Action Comics Annual #1 – Review

By: Sholly Fisch (story), Cully Hamner (art), Val Staples (colors)

The Story: Kryptonite Man and Superman both turn green, but not for the same reasons.

The Review: Some time ago, I spoke somewhat dismissively of annuals as mainly forgettable, unnecessary samples of reading.  No matter how enjoyable, entertaining, or well-crafted, they almost never lose their sense of uselessness.  Rarely do they have an impact on whatever story is actually going on in the main series.  That’s what makes the New 52 annuals such pleasant surprises.  Without exception, all of them have contributed something important to their titles.

While there’s no clear tie-in between this annual and any ongoing plot thread in Action Comics proper, it’s certainly not a story you can dismiss.  Fisch gets the honor of introducing a major staple of Superman mythology to the new DCU, and the end of the feature makes it clear we’ll be seeing this story continue in the ongoing series at some point.  The only problem is Fisch never convinces you to look forward to that point.