Behind the Capes

Get the Penultimate Issue ! Man of Steel, Part 5 Creative Team Brian Michael Bendis - Writer; Adam Hughes & Jason Fabok (pp 8-11) - Artists; Adam Hughes & Alex Sinclair (pp 8-11) - Colors; Josh Reed - Letters;  Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Sinclair - Cover; Jessica Chen - Associate Editor;  Michael Cotton - Editor; Brian Cunningham - Group Editor; Superman Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Superboy Created by Jerry Siegel; Supergirl Based on the Characters Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; By Special Arrangement With the Jerry Siegel Family DC Comics' Solicitation Beaten by Rogol Zaar, his city burning at the hands of an unknown arsonist and the secret of what happened to Lois and Jon drawing closer to revelation—even Superman feels powerless against all that stands before him. Finding Your Potential As in Man of Steel #4 , we continue to get a trickling of answers to the mysteries being set up throughout the series.  Here we learn what Rog...

Get the issue here ! Man of Steel, Part 4 Creative Team Brian Michael Bendis - Writer; Kevin Maguire & Jason Fabok (pp 12-13) - Artists; Alex Sinclair - Colors; Josh Reed - Letters; Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Sinclair - Cover; Jessica Chen - Associate Editor; Michael Cotton - Editor; Brian Cunningham - Group Editor; Superman Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Superboy Created by Jerry Siegel; Supergirl Based on the Characters Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; By Special Arrangement with the Jerry Siegel Family DC Comics' Solicitation Rogol Zaar has committed a string of atrocities across the cosmos that have led him to the Fortress of Solitude—and now Superman and Supergirl plan to crush his schemes! But are even two Kryptonians enough to stop his sinister machinations? "It's a Cleansing" We are officially over halfway done with this great mini-series!  In my opinion this issue suffers a bit from being the middle point, however we did learn ...

Keep up with this great series! Man of Steel, Part 2 Creative Team Brian Michael Bendis - Writer; Doc Shaner (pp 1-13), Steve Rude ( pp 16-24), Jay Fabok (pp 14-15) - Artists; Alex Sinclair - Colors; Josh Reed - Letters; Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Sinclair - Cover; Jessica Chen - Associate Editor; Michael Cotton - Editor; Brian Cunningham - Group Editor; Superman Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Superboy Created by Jerry Siegel; By Special Arrangement with the Jerry Siegel Family DC Comics' Solicitation With an arsonist loose in Metropolis, Superman’s powers are almost useless in finding the culprit. And back at the Daily Planet, everyone wants to know what’s going on with Lois Lane. How can Clark hold on to the secret of what happened to Lois and Jon much longer? Secrets of the Superman Superman is keeping some major secrets from absolutely everyone in his life.  Of course, this keeps the story intriguing for the reader, but why would Clark be keeping so much ...

Get your own copy of this landmark issue here ! "Man of Steel, Part 1" Creative Team: Brian Michael Bendis - Script; Ivan Reis - Pencils; Joe Prado - Inks; Jay Fabok - Art (pp 21-22); Alex Sinclair - Colors; Cory Petit - Letters; Reis, Prado, Sinclair - Cover; Jessica Chen - Associate Editor; Michael Cotton - Editor; Brian Cunningham - Group Editor; Superman Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Superboy Created by Jerry Siegel; By Special Arrangement with the Jerry Siegel Family DC Comics' Solicitation:  "A new era begins for Superman as a threat from his earliest origins reemerges to destroy the Last Son of Krypton. As Superman struggles to come to grips with what has happened to his wife and son, he must also face a new threat that’s determined to burn down Metropolis!" "A Love Genuinely Lived" Back in 2016, DC Comics' Rebirth initiative served as my jumping-on point for new comics.  This was the return of what many (includi...

Read this great issue here! For Those Who Serve Patrick J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason - Writers, Scott Godlewski - Artist, Gabe Eltaeb - Colorist, Rob Leigh - Letterer, Jorge Jimenez & Alejandro Sanchez - Cover, Andrew Marino - Asst. Editor, Paul Kaminski - Editor Initial Reactions Much like the entire run from Tomasi and Gleason, this issue is filled with a ton of heart!  Sure, there is plenty of dinosaur-fighting action like the cover suggests, but that is not the focal point.  At the core, it revolves around Superman and Jon going on one last adventure which doubles as a morality lesson.  If you have enjoyed Superman for the last 45 issues, this will be another satisfying installment in the series. The Story Like the Action Comics Special issue, there are two backup stories that we won't discuss here.  In my opinion they don't quite hold up to the main story but are still interesting to read if you decide to purchase the issue.   ...

Check out this issue , which includes 2 back-ups! The Last Will and Testament of Lex Luthor Dan Jurgens - Writer, Will Conrad - Art, Wil Quintana - Color, Rob Leigh - Letters, Will Conrad and Ivan Nunes - Cover, Andrea Shea - Assistant Editor, Paul Kaminski - Editor Initial Reactions Overall, I liked this story.  For me, the conclusion was by far the strongest point in the story.  Anytime Lex and Superman get to talk it brings up some interesting ethical points.  The ending is quintessential Superman, and it serves as a solid wrap-up of Action Comics since Rebirth. The Story We open at the Fortress of Solitude, where there is an intruder fueled by hate.  Kelex detects the intruder, but it is too late. It is blasted away and the intruder gains access to the crystals.  With this access, he is able to look in on the Kent apartment, confirming Superman and Clark Kent are one in the same.  While watching on, he scoffs at Superman, saying that his ...

Get your own digital copy ! Truth, Justice, Family Written by Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi, Words, Art and Cover by Patrick Gleason, Colors and Cover Colors by Stephen Downer, Letters by Tom Napolitano, Associate Editor - Jessica Chen, Editor - Paul Kaminski Initial Reactions With the exception of a "Special #1" issue coming in early May, this is the end of the Tomasi and Gleason run.  I have loved most of what they have given us, and they helped re-establish the core of the character that was missing in the New 52.  This is not an intense, action-packed issue, but it doesn't need to be.  Like I mentioned in my post on their story in Action #1000 , they have continually focused on the heart of the whole Kent family.  We also get to see what the surviving bizarros are up to, and it is delightfully mundane.  Those boys have been through a lot, so to have lives like normal children is a gift!  This is a satisfying ending to the Kent's time in...

Get your own digital copy here . Never-Ending Battle Story and Words - Peter J. Tomasi, Art - Patrick Gleason, Colors - Alejandro Sanchez, Letters - Tom Napolitano Initial Reactions: This is such a stunning story by the creative team responsible for the amazing Superman title since Rebirth began.  Each of the pages in this story are awesome splash pages, reflecting the differences in style throughout Superman's history.  It is not a particularly complicated story, but it is a near perfect birthday celebration of the first comics superhero.  The focus, as throughout Tomasi and Gleason's run, remains the Kent family.  The result is simply beautiful! The Story: The premise of this story is that Vandal Savage has found a way to manipulate hypertime in order to trap Superman in various past time streams.  The result is Superman fighting his way in gorgeous splash pages through his comic book history, starting in the late 30's.  He enjoyed some of ...

If you go digital, get your copy here ! From the City That Has Everything Writer/Artist: Dan Jurgens, Inks: Norm Rapmund, Colors: Hi-Fi, Letters: Rob Leigh, Cover: Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair Initial Thoughts If you are a fan of Superman, please do yourself a favor and PICK UP THIS ISSUE!  Action 1000 has 10 great stories that celebrate the first and greatest superhero of all time.  Since each story is self-contained, we will discuss the stories individually.  The first one is from Dan Jurgens, who is the outgoing writer of Action Comics since Rebirth (not to mention the legendary "Death of Superman" arc).  This story had a lot of heart, and had me on the verge of tears at the end.  It is the first of many fitting tributes to the Man of Steel! The Story The first thing we see is Superman in space on a mission to keep Khund warriors from attacking earth.  We get the impression this happens on an annual basis, and Superman is abl...

Join In On the Fun!  Get Your Copy Here . Bizarroverse, Part 2:  Black Mirrors Writers - Patrick Gleason & Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils & Inks - Patrick Gleason with Joe Prado, Colors - Stephen Downer, Letters - Rob Leigh, Cover - Patrick Gleason & Alejandro Sanchez, Associate Editor - Jessica Chen, Editor - Paul Kaminski Initial Reactions This issue is a lot of fun.  When we were first introduced to the bizarro doppelgangers last issue , it was an interesting direction with some great character beats from the Super Family.  In this week's issue the bizarro-ness gets cranked up to eleven, and it is a blast!  We get more great family character beats, and the reveal at the end is gloriously "fun" (You'll understand the reference by the end of the issue). The Story The issue opens parallel to issue 42, when Jon darts from Hamilton County after his day with Kathy.  The difference is we are seeing everything from Nobody's (Maya Ducard's) pe...

What Would Superman Do? Writer - Dan Jurgens, Art - Will Conrad, Color - Ivan Nunes, Letters - Rob Leigh, Cover - Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund & Andrew Dalhouse, Assistant Editor - Andrea Shea, Editor - Paul Kaminski Initial Reactions This was a bittersweet issue for me as this is the last full issue by the creative team.  Dan Jurgens' run on this title has been my favorite of everything that has come out since the 2016 Rebirth initiative.  In fact, it was Action Comics that got me back into reading single-issue comics again.  Like their counterparts on Superman , the entire run has been full of heart and I know this will go down as a personal favorite run of mine.  As for the issue itself, it excellently encapsulates heart of both Clark and Superman.  If you are emotionally connected to Superman like I am, this issue is absolutely for you! The Story The issue opens with Jon opening the door to welcome in his granddad Sam Lane.  A quick catch-up...

Bizarroverse Part 1: Father of Boyzarro Patrick Gleason & Peter J. Tomasi - Writers. Patrick Gleason - Artist, Alejandro Sanchez - Colors, Rob Leigh - Letters, Patrick Gleason & John Kalisz - Cover, Jessica Chen - Assistant Editor, Paul Kaminski - Editor Initial Reactions: I liked this issue, and enjoy the setup to this arc.  I had to read the Bizarro prologue a few times to absorb what he was saying due to the way he speaks, but those pages were very interesting.  The issue focuses on the heart of the Superman book since Rebirth, which is the Kent family.  Until we get to the last page, we are left feeling a real warmth, like we were guests at their family dinner.  The issue is really just setting up the whole arc, with no real action, but the family beats and the juxtaposition between the Kents and the Bizarros is very interesting. The Story:  The issue opens with an inner monologue from Bizarro.  He is lamenting that his family doesn't...

Booster Shot, Conclusion Writer - Dan Jurgens, Art- Will Conrad, Color - Ivan Nunes, Letters - Rob Leigh, Cover - Conrad & Nunes, Assistant Editor - Andrea Shea, Editor - Paul Kaminski Initial Reactions I like this issue a lot.  I have really enjoyed Dan Jurgens' stories since he went on the title to begin Rebirth.  While I know how subjective this statement is, this issue continues to get Superman "right" in my opinion.  This entire arc has been about the importance of family.  This is something Superman has been embracing since Rebirth in both titles, and Jurgens absolutely sticks the landing in the conclusion to this arc.  That is without even mentioning Booster Gold in this story.  He does some amazing things in this issue alone that allows Superman to focus on the family that he loves so much, even though it likely means he will be facing some stiff punishment.   While I am excited for Bendis to have his turn with the Man of St...

Booster Shot, Part V Writer - Dan Jurgens, Pencils - Brett Booth, Inks - Norm Rapmund, Colors - Andrew Dalhouse, Letters - Rob Leigh, Cover - Booth, Rapmund, and Dalhouse, Assistant Editor - Andrea Shea, Editor - Paul Kaminski Initial Reactions I really like this issue!  Pairing Booster Gold with Superman has turned out to be a very fun ride with some humor sprinkled throughout.  However, this seems to be the issue where we ratchet up the stakes, and that humor takes a back seat.  We see powerful examples of the trappings of revenge, the power of family, and even some interesting Good Friday parallels. The Story The first page is a summary of the events leading to the issue.  Here we are reminded that Mr. Oz claims to be Superman's father from an alternate timeline and Booster Gold prevented him from getting the answers he was looking for because it could disrupt the time stream.  We are also shown that Zod, Ursa, and Lor-Zod are living in the future,...