Review: Action Comics #1069

Action Comics #1069 came out this week, the last part of writer Gail Simone and artist Eddy Barrows' three part story. This one was a winner for sure, both the issue and the arc. 

I have always been a fan of Superman and one of the reasons why I love the character is that he is an inspiration. I can think of all the ways that someone with Superman's powers would work in this jaded world. Many of them would be selfish or unsavory. But he is a hero. He fights for what's right. He believes in truth, justice, and the American way. And when he is at his best, he inspires people to do what's right as well.

Simone and Barrows leans into that in this story. That is basically what this is about. Superman fighting for us, fighting for what's right. Superman fighting even when he could stop, when he is battered, when he is exhausted.  But instead he keeps at it. It is a simple concept ... Superman as inspiration. But it works. We have seen this story type before. But it still works. Whether it is Tom King's Up in the Sky, or Phillip Kennedy Johnson's Warworld or even All-Star Superman, Superman as inspiration works. 

Barrows is one of those artists who can't stay long on a book. So a three parter is perfect for him. He shines here, giving us a beautiful book. 

But wait, there's more. We get the conclusion of the Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey story focusing on the journalistic integrity of Clark working as a reporter for the Planet. This was another winner.  I really liked this story too.

Tack on a variant cover by Nicola Scott focusing on Supergirl and you get a big winner. I love this cover. DC should make a poster or a t-shirt out of it.

The story has Superman fighting as a representative, facing the trials set before him by Grunhar. In the first two issues he has been pulverized, squashed, and shot. He is pretty beaten up, but not defeated.

Seeing Superman in this state humanizes him a little. We have all felt beaten down by life, even metaphorically. And him like this but still fighting is the inspiration.

Of course, Simone and Barrows heap on the nostalgia and Easter Eggs. This whole thing started as an homage to Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali. Here we see the robots attending Superman are from the Fleischer cartoon 'The Mechanical Monsters'. That's the second time in recent weeks we've seen this homage. 

I talked about how Superman inspiring people is the heart of this story.

After his victories, the arena watching him do these feats begin chanting his name.

And even on Earth, we see how Superman has stoked the fires of the civilians. Look at Cat Grant!!

I love that it is Cat of all people. It makes this defiance that much more powerful.

Cat isn't the only defiant one. 

Despite being beaten up with the most difficult challenge ahead of him, he glares at Grunhar and tells the tyrant that he can still give up. This is the last chance.

Bloodied and bandaged, that strength is awesome in the true meaning of the word. It shakes Grunhar.

In an issue with many great moments, this small moment was my favorite.

Lois and Jimmy are off on side missions so Superman needs new seconds.

He has inspired people in the arena to stand with him. Superman as inspiration. 

One is a classic Thanagarian, armed with a huge mace no less. 

The other is a classic Khund, straight out of the Levitz/Giffen run. 

It is more nostalgia but this also works for me.

The final threat? A Daxamite named Hux-Ur the Horrid. Hux-Ur has been fighting for Grunhar for a long time. He is confident and brutal. He is armed both with what appears to be an Atomic Axe and a chunk of Green K.

Still Superman enters the fray. Irresistible force meets irresistible force.

Barrows brings it in these scenes. I know Barrows can bring it with bloody combat. Stupendous.

The fight is like Dragon Ball Super tournament. You need to get your opponent out of the ring.

Superman points out to Hux-Ur what the green K is and how it is a cheat. Hux-Ur ditches it giving Superman the opening to punch him out of the ring. 

What I really like is that Hux-Ur looks like what Superman might look like if he went bad. From the rugged looks to the 'spit curl', this is 'what might have been'. 

Again, it shows what an inspiration Superman is. He could have been Hux-Ur. He isn't.

Part of Grunhar's ability to hold these tournaments is his claim of fair play. When the Green K cheat is made known, suddenly Grunhar is out of luck.

Kudos to Jimmy and Lois who working in the shadows (and with Lex no less) free the Kandorians to give Superman some back up. 

It all ends well. Love this cross-armed Superman. You can almost hear him say 'General, care to step outside?'.

So just a crackling, uplifting story. 

But, as I said, wait ... there's more. 

Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey have written a story where Lois takes Clark of the Metro beat. How can Clark be an ethical journalist while reporting on himself. She buries him in 'human interest stories'. It has led to a wedge in their relationship on all levels.

In this issue, both see the other's point of view.

Lois realizes she was too harsh. Clark realizes she might have a point.

Finally they realize there can be some sort of middle ground. Lois can trust Clark to write what is right. Clark can realize that he is good at the human interest stories so maybe he can stay away from Superman stories when he can.

Tormey brings the expressive work needed for this type of chapter.

I love this moment near the end. Clark's replacement recuses herself from Superman stories saying she can't be ethical. Journalistic integrity is tough!

Then this loving and funny moment. Superman teases Lois for not recusing herself in the past. It led to love and a Pulitzer. How great she kind of shoves him lovingly.

Great art by Tormey. I really really liked this moment.

Wonderful back-up story!

So I will call all aspects of this arc, the main and the back-up stories, as tremendous. Great stuff.

Overall grade: A