and I hope that these aliens and the armor will show up again in the future. They seemed too well done to be just a throw away single issue.

Overall, I enjoyed the comic a lot. It didn't quite have the emotional impact of last issue, but it's very cleanly written and well drawn. The issue stands on its own. You really don't have to have read any other issues of Superman to get a grasp of who he is and what he's doing, and that gets major kudos in my book. Nearly every mainstream comic these days is so decompressed it's hard to follow as a new reader, but this book is designed for new readership. JMS is defining Superman as a person, and showing us his morality. We're learning why Superman makes the decisions he does, and we're seeing a very thoughtful, deep Superman who has more than just the ability to stop a bullet and fly around. He's Super in mind and in spirit as well.

8.5/10