[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Pencils: Stephen Segovia
Inker: Art Thibert
Colorist: Arif Prianto
Summary
It appears that Superman is siding with L’Call and Co. in condemning Luthor for crimes yet to be committed. L’Call decides Superman should be able to deliver the killing blow and he hands Superman his sword. At this point, what we’ve all been hoping for comes to pass as Superman breaks the sword and it’s clear that Superman is going to do his best to protect Lex.
Superman and Lex are able to escape using the Mother Box. However, L’Call is able to disrupt it and drop them on a planet with a red sun. Clearly, this doesn’t bode well for Superman’s powers. Before they can attempt to prepare, Luthor and Superman get into an argument over Superman’s mistrust of Luthor. This goes on right up until L’Call and Zade arrive. With a depowered Superman, this leaves Lex to protect Superman.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Lois is at the other Lois’s apartment using her computer to research Geneticron. She has brought Jon along with her and sends him to the door to pay for the Chinese food she’s ordered. To everyone’s surprise, the delivery boy is none other than this Earth’s Clark Kent. Lois is going to have some explaining to do.
Positives
Using Lex as the first person narrator of the Superman and Lex sequence is a nice change of pace since this issue tries to give the reader better sense of Lex and his perspective on the situation he’s in with Superman. It turns the table on Superman a bit and makes it interesting for the reader to see Superman in a different light. Having Clark show up at Lois’s apartment with the Chinese food pushes that mystery forward with an intriguing cliffhanger: what will Lois say? Will she reveal anything? This sets up a great dramatic conflict for next issue.
Negatives
Move along folks, nothing to see here…
Verdict
Action Comics is on a furious pace with lots of great character moments and dramatic conflict. The tension in this story line continues to intensify and the surprises are always resolved in a satisfying manner while staying true to the characters.
