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We’re turning the bend on Action Comics #1,000, which makes these last few issues all the more exciting. Given Superman is attempting to understand if Mr. Oz really is who he says he is, it makes sense he’d be heading to Krypton’s past. But is it the past, or something else?
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
“BOOSTER SHOT” part one! As Superman struggles to cope with Mr. Oz’s true identity, the Man of Steel turns to the only “hero” he knows who can prove once and for all if Oz’s story is true: Booster Gold! But a massive power doesn’t want our heroes venturing through time, and will do anything it can to sabotage their journey!
Why does this matter?
This is the start of a five part story arc that’ll bring us to Action Comics #998 at least. If you’re a fan of Booster Gold this is a must read for you, but it’s also an interesting arc as it delves into Superman’s understanding of Krypton in a new way.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Throwing shade.
In a lot of ways, this is Booster Gold’s comic and Superman is just living in it. It opens with Booster and he’s also the hero of the issue as he is on a mission to save Superman. Supes has stupidly jumped through time using Flash’s treadmill in an effort to make peace with Mr. Oz and his true identity. Sadly for him, he may not have been just traveling through time, but also through dimensions. It’s unclear where he’s going, but writer Dan Jurgens is setting Superman off on a mission that will test his understanding of his origins for sure. At the same time, Booster Gold’s confident, social media savvy self is ever present. You get the sense Booster is very much a hero of today as he’s self-aware and looking for praise.
The plot thickens nicely for Superman on Krypton, but also involves a B-story for Lois Lane and her son Jon. Jurgens lays the groundwork for a mission that involves her less often used parents. It’s assuredly going to offer some juxtaposition between Superman’s heritage and Lois’s, and should play into Jon’s development well.
The art by Dan Jurgens is reminiscent of Neal Adams’ line work, but a bit cleaner. There’s definitely a classic look at the line art with the shading and thinner line. There’s an excellent double page layout fans should enjoy that mix in Superman’s young and some potential scenes of what could have been. He’s aided by finished ink art by Joe Prado and Cam Smith — together with Jurgens, they produce one epic full-page splash of Booster and Superman hiding out later in the issue.
To be honest, this was a boneheaded move on your part.
It can’t be perfect can it?
The plot could have progressed a bit more as the cliffhanger leaves us more confused than excited. An entire page is devoted to Lombard talking at Jon about how awesome Booster Gold is, which ends up being a missed opportunity for humor more than anything else. It’s nice to see Jurgens reminding us Booster Gold is some kind of celebrity, but it’s hard to believe considering he’s been completely absent from canon in the DC Rebirth universe (at least in my opinion!).
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To add to the gripes, the Lois B-plot is rather forced as well, utilizing the trope of a character overhearing something and it leading to an eventual conflict. It’s nice to see we’re exploring her family too, but it’s so convenient to the plot it’s obnoxious.
Is It Good?
This is an interesting start to a new arc which should reap new reveals as far as Superman and his relationship with his parents. Since we’re so close to issue #1,000 it’s hard to deny this arc has to be building towards huge reveals and epic turns. I’m excited!
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