Review: Action Comics #13

The DCnU has been a pretty dark place since its inception. The heroes aren't trusted. The heroes feel isolated. Grisly acts of violence have become common. It has been sometimes hard to deal with this overall tone of even the good being tarnished.

And then there is Action Comics.

It hasn't been the typical Year One take on an origin story. It has had a zero issue, an alternate Superman issue, a flash forward story, and a whirlwind pace. And yet through it all writer Grant Morrison has continued to show us a true Superman. Someone who is here to help, who wants to help, who inspires. We have been shown who this Superman is; we haven't been told. And as readers, we see that this is a hero ... not isolated, not alone, not jaded. He is on the streets with us, fighting for us, and inspiring us to fight with him. It has been remarkably upbeat.

Action Comics #13 not only continued that trend but added the single brightest spot in the DCnU that I have seen since the inception. There is still that inspiring action by Superman. There is still that knowing wink and modern adaptation of Silver Age elements. And then there is that ending.

There is a Halloween theme to the issue and Travel Foreman's art is well suited for this issue.

The cover is by Bryan Hitch, someone whose art I have never been high on.

The beginning of the issue starts on Krypton at the trial of Xa-Du, a scientist who developed 'Living Death', a form of suspended animation which turned people into zombie slaves. The crime is so terrible that he becomes the first person sent to the Phantom Zone for imprisonment. The sentence is 20yrs at which point the council will reassess, to see if he has rehabilitated.

The scene smacks a bit of the Donner movie trial scene with the judges on high, in black and silver robes. And like Zod in that movie, Xa-Du promises revenge on the house of El, as Jor-El is the man behind the Phantom Zone projector.

Cast in the zone first, Xa-Du is truly alone and without any senses. It must be horrific.

The one quibble I have with the issue is the timeline. We are told Krypton explodes 20 years to the day that Xa-Du was sentence. And yet Jor-El was there, looking plenty adult, 20 years earlier at the trial. So how old is Jor-El when the planet explodes. Twenty years just seems a bit too long ago for it to make internal sense to me.

Back in the '5 years ago' time period of the book, Superman is in his arctic Fortress of Solitude reviewing Kryptonian artifacts which he has enlarged from Kandor with the help of Ray Palmer. It is an interesting mix of statues and weapons including the classic Jor-El and Lara holding the planet statue we have become used to seeing in a fortress. (It is sort of the equivalent of the T Rex or Giant Penny in the Bat Cave).

Among those artifacts is a large mirror-like object, a way to look into the Phantom Zone as well as a projector.

Now I don't know when we moved from the Collector satellite to the Arctic fortress so I suppose their is another story there. And I don't exactly know why Kandor would have a Jor-El and Lara statue in it unless he was that big a figure.

Looking into the mirror, Superman sees both paw prints on the inner part of the glass as well as Xa-Du who screams of having his revenge.

And then, suddenly, he is out of the Zone ... and uses the projector to have the ultimate revenge, sending Superman there.

We have seen Xa-Du in Action Comics #5 when Jor-El thinks of sending everyone into the Phantom Zone as the planet is exploding. It is in that scene where Krypto attacks Xa-Du and ends up in the Zone himself.

I love Morrison's take on Superman and his understanding that the Silver Age was a golden age for the character. Some of the elements of that Age can be used in the current comic landscape.

So I loved hearing the roll call of criminals threatening Superman when he enters the Zone. Ursa the She-Devil. Jax-Ur, destroyer of the moon. Ak-Var. Non. And someone saying he must kneel! (We know who that is.)

Not only do we hear these names but we hear their crimes. So the Silver Age origins of Jax-Ur and Ak-Var are back.

It is these sort of panels and landscapes that suit Travel Foreman's art style so well.

Xa-Du is not a nice guy and instantly thinks of taking over the planet. He will shatter the people 'made of glass'. He will expose the Kandorians to Living Death, making them his army of zombies. And he will abandon the other Zone villains, who probably lent some of their strength to help him escape.

In the zone, Superman runs into not only the criminals, not only Krypto, but the Phantom Stranger who got sucked in by Ecto-technology. The Stranger was investigating 'ghost voices' emanating from somewhere in Metropolis, the telepathic voices of the Zone convicts who were boasting of escaping. It had to be a trap done to lure Superman to the Fortress had he not already been there.

Even Superman has to question 'ecto-technology', one of those excellent throw away ideas that are littered throughout Morrison issues.

The Stranger can escape. Superman can conquer Xa-Du mentally and escape. But Krypto won't be able to. Krypto must stay.

It turns out Xa-Du is wearing a ecto-suit of pure consciousness (so at least he has that going for him ... which is good). I assume the suit was made by the combined concentration of the Zone criminals and Xa-Du was the one chosen to escape using it. But as a suit of consciousness, Superman can overwhelm it and take control.

I also love that Krypto followed Superman to the Earth portion of the Zone. He was going to be near his boy, Kal no matter what.

I have talked about Action Comics and Morrison's Superman has been a bright point in the otherwise grimy dark DCnU. Here is a wonderful example.

Superman's conviction is so strong that he simply wrests control of the ecto-suit from Xa-Du. It is the simple conviction that 'the best in us will triumph over the worst' that 'against all odds, good is stronger than evil'.

It is that simple. Now if only the other DC creative people could realize it ... if Geoff Johns who writes a floating Superman looking down on people ... if Matt Idelson who calls Superman a loner ... if they could grasp this simple concept that defines Superman ... maybe the whole DCnU would be a nicer place.

Using Xa-Du's body, Superman re-opens the portal, escapes, and pushes Xa-Du back in.

Unfortunately, Krypto is left behind.

But Superman had promised Krypto he would come back for him. And Superman doesn't renege on promises. Using some left over Xa-Du tech, he reaches into the Zone one last time and pulls Krypto out. After a super-speed trip to space for a yellow sun bath, Krypto is hale and healthy once more. I love ... love ... how Superman cuddles with him, telling Krypto he is the best dog in the universe.

If there is any place that needs the light touch of a super-powered dog playing with Superman in space, it is the DCnU. And we have that again. I can only thank Grant Morrison for writing the type of Superman that needs to be written.

As for Xa-Du, we see the gnome recruit him. It shouldn't come as a surprise given we saw him before in the flash forward story in Action Comics #6.


So this was just another fantastic issue in this run. Action Comics has been the best book of the DCnU for me, showing me that a more classic Superman can still work in the dark world of today's comics. An immutable hero in Superman. Silver Age elements reimagined. Even Krypto. That isn't even mentioning the new elements of the story - the little man and his anti-Superman army.

This book is a ray of sunlight.

Overall grade: A

Review: Action Comics #1081 Superman Story

Action Comics #1081 came out last week ending the 3 month of weekly issues with a lead story by Mark Waid and Clayton Henry. 

Waid has been weaving together a very entertaining story jumping around a bit as he explores the concept of the Phantom Zone from beginning to 80s fever dreams back to the present. Jor-El not wanting the Zone used as a prison? Interesting. Aethyr as ruler of Phantom Zone (again)? Interesting. Mon-El struggling with his life in the Zone. Interesting. 

When you string that many plot lines and even time travel into one story, there are bound to be some leaps, some short cuts. If you read this modern comic with Bronze Age sensibilities, it all works out fine. Things like giant orbiting technology appearing out of nowhere can be jarring unless you remember you are reading comics AND it works for the story. Things in this issue and this finale move quickly but end in a great way. 

Clayton Henry is on art and shines as usual. This is a high action issue with a surprise guest star. There is big action with big splashes. Henry has been around the DC block a bit. I hope he gets a monthly. 

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1072 Superman Story

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

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

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

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

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

On to the book.

Review: Batman/Superman #20

Batman/Superman #20 came out last week, the finale to the Superman's Joker. This has been an interesting story that showcases the differences between our title characters and their villains. After something of a slow buildup, we sprint to the ending. And it is a rough ending, a pyrrhic victory that truly felt more like a Batman story ... heck more like a Daredevil story ... where the margin of victory is slim, hope is an ideal, and losses are great.

Greg Pak does a good job of showing us how difficult it would be for Superman to engage with someone hellbent on breaking him down both physically and psychologically. Trying to win, trying not to sink down to the level of your enemies, trying to hold on to hope ... it is interesting to see Superman struggle. As I have said about Pak, the strength of his stories has been the ability to place Superman in environments that are pushing Superman into the unknown. This sort of dark revenge tale by Dr. Xa-Du is odd for Superman, and that means it feels novel.

Adrian Syaf is on pencils here and does a fine job. Things are rougher and scratchier and more warped in places than I would hope. especially given the futuristic setting of Kandor.

To recap, Dr. Xa-Du has awoken the Kandorians from the suspended animation and using 'living death' has taken control of their minds. Filled with hate and distrust of the El family, the Kandorians (including Superman's maternal grandmother and maternal aunt) have been attacking both Superman and people he loves.

Now being shrunk, trapped in a bottle, and in suspended animation is bad enough. But Pak throws in a new wrinkle that makes things more horrific. The Kandorians were mentally awake while their bodies were dormant!

If that is true than the Kandorians have been stuck in their bodies ... locked in with only their thoughts ... for about three decades. They all should be stark raving mad even without Xa-Du.

That is crazy!

But how devastating it must be for Superman and Supergirl to be fighting their loved ones.

This fits into the 'Superman's Joker' idea. Would this be 'Death in the Family'? Or 'Death of the Family?'

Nice splash page here.

We get some exposition Lois and Ray Palmer. Floating in the Ant Farm, they give us some of the back story of Dr. Xa-Du. First Phantom Zone villain. Creator of the Living Death. Hater of the El family.

How the heck do you defeat this Kryptonian? Palmer has an idea...

I do love Xa-Du's design. The Negative Man bandages with the glowing head and tattered cape is a great design. It is just the right mix of horror and science fiction.

The book, for the most part, is a brawl between Superman and Supergirl versus their family and friends.

Of course, this is a Batman book too. So he shows up with a red sun baton which he uses to beat up an old woman.

I always worry when all these anti-Kryptonian weapons exist in the universe. In the 'War of the Supermen'/'World of New Krypton' time period everyone had Kryptonite bullets, red sun shackles, Red Kryptonite chunks. If all that stuff existed, and if the military was so fearful of Superman, he would be dead. So I worry about Batman having something like this ...

And I am a bit tired of the 'Batman is prepared for everything' idea. If he had this red sun truncheon, why didn't he break it out in the Doomsday arc? 

 In the battle, it looks like Batman is vaporized by Superman's aunt. One more death at the extended hand of Superman's Joker?

It shows just how much under the skin of the super-cousins Xa-Du has dug.

The only way to stop them is to beat them down. I can only imagine how hard it is for Kara, who has felt so alone during this New 52 universe, to pummel her friend.

With the city's bottle broken more and more Kandorians gaining powers under the yellow sun, Superman uses his heat vision to explode the red sun baton making it a red sun grenade. The mind-controlled Kandorians are temporarily incapacitated.

And in a stroke of luck, The Atom drives the Ant Farm into Xa-Du's brain, enlarging in just the right place to strip him of his powers and send him back to the Phantom Zone. (See what I did there with 'stroke' of good luck?)

Okay ... seems like an answer plucked out of the air, a sort of deus ex machina.

Too fast? I think I had no idea that this could happen so it fell a little flat.

But that's that. Xa-Du is gone as is his control over the Kandorians.

Well ... his control is gone ... mostly.

The bottle is rebuilt. The city is safe and it's citizens awake. But 1.3% of the population remains crazed for vengeance against the El family. Superman's relatives and Tali are in that group. Kryptonian scientists have no recourse but to put those effected into a medical coma.

So it is a bittersweet victory for Superman and Supergirl. They have defeated Xa-Du but at great cost, as battles with someone like the Joker often do.

But we end on a good note. The young girl struck down by the Kandorians, the amalgam of the suicidal teens in All-Star Superman and Grounded has survived.

And this time, she gets to say to Superman that he is stronger than he thinks. That he needs to keep on doing what's right. Because he saved her.

Okay, way to stick the ending Mr. Pak. It is nice to see the dawn after seeing the darkest times before it.

While the battle in this issue and how Xa-Du is defeated were sort of missteps for me, the rest of this arc was pretty meaty. This was a dark trip for Superman. We saw him have to deal with a darker sort of villain. And now we have a real Kandor to become part of the Superman mythos.

Overall grade: B

Review: Supergirl #11

 Supergirl #11 came out this week, the end of the Batgirl crossover which brought the Maid of Might into the Phantom Zone. This arc was somewhat rapid fire, ending a bit quicker and running a bit shorter than I anticipated. Blink and it's over. Maybe I have become so used to the 'stretch for the trade' story-telling these days? Looking back, writer Steve Orlando has mixed in long arcs, done in ones, and this shorter plot in the first year of this book. I like it!

And there is plenty to like about this story as it plants the seeds of the new Rebirth continuity. It is clear that after this arc, Batgirl and Supergirl are going to be friends and allies. Perhaps, if we are lucky, we'll get a World's Finest arc every year! There is also the addition of Psi to the catalog of Supergirl characters in the DCU. She ends up more of a friend than an enemy but we all know that can change. And lastly, there is another Supergirl show addition to the comic, one I welcome.

The art is done by Brian Ching and he does a good job of mixing in the the action sequences with the heart-to-heart emotional moments that are mixed in the issue. Ching is leaving the book and Robson Rocha begins on art next issue. Robson really has a dynamic style as seen on the cover. I am sad to hear that Bengal is leaving the variant covers.

On to the book.

Review: Batman/Superman #11

Batman/Superman #11 came out last week, the third chapter in the Doomed story arc. Knowing the August solicits we are really just at the beginning of this arc. There 3 ... three(!) ... more months of this. That is a bit crazy!

As a third chapter, this one does it's job. We learn much more about the background of the Doomsday attack. We learn about the origin of Doomsday leaving the Zone. There is a fair amount of exposition/plot progression but never by sacrificing the action. That is appreciated.

But for me the best thing about this issue was how well Pak shows us how Superman is an inspiration or at least an influence on the heroes and people around him. I don't know if I have seen or heard that in the New 52. As an long standing Superman fan, I like him being the brightest light in the universe, the light others strive for.

The art on the issue is a mishmash by Tom Derenick, Karl Kerschl, and Daniel Sampere. All have a nice style and the differences aren't so jarring as to knock me out of the story.

I commented how much I have been enjoying these opening recap pages done in the style of the Daily Planet. However reading this one, I think I missed have missed Doomed Chapter 2.5.

The last chapter in Superman/Wonder Woman #8 ended with Superman somehow willing the Doomsday germ inside. He was cradled in Diana's arms.

This says that Superman, in semi-Superdoom mode, went on a rampage in Metropolis. Did I miss something?

Batman, Wonder Woman, and Steel all decide to team up to help find a cure for Superman. And they have to act fast. In the media-saturated world, Superman being a monster is big news. What better way to get ratings than to whip the public into a panic, terrified of their hero. Even Batman knows that these terror tactics work.

Already we begin to see how important Superman and his image is to Batman. He knows he has to bring this problem to an end and soon. He, Wonder Woman, and Steel all head to the Fortress to try to find a cure.

When  I read Action Comics #31, I saw a panel where Krypto licked Superman's hand and at the time I wondered if that was a key. Wouldn't Krypto get the virus? Maybe him having the disease will help people figure out a cure?

Well, Krypto is indeed pretty sick when the heroes arrive in the Arctic. The heroes think it must be from the proximity Krypto was to Superman, that 'Doomsday plague wave' that made everything die around the original Doomsday.

But I think this is because he has the virus as well. Will see if that plays out.

A suddenly spry Krypto does bound about the Fortress and ends up jumping into the Phantom Zone. And Batman immediately assumes that Krypto is trying to tell them something. But that something is that he is on the trail of Doomsday.

Umm ... didn't Batman see Doomsday get ripped asunder? How can you be on his trail when he is dead?

And there is a little bit of Lassie here. Lassie barks and the owner knows the dog is saying Timmy fell down the well. How does Batman know what Krypto is thinking?

But I am nit-picking. What I liked about this panel was what Batman is saying. Batman is thinking of Superman fighting this disease. He thinks about what might happen if Superman succumbs. With his friend suffering, he is willing to jump into the Zone with Diana.

But he does tell Steel to stay out and shut things down if any villains try to escape.

The Zone seems off. There is some solidity to things, including the heroes. And that makes them easy targets for all the villains still in the zone - Mongul, Non, and others. In fact, those villains are trying to seal a rift between the Zone and Earth, perhaps the very rift Doomsday went through, a rift pouring energy into zone, changing its properties and killing those trapped there.

But Diana and Bruce aren't the only ones in there. The Ghost Soldier arrives and just in time to make the heroes intangible, saving them from Mongul. And under the influence of Diana's lasso he states he has left the Tower. He can't believe the Tower helped release Doomsday and he wants to make amends.

I said I liked how the heroes here are comparing themselves to Superman. Despite being saved by the Ghost Soldier, Batman attacks him. He says that he isn't Clark.

The search of the Zone leads Batman, Diana, Krypto and the soldier to a large Kirby-looking device which seems to be generating the energy causing the rifts.

And right nearby is Dr. Xa-Du, the phantom king, the first prisoner. We last saw Xa-Du in Morrison's Action arc, a member of the Revenge Squad. We know that his 'ectoplasmic' bandages allow him to be solid in the Zone and on the outside as well. Here he is wielding a pretty big gun and he doesn't seem to happy.

We really don't know too much about this Xa-Du. The original was introduced way back in Action Comics #283, a physician who killed his patients when he experimented on them. Hopefully we'll get some of his backstory because he seems to be a big part of this story.

We have heard how Batman is thinking about Superman, comparing himself to Kal. Now we see Wonder Woman doing the same thing. Batman can see that Wonder Woman is trying to think like Superman. She doesn't jump to the sword and tries to gather info. I like that, that even Diana is willing to strive to be like Clark.

It turns out that Xa-Du was recruited by Harrow to help bring about Superman's end. And thirsting for revenge he acquiesced. He freed Doomsday from a Zone within a Zone (a pocket Zone?).

So Xa-Du helped create/manifest/substantiate the Ghost Soldier? Fascinating.

And Harrow is also way more interesting now. How did she know about the Zone? Who is she really?

I need more backstories!

Part of the problem of releasing a monster is that you don't know how monstrous it has become. The released Doomsday was something different than Xa-Du expected. Doomsday broke the Zone. Superdoom will kill everything. Xa-Du wants to kill it. And he has a big old gun to do just that.

According to him there is no cure.

So there is the exposition. Who made the Ghost Soldier? How did the Tower know about Doomsday? Who released him? Xa-Du has a pretty big part to play in this. And, knowing that Diana and Bruce subdue him to bring him out.

In the meantime, Steel had to keep Non from escaping the Zone through the portal while keeping it open to let Diana and Bruce (with Krypto and Xa-Du) return.

Batman actually chastises Steel for endangering the world by keeping the door open. When asked, Steel responds simply. It is what Superman would have done.

Three heroes ... all influenced by Superman. All willing to risk their lives to save Superman. Fantastic. I think of Funeral for a Friend, the story after the original Death of Superman Doomsday story. That arc showed how much Superman was revered, how his death effected people. This reminded me of that a little. Superman is sick, dying, in peril ... and these heroes realize what he means to them and everyone else.

So this was a good chapter in Doomed, moving the story along, raising some new subplots, and showing how important Superman is. This wasn't a jaw-dropping issue. But it was perfect for a third chapter. And it was very good.

And when a sick Krypto recovers and we learn how to cure Superman from his dog ... well remember you read it here first.

I think Greg Pak has a nice handle on Superman. I am glad he is on the super-books.

Overall grade: B+/B

Review: Supergirl RB #10

Supergirl #10 pushed forward the Batgirl team-up arc 'Escape from the Phantom Zone' plot at a fantastic speed. Writer Steve Orlando really keeps the pace of this storyline up here, having a lot of events happen in an almost Bronze Age manner. Things happened here that made me say 'I wasn't expecting that'. Surprises are always happy events for a grizzled reader like me. But I always hope that out of the blue events will be explained or expounded on later.

Even with the pedal down, Orlando really keeps this a character-driven issue. We continue to see Supergirl growing as a hero, dealing with some insecurities, but standing up for what she believes in. This Kara who helps people, even those who have wronged her, is wonderful. And we start to see how she is influencing others. Small moments with Psi and Ben Rubel show this. Even her interaction with Batgirl shows how their personalities interact.

And to make matters better, Orlando continues to mine the depths of Supergirl and Superman mythos. There are some wonderful callbacks to the Silver Age and Bronze Age here. This leaning on the past continuities shows a certain respect for the character and her history. That makes me very happy!

The art is by Brian Ching who brings that rough feel to the proceedings, maybe most appropriate for this issue in the Phantom Zone. The covers by Robson Rocha and Bengal are great, grabbing my eye when on the shelf.

On to the book:

Review: Action Comics #1073 Superman Story

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

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

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

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

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

Review: Superman #27

Superman #27 came out this week and was another example of why I will be missing Brian Michael Bendis when he is off the super-titles. Throughout his run, we have seen Superman as a symbol of hope and goodness and this issue is a perfect example of that. You want to root for this Superman. You want to be this Superman. 

All that characterization is folded into the Synmar Utopica storyline. While this arc is an interesting way to compare and contrast the concept of super-men analogues, I haven't warmed up to the Synmar character yet. I don't quite understand his motives. I don't understand his powers. I don't know what happened in the conclave of his people that spurred this whole thing on. (Although I have a theory I will share at the end.)

I have complimented Ivan Reis and Danny Miki before on their art on the title. But they continue to stun me. This is a crazy issue in choatic dimensions and alien environments. This is a slugfest. And then in the middle we have a quiet scene between Lois and Lana. It all just sizzles on the page. Once again, I have to mention Alex Sinclair's colors. Synmar is vibrant. His halo energies dazzling. And there is one sequence of space travel which is just brilliant.

Just one more month. Will this all get wrapped up?

On to the book.

Review: Batman/Superman Annual #2

Batman/Superman Annual #2 came out last week, a story which is more a Superman story than a Batman story, but also a story that feels more like a Batman story than a Superman one.

I know. That probably doesn't make sense. But writer Greg Pak gives us a story concentrating on the character of Superman ... actually Clark Kent ... and  Superman's core beliefs. But he sets that character story in an action story filled with Batman villains, fought on a street level.

While I have applauded Pak's prior stories where he has put Superman into odd environments, places where he doesn't feel comfortable, this one stretches even my ability to suspend disbelief. And as a result, this issue sort of fell flat for me. In fact, the best part of this book is the ending cliffhanger which seems like it will lead directly into the post-Covergence Superman books and their new direction.

The art is a complete hodgepodge of pencillers. Ian Churchill, Tyler Kirkham, Tome Derenick, and Adrian Syaf all contribute.

The issue is a direct continuation of the 'Superman's Joker' storyline from this book. That story ended, somewhat abruptly, with Dr. Xa-Du sent back to the Phantom Zone. We never really got a complete explanation of Xa-Du's powers. We certainly didn't see him display typical Kryptonian powers when he was freed of the Zone.

So I don't know if I should be surprised to see him have some mental telepathic powers from within the Zone. He decides to create 'an impulse' to find and kill Clark Kent, a telepathic seed planted within the minds of a handful of Batman villains.

Now in the Silver Age the Phantom Zone villains could rarely do this, and usually only when a number of them concentrated together.

As for Superman, he is back in the Bahamas ... one of the first places where the Doomsday virus cloud appeared. Somehow, another fog of Doomsday spores has appeared over the islands. Both Batman and Superman head to the threat.

Luckily he has a new power that seems built for stopping a problem like this. Unleashing the super-flare, Superman is able to incinerate the spores.

This is a nice use of his new power and further cements it as part the mythos.

But the side effect of that power is that it completely depletes Superman.

Powerless on the island, Clark tries to find some shelter. It is interesting for Pak to come back to this place because we see the devastation left from the first Doomsday attack. A large part of the island is in ruins.

Clark comes across an abandoned hospital and runs into people scavenging for food and medicine. It is clear these people aren't thieves or villains. They are trying to survive. As such, Clark is sympathetic to their issues and tries to join them and hear their stories.

These are desperate people.

Batman arrives on foot. The super-flare set of an EMP which shut down the Batplane. It will take hours to reboot.

And then, finally, the Xa-Du urge kicks in.

Man-Bat, Killer Croc, Bane, and Cheshire all arrive, intent on killing Clark. Batman demands that Clark sit this one out. He isn't equipped to fight assassins of this caliber. Of course Clark isn't going to let others fight his battles. He wants to join.

In a funny turn of events, right after this panel, we see Clark tied to a pole. If he won't sit out voluntarily, Batman will force him too.

What happens next?

Well the scavengers and Clark (who is freed) end up using the scraps at their disposal (fire, anesthetics, etc) to fight off Croc, Cheshire, and Man-Bats. It is almost too unbelievable. Man-Bats are a squadron of soldiers working for Talia Al Ghul. Cheshire is considered one of the deadliest assassins on Earth. Croc is an animal. To have them taken out by starving looters without training seems almost impossible. I can believe the super-flare more than that.

One of the looters though is noted to be more self-serving. He approaches Bane, who has been mulling things outside the hospital, and makes an offer. He will help Bane in exchange for freedom.

There is no honor among thieves. For no good reason, Bane kills the man.

But see, its things like this which simply pull me out of the story.

Clark underhand throws a scalpel at Bane. And it looks like he has good form. And he actually hits Bane.

I don't know. This should have been a 10 second fight where the villains win.

Instead, they are all eventually defeated, knocked out or thrown off a mountaintop.

And so, with the threat over and the Batplane rebooted, Bruce flies off.

Clark decides he will stay on the island, to stay with his new found friends and hear their story. I am sure there will be a Planet report about the state of this island.

Oh ... but then the cliffhanger ...

Xa-Du sent the urge to one of the 'friends' Clark has been with. Xa-Du knows that Clark's 'weakness' is that he trusts humanity, he believes in the goodness in people. And because of that this woman is able to get in close and stab Clark in the gut.

And that is how the issue ends!

So that is quite a way to end this issue, especially given we have 2 months of Convergence. Maybe this wound and the recovery is what leads into 'The Truth' and Superman's new look. After a lackluster issue with improbable action, I reached this ending and suddenly wanted more. I suppose that means it is a good cliffhanger!

Still, the majority of the story just didn't resonate with me.

Overall grade: C

Review: Action Comics #1071 Superman Story

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

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

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

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

On to the story.

Review: Action Comics Annual #3

Yesterday I reviewed Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #1, the third chapter of the Superdoom mini-arc of Superman:Doomed.

Today I am reviewing Action Comics Annual #3, the last chapter of the Superdoom section. Written by Greg Pak with art by a cadre of artists including Ken Lashley, Aaron Kuder, Jack Herbert, Will Conrad, Pascal Alixe, Cliff Richards, and Julius Gopez.

I thought the plotting of the SM/WW Annual was a bit choppy, sort of hard to follow, with subplots added and removed as feints, and with the Doomsday virus being so haphazard in its potency that I don't quite understand if I should be worried.

Action Comics Annual #3 re-adds another wrinkle into the many moving parts of this mega-arc - the Brainiac-possessed Lois. Now there are a couple of nice moments in this issue and one very good Lois moment, but overall I felt more befuddled about the overall plot after reading this issue. Now I suppose that it will all come together in the end. But the biggest thought I had after reading this was that I couldn't wait for Superman:Doomed to be over.

With the wide palate of the artists on board, the book has a sort of rushed hodge-podge feel to it. The individual pages are quite nice but together, bouncing from one style to another, didn't help my feelings of mild confusion.

And after reading Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #1 and this, I still had another Superman:Doomed issue on my pile.

The book opens nicely with some Aaron Kuder art pages showing just how trapped in her own body Lois is. I have been waiting to see Kuder's version for Lois and I am very happy.

I love Lois' tenacity as she tries to break out of this psionic cage Brainiac has placed her. We see how trapped she feels. We see her fighting, trying to bend the mental bars. And we hear just how angry she is for having to live all of this, experience it all, and be part of it despite not consciously doing it.

I keep going back to the original story where this possession of Lois happened ... the investigation of The Twenty, which started 5 years ago when The Collector initially came to Earth and infected 20 people with psionics. Is this mega-plot the culmination of 5 years of manipulation by Brainiac? Will we ever learn?

In the background, Batman has organized a group of people involved in recent Brainiac and Superman stories in hopes of stopping the Coluan. It has become clear that Brainiac is the major threat here. And without Superman, Earth is in trouble.

So Superman villain Harrow (from the Tower) released Superman villain Doomsday from the Phantom Zone by Superman villain and Phantom Zone inhabitant Dr. Xa-Du. But it turns out that Brainiac was already in The Tower's IT and was manipulating these events so that Doomsday would infect Superman and make him fly off the planet. Because Brainiac wants Earth intact but wants Superman off it.

Whew ... that is one crazy plot for a 12th level intellect. How many things needed to go right for it to even happen?

And then things could have gone wrong. What if Superman lost to Doomsday? Or died of the infection? What if Superman lost control and destroyed the Earth? What if (like Ghost Soldier says) Superman won't leave Earth?

Oh yeah ... Dr. Xa-Du is part of this story.

He hasn't been seen in this arc since Batman/Superman #11, released in the last week in May! Back then, he was dragged out of the Zone to help the heroes. He told the heroes that Doomsday broke out of the Zone on his own and Xa-Du wants to help re-cage him/kill the infected Superman.

But here ... after wondering what he has been doing this whole time ... he is trapped in some energy cage. And now he isn't talking about helping the heroes at all. He is doing villain talk here. He can't wait for Superman to kill everyone so he can escape and be a bad guy.

He seems like such an after-thought now. I was hoping for something more here.

This issue's main plot on Earth is Superman and heroes fighting the coma-probes or some sort of advance fleet from Brainiac.

Superman is completely Superdoom initially. But then he runs into the Martian Manhunter. And somehow J'Onn is able to use his mental powers to put a psionic wall in Superman's mind. And this telepathic block somehow puts the Doomsday virus into remission. Superman is normal again.

So is this an actual disease attacking the body? Is it a mental problem?

But this flip-flopping of Doom to Normal to Somewhere in the middle is confusing.

But the virus is too harsh for telepathic blocks. So how about tugging on the heart strings?

The Ghost Soldier brings Baka to the surface. Despite Superman being infected by the Doomsday virus, he looks normal here, and Baka can touch him directly without dying from a killing field.

Glad to see Baka again. Glad that Superman's mind and feelings can overpower the Doomsday persona. But things were so out of control that Superman left the Earth. Superman's friends - Lana and Batman, etc - couldn't get him to become normal. His significant other - Diana - couldn't get him into remission.

But Baka can?

Can you see why I don't quite grasp the magnitude of the Doomsday virus or the threat it represents?

Unfortunately, the next page Superman is back to Superdoom ...

Hey ... remember Dr. Xa-Du is here.

Well somehow Batman has a great plan. They will use Dr. Xa-Du's technology to turn the Kryptonite in the air intangible, whisking it away, so that Superman can defeat the virus.

And to use his tech ... for some reason ... Harrow has to physically beat him up.

Huh??

It somehow works. The Kryptonite leaves Earth (explaining how it happened last issue mid-fight with Diana).

At last ... the good moment.

Superdoom confronts Brainiac-Lois.

And somehow, Clark and Lois connect and talk on a mental level, a sort of meeting in the minds. It just happens. In one tiny thought bubble we hear that Lois finally smashes out of her cage and is able to talk to Clark with her telepathy. (Man ... I would have loved to see a panel of her smashing the cage. That is a big moment.)

There is this nice moment, showing maybe some smoldering CLois love? Clark takes her hands, amazed at how much she fought Brainiac. Heck, she defeated him by breaking free.

It is a very nice moment. It made me miss the Lois/Clark relationship.

But we follow that scene up with another moment which was hard for me to truly understand.

Despite being Superdoom, Superman so loves Lois that he sends the Doomsday killing virus to decay the Brainiac infection in her body. That is some tight control of something that before this was uncontrollable. I suppose it shows how much he cares for Lois. But it also makes me wonder about this condition all over again.

And ... let's not bury the lead ... she knows Clark is Superman. While still telepathic, she is free, and she knows.

I want a human Lois. So please remove the powers.

But will they leave her with the knowledge?

And then ... yet again ... another turn on the Doomsday virus. Batman's plan does work. The Kryptonite leaves the Earth. And somehow ... somehow ... the removal of that let's Clark completely suppress the Doomsday virus. He is back 100% and with Krypto ends up smashing the landed Brainiac army to bits. Look, the people love him! They are happy he is back.

My response?

Arrrrgggghhh!!!!

Just last month, pre-K-bomb, the virus was so out of control, he was planning to leave Earth anyways! He was near gone then! So why should the removal of the Kryptonite alone do this??

I just don't understand the clinical condition of Superman. Page to page, panel to panel, he is either a 12 foot tall spiked demon or a normal guy or a mix. What is happening???

Maybe this is my problem? But if the core plot, this infection, is treated haphazardly, I can't get into the conflict.

At least ... at least ... I got some fine Lois moments.

Overall grade: C