Review:Â Action Comics #1070
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers:Â Mark Waid and Mariko Tamaki
Art:Â Clayton Henry and Skylar Patridge
Colors:Â Â Matt Herms and Marissa Louise
Letters:Â Becca Carey and Dave Sharpe
Reviewed by:Â Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Something escapes from the Phantom Zone and Superman must go inside it to solve the mystery!
Positives
Over the past three months Gail Simone has utilized Bronze Age era storytelling and ideas to tell a great Superman story. With Action Comics #1070, Mark Waid dips into the Silver Age to present a classic feeling Superman within the confines of the current status quo. It may not seem like much, but Waid selects characters and ideas that are closely tied to the Silver Age Superman mythos and utilizes them in a way that doesn’t feel retro and is both fun and action packed.
The story hinges on this escaped creature from the Phantom Zone that appears to be three being fused into into one that goes on a rampage. The Phantom Zone is one of those elements that was created, developed and utilized often in the Silver Age. Waid also brings Gold Kryptonite into the story (no spoilers on how it’s used), a second Silver Age motif. The different colors/ forms of Kryptonite were developed during the Silver Age and even perhaps overused. It’s welcome here however as it is not used much at all these days.
Positives Cont’d
In Action Comics #1070 Waid also takes a Silver Age approach to some of the characters. We meet Jimmy Olsen just after the opening escape sequence hanging upside down in an attempt to get a photograph. Superman comes upon him trying to figure out what’s up. While Jimmy’s not drinking an alien serum and turning into a giant monster, this scene recalls Jimmy’s Silver Age forays that would get him into trouble. Waid also depicts the rapport between the characters as it felt in the Silver Age.
Waid creates suitable stakes as he lays out the dangers of Superman going into the Phantom Zone. With family gathered around it’s clear that he doesn’t undertake this task lightly. The danger of the Phantom Zone is used effectively by Waid Superman encounters some antagonistic internees immediately upon entering the Zone.Â
Mariko Tamai takes the “mystery box” approach to the Supergirl back up story. It’s a strong opening chapter of a multipart story that has Supergirl on a mission from Superman that she’s being very secretive about. She knows what’s going on, but the reader doesn’t and she takes precautions to keep those who help her stay in the dark about what she’s doing. Skylar Patridge’s art on the Supergirl story is excellent. She really helps sell the mystery. Waid and Tamaki both do a good job of balancing the action with the exposition, creating fun and interesting stories.
Negatives
If there are negatives in Action Comics #1070 they are minor. The jackets that so many of the Super-family are wearing have got to go, especially Kara. Get her back into that cape! The inclusion of Power Girl in the Supergirl story is unnecessary. Shoehorning Power Girl into the Super-family doesn’t work for her characters and the jacket looks terrible on her as well. And, get that “S” off her! If you understand Power Girl, she’s not about the “S,” she’s her own woman and her family is the Justice Society of America. These are but minor bumps for this issue, but they need to be acknowledged.
Verdict
Action Comics #1070 is a fun and entertaining read. It depicts a Superman that fits into the current status quo, but is at the same time undeniably classic with Silver Age elements used to great effect. Supergirl gets a solid outing as well in a story that features fantastic art from Skylar Patridge. Action Comics is a series you should be reading!
