Action Comics #1 Review

Action Comics #1

The New 52

      The Plot: The issue begins with Mr. Glenmorgan, who is saying that “It’s a done deal!”, although we don’t know what he is referring to. Superman flies in and says, “Rats. Rats with money. And rats with guns. I’m your worst nightmare.” His Heat Vision glows from his eyes. The police arrive and rush to the room, hoping to save Glenmorgan and arrest Superman. They find everyone that was in the room beaten up and/or subdued. They find Superman on the ledge, holding Glenmorgan above his head. Superman states that he believes the law should work the same for the rich and the poor. Glenmorgan yells for the Police and security to save him. They all point their guns at Superman.  He says, “Still won’t talk? Okay. You had your chance, Glenmorgan.” He leaps off of the ledge, with Glenmorgan in his arms.

Upon impact on the ground, Glenmorgan is nearly unconscious, and he admits that he is guilty for using illegal cheap labor. Superman says, “You know the deal, Metropolis. Treat people right or expect a visit from me. He displays his X-Ray Vision, and the Police fire at him. He catches a bullet and speeds away, Smallville-style. The scene changes to Lex Luthor and General Lane talking about Superman while tracking him on a grid of the city. They talk about how he is getting faster and stronger. The two explain that Luthor has until 8:00 P.M. to capture Superman as he guaranteed. Superman is shown leaping past Galileo Square. Luthor tells that’s the houses in Galileo Square are often demolished, while still inhabited. Superman saves a family from a wrecking ball, and is ambushed by tanks. He destroys a tank, and then leaps away.

We see Superman change to Clark Kent on a rooftop. He enters his shabby apartment, and has a conversation with his landlady, Mrs. Nyxly. He calls Jimmy Olsen, who tells Lois (Who doesn’t know Clark yet.) that Clark has been his best friend for six months. Lois mentions that Clark works for a rival newspaper. Lois and Jimmy are tailing a gangster       onto a train for a story. Clark tells them not to get on the train, but Lois continues. There is a bomb on the train. Superman speeds into the train tunnel. He rams into the front of the train. The front explodes. The train runs off the track. Luthor acts uninterested, and says, “Has anyone even bothered to look at the sky? There’s something past the orbit of Neptune, getting closer…” But General Lane is peeved because Lex put Lois in danger. Lex says that he aimed the world’s biggest bullet at Superman. “Behold, I give you Superman. Stay in touch.” General Lane looks at the giant screen and sees Superman, unconscious, rammed into a building by the train.

My Thoughts: First of all, sorry about the length of my summary, but there was so much to this issue that I wanted to describe it accurately. I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed the artwork. It was very lively, and Rags Morales really put a lot of thought into it, as shown in the interview in the back of the next issue, which I will get to. Superman is very physical in this introduction, which is fun. He also can’t fly yet, which is (obviously) a call back to the first original Action Comics issues. He’s even a little cocky. It will be fun to see how he gets to be as noble and selfless as he is now.

I like that Jimmy and Clark are friends, even when he is working for a rival news paper. I’m a little confused on the New 52 timeline here. Justice League #1 took place 5 years ago, and this takes place before that issue. That means that this issue takes place at the LEAST a little over 5 years ago. But look at Jimmy’s phone. That type of phone was NOT around in 2005. It doesn’t really matter, but that’s me being a little OCD.

I liked this issue more than Superman #1, which is my next review, and about the same as JL #1. I liked it better than Superman #1 because of the sheer fun of it. I’m sure it’s not easy to set up everything for a reboot and still make it really fun. Superman is very cool in this issue, which is as it should be. The line, “I’m your worst nightmare.” is a little cliché, but it was pretty cool.

Writing: Excellent, Art: Excellent, Action: Super.

5/5