Review: Action Comics #880

Codename:Patriot rumbled along in Action Comics #880. The first part ended with a dramatic shot of Commander El looking at his Superman costume and knowing he needed to head to Earth and find Ral-Dar. Greg Rucka and James Robinson's script picks up from there.

There wasn't much time wasted on contemplation in this issue. The issue opens up with Superman and Supergirl at maximum speed in pursuit. But at full speed, stealth is not an option. General Lane, the military, the media .... pretty much everyone is aware of their approach.

With Air Force jets scrambled and the super cousins on his tail, Ral-Dar shows off his military skills. He is able to delay Kal and Kara both directly with his powers and indirectly by destroying the fighters. With the pilots endangered, Superman, Supergirl, and even Mon-El (who shows up) break off the chase to save the men.

It's a quick scene showing the different moral approaches of the antagonists - win at all costs vs. leaving no man behind. With the heroes sidetracked, Ral-Dar escapes.

With Ral-Dar on the loose, Superman, Supergirl, and Mon-El head to Science Police headquarters to set the record straight.

As I expected, The Guardian initially wants nothing to do with Supergirl after all she has been banned from Earth by the U.N. Nice response by Kara there showing that she some she means business.

Superman sets the record straight. Ral-Dar is clearly not acting alone. That means there is a bigger threat than just one rogue Kryptonian. And the sooner he gets captured the sooner both planets will be safe.

The assassination attempt on Zod has had an interesting effect on New Krypton. While I expected that it would galvanize them into a war-like frenzy, instead it seems to have made them nearly irrational with fear.

The years in the bottle have made them mentally fragile. They feel persecuted. If the imposing figure of Zod can be killed, they all can be killed ... or captured ... or enslaved. The bottom line is that if Ral-Dar escapes, New Krypton might descend into chaos.

As if explaining an impending interplanetary war to the Science Police wasn't tough enough, Superman has to deal with Lois showing up as a member of the press. He hasn't seen his wife since he moved to New Krypton.

Luckily, Mon-El is able to give the married couple some privacy. But before any 'welcome home' smooches can occur, Lois drops the bomb about Chris being back on Earth.

Now I hate it when I am wrong with my guesses.

Last week I thought for sure that Ral-Dar was working with Zod. It seemed to make sense that Zod would stage his own near death to solidify his power base.

Instead I see this scene where Ral-Dar is clearly working with General Lane. Lane and Ral-Dar both felt that if Zod lived war would be inevitable. The only way they feel they can insure peace is to eliminate the general.

Now maybe in the end I will be right. Maybe Ral-Dar is a double agent for Zod.

But I hate it when I am wrong.

But this is Action Comics, the vehicle for Nightwing and Flamebird.

Well they have been seen earlier in the issue being mobbed by some groupies. It seems they have been noticed as being the 'anti-Kryptonian' heroes in the press. When they get word of the Ral-Dar/Superman skirmish, they fly off in pursuit.

While flying Chris discovers that some of the fangirls from earlier in the book have slipped him their phone numbers. Thara responds rather jealously.

Chris seizes the moment to final show his true feelings to Thara. He grabs her and kisses her.

While Thara's jealousy felt a little petty, I was happy to see this first kiss happen. I don't know how many more issues of puppy eyes and near-kisses I could take.

Alas, their burgeoning romance is put on the back burner when Nadira and Az-Rel suddenly show up and engage them in combat. But wait ... weren't Nadira and Az-Rel captured by Mirabai last issue?

Yes they were. And just in case you are wondering who is masquerading as them the tell tale chest glows should help.

Now I know that Chris is weaker than your standard Kryptonian. But we have also seen that Green K has less effect on him. So I don't know why Metallo can best him so quickly. Is he that much weaker? Or does Gold K effect Chris like it does normal Kryptonians? Or a mix of all things.

Regardless, Nightwing and Flamebird are easily defeated.

And with the heroes unconscious, Mirabai can drop her glamour.

Phase 2 of General Lane's plan is complete.

I have to say it was good to see Superman back in Action Comics. His scenes were very well done. I also like how strong Supergirl was portrayed in this issue. In the discussions with the SciPo, it is clear that she was as much a spokesperson for Krypton as Kal was.

And the Ral-Dar/Lane alliance did throw me for a bit of a loop. I am sure that Lane has some backstabbing plan in mind. I am still betting that there is more to Ral-Dar than meets the eye. That said, I guessed everybody but Lucy was Superwoman so I shouldn't bet too much.

It's funny but I found the Nightwing and Flamebird scenes to be the weakest scenes of the issue. Their destiny was romance and we clearly have seen how they feel for each other in prior issues. The groupie phone number being the impetus for them to admit their love for each other felt a little flat.

The Javier Lopez art was clean and I look forward to seeing more issues with him as penciller.

Overall grade: B/B+