REVIEW: ‘Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special,’ Issue #1

Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special #1 is published by DC Comics, written by Dan Watters, with art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira, colors by Adriano Lucas, and letters by Dave Sharpe. There is a backup story titled “Bloodwynd: A Superman For Hell,” written by Watters, with art by Max Raynor, colors by Andrew Dalhouse, and letters by Sharpe. In this special, Supergirl and Martian Manhunter are dragged into Hell, where Doomsday is trying to crawl his way back out.

What this comic instils from the start is the sense of dread and utter fear that Doomsday emanates just from a mere mention of his name. From early nightmares of Doomsday and recollections of what he can do, the fear creeps in before the character is even seen. The opening of the special does not necessarily denote what will happen in the rest of the issue, making the sudden change shocking. Even once Kara and J’onn are in Hell, the comic takes its time. The first appearance of Doomsday demonstrates the power that he has whilst starting to expand the plot. What starts out purely as a Supergirl vs. Doomsday story devolves into demonic politics. Decisions must be made in order to stop a force of true evil from being released, even if it requires deals with unsavoury figures. 

When the action does erupt, the reality of the enemy and the location is made even clearer. The task that falls to the heroes is one of the largest possible, and the energy within it is intoxicating. It’s a brutal battle, but perhaps there was an even higher level it could have reached. But there is something else being built within Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special #1. There’s a beautiful subplot that involves the denizens of Hell, making the damned souls more than just observers. The ending of the comic is satisfying but there is that feeling that it isn’t wholly conclusive. 

The selection of characters that have to be taken into Hell is terrific. Martian Manhunter is important as he was involved in defeating Doomsday the last time. Not only that, but his telepathic connections become the bedrock of the plot for this special. It’s what involves Supergirl to start with, and that is not the only time when it is needed. As for Supergirl, it is a different set of circumstances than having Superman be the Kryptonian who tries to keep Doomsday from leaving the Underworld. Her experience on the planet gives her a higher knowledge of the mythology of Krypton, whilst also having inexperience with the monster.

The dialogue is sensational. The narration is by a mysterious figure, one who isn’t revealed until halfway through the book. It gives the idea that the characters are being manipulated and controlled, like pieces on a board instead of in control of their own divisions. But it also provides an epictone to the captions. The true star of the show is Doomsday. A figure that doesn’t need to speak, because his mere presence just invokes carnage and catastrophe. He’s still noisy, but that lack of understanding of what his motives or thought processes are makes him even more terrifying.

The art is fantastic. There is an amazing sense of place within this issue. When it starts in Metropolis, things are calm and pretty. The heroes of the piece are introduced, including the brilliant design of Martian Manhunter. Then the comic lurches into a new realm, one of horror and hellfire. The situation gets more dire and the art reflects the darker atmosphere. Hell is very classical and the infernal Underworld is captured brilliantly. The initial fear that Supergirl grapples with generates the emotional energy of the comic. Then Doomsday comes in, and he causes the most fearsome demons to seem feeble compared to himself. He looks like he belongs in his new home, which is part of the reason why Supergirl and Martian Manhunter have been drafted in.

Doomsday is relatively calm for the majority of the issue, but when the action erupts his ferocity comes back to the fore. His sheer size and savagery are intense, as he trades blows with some of DC’s most powerful heroes. Supergirl is given an upgrade that matches the design of her surroundings. And watching the whole event is the damned souls of Hell. they are countless, and yet attention is given to make each being seem unique when they are shown close up.

The colors brilliantly balance the setting of Hell with the superhero genre. The green of Martian Manhunter seems naturally contrasting with the red shades of Hell. The same can be said for Supergirl, although the upgrade she receives makes her fit in with her surroundings. The fire seems all-encompassing and overwhelming, the brightness threatening to drag people within it. There is a panel that transitions between the overworld and Hell, and Lucas’ depiction of that movement is phenomenal. It shows the variation between the realms in a single panel. The lettering can be difficult to read in the captions, with a font used for the narration that doesn’t always flow nicely.

The backup story is awesome. Raphael Ance, the man who died the last time Doomsday was defeated, finds himself wandering through the circles of Hell. Beautifully hinted at in the first tale, it positions character within the underworld that looks to be here to stay. Impossible to judge where it is going at the start, and the character changes dramatically. It’s setting up another character that is here to stay, just existing on a totally separate plane of existence from everyone else. 

Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special #1 sets up a superb ticking time bomb. Doomsday’s fear factor means that even his name seems to petrify anyone who utters it. Just because he is in Hell, does not make anyone safe, even those that reside and rule it. Hell is famous for having creatures crawl out of it. Hell is not a place that is commonly explored within the DC universe, so it was fascinating to get a glimpse of how it is depicted. And two of the kindest and most heroic figures are the ones that are wrapped up in the issue. J’onn and Kara are a fantastic duo, and the two of them are extremely fitting for what eventually occurs in the book. The backup story is just as excellent. It’s a unique concept to another Superman, placing it perhaps the place with the least amount of hope.

Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special #1 is available where comics are sold.