DCnU Superman Thread (re: Action Comics and Superman)

[thecolorsblend]

Figure we can use this as a general Action Comics discussion. To kick things off, there's a preview of the first few pages at http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album_view.php?gid=3581&page=2

Overall, it seems Morrison wasn't kidding around when he said he's running with the Siegel/Shuster Superman; that two-fisted, New Dealer who, with a much reduced power level, tended to take a slightly tougher line on the bad guys. No bullshit; just truth, justice and the American way... or an ass-kicking. Your choice.

As I've said, I don't mind the t-shirt and jeans "costume". It bothers me that he's wearing it when he openly operates as SUPERMAN but otherwise I'm cool with it since it's an incremental thing. I firmly believe that the abortion of a new costume he's wearing in the main Superman book won't be around for long so I'm not too worried about that.

Overall? Not bad. I mean, not GREAT... but not bad. For the first time in a while, I'm actually looking forward to a Superman comic book again.

[webhead2006]

I don't know if I still want to bother with reading the dcnu stuff. Though I agree with you the new full suit could. Change in time. Same goes with dcnu whole history if things change back to something of more normal deal. But its all matter of time.

[Rduce]

Nothing will change in the end. Fans will be fans and stay, others will check out and leave. In the end they will be right back where they started!

[Apologist Puncher]

Nothing will change in the end. Fans will be fans and stay, others will check out and leave. In the end they will be right back where they started!

Nope, not this time.

[Rduce]

Some folks being pretty vocal and not so happy with the new look if you want to read the Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/superman

[thecolorsblend]

Moved over to Superman comics forum.

I'm picking up Action Comics tonight. I'll post my thoughts after I read it.

[webhead2006]

I don't care to buy it myself. But if I see it at my local shop I will probably glance through it.

[thecolorsblend]

I dug it. I renew my objection to Superman not wearing his final outfit upon his debut as Superman... but since the new outfit looks like five kinds of ass, I'm actually happy with the t-shirt/jeans combo. Looks kinda cool, sort of SV'ish. The tone of this thing seems to take something from SV, something from the Siegel/Shuster era of Action Comics, Morrison's Ultra Smug version of Lex, etc. Dug the art too. Rags Morales has really upped his game over the years and it shows.

No matter what else is going on with The New 52, Action Comics seems like a definite keeper.

[Apologist Puncher]

I dug it. I renew my objection to Superman not wearing his final outfit upon his debut as Superman... but since the new outfit looks like five kinds of ass, I'm actually happy with the t-shirt/jeans combo. Looks kinda cool, sort of SV'ish. The tone of this thing seems to take something from SV, something from the Siegel/Shuster era of Action Comics, Morrison's Ultra Smug version of Lex, etc. Dug the art too. Rags Morales has really upped his game over the years and it shows.

No matter what else is going on with The New 52, Action Comics seems like a definite keeper.

[thecolorsblend]

I was surprised too but it's really pretty good.

[Apologist Puncher]

Trying to make Clark Kent look like Harry Potter is groan-worthy at BEST. I don't understand why they would even bother trying.

The story itself was very "Meh" to me, and doesn't make me regret NOT paying for DC Comics ever again. Even though Superman started out in a similar fashion, he hasn't been depicted in that way in so long, while Batman HAS, that it's impossible not to think they are trying to "Dark Knight Up" this "Superman".

And patches on the jeans? Really? "Superman" can't afford a few extra pairs?

[webhead2006]

Cover for action comics #4 (via comicbook resources):
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34358

[Rduce]

I am still having a problem with a futuristic cape along side patched blue jeans and farm boots...

[Apologist Puncher]

Cover for action comics #4 (via comicbook resources):
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34358

Head. Too. Small.

[webhead2006]

Kal-el Ship and new look for jorel in DCnU:
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/joshw24/news/?a=47595

[Apologist Puncher]

Why wasn't he able to grab that retarded looking ship before he left? Were his arms just too tired?

Oh yeah: Plot points.

[thecolorsblend]

Why wasn't he able to grab that retarded looking ship before he left? Were his arms just too tired?

Oh yeah: Plot points.

I'm okay with that part of the deal. In the exact situation presented as it was in the story, Superman had to get the hell out of Dodge as quick as he could. It's a little too convenient for the very reason you cite but, at the end of the day, no big.

But. But. Something else happened in Action Comics #2 that disturbs me more. I care not about spoiling you on this as I have my doubts that you'll ever read this thing. Just in case though... don't go beyond this point if you're avoiding spoilers. If you do, hey, it's on you.

...

Okay. As part of the climax of the issue, Superman escapes from the electric chair to which he'd been tied. In so doing, he man-handles Lex, uses him as a human shield and threatens to snap his scrawny little neck like a twig. (A) It's bad writing as Lex has a bit of pudge. Methinks Grant Morrison envisioned Lex as more from the Michael Rosenbaum school than the John Byrne school and nobody passed Jesus Merino the note. But (B) I mean, come the fuck on, do I REALLY need to explain why Superman has no business saying something like that? It doesn't matter if he was doing it strictly for intimidation without any real intent behind his threat. It doesn't matter if he was just bluffing. Superman wouldn't threaten somebody in that way. Or, if he would, certainly not under those circumstances. If the right writer concocted the right scenario... maybe. MAYBE I could buy it. But Morrison didn't give Superman anywhere even remotely close to something that could someday be confused for sufficient provocation. It reads well, it's a badass line and that seems to have been the sole consideration.

Well no, okay? I don't freakin buy it! Jonathan and Martha Kent raised him better than that and Satan would need a parka and a heating pad before Superman grappled with Lex that way and made that type of threat. Wouldn't. Freaking. Happen. Alright? Period.

Don't get me wrong here. With certain reservations (many of which I'm sure you can guess), I'm still enjoying The New 52. But the above moment REALLY sticks in my craw.

[Rduce]

Whitney Ellsworth has been gone for at least 40 years and this is no longer the Superman we have all known and loved. This is the “new” Superman, the badass Superman, a Superman for the 21st Century. A Superman that can gain some street cred…

I suspect at some point, he may even talk about “poppin a cap off in your ass”…

[Apologist Puncher]

I'm okay with that part of the deal. In the exact situation presented as it was in the story, Superman had to get the hell out of Dodge as quick as he could. It's a little too convenient for the very reason you cite but, at the end of the day, no big.

Did read it, and sorry colors, wrong:




I see a lot of standing around, chit-chatting, and basically doing everything BUT grabbing it and going.

Plot points and lazy writing.

[webhead2006]

ya even if this superman is low on power level. He should have been able to super speed knock out the guards, and then while the guards are out cold grab the ship and leave.

[Apologist Puncher]

http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/joshw24/news/?a=47815

COMICS: Andy Kubert To Draw Two Issue Arc Of Grant Morrison's Action Comics!

In a very exciting pre-New York Comic Con announcement, it has been revealed that the Flashpoint artist will draw an arc of Action Comics with, "some VERY iconic stuff"...

Comic Book Resources have spotted a New York Post story which reveals that artist Andy Kubert will soon join Grant Morrison for a two-issue Action Comics arc with #5 and #6. This revelation was followed up by the following statement from Kubert on DC's The Source blog.

"When Editor Matt Idelson asked if I would be interested and/or able to fit into my schedule two upcoming issues of Action Comics with Grant, I couldn’t say no. I don’t know of any other artist that would have. Drawing the latest incarnation of Superman and working with one of the best writers on the planet made it a very easy decision for me. And in this story, I get to do some VERY iconic stuff! I gotta admit, I’m a little nervous… Fun Fact for those keeping score: I had never drawn Superman in a comics interior for an entire issue. I had done inking over Dan Jurgens and Jerry Ordway for an issue each over their beautiful pencils way (and I mean WAY) back when but this is my first opportunity to pencil the Man of Steel interior pages for my very own!"

The story in the New York Post also mentions that DC will, "reveal the surprising origin of a longtime member of the Justice League" at the New York Comic Con. And in case you were wondering, regular artist Rags Morales WILL be back for #7.

[thecolorsblend]

#3 came out yesterday. I wouldn't call it a dud but this is where Morrison has begun shifting from one part of the story over to the next. In order to get there, you need some exposition. So as a likely direct result of that, this issue doesn't have quite the action quotient that #1 and #2 had. That's fine, not criticizing, just saying.

Dig the new version of Krypton. Jor-El in particular seems to be fairly in line with his vaguely Pre-Crisis look. All the same though, the people who say that the new Action Comics has had a lot in common with Sucky Origin... well, they've got a leg to stand on.

Apart from that, Morrison plays the "public is afraid of Superman card". I usually don't like that approach but here it's centered on paranoia about aliens. The public was okay with Superman when they thought he was a government experiment or something but the idea of an alien is what bugs them. If you must run with that story concept, this isn't a bad way to handle it.

Anywho. Overall, I'm digging this book. My understanding is that, sooner or later, it'll tie in with the main Superman book. I understand the desire for that but part of me would be fine if Action Comics was used as a vehicle to tell "year one" type Superman stories for a year or three. We went through a period of something like two years where Superman didn't even appear in Action Comics so two years of early adventures shouldn't be too much to ask for, in my opinion.

[webhead2006]

How is krypton this time around.

[thecolorsblend]

How is krypton this time around.

Oddly enough, there's a six or seven page sequence that takes place there but I wouldn't say we're shown a whole lot. That said, there is a splash page that shows something and what we can see looks pretty cool to me. Silver Age'ish a little bit but also somewhat modern. I don't get too much of a Donner vibe off it. If this is the Krypton we're going to have for the next several years... well, I can handle it.

[webhead2006]

Ah ok thanks colors, sounds nice. Glad to see they have moved again away from ice world/donner look.

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