Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Action Comics #2

By Dan Horn
Oct 7, 2011 - 11:22

Superman's been captured by the US Army and is being tortured by none other than Lex Luthor.

There's something very classically enjoyable about Grant Morrison's retreading of Superman's Golden Age roots. Here Superman isn't quite as powerful or invincible as his most modern incarnations. He's still leaping to "fly" and still quite capable of getting his ass kicked, a fact which makes the seemingly mundane electric chair which he's been strapped to that much more potently dramatic. Just like his 30s and 40s days of tilting automobiles and snapping chains with some minimal effort, Morrison's Action Comics Superman is somewhat vulnerable, which I believe is an absolutely endearing quality in a hero. I suppose Superman has always had his vices, in one form or another, but the idea of physical weakness, however minute, brings a certain level of humanity I never really connected with in recent Superman stories.

It is hard for me to believe that Grant's been in this comic book game for so long, though. His pacing, in this issue and in #1, left much to be desired. Dramatic builds and tension are practically nonexistent. Much like the scene with Lois Lane in the first issue, this chapter's pages featuring the female reporter are a bit haphazard. Morrison shoehorns in some strange and clunky dialogue for the sake of character development, but to no avail. There are some really great ideas in this book, however, which shouldn't be too surprising. Morrison has always been a writer of grandiose and charmingly absurd reveries; he just needs a hand with storytelling mechanics now and then.

Rags Morales gets an art assist from Brent Anderson in this issue, and the drawings don't seem quite as tight as the first issue's. I've been noticing quite a bit of this on most of the New 52 #2s, and I suppose it was to be expected. But, for every great panel inside this book, there seems to be another sloppy or awkwardly drawn panel.

The $3.99 price tag is still a bit disconcerting, too. I assumed this would be an introductory price hike, but the fact that follow-up issues are still sporting the hiked-up price points seems extremely contradictory to DC editor-in-chief Dan DiDio's promise of keeping the new line of books firm at $2.99. I can't really say that this issue was well worth $3.99. It's a quick read, and the art isn't something that's going to warrant multiple reads.

Marginal problems aside, the new Action Comics has really been fun and intriguing, offering readers a classic rejuvenation of a tired character. I look forward to next month's installment, albeit with un-bated breath.

Rating: 7 /10

Last Updated: May 16, 2012 - 6:56
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Comments

Better...

Better than issue one but still think Morrison is better suited to sticking to his esoteric books. I think he shoehorns in more than just unwieldy dialogue. He shoehorns in too much of his magic/shaman/supergods stuff too. Superman is sci-fi not shamanistic.

#1 - Andy Frisk - 10/08/2011 - 10:36

True, but...

I think what Morrison is setting out to prove is that a hero as versatile as Superman could really take whatever form we want him to. He's prototypical to whatever hero we need relative to time and place. Here he's the spiritually enlightened immigrant instead of the man of tomorrow. Why? Well, perhaps because tomorrow isn't such a bright prospect anymore. We're not thinking about flying cars and ray guns; we're biting our nails wondering when the world is going stop turning.

Not being a staunch fan of recent Superman stories, it's a distinction I can appreciate, but I do understand the qualms of the Superman devout as well. Morrison is definitely an acquired taste, and I think the best way to approach his work is with an open mind or not at all.

#2 - Dan Horn - 10/08/2011 - 12:02

I like Morrison

The Invisibles is a brilliant work. Just don't dig what he does with established characters as much. I agree with the anxiety surrounding the future but Perez managed to allegorically tell a much better superman story in Superman 1 that was totally about the man and world of tomorrow ie the new media thing bs old media thing and how our soundbite and mini blog age affect our world view. Personally that works a little better IMHO than the "sun god" metaphor.

#3 - Andy Frisk - 10/09/2011 - 23:03