Review: Action Comics #964

DC Comics
Review: Action Comics #964
By Philip Schweier
September 28, 2016 - 06:14

DC Comics
Writer(s): Dan Jurgens
Penciller(s): Patch Zircher
Inker(s): Patch Zircher
Colourist(s): Ulises Arreola
Letterer(s): Rob Leigh
Cover Artist(s): Clay Mann and Tomeu Morey, with Dan Jurgens; variant by Gary Frank and Brad Anderson

The mystery of Clark Kent deepens. Whether he is what he claims, HE clearly believes it, and Superman is no closer to answers than he was last issue. All of which makes this story nothing more than a chapter in the Geneticron storyline, as both Clark and Superman seem determined to get to the bottom of who/what Geneticron is.

One portion of the story is Clark – the journalist – musing about who this “new” Superman might be. His world’s Superman is dead, and this “new guy” seems older somehow, and more experienced. Which makes the reading audience wonder how he will be accepted by others (say, the JLA) of this World That Lost Its Superman.

Without giving anything away, in the end, he comes to understand him to be what he says he is – a friend. He is here to help. Much of what Clark the journalist writes is ambitious prose, conceding to Superman his strategy of what is basically positive PR on Superman’s behalf. But it’s well-written PR.

Patch Zircher’s artwork is decent. Pardon me for not being overwhelmed, but he’s yet to knock my socks off. But the best artists seldom do. I’d rather he turn in quality work consistently, than show of a lot of dynamic figure drawing, trying to mimic Jim Lee or Neal Adams, only to take a rest for several months.

The issue segues into the next story arc, as new mysteries are revealed to the audience, and seeds laid in recent issues begin to bear fruit. Stay tuned.