Action Comics #1073: Homecoming

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 #1073 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. When he reunites with his childhood best friend Mon-El, he is thrust into a mission to stop the god-like Aethyr. Can the Man of Steel stop this threat before he expends all of his power? And what other horrors await him beyond time and space? Find out in this issue full of space pirates, action, and Superman characters.

A Mark Waid comic is always good and this new weekly arc has been exceptional. 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. It looks like we are getting more about Jor-El and his creation of the Phantom Zone, so I am excited about that.  I think the introduction of Mon-El in this arc is great and gives a twist to the idea of an “evil Superman”. Mon-El isn’t evil, but he is a lot harder than Superman. It’s an interesting way of exploring who Superman might have become without Kansas and the Kents. The cosmic horror in this comic has been exhilarating and it’s perfect for October. This may be a yearly Halloween read. This arc is also 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. I enjoy the brief moments of Superboy and Super-Man interacting and they add some needed levity to the story. The pacing of this issue is also fantastic, 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 cosmic horror of the villains is terrifying and matches the new feel of the Phantom Zone perfectly. 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.