From Evernote:

Superman #18 Review

4 / 5

Issue 18 of Superman is very much what I expected when H'el on Earth started months ago - with one caveat that I'll address at the end. This month's story is a story-driven adventure with a little social exploration tacked onto it. We're currently dealing with a Superman who isn't very well-liked by the governments of the world. Trust is so low as a matter of fact that they've summoned him to a national conference demanding that he let them explore, catalogue, and collect items from the Fortress of Solitude for their own protection. The famously diplomatic Superman of years past / previous DCUs is nowhere to be seen, showing that the New 52 really is going to be a different kind of world. He flatly denies their demands and leaves, setting a darker tone for how he is going to fit into the DCU. 

Back in Metropolis as Clark is dealing with now being unemployed having quit Galaxy News. This section of the plot is filled with dialogue between Clark and Cat Grant - an apparently flamboyant, but out-of-touch character that Clark knew prior to this issue. If she's been in the New 52, she really hasn't left a mark on me because I have no clue who she is. Regardless, the conversation serves only to highlight his unemployment and to put him in the right place at the right time for his next adventure as Superman. 

In both prologue and epilogue we're introduced to Orion, a god who has been an active character in the Wonder Woman books recently. He's been summoned home (wherever that is for gods in the DCU) to confront his father on some issue. We get a taste for his disdain for his lot in life and his generic opinions of humans (yes, I suppose we are imaginative and adaptable, aren't we?). I would probably be more excited about this if it wasn't for the fact that Scott Lobdell already majorly botched his first Superman arc by focusing on other characters (Supergirl) instead of giving us a good Superman story. I'm very wary at the moment of getting another arc where Superman isn't the main character. I just want a good Superman story. 

… And that's the real pity here, because if you take out my knee-jerk reaction to the prologue / epilogue from this issue, you get a really good book. First of all, the art is top notch. In particular, colors pop and really highlight the different settings. This is probably the best Superman has looked in years outside of the Justice League books. Second, I get the good balance of Clark Kent and Superman that these books should have. I care about both characters. In my opinion, Clark hasn't done anything in 2 years except be late to pick up Lois's sister and quit Galaxy News. What we get with this issue has some interesting potential. Meanwhile, I want to see Superman being awesome. I want to see him prove why he's the greatest superhero in the DCU. I want him to do wonderful, awe-inspiring things - and in this issue you actually get some of that. The point is, I want good Superman. We've waited a long time for a good Superman arc in the New 52. For the love of God, please don't make this a story about the gods of the DCU with Superman showing up to say hello.