Review: Action Comics #968

DC Comics
Review: Action Comics #968
By Philip Schweier
November 23, 2016 - 05:00

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

It’s a battle issue, as Superman goes toe-to-toe with Zade, L’Call’s henchman. Who are L’Call and Zade? Well, L’Call is known as the Godslayer, and seems intent on killing Lex Luthor before he gets a chance to usurp the throne of Apokalyps, and become a far worse despot than Darkseid ever was. It’s kind of a “go back in time and kill Hitler as a baby” scenario.

But the two assassins are happy to take on anyone who where’s Luthor’s emblem (which is in fact Superman’s emblem), so Superman becomes a target as well.

Did I say anyone? Yes, I did, didn’t I? That would include Lois and Clark’s son Jon, who has a super playsuit of his own, complete with S shield. In this story, Jon fulfills a deus ex machine role, much as Wesley Crusher often did on Star Trek: The Next Generation. So the story loses a few points for lack of originality.

But where it scores is the increasing rift between Superman and Clark Kent. Essentially, they are the same person. Superman grew up as Clark, just as this world’s Clark did. They share the same upbringing values, and perspectives. But Clark is not nearly as hopeful as Superman appears to be, and has not catalyst to be the inspiration Superman tries to be.

One thing I’m not keen on with this latest incarnation of Superman is the new costume. Much has been made about discarding the red trunks; I don’t mind that. I don’t care for the boots. They’re blue, same as the rest of the outfit, except for a bit of red at the top. I think they should be either completely red, or get rid of the red altogether. The red trim seems superfluous. Same goes for his belt. The design seems to try to make it subtle, but instead it gets lost and obscured.