Action Comics #1012, published by DC Comics, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Szymon Kudranski, colors by Brad Anderson, and letters by Josh Reed. Superman and Metropolis have been besieged for several issues. Along with the intelligence community and the world, they are threatened by the unseen hand of Leviathan. Action Comics #1012 has brought us a step closer to knowing who is controlling the invisible mafia. The story’s angles come together to bring this all to a boiling point.
Get BWT in your inbox!
Get BWT in your inbox!
Superman makes a brief appearance in Action Comics #1012. However, what we do get of him makes for great reading. The supporting cast of Metropolis takes center stage this time around. Reporter Robin Goode, Perry White, and the Daily Planet staff are heavily involved in the latest photograph of the shadowy Leviathan after they dealt with espionage agent Sam Lane last issue. Robin Goode is dispatched to dig into the story, uproot proof of Leviathan, and find out what is going on in the bowels of the city. Robin enters a clandestine meeting with an old Metropolis character about the city’s underworld. And we soon find out every action and reaction in the issue is spawned from this one villain’s presence, a definite sign of Leviathan’s influence and status.
Readers might get dismayed that Action Comics #1012 is lacking in the action category, but the dialogue in this issue is critical to moving the story. The subplot stories about the Metropolis police, Superman and Lois’ relationship and Robin’s talk with a certain secretive criminal and an antihero are all noteworthy and revealing. The Kents are particularly fun to read in this issue.
Clark and Lois in the Fortress of Solitude is a perfect example of good dialogue. Their conversation is clear and showcases the strength of their marriage. Superman and Lois joke about and interact in a way that makes the script flow naturally. Bendis makes this marriage of over a few decades old, in issues, not character time, feel fresh and new. The ‘at home’ comfort expressed here made a nice contrast to actions of the undercover Lois and Clark seen in Action Comics #1010.
Brian Michael Bendis has made this city and every character come to life vividly. Superman is relaxed and enjoyable to read. This book should not be all about dialogue on the surface, but here it works. Action scenes take place just enough to break up the conversations. Reporting, the plans, and the secret meetings are the backbone of journalism and this is very much a part of the Superman mythos.
Kudranski is an exceptional artist. His illustrations feature an ample amount of close-up illustrations and face work. Roses along the panel borders and the distinctive faces are all lovely. Superman’s face, at times, seemed a little off, but everything else is atmospheric and detailed. Additionally, Anderson’s coloring offers a wide and varied palette, while giving a stark, scary bloody monochrome on flashbacks that fit the character in question. All while Reed lets the letters stay out of the action sequences and ride the panel edges.
Action Comics #1012 brings Leviathan out front and opens up the city of Metropolis to more than just background cannon fodder. Bendis is bringing his dialogue prowess to full bore in this series and things are pacing nicely to meet up with the Leviathan miniseries coming soon to plague the DC Universe.
Action Comics #1012 is available now wherever comic books are sold.
Action Comics #1012
TL;DR
Action Comics #1012 opens up the city of Metropolis to more than just background cannon fodder. Bendis is bringing his dialogue prowess to full bore in this series and things are pacing nicely.
