Sam Lane, Lois Lane’s father, is dead. It happened in the pages of Event Leviathan, and it’s a major event in Lois’ life, so of course, it has to be addressed in the pages of her own comic. But this is the second time that events from outside the series have made this book take a detour from its main story, that of Lois Lane and Renee Montoya’s investigation.

Make no mistake, Lois Lane #6, a great comic. It’s a simple one, intercutting scenes from Sam’s funeral and wake with flashbacks of Lois and Sam’s relationship. We see Lois as a teen. We see the evolution of Sam and Lois’ conflict over the trustworthiness of Superman. 

It’s a beautifully written comic, too. Greg Rucka does tremendous work with the characters, giving us glimpses into some of Lois’ most important relationships. An argument between Lois and her sister Lucy is particularly painful to read, in the best way. Rucka is a master at capturing human truth, and here he captures grief and pain in a supremely honest way.

The art by Mike Perkins is stunning, as well. This comic is all character moments, and Perkins excels at facial expressions, body language, and simple humanity. Gabe Eltaeb’s colors are appropriately somber, and letterer Simon Bowland expresses Rucka’s dialogue perfectly.

Lois Lane #6 is a terrific comic and were this title an ongoing, it would be a shining moment in the story. Still, since it’s the midpoint of a finite series, this issue feels like a detour from the main point of the comic, in a way that seems detrimental to the whole series.

Grade: A-