Action Comics 1049 review

In his cell on Stryker’s Island, John Corben aka Metallo, receives an unwanted visitor. Working for Lex Luthor is the last thing war-weary Corben wants. Unfortunately, Lex knows where Corben’s sister lives.

Meanwhile, at Metropolis Zoo, Superman is fighting to stop New Gods Orion, Kalibak and Desaad – watched by arch schemer Metron – kidnapping Osul-Ra. The boy and his sister Otho-Ra are newly escaped from Warworld, refugees from the planet Phaelosia, and Superman’s wards. A recent brush with death saw the spirit of Olgrun, an old god, enter the boy, and the infiltrators from Apokolips and New Genesis believe that makes him their business… worse, their property.

This is a job for Super-er-man! While he’s tussling with Kalibak, though, Darkseid’s sinister scientist, Desaad, makes a grab for Osul.

Just as Kalibak isn’t prepared for the newly amped-up Superman, Desaad gets a big surprise from Osul, one that ultimately leads to the New Gods retreating.

With distinctly unveiled threats, the New Gods take their leave, allowing Superman time to visit Warworld, which has been stationed near Earth since the Man of Steel liberated Mongul’s slaves. He has good news – the United Planets members have found ways home for most of the beings captured by, or born under, Mongul.

The story then returns to where it began, at Stryker’s Island where, it’s safe to say, Corben disappoints me.

Also disappointing me is a member of The Authority, Superman’s allies in his liberation of Warworld, who, we find, has been a spy for Lex Luthor. As it turns out, they were won round by Superman’s character, his courage, brains and heart, and want nothing more to do with the evil scientist. But if you throw your lot in with Luthor, you shouldn’t turn your back on him…

‘Kal-El Returns chapter 5: The Fight Ahead’ is another compelling read from Phillip Kennedy Johnson. The action scenes between Superman and the New Gods are terrific, but it’s the intrigue surrounding Luthor and poor old Corben that are still running through my mind a day after first reading the story. Artist Mike Perkins and colourist Lee Loughridge bring Corben’s dilemma, and decision, to tragic life. Which isn’t to say the Superman fight scene don’t look terrific, I especially like the warping of Kalibak’s frame on the splash page – he’s the monstrous firstborn of Darkseid, who knows what that body can do!

Less successful is that page of Superman talking about his family crest – I don’t get what happens…he does something with his heat vision and afterwards a few more people than previously seem to be bearing S-shields on their clothing or bodies. Does he actually brand people? Of course he doesn’t, but what does he do? Something to do with his temporary white sun upgrade (you will of course recall that the effect of white sun radiation on Kryptonians was firmly established in Super Friends #17)? Is that our hero manifesting a white sunburst on page 6?

There’s a glorious-looking sequence in which former Mongul minion Orphan teleports Warworld out of Earth space…at least I think that’s what’s happening; there’s no dialogue or narration in the panels, and for a second it looks like the baby, with their unreadable expression, must be doing something sinister.

There’s no doubt that fellow baldie Luthor’s every action is sinister – the man is blatant. Just as Superman inspires people to find their best selves, Luthor browbeats and blackmails others to access their worst selves. Johnson’s Luthor is up there with John Byrne’s in terms of sheer hatefulness.

I didn’t quite understand Superman’s story about the puzzle box as a way to calm Osul down. I do understand Orion’s point that the boy may be too much for Superman to handle – he certainly seems to have an ancient god inside him, one that can manifest at will… that’s a bigger deal than having to control your emotions. I’m not saying Superman should let the New Gods take a scared little boy away, but given the latter know more about Olgrun than him, the two sides really should have a conversation. Then again, Orion does give the impression that it’s his way or the interstellar highway.

Had Action Comics #1049 contained just the Kal-El Returns chapter, I’d declare it a winner. But there’s more – another entertaining instalment of the Red Moon story. I don’t actually know why it’s called ‘Red Moon’, perhaps that’s how Warworld looks to people on Earth. I do know that the serial is concentrating on the wider Super Family. Metropolis has been attacked by the worst of Mongul’s lieutenants, Chaytil Ironbled. He thinks freed Warworld prisoner Thao-La, who is being mentored by Supergirl, is easy meat.

Wrong. While Supergirl is saving citizens from falling masonry, Thao-La shows she has what it takes to be a member of the Super Family, using her new powers intelligently while giving her foe a good telling off. Philip Kennedy Johnson’s story complements the main feature, while David Lapham’s superbly direct compositions blaze across the pages. I particularly like the glimpse we get of a new look for Thao-La. Trish Mulvihill provides the attractive colours while Dave Sharpe, as with the Superman story, supplies dramatic lettering.

Steve Beach’s cover is just glorious. It’s not directly linked to the two stories in this issue of Action Comics, but it’s thematically spot-on – the Super Family united against whatever threat may come. I love the calm vibe, the lovely colours of this Arctic scene.

Next issue is an anniversary number, and given the quality of recent issues, it’s going to be a winner.