The Power Of Secrets
Comic Reviews for the week ending 3/23/2025
Good morning, my friend,
One of my all-time favorite superhero films is Superman The Move (1978).
47 years since the film’s release, I can admit there are parts of the film that don’t hold up, particularly in the costume department. But on the whole, it’s still a masterpiece on multiple levels.
There’s a scene (or sequence of scenes) that perfectly encapsulates why it’s a masterpiece. It’s the introduction of adult Clark Kent to the Daily Planet, Perry, White, Jimmy Olsen, and Lois Lane.
There are no outlandish costumes or superhero shenanigans anywhere in that series of character introductions. Yet, the audience is part of what I call the “magic” of the scene because we’re in on the secret.
We know Clark Kent is Superman. We know there’s a hidden world of power, wonder, super science, and awe just bubbling underneath the surface, out of sight of the characters Clark is interacting with.
When Clark struggles to open Perry’s bottle of club soda, we know Clark can move mountains, but he’s holding back to keep up appearances.
When Perry quietly tells Lois that Clark is the fastest typist he’s ever seen, we know it’s because Clark is faster than a speeding bullet.
The audience knows the secret when the characters around Clark Kent do not, and it’s a perfect way to create tension that lasts, builds, and swells.
Why?
Because an audience loves a secret. Better yet, an audience loves telling secrets.
If you're a creator, use secrets to let the audience in on something special. It’s a powerful way to get the audience engaged.
If you’re an audience member, what’s your favorite example of the audience being let in on the secret? Tell me your favorite in the comments.
-Gabe
Speaking of secrets…
Our “Insider’s Cut” newsletter is launching at the end of this week, March 28th, and it’s no “secret” you’re going to love it. (Ugh! Yes, that was a terrible transition).
We’re going to take one comic a month that flopped and dream up a whole new way to tell the story, applying the same principles you’ve read about in this newsletter for years.
Can we do better than the Big 2?
Of course, the answer is “YES”, but you’re going to want to see for yourself, so subscribe today.
PS - If fixing the Big 2’s mistakes wasn’t enough, you’ll get indie recommendations, Q&A with Gabe, and the free newsletter will be delivered to your Inbox two days early.
What are you waiting for?
Next, our Pick of the Week for the most entertaining comic is…
If you’re a subscriber to our podcast, the audio version of this review is already live. If you’re not a subscriber, we host our feed on multiple podcast platforms for your convenience.
Also, if you’d rather listen right here on Substack, make sure to subscribe to this newsletter to get the notification for the next episode.
Now, let’s get on to this week’s reviews (and a little catch-up)
RED SONJA ATTACKS MARS #1 – Review
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #19 – Review
HEAT SEEKER: COMBUSTION #4 – Review
[Pick of the Week] THE SACRIFICERS #15 – Review
DEADPOOL/WOLVERINE #3 - Review
Did you see a comic review for a title you didn’t know existed?
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G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #315 (Image Comics)
Universal Monsters: The Mummy #1 (Image Comics)
Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #1 (Titan Comics)
Grimm Fairy Tales (Vol 2) #94 (Zenescope Entertainment))
Far Down Below #1 (Mad Cave Studios)
Marvel Viewers’ Choice (Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to vote)
DC Viewers’ Choice (Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to vote)
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