Review: Action Comics #1075 Superman Story

Action Comics #1075 was released last week, a milestone issue according to the trade dress. 

It is also the halfway mark of this weekly run on Action Comics with the main story being told by the creative team of writer Mark Waid and artist Clayton Henry. 

This has been an impressive story showcasing just why I love Mark Waid as a writer. Superman is investigating the ever changing nature of the Phantom Zone. He runs into an immensely powerful being called Aethyr. He interacts with Mon-El. He ends up being thrown back in time to Krypton where he meets his father, a scientific genius who discovered the Phantom Zone. .

That all sounds very classic and Bronze Age. This has elements which are true to longstanding continuity. As such for someone like me, this reads as 'true'.

At the same time, Waid is polishing that Bronze to a more modern sheen. Aethyr is a vindictive god. Mon-El is has had a more troubled time in the Zone than normal, perhaps resorting to murder. Jor-El understood that the Phantom Zone was a troubling option for imprisonment. Jor-El has a temper, not suffering fools. And Lara is clever. 

Classic and new and most importantly, entertaining. It is what Waid has been doing since he returned to DC. Add to that a fun side mission with Kenan and Conner. Throw in more nods to DC history and you have a win.

The art continues to be very strong. Clayton Henry does very well with the Krypton scenes which are mostly verbal sparring, not fight sequences. His work on Jor-El and Lara, showing their anger and indignation, is strong. I love the 'milestone' cover showcasing some famous moments. Michael Shelfer brings a different energy, more electric, to the side story.

There is also an extra Perry White story by Joshua Williamson and Jon Bogdanove which ties up a bubbling Superman subplot.

All in all, a great issue. On to details. 

Review: Action Comics #1075 Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1075 came out last week, a 'special milestone 1075th issue'! I don't know why that number deserves the extra attention but here we are with special trade dress.

It also is the 6th chapter in the Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Patridge Supergirl story meaning we are officially at the halfway point of this plodding story. 

Once more we have a brief, sparse, boring chapter with nearly no progress to the story. Tamaki seems to be treading water in this tale, stretching out a story idea until it is so decompressed it is difficult to read. Worst than that, Supergirl again has almost nothing to do in this story. Every conflict that has arisen in this story is solved by someone else. Supergirl seems ineffective, inept, lost. And even more worse is that as of this chapter - six chapters in mind you, you could pull Kara out of this story and replace her with any other character and it would read the same. Yes, Superman keeps saying that this is a mission that only Supergirl could pull off but we have yet to read why. And even Kara doesn't seem to know anything about it either.

As a Supergirl fan this is frustrating. She doesn't get many solo stories. She needs to shine when she is given the chance. And this story isn't that. 

The art remains top notch. I like Skylar Patridge's breathy style with an ethereal sort of style. Her Kara is fantastic. The cover by Clayton Henry highlights some memorable scenes from Action Comics history including a shot of Kara leaving her rocket (Great Guns!). 

So on to this story, another "Supergirl" story. 

Review: Action Comics #1074 Superman Story

Action Comics #1074 came out last week. We are approaching the mid-point of this Mark Waid story of Superman exploring the Phantom Zone and now heading back to Krypton. 

I have been a comic reader for many years. I have seen Superman visit Krypton. I have seen stories of Jor-El and Lara. I have seen a variety of different takes. Some have been good. Some crazy. Some bad. 

Maybe, I am old-fashioned. But I think the continuity in this main DCU that Krypton should be a place of science and progress. I think Jor-El should be a good man who tried to save everyone. And Mark Waid gives us these back. 

I don't need Jor-El to be Mr. Oz.

But as he is able to often do, Mark Waid not only gives us a classic take but throws in a modern wrinkle. Not an upheaval. Not a rejection of the classic continuity. A modernizing. 

So we see that while Krypton is advanced and progressive, it has it's authoritarian side. Jor-El is a good man, a man of science, but also creative and a little weird. He isn't some ramrod, stodgy good guy. He has a temper. Still smart ... still good ... but more human. 

We also get some progress on the Zone story and the sidebar Conner/Kenan story. So this was a very fun issue.

Clayton Henry does a good job guiding us through Krypton and the Zone. He has this very smooth, organic style that I have always found slick. Michael Shelfer again gives us a great chapter with the Superboy/New Super-Man.

So overall another fun chapter. On to the details.

Gifts From Italy

This is a bonus post mostly to thank a generous friend. 

You know you have a reputation as a comic book guy when even 'normie' friends on vacation in foreign nations wander into comic book stores to buy you merch. 

A good friend of mine, someone not at all into comics, was in Italy and saw a comic book store. He knew what he should do.

He went in and asked what they had of Supergirl and/or Superman. 

He got me 'Superman #33', an Italian collection of Action Comics #1034 and #1035. This was near the beginning of Phillip Kennedy Johnson's run on the book, just approaching the Warworld Saga. Want to go back and revisit? Here is a link to my review:

https://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2021/08/review-action-comics-1034.html

I could already tell that Johnson was on the way to something fantastic.

And check out this page, in Italian!!

You might recall that this moment was my #1 moment of 2021 for Supergirl. Johnson understood that Supergirl was often the smartest person in the room. 

How fantastic that this was the comic that my buddy found!

But wait there's more.

He also found this mini trade, collecting 4 issues of the early Superman books. The last issue in the book was a copy of Superman #21, the first chapter of the Supergirl Saga. Here it is 'La Saga Di Supergirl!' 

If you want to revisit that book, head here:

https://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2018/12/matrix-monday-superman-21.html

This was the introduction of the Matrix Supergirl to the DCU (after a few sneak peeks in the issues before). 

It includes this page! 

Santi Numi!

You might recall that Byrne cheekily has Superman say dialogue similar to Supergirl's first appearance in Action Comics #252.

Another amazing issue for my friend to just happen upon!

Anyways, it is good to have friends who know what you like. These are pretty cool!

Review: Absolute Superman #1

I truly apologize for the lateness of this review. The weekly release of Action Comics with a dedicated Supergirl strip has made some books and news be kicked a bit down the road.

Absolute Superman #1 came out last week, the third title of the Absolute Universe to be released. For those coming in late, this universe is built off Darkseid energy which means everything is a little darker, a little more extreme, a little more volatile. From a brutal and poor Batman to a witchy Wonder Woman raised in Hell, things are skewed to a more grim sort of continuity.

Certainly, this Superman's origin is different. Jor-El and Lara are scientists but mired in the Labor Class. Krypton is a world filled with leaders willingly ripping the planet apart despite warnings. Kal is at least school age when he is rocketed off Krypton. There doesn't appear to be a loving Kent family in the mix. Lois is working for a nefarious acting corporation. So while some of the foundation is present, things are different.

But there is also a strong whiff of 'everything old is new again'. Writer Jason Aaron is setting Superman up to be populist hero, working against corruption and greed to help the underserved. In this issue, he is helping save people working in a dangerous mine. He isn't fighting super-villains. He is fighting the system.

Having read the earliest Action Comics by Siegel and Shuster, this is the foundation of Superman, hero of the oppressed. Heck, in those issues, he also helped out a mining community. And then, in the New 52, Grant Morrison brought that take on Superman back. Remember the 'jeans and t-shirt' Superman fighting evictions and gentrification?

In some ways, it works. This Superman isn't as different that sorceress Diana riding an undead Pegasus. In other ways, this first issue reads pretty close to prior takes making this not a new Superman but sort of a warped take.

We are only one issue in so I know the timelines and universes will continue to diverge. But the truth is I was worried about what a Dark Universe Superman would read like. This wasn't so dark to put me off completely. 

Rafa Sandoval is on art. I have loved Sandoval's work for a while and this issue he really shines. He handles the alien Krypton well. The Earth side of the book is a mix of tense conversations and wild action and he carries the story with the art. And the splash pages are powerful. 

So while the message of this is the standard 'corporations are evil', it isn't so heavy-handed that I eye-rolled. I am in, at least for a bit.

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1074 - Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1074 came out last week, including the fifth part of the Supergirl back-up story by writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Skylar Patridge. 

Frankly, I am frustrated with this Supergirl story. 

We are five parts into this 'mystery mission' of Supergirl escorting a prisoner with universal threatening power. But who is it? And why does she need to do it alone? Tamaki has given us nothing to go on in five issues. Instead we get confusing story-telling, empty dialogue, and worst of all, a boring take.

This is supposed to be a showcase solo story for Supergirl. She is completely ineffectual in this story. As of now there is nothing that makes this a Kara story. Take her out and put in Natasha Irons, Starfire, or Hawkgirl and it would read completely the same. She has not even been a hero in this story. She is confused and helpless. In the Supergirl Special Tamaki wrote, the most action we saw was Supergirl eating a cupcake. In this story, we have Supergirl lose every encounter she is in, whether it is a physical altercation or an intelligent conversation. 

If this is supposed to drum up interest in the Supergirl character, it is going to fail. Because she is an afterthought in her own boring story. It is frustrating.

It's a shame because I am a fan of Skylar Patridge's art. And this Mark Spears variant cover is a killer too.

On to the indecipherable story points.

Review: Action Comics #1073 Superman Story

Action Comics #1073 came out last week, the end of the first month of the weekly distribution and officially one third through Mark Waid and Clayton Henry's Phantom Zone story. For some reason I forgot this was a 12-parter! (Alas, so is the Supergirl story.)

The story takes a pretty big turn at the end of this issue which gives us a sort of act break. We have laid the foundation so why not explore a new thread and come back to this.

Still, Waid takes advantage of the space to push this story forward as we learn more about Mon-El, Xa-Du, Aethyr, and the Zone itself. I do like this deeper dive into Mon-El as we see how the Zone has both hardened him but also elevated him. There are a couple of plot points I sort of need to accept. In particular, why Aethyr has taken such an interest in the Zone remains a bit of a mystery, as is its grudge with Superman/Jor-El. But story progress is progress.  I also like the seemingly unattached side plot with Kenan and Conner. 

Clayton Henry brings a very clean style to the proceedings, interesting choice given the chaos of the zone. He shine with the character beats, specifically the Mon-El  beats. Michael Shelfer continues to sparkle in the Kenan/Conner side adventure bringing some energy there.

So far so good with this arc. On to specifics.

DC Solicitations: January 2025

Between vacations and a glut of comics to review, some other posts kept getting pushed back. So time to look into the future and the new year at the January 2025 DC solicits. The entire slate can be seen here:
https://www.gamesradar.com/comics/dc-comics/dc-comics-january-2025-solicitations-covers/

Overall, I have to say I am feeling a bit of optimism about DC these days. There seems to be some sort of re-invigoration of the whole universe, perhaps emboldened by the Absolute Universe books. I feel like the main Superman books have been on an upswing recently. 

And I just have a sense that a Legion book is around the corner given all the cameos and guest stints for characters from that IP. 

This month will bring a new creative team to Action Comics. I'm sad to see Mark Waid go. But I am glad he is remaining on World's Finest and the new JLU.

On to the books. 

Superman #22
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by MICO SUAYAN, JONBOY MEYERS, and DAVID TALASKI
1:25 variant cover by DAVID LAPHAM
Sweater Weather variant by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE

A secret alien strike team has arrived on Earth with their sights set on the greatest weapon in the universe…Doomsday. And the only person who can save the ultimate destroyer is Superman! While alien forces rain down on Metropolis, Superwoman trains with her new powers alongside an unlikely instructor...and you will not believe who it is!

I figured the Doomsday story was going to be a true arc, at least 6 issues so not surprised to see it still churning along. As for an alien strike team ... what do you think? Doomsday Revenge Squad made up of aliens from worlds he has devastated? Will Williamson dig into continuity and bring back some people from planet Calaton?

But the real question in the solicit is 'who is training Lois'? I hope it is Supergirl. It would make sense. Although it would be easy to believe that. Perhaps Lana as Superwoman? More Lois/Lana friction? Barda? Really hope it's Kara.

Review: Action Comics #1073 Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1073 came out last week, another of the weekly releases for the title during this Mark Waid main run. 

I was excited when I first heard that Supergirl was going to be the backup for this weekly run. But when the writer was announced as Mariko Tamaki, I had some trepidation. Other runs of hers, and in particular her inscrutable and boring Supergirl Special, made me worry this wasn't going to be a strong arc for Kara.

We are now four chapters into this Supergirl story and, I suppose not surprisingly, it is inscrutable and boring. Supergirl has been sent into space on a secret mission. But the details have been left unknown to the reader as well. I suppose Tamaki thinks a big reveal at the end will be a jolt for the reader. Unfortunately all the coy dancing around the actual plot has made this feel like a slog.

This chapter we get to finally see the prisoner Kara has been sent to fetch. There is a lot of vague dialogue from the villain that is more maddening than mysterious. It seems to imply there is some connection between Kara and the prisoner but there isn't a whiff of specifics.

Supergirl as a character doesn't get a lot of room to shine on her own in the DCU these days. Features like this are a sort of showcase for her, perhaps to drum up support for a new solo run. But a story like this (and like that Special) do the opposite. Kara doesn't shine her. She doesn't do much at all. She seems almost like a side plot device in her own story. And as readers we aren't invested because we don't know what the heck is happening. It's a shame.

As always, I like the art by Skylar Patridge. While there isn't much action in this chapter, there is some fun contrivances that allow Patridge to stretch a bit. The art is definitely the high point of the story.

On to the details, the few there are.

Review: Superman #19

I am finally catching up on my reviews after my vacation which means I have reached Superman #19. This is the first 'All In' Superman, bringing us the introduction of Lois 'Superwoman' Lane and the return of not one but two (but really one) classic DC villain to thwart the Man of Steel. It also unites two of DC's creative powerhouses - writer Joshua Williamson and artist Dan Mora.

I'll start by saying this 'All In' initiative feels a bit like Rebirth/Anti-Rebirth. The Absolute Line, with the new dark Earth and the darker takes on our heroes, feels like a step away from Classic DC. But the new teams, the new books, heck even these new pin-up covers of our heroes looking heroic, all seems to be a step towards a more traditional feel to our heroes. Add in a few wrinkles (like a powered Lois) and you have a great jumping on point.

I will start out by saying I think Williamson crushes it on this issue. You want to bring in new readers? Maybe people coming here because of the new initiative or Mora's art, you give them big action and intriguing hooks. He does both. Incredibly, he somehow brings new life to three stories we have seen before - Doomsday, 'good' Lex, and Superwoman. Heck, I am pretty tired of the first two. But somehow, they work here. In particular, the Doomsday one has such a fantastic cliffhanger ending here that I want to read more. Trust me, I never want to read more Doomsday! So kudos to Williamson.

There is also one little 'blink and you'll miss it' exchange at LexCorp that really interests me. More below.

As for the art, Mora has crushed it on every issue I have seen him on and this is no different. Mora is great on character design. His versions of Superwoman, the Atomic Skull, the Time Trapper all glitter. But it is smaller moments, the expressive work, a throwback Daily Planet front page, a world weary Lex, that really grabbed me. 

And yes, I bought the cardstock metallic cover featuring Lois. But come on DC! Wrong credits on the back cover? Waid didn't write this!

On to the book!

Review: Action Comics #1072 Superman Story

Action Comics #1072 came out last week, continuing the 'Phantoms' arc by writer Mark Waid. 

Waid has been really firing on all cylinders with this arc so far and this chapter is no different. He had me at 'Superman battling Aethyr in the Phantom Zone'. But throw in Professor Xa-Du, Mon-El, and a crackling fun subplot with Kenan and Conner, and this book just sizzles.

This is a new Phantom Zone with pockets of solidity, crazy monsters, and new tortures present. He is giving us a Mon-El with a bit of an edge. So Waid is giving us something new. But, per usual, he is also leaning into DC history. Aethyr alone is a deep pull. But when I saw a quick retelling of Mon-El's origin and it is close to classic, I was thrilled. It is that perfect tightrope walk of old and new.  

And the story, of a benevolent Aethyr turned by the vileness of the prisoners, is also interesting.

Clayton Henry is on art for the bulk of the story. His smooth style somehow works given the chaotic environment of the Zone. There is a very organic sort of fullness to everyone. But I am really taken by Michael Shelfer's work on the Kenan/Conner subplot. There is a dynamism therw.

On to the book.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #32

I continue to chip away at a backlog of reviews after a brief vacation. So today I am reviewing Batman Superman World's Finest #32, a book released 2 weeks ago!

Writer Mark Waid has used this book as a sort of team-up title with Superman, Batman, and a young Dick Grayson Robin interacting with some classic characters from the DCU. This is the second issue in an Eclipso storyline with our heroes teaming up with the JSA. The Satellite Era JLA have been trapped. Our heroes have been possessed and are now pawns of Eclipso. And so the JSA needs to step in and try to save the day and the World's Finest duo.

I have loved this title since its inception but this storyline seems a little bit looser than I am used to. Eclipso is pretty cool. Seeing the JSA, including many of my faves, is also fantastic. But I don't know if I understand how Eclipso is doing what he is doing. I have had to stop overthinking the insanity and just sort of roll with it. Waid usually feels 'tighter' than this. This is still a very good book and a good story. But the bar is high.

Adrian Gutierrez is on art, stepping into Dan Mora's huge shoes. I like the style as it has a little frenzied feel to it which works with the story. I admit I sometimes have a hard time following the action on certain scenes. But overall, I like what I am seeing and glad he has been named the ongoing artist here.

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1072 Supergirl Back-Up

Action Comics #1072 came out this week, the third weekly issue and therefore the third part in the Supergirl back-up feature by writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Skylar Patridge. 

I have exactly liked this story so far. As a reader, I still have little idea of what Supergirl's mission is, why she needed to be alone to do it, and what (if anything) Superman knew before he sent her off. She has hypnotized friends. She has asked questions that don't lead to information. And she has been mostly ineffective in accomplishing much of anything.

Alas, this chapter is more of the same. We get, maybe, a small crumb of information about the 'prisoner', at least a concept about them. But not much more. A question I had from last issue is answered here, explaining something I thought was a plot contrivance. But another plot point is added that makes this story feel even more dodgy. For the most part, Kara is basically ineffective. She asks a lot of questions and is otherwise failing on every aspect of her reason for being there. 

Honestly, I really feel we are treading water. And there is nothing I have seen so far that makes me understand why this had to be solo mission. That is the crux of this story and three parts in, I have no clue.

Maybe by the time we get to the end, Tamaki will have made this ride understandable.

As for the art, I remain a fan of Patridge's work. I feel like her work is a wonderful stew of other artists I love. This issue I felt there was a sort of Joelle Jones feel to things. We get more action sequences here and I liked how those flowed.

But still, this is mostly a slow boil. And I was hoping for more.

Review: Action Comics #1071 Superman Story

Still catching up on reviews after vacation which means I am finishing my review of last week's books now. So on to the main story in last week's Action Comics #1071, written by Mark Waid with art by Clayton Henry and Michael Shelfer.

Unlike the Supergirl back-up in this issue, writer Mark Waid pushes the story forward in a very entertaining way. There are mysteries here. This is a 'new' Phantom Zone, part physical, filled with odd monsters. That is a mystery. There is a heck of a cliffhanger, with a known enemy turning out to be a long lost friend. So there is a lot still to be known like any good tale early in the telling. But it isn't stagnant. We even get a fun little subplot with Kenan and Conner.

Waid, being the sort of fan he is, also is able to weave in a bunch of DC history. We get a quick primer on the Zone itself. We get some classic villains. It works very well. 

Clayton Henry remains solid on art. This is a story with lots of varying landscapes, monsters, villains, and action. It unfolds wonderfully. The action in particular works well, especially in the context of the barren landscape and crazy spider monsters. Michael Shelfer, someone new to me, is on art for the subplot pages and brings a zany energy which is perfect.

On to the story.

Review: Action Comics #1071 Supergirl Back-Up

I have been away on vacation and so will try to catch up on reviews over the next couple of weeks.

Let's start right off with the Supergirl back-up story from last week's Action Comics #1071.

I struggled a little with the first part to this tale. From the lack of details to Supergirl's hypnotic mind-wipes of her friends, it was a bit of a riddle. Mariko Tamaki's story telling remains a bit dodgy. I hoped that things would pick up. 

But this second piece of the story just made me ask more questions. We still don't know much of the details about Supergirl's mission. In fact, she doesn't seem to know much about her mission either. That makes me question just what Superman knew about it before he sent her. If he knew nothing, it is a rough mission that he sending her out alone to do. If he does know more, then he is withholding information. That doesn't feel right either. 

But there are other questions about this story that stuck out to me. Things that happen, or don't happen, which make very little internal sense to me. The dreaded 'this happened to move the story along' thought creeped into my mind more than once. And in a short back-up story, that is never good. 

Skylar Patridge continues to be the star of this show. With a sort of rough pencil style that seems part Guy Davis and part Bilquis Evelyn, the art is quite captivating. The brief action in this chapter feels fast and violent. 

So far, however, this story hasn't grabbed me. On to the details.

Gone For A Bit

 

I am tromping around Merry Olde England as this posts.

I'll be on a much MUCH MUCH needed vacation for a week. 

So I'll have a lot to catch up on when I return!

See you all soon!

Back Issue Bin: Justice League Of America #183

I am a Bronze Age baby and one of the joys I get out of this site is looking back at comic history as a reflection of current storylines. My Back Issue Bin dives allow me to revisit some classics, maybe introduce them to some of you or rekindle memories in others. But for me the joy is to take something happening in the DCU today and see similarities in the past. 

I thought given Amazo's appearance in both My Adventures With Superman and Absolute Power, that I'd review Action Comics #480-483. an Amazo story which also included the first appearance of the Supermobile. (I am sure I'll cover that at some point.)

But with Darkseid's death and the resurgence of the New Gods in the DCU in the All-In Special and the Absolute Universe as well as a new Justice League and Justice Society books on the docket, I thought reviewing Justice League of America #183-185 seemed more timely.

This was one of the annual JLA/JSA team-ups, this time 'Crisis on New Genesis'. If there have been Crises on Earth-S, Earth-X, and all the others, why not New Genesis! Written by JLA legendary writer Gerry Conway and drawn by JLA legendary artist Dick Dillin, this was a big event. 

This was 1980. The New Gods were sort of a small pocket in the DCU and not everywhere, all the time like they are now. Their series was done in 1972. There was a brief run in 1978, written by Conway which tried to pick up where Kirby left off. And then the story was 'ended' in Adventure Comics #459-460 later in 1978. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Conway picked things up again. The Fourth World is too rich an IP to leave untouched. But even after this story, where the return of Darkseid was a surprise, he was still very much a 'surprise' villain in the Great Darkness Saga two years later in 1982.

In fact, this story was really my first deep dive into the Fourth World. Yes, I had bought an Englehart/Rogers Mister Miracle issue a couple of years earlier. And I read the odd DCCP or B&B team-up. But otherwise, seeing Apokolips and hearing the history? All new. These characters are so ubiquitous now!

Check out the Jim Starlin cover with Orion on the warpath! 

Lastly and sadly, this was Dick Dillin's last issue. He suffered a heart attack after this issue and passed away. This was after a very lengthy run on this book ... basically unbroken from Justice League #64! Ten years! 

Enough preamble, on to the story!

Review: Action Comics #1070 - Superman Story

Action Comics #1070 came out last week, the first issue of the Mark Waid and Clayton Henry weekly run on the book. I have already covered the Supergirl back-up so on to the main tale. 

Mark Waid has been firing on all cylinders since he came back to DC. His Batman/Superman World's Finest book has been my favorite title since its inception. Now he gets a turn on Action Comics and Superman solo and I can't be happier. Waid's love of Superman is well known. His love of DC Comic history is also well known. And both shine in this story.

From Kandor to the Phantom Zone to the signal watch to the super-family, the book sings. Again, Waid straddles the line between classic DC sensibilities and modern story-telling. This opening chapter is a body horror comic linked to Krypton's past. I loved every panel of it. And I haven't even mentioned that, as always, Waid writes a great Supergirl. She shines in this issue.

Clayton Henry brings his thick-lined, organic art to the proceedings. This is an old-school Kryptonian slugfest and it all flows beautifully. But I really want to compliment the cover. Yes, this is an 'All In' cover showcase of Superman. But Mon-El and Professor Xa-Du in Donneresque Phantom Zone mirrors is just beautiful.

Let's dive right in!

Review: Action Comics #1070 - Supergirl Back-Up

The All In era at DC Comics started this week with the release of Absolute Batman #1. Part of that initiative is Mark Waid coming on to Action Comics and that title going to weekly! Within Action Comics, we have a Supergirl back-up feature by Mariko Tamaki and Sklyar Patridge. 

Given the focus of this site, I will be reviewing these Action issues in two parts, making sure to give the Supergirl story the space it deserves. For us old timers, seeing Supergirl in the back of Action Comics, a space she anchored in the Silver Age, is perfect.

Action Comics #1070 was released this week. So we jump right into the story. But before we get there, a couple of opening salvos.

First off, Supergirl is treated very very well by Mark Waid in the main story. I cannot wait to show how Waid continues that 'field marshal', second-in-command feel for Supergirl within the super-family.

Second, Mariko Tamaki wrote the rather bland Supergirl Special #1 almost a year ago. That story was extremely rough. Supergirl not remembering Krypton (after PKJ had her be the Kryponian archivist for years). Supergirl jealous of Power Girl (after we just had a PG story where she was jealous of Supergirl). And, of course, a concentration on eating snacks. How DC could read that story and say 'this is the writer we want to guide Supergirl in her next solo story' is confusing.

Third, this story seems to concentrate on Supergirl's 'new power' coming out of Absolute Power, a hypno-vision where she can literally control people. That has troubling implications all over the place about consent. In the story, it shows the super-family having a lack of trust in their friends. And we simply don't need Kara to have this power any more than we need Black Canary to have heat vision or Power Girl to 'astral punch'.

At the very least, Skylar Patridge is reunited with Tamaki and brings a wonderful art style to the proceedings. Patridge has a sort of breezy, fine-lined style that feels like a top-notch indy book. That is not faint praise. The art is beautiful. 

But this opening chapter is a little confusing and a little troubling. So I hope things get tighter. On to the book.

Absolute Superman, Dark Legion, And An Idea With Laurel Gand

I am a Legion of Super-Heroes fan. It is no surprise. I cover them here. I covered them at The Legion of Super-Bloggers. I love the IP.

We have gone through a couple of decades without a solid take on the Legion. Brian Bendis' efforts seemed to flame out and I think will probably be swept under the continuity rug. 

So I was a bit split in my reaction to the middle splash in the DC All In #1 Special. 

How great is it to see a Legion again, and one with relatively recognizable members! How great to see Dan Mora draw them! How terrible that it is a 'Dark Legion', part of the Absolute Universe! (I mean, I think that is Brainiac 5 in the lower left and he looks monstrous!)

But at least it is a Legion and them being introduced in this universe makes me hope that we will see one in the prime universe as well. 

Well, it got me thinking about the Absolute Universe a little more and perhaps the make-up of the team. 

Given the theme's of an older and alone and somewhat angry Superman that we have heard will be in Absolute Superman, I am going to guess that he is truly to sole survivor. At least, I think that will be the take at the beginning. 

So no Supergirl in this universe ... again, I am guessing here but reading the tea leaves. 

Perhaps there is room for a Supergirl analogue?

Review: All-In Special #1

The DC All-In Special #1, a special flip book opening to the line-wide initiative and relaunch, came out last week and was a very enjoyable read. This was a group effort with Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder writing the two halves and a bevy of artists anchored by Wes Craig and Daniel Sampere providing the art.

I'll start out with some caveats. I did not read any of Absolute Power so I don't have an understanding of what happened to the multiverse. I did not think I would be very interested in the Absolute line of books (although after reading a sneak peek of Absolute Batman I am pretty intrigued). With those two truths in mind, I didn't have major expectations from this book. 

Snyder and Williamson do a very solid job here though, grabbing me more than I thought they would. For one, the recognize DC history here, both recent and more ingrained in an old reader like me. They bring in an interesting wrinkle about Darkseid to a truth in the longstanding DCU that I am surprised hasn't been touched on before. And they put forward a brief origin for the Absolute Universe, the Elseworld, that touches on DC history too. 

And while I feel that the main goal of this book was to give people a taste of the Absolute Universe, the major push from the DC company, they also bring in some hints for new books on the main Earth. 

The art is also fantastic. Wes Craig brings a raw, chaotic feel to the Darkseid side of the book and does an incredible job touring the DCU and timeline. On the flipside, Daniel Sampere brings his clean, crisp style to the main world story, a stark contrast in feel befitting the stories.

I liked this a lot. And it did it's job, making me <gasp> a little excited about some upcoming things. On to the book itself.

Review: My Adventures With Superman #5

My Adventures with Superman #5 came out this week, the penultimate issue of this mini-series bridging the two seasons of the show. It is interesting to see just how much Kryptonian tech and concern for a Kryptonian invasion permeates the whole IP. 

Writer Sophia Campbell continues to create a sort of three-dimensional universe for this take on Superman. First and foremost, she writes an inspirational Superman and inspirational Lois. These are both heroes in their own right. This is a Superman who lifts people up by telling them that acts are more important than words. That there is no fate save that what we make. And that you can shake off expectations if we want. It is clear that Amazo, a now sentient robot with a nefarious reason for existing, is going to be a full hero, someone who sacrifices himself to save others. Some of that is because he has been befriended and supported by Superman. I'm okay with it.

Pablo Collar continues to do a great job on art. There is that cartoony/anime style that jibes with the cartoon. But he has to do serious action here. He also has to bring in mecha, hand beams, airplanes, and brawling. Again, that makes this feel like a true separate universe. 

I know we are getting a 3rd season of the show. So I hope we get another bridging mini. 

On to the book. 

Back Issue Box: Action Comics #512

A few weeks ago, I reviewed Action Comics #510, covering a story where Lex Luthor apparently turns over a new leaf, becoming a force for good because he has found love. The story started there, with Lex finding Angela Blake, saving her from a lethal DXS disease, and falling so in love that he turns away from evil. 

Action Comics #512 completes the three parter (sorry, I can't find my #511!) and it is, perhaps, one of the craziest Lex stories I have read. Settle in for some Lex playing the long game, Lex altering his own mind, and Lex regretting it all in the end. But also get ready to read Lex at his most evil, his most brutal. 

And when you deal with all that Lex, get ready to see an appropriately angry Superman.

Kudos to Cary Bates for this one. I'd say that three part stories were relatively rare back in 1980. But I think that second part (alas not reviewed here yet) was a keep part to get us to this issue. That middle chapter adds time to this story, makes Lex's long con feel long, and adds some potential legitimacy to Lex's turn to goodness.  

It all starts with this killer cover by Ross Andru and Dick Giordano. Superman kissing Lex's bride in front of him, and clearly on the wedding day is a throwback to the classic covers with our hero acting mean to his friends. The red aura is a nice clue to what happens in the story. And lastly, the addition of the toppling wedding cake is pure gold.  Inside art is by the classic team of Curt Swan and Frank Chiaramonte. 

Settle in. This one is a doozy.

Comics Interview #26: Crisis On Infinite Earths Interview

I have been doing this blog for over sixteen years, covering Supergirl in all her incarnations.

One topic that I keep coming back to is Crisis on Infinite Earths. Every time I think I have covered all of it, and in particular Supergirl's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths #7, I find something new to cover.

Now I have said before that I have made my peace with Supergirl's death in Crisis. It was an incredibly heroic moment. She saved Superman and basically the multiverse. The cover of COIE #7 is the image of the series. Everyone remembers her role.

That said, it still stings a little to know that DC thought so little of the character that they felt she could ... and should ... be killed and erased from history. 

All this is preamble to the fact that at a visit to a local comic store I ran across Comics Interview #26 which included an interview with Marv Wolfman and Robert Greenberger about the Crisis. It is a very interesting article.

First off, it hit the stands before Crisis was finished, right after COIE #9 was released. So Wolfman and Greenberger have to be a bit coy about the overall ending. But the deaths of Supergirl and the Flash were pretty fresh. The concept of rebuilding the DCU into one universe hadn't happened and was basically an unknown. And these ideas are touched on by interviewer Patrick O'Neill.

So let's dive in.

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.

DC Solicits - December 2024

The DC Comics solicits for December 2024 were released last week and I have to say, for me it feels like things are looking up for DC and I am saying that with almost no interest in the Absolute Universe. Here is a link to read everything: https://www.gamesradar.com/comics/dc-comics/dc-comics-december-2024-solicitations-covers/

DC has some stuff that I talked about last month (New Gods, an Alex Segura Question comic) that sounds very interesting. And the super-comics seem to be picking up some momentum.

This month is another month of Action Comics being weekly so there is a lot to cover. Mark Waid is doing a Phantom Zone story with Clayton Henry with Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Patridge doing a Supergirl back-up. Incredibly, the Tamaki story solicits sound like there will be action and not just moping. We will see. 

Moreover, Supergirl is all over the Action Comics covers, especially Action Comics #1078 where she is on all the variants. 

So let's dive in! 

Action Comics #1078
Written by MARK WAID and MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY, MICHAEL SHELFER, and SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant covers by SWEENEY BOO and MIKEL JANÍN
1:25 variant cover by A.L. KAPLAN
Artist Spotlight variant cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA

Two worlds in peril; only one can be saved. Teaming with his fellow Justice Leaguer, Mr. Terrific, to defend against Aethyr’s deadly machinations, the Man of Steel is left on the defensive and out of options. Superman must choose which realm to save: Earth or the Phantom Zone!

Plus, Supergirl falls under the spell of Koncept!

I have talked about my love of Aethyr. I like that there seems to be some sort of universal threat. The family falling from the sky on the cover makes me wonder if somehow the yellow sun is impacted by the shenanigans. 

As for Supergirl, she fights someone named Koncept. We met Konfusion in Superman #18.  Now Koncept? It sounds like maybe Conner has been re-cloned and made evil? 

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #31

World's Finest #31 came out last week, beginning a new arc with our heroes fighting Eclipso. I have sung the praises of this title since it's inception. But I have to admit, this was the most muddled issue of the book for me. It was difficult for me to follow exactly what was happening here.

If you told me that Waid was going to give me a satellite era story involving a classic JLA (goateed GA! Red Tornado!) fighting Eclipso, I'd say that this was going to be gold. But the plot traveled fast, with key points being a bit quick or quirky so that the whole thing unfolds almost too quickly. 

This was one of those issues I read a couple of times to make sure that I wasn't missing something!

Dan Mora gives us his usual tremendous art on the cover. Adrian Gutierrez brings tremendous energy to the story. Gutierrez has big shoes to fill on this book. Mora is a marvel. I really liked the work here, crisp and kinetic.

But this book fell a little short.

On to details.

Review: Superman #18

Superman #18 came out this week, another Absolute Power tie-in and a decent issue from the creative team of writer Joshua Williamson and artist Jamal Campbell.

I very much enjoyed the last issue as it had enough solid character moments from all the title's players. I am not reading Absolute Power, so that issue was in the story but also was a showing for the supporting cast. 

This issue, Williamson again has some solid character moments but not as many and not as memorable as last issue. Also, the actual story that is in this issue felt like an unnecessary detour. Did anything really happen here? Do we get a good Lois/Superman moment? We also get a Zatanna moment that didn't ring true. And the introduction of a character that seems like an afterthought or the genesis of a toy. 

Campbell continues to shine with an elaborate art style. He shines a bit on the pages where Superman and Zatanna are traveling magical pathways. And his super-hero action in the Hall of Heroes was also eye-catching.

But I feel like this was a pause in things more than an addition. I wonder if this needed to happen to keep the title in synch with Absolute Power. After all, Doomsday is back next month.

On to the book.

Xum's Who Volume II : Sand Superman

I have been a fan of The Fire And Water Podcast Network since its inception. This includes but isn't limited to their excellent Who's Who review show. I have really enjoyed the in-depth analysis of every Who's Who pages from the original through the updates and then the loose leaf series.

I also enjoyed and was impressed by the work of the departed Xum Yukinori. Xum was a true artist - excellent at illustration but also writing, voice acting, and editing sound and podcasts.

As I said, Xum was a tremendous artist and a knowledgeable comic fan. He had created Who's Who pages for characters that he thought should have been in the original series, the overlooked ones. And his son and friends continued his good work creating a second volume.

And so I bring you the Sand Superman page from the Xum's Who volume II. I thought Sand Superman should have had a page in the original so I am glad that the character is honored here. 

Isamu did a great job here writing up the history and powers of this character, most famous for the oft-reprinted Kryptonite Nevermore storyline as well as the Superman Vs. Shazam trade, But the character has been recreated by Walt Simonson and Sholly Fisch in more recent years. 

So soak up the tremendous page and then read ahead for some more fun.

Back Issue Box: Action Comics #510

People who frequent this site know that I look to themes in current comics to help me decide older comics to review. I never wanted this to be an index review site for Supergirl comics. I wanted it to be dynamic and related to current books.

So which current plot to take a look back at? I was torn between two and may end up doing both. One is Lex Luthor turning over a new leaf and trying to become a force for good. Joshua Williamson has been doing that over in Superman since he took over. The other was a look at Amazo given the android being both part of Absolute Power and My Adventures With Superman. 

Somehow I landed on the Lex plot. (But the Amazo story I have in mind is too fun so keep your eyes peeled.)

Action Comics #510 starts a three part story where Lex decides to stop trying to kill Superman. Instead he will become a good man. And the reason for this new lot in life? Well, it's hard to believe! It is the surprise ending so I don't want to spoil it here.

The cover by Ross Andru is certainly eye-catching but doesn't have much to do with the story on the inside. Superman letting Lex be killed would be an interesting plot ... but that isn't here.

On to the book.

Terrificon Recap 3: Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Mark Waid, And More

I've done 2 recap posts about Terrificon and what a time I had at the convention. From the site to the focus on comics, the show is incredible. The first two posts  showcased the commissions I bought (June Brigman and Greg Larocque) and some of the signatures I was able to obtain. 

But the real draw for me this year were two writers in attendance: Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Mark Waid. Both are favorites of mine lately. 

Johnson did a superb run on Action Comics, including the Warworld Saga. He treated Supergirl with such respect. I couldn't wait to meet him and thank him. I've been a fan of Waid for decades. But he has been writing World's Finest, the best book on the racks. And he has been doing other great work for DC. I hadn't seen him at a con for about a decade so I was pumped to see him again too. 

I waited until the last day to approach Johnson. He was the nicest guy. He asked me to sit at his table and we were able to talk at length about his run on Superman. 

I thanked him for writing Kara as confident and strong and often the smartest person in the world. He said he wrote her that way. He called her the matriarch of Kryptonian culture as she had experienced it. I talked to him about how I loved when she would call Superman out on things she thought he was doing wrong. 

We talked about the inclusion of the super-twins in the family. He said in the earliest drafts one of the twins were killed on the battlefield of Warworld by Mongul. Ultimately he felt it was too bloody for a Superman book so opted to keep both alive. He knew all along that the spirit of Orglun would enter one of the twins, the survivor. 

He pulled out his laptop and opened up his scripts to show me how detailed they are to help people like Riccardo Federici draw his vision of the rusty environment of Warworld. I specifically asked to see his description of the field of crucified Phaelosians Superman sees when he first gets on the world with the Authority. It was very cool of him to share.

But then he asked about me and my love of Supergirl. So I got to tell him why I love Kara so much.

I basically sat behind his table for a while and every so often he stopped to talk to fans coming to his table and sign some books. He really is a super-nice guy, talking with folks at length about comics. 

He hinted, strongly, that he may be writing a super-book soon. So keep your eyes peeled. And it was hard to pick which books to get signed but I picked Kara-specific covers and the end of the Warworld saga.

Killing one of the twins! Crazy!

The Passing of John Cassaday

This last Monday the news came out that artist John Cassaday had died at the young age of 52. 

Cassaday was a pure comic talent with a smooth artistic style that stood out on the rack. You knew a Cassaday book when you saw it. You didn't need to look for the signature, the mirror image of the J and C. 

He was lauded for The Authority (which I didn't read) and Astonishing X-Men, which I did read. I don't have a lot of X-Men in my collection. I can say it was his art that kept me on that book as long as I was. 

He was a superstar. And I was a fan.

Which brings me to why I am writing this post.

Because he was also one of the nicest creators I have met at conventions. He was a superstar. But he really was approachable, personable, and relatable to this fan.

When I met him at Terrificon, he had a huge line at his end table. People were bringing him X-Men books and the Authority and a lot of the licensed stuff he had done. Here I was bringing him the Superman books he did the covers for, from the Grounded arc of all things. It would have been easy to just sign the books and have me move on. But he paused and thanked me for bringing them to him. I had questions to ask him about this tiny little corner of his career and he was kind to answer them.

The first book I put in front of him was Superman #713, the only time that I know that he drew Supergirl. He told me he liked his time on the book. But didn't really have much to say about Supergirl other than he was glad he got to draw her.

Review: My Adventures With Superman #4

My Adventures With Superman #4 came out last week and continued to be a fun, heart-warming, and surprisingly action-packed book. This also pushed the Amazo storyline forward in an interesting way. You know I love mysteries and now we have one. 

Writer Josie Campbell continues to walk that tightrope of whimsy and serious, character moments and action moments, progressive plots mixed with nostalgic callbacks. I seriously don't know how she does it. This book opens with the Kents talking at length about family, unconditional love, parents teaching and learning, and the power of Christmas. The book ends with a brawl between Superman and Amazo, Checkmate, and Task Force X. In between that there is humor, romance, and at least two callbacks. 

Artist Pablo Collar continues to walk his own fine line between the anime style and more standard comic style. I like his take on Amazo. I love his Checkmate armor. But it is the early portion with the Kents and Lois that I think he really shines, bring warmth to everything.

Add a decent cliffhanger and you have a winner.

On to the book. 

Back Issue Box: Action Comics #597

In the current Action Comics book, Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey are bringing us an interesting story looking at the Clark/Superman dichotomy and journalistic integrity. Can Clark fairly write about Superman? Or is the inherent conflict of interest going to stop him from giving the public the truth? I am really enjoying it. 

That story reminded me of Action Comics #597 in which Lois again wonders about Clark's biases and abilities to be an honest journalist. This is year's before the identity was revealed. We are only 16 months into John Byrne's revision of Superman. And this issue brings into continuity one of the wonkiest aspects of Byrne's take on the character, that the Kents raised both Clark and Superman. I like Byrne's work on the character. But that, for me, is one of the weirdest and weakest additions.

This was also a time where Action Comics was a team-up book. So seeing this be a Lois and Lana issue also grabbed my attention. This is in the immediate post-Millennium DCU. Lana had just been deprogrammed from the Manhunters. Superman was still a relative newbie. This is the first time in the post-Crisis DCU that Lois and Lana have any sort of meaningful interaction. I like that part of the book as well.

As for Byrne, he loved to riff off of old Superman stories (the Lori Lemaris and Mxyzptlk re-introductions stand out) so seeing him do this Schaffenberger-esque cover of Lana and Lois fighting over the Man of Steel was a hoot for me. I especially like the cover text that this doesn't happen. We aren't in the Silver Age any more.

The art on the book is done by Byrne but also Leonard Starr and Keith Williams. It does give a softer, sort of older feel to the book which works well with the topic.

So let's dust off this back issue and dive in!

Terrificon Recap 2: Greg Larocque And More Stories

Last week I gave my first recap of 2024's Terrificon including my June Brigman commission.

Brigman was my primary target for a commission from the show. But my second was Greg Larocque.

Most people who frequent this site know that the Legion is my second favorite DC IP. In fact, I reviewed multiple runs of the Legion over on the Legion of Super-Bloggers. In fact, I think my reviews of the first 60 issues of the 5YL Legion is my high water mark as a blogger. 

Larocque was the artist on a large part of the Baxter run of LSH, so I have always been a big fan. 

But I had a particular interest in getting a sketch from him. He was the last artist to draw the pre-Crisis Supergirl in continuity. 

You see, the DCU was re-written in Crisis On Infinite Earths #12, a book which hit the stands on 12/19/1985. After that, Supergirl was a word that couldn't even be uttered in DC Comics.

But then in Legion of Super-Heroes #31 , drawn by Larocque, we saw a statue of Supergirl in Legion's hall of heroes. 

Seven months later, in the classic Legion of Super-Heroes #38 we once again saw the Supergirl statue. Once again it was Larocque on art. Legion #38 was released on 6/9/1987, a full 18 months after the Crisis ended! A year and a half after Supergirl was 'erased' from continuity.

With all that history, I thought Larocque doing a commission sketch of the Supergirl statue for my book was a pretty cool idea. And I think he nailed it. For a Supergirl fan and a Legion fan, this was a winner.

Review: Zero Hour 30th Anniversary Special

When you get to be as old a comic fan as I am, major comic events from the past become history and begin to celebrate pretty big anniversaries. 

I was already in my 20s when Zero Hour first hit the stands, DC's valiant effort to tidy up some of the timeline conundrums that spun out of the Crisis On Infinite Earths. So trust me, I felt pretty old when I saw the Zero Hour 30th Anniversary issue hit the stands. 

I wasn't sure how the story would play out. Would this be some side adventure within Zero Hour? Some untold tale? Or something Zero Hour adjacent, adding to the story.

Turns out it is the latter. Writer Ron Marz and Dan Jurgens bring us a Kyle Rayner story, set in an offshoot universe which is both familiar to the DC world of the 90s but also quite different. Do you want a world where Superman stayed dead, Batman stayed paralyzed, and Wonder Woman is missing? A world where Matrix, Donna Troy, and Barbara Gordon are the Trinity? Then this book is for you! Do you want to see Hal as Parallax? Jack Knight as Starman? A classic Fatal Five and Legion? Waverider? Then this book is for you. 

And I suppose for someone like me, this book is for me. It brought me back to that time, let me enjoy seeing these characters (in a way) again, and have some fun.

Add to that the incredible bevy of veteran artists on the book. Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Paul Pelletier, Kelley Jones, Darryl Banks, Howard Porter, and Tom Grummett all are here. I got to see Grummett's Matrix Supergirl again. Ordway on Infinity Inc characters. Kelley Jones haunting Gotham, and Jurgens drawing a version of the JLA again. 

On to the book! Get ready for some Parallax-ction!