Superman #397, pages 2 and 3 (Eduardo Barreto)

That is a fantastic DPS!!

Many thanks, Paul!  As mentioned, I was completely blown away by the artwork - and to think that he was only the guest artist for this particular issue of the title.

Superman, Superman! Doing things only a Superman can! 

Many thanks, Mikail!  Now, that's an inventive as well as perceptive "cross-over" comment!

Smashes Ships Any Size!

Heat-Vision From His Eyes!

Look OuT!!! Here Comes Your Superman!

Many thanks, Derek.  You are clearly a DC fan!

Exceptional pick up! Love the drama!

Many thanks, Duke!  This may be a one-off issue for this particular artist, but what a splendid DPS this is.

Saying that any given piece looks so much better in person than in even a great quality scan is a common refrain in our hobby. But that is even truer for some pieces more than others and THIS is one of those pieces, so I'm glad to know that you did indeed feel the same once you pulled it out of the package! Barreto also drew some spectacular Superman covers, by the way. I'm thrilled to know that you pulled the trigger on this one.

You may have felt it was "expensive", but as I always look at "value for the dollar" as a way to determine if a given piece is worth buying, I just want to remind you that if this exact piece, by the same artist and drawn exactly as you see it now with the notable exception of Superman being replaced by his Marvel equivalent (Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine, etc.), the price would've been anywhere from 2 to 4 times higher. DC art provides monumental amounts of value for your dollar compared to Marvel art, which is why I can make the argument that this piece was actually "cheap", or "very affordable". So for any of you out there who prefer Marvel but also enjoy DC, let this serve as a suggestion to perhaps consider focusing your collecting more towards DC in the coming months and years...

Many thanks, Rubén!  It is true, though (albeit much less frequently of course) that the actual piece does not quite live up to the impression it gave in the scan.  However, as you very correctly point out, the converse is absolute true insofar as this particular piece is concerned.

I would only add that it is "unfortunate" that my tastes in the hobby run the gamut.  It would have been much easier on my finances to have just become "niche", focusing, say, on a single character or two.  That having been said, I have no regrets whatsoever and enjoy this hobby as much as I did right at the beginning decades ago.  As you have pointed out more than once, I have adapted over time, but this is only (to come full circle) because my tastes run the gamut.

That's a KILLER DPS! Wow man! It is so good!

Many thanks, Toni!  Your ostensibly "simple" words are, in fact, so totally spot on.  I knew that I had made the correct decision the moment I opened the package.

Barreto's art is incredible, and an underappreciated talent!  Beautiful CAB!

Many thanks, Nick!  As I mentioned, I regret not obtaining more of his artwork earlier on.

Better late than never my friend!

This is some of the sharpest Barreto art out there!  Compare it to the New Teen Titans work, this is miles ahead and probably got him a lot of gigs.  

Many thanks, Marcus!  As mentioned, I am not really familiar with Barreto art but, regardless, this particular piece would be exceptional by any standard.

Great DPS - Supes looks perfect. Congrats!

Many thanks, Dave!  Yes, I totally agree that this is one of those DPS'es that just grabs you right from the get go.