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Action Comics #1002: The Plot Thickens

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Art: Patrick Gleason, Colors: Alejandro Sanchez, Letters: Josh Reed, Publisher: DC Comics, Release Date: August 22, 2018, Price: $3.99 (USD)

A.O. Winckles – The gangster responsible for a rash of fires in Metropolis is dropped to his death from the top of a building. The Daily Planet’s new star reporter, Robinson Goode, writes a front-page story claiming that Superman is responsible. Perry Goode is not impressed and orders Clark Kent to investigate, leading him to a seedy bar where the gangster’s associates are holding a wake. Meanwhile, Guardian confronts the mobster who ordered the fires set before he is attacked by the mysterious Red Cloud.

In Action Comics #1002, Brian Michael Bendis continues to develop a more complex Metropolis and a more human Superman. A Superman who the modern world has left behind. A Superman without Lois and John. A Superman who has to quickly fly off to space and punch asteroids in frustration over his inability to adapt to the changing criminal scene in Metropolis. We also gain a little more clarity on who and what Superman is up against, before being treated to a major shock and the end of the comic that I will not spoil here.

While I can understand while longtime fans of the series may find all this jarring, I find it refreshing. For me, Superman has always been difficult to read precisely because he is so overpowered and does not seem to have much of a personality outside of his heroic persona. In Action, Bendis is beginning to give Clark Kent depth and a personality outside of his role as Superman. He does this in trademark Bendis fashion by giving Clark an inner life and problems. He might be able to overpower any outside foe, but it’s not as if he can punch his inner demons away.

A more grounded Superman means a more realistic art style is required, something that Gleason and Sanchez handle with aplomb. The locations they establish – the Daily Planet, a seedy bar, a nightclub – are particularly well rendered and help give Metropolis more personality. Likewise, Gleason’s version of Clark Kent/Superman fits the persona Bendis is establishing – it is not the Jim Lee-like heroic Superman that jumps off the page here. While some of the action scenes are a little disorienting and confusing, overall the visual style of the book works. I was a particular fan of the recap page, which shows Clark Kent’s monitor at the Daily Planet plastered with sticky notes that remind Clark to do things like “Return Bruce’s Wedding Gift.”

In Action Comics Brian Michael Bendis has stamped his signature style on the title. While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea it has this non-Superman reader fully on board. This comes highly recommended.

4 out of 5 raptors.

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