Action Comics #1040
Superman’s rebellion on Warworld is bearing fruit. Still, not everything is going well in Action Comics #1040, by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson, artist Riccardo Federici, colorist Lee Loughridge, and letterer Dave Sharpe. Martian Manhunter falls into a trap in the back-up by writer Shawn Aldridge, artist Adriana Melo, colorist HI-FI, and Dave Sharpe. Once again, Action Comics gives readers the best superhero quality for their money.
As Superman and his fellow gladiators fight it out in the arena, Mongul comes to teach him a lesson, but Superman is able to fight him off. After the first, Chaytil tells Mongul to kill Superman, but he has a plan. Later, OMAC is brought before Mother, who offers them a resurrected Lightray for the control of their machines. In the barracks, Superman speaks to the Warzoons when Steel tells him that Midnighter is about to attack the Star Forges. Superman wants to stop him, but one of the Phaelosians tells him there is another way. They go to the Necropolis, where the Genesis mineral veins are. Superman’s powers start to return, and then he hears something- the barracks are being attacked, and the Phaelosians are the targets. In the back-up, Martian Manhunter is attacked by an old enemy, Trapp. Sent by the Vultures, the two fight it out, and Martian Manhunter gets the win, more emboldened to take out the Vultures. Later, the two detectives make their way to a warehouse but are attacked by Vulture thugs.
Johnson is doing an amazing job on this book, and that’s all there is to it. There are so many wonderful little plots being built in this issue. Superman and Mongul’s battle of wills is the focus, but there are other things, as well. This is an expertly crafted story from whatever Mongul’s plans for the UP that involve Superman to Mother tempting OMAC to the Phaelosians and their lives on Warworld. Every issue reveals something more builds the story into something better than it was before.
Johnson understands Superman, which also helps. The Warzone calls him the Unblooded Sword because he doesn’t kill and enjoys it. He protects them shows them that Mongul’s way isn’t right. He cares. He wants to give the Warzoons freedom, but he wants to do it without hurting them. Johnson is telling a Superman story perfectly with this one, and it’s wonderful. Aldridge is doing a great job in the back-up as well, using MM’s history to inform the new story. Bringing Trapp and bringing up J’onn’s days as Bronze Wraith is a great little bit of trivia, and Aldridge even has J’onn come to an important realization- it doesn’t matter who he’s being, he’s always the same- the Martian Manhunter.
Federici’s art is phenomenal. Every page is a joy to look at. His figure work is strong, his detail is impressive, and he truly captures the alienness of Warworld. His character acting is on point at all times, with the scenes where OMAC realizes they can have Lightray back and the conflict there being masterful. On top of all that, Loughridge’s colors are amazing. The main story’s art is some of the best in the industry right now. Melo and HI-FI on the back-up are no slouches either. Melo is doing a great job with J’onn. She’s a great talent, and there’s some impressive imagery throughout her, with HI-FI’s color knocking it out of the park.
Action Comics #1040 is further proof that this book is the finest superhero book on the stands. Both creative teams are in rare form, and every comic fan should be checking this book out because it’s nothing less than a must-read.