1:05 pm - Wed, Nov 2, 2011

8 notes

Action Comics #3 Quick Review

The Rundown

• Rags Morales is still doing a good job on art. Gene Ha makes a guest appearance and his portrayal of Kyrpton and all the intricate, elaborate spires of technology and shinny psuedo-superman armor looking suits they wear. Honestly everything but Clark Kent looks good, occasionally changing physical shapes from one panel to another, coming off as frumpy in the face or lumpy in the body. However that might be the point, I have to give credit to Rags for drawing a Clark Kent that looks nothing like Superman in any way shape or form.
• Grant Morrison is a master of conveying a lot of things in speech bubbles no longer than two sentences (I think he refers to this as a compressed story telling style in contrast to the decompressed style of the modern age). After reading the ever-verbose George Perez Superman comic it almost feels like too little was said in this issue especially considering how many things they were covered (without spoiling anything I let me tell you that the Terminauts have more or less replaced Brainiac for all intents and purposes) in this issue. However his sparse writing style does have the effect of leaving plenty of things in mystery which feels ultimately fitting considering the character within know little to nothing about what is going on.
• Thus far in Action Comics we’ve been seeing a lot of Superman and very little Clark Kent. Well this issue turns that on it’s head and gives us about one page of Superman and an issue that focuses entirely on Clark’s reporting, his run ins with the authorities and the public opinion of Superman (hint: it’s not looking good for Supes). Clark in Action Comics is very similar to his Birthright counter part and is a little more Lois Lane like than he’s ever been before. That is, he doesn’t cower in the background or fumble about like any of the Christopher Reeve inspired characters or even the 1940s Clark. Grant Morrison, whether he’s being derivative or not has made a Clark Kent that’s just as much an inspiration as his alter ego and I personally like it.
• Thought I should mention that Lois and Jimmy show up, they don’t say much and Morrison’s portrayal of them isn’t earth shattering or even memorable but it was kinda nice to see some familiar faces.

The Verdict

The issue’s biggest flaw is that it’s a segue issue, that is to say, it’s only here to get you excited about Action Comics #4 and #5. It’s obviously a lead up to a big reveal and an even bigger brawl and while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing (and it certainly isn’t a bad issue) it might leave you feeling a little slighted especially if you’re impatient like me. Either way it’s worth picking if only because it make sense of the last few pages of the previous issue and it’s an invaluable part of the wonderful story that Grant Morrison is telling.

★★★★☆

 4/5