Another one I picked up on a whim. I'm not a big Morisson mark - I read and enjoyed SuperGods, but his comics work has a tendency to dissolve into incoherent gibberish. (But enough about Final Crisis!)
I liked the idea of a return to the "populist hero" Superman of the title's earliest days, but Morrison's take on it just doesn't work for me, for some reason. Certainly not enough to want to follow this book, regularly. Over all, this book seems mediocre at best to me.
On the plus side, Morales' art is pretty good, although his Luthor has an unfortunate tendency to look like a grown-up Charlie Brown. Of course, if Luthor comes up with a Kryptonian-Eating Tree, then that would be the coolest thing I have ever seen in a comic.
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Justice League and Action Comics, at least in their opening story arcs, are supposed to be telling the new DCU back story of superheroes in general, and Superman specifically, respectively.
The other 50 titles are supposed to be taking place in the "present", five years later than the other two titles' opening stories.
And to combat a Kryptonian Eating Tree, all you have to do is keep feeding it (lead?) kites.
Justice League and Action Comics, at least in their opening story arcs, are supposed to be telling the new DCU back story of superheroes in general, and Superman specifically, respectively.
I knew that - and I'm not against the idea, per se. I just was not overwhlemed by the execution.
When I finished Action #1, I asked myself, "Was this interesting enough to come back for #2?" For me, it is. I liked the changes in relationship between Clark/Superman and the familiar supporting cast members seen in this issue. And while the Baron thought of Charlie Brown when seeing Lex 2011, I thought of Family Guy's Stewie Griffin. (Read Lex's lines in that faux-Brit accent. It's a hoot.)
Rags Morales has been a favorite artist of mine since the 90's Black Condor (yes, someone did buy those), and I wasn't disappointed with his work here either. I enjoyed this a lot more than Justice League #1. This new first issue of Action did something that's rare for me these days; it made me wish I had #2 in my hands right NOW.
I want to read more right now, too.
The landlady reminded me of Peter Parker's back in the 80s when he, too, would hang out on his building's roof. So, the short guy with Glen in the beginning scene...alien? Fifth dimensional imp?
How much does being a SWAT team member in Action or Detective suck this week?
Later, when I have a little time, I’d like to start a discussion about Action Comics the series (not just the first issue). I will say right now that I really liked what I saw in the first issue. Regarding the timeline, I’m not sure that both Justice League and Action Comics take place five years ago. Justice League certainly does (because it says so), but Action Comics #1mentions that “Superman” (in quotes) has been around for just six months. I suspect, judging from Superman’s costume if nothing else, an as-yet-undetermined amount of time has elapsed between Action Comics #1 and Justice League #1. In Justice League Superman (what little we see of him) gives off less of a Peter Parker vibe than he does in Action Comics.