Action Comics #1072: Besties Reunited

The superstar creative team of Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, and Matt Herms, bring a new weekly Superman arc to the All-In Universe. Action Comics #1072 continues the Superman story in the 52 days between the Absolute Power event and the Battle of the Watchtower. Superman is investigating the Phantom Zone, but the ethereal prison has turned into a hellscape. Who is set on capturing the Man of Steel on the other side of the Phantom Zone? And what other horrors await him beyond this realm? Find out in this issue full of space pirates, action, and Superman characters.

This new weekly arc has had an exciting start and it’s nothing less than I expect from a Mark Waid comic. Getting to see Waid’s version of the Phantom Zone has been extremely interesting and his take on cosmic horror is fresh and exciting. Learning more about the history of the Phantom Zone and the ways it has changed is fleshed out well. Superman having a friend on the inside is also an interesting twist, although I am not sure if I trust him just yet. This arc is the perfect place to start for a new reader and promises to be a great Superman story. New readers have the honor of spending more time with smaller Superman characters like the New Superman of China. Readers also get a great introduction to some of the lesser-known Kryptonian Superman villains. The pacing of this issue is also exhilarating, with Waid using the little page room he has to fit in twists and turns. This new arc is cosmically fun, just like a Superman comic should be.

The art in this issue is fantastic and so refreshing compared to the previous arc. Clayton Henry and Matt Herms are creating attention-grabbing and exciting creatures. The issue is vibrant and strong, something a Superman comic should be. Henry and Hermes manage to make the Phantom Zone look like the hellscape that Waid describes. The action in this issue is also really stunning with dynamic poses and movement that feel real and are clear to the reader. The panels are also laid out in an engaging way that keeps the story pushing at an appropriate pace. The Super Family designs in this issue also deserve praise as they look cohesive and fresh. The whole creative team is making a fantastic Superman comic for old and new fans alike.