Review: Action Comics #974
By Philip Schweier
February 22, 2017 - 13:22
DC Comics
Writer(s): Dan Jurgens
Penciller(s): Patrick Zircher and Stephen Segovia
Inker(s): Patrick Zircher and Art Thibert
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 the other Clark Kent comes to a boil, as his mere presence brings a
growing concern for Lois and the safety of her incognito family. DoppelClark
displays a growing instability in his relationship with the Lois he believes to
be from his Earth, but there is no resolution just yet.
MEANWHILE… Superman and Steel continue to struggle with the uncontrollable powers of SuperWoman, as they begin to consume Lana Lang from the inside out. With limited resources, can they stabilize her before she is destroyed as this Earth’s Lois was?
MEANWHILE… Superman’s other Fortress is in danger of being compromised. And that begs the question: which is worse? Someone getting in, or someone getting out?
In contrast to prior issues, this was one of the comics I was looking forward to the most this week. Though I was critical of Dan Jurgens’ stories when I started reading the Rebirth Action Comics, I am pleased with how the overall drama has expanded beyond the series of fight scenes it started with. Elements seem to have been placed strategically, offering potentially overlapping dramas that will no doubt complicate Superman’s life on all fronts – at home, in costume, and in between.
Zurcher, Segovia and Thibert achieved a pleasant merging of their art in this issue, one I hope they can maintain. I know the pace is grueling, but with adequate downtime, I am hopeful they will be able to play to one another’s strengths effectively.