Action Comics #1028

    Your pal Chuck is back from the holidays and ready to get back to work - so we'll start... with an ending.

   Writer Brian Michael Bendis has, sadly, just wrapped his run on the Superman comic - and this marks his final issue of Action Comics. 

   I know, he can be controversial, some of you don't like his work - but I'm a fan.

   His writing is always interesting, his characters well crafted and fun to read, and he manages to be innovative on a regular basis. Considering how long he's been in the business, it's an impressive run.

   And he's been an excellent fit for the Superman titles, which were long overdue for a dose of enthusiasm.

   In this final issue, with powerful art by John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson, he wraps up several dangling storylines and sets the stage for the next creative team.

   So we learn the fate of the Daily Planet (which faced termination after a scandal with the previous owner - and a hat tip to Matt Fraction for providing the solution in his recent - and excellent - Jimmy Olsen maxi-series), some answers about the (clone) Superboy's future, and the fate of the Invisible Mafia (the criminal group that tried to run Metropolis in secret).

   It all feels a bit rushed, but it's a satisfying ending to a terrific run on the book - one that presented great challenges to the title character (not an easy feat), managed to incorporate the vast Superman Family, made Lois Lane into a more interesting character, and made this series a "must buy" for the first time in a long time.

   (OK, I didn't like the part where they revealed that he's actually Clark Kent - a terrible idea that trashes a beloved tradition. No one's perfect.)

   Best wishes to the next team, whoever picks up after the upcoming "Future State" series that I'll be passing on. (I'll talk about why in my next post.)

   I look forward to whatever title Bendis works on next - there are plenty out there that need his inspiration!

Grade: A-

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Superman #26

    It's the small details that get under the skin.

   I've really been enjoying Brian Michael Bendis' take on Superman - but the beginning of this issue shows one of his weaknesses. 

   The story opens with Superman fighting a  powerful alien in front of the Daily Planet - and in the fight we see his "civilian" clothes being burned off, revealing his costume beneath.

   But later in the issue, when he fights the alien he's already removed his civvies. 

   I'll admit that's a minor point, and the rest of the issue is very good.

   We get more about Superman's "regular" life now that he's revealed his secret identity, we see some unexpected ways in which Superman protects his friends (and the world in general), and we see what happens when he encounters a truly alien opponent.

   So, the issue isn't perfect - but it is a lot of fun.

Grade: A-

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Superman #25

    The news this week is that Brian Michael Bendis is stepping down as a writer of Superman and Action Comics in December.

    That's a real shame, because I think he's done outstanding work breathing new life and energy into this series.

   Heck, I added both books to my pull list, and they haven't been there for years.

   Of course, I haven't been a fan of everything he's done. Ending Clark Kent's secret identity was a step too far, and this issue, which is an interesting attempt at introducing a new threat and new characters, kind of falls flat.

   It's clever and the art is terrific - but in its attempt to create a new and different alien race - one with links to Krypton - it never quite comes together into a clear storyline.

   There's a nice side story with Clark and Lana Lang talking over old times, and there are some thoughtful moments there - but it's an odd clash with the rest of the issue (which is the idea, of course).

   Despite a slight stumble, I'm anxious to see where it all goes and what Bendis does in the few months he has left on the series.

   What can I say - I'm a fan!

Grade: B

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Superman #22

    I hate getting pulled in by clickbait.

   You know, those Internet headlines that entice you in and then fail to deliver - they're just an attempt to drive up those precious "hit" numbers.

    I fell for one recently when a story touted that writer Brian Michael Bendis was "near the end" of his run on Superman.

   Apparently he made the comment recently on a podcast, but he's since walked back his statement and assures us that the end is a "long way off."

   It drew me in because I hate the thought of Bendis ending his run. As I've said before, I'm really enjoying his work on the series (and on Action Comics) - he's infused new life and personality into the character, and made the series a "must read" - a place it hasn't held on my list in a long time.

   Not that I love everything about his series - I'm not a fan of Clark Kent revealing his secret identity - but the series is loaded with great characters, surprising twists and lots of action.

   This issue is a good example, as Superman has a titanic knock-down, drag-out fight with Mongul, one of the few villains who can trades punches with the Man of Steel.

   It doesn't hurt that the cosmic-scale art is by the legendary Kevin Maguire, with terrific color art by Alex Sinclair. 

   So, glad to see that Bendis is (hopefully) sticking around for a while longer, and happy to keep giving this series my highest recommendation.

   Resist that clickbait, gentle readers!

Grade: A

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Action Comics #1022

   Superman continues to soar high under the guidance of writer Brian Michael Bendis, teamed here with the excellent art team of John Romita, Jr. and Danny Miki.

   After several issues of over-the-top battles with the Legion of Doom (featuring just about every character in DC's arsenal), this issue of Action Comics gives us a breather as we start to untangle the mess that is DC continuity - most specifically, the "other" Superboy.

   The return of Young Justice has brought Conner Kent back into the mix, and Superman decides it's time to figure out who he is and where he's from. The beginning of the investigation brings with it some interesting story ripples, as the nature of DC's reality starts to feel a bit wobbly.

   It's a fun issue that sets up some very promising possibilities - and let me just say, if Bendis can make sense of the constant snarl that is DC's continuity, he'll have earned my eternal respect. 

   (The usual outcome of such efforts is to make things worse. So my charge is: don't screw it up!)

   This series continues to impress and delight!

Grade: A

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World's Finest Comics Archives Vol. 2 (2001)

   I've been whittling away at the towering stack of books I picked up a year or so back when the local chain Ollie's had a huge discount on (mostly) DC Comics collections.

   How good were the deals? This Archive Edition of DC's World's Finest Comics is cover priced at $49.95 (and that was in 2001). Ollie's sold it to me for $6.99.

   What a treasure at such a small price!

   This book includes over 200 pages of classic stories from January 1957 to May 1959, and they're all these 13-page gems drawn by the amazing Dick Sprang and written by Edmond Hamilton (the beloved science fiction writer) and Bill Finger (all he did was create Batman - with some help from Bob Kane, maybe).

   The stories all center around the team of Superman, Batman and Robin, and they showcase the difficulty of teaming the world's most powerful character with an extraordinary (if human) guy with some great hardware. It takes some clever writing to get over that hurdle!

   Many of the stories involve powers being switched, or someone gaining powers unexpectedly, but they're all clever and solid little tales - oh, and Batman never takes a back seat to his much-more-powerful friend, Superman.

   The art by Sprang is a delight that holds up well today, filled with amazing energy, dynamic angles and super-feats. Sprang has always been one of my all-time favorite DC artists, and these stories demonstrate why he was ahead of his time.

   I don't know if Ollie's will ever have another sale like that one (it's a source of anger for some fans, especially the ones that don't have a branch nearby - and the comic shop owners who feel that DC undercut their business by dumping the back stock on a discount store) - but I'm grateful I was able to score this book (which I missed when it was first released) - it's loaded with pure gold!

Grade: A

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Superman #21

   One of the things that makes Brian Michael Bendis such a good writer is that he knows when to get out of the way.

   This issue of Superman he wisely steps to one side for the first half of the issue and allows artists Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and Oclair Albert to take center stage and have fun.

   They're depicting a knock-down, cosmic-level battle between Superman and the alien powerhouse Mongul, and you can feel the heat radiating off the page.

   The story is all about the efforts of Mongul to destroy the leaders of the newly-created United Planets - and he hopes to take Superman out of the picture, too.

   It's a fast and furious issue - and a lot of fun.

   And I didn't see that ending coming.

Grade: A-

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Action Comics #1019

   This storyline, I must admit, had me confused at first.

   That's because it seemed to be tied in to the ongoing Legion of Doom story playing out over in the Justice League comic - but the continuity wasn't matching up. 

   Turns out, there's no connection - this is a completely different attack by the Legion.

   Instead, writer Brian Michael Bendis is creating a story here about the teaming up of the Legion and Superman's newest foe, Leviathan. 

   The bad guys launch an all-out attack on Metropolis, which brings the Justice League (and numerous other heroes) into the battle - but the plan is (we learn in this issue) focused on the Man of Steel.

   Bendis is terrific at crafting these kinds of plots within the plot, as the obvious plan ends up being not so obvious, after all. 

   Add in terrific art by John Romita, Jr. and Klaus Janson, and it's a cracking good tale. 

   Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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Superman #19

   Here we have a "decompression" issue for Superman.

   He's revealed his secret identity to the world (I maintain this is a terrible idea), and here were see some of the more personal repercussions of that choice.

   How do his co-workers - and his boss, Perry White - feel about this news? How about the residents of Metropolis?

   Does Clark Kent even exist anymore?

   The issue does include some deep-space battles, too - but overall, it's more about some crisp, character-building dialogue by writer Brian Michael Bendis, alongside the usual exceptional art by Ivan Reis (and a small army of inkers).

   So, a solid issue, but almost a filler along the route for the latest story.

Grade: B+

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Superman #18

   And there it is.

    I know in these modern times, having a secret identity is old-fashioned, even "square," and companies are eager to jettison the concept.

   After all, police officers don't have secret identities, right? 

   But then, the police don't have armies of super-villains chasing after them, threatening their loved ones and everyone standing close by.

   But Superman now has his identity exposed, and we'll see what changes it causes for him and his supporting cast. 

   It's touted as a chance for all-new storylines, but if they're going to stick to reality, then presumably every issue will find Superman going to the rescue of Lois or Jimmy or Perry or any other surviving friend or relative - or perhaps he'll be attending their funerals.

   The stick was that Superman doesn't lie - yet he's been lying about his secret identity since 1939. Of course, it was actually a white lie designed to protect the lives of his loved ones - but apparently that's no longer a concern, right?

   The cynic in me says this was done to generate sales - but a quick Google search shows national coverage only by NPR's Glen Weldon (and he wrote an excellent book about Superman, so he has a vested interest). 

    In comics, some heroes don't need secret identities: Iron Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, the Fantastic Four - they don't need to hide or protect anyone from their villains. 

   But for others, it's a vital part of their mythos, as Marvel found when they unmasked Spider-Man and Daredevil - both problems had to be "fixed" later. Add Batman to that list - and yes, Superman, too.

   That same cynic says they'll be "fixing" this issue's revelation at some point, too. Give them a few years to figure it out.

Grade: B

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Superman #17

   DON'T DO IT, CLARK!

   Industry news sites have been hinting for some time now that Superman is going to take off the glasses and reveal his secret identity to the world.

   (This is not a spoiler because it hasn't happened yet. Next issue, it might be a spoiler.)

   This issue spends its energy setting up the payoff (presumably) next issue.

   There's a reason why certain heroes maintain a secret identity. It's because, if you take that away, it has severe results (all documented in the recent past with the unmasking of Spider-Man, Daredevil and yes, the "New 52" Superman). For example:

   1) It destroys the supporting cast. If Clark Kent is revealed to be Superman, he can hardly go on hanging around with his pals at the Daily Planet - he's going to be busy stopping evil threats from destroying his old workplace.

   2) It puts their loved ones in danger. I know, modern writers will say, "Policemen don't have secret identities." Of course, law enforcement officers also don't have to face Brainiac or Luthor or Mongul on a regular basis. All those villains will immediately target Lois, Jimmy, etc.

   3) It ends a classic trope. Part of the genius of the civilian identity is that it allows Superman to interact with regular people. Take that away and he just runs around with fellow superheroes.

   4) I don't like it. That's the best reason of all, of course. I love the idea that a regular guy (Clark) can also be the powerful Superman. 

   So of course I expect them to do this. The sales will be huge, they'll get media coverage (maybe), and interest will spike.

   But they'll also find themselves written into a corner, and like every other time the hero has unmasked, they've eventually had to cook up a cockamamie way to turn things around and make the identity secret again. 

   Save yourselves the heartbreak, DC - keep Clark's secret life a secret. We'll all rest easier.

Grade: B

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Action Comics #1016

   Let's see... Action Comics scorecard:

   Clever storytelling technique (man on the street interviews) - check!

   Superhero guest stars (a new one - Naomi - and some classics) - check!

   Superman faces an opponent who offers a genuine challenge - check!

   Terrific art - check!

   A great mix of humor and character beats - check!

   Setting up future storylines that are very promising - check!

   So, to sum up, this series continues to flourish under Brian Michael Bendis' creative hand - we have a fresh and exciting take on the Man of Steel and his supporting cast.

    Great news for any comics fan!

Grade: A

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Superman #16

   You certainly get the sense that Brian Michael Bendis is having a lot of fun writing Superman.

   This issue is almost entirely given over to Clark and Lois' son Jon - Superboy - as he tries to decide whether or not to accept a membership offer from the team from the future: the Legion of Super-Heroes.

   In need of advice, he turns to his best friend - Bruce Wayne's son Damian (Robin).

   Their exchanges and discussion are a lot of fun as they adjust to Jon's new, older and taller appearance (Jon was aged during some spacefaring adventures) - but their friendship shines through. It makes for a good-hearted and touching encounter between friends (and sometimes rivals).

   Bendis is setting up lots of future stories here, and clearing the way for Lois and Clark to explore more personal stories. 

   It makes for an important turning point in the lives of all the characters involved, and a fun story.

Grade: A-

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Superman Year One #2

   I liked the first issue of this series of graphic novels telling the story of Superman's first year (and it takes a new approach to that well-worn topic).

   The second one I'm not so sure about.

   It finds young Clark Kent joining the U.S. Navy, and at first that seemed a logical choice. After all, lots of farm boys have used military service to see the world.

   But instead the story takes an odd turn into the world of fantasy, as Superman (whose costume shows up almost out of nowhere) encounters a mysterious race and finds himself fighting to save a (you should excuse the term) damsel in distress.

   The art is really impressive as John Romita Jr. and Danny Miki craft some amazing images - but it's the story by Frank Miller that doesn't hold together.

   Clark's attitude while in the service, his eventually fate and the fantasy turn all seem to work against the "real world" feel of th first issue.

   The first issue worked for me - this issue, not so much.

Grade: B-

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Superman Year One #1 (of 3)

   Superman's origin story has been well mined over the 80 years he's been around - but when a team this talented takes a crack at it, attention must be paid.

   Frank Miller is writing and John Romita, Jr. and Danny Miki drawing this oversized mini-series.

   It's large in both page count and the dimensions of the publication - I can't decide if this is magazine-sized or a graphic novel without the stiff cover stock.

   It takes a unique angle on Kal-El's departure from Krypton and his arrival on Earth. He's adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent (and there's an interesting angle on that, too), and we follow him from childhood through his high school years.

   Considering how well-worn the tale is, the creative team manages a fresh take, with some clever (and possibly controversial) additions to the legend - and an interesting look at Clark's sense of right and wrong.

   Actually, we haven't arrived at Superman's "Year One" yet - so far, it's all Clark Kent. That's not a bad thing, of course.

   So far, I'm absolutely hooked. This series may seem a bit pricey, but (so far) it's well worth it.

Grade: A

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Superman #11

  I admit it, I was dubious that writer Brian Michael Bendis was going to be able to make Superman "work."

   But those doubts are gone now - he has the series hitting on all cylinders!

   The Man of Steel has been going through a variety of trials, including the disappearance of his wife and son, and the appearance of a powerful new foe who seems unbeatable.

   So we're getting interesting adventures, lots of twists and turns in the plot, great action sequences, and some great "personal" moments among the members of the Kent (or El) family.

   But what I really like is Superman's attitude. He exudes confidence, like there's nothing he can't handle (though he is fallible, and he makes mistakes - but he deals with them).

   It's a refreshing version of the character, and to see how he handles a space battle between different races is a real treat.

   Long may this run continue!

Grade: A

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Superman #9

   From time to time, comics written by Brian Michael Bendis take an odd turn.

   I think it's something he picked up from reading classic Chris Claremont X-Men stories, where the odd dream or fantasy sequence would be dropped in for no apparent reason.

   This issue starts off with one of those, with the only apparent reason being to give artist Ivan Reis a chance to draw a zillion characters (not that I'm complaining).

   The rest of the issue is given over to the slowly-rolling-out explanation for where Superman and Lois' son, Jon, has been while touring the universe with somehow-still-alive grandfather Jor-El, and why he's suddenly aged several years (he's now more of a Superteen than a Superboy). (The excellent art on that part of the story is by Brandon Peterson.)

   The story of his adventures is a cracking good one, as he's faced with overwhelming odds - and must find a way out of a deadly trap.

   I've had doubts about the wisdom of injecting a super-son into the Man of Steel equation, but so far it's been a very entertaining turn.

Grade: A-

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Superman #8

    Let me say up front that I'm really enjoying Brian Michael Bendis' take on Superman.

   The stories manage a great mix of action, humor, heartfelt moments, great dialogue and story twists.

   This latest storyline is a perfect example of a story that could have gone badly in lesser hands.

   It takes Jon Kent, the son of Clark and Lois, and pulls the old soap opera trick of sending him away for a few months - and when he returns, he's suddenly grown into maturity (well, he's about 18 now).

   But the story behind how this happened (during a "summer vacation" around the galaxy with Jor-El, who's somehow still alive), is turning out to be a cracking good yarn - and if that last splash page doesn't hook you, I give up.

   It doesn't hurt that the art is by two of the best in the business - Ivan Reis and Brandon Peterson. 

   So to sum up: you really should be reading this series.

Grade: A

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Supermen #6

   As we reach the final chapter (for now) in this Phantom Zone-based story, writer Brian Michael Bendis takes an interesting approach, dropping the typical word balloon structure for a more (shall we say) literary approach, as Superman finds himself teamed up with an old foe as they battle an even bigger menace.

   It doesn't hurt that the issue features powerful artwork by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and Oclair Albert, depicting a Zone-shaking battle royale between powerhouses.

   The ending is surprising (and somewhat unfinished), but there's also some down-to-Earth events to even things out.

   Overall, I'm really enjoying the Bendis run on this title. A solid focus on story and character, lots of surprises and a healthy dollop of humor. What's not to like?

Grade: A

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Action Comics #1004

   I think this issue is what a lot of us were expecting when Brian Michael Bendis took over Action Comics.

   It's the opposite of the loud, raucous battles we're seeing over in the pages of Superman.  

   Instead, we get a calm, quiet but emotionally charged discussion between Clark Kent and his wife, Lois Lane - who we thought was off on a tour of the galaxy with her son Jon and her father-in-law, the somehow not dead Jor-El.

   Which is not to say that the issue has no action content - there's enough to keep the average comics fan happy - but the focus is on the personal story of the two leads, and it's a nice change of pace from the usual smashing and hitting.

   The art by Ryan Sook is terrific - they need more pages out of this guy!

   I'm still a bit confused by the latest version of Superman. Is his identity still a secret? Because it seems like everyone either knows it or should know it by now - he makes almost no effort to hide it.

   Is Lois married to Superman or Clark? Because she and Supes make out in public. And Lois recounts conversations with Lex Luthor that indicate he knows the secret, too.

   It's my fault for not reading the comic for a while, I know - but surely I'm not the only one wondering about these things.

   But those are minor complaints - the series is a lot of fun to read and moving in new and interesting directions. What more could any fan ask?

Grade: A-

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