REVIEW: ‘Action Comics,’ Issue #1054

Action Comics #1054 from DC delivers the action, the drama, and a brand new third short story. The first, ‘Power Like This,’ is written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, illustrated by Max Raynor, colored by Matt Herms, and lettered by Dave Sharpe. Metallo is still on the loose with a twisted cyborg family all his own, trying to wipe out the Super Family and save his sister, held hostage by the mysterious villain controlling him. As if that wasn’t bad enough, young Otho-Ra of the Super Twins has fled the Kent home and opted to try unaliving some alien hating Blue Earth protestors.

So this issue kicks off with Jon Kent and Osul-Ra flying in to talk her down. This is a pretty big moment because they believe she’s just gone off and killed a guy. But there’s more here than meets the eye, the green, glowing kind that reeks of Metallo. This turns a family squabble into a battle royale, as Superman and Metallo arrive to up the stakes. But in the middle of this, the tensions mounting between father and son escalate, and Johnson continues tapping that button that the Super Family is not much different from everyone else. They disagree, they have wildly divergent takes on how to handle a crisis. Superman ends up being the final word of caring and hope, but one wonders how long it can hold.

The remainder of the first story is large, with wild and innovative uses of Superman’s powers, and Johnson unleashes enough of several issues of backdrop to enhance the combat, and to give the hero and villain potent dialogue. Raynor’s art is bulky, his characters hot off the gym floor ready to benchpress reality out of sight, then taken to further heights by Herms’ penetrating colors, while Sharpe’s letters aid in choreographing the chaotic ballet in every panel. Remarkable work and words. If you never knew Superman, I think you can get to just fine in this issue.

‘Home Again, Part Four,’ by Dan Jurgens (who also does an amazing job on art this time around as well), glorious inks from Norm Rapmund, colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser, and letters by Rob Leigh continues young Jon Kent’s misadventures with the alien Glyanna. It begins with a crash, burns, and Glyanna’s time powers. She is still searching for Superman, who she thinks will save her dying world. Meanwhile, Lois and Clark keep looking for him, only to run into all the 90s bad guys as things take a turn for the worse. Quite a few fans haven’t taken well to Jon suddenly being aged up. This story is a nice turn back to that, but really I wish they would have this as an ongoing in Jon’s own series. This is a great tale that again emphasizes the Super Family as a dynamic, coherent, interesting unit.

Lastly, the third story is the start of something new, headed by the fantastic John Henry Irons, Steel. Dorado Quick writes this one, with Yasmín Flores Montañez on art, Brad Anderson on colors, and Dave Sharpe circling back around for letters. So glad this hero is getting more attention (and his own series soon!), and this one begins with some fun action against a villain called Amalgam. The fight is cool and all, but I think the best part is this acts as a primer to get to know the character. Fans get action, Steel’s resolve, his smarts, and a slight tweak to his origin. Montañez’s art is fun and breezy, a touch like David Lapham. Quick is a devotee of the school of Steel which establishes him as a man of integrity, and the Black icon of the ‘S’ for hope.

Action Comics #1054 is your stop for heroism. This is a triple threat loaded with fabulous art, neat use of powers, familial conflict, moral struggles, and the neverending battle for narrative and character progress. this is the best Superman since before the New 52. Don’t let more powers or an increase in Super characters dissuade you. Do you want great action, great heroes, and bad villains? America’s first superhero comic is your ground zero, my friend.

Action Comics #1054 is available wherever comic books are sold.