Action Comics #1074: Homecoming

The superstar creative team of Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, and Matt Herms, bring a new weekly Superman arc to the All-In Universe. Action Comics #1074 takes the story in a new direction with the fourth part of “Phantoms”, as Superman finds himself sent back in time to Krypton. Superman is investigating the Phantom Zone, but the ethereal prison has turned into a hellscape. The Man of Steel and his childhood best friend, Mon-El, have faced the god-like Aethyr and he has thrown Superman back in time to Krypton. Can the Man of Steel find his way back to the Phantom Zone before his solar batteries run out? Or will he change the present by messing with the past? Find out in this issue full of cosmic weirdness, action, and Kryptonian culture.

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. Superman’s inner monologue is fun to see in this story and it gives him a strong voice in the plot. The introduction of Aethyr in the last issue was also rousing and he seems like a foe comparable to Superman. However, as great as this story has been, the pacing is starting to fall flat.  The initial excitement of a weekly arc has faded and it feels like a story that is being dragged out. I was not aware that this arc will be 12 issues and it feels like these last two issues were inconsequential. The writing and story are fun, but not much has happened. I finished this issue wanting more to happen. This story may work better in trade and will save you lots of money as some of these issues feel like filler. That being said, this issue was a perfect contrast to Absolute Superman #1 which released on the same day. Those of us reading all Superman material this week got to compare the two versions of Krypton.

The side plot of this arc follows Super-Man and Superboy and this has been palatable. It’s great to spend more time with other Superman characters, and their dynamic is really fun. They add some needed levity to this arc. However, I wish their story were tied more to the main plot. I thought that was what was happening originally, but we have gone too far off the rails. It feels like a separate comic, and there is already another comic being pushed in conjunction with this story. It adds to the confusion as to why this is a weekly arc with a slow story.

The art in this issue is fantastic and so refreshing compared to the previous arc. Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, and Matt Herms are creating attention-grabbing and exciting creatures. The issue is vibrant and strong, something a Superman comic should be. They 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 design of Aethyr is terrifying and adds to the menacing tone he brings to the story. I like the contrast between the Phantom Zone and Krypton in this issue, showing how much the prisoners in the Phantom Zone have changed their way of life. The whole creative team is making a fantastic Superman comic for old and new fans alike.