Comic Review: Action Comics #20
Posted By Ian Menard on May 7, 2013
After last month’s stellar issue, hopes were high for Action Comics. Writer Andy Diggle had proven to have a deft grasp of the characters’ voices – especially Lois Lane and Clark/Superman. Unfortunately, he vacated the series before his issue even hit stands, leaving artist Tony Daniel to finish up the arc. And while this issue is quite decent, it’s missing the spark of the previous one.
Clark recovers from Lex Luthor’s attack with the help of Dr. Veritas – who reveals to him the hybrid being that has now formed. The virus and Clark’s DNA have merged, creating an Eldtritch Abomination in the form of a giant hand. Superman’s attempts to analyze it gives it power, and it attacks. Dr. Veritas and Clark manage to subdue it – a little too tidily – only to learn that Hybrids are out on the streets as well.
Scott Lobdell’s backup feature shows us an origin for Jor-El and Lara back on Krypton. There’s underwater exploration – including what looks like Kryptonian Atlantis – a Science Council that looks awfully reminiscent of Vulcan’s in Star Trek, and an uprising. It’s vaguely interesting, and looks nice thanks to Philip Tan’s pencils.
Ultimately, it would have been hard for this issue to live up to the promise of the last. And while Tony Daniel does well, there just isn’t much to grasp onto. The art is still fantastic, though signs of strain are clearly beginning to show. And if the backup feature is any indication, the series won’t be much better when Scott Lobdell takes over in July. This may be a series to drop, as painful as it is to admit.
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