Action Comics #25 Review

Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Aaron Kuder

I have been looking forward to the release of this issue for some time now, as with Greg Pak taking over writing duties I expect the series to sore back to the amazing quality it was when it started. Also the fact that it's a Zero Year tie-in has me even more excited.

Plot

After dealing with a group called the Supremacists, Superman heads to Gotham City to try and stop a storm.

Review

This was an astonishing issue and a brilliant start to Greg Pak's run on this series. Pak would do a great job of showing the young Superman, but what I loved most was that he had a slightly different tone compared to the Batman/Superman version that Pak has been writing, showing that it is the actions around him that affected his attitude in his younger years. I also loved how Pak managed to tie this in with the Zero Year story that's happening in Batman, as although there was a while I was thinking that this was a unnecessary tie-in, Pak would eventually manage to tie it in very nicely, making it feel slightly more connected the events of Zero Year.

The artwork on this issue would also be amazing, as although Aaron Kuder isn't the best artist to feature on this series, his art is still outstanding. The detail in Kuder's art would be very consistent, as although it wasn't spectacular, there weren't many imperfections. What I loved most about Kuder's artwork in this issue had to be the layouts, as although the ones from the preview pages are still the most exciting, the rest would also be very dynamic and unique The action in this issue would also be handled perfectly, and although you'd think that Superman beating baddies would be the most exciting part, it would turn out to be Superman's battle with the storm that would steal the show, and Kuder did an excellent job.

Not to far into this issue Superman would face a group called the Supremacists who have a plan that involves human sacrifice and fifth dimensional plasma gods. Now the group itself wasn't extremely interesting, but the fight between them and Superman was outstanding, being extremely exciting and entertaining. I also enjoyed how hard this fight was for Superman, as although it would prove to be relatively easy, he'd use more effort than he would've if it had taken place in the present day, with this showing just how far his strength has progressed over the years.

The main part of this issue however would see Superman try and stop a storm in Gotham City. Now you could easily say that this is a relatively coincidental way of making this story a tie-in to Zero Year, but the development itself would make the story not just a justifiable tie-in (even if unnecessary) but an exciting story in it's own right. I also loved the concept itself of Superman going up against the elements, and testing his abilities to the max. On top of that it would also be interesting to see just how naive this young Superman is, as it would make it much more interesting, and would show just how much he's progressed over the years.

This issue would also feature Lana Lang, in both the main story and the back-up story. Now I won't go into too much detail about Lana's appearance as to avoid spoilers, but I will say what I though of her appearance, as well as the possibility of her being a regular feature in the series. First off the interaction between Lana and Clark at the start of the issue would be very interesting, as although it wasn't anything spectacular it would give a building point for her appearance in the issue as a whole. I also like the idea of her becoming a regular feature in the series, even if it's only in small back-up stories, though if she does become a regular addition we'll need to see some interaction between her and Clark in the present.

Final Verdict

This was an outstanding start for Greg Pak who has once again proven just how well he knows the Superman character, producing an amazing story in the process. The issue would be exciting and suspenseful, also having a lot of depth. It would also be very dramatic and overall is the kind of Superman story that Action Comics deserves. Due to this I'd highly recommend this issue as it's a great opportunity for new fans and old to get into Superman.

Rating: 9/10

Action Comics #23.3 Lex Luthor Review

Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Raymund Bermudez

Villains Month has been very inconsistent so far, as although we've had some amazing stories out of it, we have also had some really horrible ones. I have however been looking forward to this one, as bar the fact that Lex Luthor is Superman's arch enemy, I wanted to see what Charles Soule could do on a Superman comic seems he'll be handling his and Wonder Woman's relationship in Superman/Wonder Woman.

Plot

Fresh out of jail, Lex Luthor goes about growing his empire, and utilising the fact that Superman is nowhere to be seen.

Review

This was a brilliant issue, and although it wasn't one of the best Luthor stories ever, it was still amazing, being a great tie-in to Forever Evil. Charles Soule simply did a great job of this issue, and has shown me that he knows how to handle a Superman character, giving me even more hope that Superman/Wonder Woman will be good. Soules would show Luthor at his best in this issue, as although he didn't have Superman to fight against, he made do with what he had, making sure that his impact was felt. The issue itself was also extremely dramatic, with some brilliant dialogue that gave the issue fantastic tone. The issue was also fairly intense, with Luthor hell bent on getting what he wants, which I enjoyed.

The art on this issue was also very good, as although it's not the best artwork that I've ever seen, it is far from the worst, suiting this issue perfectly. Raymund Bermudez however isn't an artist that I'm familiar with, with this appearing to be his first major issue. The thing that I really liked about Bermudez' artwork was the layout, as although it wasn't anything spectacular, it worked perfectly with the story, adding depth, as well as helping show the tone and atmosphere that comes with a Luthor story. Bermudez also did a great job of showing the characters emotions, and especially in Luthor, who would seem emotionless in one panel, and maniacal in the next, which was simply amazing.

This issue would centre on the events of Luthor between him getting out of jail, and the start of Forever Evil #1. Now I was very happy when I heard that Luthor would be a main character in Forever Evil, so seeing some backstory in this issue was fantastic. I also enjoyed seeing how Luthor would adapt into his old life, wanting to forget his time in prison. It was also nice to see that Luthor didn't waste time before getting back into his old lifestyle, as although the issue would mention how he could control things even whilst in prison, he managed to do a lot more now that he's a free man.

One of the first things that Luthor would ask about was what Superman was up to, being very shocked to hear that there have been no sighting of him that day. I also enjoyed how Luthor reacted to this, from being initially shocked, to eventually using it to his advantage. I was however still happy that it didn't focus too much on the world not having Superman, as although it needed mention to give Luthor personal satisfaction, it could have easily taken over the issue, and I'm glad that it didn't.

This issue would also see Luthor work closely with his assistant, Casey. I felt that Casey's addition to the issue added some freshness, as although Luthor's presence is usually enough to make an issue good, it's always nice for him to have someone to work off. I also enjoyed how Casey had different views to certain things than Luthor, as although she seemed the loyal employee, it was clear that she didn't like all of Luthor's decisions. Besides this the interaction be

Final Verdict

A brilliant issue that shows that Soule is very capable of creating brilliant Superman stories. The issue itself was also a great prequel to Forever Evil, being very exciting, and suspenseful, also having plenty of drama. The tone was also brilliant with new artist Bermudez doing a brilliant job. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this, especially if you're reading Forever Evil, though don't expect it to be the best Luthor story you've ever read.

Rating: 8/10

Action Comics #23.2 Zod Review

Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Ken Lashley

With both my favourite Superman villain in General Zod appearing in this story, as well as it being written by one of my favourite writers Greg Pak I was really looking forward to this. I was however also hoping that it was better than Pak's last villains month issue (Darkseid), which although interesting was slightly disappointing.

Plot

Growing up watching his family die at the hands of a monster life seemed hard for Zod, but after being found by Zor-El, and Jor-El he would have a new life in Krypton becoming it's millitary's general.

Review

This was a phenomenal issue, and is one of the best issues that Villains Month has produced so far, along with the Riddler issue. Greg Pak simply did a wonderful job, and more than made up for the slightly disappointing Darkseid issue. The tone, and style of this story was simply amazing, and Pak did a brilliant job at telling Zod's origin, changing it slightly whilst not completely butchering it. There was also plenty of drama in this issue, but the best thing had to be the excitement, as Pak managed to give us some  explosive action sequences, that also showed what type of character Zod is. I also loved how Pak paced this issue, as the transitions through time were much smoother than they were in Darkseid.

The art in this issue was very good, and although not spectacular, Ken Lashley overall did an amazing job. The detail to Lashley's art was overall very impressive, but there was the odd imperfection that let it down slightly. I did however enjoy his style, as although it's not my favourite style for a Superman story, it really helped with this one, as it worked perfectly with the younger Zod, as well as his older self. I also loved how Lashley handled all the creatures, or rather, "monsters," that were in this issue, as with a lot going on it'd be understandable for slightly less than perfection, but most of the time it was just that, adding a lot of excitement to the issue.

Zod was perfectly portrayed in this story, as although I was slightly sceptical about the changes to his origin, as I said it was very well handled, and the perfect characteristic made up for any small quibbles. I especially loved how this story showed a slightly different side to Zod at the very beginning, whilst ultimately showing him as the determined war general that he is, wanting to make Krypton as he envisions it, no matter what the cost. I was however in two minds about changing Zod's father to a scientist, as I liked the idea that every Zod was a warrior, whilst all El's were scientists.

Talking about the House of El, both Zor, and Jor-El would also feature in this story, being the people who found Zod. I liked the way that both characters were portrayed in this issue, as although I'm not full aware of the changes made to Zor-El since the start of the New 52 these younger versions were fairly close to the characters I know. I also loved seeing the connection that Zod would make with both these characters, as well as the differences between Zod, and them.

This issue would also show Zod's abilities as a general, as it would see the Kryptonian army face the Char in a very explosive fight. I also enjoyed seeing how Krypton saw Zod following this fight, and how it was in a much different light than he'd ultimately be seen in. I also loved that we also got to see Zod's lieutenants, Non, and Faora Hu-Ul, and how they interacted with Zod, having similar goals as him. I also feel that Zod is always much better with his lieutenants, and I especially enjoyed seeing Faora again following her appearance in Man of Steel.

Final Verdict

This was a truly amazing story, and one of the best that Villains Month has produced so far. Pak did a fantastic job of showing the characteristics of Zod, whilst also showing a slightly different side to him. The story itself was also filled with some brilliant drama, and amazing action, and I'd highly recommend this, and hope that Pak does just as good a job when he takes over Action Comics.

Rating: 10/10