Action Comics #854

posted by Tygrrius @ 6:24 PM

Action Comics #854 (DC Comics, M. October 2007 cover date)
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Brad Walker
Inker: Livesay
Cover: Brad Walker & Livesay

So, this time around, we get the third and final part of "3-2-1 Action!," the tale that started horribly but improved a bit in the middle act.

After an initial revelation that was all but mapped out in the last issue, the story progresses along by means of a framing device. Since the DC universe did not come to a halt at the end of Action #853, Jimmy catches Superman and the readers up on what occurred next.

The writing is still a bit amateurish for my taste, but it's a decent one-off tale. Krypto is back, so that scores a lot of points with me as a dog lover. Keep in mind, I loved the recent Underdog movie. Which, I gather, puts me in a very small minority.

Since the covers, art, and writing have all been a bit off in this arc, could it be that we're actually reading a comic book created by Jimmy? They're just missing the little note that says "Jimmy drew this." It would explain a lot. . . .

Anyway, with dog points added in, this one isn't too bad. Walker should stick to drawing Krypto and forget about Superman, though.

Honestly, I'm glad this one's over. Though the ending of the last Geoff Johns/Richard Donner arc has yet to be revealed, Action is moving on to their next arc, "Escape from Bizarro World." More than likely, this means your regularly scheduled JS will resume his reviewing duties on this title. Until my next fill-in, I'll catch you on the DVD aisle.

Story/Writing: 6 (out of 10)
Art: 6
Cover Art: 3
Overall Experience: 6 (out of 10)

August 22nd Comic RoundUp

posted by JediSheltie @ 7:22 PM

Superman 666

For those of you non-Christians, the number 666 is the "Number of the Beast." Perhaps all the Buddhist Superman fans were confused as to why this issue was double sized and featured a "Hell" theme. Just trying to do my part to foster understanding of Christan eschatology. It was also why Batman was heading off the Apocalypse two issues ago.

The #666 story itself is a bit of a one-shot, not figuring into any current arcs. As such, it has a relatively timeless feel. In a number of ways, actually. Most notably the way in which it recycles the possessed Superman storyline. I'm a little disappointed in Busiek, who's been turning in some great work recently. He even turned in a rather great story a few issues back that looked at the whole possession angle from a fresher perspective. Here it's back to a pretty common well.

Seems Krypton had a Hell, too. This one didn't have a chance to freeze over though, as it pretty much got blown to bits with the rest of the planet. The metaphysical implications here are pretty mind-blowing, but they aren't fodder for the story. We're only to note that not everything in Kryptonian Hell was killed when the planet went "boom." One little lesser demon makes it out and finally enacts a plan to take control of Krypton's last son. Boy, is he successful.

The possessed Superman does all the bad things you expect him to do. Granted, I was a bit amused when he popped Jimmy Olsen. Really, we all kind of want that from time to time. Luthor's death also qualifies as the most creative use of spit in comics recently, that's for sure. After completing an earthly rampage, Clark ends up in Earth Hell, ruler of all he surveys. Naturally, this isn't the status quo when the issue ends. Suffice to say, when one is vulnerable to magical forces, it helps to have friends who know a lot about magic.

The one part where the script shined was at the end, when Clark, his old self, points out to Hell's head honchos that he could basically ruin their entire millennium if he wanted to, and they didn't have a local snowball's chance of stopping him. He doesn't only because he knows it's an ultimately empty gesture, that Hell will still be there, and something else will just take over. I do enjoy seeing Clark assume an "I'm a complete bad-ass" demeanor from time to time, especially when it stems from him losing his temper a bit. I consider it a very humanizing characteristic.

Art was fine. Done by old hand Walt Simonson, it brought back memories of my first years reading Superman, post "Death." He was never my favorite artist, but he's "okay."

I think Camelot is finally going to "fall" next issue. The oft-interrupted, but still narratively pleasing, arc might finally be coming to a conclusion. We shall see.

Batman 668

This issue is second of a 3 part arc that sees Batman arriving on a reclusive billionaire's remote island to reunite with a very, very short-lived "super team" of the world's "other" Batmen. Before you go thinking there's a bunch of guys in knock-off bat costumes, don't worry, Morrison and artist J.H. Williams dig a little deeper. Based on a very old, Golden Age idea, this league of “Batmen of All Nations” is composed of very distinct members, very few of which actually wear costumes that have any relation to Batman's. They are all getting killed, though.

The Black Hand has shown up to spoil the party and, presumably, kill them all. It's a rather classic setup, one seen in a few different places. The protagonists are trapped on the island with a killer. They just happen to be superheroes, and one of them is Batman. The setup actually reminded me a bit of an old Avenger's episode. Should be interesting to see what the big reveal is at the end, but the mystery is compelling, even if the plot is well worn. Morrison is basically taking that well worn plot and shaping a very good Batman story around it.

Exposition on the other heroes is brief but deep enough to serve the purpose of the story. Hard to say what the clues are, as this isn't an episode of Columbo. Morrison evokes the rising tensions among a group of people who would otherwise be considered "fearless crime fighters." Bruce Wayne remains the coolest cucumber in the room, of course. This is a Batman-as-detective yarn, less a superhero tale of the kind Morrison is more well known for. He certainly shows no signs of being out of his depth, though.

Art is handled by J.H. Williams III, who turns in a excellent, stylish performance that suits the story very well. The use of the black hand in large splash panels to define the page structure is an excellent way to communicate the character's guiding of the events unfolding. Tension filled faces and dark rooms abound, providing a perfect accompaniment to the dark script. All in all a very good arc for Morrison.

Action Comics #853

posted by Tygrrius @ 9:31 PM

Action Comics #853 (DC Comics, October 2007 cover date)
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Brad Walker
Inker: Livesay
Cover: Brad Walker & Livesay

Tygrrius here and I'm about to review Action Comics #853, so hit the deck!

Yes, I pretty much hated the last issue, so much so in fact that JS had to mop clean-up behind me for a change. So, I can't say I was exactly looking forward to Part 2 of "3-2-1 Action!"

In fact, when this issue was a bit delayed arriving at my doorstep, I initially took it as a benevolent gift from the DC gods that perhaps this one got lost in the mail.

No such luck. Fortunately, though, this installment isn't nearly as bad as last time. Perhaps I was more prepared for Superman merely making a guest appearance in what is actually a Jimmy Olsen story.

Considering how poorly Superman is drawn and written in this story arc, I'd just as soon he appear as little as possible. Walker just doesn't have a handle on Clark yet, whether dressed as the reporter or the superhero. To be fair here, I will point out that Walker's non-Superman art looks decent enough, and the colors (Pantazis & Loughridge) are vibrant and near-perfect.

The Jimmy as superhero story moves along fairly well, though. It's only when the story gets bogged down with the Kryptonite Man and his monkey that readers begin to suffer. Most of the issue is fun, and the surprise ending on the last frame of the last page actually makes me look forward to Part 3. Considering where I was at the end of Part 1, that's quite an accomplishment.

Story/Writing: 5 (out of 10)
Art: 6
Cover Art: 4
Overall Experience: 5 (out of 10)

The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection DVD set

posted by Tygrrius @ 1:31 PM

The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection (8 DVDs)

Are you afraid of the massive 14-DVD Superman: The Ultimate Collector's Edition set? Are you a fan of the Christopher Reeve Superman movies but not so sure about this Brandon Routh guy? Then the 8-DVD Christopher Reeve Superman Collection is marketed at you.

The real question here is, though, should you buy this set over its bigger brother? Let's find out. Click on the links to view my individual reviews for each disc.

Discs 1-4
Superman: Special Edition
(Overall: 10 out of 10)

Discs 5 & 6
Superman II: Special Edition
(Overall: 9)

Disc 7
Superman III: Deluxe Edition
(Overall: 7)

Disc 8
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace-Deluxe Edition
(Overall: 5)

* * *

Since I am also a fan of Brandon Routh's performance in Superman Returns, this set is really not aimed at me. However, I am definitely a huge fan of Christopher Reeve. He defined "Superman" for my generation, and inspired countless others by his own life.

The 8-DVD Reeve set costs about 30% less than the 14-DVD Ultimate set. In addition to all material covered by the Reeve set, the Ultimate set also offers the following:

· Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
· Superman Returns: Special Edition (2 disc version)
· Look, Up In The Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman
· You Will Believe: The Making of a Saga
· Bryan Singer's Video Journals

If you are a Reeve-only fan, you will also need to purchase Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut separately. Now, instead of 30% less than the Ultimate set, you're now at only 6% less.

Yet, you're still not done shopping. You'll also need to pick up Look, Up In The Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman, the essential Superman documentary that focuses extensively on the Reeve films and includes a moving tribute to him.

Now, your 6% savings by not buying the Ultimate set has been wiped out. For your 10 DVDs, you're now paying nearly 10% more than you would have for the 14-DVD Ultimate set.

Yet you're still missing You Will Believe: The Making of a Saga, which is only available on the Ultimate set and cannot be bought separately. It contains a new, 90-minute documentary focused solely on the making of the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, a 20-minute tribute to Reeve, and other extras.

Plus, I'd still have to recommend you at least obtain the one-disc version of Superman Returns. Did you really give it a chance the first time around? The film itself is basically a tribute to Christopher Reeve and Richard Donner, and is dedicated to Dana & Christopher Reeve. As a Reeve fan, you should own it.

In the end, the numbers just don't add up. The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection falls short compared to Superman: The Ultimate Collector's Edition. Even if you don't plan to watch the Superman Returns material on the Ultimate set, you will still save money over buying the remaining essential Reeve material separately.

Features: 9 (out of 10)
Video Quality: 10
Audio Quality: 9
Bonus Features: 9
Overall Experience: 9

Visit http://www.christopherreeve.org/ to support the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

Superman: The Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD set

posted by Tygrrius @ 5:15 AM

Superman: The Ultimate Collector's Edition (14 DVDs)

It's taken me nine months, but I've finally made it to the end of Superman: The Ultimate Collector's Edition. I have watched every movie, every feature, and listened to every commentary in the big silver tin. Just about the only thing I didn't do was listen to the non-English audio tracks.

Does this set live up to its name? Well, let's find out. Click on the links to view my individual reviews for each disc.

Discs 1-4
Superman: Special Edition
(Overall: 10 out of 10)

Discs 5 & 7
Superman II: Special Edition
(Overall: 9)

Disc 6
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
(Overall: 10)

Disc 8
Superman III: Deluxe Edition
(Overall: 7)

Disc 9
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace-Deluxe Edition
(Overall: 5)

Discs 10 & 11
Superman Returns: Special Edition
(Overall: 10)

Disc 12
Look, Up In The Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman
(Overall: 9)

Disc 13 (Bonus)
You Will Believe: The Making of a Saga
(Overall: 7)

Disc 14 (Bonus)
Bryan Singer's Video Journals
(Overall: 8)

Other bonus items
Superman: Rampage comic book (Overall: 4)
Full-sized, theatrical one-sheet posters for the first five (1978-2006) Superman movies [mail-in offer, pay only $5.80 for shipping]

The verdict
Simply put, Warner Home Video has assembled the best DVD collection I've ever purchased. Paramount and Lucasfilm, pay attention for your next Star Trek and Star Wars efforts. This is how you do an ultimate boxed set. You release the highest quality versions of the theatrical versions of the films and alternate cuts, pack the discs with bonus features including vintage specials, throw in some non-DVD extras, and release it all at an affordable price.

The only Superman-related movies missing from this set are the 1948 and 1950 theatrical serials starring Kirk Alyn, 1984's Supergirl starring Helen Slater, and (this is a stretch) 1997's Steel starring Shaquille O'Neal. The Superman serials and Supergirl are currently available on DVD. As for Steel, the odds are it will eventually surface. Whether or not that's a good thing, I'll leave up to you.

Superman: The Ultimate Collector's Edition was so successful that it sold out in most areas within a month. After a second pressing, it is now back in stories. If you're a Superman fan, be sure not to miss this one.

Features: 9 (out of 10)
Video Quality: 10
Audio Quality: 9
Bonus Features: 10
Overall Experience: 10

Superman II: Special Edition DVD

posted by Tygrrius @ 9:00 PM

Superman II: Special Edition
The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection, Discs 5 & 6
Superman: The Ultimate Collector's Edition, Discs 5 & 7

This marks my 50th review here on The Film Frontier, most of them within the last year or so. JS is closing in and will soon surpass me, though. Up this time is Superman II: Special Edition.

Most of the drama of Superman II, of course, occurred behind-the-scenes. The Salkinds tapped Richard Lester to replace Superman director Richard Donner, and there's been controversy ever since.

Having listened to various tellings of the Donner vs. Salkinds/Lester story on Superman: Special Edition, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, this Superman II: Special Edition release, and various other places, all I can say is, enough already. Can't we just watch the movie(s)? I really don't care anymore whose fault it was. The fact is, it happened. Move on with your lives.

As far as the movie goes, this theatrical version of Superman II benefits from being a completed film, while The Richard Donner Cut had to make some necessary compromises. Which is better?

It's still hard to say. My heart wants to go with the Donner version, but is it really the promise, the idea of the Donner version that I love, rather than the rough cut seen on that DVD?

No matter which version you prefer, the theatrical/Lester version of Superman II holds up well. Minus the controversy, it was fun to watch it once again.

Lots of bonus features on this Special Edition. Only one deleted scene, though. Shot by Lester, it explains a comment made by Donner on Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut commentary (that's what I get for watching that one first). The Donner Cut itself, of course, includes a number of once deleted scenes, as well as additional deleted scenes available separately on the disc.

Other bonus features on the Special Edition include the vintage Making of Superman II television special, which unfortunately runs slightly too slow, effectively deepening everyone's voice. In fact, I'd say that Christopher Reeve actually sounds a bit more "Super" with a deeper voice. It's not too annoying, though, and certainly isn't worthy of a recall on the part of Warner Home Video as some have called for. It's just a bonus feature, folks, and it's more than watchable.

I remember hating the Superman 50th Anniversary television special when it originally aired. Nearly twenty years later, watching it on DVD, I still hate it. Though I now, at least, recognize host Dana Carvey. Lots of other SNL cast members also appear. But the special just isn't as funny as it thinks it is. Think SNL on a bad season. A really bad season.

The highlight of the bonus features are a new documentary, First Flight: The Fleischer Superman Series and the remaining eight Famous Studios Superman movie cartoons from the 1940's, which are influenced greatly by the still-in-progress World War II.

Many of the key Superman features we take for granted, including flying instead of leaping, were actually established by this cartoon series. The popularity of these cartoons forced the comics to follow along and make Superman fly. So much for being the one, true record of Clark's adventures. I love seeing how the various Superman incarnations on various forms of media inspire one another.

Executive Producer Ilya Salkind and Producer Pierre Spengler provide the commentary track for the film. Considering the beaten given to them by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz in the expanded Superman and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut commentary tracks, it's only fair that they respond.

Though I enjoyed Salkind on Superman and Superman III, I found his ramblings on this one to be tiresome. For example, I just don't care to hear his insight on the phrase "worked like dogs" (which he uses in reference to those involved on the first film) which he questions since he's never seen dogs work very hard, except police dogs.

Forget the commentary and controversy. Just watch the movie and the cartoons. They're still terrific.

Movie: 9 (out of 10)
Video Quality: 10
Audio Quality: 9
Bonus Features: 8
Overall Experience: 9

Star Trek: Year Four #1 comic book

posted by JediSheltie @ 7:34 PM

August 8th Comic RoundUp

Star Trek: Year Four 01

Thought I'd take a little longer to look at this one. Considering the year of hype ahead about the upcoming movie, etc., it seems IDW Publishing knew a good deal when they saw it and snapped up the rights to Trek Comics. The first effort was a TNG based short series that I didn't read, mostly because it was TNG. The few things I heard about it weren't all that great.

Which brings us to author David Tischman's latest effort: Year Four. Set during the fourth year of the Starship Enterprise's original 5 year mission, the goal of the comic appears to be capturing the feel of a TOS episode in a single comic form. Does it succeed at that goal? Well, let's take a look at the stats right out of the gate:

• - Enterprise discovers uncharted world.
• - World's small number of occupants lead by charismatic, exiled scientist.
• - Exiled scientist plays by his own rules, consequences be damned.
• - Exiled scientist has hottie blonde assistant.
• - The landing party consists of 2 guys in blue shirts, 1 guy in a gold shirt, and one guy who made a very unfortunate fashion choice that morning.
• - He's dead, Jim.
• - Enterprise driven off, stranding parts of landing party.
• - Bonus Trek Comic Cliché: references to cannon established after TOS.

Now, I'm the last guy who will complain about unoriginal plots. Talk to our founder about the various existential crises he's had over them. Still, this "episode" comic covers a lot of very familiar Trek themes in a way that does little to lend any kind of unique voice. Trek had a lot of common themes in it, and there's nothing wrong with revisiting them. This comic does that, but mostly in a way that seems like different "iconic" episode elements were merely being strung together without any greater purpose.

Eventually I was waiting for the evil computer to be revealed.

The plot of the comic has the Enterprise discovering a series of worlds locked in a kind of double helix pattern mostly devoid of life. Kirk and Co. beam down to investigate and discover an exiled scientific genius who's taken up residence in this empty world system to eradicate all disease. Other dangers lurk on the world, of course, leading to the original "Oh my god, you killed Kenny!" moment of scripted television. Offing the red shirt was a story beat I had no problem with, actually, as that's the kind of iconic moment that transcends most story elements.

Kirk and McCoy investigate, only to discover the brilliant scientist exile is up to no good, of course. What's strange about the entire story is that, ultimately, Kirk and company do little to bring about the story's resolution. Ultimately it turns out their simple arrival was the first domino that caused the rest to fall on their own. Other plot holes abound, such as the nature of the scientists Island-of-Dr.-Moreau-like assistants, and how they could drive off the Enterprise with torpedoes. Everything ultimately seemed rushed, as if some more exposition might have made things a bit clearer, but the "1 episode comic" theme forced too much story compression.

Characterizations were reasonable. If I had to quibble, I might say Kirk started hitting on the blonde assistant a wee bit too quickly after his latest red-shirted fatality. Then again, I guess it's reasonable to assume, four years in, he's pretty much used to it by now.

Art was passable. In fact, it seemed to suggest a bit of The Animated Series, with clean lines and broad flat colors. The Enterprise was rendered with reasonable accuracy. Though I'm hardly the stickler for this as I am for renderings of the "A", this was certainly a step above any of the starship abominations common to the mid-80's Trek comics.

If the idea of this comic is to present some "unseen episodes" of the original Star Trek, then author David Tischman will have to do a little better than cut-in-paste plot elements from old episodes. Granted, that presents a bit more a writing challenge, but with any luck, he can come up with more Balance of Terrors and less Spock's Brains. I'm going to grab a few more issues. Perhaps I'll float the guy a pass and say the cobbled together iconic plot elements were meant to be appealing to old Trek farts like me. Give me that "old home" feeling and keep me hooked. Well, hopefully Tischman will spread his wings a bit in upcoming "episodes."

Aug 1st RoundUp

posted by JediSheltie @ 7:40 PM

Well, in light of the founder horning in on my “action,” literally, I'll toss out my thoughts on the whole fill-in thing by pulling up Action from last month along with my reasonably common take on the Maid of Might.

Supergirl 20

Friggin' finally. Though I still think Sean McKeever will take over on this title, at least new author Tony Bedard is getting us a little more towards a superhero comic. In fact, punches are thrown in the real world, not an kind of imaginary hallucinogenic fake test world. Anyway, I digress. Kelley is gone and it looks like the scales are tipping back towards pasty white guy from teenage girl. Being a pasty white guy, I'm pleased.

This is not to say I wasn't slightly concerned. The upshot of the grueling mess we just left behind was Kara's brief reconciliation with Clark. I was thinking that was really great timing to be dumping the whole "oopsie" with Air Force One. Turns out this was handled fairly masterfully by Bedard's script, where in lessons are learned in the field and not merely preached by a stuffy ole "big brother". That's a role that Clark is always in danger of filling in this title, and it's good he's managed to avoid it so long.

Picking up where the last issue of Amazon's Attack left off, Kara and Cassie (Wonder Girl) learn that the nuances of wartime relations are bit beyond their earnest efforts to stop the conflict. Certainly reasonable to assume that 2 teenage girls might think the idea of kidnapping the President of the United States to take him to parlay with the foe (to whom they have a certain sympathy). We've already learned the Amazons intervene in their attempt, and their kidnapping mission turns into a rescue mission as Air Force One goes down.

Kara flies off, heading back to the war zone that is Washington DC, particularly mortified at what happened. She quickly finds herself in the thick of battle with a very large, very magical ogre. (I wonder if the ogres are female too? I mean, that would be kind of hypocritical if all the Amazons' little battle beasts weren't girls too, right?) She receives both help and some enlightenment from a local man who is engaged in a civilian rescue. His connections to someone who might have just died on Air Force One give him a strong reason to doubt Kara's actions.

As the dust clears, Kara's a little older and a lot wiser. Bedard manages to cram more "development" into a single issue than Kelly did for six or seven. I mentioned I was highly psyched about Renato Guedes having art chores, and he did not disappoint. Beautiful renderings of both expression and action from cover to cover. Guedes allows Kara to "bulk up" a little from past artists' renderings. He captures the emotions she experiences, from anger and frustration to remorse and sorrow, beautifully.

This is a good new start. Bedard's Kara comes off as a well-rounded character. She is young and learning, and not so completely self-possessed and petulant as she has been. She'll carry this memory with her through her super heroine career and be the better for it.

Action 852

After Tygrrius' vitriolic rant about this issue, I suppose I'll chip in with my accurately appraised 2 cents. My experience is a bit different from his, in that Action is the sole comic to which he subscribes on a monthly basis. Hopefully you can, as I do, sympathize with the fact that he signed on to Action expecting one thing, and has, very surely, been given another- a variety of different "anothers," in fact.

Though I'm no fan of them, I've reached a kind of "zen" about comic delays. It's a dirty fact of life about the industry as a whole, and neither of the big 2 are immune from it. Ultimately, I just have to roll with it. In certain (okay, most) circumstances, I buy comics because I consider them to be the "official" record of what the "real" character is doing. Thus, I want to know what Superman is up to these days, so I buy Superman comics.

That means I'm not really prone to the whole "drop because story/art sucks, there's too much delay, I don't like the creative direction, etc. etc. etc." excuses.

As Action is Tygrrius' only comic, and he signed on specifically expecting at least a years worth of Superman stories from the Johns/Donner creative team, then he has a right to feel pissed off. He sure hasn't gotten what he bargained for.

I will pick one nit with his accusations. The nature of the Jimmy Olsen stories as "event tie-in" is true, but the back-up stories themselves weren't planned from anything I've seen. Thanks to a certain guy who shall remain nameless (Adam Kubert), the flagship of DC Comics has been lagging a bit in the ole issue number department. This is basically an attempt to get the numbers back to where they should be. Yes, they used it as excuse to run a Countdown tie-in, but it could have been anything, not just this so called “marketing stunt.”

Hey... I work in marketing...

It seems the initial plan was to have Johns/Donner/Kubert team turning out 1 issue a month for at least a year, just like Tygrrius expected and signed on for. That just didn't happen, so the fill-ins arrive, because Action needs to keep the numbers up.

So, we have an issue where Jimmy Olsen, who has now has the ability to randomly manifest the various and sundry random powers he was granted throughout the Silver Age, develops his new "Mr. Action" personae. We also learn how Jimmy came about his signal watch in a flashback sequence. Busiek's script stood up, even though it's primarily a Jimmy Olsen story. I credit his writing skills with keeping me even slightly interested in the character. Art, as Tygrrius pointed out, was not particularly grand. This guy is no Renato Guedes, basically.

I'd bump most of his grades up by 3 or 4 for this issue, except art, in my "zen" state of mind.

Action Comics #852

posted by Tygrrius @ 5:30 AM

Action Comics #852 (DC Comics, September 2007 cover date)
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Brad Walker
Inker: John Livesay
Cover: Brad Walker & John Livesay

Warning: This is not really so much a review as it is a quick rant.

A few days after renewing my Action subscription, based solely on the promising look of Gary Frank's art and the hope that the Geoff Johns/Richard Donner stories will soon become the focus of the title, issue #852 arrived in the mail. It's a good thing I already sent my money to DC. This one would've made me think twice.

This issue ties in with DC's Countdown #42. DC seems to be on a countdown trip over the last few years. And what are we counting down to this time? Why, it's yet another Crisis of course. I suppose "events" are the only way to tip the scales a bit as far as comic book sales and DC will be forever chasing former glories. They are looking around for people to kill in order to boost sales.

Unfortunately, I bought into Action Comics last year expecting to see Clark Kent/Superman as the main character. I wasn't subscribing to Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, after all, but that's exactly what we get here.

Mind you, I've got nothing against Jimmy. He's a supporting character, and I can normally take him or leave him. He's like Sulu on Star Trek. It's fine if he's there, but if he's missing in an episode or movie, I don't really notice.

I don't want to see a Sulu episode, though, nor do I want to see a Sulu movie. The same goes for Jimmy. This issue is a Jimmy story, and not even a very good one at that. The worst part is, this story is apparently part one of three.

So not only has DC's latest marketing stunt hijacked this issue of Action, but it's also hijacking at least two more. I shouldn't complain too much about the lack of Superman in this issue, though. As poorly as he is depicted by Brad Walker, I would just as soon he not show up at all.

And, hey, DC, I really don't care about the monkey. Nor your Countdown. Nor the conclusion of this piece of junk. Save that for the annual and let me have the rest of the story I signed on to read.

Story/Writing: 3 (out of 10)
Art: 2
Cover Art: 2
Overall Experience: 2 (out of 10)