Action Comics #1075 is many things. It’s a major milestone for one of the longest-running comic books in history. It provides a massive update to a piece of Superman lore. It even features a major status quo shift for a Superman supporting cast member. Any of these three things would be a big deal for an issue like this, but since Action Comics is now publishing weekly – and its format allows for backup stories – this one can pull it off.
Let’s start with the main story. Part six of “Phantoms” by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry and Matt Herms finds Superman and his birth parents, Jor-El and Lara, at the mercy of Krypton’s Science Council. It’s here that Waid showcases the true origins of the Phantom Zone, and how corrupt Krypton’s ruling class is (between this and Absolute Superman, the general consensus among DC’s writers is that Krypton wasn’t necessarily the paradise fans think it is.) Waid’s script also shines a spotlight on how Clark Kent might have inherited some of his best traits from his birth parents, and Clayton Henry continues to showcase Krypton’s various fashions in his art. (It’s not lost on me that Henry has Clark in a getup with the same colors as his Superman costume, or that he’s wearing glasses to disguise his identity.)
Waid and Michael Shelfer finally, finally do something interesting with the Conner Kent/Kenan Kong subplot that’s been running through “Phantoms”; especially since Waid remembers Conner tends to make impulsive decisions. It also helps that the duo is facing off against the warlike Khunds, who Shelfer draws in all their pale pink, furious glory. Fingers crossed that this momentum doesn’t stall out, or that it eventually dovetails into the main story.
DC
The backup Supergirl story by Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Partridge also takes a massive leap, as Supergirl finally catches up to the prisoner she’s been tasked to escort. Again, there’s more mystery (why exactly Superman trusted her with this mission remains in the dark, and the revelation of the prisoner’s crimes is a big deal) but Tamaki keeps the story flowing in a way that’s actually interesting, not to mention Partridge getting to draw big battles involving the rest of the Super-Family.
Action Comics #1075 saves the best for last with a special backup story; “Memory Lane” by Joshua Williamson, Jon Bogdanove, Norm Rampund & Hi-Fi that focuses on Perry White and his running for mayor of Metropolis. Williamson’s love of the Superman mythos has allowed him to bring new dimensions to different characters, and that’s the same for Perry as he faces a major shift in his life. It’s one thing to run a newspaper – it’s another thing entirely to run a city. A heart to heart with Clark Kent helps, as does a walk through the city; Bogdanov and Rampund illustrate Metropolis’ history with images from Perry’s past, which Hi-Fi renders in a smoky gray glow. It makes me wish Action had added another back up or two, especially since this is a big issue.
Action Comics #1075 showcases the variety the Superman family has to offer, ranging from sci-fi epics to personal history. It also makes some big changes, but then again this is the Superman comic, so I’m glad creators are still swinging for the fences.
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