Review: Action Comics #1076 Superman Story

Action Comics #1076 came out last week and Mark Waid and Clayton Henry continue to weave an interesting story, rewriting the continuity around the Phantom Zone and its Kryptonian origins.

Waid has been clicking on all cylinders with this story, giving us a new look at Mon-El, Aethyr, and Jor-El. But these new looks are more like updated takes on classic continuity. Mon-El is back to a Daxamite Clark met as a kid. But his time in the Zone has made him tougher. Jor-El discovered the Phantom Zone but didn't want it to be used as a prison recognizing how maddening it would be.

In this issue, we see Clark on Krypton trying his best to not upend the timestream by revealing to people their future. But he also needs to get his solar gauntlets charged to get back home. I like how Waid has Clark on the razor's edge of not leaking too much info.

Sadly, I was hoping that Waid my do a redemption take on Zor-El. Poor Zor was morally gray in the New 52 and then turned into the Cyborg Superman in Rebirth. In Venditti's World of Krypton, he was an obsessed neurotic, desperate to save Kara. Could Waid just bring him back to another caring father and scientific genius? We'll see.

Clayton Henry continues to bring this smooth look to the proceedings. I like the Krypton sequences. Michael Shelfer continues to bring some levity and action to the side plot.

On to the book!

Last issue 'Klar Ken' met Jor-El and learned how his father didn't want the Zone to be a prison. After a minor legal kerfuffle, they were able to get the solar gauntlets and head to someone they thought could help ... Zor-El.

And it first it seems like Waid might be heading back to the Silver Age when both Jor and Zor were smart and friends.

I like how Superman sees how both of them are so driven by scientific advancement that they just dive into solving the problem. 

But then this.

When Clark tries to leak some info to Zor-El that Jor's theories about Krypton's demise might be true, Zor gets downright ornery.

In fact, unfortunately, Zor is a climate change denier. He would know if the planet was in trouble. 

Supergirl has already been through a lot of character damage recently. Do we really need for her father to not only be hot-headed but also maybe behind Krypton not investigating Jor's claims??

Back on Earth, Kenan and Conner continue to deal with both the Space Museum raiding cultures and the Khunds trying to loot it.

In a funny turn, albeit off screen, Conner defeats the Khund General thus making him in charge of their troops. He tells them to stand down. 

I love how Conner keeps the bling, wearing the big furry cape like a proof of rank. 

But back on Krypton, Clark has to get a hold of Zor-El's photonic converter. This can recharge his gauntlets. But it has been confiscated by Ro-Zan. 

He breaks into the science council only to be confronted by ... Zor-El.

He figured Clark would do that and this only confirms Zor's thoughts of Clark being a criminal. 

Waid really doesn't seem to like Zor.

And after getting the converter, Clark has to get away. And if Zor is in his way, then Zor is going to get a fistful.

Poor Zor-El. Hothead. Climate denier. Snitch. And punching bag.

Bit there is one more person in Clark's way. Ro-Zan.

In a great little twist, Clark decides to tell the truth.

He says he is a time traveler and that Jor-El isn't mad and Ro-Zan's legacy will be a dark one if he doesn't ease his grip on science advancements.

So much for worries about a time paradox. Of course, those do sound like the ravings of a madman. 

I do like it though. Facing the barrel of a gun, why not take a chance.

It gives Ro-Zan enough pause that Clark can charge the gauntlets and get back to Aethyr's time well and head back to both his time and the Zone.

Only it doesn't look good. The Zone is being ripped apart from the inside. 

Nice cliffhanger.

I have to say, the whole treatment of Zor-El leaves a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth. But the whole time on Krypton was overall done very well. Waid has a good handle on this sort of stuff.

Overall grade: B