Review: Absolute Superman #25

Hard to believe we are entering the third year of the Absolute universe but here we are with the release of Absolute Superman #25. And like other of the Absolute books, this seems to being treated like an anniversary issue, being a little but bigger at 32 pages and bringing together a bevy of artists who have worked on the book before.

Moreover, it also seems to wrap up the Brainiac storyline happening in the issue which in some ways wraps up the whole first arcs of the book. It also leans heavily into the building history of the book. We see more of Jor-El and Lara. We get a retelling of the brutal origins of Brainiac. Can Superman survivewhat Brainiac mentally couldn't?  We once again see the resilience of this Superman. In this Darkseid fueled universe, this Superman truly is an inspiration. So flashbacks, retelling and adventure all sort of weaved into a great story by Jason Aaron.

Perhaps the biggest treat of the book is art. Like any good anniversary book, we get to see the art of the people who have helped build this book. Rafa Sandoval is back, giving us the flashback pages on Krypton. And Juan Ferreyra handles the pages in the current world. And Carmine DiGiandomenico does the brutal landscape in Brainiac's mind. With these artists working specific parts of the book as well as having done issues on the title, it feels like a true celebration.

On to the book. 

Review: Absolute Superman #21

Absolute Superman #21 came out last week and was an all-out melee and very satisfying ending to the Black Adam storyline. If you wanted to see what it would look like for two super-powered beings just laying into each other, this is the issue for you. I think I have said it before but this is on Dragon Ball level. As someone who doesn't mind seeing superheroes brawling (one of the first reasons why I fell in love with comics as a kid) I drank this issue in. What makes this issue even more entertaining is that the brawl is just the front half of the book. The fallout from the brawl, and therefore the conclusion of this arc, is laid out afterwards.

Writer Jason Aaron continues to show us how this Superman is an inspiration for this Darkseid-fueled Absolute Universe. Last issue, we saw the murderous Hawkman, a field agent for the evil running the show on this Earth, see the light and help Superman. In this issue, we see Superman continue to reach out to Black Adam, trying to calm down the villain and remind Adam of his roots. That inspiration sort of bleeds out to Jimmy and Lois as well, although it seems like it impacts one more than the other.

I have said before, the first year plus of this title was a slow-burn reveal of the world and Superman. Since the Parasite story, this book has been going full throttle and Aaron shows he can write both of those styles. In truth, this arc 'feels' more like the Absolute-style of Batman and Wonder Woman. 

Rafa Sandoval is on art and his works just leaps off the page, especially in the combat sequences. You feel the punches, the hammers to the face, the environment-pulverizing blasts. I have always enjoyed Sandoval's work. But he has elevated his game here.

What is next for this book? Can't wait to find out. But first, this issue's events.

Review: Absolute Superman #20

Absolute Superman #20 came out last week, the next chapter in the pretty brutal King Shazam storyline. One thing for sure, there is a lot of action in this issue ... a lot. We see what happens when four immensely powerful beings battle across the globe. 

What I like about this issue is that we see, again, how writer Jason Aaron shows this young Superman is inspirational in a Darkseid-fueled world. We have seen him turn Ra's Al Ghul. In this issue, we see Hawkman, someone we have seen be a killer, soften in the face of Superman's actions. I think that Hawkman seeing Superman and King Shazam, so similar in powers, next to each is probably a bold contrast. 

That contrast is highlighted by the brawl that dominates the issue, a fight that goes King Shazam's way mostly. It shows what Superman could have been while Shazam slept. Watching Hawkman and Steel sort of be more like gnats in the face of this power shows what unchecked power can do. 

Rafa Sandoval is on art and brings the kinetic energy to the proceedings. The fight is huge in scope and power and you feel every punch and blast. I think he slightly tilts the panels and even word balloons in some place to give the whole thing an off-kilter feel. 

Throw in a new mini-mystery and a great cliffhanger and you have another solid issue in this book.

On to some details.

Review: Absolute Superman #19

Absolute Superman #19 came out this week, continuing a new arc introducing 'King Shazam' and Absolute Steel into the universe. It is a high octane brawl of an issue showcasing our title character's emerging heroism and some new mysteries to contemplate. Add in the 'origin' of Steel and you have a solid issue.

Jason Aaron is continuing to grow this universe now that we are in the sort of second act of the book. With Ra's Al Ghul's plot to turn Superman done, it is time to broaden the view to the world. In fact, the Ra's story is truly ended here with an exclamation point. The biggest hook for me here is the mystery of King Shazam. Last issue we saw he was a slave in ancient Egypt given power by Brainiacs with a Father Box. Why were Brainiacs on Earth then? With a Father Box no less? Now we see how Shazam's powers seem to mimic Superman's down to the crystal cape? How are those echoes possible? Didn't Lara create Sol with sun crystals? Alas, these are just mysteries to contemplate now.

Rafa Sandavol continues to shine on art. There are action panels where you don't truly see the blows, hidden in energy and swirling sands. But the character moments are well rendered. And his take on the Steel origin is brutal and gorgeous. 

This book continues to intrigue as we peel back the layers. On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #18

Absolute Superman #18 came out this week and was another whirlwind of an issue, pushing the old Al Ghul plot forward while introducing not one but two new Absolute characters.

After the wonderfully paced first arc which lasted 14 issues, establishing the world and informing us about Clark, Jason Aaron has really sped things up over the last three months. A battle with Hawkman. A new Parasite. Jimmy and Lois settling into civilian roles. Talia trying to rescue her father.

In this issue, Talia gets to her father and is trying to bring him back to world prominence. At the same time. Lois is ready to get some old school revenge on the Al Ghul's for killing her father. Superman is trying to stop Lois from becoming a murderer. And then ... they show up. 

I am quite impressed with how fully formed all these characters feel. I think I 'know' Kal and Lois and Talia. I truly think that simmering first arc really gave Aaron a defined world to now write fully.

Rafa Sandoval is back on the art and continues to shine. I like his version of Clark on the farm. I like the design of the two new Absolute characters in the book. And, as always, the action is energetic and palpable. 

I continue to be impressed with this book. Kudos to all involved.

Review: Superman/Spider-Man #1 Back-Up Stories

I reviewed the main story in the DC released Superman/Spider-Man crossover here. But just as satisfying were the back-up features teaming up members of the Super-family with the Spider-verse. 

I liked all of them, some more than others.  But they all were entertaining and that isn't something I can say about many of the anthologies DC puts out. And obviously on a project this massive, DC brings in the big guns. This isn't some lesser known creators that DC is letting dip their toes in the DCU. These are veterans and superstars. 

The good thing about families as big as the Supers and the Spiders is that there are enough to give us 7 different team-ups. Impressive. 

These will be bullet reviews of these quick stories. 

We'll start with 'The World's Finest' by Tom King and Jim Lee teaming up Lois and MJ.

While Superman and Spider-Man fight off a Sentinel tracking down a surprise guest-star mutant, Lis and Mary Jane talk about life as the better halves. How many times have they hung from bridges, met other-dimensional versions of themselves, and even died.

As someone who thinks Peter should have ended up with Gwen, I like that MJ talks about how Spidey has a thing about bridges.

Review: Absolute Superman #15

Just a couple of weeks ago, I reviewed Absolute Superman #14, the ending of a long, world-building arc for our hero. I thought perhaps the ending seemed a little too quick with Ra's Al Ghul almost laying down after a gruesome battle. But that was that, the opening arc teaching about this Kal and his fight against the Lazarus Corporation was over.

Last week, Absolute Superman #15 came out, a 'new story' trumpeted on the cover, complete with a new artist Juan Ferreyra. This new direction has been earned by writer Jason Aaron whose deliberate pace gave us wonderful world-building here. With Ra's defeated and the existence of the Superman a bit more public, it is time for our hero to come into the sunlight.

And that is what this issue is about. Superman is a public hero now, trying to do everything he can to help people, perhaps overdoing it. He is an inspiration in action all over the world. But he also is trying to be an inspiration to the defeated Ra's. What I really like is how while trying to do what's right, it is clear this Superman is a little uncomfortable in this role, a little taxed. 

All that said, this is an issue filled with hope, something I haven't seen much of in the absolute universe.

You can tell immediately the change in tone and direction by comparing the covers by Rafa Sandoval.

Issue #1, black-garbed Superman, face looking down, in shadows walking through a parched field.

Issue #15, blue-garbed, flying upwards, face in the sun, birds flying around him, angelic.

A new story indeed.

Part of that new feel is artist Juan Ferreyra. His style is strong and energetic in the heroic scenes. It is quiet enough in the smaller moments to convey emotion. I hope he is on the book for a long time.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #14

Absolute Superman #14 came out this week, the culmination of a long first arc building the world and showing us who this Superman is. It was clear that the end of this was going to be a bare-chested sword fight with Ra's Al Ghul, perhaps a nod to the early O'Neil/Adams Batman stories with Ra's himself.

Now all along I have been praising writer Jason Aaron for the pacing of this book. Unlike the frenzy of Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman was a very deliberate title, showing us Krypton, this new world, and giving us a lot of backstory for not only Superman but also Jor-El, Lara, Lois, Jimmy, and even the Al Ghul's. This is a fully formed world. I feel we have learned who this Clark is. 

The action has been ramping up over the last few issues as Ra's kept pushing Clark to take a step towards evil. And we finally get it in this issue, a bloody, brutal brawl that has me questioning how either combatant survives. Unfortunately, while the opening is a bang, the end of the fight is a whimper. This tremendously layered, long, complex arc just sort of ends. 

Rafa Sandoval is back on art and gives us in incredible issue of melee and gore. I have loved Sandoval's work for a long time but I feel that his work on this title has been his best. I'll be sad to see him go. 

Should this sudden ending to this arc sully the tremendous work which got me here? I'm not sure yet.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #13

Absolute Superman #13 came out last week, the penultimate chapter in this longform opening arc showing us the Absolute world that this Superman lives in. The Lazarus Corporation and the anti-fascist Omega Men revealed as organizations run by the Al Ghul family who are hellbent to turn Superman to their view. He hold out leading to war ... the Battle of Kansas.

I have been very impressed with Jason Aaron's pacing on this title, a slow burn of us seeing this world, learning about Superman and the supporting cast, and their goals. Even though we were barreling to the battle we see in this issue, Aaron pumped the brakes last month giving us an issue about Superman and Sol. 

But now we are back in it. Kansas is under assault.

Still Aaron gives us so much characterization amid to warfare. Superman still feels isolated, still feels 'other', still feels lost. It feels a little strong here after hearing how he defends the underrepresented, how he loved the Kents, how he is honoring his parents. But it again shows us we are in that Absolute world. If anyone isn't mired in the darkness it is Lois and Jimmy, both of whom look very much like their main Earth counterparts here, being journalists and getting the truth out there.

Rafa Sandoval continues to blow me away on art. This read like a war book, with tanks and planes, and bombs. But mixed in are these powerful character moments and Sandoval captures them too. I am so impressed with Sandoval on this book and glad we are getting him on this finale.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #12

I have been reading comics for almost 50 years. I have seen a lot of things. So when I see something surprising, something creatively fascinating, I have to compliment it. I have to admire. 

Absolute Superman #11 was one of the most brutal, horrific books I have read in a long time. It was firmly entrenched in this Darkseid-fueled universe. Skin was flayed. Blood was spilled. Throats were crushed. Chests were stabbed.

So how does writer Jason Aaron follow-up this grand guignol in Absolute Superman #12? By slowing everything down. By giving us an issue filled with flashbacks of how this Kal was raised by a gentle, loving AI program named Sol. It is the exact opposite of the prior issue. It really struck me. Just brilliant to put this issue on the heels of that one.

One thing I have said about this book is that Aaron has really built up this world. From Krypton to Kansas, this feels like a three-dimensional world. These scenes with Sol, which cover years, add to that depth. 

It helps that Rafa Sandoval is back on art. His style is a little more polished than the cruder, rougher stuff that Carmine Digiandomenico. This feels more calm and more peaceful, reinforcing that thematic change as well. 

We are heading to a big confrontation. But this issue was just the sort of deep cleansing breath I needed.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #9

Absolute Superman #9 came out last week and again showed that this Absolute World is a dystopia where there aren't many heroes and both sides are so extreme that our hero isn't sure he even wants to remain on Earth.

This issue shows us the 'Omega Men' political group, the freedom fighters battling The Lazarus Corporation, up close. And it isn't pretty. We start with them saving Superman. The next mission is heading out to save political prisoners. It ends with the leaders of Omega being as violent as Lazarus.  Jason Aaron continues to peel the onion back, building this world. More Ra's. More Lois. More Jimmy. But also Talia and Father Boxes. All of this leads to some despair in our hero.

We knew that this was a different Earth and a different Superman. But I always hoped this Superman would be the shining light in the darkness. This issue he sounds like a beaten man.

The art is split between Rafa Sandoval and Fico Ossio. Ossio seems to do the bulk of the issue and is doing his best to channel Sandoval's work to keep the feel of the book consistent. And Arreola's darker hues contribute to the consistency. 

Nine issues in and this remains a slow burn. But I still don't know exactly who this Superman is. So much of the world is being defined that our hero remains blurry.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #8

Absolute Superman #8 came out last week and the trade dress touts it with 'a new story starts here!'

This book has been an interesting one so far, using the first 7 issues to slowly world build, giving us a taste of the Absolute world while filling in the Krypton history and showing us this new Superman. In comparison to the 'Batman AF' pace of the Absolute Batman book, Absolute Superman has been a much slower burn. It has felt like half the issues haven't even had Superman in them. 

Writer Jason Aaron does kick things into a little higher gear here. We finally see the main villain, Ra's Al Ghul .. and I have a theory. We get our first super-villain fight with Peacemaker/Metallo (or what I will be calling Metallo, he isn't given a code name here). We get to see some weakness in this Superman character which we haven't seen yet. And we get to see some Lois/Jimmy/Superman interactions which seems to be building up to a true relationship. There is a lot of action here but also some little dollops of new information that continues to make this place feel three-dimensional.

Rafa Sandoval is back on the book on art and his stuff continues to floor me. From the crazy battle scenes to his use of sound effects within the art to the quiet emotional moments, his stuff is on fire. 

If you have felt the book has been a bit meandering or even a bit plodding, which I must admit at times I have, I hope you have stuck around. This issue turns that on its head, giving us a brutal, physical action comic while still pushing on the plot.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #6

Absolute Superman #6 came out last week, another mostly flashback issue filling in the back story of this universe's Kal. With the destruction of Krypton behind us, we focus on Smallville. After the slow burn of the first issue, this one feels brisk opening and seemingly closing the Smallville portion of Superman's origins. We also get a major reveal which I felt was coming but never said outright. You'll have to trust me.

Writer Jason Aaron shows us that overlying despair of this Absolute Universe, especially in the early pages of Kal lost in space. But he also gives us some light, showing us a Jonathan and Martha Kent that feel pretty much our typical Kents. They take Kal in as a miracle. And Kal feels a bit of comfort in this Kansas environment with a kindly couple. Interesting to see just where the classic origins blur with the new stuff. But most importantly, as I said above, this is definitely a bit of a brisker pace for the flashback than the prior. 

The art this issue is by Carmine DiGiandominico and he's sort new to me.  Despite a slew of book, I only know him from the digital only covers of the end of the last Supergirl run. There is a sort of Chris Sprouse energy to his work. I love Rafa Sandoval but DiGiandomenico is a decent fill-in. Sandoval is on the cover which displays something which doesn't appear in the story. 

So with the brisk Smallville chapter done and the true villain revealed at the end, I think we can call this the 'opening arc' and that it is officially closed. Looking forward to what comes next.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #5

Absolute Superman #5 came out this last week and it felt like the closing of a first sort of arc. We end on a cliffhanger of a sort for sure. But it feels Krypton is finally behind us.

Writer Jason Aaron has been doing a ton of world building in this series so far. We have had issues focusing on Lois Lane and Krypton and Jor-El and Lara. In some ways it means that Superman has been in the background. We have seen young Kal and heard his thoughts. But grown-up Superman? We know him more from his deeds than his words. 

This issue is similar in approach. We see current day Superman reacting to the death of the villagers last issue, now trying to track down the Christopher Smith Peacemaker. And there is a lot of action for sure.

But the meat of the issue is the flashbacks to Krypton leading us up to its destruction ... finally! Aaron uses Krypton as a cautionary tale for Earth, for sure. There is literal battles between the haves and have-nots. There is the damage to the environment that leads to the planetary explosion. It nears ham-fisted in its telling but doesn't go over the line. And while Krypton is gone, Kryptonians are not. Hmmm ...

The art remains spectacular. Rafa Sandoval is hitting it out of the park here. This is a global destruction issue with earthquakes, spaceships, and civil unrest. It is filled with an angry Superman battering his way through troops. Sandoval makes the whole thing beautifully flow.

We are still world building for sure. On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #4

Absolute Superman #4 came out last week and continued to enrich this new universe and new Superman's history and supporting cast. More than any issue, this one showed us that this is a universe fueled by Darkseid energy. 

This issue really put Lois Lane in the spotlight, showing us more of who she is and why she is the way she is. Jason Aaron is showing us just what it means in this world for an independent, incredibly powerful super-being to be out there. He is a folk hero. He is a hippie. He is a threat. He is an opponent or a potential ally in this violent political world. A lot of this can be seen in Lois who seems to be conflicted in her thoughts but resolute in her duty. This Lois definitely feels innovative. I am not sure if I like her yet.

Aaron also shows us how the fringes of politics, both left and right, are extremists and probably aren't the good guys. The Peacemakers working for Leviathan Inc and the field agents for the rebellious Omega Men both seem ready to maim or kill to achieve their goals. If  'the ends justify the means' is a tenet, you should look hard in the mirror.

I have complimented Rafa Sandoval a ton and this issue deserves that continued praise. There are is high action. But the opening scene is Lois interviewing people from around the globe and he shines there too. I like Sandoval's design of the Omega Men. 

One quibble about this issue is that Superman isn't in it that much. Yes, this is a Lois issue. But we are still learning about this Kal. I want to know more. And this issue seems mired a bit in how grim this world is. I get that that grittiness is the foundation of this world but boy, I could use a glimmer of something hopeful. This is a Superman comic after all.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #3

Absolute Superman #3 came out last week, a flashback issue looking at young Kal's life on Krypton as it approached destruction. It is a pretty heavy-handed issue as we see Jor-El and Lara dealing with a completely corrupt Kryptonian hierarchy by rebelling with violence.

Now look, this is the Absolute Universe, the one tainted by Darkseid energy, and so the whole thing is going to be murky. A Kryptonian Science Council allowing genocide to happen as long as they escape? Sounds like a Darkseid place. Lara donning attack armor and wielding a lava gun as she mows down innocent police officers? Sounds like a Darkseid place. 

We have seen this Kal on Earth, fighting the system by helping people. He seems to be an upstanding hero, only retaliating when attacked by the cronies of Earth's own corruption. Writer Jason Aaron is walking a fine line here. Superman as a populist hero fighting an inherently evil world? Sounds okay. But where does it end? When does fighting the system become fighting innocent people also stuck in the system? When does this become too ham-fisted?

This issue comes close to that. It veers to the preachy. But I do think it is important for us to see the experiences of young (not baby) Kal on Krypton to inform who he is on Earth.

Now there are some things that seem convenient for the story. And some things that seem nonsensical given the story. So of the three issues of this series so far, I feel this one is the weakest from a writing view.

Interesingly enough, I think this might be the strongest issue from an art view. Rafa Sandoval is just crushing it on this book. Here we see Krypton with its death pangs. We see Lara in action. We see high tech and lush alien landscapes. Sandoval is inching towards Dan Mora as my favorite DC artist.

On to the book. 

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: Absolute Superman #1

I truly apologize for the lateness of this review. The weekly release of Action Comics with a dedicated Supergirl strip has made some books and news be kicked a bit down the road.

Absolute Superman #1 came out last week, the third title of the Absolute Universe to be released. For those coming in late, this universe is built off Darkseid energy which means everything is a little darker, a little more extreme, a little more volatile. From a brutal and poor Batman to a witchy Wonder Woman raised in Hell, things are skewed to a more grim sort of continuity.

Certainly, this Superman's origin is different. Jor-El and Lara are scientists but mired in the Labor Class. Krypton is a world filled with leaders willingly ripping the planet apart despite warnings. Kal is at least school age when he is rocketed off Krypton. There doesn't appear to be a loving Kent family in the mix. Lois is working for a nefarious acting corporation. So while some of the foundation is present, things are different.

But there is also a strong whiff of 'everything old is new again'. Writer Jason Aaron is setting Superman up to be populist hero, working against corruption and greed to help the underserved. In this issue, he is helping save people working in a dangerous mine. He isn't fighting super-villains. He is fighting the system.

Having read the earliest Action Comics by Siegel and Shuster, this is the foundation of Superman, hero of the oppressed. Heck, in those issues, he also helped out a mining community. And then, in the New 52, Grant Morrison brought that take on Superman back. Remember the 'jeans and t-shirt' Superman fighting evictions and gentrification?

In some ways, it works. This Superman isn't as different that sorceress Diana riding an undead Pegasus. In other ways, this first issue reads pretty close to prior takes making this not a new Superman but sort of a warped take.

We are only one issue in so I know the timelines and universes will continue to diverge. But the truth is I was worried about what a Dark Universe Superman would read like. This wasn't so dark to put me off completely. 

Rafa Sandoval is on art. I have loved Sandoval's work for a while and this issue he really shines. He handles the alien Krypton well. The Earth side of the book is a mix of tense conversations and wild action and he carries the story with the art. And the splash pages are powerful. 

So while the message of this is the standard 'corporations are evil', it isn't so heavy-handed that I eye-rolled. I am in, at least for a bit.

On to the book.

Review: Superman #15

Superman #15 came out last week, ending the House of Brainiac arc and bringing us into Absolute Power. I have enjoyed Joshua Williamson's run on the character and this Brainiac arc has been pretty engrossing. I think it has nicely showcased the new world order that Williamson has made - villains as allies, family as phalanx, Brainiac as universal threat. 

Does this closing chapter stick the landing? The answer is mostly. 

I love the way this story ends, mirroring Superman's origin and leading us to 2 major new plots. I like how the super-family has to come together to bring about victory. Throughout Williamson's run I have been intrigued by this 'new Lex', the guy who wants to be Superman's partner. We see that, at least in this storyline, he was telling us the truth. 

Things I don't know if I completely understand is Brainiac's overall plot. He wants to bring about the Brainiac Queen, it seems, to destroy all life in the universe. That doesn't jibe with historic Brainiac, the one who wanted to gather knowledge. I still don't know if the other Brainiac's are from other timelines? When did Brainiac become overwhelmed with emotions? I suppose if I just say Brainiac is evil I can just accept much of this. I was hoping for more understanding of Brainiac's motives. 

The art is again by Rafa Sandoval who is now one of my favorite artists working for DC. I love his take on Supergirl! And the page layouts, panel construction, and pacing of the book really sing. This felt like a finale to a big story artwise.

I am hoping Williamson stays on the book because I have enjoyed his run and this arc was another good chunk of his run. On to the particulars!

Review: Action Comics #1066

The House of Brainiac storyline wrapped up this week with the last two chapters released on the same day. Interesting choice. The arc has really been very entertaining up to now, building up some mysteries and momentum, throwing characters together to fight the bigger threat, and amping up Brainiac as a mad villain. 

Here in Action Comics #1066, part 5 of 6, writer Joshua Williamson keeps the momentum going. One thing that I like about this story is how we see the breadth of the super-family and even see people like Lobo and Luthor joining in to stop the Brainiac Queen from annihilating everything. There are some interesting possible callbacks to other stories as well that keep a veteran like me happy.

That said, I still don't 100% know what all the mysteries in Brainiac are about. The glitches, the hole in his memory, the gathering of other Brainiacs, the whole goal of the thing is still a little vague in my head. I keep puzzling about the 'why' and I don't get enough answers to be satisfied.

And there are a couple of confusing moments in this issue that also had me wondering where this would all go.

The art remains fantastic as once again Rafa Sandoval and Miguel Mendonca team up to bring us some incredible action. This is a sort of horror/sci-fi setting and it works well. Laura Braga pencils a Lex/Lena backup and brings a very different style but it works for a story looking back at young Lena.

In the end, I think this was a solid book but perhaps not up to the excellence of the prior issues.

On to the particulars.