Leviathan Wednesday: Manhunter #12 and Manhunter #13

Welcome to Leviathan Wednesday where I look at the character of Mark Shaw to see how he could become Leviathan. And trust me, if you were going to read one segment of this Supergirl blog side tour, it would be this one. Because if you want to see why Mark Shaw might hate secrets and spy agencies so much that he became a super-villain/anti-hero, this is the one. 

Today I look at Manhunter #12 and Manhunter #13. As I have said, writer Marc Andreyko really leaned into the history of the Manhunter legacy with this series. Sure Kate Spencer picked the name but it seemed random. Now, stuff is going to get real.

Andreyko does take a few liberties, re-writing a lot of what I have covered here before. But the re-imagining of the Manhunter timeline somehow works here. The question really is what is the actual DC history of Mark Shaw in the current post-New 52, post-Rebirth world? This probably has some impact given Shaw's hatred of Spencer in Event Leviathan. Hmm ...

The art in Manhunter #12 is by title regular Javier Pina and has the usual polished, clean feel. Love the cover, an homage to the classic Infantino Batman and Robin pin-up.  Manunter #13 has Brad Walker as a penciler. This is probably early in Walker's career. The art is really slick in that chapter, detailed and vibrant.

Settle in. A lot is revealed in these two issues but they work best reviewed together. On to the books.

Review: Supergirl #25

Supergirl #25 came out last week, a double sized anniversary issue celebrating ... I guess ... the title making it to the quarter century mark. It is amazing what passes as a high number in comics these days.

The book is made up of three stories. The first continues the current plotline with Kara investigating Rogol Zaar's part in the destruction of Krypton. Writer Marc Andreyko does a decent job here mixing in visions and reality, playing on a bit of Supergirl's history, and adding a new rogue to her villain list. The art there is done primarily by Supergirl veteran Emanuela Lupacchino and fits in well with the Maguire/Shaner look to the book.

The second story focuses on a past encounter of current shipmate Z'ndr Kol. We get a better sense of the sort of swashbuckling, Tomb Raider-like adventurer he is. But we also get some crumbs to deepen the current mysteries of this title. I don't know how much I can trust this guy. And there are so many apostrophes in his language that I can't help but think he's a Martian.

The last story feels like an inventory holdover for some never published holiday special. Dan Jurgens and Tom Derenick give us a story from Supergirl's past, clearly set in the Steve Orlando era, with a simple but beloved holiday message.

Overall I thought this was a very good issue but for one overused plot element that bores me.

On to the book!

Review: DC Nuclear Winter Special #1

I had seen the solicits for DC's Nuclear Winter Special #1 and I saw the creator list included a number of names of creators who I trust. This includes but isn't limited to Steve Orlando, Paul Dini, Tom Taylor, Cecil Castellucci, Phil Hester, Scott Kolins, Jerry Ordway, etc.

That's a lot of names of people whose work I routinely love.

But then I saw the price point. $10 is a lot to shell out for a collection of post-apocalyptic, 'this isn't a holiday special', 'out of continuity book. I'd almost rather buy three monthlies and keep those titles afloat. It's like a $10 lottery ticket. It might be a winner. But it might not. And shouldn't that sawbuck go elsewhere?

Luckily I have friends who don't overthink things so much and had bought it. Those folks loved it. So when you say there are creators who you trust in the book and there are comic friends who you trust telling you to buy the book, you reach into your wallet and you plop the Hamilton down.

I am so happy I did. I won't cover all the stories here but they are all very good. But tucked in there is a Supergirl story by writer Tom Taylor with breakdowns by Tom Derenick and finished art and colors by dazziling newcomerYasmin Putri. The tale is absolutely wonderful. It certainly will make my top ten list. It leans into so many things I feel about Supergirl's history. It is hopeful, even in the nightmarish world it exists in. And it is beautiful. This alone would have made the book worth buying.

December 2018 Solicits

December's solicits have come out and it will be a brief month with few books. DC is taking the last week of December off for new books. The holidays will keep the racks bare. That week's books will be out in January, a 5 Wednesday month to begin with.

Here is a link to Newsarama's coverage:
https://www.newsarama.com/41866-dc-comics-december-2018-solicitations.html

And here are the books which grabbed me!

SUPERGIRL #25
written by MARC ANDREYKO
art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO, JILL THOMPSON, BRAD WALKER and ANDREW HENNESSY
cover by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
variant cover by AMANDA CONNER
It’s a super-sized issue of SUPERGIRL!

Supergirl and Krypto go back to the “scene of the crime”—the ruins of Krypton! With Z’ndr hitchhiking, Supergirl is not only there to find clues on who the killers of Krypton are, but to pay her respects to her dead family and friends for the first time since she left the planet. But a mysterious caretaker whose duty is to protect Krypton’s remnants at all costs attacks and won’t let Kara through! As if that weren’t enough, the Kryptonian powerhouse and her super-powered pooch are stricken with radiation poisoning from the dead planet and must also fight their inner demons!
This anniversary issue also includes two backup stories! First, witness the thoughts and fears of Krypto as he is affected by the radiation poisoning from the wreckage of Krypton. Then, learn more about our new hitchhiker, Z’ndr Khol, as he scavenges a booby-trapped ruin in a remote corner of the galaxy in an off-the- wall space adventure!

A double sized issue only 5 issues into the new run? And is the double size because of the 'anniversary' number of 25?

Either way, Kara heading to the site of Krypton smacks a bit of Silver Age. I am hoping Doug Mahnke's cover showing her cachectic because of Kryptonite poisoning.

Who is Z'ndr (Xander?)? And who is the guardian at the site?

A Krypto a solo story will always be appreciated. And I can't wait to see Brad Walker and Emanuela Lupacchino drawing Supergirl again.

Review: Action Comics #18

Action Comics #18 came out last week and was a phenomenal pitch-perfect ending to Grant Morrison's run on the title. In fact, it was so good that it took me this long to put my thoughts together to discuss my review. It took this long to look through the book and decide which panels should be included in the review. It took me this long to try to temper myself so I didn't simply gush.

After the earliest issues of this title, I started to get a sense that this story wasn't so much a story about an evil 5th dimensional imp as it was a commentary on Superman himself in this grungy world of current comics. More and more metatextual snippets were being put into the book including but not limited to the inclusion of creator rights, Silver Age visuals, Golden Age sensibilities, a sense of the timelessness of Superman, and the vile Super-Doomsday - a warped Superman which would fit in perfectly in the New 52 DC world. How can Superman perform the impossible and remain a symbol of good, inspiring humanity while being one of us? How can he survive a comic world where the dollar seems to be mightier than a pure hero?

With that sort of timeless feeling of Superman, Rags Morales and Brad Walker make the perfect art combination bring a sort of 'steady' feel to the book, a more understated look at Superman in this age of crazy panels and wonky stylizations.

If you like Morrison, if you can deal with some of his zaniness and go along for the ride, if you can believe a man can fly and call upon the spirit of humanity to defeat the devil you should not miss this book.

As I said since he was first seen in Action Comics #9, Super-Doomsday has to represent Morrison's thoughts about the current comics market. Here is a 'corporate approved' anti-hero filled with hate and angst. He has killed other incarnations of Superman. He is an unstoppable force of power and symbolism cloaked in his omega signs, swastikia/dollar sign S-shield, and copyrights. Heck, in this current market where books have Superman punching a pregnant Lois to death aren't we an angstrom away from seeing this.

And yet, despite the K-chains, the Anti-Superman squad, the crushing mental attacks of Vyndktvx, Morrison's Superman continues to fight the never-ending battle. Incredible.

I also loved the small flourishes here, the backwards credits hinting at the ultimate solution.

As I said before, Morrison infuses this issue with as many visuals from early Superman stories as he can, a way to remind us of his great history. Vyndktvx's attack happens at all times at once. So why not the Silver Age and the Golden Age.

So when the Red-K woman member of the Anti-Superman Squad gives Superman a kiss, he suffers from vicious hallucinations. They include a lion-headed Superman and an ant-headed Superman, classic images of the wild Red Kryptonite stories of the Weisinger era.

But then Morrison turns it on his head a bit. The ant-head, the sign of a drone worker, a pawn to make money on. Can Superman defeat commercialism, a desire to make him easier to sell?

I still think the Red-K woman is Maxima ... but she is never named.

And even Ferlin Nyxly, Mxyzptlk's son, shows up. With Mxy recovering in the hospital, Ferlin ... a music therapist ... shows up to badger his father for ruining his life. Saturn Girl tunes into his mind and makes a weird discovery.

Perhaps in the biggest twist of all, Nyxly is called a 'limb of Vyndktvx', somehow the son of Mxy and a 'damaged edge' of the 'little man'. Could Mxy be the villain in this piece all along? Maybe a part of Mxyzptlk?

As for Ferlin, he is another part of this universal look by Morrison at the history of Superman. I review Ferlin's first appearance here. It is just another delicious nugget in the book.

And even more of the breadth of the DCU and Superman's influence arrives. In this battle for the soul of the world, he needs as many allies as possible. Captain Comet shows up with a spruced up version of the Wanderers, a small army to battle the Anti-Superman Squad.

The Wanderers!!!

Super-Doomsday ends up being some sort of puppet of Vyndktvx as he starts saying the lines that the imp is saying. One of the plot points from last issue was that Vyndktvx asked everyone on Earth to turn their back on Superman, to deny him help.

With the Earth collapsing and people dying, Vyndktvx/Doomsday links Superman with the mind of humanity hoping their fear will further demoralize the Man of Steel. Instead it is the key to Vyndktvx's defeat.

But how great is this line by Superman?  He is the opposite reaction to an unstoppable evil. He doesn't give up. He can do the impossible.

And with everyone linked, he asks the world to do the impossible. Everyone needs to say there name backwards to send Vyndktvx back to the fifth dimension. And, no surprise, everyone does it.

Look at some of those names there. Morrison is there. As are a number of the people who have worked on the book. Talk about smashing the fourth wall from this direction into the book rather than the other way around.

And Superman says his name backwards ... both Clark Kent and Kal-El. And that is key to me. Because I believe Superman is more Clark Kent than Kal-El. I want him to say his name is Clark Kent. I want Clark and his upbringing and the Kents to be a crucial part of his story. This was another great panel and great solution for me.

But it isn't just that world magic that does it. Remember Ferlin Nyxly is a limb of Vyndktvx. So he says his name backwards and it is Xvtkdnyv!

Still how can he be that?

Well, we see a glimpse into that world. Vyndktvx is hauled off to 5th dimension jail but vows he was et up by Mxyzptlk. And indeed, it looks like this was the biggest trick of them all because Mxy rises to king. The Jester as King. Incredible.

I do wonder if Vyndktvx is some sort of corner of Mxy himself, the evil parts of him expunged so he can become the harmless jokester he is while ascending to the throne.

But the circles inside circles inside wormholes continue to rock this story. This tale of Vyndktvx ultimate fate, of Mxy's painful time on the throne, and Mxy's love for his daughter turns out to be a fairy tale Jor-El tells Kal-El. The secret to defeating the 5th dimension incursion told to Superman as a baby!

Alas, we see the first rumble of Krypton's destruction play out in front of us. Just wonderful.

Meanwhile on Earth, Superman must continue to do the impossible, including hoisting the self-destructing Super-Doomsday off Earth, saving the day again.

Recovering from the blast, Superman has one more vision. With the all-knowing sun above him, he again sees Mrs. Nyxly. She has one more wish left, but since she escaped death in the red of his shield, it must include red. Anything Superman wants.

Hmm ... he could have wished on the red sun of Krypton, wishing the planet never died.

He could wish on the blood of his father, saving Jonathan's life.

But instead, Superman accepts his life as it has unfolded. He is happy with who he is. And so he wishes for the base on the red planet Mars to survive. Selfless. Perfect.

Now why Red/Blue Superman other than to include some more pastiche from his history, I don't know. But I loved it.

If there is one thing that I haven't liked about this whole Action arc by Morrison, it has been the very limited role Lois has played.

But she is savvy here. She heard Superman say 'Kralc Tnek'. And she doesn't seem too surprised by it. Maybe she has suspected all along. With Superman 'missing' since taking Doomsday off-world, Lois calls Clark. If he doesn't answer, maybe he is Superman after all.

This being comics, he makes his way back to Earth just in time.

And after surviving this battle for his life, his soul, his home, he relaxes with his dog accepting a loving lick and smiling.

Is there a better ending for this story? A smiling Superman and his dog sharing a quiet moment of joy?

This hasn't exactly been a story to set up the New 52 Superman for the future. It hasn't been the equivalent of Byrne's Man of Steel. It has been a typically magical, quirky, and psychedelic ride of Superman's history, the durability of the pure hero and the concept of Superman, and the defeat of a villain threatening the universe throughout time. I seriously don't know if this would appeal to someone trying to read Superman for the first time.

But guess what ... I really don't care right now.

Right now I am going to be selfish and devour a Superman who inspires humanity, unifies the world, does the impossible, and defeats evil.  I will enjoy all the nods to the past, smiling whimsically with each one. And I will cherish this story.

Because I don't know how many more Superman stories like this I will get.

Overall grade: A+

Review: Action Comics #16

Action Comics #16 came out this week, the penultimate issue of Grant Morrison's reimagining of the Man of Steel's origins. This has been one big story in Action since its inception and this issue shows us all of those plot threads collapsing in on each other. We are seeing the ends of days ... but we are seeing it on different days as time itself is attacked. 

This is standard Morrison insanity. As readers, we are shunted through four timelines: the day before yesterday, yesterday, now, and the year 3030. These are dark times, each and every one. But as readers we are only given fleeting glimpses of them before we move to the next. And the villains of this last year and a half are here as well. Vyndktyvx of course. But also his Anti-Superman Army. And the Super-Doom from Action Comics #9. 

Maybe I am used to this Morrison stuff, but I just rolled with, let it roll over me, picking up on the themes here. This is a crucible for Superman, a life and death battle sprinkled throughout his life. 

But I also felt that this wasn't just different times in this Superman's life being attacked. Maybe this explains the crises in other Supermen incarnations. There is a Crisis on Infinite Earths vibe here. There is some 'Whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow'.  There is some Doomsday. And other small hints at other Supermen. Heck, I'm the guy who thinks Ferlin Nyxly in an early 70's issue is somehow involved. As a longtime Superman, this sort of stuff is beautiful.

We start in a dark future, the 3030 Earth, mired in a police state, a place where the Legion is in hiding. The Legion is fighting to get into their headquarters, fighting to get to the last time bubble, to go back and change things so this doesn't happen. There may be a Superman statue in the background. But his light, his inspiration is nowhere to be found here.

And here is the Legion, the original three and the espionage squad fighting their way in to head to the past. It felt like old time to see Shrinking Violet, Chameleon Boy, and Projectra use their skills to get by the first wave of guards. But it is the snaky, robot-handed Jeckie. Again, this isn't the current Legion. I can't remember when this was the Legion. But it is Morrison showing us all histories, all versions.

Chameleon Boy and Projectra might die, but their sacrifice won't be in vain if the Legion can change things. 

But how does this tie into Superman? Is Vyndktvyx reaching this far into the future?

We switch to yesterday, where Lois and Jimmy wait for Clark by the same Superman statue we saw in 3030, a statue commemorating Superman's death years ago, a death he returned from to rebuild things. Lois says this is a sign of rebirth, not death. This isn't a grave. This is a place of hope.

But we have seen that statue before in Whatever Happened ... and in Funeral For A Friend.

But things change here. The weather becomes darker. It is similar to the day Superman died. And the reverence is broken by Superman fighting Phantom Kryptonian Xa-Du.

While in battle, Superman asks Jimmy and Lois to find Mr. Triple X at the hospital. I have to say I might need to reread things. I thought Mxyzptlk died on this world. Here he is comatose.

As for Superman, he batters Xa-Du by out-boxing him. Superman studied the sweet science? Could this be some Morrison homage to Superman vs Muhammed Ali? Or just a nod to his simpler past, being taught by Pa in the barn.

Throughout the big moments, the crazy battles, there are powerful small moments. I loved this one where Lois' niece Susie. She briefly shakes off Vyndyktvyx control, saying she was forced into helping him when he threatened her family. That makes it easier for me to understand why she would join the little man. 

I always say that big moments deserve big art. I loved this picture of Vyndktvyx as he offers eternal life to anyone who turns their back on Superman when he asks for help.  This is a big moment from a plot point. Will people turn their back on their hero? I don't this Superman, the hero of the people, will be shunned.

It is also big art. I love the burned Mxy' derby sitting on Vyndktvyx' head, a trophy of his prior victory.

But I also love how spider-like he looks holding all this together. At first I thought this was an effective show of how powerful he is, squatting on the space time continuum. But then I thought this instead showed how he is barely holding this together, this globe of screens exploding away from him.

Back in the now, Superman lays at the mercy of the Anti-Superman gang and their Kryptonite spectrum powers. Green causes blood poisoning. Red causes changes in perception (an interesting take on the old concept of Red K, more that it is an hallucinogen than creating mutations). And blue kills your spirit. I guess Blue K makes you feel blue? Knowing Morrison, it has to be a soul-killing power.

And who is this red-powered woman who talks of being spurned? It has to be Maxima! I remember Green and Johnson initially wanted Reign to be Maxima but were told someone else had ideas for her. This has to be her in her red-headed glory.

While trying to revive Mr. Triple X at the hospital, Jimmy notices that outside has worsened. Red skies, storms, just like Doomsday, the day Superman died. So many references to prior stories there making this like a tapestry of Superman's lives.

But this is the thing. This doesn't look like the last time Superman died.  This is the same time Superman died. That's why it looks the same. Vyndktvyx is attacking Superman throughout time. This looks like three years ago. It looks like now. It looks like yesterday. It is all the same attack!

That's brilliant.

Before Triple X can awaken, Nimrod shows up to kill him. Look at Lois fend him off. Lois slamming a fire extinguisher into a super-villain's skull. That's the Lois I want to read.

Now the day before yesterday, we see the Earth 1 Lex building the harmonic machine his Earth23 counterpart did in Action Comics #9. In that issue, Superman trapped Superdoom between the wavelengths. Here, Lex, nudged by Vyndktvyx, releases him on Earth 1.

Back in my review of Action Comics #9, I said:

Maybe that Over-Superman will break free of his dimensional prison and threaten the Earth 1 Superman. Maybe Morrison wants to show that only a simple and pure Superman can defeat that guy, so that when our Superman faces it, we will be shown that he is what Superman should be? Maybe.

Looks like I might get to see that after all. Can Superman overcome this mockery? This faceless smug bully who is the worst of what Superman could be? I think Morrison understands Superman. To have him face this enemy and defeat him is perfect.

Krypto shows up to help but with the Kryptonite fueled army and Superdoom as well as magical Kryptonite chains he is of little help. Things look bad.

Superman in Kryptonite chains is such famous image. I bet we see a Kryptonite Nevermore image next issue, another iconic image from another Superman's life - Superman breaking out of K-chains. But look at that last panel, a determined Superman, sickly green, still ready to fight when things seem lost. That is Superman too.

Now that was a crazy ride. 

It did just what a penultimate issue should do. It set up all the pieces for the ending. Superman, The Legion, Krypto, Mr. Triple X all poised to fight Vyndktvyx, the Anti-Superman Army, and Super-Doomsday. This issue moved the story forward (throughout multiple timelines no less). And we understand enough (mostly through last issue's exposition) just what the motives are here. 

But all that was told through the beauty of multiple threats, multiple timelines, multiple stories, and multiple references to prior Superman incarnations. That is the Multitude. I don't know if I understood all of it. But I know a good Superman story when I read one. And this was a very good Superman story. This was one of those issues were it was hard to pick the panels to show because so many showed so much.

Rags Morales and Brad Walker's art shines here. This is cataclysmic in some places, trippy in others, emotional elsewhere. The art conveys all the feelings it should, enhancing this wild ride.

Unbelievable.

Overall grade: A

Review: Action Comics #15

Action Comics #15 came out this week, bringing us one issue closer to the end of Grant Morrison's brilliant run on this book. From the title's inception there has been a feeling that this has been all one big story, the 'little man' peeking around the corner of every slice of this book. And this issue cements that, bringing so much of what we have seen into focus as we near the end.

Now part of that means that Morrison has a lot to explain here and more than any issue of his, this one seems to have the most exposition. Rather than having the villain monologue, we instead have insider Ms. Nyxly giving us the back story of the Vyndktvx. While I am usually of the 'show me don't tell me' mindset as a reader or viewer, I actually breathed a sigh of relief here. Many of Morrison's past stories end enigmatically. And while I usually enjoy those stories, rolling with the events, I often ask myself 'what the heck just happened.' So to understand the impetus for this whole big arc, even if I was simply hearing it, will only make me appreciate this even more.

That isn't to say that nothing happens in this book. In fact everything seems to be happening at every time. We learned from last issue that The Multitude is one of Vyndktvx's weapon, a many-pointed spear which can attack from infinite points and throughout time. In this issue, we are basically following that attack from three different time periods - Clark's high school prom, the 'current' Action time, and some point I assume in the future where the Earth seems in ruins, under a red sun, where the anti-Superman army is chasing down Kal. In fact, we learn that last issue takes place two years in the future of the 'current' Action. So like many Morrison stories, I have to simply immerse myself in the story and absorb it.

Rags Morales and Brad Walker split the art chores here and with similar styles, the book moves along smoothly.

Here in the present, Ms. Nyxly begins telling Clark about just how Vyndktvx attacks. How part of his plan is to strike at different time in Superman's life, weakening him everywhen. And what is worse, he seems to have the power to change things.

The book opens with Clark thinking of his prom night and how something tragic happened that night. Vyndktvyx is there, Pa helping the 'little man' with his car. Superman wonders what might have been if things went differently. And that is the power of Vyndktvx. It may have been different!

And we get a glimpse of what happened that night.

That's the Kent's truck, mangled in an accident, a body crumpled on the road.

Could Vyndktvyx be responsible for the Kents' deaths? We have seen Pa, on his death bed, talk to Clark somewhere along the way of this run. So things have changed. The question becomes, are these changes immutable? Or can they be set right?

Meanwhile, in the assumed future under a red sun, a rapidly weakening Clark has to stay ahead of Vyndktvx's army. There is Nimrod. There is the Kryptonite Man. And Metalek is there. And Lois' telepathic niece Susie too. And a Red Kryptonite woman and a Blue Kryptonite man we haven't met yet.

Three ongoing timelines ...

Meanwhile, in the 'present', Nyxly starts her story out by asking Clark to share a glass of wine and a toast to the 'triumph of good over evil'.

If it one thing I have learned from Morrison is that very little is done by chance. The whole makeup of this panel, the bright but solid background, the sunlight dappled Superman, the words of the toast. This has to be something more than a simple sip of wine.

We finally hear about Vyndktvx, the failed court jester of the 5th dimensional court of King Zrfff. Despite all his tricks, Vyndktvx couldn't get the king to smile.

And then, surprisingly, we get a possible hero in this piece. Mr. Mxyzptlk shows up and simply wins the court over. The King laughs. The Princess Gsptlnz swoons. And the dimension is entranced. I love how he brings out the 3 dimensional universe as a plaything for the King. And the name of the universe ...Triceveryday30 ... is perfect.

And he gives Gsptlnz three wishes as a present.

All this love lavished on Mxyzptlk angers Vyndktvx to know end. And so revenge against the universe is planned.

Again, time in this book is fluid and overlaps. Nyxly (nee Gsptlnz) tells Superman that Mxyzptlk loved sparring with him, loved being outwitted by him. Of course, all those battles take place in the future of this 'current' timeline. Roll with it!

In the war torn future, Superman makes it to his Yucatan Fortress of Solitude (a fortress I think he had in the early 2000s) and calls out the troops.

He asks the Legion to come through time to help fight.

He calls Comet! Could there be a Super-horse in this DCnU?

He calls on the Wanderers! Will we see Quantum Queen and Psyche?

And even Krypto gets called into the fray.

Wonderful!

But there is more we need to know about Vyndktvx.

In his rage, he uses three weapons - The Nothingcoat, the Imaginator, and the Million-pointed Multi-spear. Aiming to kill Mxyzptlk, Vyndktvx accidentally kills the king.

And the power of these weapons are so great that 230 worlds immediately die. Others fight on, including Vartox and Super-turtle.

And Vyndktvyx is not untouched either. Using these weapons has corrupted his body. What's worse, two planets repel the Multitude. Krypton (by Jor-El) and Earth by Superman.  It is enough to add Superman to the revenge list.

And so we see how this revenge plays out over time.

This perfect moment of young love, where Lana and Clark feel on top of the world, is shattered by news of Ma and Pa's death.

And in the 'present', Nyxly cannot use her third wish to save things because she is shot through the head by Nimrod, another failure on Superman's part.

And yet, I wonder if that third wish has already been used, part of that libation earlier.

And in the future, Superman looks just about defeated, in the clutches of a Kryptonite fueled army.

Whew ... that is a lot of story and a lot of backstory for 20 pages. But it is the three storyline that struck me here. Imagine just how each of these moments could cause Superman to lose faith in who he is, how he could give in to defeat. The death of his parents. The shooting of his friend, a 5th dimensional princess who could help, right in front of him. A devastated Earth, standing alone against an army of villains tailor made for him. And all these attacks happening 'at once' like a needle shoved through time.

Amidst all that big story is the small moments that simply resonate. Lana looking up at Clark lovingly in the dance talking about how everyone wants to be in love like them. The alarum sent out to Comet and the Wanderers. And Superman having to chew over the time slips he is experiencing - Mars 2 years hence but experienced, attacks from Mxyzptlk even farther.  All small moments that just struck me.

I think that this being a simple revenge story somehow makes Vyndktvx seem a little smaller in scope. Somehow this all seemed 'bigger' when I thought he was a megalomaniac looking for universal domination, looking to eliminate his one threat in Superman. Now he is a jilted and untalented jester who simple wants to hurt the people who hurt him. Maybe that is the biggest joke of all.

And it is funny that in some ways I thought this might be the weakest issue in the Action Comics run to date - just chock full of monologue. And yet, I also thought is was a strong issue, an important piece in solidifying this entire arc, while still peppered with the tiny wonders that I love in Morrison.

Only a couple more issue of this. Too bad.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Action Comics #13 Back-Up Feature

The main story in Action Comics #13 was a great story bringing back the Phantom Zone and its criminals, an Arctic Fortress, and some classic Fortress memorabilia. But the biggest re-imagination and addition to the DCnU Superman mythos was Krypto the Super-dog.

The back-up feature in Action Comics #13 focuses on Krypto's life in the Phantom Zone and how he was always in Kal's life, even if observing from another dimension. These back-up features, written by Sholly Fisch, have added some nice flourishes to Morrison's stories, filling in some details of the supporting cast members and some important events in Superman's life.

This story is simple, showing the love and devotion of a dog for his boy. And given that I loved the return of Krypto, I thought this was sweet.

Early on we see how Jor-El does some genetic legerdemain, linking Krypto and Kal forever, creating an unbreakable bond. I suppose in this day and age some explanation for Krypto finding Kal light years away (via the Phantom Zone) is needed beyond their love for each other. But it added something of a cold scientific layer on what was otherwise a purely emotional story.

Here we see a replay of the scene from Action Comics #5, Krypto forcing Xa-Du back through the Phantom Zone portal, saving the El family and leading to Kal being put in the rocket to Earth.

One thing I like is how Fisch states that even with Kal at this tender age, he and Krypto were inseparable. There is something about the use of 'thick as thieves' here that just worked for me.

Either by love or by gene linking or by some tracker built into his collar, Krypto is able to cross the vast distance of space (albeit in the zone) to be at Clark's side.

He is there in trying times, like when the Kents were buried.

He is there during battles, trying to help from the other side of the mirror.

I hope we end up seeing the fight against the T. Rex!

But Krypto's favorite moments are the quiet moments when he can simply be near Clark, at peace.

Again, this is a sweet story which builds on the emotional ending of the main piece in the issue. Nothing to complain about there. That is what these back-up stories should do, build on what we have read before.

Brad Walker does the art here. Unlike his prior back-ups, Walker's pencils are inked; Andrew Hennessy is the inker. That 'solidifies' the story a bit. I wonder how this Norman Rockwell-esque story would have felt if the art was just penciled rather than inked. It isn't a complaint. But I wonder if the softer pencils would have worked better.

Will these back-ups continue once Morrison leaves? I hope so.

Overall grade: A

Review: Action Comic #12

Action Comics #12 came out this week and followed the blueprint it has had for the last year. This book continues to be extremely fast-paced, filled with action, splattered with ideas and concepts, and mixing in Golden Age and Silver Age and modern sensibilities. It somehow is both a dense read and a quick read if that is possible. And as a result it is one of those rare books that lies at the top of my pile (read first because I know it will be fantastic) and then is immediately put at the bottom of the weekly pile (read last because I know it will be fantastic) to be reread sooner rather than later so I can digest it some more.

An issue like this makes me again groan about the fact that Morrison is leaving the book in a handful of months. Because who would ever want to step into these shoes, trying to match this substance and maintain this pace. This issue isn't flawless (one moment rings wrong) but it is simply fantastic, reminding me that these stories are supposed to send me somewhere extraordinary.

The art on the book is split in third with Cafu, Rags Morales, and Brad Walker all handling some of the pages. Despite that, the power of the story is enough to carry me over the different styles. It helps that all three provide great art, bringing the story to life. Despite the number of artists on the book, it was still a smooth read.

The book starts with Superman's mind being played with by Captain Comet, being shown visions of both his life and a possible future. That vision ends with a Superman/Lois wedding on the roof of the planet, a new Camelot with flying heroes dotting the sky, a dream come true.

Superman is somehow roused to reality as the image of Lois returns to her current battered form, after all she was slammed into by a speeding fire truck last issue.

But even this dying Lois says she wishes the marriage would happen.

I don't know if Morrison has ever picked a side in the Clark/Lois marriage but the fact that this is part of Superman's perfect future and that Lois wishes it would happen makes me feel that, at the very least, he isn't vehemently opposed to it.

Snapped out of his fugue, Superman fights the Captain. And during that brawl, Comet continues to try to sway Lois' niece Susie to join him. He has told her of the 'million pointed spear' and 'the cuckoo's nest' ... those sort of throwaway ideas that Morrison may never touch upon again.

And Comet also shows his origin. What struck me here is how similar it is to Superman's and yet how different the results are. Born in Kansas, Adam Blake was mutated to a neo-sapien evolved form by the passing of a comet. It is the same Captain Comet origin we have always had in the DCU.

And yet, there is no kindly couple here, no loving environment to help guide Adam into becoming a purer hero like Clark.

Instead he is alienated, hated, isolated ... to use his words 'trapped alone in a hell-world'.

So instead of helping everyday people, becoming a hero and inspiration, Comet is alone, hitchhiking in the rain, and ultimately recruited into a neo-sapien army.

This could have been Superman ... but Clark had the Kents in his life. So Comet is a foil for Superman here. He was the 'Kansas Strongman' who took a very different path. Recently Superman has been wondering just what type of hero he should be, street level or global. Here at least he sees what he could have been.

And the 'long hairs' that recruited Adam Blake are the 'Oort-kind', aliens bringing neo-sapiens into their fold to make them 'strong warriors'.

Again, as with many big ideas in this book, we simply have to accept the Oort-Kind and roll with their presence. I have never heard of them. Are they 'good guys' defending the universe? Or are they using Blake as they build their army?

But again, it is this sort of rapid-fire layering of ideas one on top of the other that is the magic of this book.

As for the other subplots brewing in the book, Johnny Clark's fireman uniform is discovered and it is assumed that he has been vaporized. Thus Clark has lost his second secret identity in a short time.

Later it is revealed that there really was a Johnny Clark who died in the line of duty, that Clark borrowed the identity.

Part of the joy of this book has been seeing a younger and more impetuous Superman, the guy who hoisted Glenmorgan over his head while standing on the penthouse patio.

So I like that here he realizes that Comet's telepathy can't work on him if he simply gives into emotion and action. If his mind is white-hot with anger, he is sure to be impervious to the subtleties of mental assaults.

Did anyone else get a whiff of Wolverine when this beserker Superman says he is going to do what he does best?

But this motif of Superman being a man of physical feats, of action here in Action, has been one of the stronger foundations of this book.

But even that might not be enough to beat Comet. Luckily Susie decides that she doesn't want to join the Oorts and instead turns her powers against Adam. As a result, Superman is able to bash him to the point that the Comet has to retreat to his spaceship a galaxy away.

Again, the contrast of Superman and Comet is a such a nice subtle part of this book. Comet sounds the hero saying that he is here to save everyone. Superman tells him that he went about it the wrong way. Maybe this interaction will make Superman realize that he can't force justice onto people. Comet can't step in and control people and whisk away Susie for her own good. Superman can't force dictators to step down, to bring water to the deserts. He was pondering these things last issue.

Now the part that I thought was a bit off, albeit extremely Silver Age.

With the battle over, Superman scoops up Lois and takes her to a local hospital where the trauma surgeons say her case is hopeless. Not willing to give up, Superman reads all of the medical literature in minutes and performs the surgery himself, using his fingernail as a scalpel, and leaving Lois alive and scarless.

While Morrison wants Superman to be near-divine, this seemed like too much. I don't want someone to blame Superman for not curing someone's cancer or doing brain surgery (the impetus for .... brrrrrr .... Grounded). I don't need him to be everything.

Still, there is a Silver Age feel to this absorption of all knowledge.

As for the identity crisis, Batman reminds Superman that he needs to resurrect Clark somehow because Clark helped out plenty of people too. Superman needs Clark. So how to bring him back? I mean there was a funeral and grieving.

Enter Mrs. Nyxly finally shows that she is from someplace 'bigger', a higher mathematical dimension (presumably the 5th dimension). She was sent to Earth 57 years ago to help Superman (I'll have to check if her Silver Age first appearance was in 1955 ... which would be fantastic).

And she can wish away Clark's death!

And we finally learn who the 'Teetotaler' is. He isn't Mxyzptlk. He hurt Mxyzptlk! And others as he escaped from Zrfff. Lord Vyndktvx (read Lord Vindictive?) is the Envious One and he hates Superman. But there is hope.

I love that last panel, a sort of multi-dimensional Picasso-esque Nyxly, showing that she simply isn't from around here.

And unfortunately she is right because the story ends with Vyndktvx in Susie's room. We know he lures her into his Anti-Superman army.

Whew!

That is a lot of comic there. And I didn't really even cover the fight pages!

There is almost too much to recap - Comet and his origin, the reflections of Comet/Superman, the Oorts, Nyxly and Vyndktvx, the magical return of Clark, surgeon Superman, and a vision of a Lois/Superman wedding. And all of it written and drawn beautifully.

This comic is simply wonderful.

Overall grade: A