Action Comics #1051
Readers get three brilliant Superman and Superman family stories in Action Comics #1051, by writers Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Dan Jurgens, and Leah Williams, artists Rafa Sandoval, Lee Weeks, and Marguerite Sauvage, colorists Matt Herms and Elizabeth Breitweiser, and letterers Dave Sharpe, Rob Leigh, and Becca Carey. This issue kicks off the new format for Action Comics, and it’s a wonderful read.
The first story begins with an anti-alien protest that goes bad and is saved by the Superman family. Later, the group has a nice moment together, getting ready for their next public appearance, with Irons opening a new lab. Metallo sneaks into the building, killing security guards. At the opening, he attacks, taking down Conner and preparing to attack Superman. The second story takes place not long after the Kents return with young Jon. They move back to their old farm. The plot revolves around Doomsday’s missing bone, which created Doombreaker. Jon has it, but the story ends with him making a very interesting discovery. The third story sees Nightwing bring Beast Boy to Power Girl and Lilith. Trapped in an animal form after being shot in the head by Deathstroke in Dark Crisis, he asks them to go into his mind to fix him. Power Girl goes in and finds his connection to the Red broken. She fixes it like she would a computer problem, curing the damage to Beast Boy.
Action Comics has become the new Superman family showcase title, and it’s delightful. There’s really no other way to describe this comic. If someone is a Superman fan, they’re going to love this comic. If they aren’t, they’re going to love it. There’s a little something for everyone here. The first story is pure Superman family goodness, with some genuinely funny laugh-out-loud moments, including a joke about Superman’s gladiator costume and the Kents keeping it that’s worth the price of admission. The second story is Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks resuming where they left off with Convergence and picking up a plot element from the Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special. It’s a great little story.
However, it’s the third story where things really shine. Power Girl’s return is awesome, and this story takes her in a very different direction. Psionic Power Girl helping cure Beast Boy of his trauma wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card, and it makes this story the most fascinating of the bunch. Williams kills it with the plot, characterization, and dialogue. This story was the most anticipated and had the most chances to mess up; the fact that it soared like an eagle is such a testament to the creative team and is a fantastic start.
The art is spectacular throughout, but with pencilers like Sandoval, Weeks, and Sauvage, that was a given. What’s so great is that each art style completely fits the tone, down to the coloring. Sandoval and Herms do amazing big superhero art, full of excellent page layouts, kinetic action, and impressive character acting. Weeks is still doing his Joe Kubert drag, and that’s a much higher compliment than anyone can imagine. He captures the legend’s style and yet makes it his own. He’s a brilliant talent and one that doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Breitweiser’s often moody colors are the perfect compliment to his crisp, deft linework. Sauvage is the MVP, but that also makes sense. She brings a flawless artistic sensibility to her story. It fits the plot and looks amazing the whole time. Solid figure work, breathtaking detail, and clever character acting combine with terrific abstract visuals to give readers something special. On top of that, Sauvage does her own colors, and her bright, bold palette is beautiful.
Action Comics #1051 kicks off the new format with a bang. Each story has its strengths, but the Power Girl one is the most unexpected and the best one. This is three creative teams coming together to give fans wonderful stories. It’s just as great as everyone assumed it would be.
