Action Comics #1069: It’s Over

Action Comics #1069 written by Gail Simone with art by Eddy Barrows and colors by Rex Lokus is the finale of the lost tale from early in Superman’s career. An invading alien empire has chosen Superman as a champion to face a series of challenges. With Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen as his (accidentally) chosen team, he must triumph over these challenges to save Earth. Superman was able to complete the first two challenges, but he is barely standing. Will he be able to complete his last challenge: Hux-Ur the Undefeated?

It’s no secret that I am not a fan of this arc. To keep things positive, let’s celebrate that it’s over! I will say this is the strongest issue of the three-part arc, but it still manages to be confusing and convoluted. If I had to describe this arc, it would be a poor man’s Superman: Up in the Sky.  It follows the same intergalactic series of challenges but fails to capture the motivation that Superman has in the former. I don’t blame Gail Simone, she is writing so many stories right now and this was likely something she rushed in. This issue is the best of the arc because it does semi-successfully capture the drive of the Man of Steel to save people. Superman refuses to back down and fail the millions of people threatened. However, the story feels so rushed that it’s confusing to the reader. I found myself checking to make sure my copy had pages in the right order because I couldn’t understand what I was reading. Character conflicts are resolved in 1-2 panels and the story jumps around so much it’s hard to be interested. I’ve read all three issues multiple times, and I can’t tell you who the bad aliens are. Maybe I’m the problem, but with only 10-12 pages of content, the story is too short and elaborate to make sense.

The art in this issue is another thing I’m not fond of. This issue isn’t as dark as the other two, but everything still feels muddy. The facial expressions of every character look warped. If Frank Quietly draws potato people, Eddy Barrows is drawing sweet potato people. I can understand that the team is trying to go for a more retro feel but it comes off as sloppy and displeasing. The issue literally has to spell out some of the action that Superman is doing because you can’t distinguish it from the art. The action in this issue is confusing as a result of the poor art. Poor art with poor writing just makes me grateful this arc is over.