DC Comics master plan has seen them restart their comics continuity and start all of their titles from number 1. So here’s a review of the first issue of Action Comics otherwise known as Superman. The original issue #1 of Action Comics with Supermans first appearance would set you back hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even though I know this issue #1 is only worth $2.99 it’s still fun to own a copy. This issue is written by the always entertaining Grant Morrison who has previously written the excellent All Star Superman. I was expecting great things from this issue. Something grand and epic. What I got was okay but not much of an entrance.
First off there’s the costume. Superman has forgot to wear his underpants. Instead he wears jeans, boots, a classic S t-shirt and a red cape. It sounds like a bit of a dramatic departure but while reading the comic I hardly even noticed. There is enough of the classic costume to make a convincing and familiar Superman. The story sees Superman running around Metropolis righting wrongs, helping out people in need and being Superman in general. The public and cops are still unsure who Kal El is and what his motivations are and as is the norm in all stories these days the military are wanting to use the heroes talents for their own needs.
Lex Luthor is painted as a genious in this story and is working with the military to bring down Superman. The one interesting thing about the story is that Superman isn’t at full strength yet. A couple of months ago in the story he was only able to leap buildings. This issue doesn’t hint at any grand story waiting to unfold. It’s more like a normal day in Supermans life. I find this surprising coming from Morrison. During his run on New X-Men I couldn’t wait until the next issue. I can’t say the same for Action Comics.
One thing about DC’s New 52 though is that it made me pick up a Superman comic for the first time in years. It’s a shame that it didn’t make me want to pick up another.
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