"We are each other's shelter from the storm."
SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #6

One day I walked into a library and my eyes fell on a book called Kingdom Come. I picked it up and to my surprise it was a comic book...or rather as I later learned, a graphic novel. But I saw beautifully painted panels and heroes that I recognized from my childhood who seemed ...well, grown up. I borrowed that book and I was moved and fascinated by, not only the story of men and women who are great heroes, but by they way they showed their humanity. They suddenly were not two dimensional people who just fought bad guys. They were deeply complex. I love books and reading on the whole and I guess getting into the comic genre as an adult woman was a case of serendipity. It led me to finding DC comics and the heroes I grew up with on TV and saw in movies and newsprint. It led me to finding Clark Kent or as he is known by his other name, Kal-El, and Princess Diana. I fell in love with them and am obsessed with all things Amazonian and Kryptonian now. I love their relationship. I love what they stand for. I love the contrasts of the princess/farmer's son; reporter/ambassador; pragmatic warrior/idealistic protector and empathetic teacher/enforcer of justice. A girl born of the earth and a boy who fell from the sky. The first daughter of Themyscira and last son of Krypton. And it surprised me to find that there were many fans like me, who adore them too.

DC rebooted their universe in 2011 and my favorite pairing is now canon!!! Yay.



Disclaimer : Superman and Wonder Woman are the property of DC comics.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Action Comics # 4 Review





Well, this issue is all action. It's at break neck, heart pounding pace. All the characters are feeling it on these panels. From the start where Lex is trying to save his self-preserving hide from a rampaging Corben to Clark seeing the Terminauts and wisely suggesting to everyone outside the factory to "RUN!"




While the Terminauts call for Superman, and the mayor, Maxwell Minor, decide now is not a bad time to beg for the alien's help, we glimpse Professor Irons who has his own armored suit at home; it is waiting to be used should there be an alien invasion.




Superman battles the Terminauts and he's in a white t-shirt this time. And the police typically want to try to arrest him amid all this madness. Clark dares them to arrest him and if not, to just let him do his job. But it's a tough battle for young Superman. To compound matters, Lois and Jimmy get into the thick of things and, of course, the mandatory get into the line of fire just like the train and the elevator.



Corben faces off with Superman and we learn Lois broke his heart and he really is a wuss. The mustache he shaved did not do the trick and now he's possessed by an alien consciousness. Can't say I care nor do I believe this guy would listen to Red Hot Chilie Peppers. I just want Superman to kick his sorry ass.



Clark is overwhelmed and is about to be collected when Steel makes his appearance. And while he takes Corben down, Metropolis vanishes.




Brainiac has collected the city and the way he's drawn is awesome. The caterpillar/centipede design looks really creepy yet almost whimsical. I almost expect him to pull out a hubble bubble pipe and smoke it while he observes his collection. Of course Lois and company are part of the collection now and her father, General Lane, begs for Superman's help. He eats humble pie here but clearly he did not allow it to digest since he is hostile and rude to Superman in the other title five years later. Can't say I care for Sam Lane either.




Steel is awesome in his backup story. Superman needs a friend and the city could always do with another hero. A Steel Driving Man is just the guy for it.

This issue was entirely enjoyable. Rags owns the art in my opinion. I love his raw,mobile style. His action sequences just makes you breathless. And in the Steel backup feature Walker and Ramos' art is very beautiful.

I would give this 4.5 out of 5.

Best Panel : There were many to choose from (Clark in battle, Steel, that panel of Brainiac) but once more I am indulging myself. It's has to be this: a glimpse of Superman's sexy abs under that torn t-shirt. Rags just drew that for me, didn't he? Hee! Here is to him losing more t-shirts along the way!!!

8 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Hey, nice review. I used one of your ideas here in my deviant, hope you don't mind=)

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  3. Sorry, here. I feel dumb about not knowing sometimes how to use deviantart properly X(

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  4. Great review! The way Clark keeps fighting, he's gonna lose all his shirts. Probably why he upgraded his uniform. ;) Too bad though. I don't think anyone would mind a shirtless hero walking around.

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  5. Thank you for the comments, girls. And, NSW, that art of Action # 4 is awesome! I am so going to link that up here! Kal should lose t shirts often and I hope Geoff and Jim lets him lose his top in front of Diana.

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  6. Cool! Haven't picked up my copy yet. Will this week, and Jla and ww and Aquaman and blah blah blah lol

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  7. Action's still leaps and bounds ahead of the Superman title, that's for sure.

    And H, why am I not surprised at your pick for favorite panel? LOL. Yeah girl, you can gush over Kal all you want, lol, not that I blame you.

    I'll be getting my copy of Superman #4 in another two days, so I'll let you know what's up.

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  8. Thanks, D and Cael. Be sure to let us know if by # 4 Perez got the hints from the readers' feedback and eased off on the exposition and lame freak/repeat of the month threats and Clark stops moping.

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