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.

Bullet Review: DC Bombshells #25

DC Comics Bombshells #25 came out this week, the print version of the digital first book. As always, this means I am behind the times.

When this book first started, I was completely engaged. We were introduced to the characters. Writer Marguerite Bennett was writing the main characters' arcs in the style of movie genres. And it all came together eventually in a battle over London. After that, perhaps because it wasn't meant to go on, the book seemed to wander a bit. For me, the lack of Diana and Kara in the book was maddening.

Why am I bringing this up?

Well, this issue reminded me of those early issues. I felt something for these characters, for the first time in a while. There were two moments that hit me nicely as a reader. And I definitely like the addition of Rose Wilson and June Moone. Ravager and Enchantress are definitely two of my favorites.

The art is by Aneke. This is the first I have seen of this artist and their style fits the book.

I won't go in depth here. But I felt I should hit on the high points.

Review: Superman/Wonder Woman #5

Superman/Wonder Woman #5 came out this week and for the most part was a rollicking, high intensity, slugfest. And for that, it was a success. This was a good, old fashioned, super-powered brawl and I don't mind those every so often. And this was the biggest of the bigs fighting: three Kryptonians and Wonder Woman trading blows and bloodying knuckles.

Because of the action, there was very littleon the Clark/Diana relationship, the part of this book which has been the weakest for me. There has been nothing about that part of the book that has made me believe in the relationship or think it makes sense. Even the tiny bits of the relationship talk in this book were rough. I wonder when the plug will be pulled on the romance? Maybe with the upcoming 'death of Superman' arc?

It might be damning with faint praise, but this is my favorite issue of this title. And I think the main reason is the art by Tony Daniel. I have praised Daniel's work on this book while thrashing the plot since the premiere issue. Daniel just shines here, putting together a book that is simply gorgeous. After reading the issue the first time last night, I actually thumbed through it a second time without reading the words, just looking at the art. That might be the highest praise I can give an artist. I don't know of I need this butt-shot of Faora to sell me.

I still think the premise of this book - that Superman and Wonder Woman are a couple - is completely wrong. But this pulse-pounding issue was something of a guilty treat.

Last issue, Diana seemed confused about her relationship with Superman and his devotion to the Clark identity. Looking for some distance to mull things over as well as checking in on the Amazons, she heads to Themiscyra.

Over in Wonder Woman, Hippolyta has been petrified and the Amazons transformed into snakes. So it isn't like Diana's mother and sisters are going to impart wisdom to her. But the idea of visiting home, taking a breath, and maybe 'feeling' her sisters and their knowledge makes sense.

But look at this near splash page, showing the grandeur of the place, Wonder Woman and Hippolyta small elements on the page, as if the place is more important, grander ... that just works. Beautiful.

But it is odd to hear Diana so unsure of herself. How she doesn't understand why Superman would want to be Clark. And why she feels so offput by it.

I suppose it shows some vulnerability in Diana when it comes to matters of the heart (emphasized by Daniel's showing her from behind).

I come from a background where the Amazons weren't just warriors but were ambassadors of love and knew how to handle a sword. Guess that's gone.

But I also think this Diana wouldn't waste her time mulling this thing over. I would think she would realize that this much hand-wringing would indicate maybe it wasn't meant to be so and simply end it. To see her pining about Clark and her lack of understanding him and wondering if she should change seems off.

Meanwhile, General Zod has pulled Faora out of the Phantom Zone, and like Zod, she is temporarily mad from the extraction. Zod is strong enough to corral her and distract Superman within the Fortress to escape.

So two evil Kryptonians are now flying around the Earth. Superman decides it would be best to handle this quietly. So rather than call in the cavalry (which might be prudent) he tries to call Diana who apparently isn't answering. I assume it is because she is on Paradise Island, cut off.

Superman call Batman and asks him to track her down. Batman immediately presumes that Diana is ignoring Superman's calls because they got into a tiff. Not exactly the highest opinion of Wonder Woman is it? He think she is so immature that would mute her phone?

Sad. It is this characterization that bothers me about this book.

On Themyscira, Diana discovers that the Gates of Tartarus have been torn open, allowing beasts of the underworld to escape. So we get a brief side adventure of Wonder Woman tracking down and killing this demon. With little alternative, she uses her magic lasso to lash the Gates together.

But really I include this to reiterate that Daniel's art is stunning. This whole sequence has a nice kineticism to it, as you feel Diana straining to slow this thing down.

After that brief insanity, Faora gets her wits back. Zod gives her a quick rundown of the situation including their newfound powers and the presence of an old enemy, Kal from the house of El.

Soule has the two villains fight in concert against Superman, basically trashing him. And while I understand that they have military training and have fought together, Superman has 5+ years of using his powers under his belt. He should be able to fly better, maneuver better, use the adjunct powers better. This seemed too one-sided.

It doesn't help that Faora uses her heat vision to try and immolate a nearby village. I would love to see some riff on the classic dialogue from Superman II.

Zod: I have found his weakness. He cares for these people.
Ursa: Like pets?
Zod: I suppose so.

Luckily, Diana decides to leave Themyscira and immediately gets a call on the comm-link about Superman fighting. And she rushes to his side.

I still don't like the high-heeled boots. But this is a glorious picture of Diana - stern, powerful, beautiful.

And, maybe because of her training, she absolutely brings it. She is able to fight the two of them at once while Superman gathers himself. Even in pure tests of strength she seems to be the equal of Zod and Faora.

In one particularly brutal moment, she presses the red hot blade of her sword (sizzling from Zod's heat vision) to Faora's face. I mean ... that is vicious!

As I said, the action here is crazy, ferocious, incredible. I love seeing Wonder Woman dominating a battle like this.

I don't mind seeing the warrior Diana when it is called for. What I don't like is that this has become her default personality. It limits her.

That effect of training may be just a little bit overdone here. Yes, Superman probably doesn't have true, intense, combat training. But he has been fighting the never-ending battle for five years. He shouldn't be such a novice in a fight. That seems to limit him too.

And another beautiful panel here with the two pairs of combatants and the Earth itself all with a different x-axis. This highlighted the three-dimensional issue of super-fighting.  And again, Diana looks great.

With the fight at an impasse, Zod grabs Superman and threatens to kill him. He will allow Superman to live if Diana allows them to leave alive as well. Diana agrees ... leading to a strategic retreat (the same words she used when rationalizing her trip to Paradise Island).

So I don't know what to think of this.

If Zod and Faora go and raze New York City, or sink Europe, killing billions, will Diana be happy about this decision? Why not call in the troops? Couldn't the rest of the Justice League help out? Or any other super-heroes? And am I happy that Superman just got wrecked by these two, even when in one-on-one combat?

So, there are a couple of wonky character moments - as usual regarding the relationship. And the ending seems just a smidge unrealistic.

But that doesn't take away from a breath-taking issue of unbelievable action. And that's sometimes what I read comics to see. And the art is so fantastic that you could erase the words it would still be worth the price. Let me put it to you another way, if this issue Superman called his ally Wonder Woman to help him, I would have been thrilled.

Overall grade: B

Review: Superman Wonder Woman #4

Superman/Wonder Woman #4 came out last week and as usual, I have some problems with this issue.

It does what it should, moving the two major plotlines in this comic forward. And it does it in an interesting way, splitting the issue into two separate stories with two different artists. In that manner, I think the book works. I was glad to really concentrate on the two plots individually rather than have to transition from one to the other every couple of pages (not that that would be easy as one is Superman in the Arctic and the other is Clark in Metropolis).

But while that format works, there are pieces of these plots that still don't work for me and progression of the plot won't help that. Boiled down to its core, I still don't quite get why these two would be together outside of an immediate physical attraction. Every interaction seems to just hammer home why the don't work together. Writer Charles Soule seems to want to show how different the two are as a source of interesting stories and plot development. But instead, it just makes me think that these two would be happier of they broke up.

The art on the book continues to be excellent. While there are a fair number of 'romance novel' shots of Superman and Diana embracing, Tony Daniel and Paolo Siqueira really shine here. Daniel handles the Superman/Zod portions in the Fortress. Siqueira sparkles on the Cat Grant celebration party in Metropolis.

The book opens with our title characters still reeling a bit that the news of their romance has hit the airwaves.

And then we have this dialogue exchange that once again makes me think that these two just aren't fit for each other.

Diana asks Superman why he continues to be 'Clark'. Why not get rid of that identity and be just Superman and use his powers all the time, something that brings him joy.

Uhh ... Clark IS Clark. Superman is the mask. I can't imagine Diana not understanding that! And I am surprised that Clark doesn't look at her incredulously. How could someone who says they love him ask him that? Plus, isn't she just now enjoying the whole Diana Prince thing, as laid out by Geoff Johns.

But I didn't exactly like Clark's response either. He remains Clark because it is 'hard' and that reminds him of the lives of regular people. But I'd rather him say 'I choose to be Clark because I am Clark.'

The rest of the Tony Daniel portion of the book takes place in the Fortress. I talked last month about how Zod's murderous rampage when he came to Earth went uninvestigated and how I thought that didn't make much sense.

Here, Superman talks to Zod about Doomsday. Zod states that he volunteered to go into the Zone to fight Doomsday eternally. Now, you might think that Superman would actually try to look into the databases in the Fortress to do some research on who Zod is before believing this lie.

Or ... maybe he should ask his cousin who was alive back on Krypton to see if she knows anything about Zod. Remember, she was tormented by him in her youth as seen in the Doomsday book in Villains Month. But having Superman talk to Supergirl seems to be forbidden in the New 52.

But moreover, it just shows badly on Superman. He is too busy smooching Diana to figure out who this Kryptonian is?

Instead Superman is surprised when Zod is very interested in the Phantom Zone projector (as seen in panels above) and states outright that Superman should fear him.

Zod understands the Kryptonian technology better than Kal and is able to use a phrase to open all the cages in the menagerie (including his own) and fly to the projector.

Beautiful art here as the two fight amid the crazy zoo. Daniel really draws a great Superman.

Diana does the voice over here, talking about how they are truly mythological beings which usually means a tragic ending. Then she says that she and Superman will split for some time fighting their personal enemies. I guess that means Superman will face off against the Phantom Zone villains while she will fight more classic enemies from her rogues' gallery.

It turns out that Zod is heading to the projector to free Faora. He asks if Superman wouldn't do the same thing if Diana were on the other side.

I suppose this Zod/Faora relationship could be a nice reflection of the Clark/Diana relationship. Maybe we will compare and contrast these two couples to see the depth of love and loyalty, the problems of a power couple, etc.

So I am willing to give this a bit more time to see how it plays out. Will Zod immediately go 'despot'? (Hard not to when you tell Kal he should be feared.)

And the fact that the projector lens is cracked isn't lost on me. A detail like that has to have a reason for being there. My guess ... the machine breaks at the end of this arc, sealing the Zone off 'forever'.

Nice cliffhanger. The problem is getting to this point required me to swallow some odd characterization.

The second half of the issue takes place in Metropolis at a party that Cat Grant is throwing over the success of ClarkCatropolis now that they broke the Superman/Wonder Woman romance. My guess is it takes place between the apartment discussion between Clark and Diana and his heading to the Fortress.

It is an inclusive look at the response to the relationship as we hear what the party-goers think. And we also get a bigger scope as we get a two page spread of the heroes kissing while surrounding them are people -both known and unknown - responding to the news. I did like the construction of the page with Superman and Diana in bright color surround by the muted green of the 'Matrix', people seeing the news on-line.

And Steve Trevor's is the most cutting. He 'knows' Diana is going to dump Superman.

I will say if there is a Cat Grant comic one day, I want Siqueira to draw it. He seems to have a handle on both her and her mannerisms, whether it is being the center of attention (as here when she is simply eye candy while the conversation happens below) or lounging on the couch as the party wraps up.

Her boyfriend is some dunce. He is working on some sort of Absorbascon like device where all knowledge can be downloaded into someone's mind, a way to give humanity their 'edge' back over super-humans. Sounds like a super-villain waiting to emerge. New Brainwave? Seems odd that this party takes place in Aaron's lab though. One 'rum and coke' spilled onto the control panel and the Absorbascon could be broken.

I do like that Clark states that being 'super' doesn't automatically mean someone wants to rule. My guess is Zod is going to challenge that notion.

And what about the rest of the world.

Well the continuity nut in me is trying to figure out when this story takes place.

Lex is imprisoned and scarred. That means we are pre-Forever Evil.

And Lex isn't happy about this relationship either. I guess if he hates a super-being over him, a super-couple is twice as scary.

Meanwhile, as in last issue, Diana is confused about her relationship and goes to her friend Hessia to talk things out. At least Diana has someone to talk to. In this book she feels alone, concentrating only on her mission. This Diana feels so different from the Azzarello one who is surrounded by her own version of Modern Family.

And you would think if every time she is with Clark she is so confused she needs to talk about her relationship with a friend, she might wonder if this romance will work.

I suppose having two women talking in the comic and talking about a relationship fails some sort of test. At least Soule gives us this moment where Diana inspires some girls who are studying self-defense under Hessia's tutelage.

With the girls out of the dojo, the two Amazons have a workout to relieve some stress, fighting robots. I don't know where this takes place. Is it in Hessia's gym?

Happily, Hessia reminds Diana that there is more to her life than simply this relationship. She isn't defined by Superman. Whew ... thank goodness someone tells Diana that. I don't know if this Wonder Woman reads like the Wonder Woman I know.

And Dian decides that maybe she should ... I don't know ... try to figure out a way to save the Amazons instead of making out all the time. I'm not saying that you can't have a relationship and do all this personal stuff (research Zod, save Amazons). In fact being in a stable relationship should help them with these personal quests. It just seems this book makes the two heroes seem infatuated with each other, interested in only the physical components of a relationship, and ignoring everything else. I guess when smitten that stuff can happen.

Lastly, the big mystery remains. Who sent Cat those pictures?

This is a beautiful book to look at with really fantastic art by Daniel and Siqueira.

But the relationship this book is built on still reads all wrong, like two people who don't understand each other at all, who are on opposite ends of the spectrum on some basic ideology, and who just seem uncomfortable with each other when they aren't embracing.

I do think the Zod/Faora relationship at least allows some sort of foil to be set up, some sort of mirror for the main characters to look at and wonder. In some ways, while malevolent, I bet Zod and Faora have truer feeling for each other.

Overall grade: B (raised a bit by the art)