Those who know
me even a little know I’m a huge Superman fan. However, I have never fully
taken to the more modern version of the Man of Steel… until now. I’m not
completely won over, but for the first time in a long time, I found myself
looking forward to the latest issue of Action Comics.
Let’s start
with the cover: standard pin-up style, offering no tease as to what lies
inside. Well-rendered perhaps, but very little curb appeal.
Inside,
Superman and his son Jon are experimenting with their powers, comparing who can
do what. For someone as young as Jon (10 years old?), his can be surprising.
Meanwhile, Lois is in Lois’s apartment…
In case you
came in late, the Superman, Lois and Jon who star in this series have been
transported to an alternate reality, in which Superman died and Lois Lane is
missing. So Mrs. Clark Kent impersonates this world’s Lois in order to
investigate, and at the end of last issue was confronted by Superwoman.
…where she is
challenged by the mysterious Superwoman. At her request, Lois summons Superman,
and the true identity of Superwoman is revealed (Sorry, no spoilers here). Much
more is explained and resolved, but as with many stories, new questions arise.
Perhaps this
issue went a long way to addressing some of the mysteries of the past several
issues of Action Comics. I found it much more satisfying than the extended
fight scene we saw in issues #959-962, with much more optimism for future
issues.
If
I have a complaint, it’s in the art. Segovia and Thibert seem to wander
off-model in their rendering. When it’s good, it’s very good, but I find that a
bit rare. Usually, it is uneven at best. I don’t know if this is a question of a
bad pairing, or deadline constraints, or what. Since I am unaware of the root
cause, I won’t venture a guess as to a possible solution. But it’s an issue
that I feel should be addressed, sooner rather than later.