Action Comics #1052
Superman and the family make a discovery about Metallo, a visitor brings her problems with her to the Kent Farm, and Supergirl needs help and only Power Girl can do it in Action Comics #1052, 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. Once again, each story knocks it out of the park.
In the first story, Superman strikes back against Metallo, along with the Steels. Metallo gets the drop on John, but Superman saves him by hitting him with freeze breath. Back at the Kent apartment, the family talks about the threat of Metallo, and Superman reveals that even though he was talking to Luthor, it wasn’t Luthor talking back. Otho says he seems like an Unmade, something that Superman agrees with. Metallo is visited by an image of his sister, who tells him she’s been freed but is back in prison and that he needs to kill the Superman family. He grabs a group of terrorists from the Blue Earth group and prepares to build his own family. In the second story, Jon is confronted by a princess from another planet looking for Superman. Her ship was tracked, so Jon uses his heat vision to destroy the tracker. Unfortunately, it’s too late, and the two are kidnapped. Superman hears that and goes after them, as someone else comes to the Kent Farm. Finally, in the last story, Supergirl comes to Power Girl and Omen for help. She’s been unable to speak, so PG goes into her mind to find out what’s wrong. Omen notices that when PG angers her, Supergirl can talk, so they use that to get Supergirl to help herself. PG learns that whoever hurt Supergirl was trying to get to her.
So, once again, these are three excellent stories. The last one is the best for multiple reasons. Touching on the relationship between Power Girl and Supergirl is great. Williams captures the hurt of Power Girl and how the Superman family has always treated her. She also shows a different side of Supergirl. The two Karas are the same in many ways, and Supergirl is pretty defensive because PG knows her from the inside. Williams depicts their interplay beautifully.
The first story introduces a few exciting plot twists to the whole Metallo plot line, perhaps connecting the villain to Warworld. It’ll be intriguing to see where Johnson goes with this. This story is an action-packed romp that does a lot of nice character work. The second story is pretty entertaining, but it can’t compare to the other two. However, it’s still a really fantastic story that readers will definitely connect with, ending with a cool cliffhanger.
The art teams all do an amazing job. Sauvage is the MVP, her work selling the emotions of PG and Supergirl’s drama. Her bright colors are beautiful as well. Weeks and Breitweiser are doing wonderful work. It’s Joe Kubert influenced and perfect for the story. Sandoval’s art is good, but it looks like he could have used a little more time; the detail and linework are weak in certain places.
Action Comics #1052 continues the Superman renaissance. Each story has its strengths and is building towards something interesting. This comic is always worth every penny, and the new format makes it even better.
