Main Story
Grant Morrison: writer
Andy Kubert: penciller
Jesse Delperdang: inker
Backup Story
Sholly Fisch: writer
Chriscross: artist
The Comic
In taking a break from the main story, Morrison is showing us what happened when Krypton decided to go boom. This gives us the perfect set up to tell a Superman origin story! Again! (as the cover suggests)
This story seems to fit very much in the same vein that Green Lantern: Secret Origin was for Green Lantern a couple of years back. Basically, it was a way to tell an origin story, but fit in some characters and plot points from the current storyline into the origin story. Thus the "Secret" part.
There are a lot of fleshing out of characters and important Superman items such as the rocket that brought him to earth and Krypto, the super dog. We then get an introduction to some new big bads at the end of the comic. From how the story began, me thinks it is the group of super criminals who some how escaped the Phantom Zone.
The story itself feels very different from the first few issues. First off, it is set after the events of the origin story. You can tell this because Superman is wearing his actual costume and not the t-shirt and jeans look. This story also feels like it is going out of its way to explain things and show stuff. Which is fine in and of itself, but it feels like fluff stuff.
The back up story tells us the same thing as the first half. A story that I really don't care about or need to hear. It tells the story about how Martha and Jon cannot have children and try over and over again without success, until baby Superman falls from the sky. Just like the last Action Comic that had a back up story that fleshed out a couple of panels in the back up, this one does the same. This back up is different in that it is telling a story about characters that are no longer alive in the new DC. When it tells the story, you have to make me care about what is going on with these characters quickly. But this is Jon and Martha Kent. The story feels like it is spinning wheels. I can't feel bad for these characters and their plight not to be able to have children of their own when I know that they will be Superman's parents.
The Cover
Look, I grow weary of Superman origins stories. Instead of the cover having the words "It Begins..." &"...again!," it should have had "It Begins..." & "Again..." That would have reflected the story better. But it does have pudgy baby Superman on it, so I guess is has a laughable quality about it.
Grades
Main Story:
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10 - I like Kubert's style, but I haven't seen much progression in his art since I first saw it. This issue is his typical stuff.
Backup Story:
Words: 3/10 - This was routine all the way. Not a single bit of original dialogue.
Pictures: 5/10 - This was Chriscross, who had a look with this story that just screamed boring.
Recommend: No. You can skip this little side story.
Buy Next Issue: I will, but I recommend that you don't. Unless you like Fanboy Fluff pieces.
Previous Issues
Action Comics #4
Three Issue Trial
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