Superman goes to Doctor Fate for a check-up as a new magical threat arises in Superman #23, by writer Brian Michael Bendis, artists Kevin Maguire and John Timms, colorist Alex Sinclair, and letterer Dave Sharpe. This issue is pretty much all set-up, and while there's some interesting stuff, it's not a great comic.

The issue starts in flashback, showing a D.E.O. Agent, Veronica Bissette, bringing an artifact she found to headquarters. Unfortunately, it's the day Leviathan attacked, and the artifact starts to glow menacingly. In the present, Superman shows up the Hall of Justice to talk to Doctor Fate. He exchanges pleasantries with tourists and the Justice League Dark before he and Fate leave for Fate's tower. In another flashback, Agent Bissette wakes up in her apartment. The artifact tells her that it saved her, that they are bonded, and its name is Xanadoth, the spirit of the Lords of Chaos. At the Tower of Fate, Superman and Fate discuss why Superman is there- Lois and Batman asked him to get checked out to make sure his choices were his own. The day before, Agent Bissette visits Madame Xanadu, looking for info on the Breastplate of Hoku. Xanadu declines to tell her, and there is an explosion. At the Tower, Superman explains to Fate the craziness of his life lately, and the two come to a conclusion about why he told the world his identity… and then Xanadoth shows up and demands the Helmet of Fate.

This issue is a classic Bendis comic- a lot of talking, some low key jokes, setting things up, and such. It's not bad, it's just… Bendis. How much someone enjoys this story depends on how much they like Bendis's style of writing a comic, especially one that begins a story arc. The whole thing with Xanadoth is kind of interesting, but it just feels sort of blah.

The real meat of the issue comes in Superman and Fate's discussion about Superman's life. Superman reveals how disappointed he is that he lost years of watching his son grow because of his father, and Fate says that's why he revealed his identity- to take back some control of his life. This is actually a pretty good explanation- Superman's life has been insane lately, and revealing his identity is a way for him to take back some power. It's very interesting, although there are a few times where it seems like Bendis is trolling readers, many of whom were mad at him about his decision involving aging up Jon.

Kevin Maguire and John Timms handle the art for the book, and both do a great job. Maguire does the sections with Superman and Fate, and Timms does the ones with Agent Bissette and Xanadoth. Both sections look very good, and Maguire does a great job with Bendis's talky style of writing, using his mastery of facial expression to really get across visually what's happening in the characters' heads.

Superman #23 is an okay issue, but it's a classic Bendis opening issue of a story arc comic- a whole lot of talking and set up. The Xanadoth stuff is kind of okay, but Bendis proved over at Marvel that he likes to write about magic even though he isn't the best at it. The conversation between Fate and Superman has some good moments and a nice pay-off to recent events. The art from Maguire and Timms works very well. Superman #23 is good enough- it sets up what is coming next and has a cool reveal. However, nothing about it is great.

Grade: C+