jaydeebee
06-13-2008, 01:49 AM
This week, I thought I'd start a new semi-regular feature. A review of a new comic release, my Pick O' The Week as it were.
This week the comic that inspired me to write a review is one of the oldest titles on the market ACTION COMIC #866.
If you're not a fan of Superman, then this issue probably isn't going to make you into one. However, if you are a fan and have been less-than-thrilled over the past few years (decades) at the sometimes lack of respect and lackadaisical treatment both in writing and artwork that Big Blue has received, then Action Comics #866 would be a good issue for you to jump back on the Kryptonian express!
The first thing I noticed about this or any comic issue for that matter is the art. Suddenly, the Superman cast and environs look the way they are supposed to look. Lois Lane looks like Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen looks like Jimmy Olsen, even Clark looks like Clark Kent, not Superman in glasses!
Now as this is the first part of a multi issue story arc entitled BRAINIAC, as you might expect, a lot of the issue is set-up for what is to come. But it is obvious that this issue is setting the stage for the re-introduction of something more like the classic Brainiac of the Silver and Bronze-ages with some modern updates.
One of the things that always bothered me about the post-Crisis, Byrne reboot of Superman was that so many of the classic elements of the character Superman and his supporting cast were thrown out the window. This is especially true of the Byrne-era Brainiac, which never set well with me or was particular menacing for that matter.
In this issue, not only is the more familiar Brainiac android present, but also the creators have managed to intergrate the Perez/Wolfman redesign of the character into the new origin as well. In fact, it appears that DC has decided to blend many of the elements of past creators, both in comics and movies, into the Superman mainstream continuity. The issue carries the "SIGHTINGS" (http://www.dccomics.com/news/?nw=9870) banner which DC announced means that the issue will contain, "..important storybeats and moments throughout the DC Universe. These moments, exciting in their own right, are the beginnings, the turning points, the beacons clearly guiding your way to the future of your favorite super-heroes."
While I might have been reluctant to that 20 years ago, after two decades of diminished greatness, the Man of Steel needed a kick in the briefs and with the recent resurrections of the classic General Zod and the classic Legion of Super-Heroes and now the return of the classic Brainiac, it looks like Superman will be soaring high in the post-Final Crisis DC Universe. It's about time.
If you haven't given Superman a look in a while, I suggest you get your hands on a copy of Action Comics #866! (http://www.dccomics.com/news/?nw=10061)
Written by Geoff Johns #superman#
Pencils by Gary Frank
This week the comic that inspired me to write a review is one of the oldest titles on the market ACTION COMIC #866.
If you're not a fan of Superman, then this issue probably isn't going to make you into one. However, if you are a fan and have been less-than-thrilled over the past few years (decades) at the sometimes lack of respect and lackadaisical treatment both in writing and artwork that Big Blue has received, then Action Comics #866 would be a good issue for you to jump back on the Kryptonian express!
The first thing I noticed about this or any comic issue for that matter is the art. Suddenly, the Superman cast and environs look the way they are supposed to look. Lois Lane looks like Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen looks like Jimmy Olsen, even Clark looks like Clark Kent, not Superman in glasses!
Now as this is the first part of a multi issue story arc entitled BRAINIAC, as you might expect, a lot of the issue is set-up for what is to come. But it is obvious that this issue is setting the stage for the re-introduction of something more like the classic Brainiac of the Silver and Bronze-ages with some modern updates.
One of the things that always bothered me about the post-Crisis, Byrne reboot of Superman was that so many of the classic elements of the character Superman and his supporting cast were thrown out the window. This is especially true of the Byrne-era Brainiac, which never set well with me or was particular menacing for that matter.
In this issue, not only is the more familiar Brainiac android present, but also the creators have managed to intergrate the Perez/Wolfman redesign of the character into the new origin as well. In fact, it appears that DC has decided to blend many of the elements of past creators, both in comics and movies, into the Superman mainstream continuity. The issue carries the "SIGHTINGS" (http://www.dccomics.com/news/?nw=9870) banner which DC announced means that the issue will contain, "..important storybeats and moments throughout the DC Universe. These moments, exciting in their own right, are the beginnings, the turning points, the beacons clearly guiding your way to the future of your favorite super-heroes."
While I might have been reluctant to that 20 years ago, after two decades of diminished greatness, the Man of Steel needed a kick in the briefs and with the recent resurrections of the classic General Zod and the classic Legion of Super-Heroes and now the return of the classic Brainiac, it looks like Superman will be soaring high in the post-Final Crisis DC Universe. It's about time.
If you haven't given Superman a look in a while, I suggest you get your hands on a copy of Action Comics #866! (http://www.dccomics.com/news/?nw=10061)
Written by Geoff Johns #superman#
Pencils by Gary Frank