Review: Action Comics #1068
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Gail Simone and Rainbow Rowell
Art: Eddy Barrows, Danny Miki and Cian Tormey
Colors: Rex Lokus and Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
The aliens grab the Bottled City of Kandor, and Superman must save it or also lose two cities on Earth as well! Plus, the tension between Lois and Clark grows at work in the back up tale.
Positives
Last issue, it was a little unsettling with the story having a clear throwback to the Bronze Age feel about it. It was unexpected to say the least. With Action Comics #1068, knowing this, it’s easier to see what Gail Simone is doing as she touches on elements from the past while also telling a fun, action oriented story that utilizes the strengths of Bronze Age storytelling.
Simone captures the Bronze Age dynamic between Superman and Lois in a fun and interesting manner. Back in those days, not only were Lois and Clark not married, she didn’t know Clark was Superman! Also, Superman and Lois were the romantic pairing. Simone includes all of this in her story as well as the subtle characterization of Lois and Superman. The scene with all the aliens betting on Superman’s success shows familiar aliens that were quite ubiquitous in DC Comics from the ’70’s. Taken together, these elements are a wonderful bit of nostalgia for older readers, but within the story it makes this unfamiliar elements/ status quo believable as earlier in Superman’s career which is part of the aspect of this story.
Positives Cont’d
Eddy Barrows in some of the early pages and closeups of Superman’s face is able to transfer a little Joe Shuster into his approach to Superman. It’s quite subtle, but it enhances the notion that this is earlier in Superman’s career even if it is a reference 30 years removed from the Bronze Age. There’s something extremely satisfying about the art in this issue. The “Superman in action” moments look great. The speed, power and time lapse are a visual treat.
There’s even a single panel with Wildcat from the Justice Society of America. It’s unclear why he’s seen in the issue, but it’s clearly him and it suggests something yet to come.
Rainbow Rowell’s back up story continues to explore Lois and Clark’s work dynamic in an interesting manner. Rowell also imbues some humor that not only break the tension a bit, but made me laugh out laugh. Lois has taken Clark off the Metro beat and he’s got to do general interest stores. Jimmy tags along with him asking essentially, “what did you do to Lois to get this assignments?” The best question Jimmy asks is, “Did you call Lois….” Well, no reason to spoil it here! But, you’ll know it when you read it!
Rowell, in just a few pages, is able to address multiple aspects of the relationship between married couples. For Lois and Clark, they have a complicated dynamic with his role as Superman and Clark. Lois has to relate to him as husband and boss all the while dealing with the knowledge that Clark is Superman and how this knowledge impacts her decisions as his boss. Clark has a great counter explaining that just because he has all these roles, it doesn’t mean he stops being one while he’s actively engaged in one of the others.
Negatives
It’s hard to find something to dislike about this issue. Everything that was maybe uneven or not quite as strong as it needed to be has been improved in Action Comics #1068.
Verdict
Action Comics #1068 is WELL worth your attention. It’s got enough classic Superman in it while at the same time addressing a more modern look at the Superman/ Lois dynamic. There’s character work both subtle and direct throughout the issue. There’s great action and Eddy Barrows delivers on the visuals. This issue is better than the previous and it genuinely feels like a good time to be reading Action Comics.
