By
my calculations, we are approximately six months away from the record setting Action Comics #1000. Will the most
recent developments in DC’s flagship title be the foundation for what could be
the comic book mega-event of 2018? Possibly, though I’d be much more excited
were it not for the endless series of over-hyped events of the past decade.
This issue
reveals the identity of the mysterious Mr. Oz, who has been pulling Superman’s
strings since the debut of the Rebirth line of titles. Is it surprise? Sure. Is
one likely to say, “Of course, I should have guessed?” Absolutely not. And that
is why future issues of Action Comics have some ‘splainin’ to do.
Let’s start
with the cover: blah. Stock image of the generic logo and the word “hope”
underneath. Yeah, we’ve heard this before.
After a
brief interlude with Mr. Oz, we are treated to a series of super-feats as
Superman pulls an armored car from the river. Said transport is loaded with
medicine bound for overseas, and the Man of Steel is all too willing to deliver
the vaccine where it’s needed most.
But no
sooner does Superman resume his Clark Kent identity than a series of crises pop
up all over the world, sending him and his cape back into action. And in the
midst of it all, Mr. Oz arrives to reveal himself to Superman. End of chapter
1.
As I said,
expect to be surprised, with the secret origin of Mr. Oz promised for next
issue. But what that means for the Man of Steel in the future remains to seen.
I anticipate a crisis of conscience, perhaps a Bryan Singer-like attack on an emotional level, or maybe a fight between two powerful super-beings. Let’s keep
our fingers crossed it’s blend of both.
Rating: 7/10