Grant Morrison and Rags Morales reboot Superman in what is probably this week’s most anticipated comic. 12 more reviews to come before next Wednesday.
General Information
Title: Action Comics #1
Author: Grant Morrison
Illustrator(s): Rags Morales (pencils), Rick Bryant (inks), Brad Anderson (colours)
Cover Date: November, 2011
Cover Price: $3.99
Buy the digital edition.
Premise
Superman has been making a name for himself in Metropolis. For the past six months, the strong, fast and durable hero has been working hard to ensure fair, equitable and moral treatment of every citizen, regardless of which side of the law he has to act on to do so. Though not able to fly, he can leap tall buildings in a single bound, and suffers mere bruising under mortar fire. He is also getting stronger, faster and more durable all the time, leading General Sam Lane to hire Lex Luthor as a consultant on his project to take the alien invader down.
High Point
Morrison has done his research. From June 1938 until November 1940, Clark Kent worked for editor George Taylor at the Daily Star. That appears to be the case here, as well. This has the right feel for Superman, retelling his early career rather than his origin, and sets up his relationships with Lex Luthor, Lois and Sam Lane, Jimmy Olsen and George Taylor in the middle of a story that belongs in a comic named “Action.”
Low Point
It would have been nice to start at the very beginning of Superman’s career. That said, the story arc isn’t over yet, so his first public acts may still be on the schedule.
The Scores
As with last week’s Justice League, this doesn’t feel terribly original. Instead of a new take, DC has farmed 73 years of history to find the best elements of Superman’s mythos, keep them, and jettison the rest. Very entertaining, but not particularly original. I give it 3 out of 6.
The artwork is typically strong. Morales seems to still be finding his footing with Lois, as the shape of her face seems to change as her head turns. That’s a fault on a grand total of one page. I give it 5 out of 6.
The story is well designed. This is early in his career, and we see how Superman works, what inspires him to act, and how the world reacts to him. It’s all done in a sequence that does not slow down. Events depicted here could elapse in 10-15 minutes or less. As I said before, this is certainly befitting the Action title. I give it 6 out of 6.
The characterization of Superman is excellent. The rest of the cast are well done, particularly given how short their appearances are. I give it 5 out of 6.
The emotional response is very strong. The only part I felt was lacking was what I call the “moment of realization.” My favorite aspect of most origin stories is the moment when the title character realizes the abilities he or she has and what can be done with them. That moment isn’t here, and I was hoping it would be. There may be flashbacks coming, but it’s too soon to tell. Still, what we have is excellent. It’s just a later chapter than the origin, as the character has been operating for six months at this point. I give it 5 out of 6.
The flow is excellent. The story moves extremely quickly from start to finish, and just doesn’t let up. I give it 6 out of 6.
Overall, this is another strong opening chapter in the New 52, and a great take on the character superheroes are named after. I give it 6 out of 6.
In total, Action #1 receives 36 out of 42.
The New 52
Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:
- Action Comics
- All-Star Western
- Animal Man
- Aquaman
- Batgirl
- Batman
- Batman and Robin
- Batman: The Dark Knight
- Batwing
- Batwoman
- Birds of Prey
- Blackhawks
- Blue Beetle
- Captain Atom
- Catwoman
- DC Universe Presents
- Deathstroke
- Demon Knights
- Detective Comics
- The Flash
- Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
- The Fury of Firestorm
- Green Arrow
- Green Lantern
- Green Lantern Corps
- Green Lantern: New Guardians
- Grifter
- Hawk and Dove
- I, Vampire
- Justice League
- Justice League Dark
- Justice League International
- Legion Lost
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Men of War
- Mister Terrific
- Nightwing
- O.M.A.C.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws
- Red Lanterns
- Resurrection Man
- The Savage Hawkman
- Static Shock
- Stormwatch
- Suicide Squad
- Superboy
- Supergirl
- Superman
- Swamp Thing
- Teen Titans
- Voodoo
- Wonder Woman
It may be awhile before I get to these.
What’s Lex like in this version of things?
(Other than, I’m guessing, bald or balding).
Bald, smart, arrogant and xenophobic, just like he should be.