Review: Action Comics 868

I don’t know if words can easily say how much I am enjoying Geoff Johns’ run on Action Comics. Sure the Superman stories are great as they slowly but surely bring back some Silver Age elements but giving them a 21st century makeover.

But it is clear that he has a love of Supergirl. The scenes she has been in show an understanding of her character: strong and determined but also innocent. One might say she is even a bit naive of Earth culture still. The Johns’ Kara is instantly likeable.

This issue continues that trend. The issue opens with what is most likely the prologue to the Cat Grant/Supergirl feud. We see Cat strolling around the Planet talking about how much she loves to ruin the lives of young not-so-morally-sound starlets. The fact that Cat is also parading around in the questionable attire she condemns in the young stars is great irony. Following her around are a bunch of admiring men all willing to do Cat’s bidding. That is … they are until they see something else which makes them say ‘wow’.

What they see is Supergirl, who has flown to the Planet to ostensibly find Clark, but really she is looking for Superman who last issue flew into space to find Braniac.

Look at how Frank contrasts the clearly provocative allure of Cat to the ‘girl next door’ beauty of Kara here. There is nothing ‘sexy’ about Supergirl here. She is just pretty in a natural way, without the anatomic exaggeration we often see in comics.

The men turning their attention to Supergirl irks Cat to no end. As does Supergirl calling her ‘Ma’am.’ And so does this great interaction, where Kara notices Cat’s implants (I am sure as she is scanning the building for Clark).

Luckily, Lois comes along to extricate Supergirl from this awkward interaction, telling Kara that is not wise to antagonize Cat. She should instead just smile and say bye, which Kara does.

Despite this getaway, it looks like the damage is done. Cat is definitely NOT happy.

On the roof of the planet Supergirl shows her concern asking the million dollar question to Lois …

Before we move on, I again have to say that *this* characterization of Kara is just great. She is innocent but not stupid. She is still new to Earth and so I am sure doesn’t know yet all social conventions. And she is concerned about Kal. She is funny, likeable, and heroic … something she hasn’t always been in her own title.

But where is her cousin? Well, he’s trapped in Brainiac’s satellite being experimented on.

Brainiac seems to be able to tap into Kal's memories which awakens Superman. Superman is able to free himself. As he searches Brainiac's ship, he discovers Kandor.


Superman finally confronts the ‘real’ Brainiac and he is a bruiser. This isn’t the skinny robot in a polo shirt from the 60's and 70's. This is a physically impressive specimen as well as a ruthless organism, collecting data and using that (it seems) to evolve himself into a stronger and stronger being. He shrugs off a couple of Superman punches and heat vision before doling out some punishment of his own. I mean, look at the guns on him!


Brainiac states that when he plugged into Superman’s mind he learned not only of Earth’s location but the existence of Supergirl. Much like the Timm-verse animated Brainiac, this Brainiac wants to capture a planet’s culture and knowledge and then destroy the planet. Thus, Brainiac will be the only receptacle, the only benefactor of that knowledge. He charts a course for Earth and arrives.

As Kara witnessed his attack on Krypton, she seems appropriately frightened.

This simply was a great read from beginning to end. Sure, I was most partial to the Supergirl scenes. But Johns seems to have a grasp of the Superman mythos and is able to make old concepts (Brainiac, Kandor) seem fresh. These issues have never felt rushed or padded to fit some ‘6 issue ready for trade’ market. And Frank's art is the best I have seen it. It seems to have a 'sketchier' feel to it with Jon Sibal's inks ... with lots more small detail lines and cross-hatching than I remember from his Supergirl issues from 1996. Still, it is spectacular. He draws Kara so beautifully. And her body looks healthy and normally proportioned for a teenage girl. Just impressive.

And Supergirl fans should be thrilled. It seems that she will be integrated but not consumed within the super-titles. I have to trust that Johns protégé Gates will make her as independent and appealing as she has been here.

Overall grade: A