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Action Comics #870 [Review]

Posted on October 11, 2008 by Walt

Brainiac: Finale

Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: Gary Frank
Inkers: Jon Sial & Bit
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Assoc. Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Gary Frank (variant by Andy Kubert)

As the issue opens, Brainiac has kidnapped Metropolis (putting it into a bottle as he did Kandor and countless other cities from alien worlds), and is preparing to destroy the Earth. Though somewhat down, Superman proves that he is far from out, as he breaks free of Brainiac’s ship and fights not only for his own life, and the lives of every citizen in Metropolis, but for the entire Earth as well (and this time, lacking the backup he’d assembled during the 1992 “Panic in the Sky”). The battle extends beyond the ship, and Superman is able to–with backup from Supergirl–rescue not only Metropolis, but Kandor as well (c’mon, that was spoiled months ago!). And with Brainiac’s final attack, many–but not all–lives endangered are saved.

I’ve come to really, really appreciate Frank’s art on this book. For this “new,” “Post-Infinite-Crisis” Superman, he seems PERFECT. We get a very realistic-looking Superman (and supporting cast), we get excellent detail, and yet, there’s a certain subtlety to it that just makes for a great visual result; I’m ready to add Frank to the top of my list of favorite Superman artists, holding rank with Dan Jurgens and Jim Lee.

Story-wise, this is solid Johns all the way. On the whole, no real complaint with the writing in and of itself–stuff seems consistent with prior issues, and this just continues the story begun over the past several chapters. The issue’s end…well, I’m not sure how I feel on it quite yet, but will hold judgement until I see how it plays out (hopefully by Johns, through the upcoming “New Krypton” arc and beyond).

For something like what ocurred in this issue to come as a surprise to me adds immensely to the power of the story–I honestly did not see it coming. I figured I had things nailed, given that we’re just a week or two away from the start of “New Krypton,” and that this would be like “The Death of Superman.” You know how it ends going in, but read to find out the HOW to it all. Instead, I got something much deeper.

This is a kick-butt (no pun intended) action-filled issue that will have certain, immediate, deep ramifications across the Superman family of titles and characters. If you’re a Superman fan, and/or thinking of checking out the “New Krypton” story, this issue would be well worth picking up.

Story: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 8.5/10

Filed under: Action Comics, Comic Reviews 2008, DC | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Superman #680 [review]

Posted on September 24, 2008 by Walt

The Coming of Atlas Part 4: Man of Yore, Dog of Tomorrow

Writer: James Robinson
Penciller: Renato Guedes
Inker: Wilson Magalhaes
Colorist: Hi-FI
Letterer: John J. Hill
Assoc. Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Cover: Alex Ross

Across a 16-panel grid on the opening page, we’re treated to a battered-and-bloody Superman as well as some crowd reaction–including specifically Lois and Jimmy. And a narrative, from Superman, about the newly arrived participant in this brawl–Krypto, the “Dog of Steel.” We then transition to Krypto’s narration (gone are the thought-balloons of the silver age, “in” are the narration boxes of the modern age) as he comes to the defense of his master, laying into Atlas. While Krypto chews on Atlas, Lois witnesses the goings-on and recalls her own doubts about this alien dog, as she begins to recognize the bond that truly exists between her husband and his dog. Seeing that Krypto has Atlas occupied and promising to return shortly, Superman zips off to seek some help, with somewhat unexpected results.

In the opening issues of this arc, I must admit I’ve been underwhelmed. Somehow, I just don’t find this Atlas character interesting. That might be partly the fault of Action Comics–I’m much more interested in Brainiac than this “new” character (isn’t that the way, though?–one might complain about repetetive over-use of existing characters, but then new characters are not embraced, either.) That said, the writing is not bad at all–Robinson has crafted an arc that pits Superman against someone at least as strong, if not stronger (whether or not due in and of itself to Magic) than himself. This issue brings Krypto fully into things–for the first time in years, I believe–and does so in a way that really showcases the character’s potential. If we must have a super-powered Kryptonian dog named Krypto as part of the Superman cast, Robinson has shown me that it can work. This isn’t some silly Look Who’s Talking Now thing…we’re not getting full, articulate sentences coming from the Kryptonian canine, but rather emotive responses applicable to the current situation.

I’m not exactly drawn in by Guedes’ art as far as Superman himself or Atlas are concerned. The art’s not bd, really, but there’s something to the style that just doesn’t really work for me personally. Guedes’ Krypto, on the other hand, works quite well. Some of the credit here has got to go to the coloring, which certainly impacts how the finished art comes across. Atls somehow seems almost more cartooney than a dog in a cape…while that dog looks like a distinct individual, rather than a generic dog with a cape thrown ‘cross his back.

The cover painting by Ross is fantastic, and if I could get the image as a poster, I would be all over it.

I’m not sure offhand if this is just a 4-part story or if it still has a chapter or two left. Either way, there’s a definite ending to the issue, and I feel like it’s an ending that works.

All in all, this is a solid issue, worth getting if you’re already buying the title…though perhps not the best point to jump on if you want a full story from the beginning. (Though if you just want to see Krypto in action, this is the issue for you!).

Story: 7/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6.5/10

Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, DC, Superman | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

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