Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Action Comics - Superman Vol.1 Men of Steel


Superman – Action Comics – Vol. 1 Superman & The Men of Steel
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Rags Morales, Andy Kubert, and Brent Anderson
Covers by Andy Kubert

Superman began as a character with an origin as a being from a planet named Krypton. Being called the “Last Son” for a reason, losing his home world to its ruin. There have been many revisions to the iconic characters beginnings, but this one is quite different. No long a simple farm boy from the start, but already finding himself in the middle of all sorts of chaos. Aside from being heroic, he’s deemed inhumane and superhuman from all sorts of people across the nation. However his powers have grown exponentially from the first time living amongst humans. This honestly feels like a super rushed edition of the show Smallville. (Oddly enough it took the writers for that series nearly ten years to get him off the ground. Here in the New 52 Edition, Kal-El can already fly)

Good ol’ Grant Morrison has taken the helm of the iconic “blue blur” and reshaped him to work with the current generation of readers, both young and old. Its actually inspiring to see the origin being retweaked, it no longer feels like the early days of the original characters humble beginnings. Plus his home planet Krypton is represented in a whole new way. Jor-El and Lara are not only scientists but those of power, working to make a better future for their planet. (Of course the Phantom Zone already exists, but the ones locked within the other side are to be determined… in the Smallville version of Krypton Zod & his allies were kept away for many years. It seems to be taking several hints of where things could possibly go.

Jon & Martha Kent are also redesigned, there’s even a bonus tale that foreshadows how the two came together. And the arrival, that would change their lives forever. However unlike the Smallville series, Jon and Martha are no longer with us in this new retake on Kal-El’s new journey. But he does have fond memories of what was, including the ship (it is also connected to the planet’s energy and memory data collected from eons ago, and a part of Clark himself). And the true body armor(s) origin is also explained within the new “Brainac” battle chapter. It’s a humbling, yet unique surprise on how it becomes a part of Kal-El’s untapped abilities. (Including the fact that Kal-El can bleed, fall from the sky, and does bruise!)

These eight issues that give Superman a much needed reboot work in a solid fashion. It doesn’t feel sluggish, but a steady active and ongoing storyline that will keep readers along for the ride. Although it may be a remix of what was done in the past, it’s a fresh start for the iconic hero.

Plus the art in each issue is simply stunning. There is so much going on in each panel, its worth a second glance in every page. On the plus side, it never feels dull or inactive. Even the quietest moments are the most exciting. In addition there are some moments where the tale goes back and forth, it leaves it up to the reader to put the tale together themselves.

Overall, Superman – Action Comics (New 52) is an awesome project.
 

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