Review: Action Comics #883

Action Comics #883 was released last Wednesday and picked up the main storyline of Nightwing and Flamebird tracking down General Zod's sleeper agents on Earth. Frankly, I welcomed the re-focus.

After Codename:Patriot and The Hunt For Reactron, it was good to see Greg Rucka and new co-writer Eric Trautmann go back to some of this arc's original ideas. While Codename and Reactron were key to the characters for many reasons, I can remember how impressed I was with the first few issues of this run ... the Ursa issues where we first learned of Thara's mission ... so I am glad to see the title return to that plot and hopefully some of that momentum.

The issue starts out by introducing us to the current incarnation of Jax-Ur in the DCU. He is perhaps the most evil and frightening of the Zod sleepers. Tor-An was acting like a media mogul. Nadira and Az-Rel were playing Bonnie and Clyde.

But Jax-Ur? He is playing mad scientist on Earth. And worse, he is using humans as either lab rats or 'growth medium' for his experiments. We see him intervene in a crime in Iraq but not to save the victims. Instead, he chillingly lobotomizes the people with a heat vision beam through the eye, bringing them back to his lab. That is more frightening and creepy to me than seeing him simply kill them. The main technology he is working on is some sort of gene sequencer.

As always, it is the small details in comics that I enjoy. I liked seeing Jax-Ur wearing the Science Guild 'Byrne-ish' Kryptonian garb while in his lair. He is a scientist after all.

In the mean time, Nightwing and Flamebird are fighting some mini-Brimstones in Toronto. Thara defeats the last one with some up close super-breath. When Chris tells her it looked like she kissed it, she decides to lay a super-kiss on him.

As I said before in the preview post, I love this kiss panel. The sun-like art-deco symbol in the back just adds to the feel of the panel. I love that Chris' response afterwards is a mix of being stunned and dumb-founded. He looks like he is in love.

Unfortunately, this moment is broken up by the military who are still guning for the two. Chris seems surprised since they have changed their costumes and have been 'saving innocents'. That seems a little naive. These are two of the 'Metropolis Three', the 'villains' who crippled Metropolis. Some new clothes aren't going to change that. And Kryptonians are still banned from Earth as well. I would have enjoyed a scene where the two discuss changing uniforms and going more public but I guess I just have to roll with it.

I will say that I find the new costumes spiffy. I especially like the S-shield belt buckles. Chris considers himself a son of the house of El. And Thara is, in essence, the step-daughter of Zor-El and Alura. They both have the right to wear the family crest.

One of the better parts of this issue was Rucka's portrayal of Perry White.

When Jimmy Olsen's current girlfriend goes to the Planet to let the staff know that Jimmy has gone missing, Perry is the only one who actually listens. Not only that, you can tell that a reporter's blood still courses through his veins. He starts asking the right questions and looking for the right answers.

I was a bit surprised that Lois gave her such a curt response. But I guess she has a lot on her plate right now.

While Perry starts nosing around, we head to STAR labs and Dr. Light.

And there we see Jax-Ur in his 'sleeper' identity of Dr. Pillings. Reading his internal monologue, you can hear how he has been able to influence Dr. Light into following some of his agenda. I can see how this would be a strategic mole for General Zod. You would have access to cutting edge technology as well as learn of any potential anti-Kryptonian weapons being developed.

Look at that smile on him ... how can people not see he is evil? He looks like a cross between Dr. Hugo Strange and Dr. Sivana.

Perry is able to talk his way into Jimmy's apartment by posing as his uncle.

Showing how savvy a reporter he is, Perry notices that amongst all the photos of super-heroes on the wall is one of a camera factory. The 'odd man out' is the hiding place of Jimmy's notes.

Again, it was refreshing to see Perry do some legwork like this. On top of that, the 'Jimmy is dead' storyline hasn't been touched since the Jimmy Olsen special back in August! It is about time we had someone notice.

But for me the best part of the issue was this conversation between Thara and Chris. They might be in love but it is clear they don't quite understand each other.

We start off with a nice little recap of the list of sleeper agents and who has been dealt with. I think it is a little premature of Thara to simply write off Nadira and Az-Rel as being captured or killed by Project 7734. Weren't Thara and Chris similarly captured by the military as well only to be released? Wouldn't she, as a security officer, want more concrete proof that the two aren't simply lying low for now?

That leads the Chris asking about the Flamebird aspect of Thara. Doesn't it tell her things, talk to her?

Thara says that she is merely the vessel for Flamebird. Chris reminds Thara that it was Flamebird that kissed him at the end of the Hunt For Reactron, a kiss that healed him. Was that kiss from Flamebird? Or Thara?

Ahhh ... and here is the big reveal.

Thara says that was Flamebird kissing Nightwing. But Chris isn't a believer. He doesn't think he is Nightwing.

Thara's religious fervor has been one of the more intriguing aspects of this whole arc. Who believes her? Who thinks she is crazy? Where does the Flamebird entity end and where does Thara begin? It is all rich material to be mined and Rucka has done a good job of showing the different reactions that people have had to Thara's faith.

I can only imagine how Thara feels right now. She probably thought that Chris had been walking in step with her, that he felt he was Nightwing as much as she knows she is Flamebird. Does she feel betrayed? Or saddened that he doesn't believe?

Instead she shows faith. He might not believe he is Nightwing. He might think he is a 'freak'. But she thinks he is perfect.

Unfortunately, this tender moment is cut short by another of Chris' growth spurts.

Back at STAR Labs, Jax-Ur shows us just what he is hoping his gene sequencer will map ... Flamebird and Nightwing!

Cloning a god? Interesting. And how will Thara and Chris respond if they have to face their test tube doppelgangers?

But Jax-Ur must feel he is incredibly lucky when more DNA material is brought to him ... the actual genes of Flamebird and Nightwing.

That's Chris, now wizened and old. I wonder if this is some chrysalis cycle for Nightwing. Chris has never manifested Nightwing like Thara has with Flamebird. I wonder if this 'shell' body needs to die for Chris/Nightwing to be reborn, phoenix-like. I hope more and more of the mystical aspect of this storyline continues to be explored.

Overall, I thought this was a good issue to bring Action Comics back on track of its overarching arc in this 'year without Superman'. Sleeper agents. Flamebird and Nightwing. Chris aging. It is all upfront and center again.

And I have come to really appreciate Pere Perez' smooth art on the title. After the revolving door on pencilling here, I am glad that he has settled in.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Action Comics #879

Greg Rucka's run on Action Comics remains a surprise in my mind. I have to admit that I thought that this Nightwing and Flamebird run would be a standard four color superhero punch-em-up. Yes the Chris Kent story would have some interesting elements. But I really thought this would be a simple 'take out the sleeper agents' arc.

Instead Rucka has built on that simple theme, weaving Kryptonian lore and religious elements into the plot. I have to say I have been impressed. I have enjoyed this arc enough that I haven't missed Superman and I haven't been as irked as I usually am about rotating artists. (Although I still miss Eddy Barrow.)

Action Comics #879 does have the standard fight sequences but it takes a huge and shocking step forward in plot. Something unexpected ... and I like being surprised in comics.





The comic opens up with a three-way standoff. Thara and Chris have tracked down Az-Rel and Nadira and were a hair away from capturing them when Agent Assassin showed up with some trollish goons.

Assassin could care less about the noble intentions of Nightwing and Flamebird. To him, all four combatants are Kryptonians and that means they are the enemy. He lets loose the hounds.

In the skirmish, Az-Rel and Nadira are able escape. While Thara gets surrounded, she advises Chris to take off after the two fugitives.



Once captured, Agent Assassin is able to use his telepathy on Thara to try to get a sense of who she is and what she is trying to do.

I have become a fan of this 'wide-screen' panel layout so popular in comics these days. When used appropriately (as it is here) it can lead to impressive visuals. When used wrongly, I feel like I am being robbed of valuable space for story-telling.

How interesting that her mind's eye image of Supergirl is an angry looking Kara. But it is also intriguing how the iconic imagery of the Flamebird and Nightwing legendary beings are also taking a dominant space in her mind. Throughout this arc we have learned that Thara has a religious fervor and a belief that she may be the living embodiment of the Flamebird being.

In this instance it works as we see all the things cluttering up Thara's mind with Assassin an imposing figure in the middle.





And then comes the giant leap forward for the story.

Thara suddenly 'manifests' the Flamebird persona, bursting into flames with flame wings. In another voice she yells 'get out of our mind' throwing Agent Assassin and his men to the ground. This isn't a delusion by Thara. This is very real. And it adds a compelling angle to this story.

We have heard some of the Flamebird/Nightwing myth ... how they come in times of crisis, how one of them always dies. Now we get a sense of fatality. Either Thara or Chris is going to die.



Nightwing is unable to capture Az-Rel and Nadira. In fact, Flamebird needs to come to help him save some civilians the criminals have placed in peril.

Each time one of them is injured, the other seems almost panicked. It may be they realize that their time together is short since it has been foretold that either Flamebird or Nightwing always dies.

And maybe it is that sense of destiny that is keeping Thara and Chris from verbalizing their feelings for each other. This is the third time (I think) that they have stared at each other while smoldering only to shake it off and get on to the mission at hand. Perhaps they are thinking that if they deny themselves the love that Nightwing/Flamebird share that they won't share their fate either.

In the meantime Lois is doing some tracking down of her own. With the help of Mon-El and a quick peek at the body in General Lane's coffin she realizes that her father is still alive.

It must be a tough time for Lois. She knows her father faked his death. She knows Lucy was Superwoman. And Clark is off on another planet. With that little support, I wonder if we will see Lois crack a bit or if it will only make her stronger.

And then we get a long look at General Lane in the Project 7734 headquarters.

First he learns that Thara had an otherworldly presence in her mind.

Then the Lane's mystic operative (finally named ... he calls her Mirabai) decides to take matters in her own hands.

Someone on this blog wondered if she was a Native American and I think that is a good guess given her dialogue. She says she knows the price of waiting while an enemy proceeds ... how the cost is the lives of civilians.

One thing that is obvious is that she is pretty powerful.

She's captured two Kryptonians on her own in the span of seconds! Suddenly this Mirabai is a very real power.

Diego Olmos art here was pretty good but I look forward to Julian Lopez becoming the regular artist.

The revelation of the Flamebird entity in this issue was a huge plot point. Finding out the name Mirabai and seeing her strength was another part I liked. And seeing Lois unravel the General Lane mystery was another part I liked. These moments lifted this issue since the surrounding fights were pretty standard comics fare.

Overall grade: B/B+

Review: Action Comics Annual #12

Action Comic Annual #12 was released last week and provided the back story for the Nightwing and Flamebird duo, Chris Kent and Thara Ak-Var. The issue was written by Greg Rucka who tells it mostly in exposition with only a handful of dialogue balloons throughout the whole book. The art is solid by Pere Perez. I have already talked about the excellent cover by Renato Guedes.

One thing that really did stand out is the excellent coloring job by Mazi. There was a lot of nuance in the tints of flames and energy here. Really super stuff.

The issue starts with the Black Zero unit of the Kryptonian military flying to Kandor to fight Brainiac as he attempts to steal the city. Black Zero is led by Ursa and includes fighters Ak-Var and his wife Tes.

Of course, there is an emotional edge to this battle for the Ak-Vars. Thara is in the city.

Black Zero ends up getting routed by Brainiac. During the skirmish, Ursa actually collapses in fear. She then leaves her troops, running away as the Brainiac drones engage the force field bottle. While Ursa escapes, Thara's parents, previously wounded and lying in the path of the force field generators, are literally ripped in half by the bottle. In what has become a recurring theme, Thara witnesses her parents' death ... a horrifyingly gruesome event for a little girl to see.

I like that the Ak-Vars' deaths actually represent a moment of weakness for Ursa. Previously I thought it would turn out that Ursa assassinated them. Now that they died with Ursa cowering on the ground, the event takes on new meaning. I doubt Ursa wants to relive it any more than Thara does.

After some timein the bottle, the Kandorians realize that Brainiac is only interested in observing them. The Kryptonian culture is restarted with people falling into their familiar guilds and roles. The hope is that either the Kryptonian forces (they are unaware of Krypton's destruction) or their own meager Kandorian forces will strike back at Brainiac so freedom can be won.

Things change when the Argo City survivors are added to the mix. Suddenly the hope of returning to Krypton ends.

One thing I did like was the further description and deepening of Thara's relationship with Alura and Zor-El. She was Kara's best friend. Kara is gone. She has no parents. It is not surprising that they fall into each other's arms.

While no prior scene has actually shown a loving parental nuturing relationship between Alura and Thara, I always just assumed they were more than passing acquaintances in Kandor. I am glad to see it spelled out more here.

In the meantime, we see Chris as he returns to the Phantom Zone just after the Last Son story arc ends. Immediately upon returning, he has his first growth spurt, aging about 6 years.

While Rucka doesn't say exactly why this happened, he does throw out a couple of theories. Maybe it is Chris' unique physiology. Maybe it is his exposure to the yellow sun. Maybe it is both.

Not knowing where else to go, he returns to Fort Roz where he finds an unlikely ally - Non. Non keeps him hidden and safe within the fortress; not even Zod and Ursa know that Chris has returned. Non is becoming a more complex character rather than the lobotomized brute I mostly know him as. Even in World of New Krypton, he is following Kal's orders rather than being simply a Zod sycophant.

Thara is said to have been a rather devout Kryptonian before the Brainiac incident. Now, she finds herself haunted by visions in her dreams of the Flamebird being.

As she grows, she is given the title of Head of Security by Alura and Zor-El, despite the fact that others are more worthy. But work alone cannot ease Thara's troubled soul. Zor-El tells her to go back to the church she has abandoned.

I am very happy that Thara's position as head of security was explained. It made little sense to me that a teenage girl should head the surviving Kryptonian military. At least now I know it was more nepotism than true evaluation.

The religious guild welcomes her with open arms. In the cathedral she has a true vision of the Flamebird and is claimed by the guild as one of their own. Thara is initiated within the guild, feeling that she is somehow one with the Flamebird entity.

There was a ripple of 'Dark Phoenix' here but just a sniff.

And it was intriguing to finally see within the religious guild's workings, even if it was only a peek.

While all of this is happening, Chris continues to recover in Roz. At night he roams the fortress looking for a way back to Earth. One night he stumbles into a room where Zod has kept all the Brainiac tech that he has gathered.

Without clear reason, Chris puts a Brainiac headset on his head. The technology hums to life with Brainiac tendrils burrowing into his scalp. At that moment, Thara is in deep prayer. Somehow, this confluence of events has them mind-meld for a moment. Suddenly all their memories are shared - a moment of unity. Thara knows about Chris now ... and knows she must save him.

It is not without consequence however. Chris is discovered by Zod, the headset is removed, and he is placed in irons. Thara continues to wonder if she is truly meant to be the living Flamebird and feels she must save Chris. Realizing that she cannot reach that goal as an acolyte she leaves the religious guild.

In the prior issues of Action Comics, you could get the sense of some religious fervor within Thara. This was no simple mission to round up criminals. It was somehow more so it was good to see the mystical origins of her Flamebird identity. It makes her zeal, her willingness to risk the life she has on New Krypton, easier to understand.

Once away from the religious guild, Thara retakes her title as Head of Security. Within that capacity, she has access to all the current technology that Kandor has been working on. Included in that are 'phantom zone encounter suits' with limited phantom zone projectors ... at last a way to get to Chris.

This is one of my favorite small scenes in the book. Thara enters the phantom zone, an infinite dimension in hopes of freeing Chris. But how could she find him?

When she enters the dimension, a flaming path to Roz blazes before us, another religious vision.

At first I thought Thara might simply be insane. But now, maybe there is more to this ... maybe there is something more holy.

Thara flies into the fortress and is nearly overwhelmed by Ursa until Non again shows some initiative. He uses the limited projector on Thara and Chris, freeing them from the zone. Then he destroys the projector with his bare hands. Now that was unexpected! Thara and Chris will now become the embodiments of Flamebird and Nightwing.

I thought this was a good story to help flesh out the motivations of Thara and Chris as well as get more information of how she freed him. I also like all the discussion about life on Kandor and Krypton. The religious overlay of the Nightwing/Flamebird legend on top of Thara and Chris' story is a nice wrinkle to add. By making the story more expositional, it added a feeling of mythology to the story - one of retold legend rather than exactly living through it with dialogue. Slick touch.

Add to that the layers of backstory with Thara/Alura and Zor-El as well as Chris/Non and you have a very 3-dimensional cast of characters in New Krypton. This was a good annual.

Overall grade: B/B+

Review: Action Comics #878

Action Comics #878 felt like a little bit of a filler issue in the 'Sleepers' storyline. Sure there was a some movement of the plot forward and some interesting revelations. But it felt like maybe the events of this issue could have been shown in half the pages.

Greg Rucka continues to show that he has a handle on the characters here.

With Eddy Barrows off the title and Julian Lopez not starting until #880, we have a coulpe of spot starter artists. This issue is drawn by Diego Olmos. His thicker-lined style is definitely different from the Barrows style we have seen in the book so far. There is something slightly reminiscent of Dave Johnson's work here and that is pretty high praise from me. I really thought the art worked here.

The issue starts with a 5 page opening scene where Az-Rel and Nadira have taken over a house and have a rather energetic love making session. With the dead frozen house owner looking on, the two literally blow the roof off the house. This draws the attention of local law enforcement who are subsequently killed.

This felt a bit gratuitous to me ... or maybe just a bit too long . I think Rucka's intent was to show just how out of control passionate these sleepers are. They are driven by their impulses ... robbing banks, an afternoon quickie, outright murder. We already got that sense last issue where we see them slaughter police after they rob a bank; we had a sense that was their personalites.

As for this scene, I guess my biggest complaint is that it took 5 pages. Did this really need to take up almost 20% of the book? Or was it that long to tittilate a bit. Trust me, I am no prude and I am not against the nature of the scene. It's just that I hope to get my money's worth in comics and this felt like it went on too long.

I also think it is a little laughable that Az-Rel and Nadira are considered 'sleeper' agents when they seem pretty out in the open. How the heck have the flown under the radar since 'Last Son'?

We cut back to Lois' apartment where Thara has recovered. I like how Lois has her in one of Kal's shirts.

Thara doesn't recognize Lois and seems shocked when she drops the 'I'm Chris's mom' bomb. One thing I like here is that Olmos draws Thara looking young. Thara is supposed to be one of Kara's friends and she is not supposed to have aged that much in the bottled Kandor. As a result I have always thought she should look somewhere around 18-20 years old. Both Igle and Barrows have always made her seem a smidge older.

Project 7734 continues to try to figure out exactly what is going on with Flamebird and Nightwing too. A military crew actually flies to the Arctic and infiltrates the Fortress through the hole Ursa made in the roof.

Meanwhile our mystery woman is in Metropolis for a closer look at the events at Lois' building. We have seen the blue and green body art (?) on her. Now we see some power. She teleports up to Lois' balcony.

The military squad finds the body of Tor-An, identifying it as a Kryptonian. They are also able to find some of Chris's blood in the snow around the Fortress where the missiles hurt him last issue.

But more ominous is the mystery woman scopping up some of Thara's blood and putting it into some mystical looking sack. It looks as though her body art goes down to her hands and is now purple. I find this all intriguing. I wonder if there is some connection between the colors here and the colors of laser weapons fired from the orbiting Project 7734 satellites back in the Atlas storyline. Those were also felt to be magical in nature and had different colors. Hmmmm ....

General Lane is given all the intel gathered including by his crew. He learns not only Tov-Ar's Kryptonian origin but also Chris's identity. Now neither Flamebird nor Nightwing's secret identity is hidden.

Anyone else think that Olmos modeled General Lane like R. Lee Ermey, who played the Drill Seregant on Full Metal Jacket?

Lane sees conspiracy in everything. Despite the obvious signs of battle, he thinks all the Kryptonians - Ursa, Thara, Chris, and Tov-Ar - are in cahoots. He thinks they had a falling out and as a result Tov-Ar got offed. No honor among thieves as it were.

Luckily, one of his men can see through the carnage and realizes that Flamebird and Nightwing might actually be helping the cause. Unluckily, Lane can;t get by his biases to see that as a possibility.

I really find the character of General Lane fascinating. I hope we see some of his history to see why he has such hatred in his heart.

Chris finally returns home from his trip to the Arctic and has this tender if somewhat awkward reunion with Thara. It is clear that there are deeper feelings here than just the mission. Even Lois can see it. This restrained and unstated love is a nice contrast to the 'out in the open' passion of Az-Rel and Nadira.

Before more can come of this, the news breaks about Az-Rel and Nadira's trail of carnage. Suddenly romance takes a back seat and the mission becomes primary again.

They four meet in the Southwest skies. As usual, the sleepers are canoodling as they fly around. I love how Chris tells them to get a room. Funny ...

Perhaps the most impressive part of the book is just how quickly Flamebird and Nightwing. In 3 quick pages they dispatch Az-Rel and Nadira using some precise battle moves and tactics. In fact, they do it so quickly I felt a little cheated. I would have rather seen 2 more pages in this fight than the ones spent in the opening scene.

Nevertheless, Chris and Thara have them right where they want them. Thara aims the imprisonment gun at them.

Alas, before they can capture them, Agent Assasin shows up with a whole regiment of beasties. Looks like we will have another mash-up next issue.

I have enjoyed this run so far. It has been heavy on the action with enough background plots to keep the book moving. And I also liked Diego Olmos' art.

That said, this issue seemed to be a 'tread water' issue where things did progress but just a bit.

Overall grade: B

Review: Action Comics #877

After last month's brutal fight between Ursa and Nightwing & Flamebird, Action Comics #877 was like a calm spring day. While there was some action, it was no where near the intensity of the last month's brawl.

The tranquility after last issue's storm did allow for a lot of story progression and a couple of very interesting plot points.

First off, this was the first issue with no Eddy Barrows. Sidney Teles, who drew part of Action #876, takes over pencilling here and seems to be trying to channel Barrows' style. While the art was not as stylistically intricate as Barrows' stuff, I did think it was a notch over average. At the very least, the similar styles made the transition from issue to issue smooth.

The issue starts with Ursa freeing herself from the wreckage of the Fortress. With her goggles smashed, she ties a strip of cloth around her eyes to protect herself from the pain of the light. She does not sound happy about the end of the fight when Chris defeated her. As she vows to find 'Lor-Zod' she hears Tor-An, the captured sleeper agent.

In the meantime, Chris has run to the only place he thinks he can run to on Earth, Lois and Clark's apartment.

Lois is at first confused at how much Chris has grown. But she then tells him he knew where to go. He went home. It is a touching little reunion. It is such a different moment than anything we have seen in the action-heavy Action since the 'World Without Superman' stories started.

Figuring that the best way to help heal Thara is to expose her to as much yellow sun energy as possible, Lois calls in Dr. Light. Dr. Light seems intrigued that Lois has her number. I guess she is unaware that Clark is Superman.

They move Thara to the roof. A quick burst of yellow sun photons later and Thara is at least stabilized.

One small complaint I have here is that this seems somewhat risky in terms of Clark's secret identity. Won't people start to question why a Kryptonian went to Lois' apartment? How she knew Dr. Light? Kryptonians in Clark's apartment, Clark is gone, Superman in on another planet .... hmmm. Wouldn't this make your average person ask some questions? Or am I being too silly? I can accept Kryptonians and star-powered people but I can't accept characters not realizing Clark is Superman when things like this are done?

Anyways, it turns out that Project 7734 had a drone tailing Dr. Light as well as other members of the Superman family. I thought this was a nice shot showing panels taken from the other titles and put in here. Boy, General Lane is keeping an eye on everyone these days.

And here is where I need help from you guys. I have no idea who this character, walking around the Project 7734 headquarters, is. Should I know her?

There are a couple of things I am curious about her even outside of her blue and green body/body art. She is clearly not formal military. She is in jeans and a black shirt. She also talks very casually and almost sarcastically to General Lane. I don't think that General Lane takes sass from most people. So she must be very powerful or very important or both.

While Thara recuperates, Chris and Lois continue to catch up. He does his best to explain his growth spurts.

But then he comes out with this piece of information. There is Brainiac tech in the Phantom Zone, tech that Zod was trying to use. And one of these 'machines' did something 'really bad' to Chris' mind. Now that is an interesting piece of the puzzle. I like how Chris' origin and story is slowly being revealed. Regardless, I can only wonder the torture this machine did to him until Thara 'rescued' him.

I do wonder how that Brainiac stuff ended up in the Phantom Zone though.

Thara is left recuperating on the roof allowing one of the Project 7734 drones to capture her on film. And after a little cross-reference, they learn that Flamebird is Thara. Well, there goes the 'we wear the armor to hide our identities' secret. 3 issues in and the government is in on the gag.

Thara is still recovering though and General Lane is not one to lose an advantage. He decides to go after her. And after a small discussion, the mystery woman shows that she does indeed have some powers. She convinces him to let her go after Thara and teleports out.

I wonder just what she means when she says 'she needs to gather (what she needs) herself. That's how it works.' Is that some statement about how her powers work? Does she leech off of others? Or is it just talk about how she likes to be in on the hunt.

If someone knows anything about her, please let me know. Otherwise we have another mystery to solve.

Meanwhile, Chris realizes that if Thara is recovering than Ursa has most likely completely recovered. He flies back to the Fortress and discovers Tor-An dead on the floor from what looks to be a neck wound. Ursa admits to freeing him and killing him because his sleeper status was compromised. Man, I love how crazy and ruthlessly efficient Ursa is. It makes her a very formidable opponent.

In fact Ursa is about to fight Chris when he reminds her that she is out in the open as well. If her presence on Earth is discovered, it will jeopardize her sleepers and her mission. Surprisingly, she sees the logic in his argument and takes off. While she does say the rather cliched 'this isn't over', I still feel she would still probably try to attack and overpower him. It seemed just a tad out oof character that she would listen to reason this time.

And lucky she did or she would have been discovered. The General tracked Chris when he flew from Lois' apartment and had a couple of fighter jets follow him. We have heard from Chris that his physiology makes him a little weaker than the average Kryptonian and here we see some proof. He gets kicked around a little bit by a couple of standard missiles. Even these Project 7734 guys question if he is a Kryptonian because of this.

But weaker than your average Kryptonian doesn't mean weak. He is able to recover and destroy the drone jets following him.

One slight editorial error here is that his clothes have magically repaired themselves after being shredded a bit by the missiles the page before. Of course, his 'tactile telekinesis' may have simply rewoven the threads.

The issue ends with us seeing the two next sleeper agents on the list, a couple of Kryptonian bank robbers with a penchant for murder.

As I said before, we needed a 'plot' issue after last month's 'brawl' issue. This issue put us back on track advancing all the principal characters stories and revealing a few new tidbits. Outside of my concerns for the use of the Kent apartment as a superhero respite home and Ursa's running away, I thought this issue was another solid chapter in Rucka's run.

For a super-title without Superman, I have to say, so far so good.

Overall grade: B/B+