Action Comics #1054 review

The battle between Metallo and the Super Family continues in the new Action Comics anthology. The opening page is a picture of intensity as Warworld refugee turned Kent family member Otho looms over a burning car. Beside the car, a burning man, a member of the anti-extraterrestrial Blue Earth movement. Feeling threatened, the immature Otho […]

Action Comics #1053 review

It’s the third month of Action Comics’ new anthology format and the best issue yet. Starting with the Superman story – or really, the Super Family story – writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and illustrator Rafa Sandoval do a great job of balancing scenes of intense drama with more personal moments. If you’re new to the […]

Action Comics #1052 review

The unveiling of the new Steelworks building in Metropolis has been hit by an explosion, and Metallo has risen from the wreckage. Luckily the entire Super Family is on the scene. While our two Steels – Natasha and John Henry Irons – get in some good blows, it’s Superman who ends the immediate Metallo threat […]

Lazarus Planet: Legends Reborn #1 review

Legends reborn! That sounds exciting. And indeed it is thrilling for this old Firestorm fan as the Nuclear Man is thrust back into the DC spotlight. As for the other characters who get solo strips, I don’t keep up with Renee Montoya, but I guess this is the first time she’s returned to the role […]

Action Comics #1051 review

You know Chekhov’s Gun – the idea that if a writer mentions a firearm early in a story, it has to be fired by the end. Here’s Chekhov’s Building – or rather, John and Natasha Irons’ Building. Talk about poking Lex Luthor with a stick. And sure enough, just a few pages later… It’s not […]

Superman: Son of Kal-El #18 review

It’s the final issue of Jon Kent’s series, but if you’re expecting loose ends to be wrapped up, forget it, with story threads continuing into the upcoming Action Comics #1050. Chief among them, the threat of new villain Red Sin, who last issue blasted Jon and took away his powers. It’s not stated how until […]

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 […]

Superman: Son of Kal-El #17 review

Father and son, Superman and Superman 2, have been reunited after too long apart, and Clark and Jon have some catching up to do. As it turns out, Clark doesn’t catch Jon. Son is faster than Dad this time (‘The cape must have slowed me down’, says Clark to his equally be-caped son). Race over, […]

Action Comics #1048 review

It’s Visiting Day in Metropolis. Businessman and part-time supervillain Lex Luthor drops in on John Corben, aka Metallo, the man with the kryptonite heart. Lois Lane takes houseguests Osul and Otho-Ra to see the critters at the city zoo, which isn’t meant to be a prison… While Lois is beckoning an old pal to join […]

Action Comics #1047 review

Comics today aren’t cheap, but if Action Comics #1047 had consisted of just one particular page, I’d still have left the issue smiling. Superman saves a family from plunging into Metropolis Bay after he ends a pretty unusual car chase. Adorable. But we are blessed, because there are more terrific scenes to enjoy in the […]