Action Comics #428 (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The opening story begins with the Metropolis Twin Towers engulfed in flames. Superman uses an iceberg and his heat vision to put out the flames. It's a feat captured on camera by Jimmy Olsen. However, when the event makes the front page of the Daily Planet, the story details that a freak thunderstorm put out the blaze.

When Superman as Clark Kent confronted Jimmy as to why he didn't credit the Man of Steel with putting out the fire, the cub reporter responds that Superman hasn't been seen or heard from in 10 years. Despite Clark being able to see Superman in the photos Jimmy took, everyone else he encounters merely sees a thundercloud raining on the skyscrapers. 

As Superman conducts further rescues throughout Metropolis, the citizens attribute the acts as miracles. Clearly, the populace has not only forgotten about Superman; they cannot even see him! 

The backup feature stars Green Arrow and Black Canary. Oliver Queen has been approached by a struggling motorcycle manufacturer for help with their lagging sales. Ollie negotiates a deal where Black Canary will perform a death defying stunt on one of the company's bikes during an upcoming sports event. Only, he forgot to ask the heroine permission for the endorsement.

Seeing as the funds for the stunt will go to charity, Black Canary reluctantly agrees. It will be her first public appearance in quite some time. Yet, it might end up being her last as a pair of ex-cons out for revenge on Canary have tampered with her bike's gas tank, rigging it to explode during the stunt jump. It's up to the Green Arrow to race against the clock and the sprawling city to save Black Canary in time!

The Superman opener was written by Cary Bates. Art was provided by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson. Set during Clark Kent's days as a television newscaster for WGBS, it features a number of newer characters unseen from when he worked at the Planet. Station owner Morgan Edge and sports reporter Steve Lombard play important roles in the story along with Jimmy Olsen. Noticeably absent from the story is Lois Lane, who's not even mentioned in this news story heavy adventure.

The Green Arrow and Black Canary backup was written by Elliot Maggin. Dick Giordano illustrated. For fans of either character, this is a key issue in their relationship as this story ends with Dinah Lance revealing for the very first time that she loves Oliver Queen. 

This issue also features an article about the town of Metropolis, Illinois. The town, working with DC Comics and the State legislature, had just approved plans to make Metropolis the official home of Superman. Plans for a museum, a theme park and an annual festival showing old Superman serials and episodes from the 1950s series starring George Reeves, along with fun and games, were in the works according to the piece. Even the town newspaper would be changing its name to the Daily Planet! While The Amazing World of Superman theme park never came to be and the rag has been renamed as the Metropolis Planet, the museum, along with a giant statue of the Last Son of Krypton continues to welcome fans who arrive in droves every June for the town's annual 4-day Superman Celebration. 

Completing this review completes Task #31 (A Book Featured in a Facebook Group Post) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. It also my 40th and final task for the 2025 Challenge.

Action Comics 2022 Annual (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The character of Mongul made his debut in the pages of DC Comics Presents #27 (November, 1980). Created by Len Wein and Jim Starlin, Mongul was the exiled leader of the Wazoons, a warrior-like race. Not one to let a little thing like a coup keep a despot down, Mongul has plans to create the Warworld; essentially a Death Star-like artificial planet that Mongul would use to re-conquer his home world and then later the galaxy.

Superman and fellow Justice Leaguer J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, manage to destroy Warworld. But this still doesn't stop Mongul. His attack on the Throneworld of the Prince Gavyn Starman results in the death of several members of the royal family. Superman's actions result in an obsession by Mongul, with the Warzoon warlord plotting to first destroy Earth's sun and then later gifting Superman with a Black Mercy. The mind-altering attack of the extraterrestrial parasitic flower is so brutal that the resulting smackdown by Superman is one of the few times the Man of Steel actually loses control in the pre-CRISIS era. 

Placed in a coma by Superman, Mongul would not return to comics until after the retcon of CRISIS. In the pages of Superman #454, Jerry Conway introduces a newer version of Mongul. With the Warworld returned to continuity, Mongul operates a sort of floating Las Vegas, where the villain oversees a series of gladiatorial games that eliminates any threats to Mongul's reign, while making himself very wealthy. 

The Warworld comes across a dying Superman in the dark recesses of space. Despite being at such a point of his Post-CRISIS career, Superman's name has traveled far and wide. With an artificial red sun, Mongul gives Superman just enough power to compete as the Warworld's latest champion. Eventually, the Man of Steel manages to gain the trust of Mongul's former #1 warrior, Draaga ,and Superman leads a revolt of the Warworld sending Mongul once again into exile. 

Numerous retcons since then have put Mongul back on the throne of Warworld. But the Warzoon's hatred for Superman has never abated. In the past couple of years, Superman and Mongul have butted heads with the 'Warworld Rising' storyline. In it, Mongul, leading a squadron of Warzoon battleships have the Earth back in their cross hairs. 

Jumping to the 2022 Annual of Action Comics, the Warworld Rising arc has completed. As sort of postscript, regular series writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Si Spurrer (Way of X) craft a never revealed origin story for the character. Exploring Mongul's time as a child forced into exile with his mother for showing cowardice during the culling of the Warzoon tribal chief, also called Mongul; the Superman villain's childhood story is paired with a period of time from Clark Kent's youth. Mongul is having to learn how to fight for himself in a wasteland of poisoned pools, scavenger species, and cannibal warriors. At the same time, Clark is learning what it means to let others get the glory despite having powers that the last son of Krypton could use to his advantage to become the best at everything. 

Dale Eaglesham (Shazam!) and Ian Churchill (Supergirl) are the artists for this annual. Based on the differences in the artwork and previous experience, I believe that Eaglesham penciled the Clark Kent origin. Franco Francavilla was the regular cover artist. Steve Rude crafted the variant cover that was printed on card stock with an extra dollar added to the cover price. 

While the promise of a Mongul origin story called to me, I must admit, it's the pastel cover of both Superman and Mongul by the Afterlife With Archie artist was what sold me on this book. The story is both grim and gritty like a Mad Max movie and full of down home charm like Field of Dreams.

As of June 14th, 2022, Action Comics 2022 Annual was #20 of the list of Highest Rated Current Comics on Comicbookroundup.com.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #50 ( Is trending on the comicbookroundup.com top 20) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 

Action Comics #810

The first review of 2022!

In what is now perhaps my all-time favorite Superman story, the Man of Steel attempts to celebrate 24 New Year's celebrations in 24-hours. Along for the adventure is Lois Lane; whom has been sworn to not publish this adventure in the pages of the Daily Planet.

It seems that every December 31st, Superman plays Santa. Collecting letters over the year written to him, Clark Kent does whatever he can to make the promise of a new year better for 24 lucky folks. This year will see the Man of Tomorrow assisting with a marriage proposal, alleviating tensions in the Middle East and having a cup of holiday cheer with Pa Kent. 

Let's start with the cover. It's a classic Superman cover in the style of Darwyn Cooke. Dave Bullock (Batman '66) brings a festive 1930s kinda look to this scene of Superman flying high over Metropolis. Only, I don't really understand the super high highways that seem to cavern inside of the city skyscrapers. Is that a thing anywhere in the world?

Now let's look at the writing. Joe Kelly (Deadpool) brings heart, happiness and a touch of sadness to this story. I feel like I could have read it over and over! (And I probably will over the years.) Kelly's scene where Superman answers the letter of a soldier in the Middle East who has lost his way in the work against terror. That was why Superman is my all-time favorite character. It felt so much like something Christopher Reeve might have done in the movies. I loved it so much!

Finally is the artwork. DC made the right decision to have a different artist for each time zone Superman visits. Quantum and Woody's Kano, Duncan Rouleau and several other artists put their distinctive fingerprints on this stories look. It was a thing of beauty- especially the scene with Superman in Japan!

Like with all stories, it had to come to an end. I long to have seen Superman in more time zones. But I think the final 4-5 pages that take place on New Years Day after Clark's mission is done was the definitive way to end the story. 

If you are looking for 1 New Year's Eve themed issue to add to your collection between now and December 31st, Action Comics #810 is the one you must grab!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Action Comics #1000

Action Comics #1000

Writers: Paul Dini, Dan Jurgens, Brian Michael Bendis,   et al
Artists: Curt Swan, John Romita Jr., Joshua Middleton, et al

Published by DC Comics

Normally when i review a comic book for Outrightgeekery, I am required to post who the artists and writers for a book are. But if I was to list all of the talent in this book, it would take up the entire review!

The historic Action Comics #1000 was a star-studded event with so many big names it rivals most awards ceremonies. And that’s just the talent! This issue marks the 80th anniversary of the debut of Superman. As a result just about every major player to have ever graced the pages of Action Comics– Batman, Lois Lane, Luthor, and some super-duper guests just too good to mention without spoiling the surprise!

One of the biggest surprises I that it is perfectly okay to mention is that this issue brings about the debut of Brian Michael Bendis into the DC Universe. The final story titled ‘The Truth’ acts as an opening act for the 6-issue The Man of Steelminiseries set to change the Superman mythos later this summer!

Last month DC announced that all of the Superman Family titles including Super Sons and Supergirl were being cancelled to make room for the arrival of Bendis. I was quite concerned that Superman’s cousin was going to wiped from existence AGAIN! But the Maid of Might plays a vital role in the Bendis penned finale. Hopefully, this means Kara Danvers will be playing a big role in the plans Bendis has for Superman.

Action #1000 is an 80-page giant, retailing for $7.99. Most of the time, I hear nothing but complaints for the price with these type of specials. That hasn’t been the case here! I’ve heard nothing but good things in anticipation for this anniversary issue and I felt the same way reading this. Well, I did have one complaint- I didn’t want this amazing tribute to the Man of Steel to end!

Surely this issue is going to sell out. Of course, there will be a second and probably a third print! But if you want to take advantage of getting a first edition, you have better act fast- like faster than a speeding bullet fast! But once you read this amazing issue, you’ll be leaping over tall buildings in a single bound jump for joy!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars.

Action Comics, Volume 1: Superman and the Men of Steel (New 52)

   So I finally broke down and decided to read some of the Superman New 52 books. It only took me 4 years to do it. But with the new reboot to the DC Universe called Convergence due out this month, I felt it was finally time to give this book a try.

   This is not your dad's Superman. This isn't even your Superman. However, writer Grant Morrison did a pretty good job crafting a new Superman that builds upon the nostalgic mythology of the Man of Steel that we all grew up with, while subtly modernizing him for the millennial crowd.

   Throughout the past year, I have been working for a comic book website as the new comics Admin for the DC books. So I've had a chance to be able to familiarize myself with some of the newer storylines of the New 52. For example, during the Forever Evil storyline we learn that Superman had just been shot in the head with a Kryptonite bullet. With that discovery, you would think it was something that was just thought up within the last year or so. However in an issue that was published four years ago, we see a time-traveling Legion of Superheroes, along with the Man of Tomorrow, attempting to save the Man of Steel from being shot with that 'silver bullet.' That means that Morrison and the DC editors had to have come up with this storyline almost 5 years ago or more. You don't see this of dedication to story craftsmanship anymore.

   The New 52 has its haters and I must admit I have been begrudgingly frozen to the idea. That doesn't mean that there haven't been any really good stories. The sweeping Batman 'City of Owls' storyline was really good and there have been some pretty decent stories such as the Black Canary/ Zatanna team-up by Paul Levita, and, of course, Forever Evil. I'm going to add Morrison's Action Comics to the list of really good New 52 books.

   I must say something about the art, however. There's just something a little off about artist Rags Morales and his rendering Superman particularly when in his secret identity of Clark Kent. Besides looking like a rejected Jack Davis sketch, the New 52 Clark looks like a 50 pound weakling with coke bottle glasses. Am I to assume that when Clark Kent dresses as Superman he somehow inflates himself with muscles? Plus the hair styles of Clark and Jimmy Olsen are ridiculous. I don't think anyone in the past 5 years with a shaggy Beatles rip-off in real life compared to those two characters.

   Speaking of Clark Kent when he becomes Superman, when the first images of the new 52 Superman were released on social media,  fans the Man of Steel protested having him dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. But, Clark has no idea about his Kryptonian heritage until the unfolding events of this story. So I must give a pass to the questionable costuming. Besides, it's a trend that is temporary, as Superman discovers an adaptable costume (similar to the unstable molecule costume of the Fantastic Four) that clothes Superman in his traditional red and blue motif during his final confrontation with Brainiac.

   Brainiac actually brings everything full circle. In this volume the villain informs Superman that the earth is but one of a few hundred worlds slated for demolition by an unknown force and his plan to shrink cities is the only way to preserve these soon to be destroyed civilizations. I was very confused when DC decided to build the Convergence reboot around Brainiac because when DC does a retool,  the Flash is usually the character the story revolves around. (With the arrival of the Flash in the 1950s it signaled the beginning of the Silver Age and the foundation of the multiverse. Flash has also played a major role in the Crisis on Infinite Earths and Flashpoint; two stories that further rebooted the DCU.) Despite the fact that it does not look like the Flash has a very big role in Convergence at this time, I find it apropos for Brainiac to be the main villain since Morrison hinted at yet another reboot  as early as issue #4 of Action.

   The level of detail in the blueprints for the New 52 books and whatever the post-Convergence DC Universe will look like has inspired me to search out new 52 titles in order to better understand the sweeping changes planned for the latest reboot. One good thing is that this book is proof that though DC wants to keep modernizing heroes for the next generation, they in no way don't have respect for over 75 years of comics history. Now willing to read more non-Batman New 52, I'm sure there will be countless more Easter Eggs and nostalgia and homages to discover in those books and I look forward to unearthing them.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.