Action Comics #1055: Along Came a Cyborg

Action Comics #1055  has some fun action sequences as the Super-Family fights through the Necrohive – a grotesque cohort of cybernetic zombies created by Cyborg Superman. Visually, watching the Super-Family Adonises fight monstrous adversaries is always a treat. One of the many things to admire about this storyline is how Phillip Kennedy Johnson conveys the fragility of perfection in the sundry personality disorders of the super team. Insecurity, rage, and above all – the pressure of perfection – permeate their actions and words. The appearance of the Eradicator (another fun throwback to the Death of Superman era) points out these flaws. It reminds us that under their veneer, the “sullied clones” and “half-Terran progeny” of Superman are, from a particular perspective, as much of an abomination as Cyborg Superman and Metallo. In a winding story that has Superman surrounded by decades of continuity in the form of clones, cyborg doppelgängers, super-mutts, and a Kryptonite-hearted killing machine, the Eradicator is the Kryptonian purity mirror that reminds the reader that there is a fine line between heroes and villains. 

The sentiment is embodied in the redemption arc of Metallo. His obvious concern for his sister and some artfully placed flashbacks make this issue work, and readers will find themselves rooting for the grotesque and loathsome war machine to kick some cyborg ass by the end of the issue. Excellent pacing and enthralling art by Rafa Sandoval propel this story to an exciting cliffhanger that makes the reader excited to learn more about Metallo’s sister (seriously).

This issue features two fun, if less than stellar, backup tales that continue Dan Jurgen’s Home Again story and the second entry in Dorado Quick’s Steel: Engineer of Tomorrow. While not as compelling as the main feature, both feature some great action sequences by Lee Weeks and Yasmin Flores Montanez, respectively.