EARTH-PRIME: SUPERMAN & LOIS #2/ Scripts by JAI JAMISON, ADAM MALLINGER & ANDREW N. WONG/ Pencils by TOM GRUMMETT/ Inks by NORM RAPMUND/ Colors by HI-FI/ Letters by TOM NAPOLITANO/ Published by DC COMICS

The first issue of Earth-Prime was deeply entrenched within the lore of the Arrowverse, requiring some extensive knowledge of both Batwoman season 3 and Supergirl season 6. Earth-Prime: Superman and Lois #2 is an entirely different beast, being far more easily accessible to new audiences. This is oddly appropriate, given Superman and Lois itself is probably the most accessible of the Arrowverse series, only sparingly referring to the larger universe. And yet it leaves most of this comic feeling like a generic Superman comic, albeit a fun and funny one.

The main story of this issue, The Anniversary, is a framed flashback in which Lois and Clark explain to their sons Jonathan and Jordan why they always celebrate their wedding anniversary four days after the actual day they got married. The short answer is that, between both of their jobs, it took them four days to actually get a night off together to celebrate their first anniversary. The long answer involves a lot of hijinks ensuing, up to and including Superman getting kidnapped by Lobo by the request of an unnamed redhead. There’s also a short story, Father’s Day, about Pa Kent’s influence on Clark and how he became a journalist. These are both great stories and could easily fit into any Superman anthology.

The final comic of this issue, Controlled Burn, is more firmly focused on the Arrowverse, detailing the origins of the Superman who turned on humanity on John Henry Irons’ Earth. While this story may please those fans of Superman and Lois who wondered how any version of Superman could fall so far, it seems a bit trite given how many stories have presented alternate takes on Superman who go bad. The peek at Natalie Irons’ war journal and several newspapers from the Inverse World are both more amusing.

The artwork by Tom Grummett is similarly conflicted. His artwork would be great if this were a generic Superman book, but his take on Lois and Clark don’t really resemble Elizabeth Tulloch or Tyler Hoechlin. It’s a minor point, but a frustrating one after how much effort was made to capture the actor likenesses in the first issue. The color art and lettering, however, are first rate all around.

On the whole, the Superman and Lois section of Earth-Prime is an improvement on the first issue. Its only major flaw is that it barely seems to be connected to the crossover event it is meant to be a part of and is a decidedly generic Superman book with none of the unique flavor of the Arrowverse setting. That being said, it is a good Superman book and even those comic fans who don’t watch the show can enjoy the first two comics in this issue.