Action Comics #1075: Meet the Family

Action Comics has reached its 1075^th issue, and it’s full of Super Family love. The superstar creative team of Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, and Matt Herms, continue their weekly Superman arc to the All-In Universe, with even more Kryptonians. Action Comics #1074 is the sixth part of the “Phantoms” storyline and follows Superman as he finds himself removed from the Phantom Zone and sent back in time on Krypton. After finding his mother and father, the El family is arrested for keeping technology private from the Science Council. Can the Man of Steel get his solar batteries back from the Council and find his way back to the Phantom? And what is the real secret of the Phantom Zone? Find out in this issue full of cosmic weirdness, action, and family reunions.

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. I think sending Clark back to Krypton was a great choice and seeing him learn more about his family is so heartwarming. The dynamic of his parents is great and reminds me of Clark and Lois. Superman’s inner monologue is fun to see in this story and it gives him a strong voice in the plot. The pacing fell flat in last week’s issue but it was better in this issue as more happened. We get to some big revelations and great character relationships moments in this issue.

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 get more page-time this issue which is exciting as they add some needed levity in this arc. However, I wish their story were tied more to the main plot. I wish they could get their own comic instead, especially with this issue having two other mini-stories inside of it. It’s great to spend time with these characters and they would have really tied this whole storyline together.  Please give Super Family characters their own series!

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 of 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.