Review: Action Comics #959

DC Comics
Review: Action Comics #959
By Philip Schweier
July 16, 2016 - 18:06

DC Comics
Writer(s): Dan Jurgens
Penciller(s): Tyler Kirkham
Inker(s): Wayne Faucher
Colourist(s): Arif Prianto
Letterer(s): Rob Leigh
Cover Artist(s): Clay Mann and Sonia Oback with Dan Jurgens; variant by Ryan Sook

Okay, I’m a wee bit confused. It’s not the fault of anyone affiliated with DC Comics, I just haven’t been keeping up with the Man of Steel the past few years.

Near as I can dope out in Action 959, Superman and Lois (and son Jon) are on another Earth. This the Re-Birth Superman, or the pre-New 52, if you prefer. Yet he’s wearing the New 52’s costume, the one without the red trunks. So I’m still fuzzy on which version it is.

MEANWHILE…This Earth has it’s own Clark Kent, enabling to two to stand side-by-side and refute any claims they one and the same. Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor, whomever. But this Clark is a bit of dunce, staying in the thick of battle while cautioning others to retreat. Without any super-powers, I don’t understand his intent.

And speaking of Lex, he appears to have adopted the “S” symbol for himself, while also stealing Tony Stark’s schtick. Billionaire industrialist creates high-tech body armor, powered by a Motherbox in Luthor’s prosthetic arm. I guess the kryptonite poisoning was more aggressive than I believed.

MEANWHILE…Doomsday has come to town. Lois is grappling with her memories of the death of “her” Superman. “It was the worst day of my life. Until he made his way back to us months later.” So, him coming back became the worst day? Or is she saying all the grief and anguish she experienced was suddenly wiped away and forgotten? Like I said, I’m confused.

If Action Comics 959 is any indication, the latest version of Superman needs some fine tuning. But within the pages of that specific issue, there’s a great deal of drama; From Lois, Jon, Clark (both of them), and even Luthor. Punches thrown, mass destruction, all on a scale that only the Man of Steel can handle.

Or will he? Because within the final panel, as Doomsday is about to take a dramatic step toward victory, is a bit of a spoiler for next issue. Thanks, DC.

As for the artwork, it was a departure from what I'm accustomed to, but that's not a bad thing. I'm used to the uber-dynamic stylings of the 1990s. This was much more illustrative and painterly. I don't mind it, it just took a little getting used to.