Review Action Comics #1080 Superman Story

The delightful weekly run of Action Comics with a main story written by Mark Waid has reached its penulitmate issue with the release of Action Comics #1080 last week. What a great way to end 2024!

This has been a whirlwind of a story with Waid giving us new takes on Krypton's history and Jor-El's role with the Phantom Zone. We got the return of Aethyr and the insanity of the Phantom Zone. We got a new wrinkle into the character of Mon-El, highlighting the character's harsh history. Somehow Waid has had us careening from one set piece to the next but it has never felt rushed or haphazard.

Of course, Waid is a Superman fan so he has thrown in all the little historical continuity fun facts he can, drawing from the deep bench of DC villains and Kryptonian bureaucrats. This issue is like a love letter to Bronze Age Superman and DC cosmic as we travel the universe with our heroes and their friends as they bring in the escaped Phantom Zone villains. We end with a cliffhanger promising a brawl.

Clayton Henry does the entire issue and because of the script gets to stretch his muscles bringing us super-powered action, a bevy of DC guest stars, and those Bronze Age Kryptonian bad guys. Things I didn't know I needed until today? Henry drawing Faora Hu-Ul.

I'll be sad to see this team leave the book next week. But I thank them for this roller coaster ride. On to the book.

As I said, we are rocketing all over the DC universe in this issue as Superman has deployed his family and super-hero friends to bring in the Phantom Zone escapees who have scattered across the stars. 

We start on planet Grenda (new to me) where Superman and Mon-El bring in Ras-Krom a Kryptonian sorceror who can use magic to bring legendary Kryptonian creatures to life. Ras-Krom is a Silver Age Kryptonian, originating way back in the back story of Superman #164. 

Has Grenda been seen before? Given the known quantities of the other planet, I can't imagine this is the first time we are seeing it or the 'Zanchyroia' dragons Ras-Krom brought to life.

Mon-El is able to use a mix of Green K and some quickly rigged  projector gun to send Ras-Krom back to the zone.

Next is Power Girl and Metamorpho fighting Faora Hu-Ul on Thanagar.

I do love that Waid kept Faora's utter hatred of men at the center of her character as she slaughters the Hawkmen of the planet. But her defeat by 'super-whistle' felt a little bit dim when comparing it to the fight that preceded.

While the physical battel rolls on, Supergirl heads to Kandor to take on the bureaucratic battle with the Science Council. 

Kara has hidden the city on the moon so the escaped criminals can't get revenge on their captors that way. And now she asks for help in rounding them up. Two issues ago they said the Els had no right in releasing the villains. Here they won't help the heroes round them up. Classic political insanity, arguing both sides of an argument.

This is a pretty important meeting given the 'exile' placed on Superman by Bry-Zan and the Council. I love that Superman entrusted Kara to go their and explain their cause. You need someone that deserves respect, that is articulate, that understands the Kryptonian world. Of course it is Kara who should plead their case. Waid just 'gets' Supergirl.

Next up, on planet Lupra (again new to me), we see the New Super-Man and Conner 'Khuperman' taking on some old favorites of mine, Az-Rel and Nadira, the naturally super-powered Kryptonians first seen in the Gerber/Colan Phantom Zone mini from the 80s.

Who can forget the 'Burn!' and 'Convulse!' psychic commands of the two!

Seriously, I love that Waid reveres the past of DC but is able to bring it to today in an updated but classic way, without changing it dramatically or making it seem ridiculous.

On to New Korugar where Jon Kent and Aquaman take on Professor Va-Kox and his evil aquatic monsters. Professor Va-Kox was introduced in Action Comics #284. But he has shown up now and again. No surprise that E. Nelson Bridwell brought him into a small role in Action Comics #548 and #549.

I like the teamwork that Waid brings here. Makes sense for Aquaman to fight the water-based monsters of Va-Kox. It feels like an old school JLA story where the team breaks up into pairs to fight. 

I haven't mentioned Clayton Henry's art too much so far but it speaks for itself. That is a pretty cool monster on an alien landscape. Great action with that first panel too. 

Then on Braal, Superman and Mon-El try to take on Jax-Up, one of the most evil of the escapees.

We saw Gold K earlier in this story so like Chekov's gun, we knew it was going to show back up. 

Thankfully, Mon-El is there to block the attack.

One of the things I think I am going to remember most of this story is Waid's dealing with Mon-El. Remember, he has been trapped in the Zone for decades (and we know he has another 1000 years ahead of him). That time has to be harsh. 

We have seen in the Aethry physical Zone, Mon-El has had to resort to extreme violence to survive.

Here, we see his frustration about his life. He was meant to be a hero but he hasn't had the chance. 

I have never really been a big Mon-El fan. This story has provided some depth to him for me. I have always known that Mon-El would be troubled from his time. But this has shown me, not told me. That feels different, has a greater impact.

But despite our heroes rounding up these villains, more are out there, on Rann.

Including the Phantom King. 

Nice cliffhanger as we head into the finale. 

I really loved this tour of the DCU with guest stars and throwbacks in every scene. I am hoping that Waid is able to bring this energy to his JLU book. And yes, I am biased and I might be looking too closely, but I like that Supergirl was chosen to represent to the Science Council.

Overall grade: A