Action Comics #2
Title: Superman in Chains!
Written by Grant Morrison
Pencils by Rags Morales and Brent Anderson
Inks by Rich Bryant and Brent Anderson
The entire team of Talking Comics will be reviewing both Justice League and Action Comics every month.
Bobby Shortle Says:
There are few things as exciting or as nerve-racking as a hero we all know (and somewhat love) being reinvented and reinvigorated. In my review of Action Comics #1 I extolled the virtues of Grant Morrison’s daring take on the character. I’m happy to report that Action Comics #2 is even better than it predecessor.
Superman in Chains is alive in every page and every frame with the kind of energy that keeps a reader thumbing faster and faster through the book all the while hoping it won’t come to an end. It’s hard to express how cool it is to see Superman use his brain as much as his brawn to escape his plight, how fun it is to see him snark at a haughty Lex Luthor and how nostalgic it is to see him tip a hand and give a sly grin to Ms. Lois Lane. The art is just plain awesome. Rag Morales and Brent Anderson render the action scenes in such detail it feels as if you are watching a feature film version play out on paper right in front of you. The ending hint of whats to come just has me salivating all the more for next month’s Action Comics.
VERDICT
Buy It, Buy It, Buy It – This is what superhero books are meant to be.
Brian Verderosa says:
Sheesh. There is certainly some thunderous Super-ass kicking in this book. Superman has been reinvigorated in Grant Morrison’s Action Comics, and it’s refreshing to see a new take on the most famous superhero of all time. The book flies by like lightning, with Superman being held captive in a government facility while the nefarious Lex Luthor pokes and prods this “new” alien.
The discovery aspect is key here — the rest of the world is learning about Kal-El for the first time just as we are being reintroduced. Morales and Anderson do an expert job of making the characters pop off the page and Morrison’s script is tightly wound and sublime. There’s a moral here, despite our new Superman’s greyish ones: Do not mess with the S.
VERDICT
If you haven’t picked up #1, do it now. Then buy this. Actually, you should probably buy them together. It’ll save time.
Brad Jones says:
After the swag of the Issue #1, I thought the sophomore issue of Adventure Comics was interesting at best, though possibly a step backward. Don’t get me wrong: there’s a lot I like about this book. I like that the book takes us to the “what if Superman was captured by the military for lots of torturous tests to be performed on him” place. I like Dr. Lex Luthor as an evil, xenophobic scientist. What I’m not super crazy about is that I feel like we’ve been here before. We’ve seen Betty Brant power past her General father to reach the Hulk. We’ve seen Thor poked and prodded to test his powers.
What I loved about #1 was Superman’s attitude, but because he’s strapped unconscious to an electric chair for much of this issue, we don’t get any of what makes this new Superman, well, new. I did really love his break out and the art is stand-out from the rest of the New 52 in many ways, but overall, I’m holding my breath more for what comes next, rather than re-reading this issue the way I did for the first.
VERDICT
Buy It – there’s more over par here than under – but I’m ready for Issue #3 to take me to new heights with this character.
Steve Seigh says:
Considering this is my first true foray into the character of Superman I can honestly tell you that this series has me very excited. Each page is chock-full of action and movement that causes each panel to leap from the page. At first I was a little taken aback by the brash antics of a hero I’ve known to always be on the up and up. Seeing him arrive with eyes glowing red and having little to no concern for property damage was something I was not prepared for. However, I really do enjoy this new attitude and approach to the character and I’m finding it very difficult not to be anticipating the next issue in a big way. The art of Rick Bryant & Brent Anderson is superb and gives Superman a look and feel that forces you to strap on the indestructible red cape of our hero and march head long into his ordeals.
I really love the idea of Lex Luthor taking on such a menacing role right from the get go. Not bothering to reintroduce him as much to the audience was a nice move and allowed him to go for the “evil” straight out of the gate. With an evil entity circling the globe and threatening to disrupt the chaotic events already taking place it looks like this story is about to get a whole hell of a lot more interesting.
VERDICT
Buy it – You will most certainly need to purchase Issue #1 if you are looking to get in on the action but it’s a purchase worth making. I’ll be there in the morning to pick up a fresh copy of Issue #3.
