Action Comics Annual #11 (2008) – Review

By Geoff Johns & Richard Donner (Writers), Adam Kubert (Artist) & Edgar Delgado (Colors)

Reading this comic, it’s impossible to forget the 1978 original Superman film. I don’t need to say this is a good thing, do I? Well, it is. And of course, there is a slightly different story and some more characters in this annual comic book.

Superman teams up with some unlikely side-kicks and villains as they follow a plan to save a decaying Metropolis from General Zod and his evil Kryptonian gang of prisoners. The usual clichés that plague this topic are here to play as well but an unexpected turn of events and a nice touch of other surprises keep things fresh. The story and character development improve dramatically on its way towards the conclusion. Superman isn’t the one who saves the day this time, nor does his fight with Zod seem central to the storyline. The actual meat of the story lies with Zod’s son Christopher and how he wants to take hold of a situation that is very quickly spiraling out of control. It’s for this reason that most readers will feel that the comic should have started in the middle of the action and worked its way out.

On the aesthetic side, Adam Kubert’s artistic style is felt. Some panels are done very well while others look like unfinished sketches. In a strange way, it adds that Kubert flavor we have all gotten used to for better or worse. Facial expressions on the characters faces are usually spot on and even comical in some situations. The action moves smoothly and in conjunction with the story, which I cannot say for many other comics. Not a single panel feels wasted, and in my opinion, that says a lot about an artist. But is it all worth a trip to the comic book store? Indeed it is. (Grade B+)

– A. Badar