Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Dr. Gym'll's Cultural Rarities Superman, Action Comics, and Supergirl

I know it's splitting hairs, but the fact that it's an alternate Beatriz didn't bother me as much. I mean, part of the purpose of being a time cop is to prevent events from unfolding in bad ways. Sometimes you need to see the bad things happening to understand what Booster's fighting for, IMO.

SUPERGIRL 60: It's a testament to the writing when a conversation in a college cafeteria is so gripping that Supergirl vs. Silver Banshee, Parasite, Kryptonite Man(!) and Metallo takes back seat. But that's the case here.

Harvard students Alex, David, Justin and Elise are in on the creation of 'FLYOVER', an app that allows users to post sighting of superheroes as they're seen. Potential for good? Yes. For entertainment? Of course. For evil? Oh, yes. Since villains can sign on, too- they'll know just when and where to strike.

Which seems to be Alex's aim. He thinks superheroes are inhibiting the advance of civilization. He has a distinctive motivation that makes a perverted kind of sense. Though I question his interpretation of the Roman Empire and their dealings with blacks, Jews, etc.

I haven't seen THE SOCIAL NETWORK yet, so I don't know how closely the creation of FLYOVER mimics that of Facebook, but there's an obvious homage going on. Alex is an instant 'keeper'. What a villain he could make. Or an interfering 'gray'? Alex's already practicing 'personal' crime as he seduces Elise, threatens to 'out' Justin and manipulates/blackmails David.

If FLYOVER is used elsewhere, its evolution could be interesting to watch. I'd imagine the DCU heroes would hate it. Other than Booster Gold and, maybe, Jade. Anyone else?

A comic with a fight, an 'Idea' with a capital 'I', and a compelling new character at the center of a fascinating concept. Can't ask for much more. Well, maybe a bit more of the central character. Focusing elsewhere hasn't been something this title's done, to date.

As I’m nearing the end of an enormous pile of comics I’ve been going through during CBRM, I’ve found that I can hardly get through an entire issue of Action Comics. It’s a combination of not caring that much about Lex Luthor and his story and finding the writing and the art to be rather bland. Even with the Secret 6 present, I found myself just skimming through, wishing that somehow this comic book can get back on track.

Meanwhile, I’ve been absolutely loving the Jimmy Olsen back-ups! They’ve been the saving grace for Action Comics, which is a shame, because they’re ending and will be completed in a one-shot. I think Nick Spencer has injected the sense of fun into the feature that recalls Jimmy’s glory days when his own comic was a top-seller, but Spencer has also been very smart to make sure it is an adventure heavy feature as well. I really wish this could be an ongoing series! The latest story is absolutely too cool for DC right now: Mr. Mxytplk’s (sp?) daughter or niece or something wants to marry Jimmy and he goes along with it until he realizes it’s too good to be true—unfortunately, not enough rape and torture for DC Comics these days and their ‘teen or older’ ratings!

I wish Superman could retake Action Comics and Jimmy could have his own title, not to mention a new team taking over Superman and somehow, someway, the Superman titles could be awesome again.

For those of you whom remember the Supergirl annual, anyone recall Brainiac 5's mention of "Lex Luthor's OTHER Son"?

I'm only just buying the rest of the parts of the Action Comics story, with the first and second part, and I can stop gabbing about how frikking adorable Mister Mind is in #891, during the Wild West sequence.

Thumbs up for Superman #708. The Superman Squad was very cool. The "Grounded" story line develops more of a sense of purpose and there is some unexpected villainy at work. Superman's first meeting with the new Wonder Woman was memorable. The art was very good.

SUPERGIRL #61: So who or what is Alex? Luthor's 'other son', as Sarcasm Kid alluded to? Brainiac's? (He calls either his computer bank 'father' or is broadcasting to someone we don't know the ID of). The coloring makes his face look white... the girl he kissed says his lips felt chalky. Is he related to the Joker?

If I had my druthers, it'd be none of the above, as I think his set-up was individual enough without having to tie him to an established DCU character. But since it seems he will be, I *am* curious.

I wish his three victims?stooges? weren't given such short shrift. I kind of liked the way they interacted.

It's somewhat surprising that they go for a Teen Titans member as guest star, rather than a JLA one.

I really enjoyed issues #60 and #61 of Supergirl... I haven't been following her since her reintroduction to the DC universe... I thought they tarted her up too much... but after reading the Annual with the LSH, I decided to check out her monthly adventures... I like how she plays off of Robin in #61... their team-up in Superman/Batman at Halloween was great too... now that I've dropped Superman, I'm going to give Kara's book a chance...

Superman #710 gave us another take on the first meeting of Superman and Batman. This time, featuring an encounter with Vandal Savage. The story didn't add much and only served to further muddy continuity.

What do readers here think of the 'big' event that happened in ACTION 900?

Does it imply that Clark's membership in JLA will be even more distant? Maybe he'll be a member of JLI when it gets it's monthly?

Lame

I believe it will never be spoken of again

The timing couldn't have been any worse.

RE: Superman #714

A disappointing conclusion for the series and the "Grounded" story line. It tried to be all hopeful and full of positive Superman energy. In the end, it just felt trite.

^ Agreed.

I thought that the Retroactive Superman issue was better than anything I've read recently. I liked the paper it was printed on too.

Supergirl, Power Girl and Batgirl (the Stephanie Brown one) sure are getting the shaft in DC's realignment. These three blonde ladies have been starring in three solo titles featuring heroines that have been quite enjoyable reads. I'll miss them. I even forgive Miller the horrible usage and death of Kid Eternity (who'll be back one day, I'm sure) in BATGIRL.

Does the fact that they're blonde mean they can't add to 'diversity'? (How I'm beginning to loathe that word...)

DC's definition of that word is such a crock. It not only ignores ageism, it's become a corporate symbol of it! And comics continues it's aggregate geographicism-- where are the titles with Southern characters? Those from the Pacific Northwest? From anywhere other than the overused NY City and LA?

Reading Morrison's "SuperGods" non-fiction book now, and between that and All-Star, I really like his take on Superman, so I'm cautiously optimistic for the relaunch next week.

I still not sure we need another re-imagining after Birthright, Secret Origin, Earth One, etc. But I'm willing to see what Grant can do.

Preview for Action Comics #1:

http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=44117

After reading the latest interview with Morrison, I think Action Comics may be the series I'm looking forward to most! Just about everything hrs doing sounds 'right' to me and very exciting.

Action Comics #1

I'm going to end up with the reputation of being DC's biggest cheerleader with all this relaunch stuff going on. Honestly guys, I am capable of critical thinking....

...but I have to give Action Comics #1 an A+.


My head is spinning. There was just so much going on in this issue. There are definite nods to the very earliest of Superman stories, but at the same time it felt totally fresh and new. Superman, Clark, Luthor, Lois, Jimmy and Sam Lane all got solid introductions. In just a few panels, their personalities came through. Simple moments spoke volumes. While talking to Clark on the phone, Jimmy said, "Dude, What's up?' In an instant, the relationship was defined.

Major props to Rags Morales. I've been a fan for a long time. This goes above his usual work. This is not about pretty pictures. This is about storytelling. It's long overdue and thrilling to see.

Your review has me amped, Jerry! Really thrilled you enjoyed it. This will be the first one I read.

I may cave...argh!

I definitely agree with Jerry about this book. I've never been a big fan of Superman (or Batman either) but I've read enough over the years to know the mythos. (Well, who in the world doesn't know it?) It all just kind of bored me. I only picked up this book because a solicit said it was a "cornerstone" of the DCnU. My hopes weren't high.

But this issue -- storytelling, art, characterization -- everything drew me right into the story. I reveled (yep, I did) in the well-tuned dialogue. Usually on a first reading I skim the art in order to see how the story plays out. With this one, though, the art told its part of the story so well I had to slow down and take it in. It took a while to read this book, and was well worth it. This Superman and his world look like something I want to get to know.

Jerry's right. A+

I'll echo the others, this was the book of the week.

Really enjoyed the callbacks to early Superman but with a fresh feel. I thought I'd never want to see General Lane again after recent events, but Morrison even made his one note seem in tune,

Luthor is great, Superman is awesome. Loved how the book had three different centerpiece action sequences. "Action" comics indeed!