Action Comics #895 – Review

By: Paul Cornell (writer), Pete Woods (artist), Brad Anderson (colorist), Nick Spencer (back-up writer), RB Silva (back-up penciller), DYM (back-up inker), Dave McCaig (back-up colorist)

The Story: Lex Luthor has a brilliant new scheme to use the Black Lantern energy domes for his own purposes.  The immortal Vandal Savage isn’t too stoked about Lex Luthor’s plans, since they involve the Black Lantern energy domes in his possession.  To fulfill a prophecy foretold centuries before, Savage confronts Luthor, forcing Luthor to call on the aid of the unpredictable Secret Six.  In the back-up, Jimmy Olsen puts into motion his plan to make Metropolis the most boring city in the galaxy, all in an effort to ward off an invasion of alien swingers.

The Review: The idea may be a little antiquated, but DC’s use of its “Comics” books (Action Comics, Detective Comics, and the recently revived Adventure Comics) as a vehicle for highlighting a revolving roster of characters packs a lot of potential for dynamic storytelling.  Paul Cornell has taken advantage of this idea to deliver a fascinating story on one of comics’ most infamous, yet least understood, characters.

One of the major flaws hampering any portrayal of Luthor is that while his uncanny intelligence and malevolence toward Superman is always a must-have, his mission and motives are largely unclear.  Does he hunger for power and resents anyone who has more of it than he does?  Is there a xenophobic bent to his hatred for Superman?  Is he a misunderstood genius who only wants to lead mankind to greatness?  Or is he just a sadist at heart?

One of the most interesting beats in this issue is when he retorts to Vandal Savage, “I don’t associate with ‘super-villains’ unless it’s to lead them.  They have master plans and costumes and pretensions.  We have little in common.”  In that little speech, Cornell sums up what makes Luthor a compelling character.  He’s not delusional enough to believe himself a god, but he’s an enormous believer in his capabilities as an individual.  In that sense, he has a lot in common with Batman, who is portrayed figuratively (and with Morrison, literally) as a god among men.  It should be said that besides Luthor, other characters shine in this issue.  Cornell has a lot of fun writing Savage as a man who can afford to bide millennia at a time to construct his plots, and how fun is robot-Lois as a foil to Luthor?  They are really the Sam Malone and Diane Chambers of their cast.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Thunderbolts #150 – The main part of this issue was just awesome as we saw the Thor, Captain Steve and Iron Man tossed into the mix.  Oh….and I think Crossbones is off the team now.  Perhaps a few demerits for making us pay and extra dollar for some Wikipedia entries about the history of the Tbolts and a reprint of issue #1, but a great issue nonetheless.  Runner-up: Hulk #27 (great week for Jeff Parker!)

Most Anticipated: Batwoman #0 – It takes a pretty special book to nudge The Walking Dead off “top pick” status, but I can’t wait to see Kate Kane return with beautiful art (and story) from JH Williams, III.

Other picks: Detective Comics #871, The Walking Dead #79, Amazing Spider-Man #649, Vampirella #1, Scalped #43

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Batman Incorporated #1 – Wow, a Morrison Batman title as my pick of the week.  I figured I’d enjoy it, but I never expected to like it as much as I did.  This was pure fun and had lots of Catwoman and even more Japan.  Sold!

Most Anticipated: Batwoman #0 – Really, could it possibly be anything else?  There are so, so many great comics coming out this week that the fact that this is such a landslide should be proof of how much I want this comic book.

Other Picks: Action Comics #895, Detective Comics #871, Fantastic Four #585, Secret Avengers #7, Amazing Spider-Man #649, Captain America #612, Invincible Iron Man #32, Madame Xanadu #29, The Walking Dead #79, Scalped #43, DMZ #59, Daredevil #512, Shadowland #5, Secret Warriors #22

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Batman: The Return #1 – I really enjoyed Batman: The Return #1 and would put it among the comics that will be in contention for the best of the year, although I think the competition will be stiff. This series launched strong and I’m tuned in for the next issue..

Most Anticipated: Batman and Robin #17 – Although Batwoman’s premiere was a strong candidate, Paul Cornell is an excellent writer who has done some top-notch work on TV, science fiction prose stories, Marvel’s Captain Britain mythos, and others, and I can’t wait to see his slightly slanted take on Batman and Robin in issue #17. It doesn’t hurt that Dick and Damian are pretty much my favorite characters in comics right now.

Other Picks: Batwoman #0, Detective Comics #871, Captain America #612, Teen Titans #89

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Thunderbolts #150 – Jeff Parker’s script knocked this one out of the park.  By bringing the Crossbones situation to a head quickly and letting him have his much-awaited showdown with Steve Rogers as well as throwing the other Big Two of the Avengers in there (along with every other awesome element of the script), the scribe hit every chord perfectly.  Throw in Kev Walker’s amazing artwork as the beautiful cherry on top and there really is no question as to what comic was the best of the past week.

Most Anticipated: Ultimate Spider-Man #150 – If you take into account that I’ve been a huge fan of Ultimate Spidey since the beginning and that I’m a big sucker for anniversary issues, then this issue being my top pick shouldn’t be too surprising.  However, Bendis has been firing on all cylinders over the last few months on this book and I’ve eagerly been awaiting each new installment without fail.  So now I have three good reasons to pick this one up!  2nd place:  Batwoman #0 has me salivating for new JH Williams artwork!  The only reason this isn’t in the top spot is the absence of Greg Rucka.

Other Picks: Star Wars Blood Ties #4, Terminator 1984 #3, Batwoman #0, Detective Comics #871, Justice League Generation Lost #14, The Walking Dead #79, Amazing Spider-Man #649, Invincible Iron Man #32, New Mutants #19, Secret Avengers #7, Secret Warriors #22, Thunderstrike #1, Ultimate Avengers 3 #4, Uncanny X-Force #2, Uncanny X-Men #530, X-Men Legacy #242, Whispers in the Walls #4