Action Comics #1033
As the US and Atlantis get closer to war, secrets are revealed about Superman’s new guests in Action Comics #1033, by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson, artist Daniel Sampere, colorist Adriano Lucas, and letterer Dave Sharpe. In the backup, by writers Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad, artist Michael Avon Oeming, colorist Taki Soma, and letterer Dave Sharpe, Midnighter breaks out Mister Miracle but they get more than they bargained for. Both of these stories have a lot of cool moments in them, making this a fun comic.
As things between the US and Atlantis deteriorate because of an attempt to steal the Genesis stone, Superman exhorts the Justice League to help him take down Warworld. In the Fortress of Solitude, Lois and the Kryptonian woman have a conversation, one that’s witnessed by Mongul, who wants to make sure she finishes her mission. Meanwhile, Superman, Supergirl, and Superboy intervene as things get worse in the Atlantic. Meanwhile, at the Fortress, Mongul’s forces attack the woman as she has a crisis of conscience, but Lois steps in to help. In the backup, Midnighter frees Mister Miracle, and they tear up Trojan’s facility to get back Miracle’s Mother Box. Trojan, though, has something waiting for them.
Johnson is building a fascinating story in this one. The addition of the US and Atlantis’s conflict adds a nice wrinkle, one that serves to show something important about Superman- he wants peace for everyone, and he doesn’t care who he has to yell at to get it. Pitting Superman against Warworld is not a novel idea, but it works because if there’s one thing Superman hates, it’s bondage and useless violence. Adding in this extra conflict is very interesting and gives an old story a new avenue.
The back and forth between the Kryptonian and Lois is great mostly because the Kryptonian thinks Lois is soft, which is pretty much the opposite of who Lois really is. She shows that at the end of the issue when she saves the day. The fact this woman is an assassin doesn’t phase Lois- she’s a guest, and that’s all that matters to Lois. The backup keeps up the madcap mayhem of Midnighter and adds in Mister Miracle for some fun. It’s pretty much a fun action banger, and it has a cool cliffhanger ending.
Sampere’s art is top-notch. There’s some excellent pull page spreads in this issue, including a great page of the Superman family looking all majestic and threatening. The opening sequence of the attack on Atlantean forces looks great as well. Sampere kills it throughout the issue. Avon Oeming keeps up the good work in the backup, choreographing significant actions scenes and hitting the right notes with his character acting.
Action Comics #1033 is a fun comic. Johnson has built an interesting Superman story. He’s been doing a great job on the Superman books so far, and this issue keeps that up. Sampere’s art is outstanding and compliments the story very well. The backup keeps things going and is a lot of fun. This comic is a wonderful read, even if it isn’t reinventing the wheel.