Review: Action Comics #1081 Superman Story

Action Comics #1081 came out last week ending the 3 month of weekly issues with a lead story by Mark Waid and Clayton Henry. 

Waid has been weaving together a very entertaining story jumping around a bit as he explores the concept of the Phantom Zone from beginning to 80s fever dreams back to the present. Jor-El not wanting the Zone used as a prison? Interesting. Aethyr as ruler of Phantom Zone (again)? Interesting. Mon-El struggling with his life in the Zone. Interesting. 

When you string that many plot lines and even time travel into one story, there are bound to be some leaps, some short cuts. If you read this modern comic with Bronze Age sensibilities, it all works out fine. Things like giant orbiting technology appearing out of nowhere can be jarring unless you remember you are reading comics AND it works for the story. Things in this issue and this finale move quickly but end in a great way. 

Clayton Henry is on art and shines as usual. This is a high action issue with a surprise guest star. There is big action with big splashes. Henry has been around the DC block a bit. I hope he gets a monthly. 

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1081 Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1081 came out last week ending the weekly run this book has had over the last three months. That means the Mariko Tamaki Supergirl back-up also comes to an end.

I wish I had positive things to say about this story. But I don't. I am not even sure if I could tell you what it was about. I can definitively say it did not have a satisfactory ending. Never have I read a story where so little happened over so long a time. Worst of all, Supergirl isn't even a star in her own story. She fails time and again.

Was there a theme to this tale? Some subtext I am missing? Some epiphany that should have struck me? If there was, I didn't recognize it.

12 issues. 10 pages an issue. 120 pages. That's a 6 issue mini-series! Think of any effective mini-series you have read and compare it to this mess.

As always, Skye Patridge's art is beautiful. I can only hope we see more of her work later.

I try to be positive about all comics. But this was a mess. And as a Supergirl fan that makes me a little discouraged. Because who would read this story and want to read more Kara adventures.

On to details.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #34

I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy holiday week!

I am still catching up on the comics from last week which included Batman/Superman World's Finest #34. Waid has been using a great formula for the book. He has a done-in-one rest issue between his arcs. And with the Eclipso story behind us, we get this fun story with a new pair of World's Finest duos - Batgirl and Jimmy Olsen as well as Ace and Krypto. Much like the Supergirl/Robin issue in the first year, it is fun to see Waid handle other members of the Bat/Super family, giving them the spotlight. 

It's a simple plot. Batman, Superman, and Robin have gone missing. The pets seem to sense that something is awry and so find their human friends to save the day.  The fun is seeing Batgirl have to contend with a flirty Jimmy and a super-powered dog. Babs is the 'straight man' here, responding to the insanity around her. 

The art is by Fran Galan. His work is new to me. There is an energy and style here that reminds me of Dan Brereton. This is no small compliment. I love Brereton. So this issue shines artwise for me. I wouldn't mind seeing Galan doing more Batgirl stuff in the future.

On to the book. 

Review Action Comics #1080 Superman Story

The delightful weekly run of Action Comics with a main story written by Mark Waid has reached its penulitmate issue with the release of Action Comics #1080 last week. What a great way to end 2024!

This has been a whirlwind of a story with Waid giving us new takes on Krypton's history and Jor-El's role with the Phantom Zone. We got the return of Aethyr and the insanity of the Phantom Zone. We got a new wrinkle into the character of Mon-El, highlighting the character's harsh history. Somehow Waid has had us careening from one set piece to the next but it has never felt rushed or haphazard.

Of course, Waid is a Superman fan so he has thrown in all the little historical continuity fun facts he can, drawing from the deep bench of DC villains and Kryptonian bureaucrats. This issue is like a love letter to Bronze Age Superman and DC cosmic as we travel the universe with our heroes and their friends as they bring in the escaped Phantom Zone villains. We end with a cliffhanger promising a brawl.

Clayton Henry does the entire issue and because of the script gets to stretch his muscles bringing us super-powered action, a bevy of DC guest stars, and those Bronze Age Kryptonian bad guys. Things I didn't know I needed until today? Henry drawing Faora Hu-Ul.

I'll be sad to see this team leave the book next week. But I thank them for this roller coaster ride. On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1080 Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1080 came out last week and for the 11th straight week I get to review an underwhelming Supergirl chapter by Mariko Tamaki. Our winter of discontent ends next issue. 

This has been a maddening sort of Supergirl story for many reasons. Her lack of effectiveness, agency, or intelligence in this solo story stand in stark contrast to how she has been shown in the main story in the title, the Superman title, and even the recent Superwoman Special. She is an afterthought in her own showcase.

Moreover, the underpinning of this whole thing, the secretive nature enforced by Superman, the mandatory need for this to be a solo mission (underdone by Tamaki's insertion of Power Girl these last few weeks), why Supergirl was the only person who could do this mission ... all the reasons why it had to be Supergirl have not paid off. And I doubt they will in the last chapter.

And once again, this week, Supergirl basically doesn't do much here other than be tossed about mentally and physically. Also, what about the mission she was put on to bring this being to justice/jail. Will she do it?

Once again, I will ask you all to think about this as a Supergirl story and  think about what has happened. Outside of a Power Girl mind meld (which defeats the 'solo' need), if you pulled Supergirl out of this story and replaced her with any space-faring superhero the story would read the same. This could just as easily be a Jade story. Or Hawkgirl. This isn't a Supergirl story.

If there is one bright part to this whole thing it is Skye Patridge's art. I did not know Patridge's work before this. It has a sort of 'Bilquis Evely meets Guy Davis' sensibility which works for me. 

On to this chapter.

Review: Superwoman Special #1

Superwoman Special #1 came out last week, a partial look at the origin of Lois' super-powers while also hinting at some upcoming storylines in the Superman book. With art predominantly from Edwin Galmon, this one was an unexpected treat.

Since taking over the book, Williamson has been guiding the super-family in a very entertaining direction. I have really liked the majority of storylines that he has thrown at us. In what I think is a lost art, he has given us some subplots or hints at the future to make me want more. 

Here, we learn the 'how' Lois got her powers. We learn about some potential pitfalls and weaknesses she might have. But we see her in action, we see her interact with the cast of the book in a new way, and we see Lois' bravery. The book ends with two big questions which made me want to keep reading. On top of that,Williamson writes a great Supergirl in this book, having her be a mature, caring friend of Lois who also happens the be the veteran dispensing her own wisdom. Tremendous.

As I said above, Galmon does most of the art on the book and really shines. We get some pages by Laura Braga and Nikolas Cizmesija to round things out. I really enjoyed Cizmesija's work on a recent Azrael book. But Galmon is the standout here. 

I am not always a fan of human supporting cast members getting powers. (Lois is a hero already in my mind.) I am not a fan of stories where characters powers might short out at any time. But the plots woven in this one are so tantalizing, that I am on board for now.

On to the specifics.

Review: Action Comics #1079 Superman Story

Action Comics #1079 continued the rapid fire story by Mark Waid with his updating the Phantom Zone and Mon-El. This has been a weekly release comic and Waid has mirrored the rapid fire distribution. The story has bounced from the Phantom Zone to the past to a threatened Earth with villains as large as Aethyr and Kryptonian criminals but as small as Science Council bureaucrats. I have loved every pulse-pounding step as it careens its way to the finale.

Last issue ended with the Phantom Zone villains escaping into the sun via Aethyr's matter manipulator. This issue shows us what a planet overrun with Superman-level beings would be like. All in one issue. As usual, kudos to Mark Waid for keeping this zipping along and fun while also injecting some heartfelt moments and some DC lore. Waid just gets Supergirl and we see that in this issue. (We have seen him understand Kara every issue of this story.) We end with another cliffhanger, building on the story told here. 

Michael Shelfer is on art the entire issue which allows him some space to give us high action and brawls. I like his manga-esque style especially in an issue like this with an anime level of action. We also see is take on a lot of DC heroes given the threat level and they all look sharp. It would be great to see him on a young hero title and bring this energy there. 

Get ready to rumble!

Review: Action Comics #1079 Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1079 came out last week, the tenth entry in Mark Waid's Phantom Zone story. That means we are finally nearing the end of the Mariko Tamaki Supergirl story.

Incredibly, something actually happens in this chapter. There is a little action. There is a couple of nice moments for Kara. But as usual, Supergirl still isn't the hero in her own story. Still, this is probably the best chapter we have had so far.

But there are problems. We are in chapter ten. There are two chapters left. Let's assume that the last chapter is a wrap-up, Kara back home on Earth. That means this whole space story has to wrap up next week, in ten pages. No way we get a satisfactory ending.

Next we have to think of all the other things. What is Kara's mission because right now she seems more like a friend than a warden to this being. Why did Superman send her alone? Who are these beings? 

This story meandered so much I fear it will take a miracle to tie off everything that has happened (or not happened) here. And given the previous chapters, it probably isn't going to happen.

Skylar Patridge is back on art and there are some well constructed pages in this part. Supergirl looks very good here as well. Hope to see more of Patridge somewhere. But we are again saddled with a meaningless opening splash with a circular object, this time the planetoid. Ten percent of this story has been opening splashes that have not added to the proceedings.

On to the story. 

Review: Absolute Superman #2

Absolute Superman #2 came out last week and was another interesting look into this new universe. This issue continues to give us a glimpse into this version of Superman and his surroundings. And so far, I am intrigued enough to want to read more.

When the Absolute Universe was announced including a Superman book, I was worried. This is a universe built on Darkseid energy, extreme and grittier. As a Superman fan, a firm believer that he has to be a symbol of good and hope, I worried that the very concept of him couldn't work in this place. Were we going to get Ultraman? Sentinel? Hyperion?

So far writer Jason Aaron has given me some hope. Yes, the world around Superman is grimier and morally darker. But his populist Superman seems to remain above it all. Throughout this issue, we see him doing everything he can to save people, to preserve life, and to rise above. We hear Lois Lane reporting about Superman and extolling his virtues. It seems like this Superman might be the one light in this place. We don't get Pa Kent wisdom but our glimpses of Jor-El and Lara make them decent substitutes. Add to that a great Lois, a clear daughter of Sam Lane who seems to be nudged to her truer form. All that is great.

It isn't perfect. Aaron's villain is 'evil corporation' and 'the military' without much background yet on who these people are. I suppose if you are writing a populist hero then 'big business' is an easy target. I don't know if the 'red sand cape and sunstone gauntlets' will get tired after a while but we'll see.

One thing that truly deserves praise is Rafa Sandoval's art. Sandoval has experience with the main Superman. But his stuff here surpasses even that loftiness. From great page layouts to big action, to panel constructions with close-ups and far shots to emotive faces, the book sings.

I don't know how long this whole thing can last. But two issues in, I am still engaged. And I wasn't expecting that.

On to specifics. 

Review: Action Comics #1078 Superman Story

Action Comics #1078 came out last week, continuing the weekly story by Mark Waid with art by Clayton Henry and Michael Shelfer. With our side trip to Krypton's past over and Aethyr defeated, it is time to pick up the pieces.

The cover sums up the biggest plot point. Aethyr has a device draining the sun of its energy while simultaneously ripping the Zone apart. But things are even more complicated. Saving the Earth will doom the Zone completely. How can the heroes save everyone? And what about Mon-El? Leaving the Zone dooms him.

I have enjoyed this story a lot. Waid has a great grasp of the super-family and their dynamics. He has a wonderful reverence for DCU and shows it by continuing to tweak some classic DC history to update but not eradicate. This whole issue shows just what a team our heroes are as they work together to save as many people as they can.

The art is once again split between Clayton Henry and Michael Shelfer. With the Kenan/Conner subplot over, Shelfer gets to help tell the main story and gets some good Supergirl moments. His style is a bit more stylized than Henry's, more energetic and manga-like. But the two shine here. 

On to the story!

Review: Action Comics #1078 Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1078 came out this week, the ninth issue of this weekly turn for the title. 

That means we are 9 parts ... 90 pages ... into Mariko Tamaki's Supergirl story. I thought this was only a 10 part Supergirl story but I was wrong. This is a 12-parter. Perhaps I was deluding myself?

This chapter is just as confusing and tedious as the prior eight. We are three quarters of the way through and we haven't been a lot to go one here. I feel lost some times, bored most times. Worse than that, Tamaki brings Power Girl into this story with a bizarre take on the Kara/'Paige' relationship that hasn't ever been seen in the near 50 years of the two characters being around. 

I will again ask how this slog made it past the pitch stage let alone be pushed to print without editorial taking the reins to tighten it up.

Skylar Patridge is back on art and brings her airy style to things. I like Patridge's work here. But she also has been plagued a bit with the script. This chapter has 3 splash pages but only one of the depictions (the spooky last page) deserves the big art. In fact, Tamaki has really padded this whole story with opening splash pages of eyes, scepters, circuitry, and other banal pieces of the story.

Buckle up. This is a bumpy ride.

Review: Superman #20

Superman #20 came out last week and was a crackling issue. This one sizzles. Kudos to all involved.

I guess you don't need to read the rest of the review because you know what I think. But there is a lot of goodness in this issue. A LOT of goodness. So please keep reading.

I have really enjoyed Joshua Williamson's run on this book. But he is firing on all cylinders here. I will start with the obvious. He has made Doomsday interesting. The reveal last issue that Doomsday is intelligent and the Time Trapper makes perfect sense. We see both that future Doomsday and the current mindless marauder in this issue. But there is a lot of ideas built on top of even that great idea. What does the Time Trapper Doomsday really want? What about all the hints about the future he drops? Real seeds for upcoming arcs? 

And what about Superman's Red Energy? Superwoman? What about Doomsday's origins and how that is going to impact things based on a killer cliffhanger? What about amnestic Lex doing good? 

There is a lot of great plot happening here but it is wrapped in solid super-hero action. Brilliant.

Not to be forgotten is Dan Mora being on the book. Mora is my favorite current comic artist. He dazzled on World's Finest. So to see his take on the skinny Time Trapper Doomsday, the current hulking Doomsday, Superwoman, even Superman in the total Liefeld-90s Superman/Doomsday Hunter/Prey mini-series makes my eyes smile. Incredible work throughout, no surprise. Slap a gorgeous Dan Panosian variant cover of Lois and you have a treasure trove of visual sizzle.

I wanted to read the next part when I finished this book. 

On to the details. 

Review: Action Comics #1077 Superman Story

Action Comics #1077 came out last week, another weekly chapter by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, and Michael Shelfer. The side-trip to Krypton is over so we are back in the Phantom Zone trying to stop Aethyr from torturing the Kryptonians stranded there. 

I have been very pleased with this story so far. Waid is doing his usual polish on a number of people and events in classic DC history, bringing them into the modern age. Jor-El didn't want to use the Zone for a prison and perhaps was a bit daffier than his usual stolid depiction. Zor-El is climate denier and a hot head. Aethyr is a powerful being trying to do good in the worst way. Mon-El has had to do some dark deeds to maintain some sanity.  Somehow these small changes have all worked, although some of them have worked for me more than others. (Poor Zor-El!)

But we are heading to the end of this story so we need to push the plot forward and back on Earth. The events that seemingly get us there are a bit fast and sort of out of the blue. But there are still two more chapters in the arc so maybe more is yet to come.

The side plot of Kenan and Conner also comes to an abrupt conclusion after being a fun diversion all along. Still solid stuff there as well.

The art remains very good throughout with Clayton Henry on the main story and Michael Shelfer on the subplot. I swear Clayton Henry was aping Gene Colan on some Aethyr shots. On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1077 - Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1077 came out last week, the eighth weekly issue during this Mark Waid run.

That also means it is the eighth entry in Mariko Tamaki's Supergirl story which has plodded along in the most dull way. I feel like my reviews have been repetitive. Nothing happens; Supergirl seems ineffective. But wait ... something happens this time.

In fact, something potentially interesting happens this time. I am not saying this is a good chapter. But at least there is some progression. And after 7 chapters of nothing happening, I am nearly giddy that at least we got something.

The prisoner gives us some background on who she is. 

Also, Tamaki brings in Tom King's Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow. Is she praising it? Retconning it? I think I know what it happening but I am hoping you all will tell me what you think as well.

Now Supergirl still does nothing in this chapter. This is the prisoner's story, not Kara's. 

Meghan Hetrick is back on art and brings an open style to things. 

On to the details.