Action Comics #1085: Polar Plunge

The iconic Superman Superstars series of Action Comics comes to a close with this final two-part story. Written by the iconic G. Willow Wilson and drawn by Gavin Guidry, this final story follows Clark Kent as he covers a story on research in the Arctic. However, not all is as it seems when a pack of cybernetic polar bears attack the research base. Who plans to stop the researchers from stopping climate change? And how did they know Superman would come to the rescue? Find out in the thrilling and action-packed Action Comics #1085.

The Superman Superstar series has been an overall positive experience, with fantastic Superman writers telling new stories about the Man of Steel. I’m sad to see the Superman Superstars series come to an end but they are closing with a fantastic writer.  I have to applaud G. Willow Wilson for using my favorite theme for a Superman story: climate change. I think the theme fits a Superman story so well as it parallels the destruction of Krypton and the loss of a planet. Wilson writes a perfect Clark Kent, and I love the way she captures the dichotomy between Clark and Superman. If I was in this story, I would believe that Clark was not Superman. This story is also light and insightful, something I think a Superman story should be. So far, this story is off to an exciting start, and I am thrilled to see how it concludes. I hope that G. Willow Wilson gets more opportunities to write for Action Comics in the future as well.

The art in this issue is not my favorite, but it works for a standard comic book story. Artist Gavin Guidry and colorist Trish Mulvihill are not creating anything spectacular, but it’s also not so ugly that it’s hard to read. I think my only real complaint is how still the action movements look on panel. The movements aren’t very fluid and dynamic, making Superman look like an action figure. That aside, his Arctic suit in this issue looks fantastic, and I would love to see him in these colors more often. While the art style isn’t my favorite, it’s still a nice comic to look at and is easy on the eyes. It’s always good to see Superman drawn in different styles.