Review: Action Comics 2022 Annual

Action Comics 2022 Annual came out this week and was a very good, very entertaining issue which just bolsters the Warworld Saga by instructing the reader about Superman and Mongul. This is Mongul's secret origin as the cover states but it also a contrast tale. Superman isn't Mongul and Mongul isn't Superman. And a lot of that difference is based on the values they were raised with. 

Writers Si Spurrier and Phillip Kennedy Johnson throw us a little bit of a curveball here. We get flashback stories of Superman and Mongul's younger years. So much of Superman's values are given to us in the form of 'Pa Kent Wisdom'. We know about Mongul's lineage is based on sons killing fathers and taking up the mantle of Mongul. Now in this issue we get what might be the biggest dose of Ma Kent Wisdom I have ever seen. We see how Mongul's mother raised him to never love and always think of himself. So both parents have impacted their sons' lives. That is pretty brilliant.

The art is a wonderful mix. Dale Eaglesham brings his thicker line and grittiness to the Mongul pages. Meanwhile Ian Churchill brings his finer line to the Smallville pages. The bright Kansas pages differ from the red-soaked Warworld pages. Both styles are different enough to contrast but somehow similar enough to keep the book's flow intact. Even the cover, a rougher looking picture by Francesco Francavilla adds to the feel. Here Mongul is separating Superman from his family (albeit it the Kryptonian parents) perhaps to show how important family is.

If you're looking for a story to inform you of who these opponents are but more importantly why they are who they are, this is a great story. 

On to the particulars.

Bullet Review: Batman Superman #2

I don't think I'll be reviewing Batman/Superman every month but last week's second issue really was something special enough to warrant some coverage here.

I didn't cover the first issue because I thought the story was a little convoluted. Even though I knew from solicits that a trip to Earth 2 was going to happen to the young versions of Prime Earth's heroes, it was a bit hard to grasp that at the end. Certainly the early part of that issue when a young Clark talks to a young Bruce was great. But overall I was hoping for a little more story-wise in the premiere.

One thing that did impress me in the first issue, and definitely in this issue, is Jae Lee's art. From panel construction that reminded me of JH Williams III to a feathery pencil style in bright pencils to a murky feel in
darker scenes, his art just absolutely sparkled. And that certainly is true here as well.

One thing I like about Lee's art here is that there is a dream-like quality to the art, whether it be idyllic fantasy or nightmare, his art seems almost surreal. Even hair looks like ink spreading out in water, ethereal, eerie. And in this universe bending story where a chaos demon (I assume) is pulling the strings, it works.

But the other thing that stands out in this issue is Greg Pak's story. Now on Earth 2, we get to see just how brash and untrained the Earth 1 Batman and Superman are. And we also get to see what accomplished and heroic the E2 Batman and Superman are. Remember, on Earth 2, these heroes were beloved ... the Wonders ... trusted. We haven't seen any of that in Prime Earth stories ... at least not in Superman.

So when we see the Earth 1 Batman tussling with his the Earth Catwoman, it is interesting to here her call their emotionally charged battles 'the good old days'. I also love how Lee never lets us get a good look at Catoman. She is always in the shadows. That is how a thief should act. Their is something very cinematic about this scene.

And that feeling carries over to the Smallville scenes where the Earth 1 Superman has throttled the Earth 2 Batman. The sepia tones of the background always work in Smallville, giving an old photograph feeling to the setting.

But I love our Superman's response to seeing Pa again. Taken aback by seeing him at first, but then ashamed at Pa's scolding and fear, you see just what an influence the Kents are ... or rather what they should have been on Earth 1, if they were still alive to help Clark be ... well ... Clark.

When the two Batmans meet they of course spar to a stalemate (although I would think the more seasoned Earth 2 Batman might get the better of the younger version).

And Catwoman just watching along, commenting on how idiotic this all is, is perfect. Again, her shadowy appearance works, letting my imagination fill in the details while stressing her stealth.

I also love how she allowed herself to be tied up by the Earth 1 Batman to be 'interrogated' although she was manipulating him all along. Reminded me of the first Black Widow scene in the Avengers movie.

And when the Earth 2 Superman comes and is ready to brawl with his counterpart, they are stopped before any foolishness can commence by one of the most powerful women in the DCU, Ma Kent. She can tell that a Clark this quick to fight, this angry can't have the Kents in his life.

I have heard how Lee's use of silhouettes has been criticized. But for me it works. I can tell Superman is crying in that first panel. I can tell how much love there is in that hug in the second issue. But by letting me fill in some of the details myself, it is powerful. I might have one tear rolling down the cheek. Someone else might have him flushed without tears. Someone else might have him bawling. We can tell the emotion here and we all get to fill in the gaps.

I love that Pak stresses just how important the Kents are to the Earth 2 Superman. The New 52 Superman at times has not acted in ways I think Martha would be proud of.

Heading to Metropolis, the elder Superman introduces the younger to his wife Lois Lane.

I think it is natural for a young Superman to be floored by the appearance of Wonder Woman. But more importantly, I love how the older Superman tells Lois that he has only ever had eyes for her. As someone who misses the Lois and Clark couple, as someone who misses a steafast, heroic, mature Superman ... this scene was incredible. It really shines a spotlight on the differences.

But again, Lee just shines here. That is one dramatic entrance for Diana. And the paint brushed clouds makes her majestic, feel classic.

Good story. Great art. I enjoyed this issue a lot more than the first. And look forward to the rest of this arc.

Overall grade: A

Review: Action Comics #5 Kents Back Up

Action Comics #5 included a back-up feature written by Sholly Fisch with art by ChrisCross. Fisch is the official back-up writer and seems charged with the task of filling in the back story of some of the characters being re-introduced in the Superman mythos. Last month's character was Steel. This month we get a look at the Kents.

Fisch does a good job of showing us just how much Martha and Jonathan love each other and want children. Much like the main issue including helicopters investigating the Kal-El crash site immediately, Fisch modernizes the Kent's plight while reinforcing why they would be the perfect couple to raise Superman.

We last saw ChrisCross on the Kelly Sue DeConnick Supergirl issues. The art in those issues was occasionally extreme with the characters wearing wild expressions. Cross scales things back here, telling a very human story with slight touches that adds to the story.

This isn't a snapshot in time but rather an overview of years in Jon and Martha's married life.

It starts off with their wedding where the young couple, clearly smitten with each other, immediately talk about filling their house with children. There is some not so subtle irony in the 'babies falling from the sky' comment, but it works in this innocent early time.

I don't know if the Kent's wedding has ever been covered anywhere before.

But that early optimism is eroded by each failed pregnancy test. I like Jonathan's quiet strength as he reassures Martha that she will be a wonderful mother and that they will continue to try.

Unfortunately, medicine can't fix every problem. He has low motility. She has endometriosis. Hormone injections and in vitro methods can only go so far. This method, despite its costly nature, is unsuccessful.

This is perhaps my favorite scene of the short story.

Despondent after science has failed them, the Kents turn to their minister for some solace. And he is able to provide them some peace by saying there is a plan. They are good people and they need to have faith that something wonderful will happen.

This last panel showing a happy and suddenly reinvigorated Jon and Martha was wonderful. And I can't remember the last time someone of the cloth was shown in such a positive manner. It really worked for me.

With that, the Kents turn to their next option, adoption.

But that isn't much easier than hormone shots. It is a process, sometimes arduous and also costly. There is a sort of 'here we go again' look on the Kents' faces as they realize their dream is about to put on hold again.

But nothing will stop Jonathan. He'll mortgage the farm to get the fund money for the adoption process.

I love how he says he'll open a general store if he has to, an obvious reference to that part of the Kent's Silver Age history. But it is a wonderful scene showing just how much these two love each other, support each other, and are willing to risk it all for each other. Lovely.

Now, we know that Morrison is going for a Golden Age feel here. So will Martha bring Kal to the local orphanage as a 'found' baby only to adopt later (as in the earliest Action Comics origins?) or will she spirit him away to the Kent farm and come up with another explanation for him? I don't know if the former will hold up to the light of current times. But we'll see.

Still, much like the Steel story, Fisch does a great job letting us learn a lot about these characters in a short page count. And Cross' art amplifies the words.

Overall grade: A

Review: Superman Secret Origin #1

Superman Secret Origin #1 was released last week and began a six issue miniseries which will provide a reorganization of Superman's history as we move forward into the 21st century.

John Byrne's Man of Steel felt more like a reboot, removing key elements of Superman's mythos such as Supergirl, multi-colored Kryptonite, Superboy, etc. Mark Waid's Birthright brought back some of these more historical elements to Superman's origin but Infinite Crisis then blurred that story as well. Superman's origin was known in broad strokes but many details now seemed missing.

Here comes Geoff Johns and Gary Frank to the rescue. This first issue reads less like a reboot and more like a re-imagination of the Silver Age. It is a love letter to the Superman origins that I grew up with, bringing back small flourishes that I haven't seen in a while.

If any creative team is going to be able to pull this off, it is Johns and Frank. We have already seen them bring back several Silver Age elements into Superman's history, updated for current sensibilities. In the past couple of years in Action Comics we have seen the reintroduction of the classic Legion, including Superman being a member. We have seen a rethinking of Brainiac. And, of course, we have seen Argo, Kandor, Zor-El, and Alura all brought back in updated fashions, their Silver Age tarnish scrubbed away into something classic but modern.

So why shouldn't DC let Johns take a look back at the last 70 years of Superman stories and let him glean those things that work, reweaving the tapestry of Superman's mythos.

The book opens up with a pre-teen Clark looking to the sun, to the sky, as if he is looking at his destiny. But he is alone, surrounded only by a large field. He looks alone in this shot. And the truth is as the last Kryptonian he is alone.

The panel is a bit of a set-up as Clark is actually soaking in some rays as he plays football with his schoolyard pals. The game goes slightly awry as Clark's emerging powers lead to a Pete Ross broken arm.

And just like that we see that Clark's powers have manifested themselves early in his life, a difference from Byrne's vision.

The book's opening line is 'why are you here' and it is a pertinent thing for Clark to be thinking. Why is he here? What should he do? This opening scene with the backyard football nudged me to remember Pa Kent's line from Superman:The Movie ... 'you aren't here to score touchdowns'. There has to be a bigger purpose than that.

I do like the fact that this first issue starts in Smallville and not on the dying planet Krypton. The true origin of Superman begins in Smallville. Sure, his Kryptonian genetics give him his powers. But it's the Kents that made him Superman and not ... let's say ... Ultraman or Red Son.

We see the fallout of Pete's broken arm in school the next day when we are introduced to one of the most important people in Clark's early life, Lana Lang. Frank really draws her practically oozing 'girl next door' cuteness.

Clark has already revealed his secret strength to Lana. Here he tells her how he has manifested XRay vision ... how sickening it was to hear Pete's bone snap.

It turns out that Clark has already rescued Lana once from a wheat thresher, as seen in this flashback. I love this panel showing a super-confident boy of steel standing amidst the broken blades and shouting about his strength. Johns does a good job of showing the dichotomy of Clark's powers ... how they can be exhilirating and frightening at the same time ... how it tough to be both special and different.

In this scene, Lana kisses Clark, igniting his heat vision for the first time and setting off the school fire alarms. This hearkens back to an early episode of Smallville where Clark's heat vision is triggered by his lust for a sexy substitute teacher.

After the events of the last 2 days, Pa realizes that it is time to come clean with Clark about how he arrived on Earth. He shows Clark the rocket he crashed in.

Clark's proximity triggers a recorded message from Jor-El, embedded in crystals within the ship. We get a very brief recap of Krypton's destruction and Jor-El's plans to save his son. The look of Krypton is clearly based on the Donner movie right down to the crystal technology.

Of course when faced with his alien origins, Clark appropriately snaps, lashing out at the rocket with fists and heat vision before running away.

In one of the most powerful moments in the book, Pa consoles Clark. Clark cries that he doesn't want to be different, how all he wants is to be Pa's son.

And Pa tells him the truth ... he is his son. This splash page is a nice foil to that opening one. Here there isn't bright sunshine. Here things are a little darker. But most importantly, here Clark is not alone. His father is there hugging him.

With a sudden emphasis on protecting others from Clark's expanding powers, Martha adds a crucial piece to the Clark persona ... his glasses.

Ma was able to fashion them out of some crystal shards from the ship. The crystals were able to block Clark's heat vision, effectively shielding the world should Clark's eyes light up suddenly. Once again, this is a reimagination of the Silver Age glasses composition (those made from pieces of the rocket's window). These glasses are horribly over-sized and were very reminiscent of the glasses worn by Christopher Reeve in the movies.

On top of the glasses, Clark doesn't want to break any more of his friend's bones, so he begins bowing out of football games. He uses the most anemic excuses ... pollen, new clothes, ear infections. It is the beginning of the mild-mannered Clark persona.

Earlier in the book we are introduced to Lex Luthor, showing that he most likely grew up in an abusive household. We even saw that he had a younger sister ... could it be Lena!

Clark meets Lex at the town fair where Luthor has set up a booth about extra-terrestrials. I love that Lex disparages Dr. Erdel's theories on aliens. Erdel, of course, brought J'onn J'onzz to Earth.

Lex has found a chunk of Green Kryptonite in the woods of Smallville and has brought it to the fair. The stone incapacitates Clark. As Clark faints, the jar the Kryptonite is in falls, shattering the glass and cutting Lex. I wonder if that is the beginning of a Kent/Luthor rivalry/feud.

Luthor already reads as arrogant and creepy.

A sudden tornado whips up forcing Clark to again rush to Lana's rescue. First off, his superhearing picks up her cries for help. Next, he is able to fly for the first time, soaring into the storm and taking Lana to safety.

Lana's thank you kiss does set off Clark's heat vision again proving Ma's theories on the crystal glasses properties.

That rescue triggers Clark's desire to use his abilites to help people. If he has been given these powers, he should use them for good.

It is a wonderfully warm scene as Clark overjoyed by his good deed announces he is going to keep doing it! It shows the type of boy the Kent's have raised.

Ma realizes that more acts of daring will mean a tattered wardrobe. Clark will need a 'work suit'. While she was examining the rocket, Ma received some images of Kryptonian culture. It is a nice moment for Ma who wants to help Clark be understand and be proud of his heritage. She has an idea to make Clark a Kryptonian outfit out of the blankets he was sent to Earth in. Clark will need to use his heat vision as scissors to help Ma craft the suit.

Again, I felt a wave of nostalgia as I read this origin of Superman's costume. This was the origin I grew up with, right down to Clark needing to cut the cloth.

And so we see our first look at Superboy!

As an old timer, I have to admit I really loved this book. It is as if Geoff Johns decided to grab some of the best parts of Superman's Silver Age origins and dust them off, polish them, and represent them in a sparkly new package. Yes, there isn't much completely new here. But all these small ideas need to be refit into current continuity and the modern world. Glasses made from part of the ship? A uniform from Kal-El's swaddling blankets?? It was such a treat for me.

I think the best thing that Johns does here is bring a sense of nostalgia for the established fan but not make it overwhelmingly saccharin. It doesn't read as a moldy retread of old material but rather as a recreation of a great story, the rougher patches smoothed over.

As usual, Gary Frank's art is perfect.

Overall grade: A