Review: Action Comics #882

The Hunt For Reactron continued to steamroll ahead in this week's Action Comics #882. As has been the case for the first two chapters of this storyline, Sterling Gates and Greg Rucka continue to do an excellent job of co-writing, melding their styles seamlessly while keeping the voices of their respective characters consistent.

And, as with the chapters before hand, this book is a great mix of plot progression and wild action sequences.

What I like most about this arc so far has been how it has really looked at the relationship between Kara and Thara. The two were best of friends but things have been strained between them. Will their being framed by General Lane bring them back together or widen the rift. I have been waiting to see more of their friendship since we met Thara way back in the New Krypton Special.


Another part of this issue that I really liked was how Squad K was portrayed. Each prior time we have seen them, Squad K has been shown to be somewhat 'quick to act', poorly trained cannon fodder. While they may be heavily armed, they have barely slowed down any Kryptonian they have come face to face with and have often looked foolish.

So when the issue starts with Squad K's Colonel Hazard fighting General Lane about the inclusion of Reactron into his group, it was the first sensible thing I have heard him say. That sudden respect for Hazard increases when he shows how he has read Reactron for the sociopath he is. Hazard wants to bring the Metropolis 3 to justice. He knows Reactron is simply out for blood.

Unfortunately, Hazard is outranked and overruled by General Lane. Reactron is suddenly on the team. The General then hears that Lois has fallen off the grid. And since she has interacted with Nightwing and Flamebird in the past, the Squad heads to Metropolis to hunt her down.



As was the plan, Chris and Lana have gone to meet Lois to tell her everything that has happened. Chris tells Lois about Reactron and Metallo's involvement with the destruction of Metropolis' water supply. With the mind games and military involvement, Lois senses her father's style. This friction between the members of the Lane family is an intriguing subplot.

I liked how Lois notices that Lana is looking ill. Whatever it is that Lana has been hiding, it is becoming more and more apparent. While I thought early on her illness was simply cancer, I now get the sense that this is going to be something more.

Back in Lana's apartment, Thara and Kara begin to start the slow process of mending their friendship. Thara admits that she is sick of fighting with Kara. I love how Supergirl shows her the blood bloom petal from their visit to the Fire Falls (as seen in the recent Superman Secret Files). That petal is a physical representation and a symbol of their friendship. There is only one reason for Kara to bring it out now ... and that is to remind Thara of all they have been through.

I also like how Supergirl tells Thara that the petal was the only thing that made the trip to Earth with her. If the petal survived all that, surely their friendship can as well.

When Squad K arrives in Metropolis, the three young Kryptonians reunite as a way to face the threat as well as give Lana and Lois a chance to slip off. Interesting that Thara went into battle in civilian clothes instead of donning her Flamebird armor.

Another of the things that I have liked about the super-titles during this year without Superman is how all the writers know the big picture and keep continuity tight.

For example, here we see Colonel Hazard talking to the Guardian, telling him to that the impending fight with Metropolis 3 is a military issue and that the Science Police are not necessary or even wanted. It is clear if that the Guardian would be involved in this skirmish above his city. So Gates and Rucka do the appropriate thing and address the issue. If they hadn't included this scene I would have wondered why the SciPo hadn't joined in.

While Squad K and Supergirl, Flamebird, and Nightwing fight in the sky, Reactron takes to the streets and just starts destroying things. Nothing like a super-villain performing some indiscriminate property damage to move a story along.

Again, I am impressed with Hazard here as he stands up to Reactron, telling him to stop laying waste to Metropolis landscape.

Somehow I didn't get the ominous foreshadowing by Reactron the first time I read the issue. We haven't seen anything yet?

The battle between Kara, Thara, Chris, and the military goes underground into the demolished sewer system.

In a peculiar move, Chris tells Supergirl and Thara to stand down and be taken into custody.

As I stated above, the tight continuity between the super-books has been one of the more impressive things during this New Krypton run. I don't know if it is simply coincidence that Chris and Thara assume the same position that Kal did just last week in WONK. It is a subtle little hint (I think) of Superman's influence on Chris. The similarity in the scenes is uncanny but appreciated by showing how powerful a role model Kal can be and since Greg RUcka writes both titles I am going to say it was intentional.

What amazes me is that this plan by Chris almost works. Depowered with 'red sun shackles', Chris and Thara explain their side of the story, of Reactron's role in the sewer collapse, and the potential purpose of Reactron's sudden presence on Squad K. Reactron has been sent there by General Lane to tie up the loose ends permanently.

Hazard sees the logic behind it. You can see it on his face ... that what Thara says makes sense.

And that sudden flash of realization on Hazard's part makes him and his crew suddenly expendable, suddenly a new set of loose ends.

And Reactron shows how cold-blooded he is, frying his military comrades with a burst of energy. It is chilling to see. I hope he does face some Kryptonian justice.

And it is too bad ... I was just starting to like Colonel Hazard.

And with Squad K dispatched and the Metropolis 3 helpless, Reactron seems like he literally has things well in hand.

As for this cliffhanger ... well I think it is time for the Flamebird entity to manifest again.

I thought this was a very good issue. It was heavy on the action but I think that is totally fitting for this particular arc. Between those scenes though, small glimpses of great characterization happen. I thought the Kara/Thara scenes were very well done, showing how awkward they feel around each other right now.

I thought Pere Perez' art wasn't as polished as it was last issue, looking a bit scraggly and scratchy in some places. His most powerful panels were those which showcased Reactron's destructive capabilities. The energy really bristles on the page.

The writers and artists promised that Hunt For Reactron would be a fun and wild ride and it has been.

Overall grade: B+