Reviewed By: Emma Coverdale
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Rags Morales
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Inker: Rick Bryant
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $3.99 USA
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Available Now
It was Action Comics that introduced the world to a very unique hero who has become an iconic figure throughout the years. A lot has happened to Superman and much of it has dropped some jaws but it was the Flashpoint event that helped pave the way for new Superman titles that will change the way we look at the Man of Steel. Action Comics #1 is groundbreaking, epic and one of the best Superman stories you will read this year.
Forget about everything you know about Superman because Grant Morrison and Rags Morales give us a more youthful, slightly angrier yet still heroic Superman in a Metropolis that still so badly needs a hero. When we see our favorite Kryptonian, he leaps into the top of skyscraper that just so happens to belong to a man named Glenmorgan. As we can see, he still has his red cape but this Superman is the kind who sports a blue t-shirt with the S-emblem as well as blue jeans and work boots.
As it turns out, Superman has come for Glenmorgan, tossing the businessman’s henchmen around as if they were rag dolls. It is Glenmorgan’s crooked partner that leaves in time to point Metropolis PD to Superman who is standing on the edge of the building with Glenmorgan dangling above the Man of Steel. Oh yeah, it’s clear that the police don’t see Superman as a hero and more so when he hits the ground after leaping off said building. Clearly, this Superman hasn’t tried flying yet … or maybe he doesn’t know he could.
What is clear is that Superman’s sense of justice is still intact as he gives the big shot businessman a warning that he is watching Metropolis and that his type of corruption will no longer be tolerated in this city. He then takes off, not wanting to hurt Detective Blake’s trigger-happy officers. Meanwhile, in a command center, General Lane – Lois Lane’s father – has secured one Lex Luthor as a consultant. Lex, much like the military, believe that Superman is akin to a creature taken from one environment and placed in another only to cause that ecosystem to be destroyed. In short, Superman’s presence on Earth is a danger to humanity in Luthor’s opinion and must be dealt with immediately.
However, Superman does what he does best and that is save lives as he does when he helps the residents of an apartment building being bulldozed. That’s nothing new, of course, but what is new is Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent. This Clark is nothing like the one we’ve known. In fact, he’s the perfect secret identity that nobody would even link to Superman.
Oh, there’s another big change as we realize, through a conversation with Jimmy Olsen, that this Clark Kent is still a journalist but not what who we think. Through Jimmy we also learn that he and Lois Lane are trailing Gus Grundig who is connected to Glenmorgan aboard a train. It suddenly dawns on Clark that that is not a good thing for them so he heads out to their rescue.
The result of stopping the train is something we don’t see coming but it goes to show that this Lex Luthor is just as cunning as the Lex we’ve always known. It’s also great to see Lois Lane is still the same as well, which brings us to just about the only character who didn’t return the same. This Superman doesn’t sound like a 1950’s hero, rather, he talks just like a Kansas farm boy. Sure, Superman comes from another planet but he was raised in Smallville, Kansas so wouldn’t it make sense if both he and his alter ego spoke like a Kansas native?
Then there’s the artwork by Rags Morales who, not surprisingly, makes Superman look hot as well as downright cool. His visuals are nothing short of stunning, as you can see from the cover, and surprising as well as he makes Clark Kent look like he’s could get beat up by a little girl. Along with great coloring by Brad Anderson and inking by Rick Bryant, this comic is absolute eye candy.
Action Comics #1 will change the way you look at Superman to the point that this book will be on your mind way after you put it down. The New 52 is about changing the game and this one does it so easily that it will remind you why Grant Morrison is still a fan favorite. This is, by far, one of my favorite Superman books and if it keeps it up it will remain that way for a long time to come. Whatever you do, DC Comics fans, do not miss this issue.
COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN
STORY: A+
Taken on one of Metropolis’ richest as well as most corrupt businessmen, a newer and rougher Man of Steel appears in the city as a self-appointed guardian of Metropolis. However, the military – aided by one Lex Luthor – sees this new alien menace as a threat to the world and together they set out to capture this being by setting up a trap that will put the lives of Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen in danger in the process.
ART: A
Rags Morales is one of our favorite artists and with good reason so it makes perfect sense to have him work on the first issue of this iconic comic and hero. His art, along with Brad Anderson and Rick Bryant make this book look good. On an interesting side note, if you’ve been following the Flashpoint series, a certain hooded character makes an appearance in the background (as well as showing up in other titles of The New 52 books).
OVERALL: A+
Without a doubt, Action Comics #1 definitely deserves a place in your collection and will certainly make you see the Man of Steel in a new light that makes this one of the best Superman titles yet. The words “game-changer” certainly applies to this book and believe me when I say that it’s definitely one of the reasons the New 52 titles keep selling out.
Review copy provided by DC Comics
