Review: Justice League United #1

Justice League United #1 came out last week, the last of 6 issues from that week I needed to review. So I am a little late to the game. JLU will be on the review list because at some point Supergirl will join the team. We aren't there yet by writer Jeff Lemire is building the team slowly and showcasing some of the foundation of character interaction.

I definitely liked the zero issue of the book because I felt there wasn't the mean streak that I have seen in the New 52. These were heroes, brought together by chance, working together for good, with very little angst, paranoia, or negativism. Even the snarks between Green Arrow and Animal Man felt like good natured ribbing as opposed to anger or aloofness. As a result, it felt more like a Silver/Bronze age vibe dressed in modern sensibilities. That is definitely a compliment. I have talked about the mono-tone nature of the DCU. This book felt different.

For the most part, this issue continued that feel. Unfortunately there is a 100% New 52 nonsense moment in the middle of this book that it jarred me out of the story.  More on that soon.

Mike McKone continues to do a great job on this book. There is a slick clean feel to the book and McKone uses panel shapes and splashes to keep the reader engaged. Colorist Marcelo Maiolo uses the 'bright red' contrast background in this issue ... but maybe too much. I think it should be reserved for just 1-2 panels a book.

The plot is split between two sites. One is Canada where the earth bound heroes have stumbled across an alien genetic lab and are battling a monster. The other is Alana and Hawkman on a planet near Thanagar.

I have always liked the 'teammates by chance' origin stories in comics, heroes brought together at random to fight an enemy. Here we see some members of the JLA with Adam Strange and Animal Man coming together as a team.

The creature seems unstable ... enraged and mutable. Blasts of cosmic energy by Courtney change it from fire to stone to wind and wood. I couldn't help but wonder if its forms are a subtle homage to the Appelax meteor creatures in the original JLA origin.

This is one of those red panels that seems a bit excessive.

Within the battle, Adam Strange finds a closet of rocket-suits within the lab. And just like that we have Adam Strange, hero of Earth. Nice splash page showcasing him.

I don't know if I like the fact that this is simply a mass produced uniform as opposed to something more special. And at least Lemire has Strange struggle with using it at first. He shouldn't be able to simply strap this thing on and be spectacular flying.

J'onn attempts to link to the creatures mind and we get a glimpse into its tortured past.

This is another failed experiment in this lab. It is an unstable creature, flipping between forms. Prior failures have been 'disposed' by Lobo. But this one was kept alive, probably for a reason like this ... to release as a weapon/distraction.

I have to say, it made me feel bad for this thing.

Note, another red panel. Could this be worthy of the extreme coloring?

And then the New 52 happened.

On the other planet, Alana is leading a prisoner revolt. Amid that, Hawkman fights Lobo. And then ... gasp ... Lobo cuts off Hawkman's arm!

It seems to be a running theme in the new 52, especially recently, that characters get dismembered. It has become such a standard operating procedure that it is simply no longer shocking. In fact I find it either depressing or laughable. Is there a quota? Do we need a one-armed Hawkman?

This New 52 moment is so different than the tone of the rest of the book that it felt out of place.

I do suppose that if one panel was going to have the red background, this would be the one.

Back on Earth, the creature takes off and the heroes need to give chase.

One thing I like about this book, even in its short history, is the relationship between Buddy and Ollie. They snark and tease each other leading to a nice crackle between them. That is made even more powerful when thinking of Buddy's eulogy in Futures End. You know these pointed comments at one point become more friendly barbs.

I love just how embarrassed Ollie is at needing to be carried by Buddy. Fantastic.

In the issue, Courtney really gets a chance to shine. We have heard that Lemire wants her to be the bright optimistic face of the DC youth and she sure sounds it here.

Sent on ahead since her cosmic staff is the only thing to effect this thing, Courtney really wants to prove herself. I am a fan of young heroes trying to live up an ideal and learning the ropes. So my guess is I will like Courtney in this book.

Blasting it into several forms (a red-paneled close-up of her face each time), she finally makes it into wood. And J'onn shatters it into so much splinters.

I do like that Courtney hugs J'onn afterward. She wants him to be proud of her. She is thrilled he is okay.

McKone does a great job here in that first panel - J'onn stiff, his hands open while she clutches him. He is clearly uncomfortable.

I wonder how J'Onn fans feel about this unemotional, distant reaction. I will admit I haven't read enough of him in the New 52 to know if this is consistent.

And I suppose it could be that he was switching amongst elements. But we saw fire, wood, stone ... was I reaching with this Appelax meteor idea?

Turns out I was, but I might have been on the right track. On Twitter, Jeff Lemire said his inspiration was another old JLA villain, The Unimaginable.

And on the moon near Thanagar, Byth has changed shape to be Adam Strange to try to lure Alana into his clutches. And it works.

I love this panel as he reveals himself. This multi-pseudopodded tongue is completely evocative of how Tim Truman drew him in Hawkworld. That Byth was scary-creepy. So this was fantastic!

And finally we get to the heart of the matter, what Byth has been trying to create with all these experiments. He has wanted to create a slayer of worlds ... and he has with Ultra, the Multi-Alien!!

Oh my god! Ultra the Multi-Alien repurposed for the modern comics! I have said that there is this delicious fudge ripple of Silver Age embedded in this book. And is there anything more Silver Age-y than Ultra? This is inspired.

So no Supergirl but still a very entertaining, fun, and beautiful comic. If only that dis-arming didn't happen!

Overall grade: B/B+

Review: Smallville Lantern #2

Smallville:Lantern #2 came out last week and continued the inspired universe building that has been standing operating procedure for writer Bryan Q. Miller. Yes, we have greater understanding of the Green Lantern Corps and their history in this universe. And yes we have more integration between the Watchtower and the DEO as this world becomes more cohesive. And yes, we have a nice reimagination of Prometheus. And yes, the Crisis is looming larger.

But there is one small detail that Miller included that brought a very big smile to my face. More on that later.

One thing that is particularly impressive for me in this arc is the two concurrent storylines which also cement how vast this comic and its cast has become. With Clark in space ring-slinging, Ollie and the crew are investigating the Prometheus robbery. While Clark is clearly the center of this book at times this feels like a team book. And that is a compliment.

Cat Staggs provides her usual dramatic cover. And the internal art by Marcio Takara is slick. There is a rough quality here with some stylistic license with anatomy that lends itself to nicely to this arc. I think Takara's stuff is great.

Miller starts out the issue reminding us that there is a multiverse out there and a Crisis on the horizon. Despite his 'Calling all Lexes' multiversal beacon call, Lex hasn't gotten a response. Is this because all other universes (and therefore all other Lexes) are dead? Or is it because the Monitor comm-device isn't powered enough to reach out into the other dimensions.

As I said before, Miller is really bulking up the Smallville DCU. So to have Lex name-drop Kord and Holt is a nice touch. And referencing prior storylines adds a nice foundation.

But I can't help but think that the biggest battery of all for this comm-link will be a Green Lantern Battery. Too convenient a guess not to be true.

In the meantime, Clark is cramming with John Stewart on how to use the ring. It is a nice sequence where we see Clark effortlessly create constructs of the Kents and the farm when discussing how good a teacher Stewart is. It reminds Clark of Pa Kent, the ultimate teacher. It also shows just how 'strong' the Smallville Superman is both in body and mind.

But this question is interesting. Why make constructs rather than just blast? There is no answer ... or is there?

Now I have been trying to guess who will die in the upcoming Crisis. I wondered about Kara. Then I wondered about Steph Babs. I even wondered about Jay Garrick. "It isn't a Crisis unless a Flash dies" so they say. Maybe Jay's death brings back Impulse from the Speed Force.

But more and more I have been getting worried about either Ollie or Chloe. They have been swearing to stay away from adventuring. They want to keep the baby safe. It all sounds like protesting too much. I doubt Miller would kill off a pregnant Chloe. But after delivery?

Anyways, from the beginning I have loved the Tess character in this book. And she continues to please as she chastises the two for not keeping their own promise.

Despite that warning, Ollie decides to join the fray and help track down Prometheus. The DEO has obtained an image of Prometheus robbing their stronghold. And as much as they would like to help out, they have to maintain some distance from the Watchtower ... for everyone's sake.

I love this Special Agent Diana Prince. And as we keep adding to the hero gallery, I just know there is going to be a massive Crisis brawl with all the heroes chipping in.

Last issue ended with Manhunters in space heading to Earth.

In this issue they arrive. And they keep bleating about how two Lanterns together is a violation of a treaty.

Hmmm ....

We learn more later in this issue but I would have been chewing on this a bit if I was reading this week to week digitally. Interesting.

Rather than have the Manhunters rip through Earth, Stewart and Clark take the fight to the moon. Hmmm ... heroes not fighting in a major Metropolis, bringing down the city around them?? If only our movie heroes knew this.

But the Manhunters are powered by Yellow energy. In this world, that panics John.

Luckily, Clark has other powers at his beck and call.

I love that lower panel. Great stuff.

With the Manhunter invasion squelched, John calls out to other Lanterns for more information.

Kilowog, Saalak, and Soranik Natu. Great stuff ... universe building.

But Aya from the Green Lantern Animated Show!!!! Now that is brilliant! Thank you Bryan Q. Miller for bringing her back! Too bad we will never see the end of her story on the show. This is that small moment that made me grin like a goof.

Turns out that the yellow rings were created by the Guardians as an advance strike force, shock troopers powered by fear.

Now that is crazy! And fantastic. A nice new wrinkle to make this Green Lantern Corps a uniquely Smallville version.

And I love how exasperated Clark is to be dragged into this whole mess.

Remember when I talked about having those bad feeling about Ollie and Chloe?

Maybe it isn't in the Crisis that we see tragedy. This Prometheus is one scary villain, much more akin to the early version. And after some flash grenades and sonic attacks, he carves up Ollie.

Brutal.

And a fitting scary rogue for the other heroes to fight.

Unfortunately Clark isn't around to chip in.

With more information passed on, he and John go out into space to confront the Parallax fear demon, the power source of the yellow energy.

Now this GLC is really topsy-turvy in Smallville. The Guardians gave themselves to Parallax and are cocooned in its yellow energy. They did make a treaty with Parallax. He will be left alone, not hunted. No Lanterns will gather to fight him. And he will lay low in return. But 2 Lanterns awoke Parallax' own fear. And now that he is awake he wants more.

He scatters newly minted Yellow rings to create his own corps.

But the Guardians giving up? Having Oa levelled? That seems just weird. Hopefully we hear more of this backstory as the arc continues.

And more exasperated Clark is great.

So once again, Smallville remains a fantastic book. I love the dual storylines here. I love the expanding DCU here.

But Aya! That's just the cherry on the top.

Overall grade: A

Review: Worlds' Finest #23

Worlds' Finest #23 came out last week and, I have to admit, was a decent issue. I have been less than complimentary over the last year or so. My main complaint with the book has been the lack of progression in any sense. The characters of Huntress and Power Girl have been stagnant. There has been little to no growth in these characters as written by Paul Levitz. And there has been ample opportunity for growth. The First Contact storyline should have been a goldmine to really delve deep into Helena and Karen. But instead it simply ended.

The growing ennui I have with this title was increased when I heard about the weekly 'Earth 2 war' or whatever that book is. I'm not going to get that weekly as I have very little interest in the goings-on in the Earth 2 book. If these Power Girl and Huntress, two characters I have cared for, get enmeshed in that nonsense I might be out completely.

Ironically, I do think that this book is heading away from Earth 1 and finally back to Earth 2. And it is this presumed change in the book that made this one of the better issues for this title. Because, for once, it felt like the book was moving somewhere. This isn't a great issue by any means. But it is better. And that is a good thing.

The art here is split between usual artist RB Silva, whose work is slightly more refined than usual and Yildiray Cinar who continues to put out great work. And the cover by Barry Kitson is fantastic.

That progress, that momentum is evident immediately from the opening page. Here is Karen, at Starr Labs one remaining, using her super-strength in front of all of her workers. It is going to be hard to reverse course from this. In fact, Karen almost challenges the group. She needs there brains to create a portal to Earth 2, maybe recreate the one Gamorra made last month. If they want to sell the story to the media, they should go ahead.

I have to say that this was something of a shock to the system. I was actually excited, intrigued by this. I also like that after years of trying to get back home, Karen is going to take the bull by the horns. It fits her more impetuous personality. And given she now knows it can be done, I can understand her throwing caution a bit to the wind.

One thing that Levitz has done throughout is play up the sexy nature of Karen, having her costume get shredded repeatedly and letting her devour men at a rapid pace. It became almost a one trick pony, the dominating aspect of the character being her 'boy crazy'. As I have said, I don't mind Power Girl being something of a free spirit and in control of her sexuality. But I don't think it should be the only thing we see of her.

Nor do I think she would tolerate lecherous behavior such as we see here by her underling Gerhard.

She asks him to 'check her out', meaning how she has hooked up the components of her gateway device. Of course, 'check her out' can be construed differently, and RB Silva plays that up with Karen thrusting her chest out. And yes, Gerhard is practically drooling as stares at her miniskirt.

I don't know ... I just think Power Girl would call him out on it. For a character meant to be a liberated hero from her very first appearance, I can't believe she would let this happen.

In case you forgot ... which I had ... Desaad is actually a major villain in this book. He is trapped on Earth 1 too.

He somehow senses that Power Girl is setting something up in Boston and so decides to add some chaos to the mix. Nothing like a city-wide blackout to stir up trouble.

There isn't much explanation as to how he knows what she is doing but I guess I have to roll with it.

At least he times the blackout with Karen hitting the on switch making her think this is her doing. Realizing the city is tearing itself apart during the blackout, she dons her Power Girl togs and heads out to do some heroing! At least we have that!

As for Huntress, she is breaking into MIT to 'borrow' some download codes. I have to figure that 'borrowing' means stealing here.

I am so conflicted about this. If I complain about Superboy robbing banks, shouldn't I be as upset with Helena skimming millions of Bruce Wayne and grabbing technology from MIT? Where is the line between info-gathering and stealing drawn?

As luck would have it, she also happens to be at MIT when the blackout happens. And as she starts to leave, she finds evidence that maybe some more wrong doing is happening.

And she finds it. Three would-be terrorists trying to steal radioactive material from an experimental reactor to create dirty bombs.

But here is something interesting. Despite the blackness in the building, Helena is able to see clearly. And she thanks her mother for her 'cat's eyes'. Does this Huntress have some type of vision powers? Did the Earth 2 Catwoman have powers?

And earlier in this series we heard Helena thank her mother for her 'claws'. I those were modified gloves. But does Helena have retractable claws too?

Of course, this being the New 52, Power Girl gets immediately fired upon by the military who have been called in to stabilize the city. Sort of sad that heroes aren't recognized as heroes anymore. And Karen isn't helping matters by smashing army vehicle.

A couple of things to notice in this scene.

One, once again we get a shredded Power Girl uniform.

Two, I was glad to see Power Girl tell the Army to call Amanda Waller to vouch for her. Remember, Power Girl was recently in Suicide Squad working for Waller. So this nod to continuity was appreciated.

But the biggest thing to notice was that the soldier who blasted Power Girl with an RPG is named Krull. This can't be happenstance. Benjamin Krull is the name of Reactron! An army infantryman in a city with an experimental radioactive reactor named Krull?! We are going to see a new Reactron.

You heard it here first!

And in another interesting wrinkle, Desaad manifests himself on the streets of Boston and seems to possess Tanya Sharp, a scientist working for Power Girl.

Why she would hit the streets in the middle of a riot I can't fathom. But she at least has the courage to seemingly confront Desaad. But there seems to be something more here. I think he has somehow taken her.

Having an embedded Desaad in Starr Labs would be a nice subplot.

And things get interesting with the Huntress. She is able to take down 2 of the 3 terrorists. But the last one isn't going to go down easily. And in another bit of comic serendipity, Huntress forces him off the road right where Tanya is standing. (Why would she be out in a riot anyways?? Sorry.)

It sets up a semi-cliffhanger.

But the most interesting thing in this panel is the next issue blurb. 'Open Sesame'? Sounds like a door will be opened ... maybe back to Earth 2.

So this book seems to be moving towards some sort of major flux. With the sudden inclusion of 'Helena Bertinelli' in the Nightwing/Grayson book, that might be one Helena too many for this world. I have to think that the Worlds' Finest pair are heading back to Earth 2. I wonder if this shakeup will also include a new creative team.

Still, for the first time in a while, I felt like there was some momentum here. We are moving towards something. Now I felt this way at the beginning of First Contact ... so I guess we'll have to see how all this ends.

But as a Supergirl fan, the idea of a new Reactron may have pushed this book up half a grade.

Overall grade: B

Review: Superman/Wonder Woman #8

Superman/Wonder Woman #8 came out last week, the third part of last week's Doomed barrage, and officially chapter 2 of the arc. The prologue issue was a smash-em-up, an action packed brawl between the killing machine of Doomsday and the DCU. The end result was a Doomsday ripped in half. The first chapter in Action Comics was more of a set-up issue, showing that Superman was infected by Doomsday during the battle, filling him with rage and changing his body.

And those two chapters were a nice set-up for the story. The true story here is how killing Doomsday will change Superman on all levels - metaphorically and physically.

Now, seething with rage, and trying to go it alone, we get to chapter 2. This is Wonder Woman, the significant other, now trying to help her beloved. Chapter one was Clark responding to the infection. Chapter 2 is Diana's response. And, if I am going to believe that this relationship is based on real feelings, then I suppose this is a natural story progression. People know I have a problem with this pairing - mostly because I have yet to read anything that makes me think it makes sense. Writer Charles Soule does his best to show that Diana truly cares for Superman, seeking him out when he goes off the grid, revealing their relationship to some of his Clark friends. While I applaud Soule trying to bolster this relationship and mesh this with Brian Azzarello's interpretation of Diana, it still seems off to me.

All that said, Tony Daniel is back on art this issue and I am so happy he is back. If there has been one thing which has been consistently tremendous in this book it is Daniel's art. I mean it, his art is one of the main things keeping me coming back to this book. It is beautiful.

One thing that Soule does is start out the issue with Diana entering Clark's apartment. It is in semi-ruins as if Clark has been smashing things. And he sits in the dark, talking roughly, and being crass. He clearly is sick.

The remainder of the book is a series of flashbacks as Diana hunts down Clark. And these flashbacks are interspersed with more of this conversation. I suppose the story-telling technique works. By leaving this scene every so often, I felt increasing suspense. Superman is clearly unhinged here and so I kept waiting for him to lash out. Showing another flashback made that suspense simmer a bit.

But one thing I like about this Superman is that he is a bit unfiltered under the fever of the plague. He calls Diana an alien. And then skirts near creepy with his pleas of wanting to 'have fun'.

I hate to see Superman brought low like this ... but I suppose that is the basis of this whole arc.

Diana's first stop is Clarkcatropolis to talk to Cat. It seems that the one big break of the Superman/Wonder Woman kiss photo has been a financial boon. Suddenly the site has an office! And workers! I do wonder if we will ever get back to that story. Who sent it? And why to Cat?

It turns out that Clark has gone AWOL for several days. He hasn't been in contact with anyone.

I do wonder why Cat, who has been posting Wonder Woman photos on the site doesn't recognize Wonder Woman sitting in front of her?

And yes, indeed, it does seem that Clark has been acting strange. When he did show up to work at the site, he snapped at Cat. It concerned Cat.

Back at Clark's apartment, Clark starts to ask some questions that as a reader I have asked. I don't expect a lot of crossover with the Azzarello title because I think it is an Elseworlds. But here Superman wonders why Diana hasn't asked him to help out with her problems. He wonders why she hasn't said she loves him back.  I have asked those questions myself. Even now, after saving the world from Doomsday and suffering, she still hasn't said the L-word.

A couple of other things I liked here. I like the S-shield to be a huge element in the Superman costume. By making it tiny tiny here, Daniels evokes the feeling that the Superman part of Clark is withering, shrinking.

I also like that Clark tells Diana that he would rather die than become a monster. Is this a plea to her to do what might be necessary?

Cat doesn't seem to be of much help so Diana seeks out Lois. She finds her being arrested by the Army just outside of Metropolis.

So this is where I have a little problem. We know Lois is possessed by Brainiac. We have seen her mentally shut down throngs of people. Why would she ever let herself be caught like this, let alone cuffed. Couldn't he make all these soldiers unconscious? Convince them to let her go? Mind-trick them into thinking she didn't do anything wrong?

Of course, if she did that we wouldn't get this scene with Diana. Convenient ...

Diana showcases a new power. As God of War she can telepathically communicate with all soldiers! I don't know ... I think that is interesting enough that I don't mind it. But she is doing all this as Diana Prince.

She learns that Lois was downloading some military mainframe with crazy glowing eyes. Despite that concern, she commands the army to release Lois and they do. I don't know ... it seems that this might be a bit short-sighted of Diana. Hasn't she seen enough crazy things to want this to be investigated more? And if Lois is Brainiac, wouldn't she sense that Diana is Wonder Woman? Or at least be curious why the Army obeyed Diana? It's a bit too convenient.

And the resulting conversation between Lois and Diana is also a bit awkward. Lois also hasn't seen Clark in weeks. But he did call Lois ... a sort of 'drunk dial'. Yeesh. A sick Clark calling and propositioning Lois? Ugh.

But Lois doesn't know where Clark is either. So Diana has to ask someone else. And it just so happens that Batman is approaching Metropolis. He also is concerned about Clark.

What a great splash by Daniel. Shown just because it is spectacular.

It turns out that Batman has figured the whole thing out (I guess I shouldn't be surprised). The samples he took at the battle site show that Superman is mutating into Doomsday.

Batman was heading towards Clark's home. It would be the first place to check right?

Amazingly, Diana hasn't checked there!!! She doesn't recognize or remember how important the Clark part of Superman's life is. She interrogated his friends before she checked his apartment!

This is just one more thing that makes me question just why these two are together. Diana just hasn't been written in any way that would make me think she would love Superman romantically. She didn't even think to go to his apartment? She has eaten lunch there!

It is just odd. I suppose Soule needed her not to go straight there to plot this issue. But ... it seems weird. This is my biggest problem with this book.

At least she shows how much she cares for Clark at the end of the issue. She gives him a nice inspirational speech. He is stronger than this ... even stronger than the disease. He can defeat it.

And, don't ask me how, he does. He is able to actually morph back to his human form and get the rage under control. It makes me think this is more like a Hulk-problem than a true disease.

This sequence with Diana is just drawn lovely.

I can't believe Daniel was at Boston Comic Con last year and I didn't get a commission. His stuff stuns me.

Anyways, this was an okay chapter in Doomed, probably the weakest of this week's trifecta. While it is interesting to see how the plague is warping Superman's body and mind, it can't get past the fact that Diana was worried about him for days and didn't go to his apartment. And Lois not utilizing her Brainiac powers? And Diana letting Lois go? And Cat not recognizing Wonder Woman? The first problem is significant. These others are annoying.

Still, beautiful beautiful art.

Overall grade: C

Saturday Bits and Pieces

So I am knee deep in reviews but I figured Saturday might be a better place to cover a couple of quick things that I noticed in perusing the internet and reading comics.

Even though I wrote a passionate post about how I won't be reading Futures End anymore, I can't help but run into coverage on the internet. This week's issue seemed to cover the funeral for Green Arrow including a nice eulogy by Animal Man.

I will admit I am something of a sucker for big double page splashes of heroes coming together, even if it is for a funeral. Good job by Jesus Merino for bringing the right tone and point of view here.

But one thing I couldn't help notice was that Kara wasn't there. And I haven't read anywhere that she appears in the book as someone paying respects. You would think if Supergirl was part of JLU that she would be there.

 Here is the one peek at Supergirl I have seen in coverage, a flashback of the JLU evoked by Buddy's speech. But the words say how great the team was ... all the more reason to be unhappy that Supergirl wasn't there. Maybe this will be explained later.

In fact, I have a theory.

The 'masked' Superman I have seen looks suspiciously like Wildfire from the Legion. Maybe the person inside the suit is made of energy, contained inside that suit. And maybe THAT is Kara. She has that sunburst power in the New 52. Could she have turned into energy and be stuck inside the genderless suit?

Of course, the Legion Lost folks are still on Earth. Maybe he is Wildfire.

If I am right, someone needs to tell me!

 The other thing that caught my eye was the preview of the Johns/Romita Jr book in the back of many books.

There was a lot to think about there. The fact that Titano is now a robot that can be shattered is one. Makes me miss the Silver Age. The fact that Clark is walking around the Planet like he is on a job interview makes me think Johns is going to get rid of Clarkcatropolis.

But there is one thing that truly grabbed me and it is this panel. And it again reminds me why I think the current folks at DC just don't get Superman.

This is the current Superman - post-Forever Evil, post the Morrison stuff, post-Doomed; this is the guy who has been around. And he has felt alone all of his life?? ALL OF IT?

Part of the foundation of Superman is that he feels like he is one of us. That he has embraced humanity. That the Kents taught him to be someone who helps. So he shouldn't feel alone from that upbringing. If we are talking about people with powers - he is in the Justice League, he is dating someone near his power level, he may (or may not) have been part of the Legion, he fought The Wraith. He shouldn't feel alone from that point of view.

And oh yeah ... HE HAS A COUSIN! Of course, the Superman/Supergirl relationship has been squashed and torn apart. But he has blood family nearby!

Why would Johns say he has felt alone all his life. I don't want a loner Superman. Or a Superman that feels alone!

At least he said his name is Clark Kent.

Lastly, Pak, Soule, and Lobdell are making the round about Doomed. Below are links to their interviews on Newsarama and Comic Vine.

http://www.newsarama.com/21138-soule-pak-explain-doomsday-s-new-mode-of-superman-attack.html

http://www.comicvine.com/articles/interview-charles-soule-and-greg-pak-on-superman-doomed/1100-148763/

Some good stuff there about the series including the news that Supergirl #34 will be a Doomed tie-in.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Back with reviews on Monday!

Review: Action Comics #31

Action Comics #31 kept the Superman Doomed ball rolling, the first chapter of the arc released the same day as the prologue.

As I said yesterday, the prologue issue was better than anticipated. There was this undercurrent throughout the book looking at how this battle with Doomsday would change the Man of Steel. What would he become if he killed Doomsday? Would he still be a good man? Or would he be changed?

Well, Doomsday was killed. And we learn here that Superman has changed. Not just ethically, or personally, but also physically. We are out of the metaphor and into the literal. And now, infected with the Doomsday Plague and a sudden desire to lash out, Superman has to deal with the fallout.

Writer Greg Pak has been doing great stuff on Action since he took over and he continues to shine here. This issue is a wonderfully simmering pot as we see Superman trusting people and fighting the dark urges inside him to slowly succumbing a bit. It really works well showing us who Superman is and how this is changing him.

Aaron Kuder does the bulk of the art and his work is perfect for this book. I completely love this cover. There is the classic heroic pose of Clark ripping off his shirt. But he is surrounded by Doomsday, as if the virus is enveloping him, choking him. Can the hero emerge from this? Nice.

Rafa Sandoval and Cam Stewart chip in on some pages and keep the book moving along.

One thing I like is the opening 'recap' page,  the front page of the Daily Planet. We get a snippet of an article which lets the reader know what happened before. But I love the phony hyperlinks an the ads.

I don't necessarily like these pages. For me it feels like a wasted page. And I only get 20 an issue these days. So if you are going to do it, please make it something engaging like this.

 One of the true joys of this Pak/Kuder run has been the reinvention of Lana Lang into a proactive action scientist.

Yes, I would love for Lois to be a bigger part of Superman's life. Yes, I don't think he should be with Diana. But, at least, I have Lana. As I have said before, I preferred Lana to Lois in my salad days of youth.

So in some ways I was sad about this interaction. To see Lois, even a Brainiac-possessed Lois, say that Diana is impressive as Wonder Woman flies to a weakened Superman ... well it reminds me of what is wrong with the New 52.

The expressive work of Kuder is so wonderful though. Lana keeps saying she has no feelings for Clark anymore. But I think she might be protesting too much. Or maybe it is just that you never lose all your feelings for your first love. So this flat smirk by Lana, a sort of acknowledgment that Diana is simply out of her league and probably better for Clark, speaks volumes.

 Superman is plagued by Doomsday though. He keeps having fevered visions of losing control, lashing out, and killing. In this instance, we see a whole montage of him battering and presumably killing Luthor. It is chilling.

Knowing he can't be brought in by the League and quarantined. And he doesn't trust Luthor, nor should he. Diana gives him the nod. He should leave. So he streaks away.

But here is the key to this. He notes how, despite her sensing the rage inside him, she still believes in him. This faith in friends, this ability to lean on people for help, is intrinsic to Superman.

 And Batman believes in him too (although this friendship doesn't seem to be universally shown in the New 52). Superman tells Batman that something is wrong. And Batman knows. He is already investigating.

This showcasing of the friendship of the Trinity is great for the lead-in. In this story I am sure we will see it tested or even dissolved. This set-up scene will make that scene more powerful.

 We next see Superman in the Arctic, in a trench of downed trees. I assume that he simply passed out on his way to the Fortress and collapsed. Krypto happens to be around to rouse him. And a simple lick from his pooch lets Superman know he isn't too far gone.

It is an interesting scene. We see Krypto running with wolves and downing a deer for food. That shot of a wolf killing a deer is visceral. I wonder if it was added to again add to this feeling of bestial fury or an animalistic loss of control in Superman.

At first I thought this licking scene might be crucial for the ending of this book. Does this mean Krypto is infected with the Doomsday virus now? Will he be the cure? But I am probably overthinking it.

But maybe Krypto is a bit premature. When Superman sees hunters in a plane shoot a wolf, he loses all control, ripping the plane apart while getting a face full of machine gun.

This isn't a delirium. This happened.

I don't know if I like this overall. We haven't really had a beloved and inspirational Superman since the new 52. Making him a madman isn't going to help.

But I do think that the idea of someone trying to defeat internal demons, to control violent urges, is a story that can be mined.

 While Superman holes up in his Fortress, the world reacts to the Doomsday fight.

John Henry Irons was harmed in his battle with Doomsday in the prologue. To help contain that cellular decay, he takes a bath in 'organic steel'. I suppose it is a much needed upgrade for Steel. He was still in his clunky outfit from early Morrison Action issues. I am glad to see this sleek look over the W.W. Denslow Tin Man look he was sporting.

Senator Lane wants Steel to try to bring Superman in. I do like that Pak seems to have a healthy respect for Morrison's run on this title as he references it all the time. Actually, I love that. Irons won't join in as he did before.

More interesting is that Irons' lab is also a prison - holding Metallo and the Atomic Skull. I guess we have just seen the gun in the first act. We'll see it shot in the third act when these two are let loose to fight Superman.

But again, this is Steel trusting Superman, believing in him.

 And we see Lana believing him too. She has such faith in Superman that she decides to remove her Hazmat suit in Smallville. Superman wouldn't leave an area if it was dangerous. It shows the level of belief she has in Superman. That is contrast to Lois who is shocked in the background and remains in her protective gear.

I love this Lana.

I feel sad for how low Lois has fallen.

But despite this faith from others, Lana knows that Superman needs to believe in himself. And that isn't easy. His DNA is changing. His body is changing. The Fortress won't let him in. And now Krypto is growling at him ...

And despite knowing that he should be running to his friends for help, Superman instead heads to Metropolis to be alone ... as Clark.

So this was a very good issue, filling in this slot of the arc perfectly. After the wild, fast-paced, action-packed Superman: Doomed, I needed something of a pause, a chance to take a breath. We know that the thread is this battle changing Superman - both mentally and physically. By taking the time to show us the support Superman has around him, to show him fighting off these urges as best he can, Pak builds suspense. Can Superman remain Superman?

And then to have the book end with the first signs of transformation, the first signs of his support system turning on him, the first signs of becoming introverted and stewing in his own juices, we get a hook for the next part. The whole arc can't simply be things being smashed. I need to see the characterization that informs me about why I should care about the fights.

Plus we start to see some of the pieces on the game board. Bruce. Diana. Steel. Metallo. Atomic Skull. Lex. There is a depth here, things circling around Superman and his change.

That is what a second chapter should do.

So again, another chapter of Doomed better than expected. Although given the creative team on Action right now I shouldn't be surprised.

Overall grade: B+/B