Back Issue Box: Action Comics #546

You know it is a tough week when here we are on Wednesday and I still haven't been to the comic book store this week. I probably won't get there until tomorrow!

So while I promise I will get to reviews of the new releases soon, I figured I could dip into the back issue box again today. After reviewing the semi-trippy origin of the new Brainiac in Action Comics #544, I figured I'd cover the ending of that arc in Action Comics #546. 

I have only recently been reading this Marv Wolfman run on Action Comics in the immediate pre-Crisis wind-down of the character. I have to compliment him for his efforts to expand the scope and grandiosity of the book. He introduced Syrene and Lord Satanus. He brought Brainiac back and then amped up the danger of the villain. Heck, this story feels like a mini-event with the finale guest starring both the JLA and the Teen Titans. (The Titans were at the top of the heap at this point.) He even tried to shake up the supporting stories, splitting Lois and Superman and having Clark date Lana. Maybe the powers that be realized Superman and the universe needed to be updated and reinvigorated.

But he also seems to have increased the crankiness of Superman overall. As Clark, he is a little angry, a little put upon, a little twitchy. Part of it that this Clark wants to enjoy his life and the way he has lived up to then feels off. That wish to optimize the Clark life means his Superman often acts like he is tired, doesn't want to move on to the next threat, and almost wishes he could sit back and relax. There is just a tinge of emotional and physical fatigue here. Interesting in a way, but off-putting.

Gil Kane really breaks it all out in this issue given the guest stars, city street battles, and the one-on-one fight of Superman and Brainiac. This new Brainiac isn't the easiest design and at times Kane seems unsure of the proportions, the head/face plate being inconsistent in places. Still, my admiration of Kane as grown over the years. And I'm 99% sure he basically traced a Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez pic in this issue. Overall a good job here.

On to the details.

We start with Superman alone in his Fortress trying to analyze the new Brainiac. But the computer doesn't seem to be working at its best. There are no answers. And with Brainiac deadlier than before, he needs answers.

Here is a good example of the new characterization.

Superman flies out of the Fortress saying Clark just needs a good hot bath. Landing in his apartment, he hears a knock at the door. It's Jimmy and Clark thinks 'why is he bothering me?' 

Turns out Morgan Edge isn't happy with Clark's absences and Jimmy is there to gather him up. 

So much for mild-mannered Clark, jamming his finger in Edge's face, yelling at him, and storming off. 

I don't need Clark to be a milksop. But all of this seemed just a little bit off.  Was this an attempt to modernize Superman, or bring him closer to what was selling in comics at the time.

At least the storming off was purposeful. Brainiac's ship and an enthralled alien army is descending onto Earth. Superman knows he needs help so it is off to the JLA satellite. Luckily Wally is visiting Barry up there. 

If the threat is big enough for the JLA, why not bring in the Titans!

Here's a pretty solid splash from Kane putting everyone in the same panel. Cool to see Kane's take on these characters. 

But a Terry Long reference??? Yeesh. 

And where the heck is Supergirl!?! Shouldn't she be the first one on the speed dial? Of course, it was Wolfman who thought Supergirl was a barnacle on Superman's mythos so maybe I shouldn't be surprised.

And then it is off to save Earth.

Another cool panel ... but I am 99% sure this is a Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez panel that has been traced over.

"No greater fighting force has ever been assembled."

Cool.

While the Titans and the JLA skirmish with the ground troops, Superman tries to bring the fight to Brainiac. And the villain is more than willing to eliminate his own troops if they fail.

I do love this inner monologue from Brainiac. You might remember that Brainiac went back in time and saw the 'hand Krona saw' create the universe. He labeled that entity (God?) as his enemy then.

Here Brainiac says his plans are to destroy 'the master programmer' (God?) and the programmer's 'angel of death' Superman?

While this is supposed to be a truly cold, robotic Brainiac, this has the voice of a zealot! So interesting, an anti-God Brainiac! 

Last issue (not covered here as I don't have it!) Superman lured targeted red sun torpedos into the sun. Could those missiles have kicked up activity in the sun, increasing sun spots and flares? Could that be impacting the Fortress's computer? Could this effect Brainiac?

I do like the first panel composition with the present Superman mulling over the memory of him heading to the sun. Pretty cool!

On Earth, the battle continues.

So interesting to see Terra before she reveals here ulterior motives. Titans was on #34 when this came out, 8 months before The Judas Contract. But that 'playing hero' line sure is foreboding and foreshadowing!

Meanwhile, Superman turns the tables on Brainiac, using the tug of a tractor beam to increase his own speed and power. 

Nice strategy which pays off when Brainiac has to go on the offensive, turning off the beam and reverting to his force field.

See how the Brainiac anatomy is a little wonky?

Freed, Superman whips up increased solar winds and flares from the sun.

And as planned, it effects Brainiac ... in fact it nearly incapacitates him. 

Floored by the radiation, Brainiac is seconds away from being pounded into 'spare parts for a washing machine'. Whoa ... this isn't your father's Superman!

But the villain is able to reach his controls and blast away!

With Brainiac gone, the mind-controlled alien armies stop fighting and everything is back to normal. 

Okay, that defeat was a little quick and a little easy given the set-up. But no complaints here at all. High action, lots of guest stars, a new take on an old villain, a determined hero and some solid art all around. Well worth scouring the bargain bins for!

Still, I don't know if Wolfman's take on Superman is one I would want for a long time.

Overall grade: B