Action Comics #870 – Review

By Geoff Johns (story), Gary Frank (pencils), Jon Sibal and Bit (inks), Brad Anderson (colors)

The Story: Geoff Johns wraps up his Brainiac retcon as Superman must not only deal with his own means of survival, but also the fates of Metropolis and Kandor – two cities have been shrunken down for Braniac’s “private collection”. Meanwhile, Supergirl must come to grips with her role as a superhero and save the planet (not to mention solar system). Even on the verge of defeat, Brainiac has one final plan up his sleeve and he’s ready for his revenge!

What’s Good: This book is damn near flawless. Geoff Johns writes an issue that hits on the highest of highes and the lowest of lows. Superman using his ingenuity to fight and ultimately defeat Brainiac is one of brilliance. And Supergirl’s last minute surge of courage had me cheering. The dramatic shift in tone that plays out with the defeat of Brainiac and the loss of Pa Kent will hit readers hard. All of this is punctuated with Gary Frank’s incredible pencil work.

This story also sets up the big sweeping change that is New Kypton. The city of Kandor is finally saved and with it comes a race of Supermen. What will play out over the next few months will be fresh and completely new to the Superman dynamic.

What’s Bad: The death of Pa Kent. No matter how many times they kill him off, it gets me every time.

Conclusion: The last couple of issues felt like this story was losing steam, but Johns comes back in a big way. He swings for the fences and hits a grandslam. This is easily the saddest issue of Superman I’ve ever read and one I will not soon forget. It’s a great time to be a Superman fan.

Grade: A+

– J. Montes

Action Comics #868 – Review

By Geoff Johns (writer), Gary Frank (pencils), John Sibal (inks), Brad Anderson (colors)

After two issues of intense build up, I’ve gotta come out and say that I’m a little underwhelmed by the unveiling of the “real” Brainiac. From a design standpoint he’s little more than a humanoid in a “Cenobite” costume and leaves a lot to be desired. I can’t fault Gary Frank alone for his design choice as I’m sure editorial and Geoff Johns had their say, but I was hoping for something more menacing and alien looking. Making Brainiac a humanoid “humanizes” him and instantly takes away any bite he might have had. Ah well, you can’t win them all.

As for the story, it moves ahead but loses some steam. Much of the issue has Superman jostling with Brainiac in a futile manner. Brainiac, like a good villain, makes his true intentions known. It’s predictable and not very exciting. Obviously, Earth is his next target and now Superman’s going to have to find a way to stop him.

Now, I don’t know the character of Supergirl very well, but in this book she comes across as a cowardly, bumbling airhead. Seriously, how can someone as incompetent as her be qualified to wear that crest and call herself a superhero? How can she not know what breast implants are? I don’t get it? Johns inserts this scene as a comedic moment but all it does is display how stupid this character is. And that’s a shame.

Gary Frank once again provides some stunning visuals which easily justifies the $2.99 cover price. His storytelling and characterizations are just perfect but this book could have easily been a grade higher were Brainiac given a more menacing look.

*Sigh* Green man in a suit. (Grade: C+)

– J. Montes

Action Comics #867 – Review

By Geoff Johns (writer), Gary Frank (pencils), Jon Sibal (inks), Brad Anderson (colors)

Geoff Johns retconning of Brainiac continues. Unlike last issue where we got a ton of Brainiacs wrecking havoc across the universe, this issue give us a full-on explanation of who they are and who the “real” Brainiac is. It’s all told recited from Supergirl’s memory as she describes the terror that was inflicted on Krypton and how General Zod and the rest of the planet’s defenders did all they could to repel attack. It’s then revealed to Superman that he’s never actually met the real Brainiac, just versions or bodies he had inhabited or controlled.

At this point I couldn’t help but ask, “Well why didn’t you tell him this stuff years ago, Supergirl?!”

It’s a big plot hole if you ask me, but I didn’t have a problem letting it go because, truth be told, this is a gripping story. Superman knows Brainiac is looking for him and so he goes on the offensive, taking the battle into space. He eventually catches up with Brainiac, but nothing can prepare him for the onslaught he’s about to face. As cheesy as this sounds, the real Brainiac is “the real deal”. There’s no silly banter or monologues here, just destruction.

Destroying suns and planets – oh my.

I hope Gary Frank never leaves this book. For me, he is the perfect Superman artist and the panel work he does in this issue is just godly. All the characters drawn are perfectly envisioned, with the exception of Supergirl, who is a bit on the anorexic side – someone give that girl some carbs! Other than that, I can’t give anymore accolades to the creative team – DC just needs to pay them to stay on this book forever. It’s that good.

I never thought I’d be buying Action Comics on a regular basis, but this is the first time I’ve done it since Superman’s death back in 1993. If that’s not saying something, I don’t know what is. (Grade: A-)

– J. Montes

Action Comics #866 – Review

By Geoff Johns (story), Gary Frank (pencils), Jon Sibal (inks), Brad Anderson (colors)

I’m not the most knowledgeable Superman reader out there, but I know a retcon when I see one. And that’s exactly what Geoff Johns does with Action Comics #866. The subject matter this time is Brainiac. Written as a relentless terror from the far reaches of space, Brainiac steals entire cultures in an almost “Borg” like fashion (including a deadly attack on Krypton). But instead of assimilation, it’s a ruthless harvesting of information and societies. This is probably the first issue of Action Comics that I’ve read in about a year and the best part of it all is it was incredibly easy for me to jump aboard as a new reader.

Geoff Johns writes a fascinating story that just about anyone can pick up and read. It also serves to educate people (like me), who don’t know much about Brainiac. I’d love to see Johns do this with more of Superman’s villains and history. Sprinkled throughout this issue are touches of Superman’s life as Clark Kent. Here, we’re given some gratuitous laugh out loud moments at the Daily Planet as the newly hired Catherine Grant attempts to seduce Clark right in front of Lois with her fresh “implants”. The whole scene is masterfully handled and paced by Johns, but it’s Gary Frank who nails the scene home and will have you laughing your butt off. Indeed, Frank’s art is the catalyst that will make many new readers feel right at home with this book. His renditions of Superman/Clark and Lois are dead ringers for the late Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. I wish all the Superman books were drawn like this.

There’s honestly nothing I can complain about in this issue as a whole with the exception that purists may not be happy with this retcon. With All Star Superman’s last issue on the horizon, I’m thrilled to know there’s another Superman book (and it’s montly!) out there that I can enjoy. If you’re a casual Superman reader or someone who’s looking for a place to jump aboard, this issue’s it. (Grade: A)

– J. Montes