Action Comics #1024
DC Comics
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis
Artists: John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, and Brad Anderson
What do you get when you combine Superman, Supergirl, Jon Kent, Conner Kent, and Brainiac 5? A remarkably mediocre issue apparently.
In the very first issue of Rebirth’s Titans, Wally West put his hand on Dick Grayson’s shoulder. Sparked by Wally’s touch, Nightwing instantly recalled the two’s years of heartfelt connections. Within panels, the rest of the Titans followed suit. One of DC’s greatest superhero teams was finally reunited. When Arsenal or Wonder Girl looked at Wally, they saw a friend. But when Jon or Kara look at Conner, they wonder who the hell he is.
While Rebirth’s Titans hearkened back to a greater age of heroes, Action Comics #1024 constantly reminds us that we’re stuck in whatever we’re calling this post-Rebirth era. When Bendis first announced his Young Justice book featuring the long-lost Conner Kent, fans were off the wall. Each issue increased the likelihood of Conner finally reuniting with the Superman family. But if this is his grand return, I say we could have just left him in Young Justice. Unlike Wally’s return, no one actually knows who Conner Kent is. Considering his first appearance was in 1993, it’s a shame that he and Supergirl have two panels worth of in-continuity history together in this issue. I’ve spent three issues just wishing Conner could lock eyes with his former friends, bring back their memories, and get on with the actual story.
But on the topic of the actual story, I’m not particularly interested in that either. While Bendis’ concepts for Action Comics appeared intriguing at first glance, they’ve long overstayed their welcome. Bendis clings to ideas like the Invisible Mafia and the Red Cloud because they are the few good ideas to come out of this run. But with such a drawn-out pace, I just want Superman to clock Red Cloud in the jaw and move on.
But even if this issue had a Watchmen-level plot, when you pick up an issue of Actions Comics, you’re still rolling the dice on whether or not the dialogue is comprehensible. This is a series where rolling a six gets you a heartwarming and inspiring Superman speech and rolling a one gets you Jon blabbering at his dad like an angry teen. In this issue specifically, Bendis matches his mediocre story with mediocre dialogue. At first glance, this might sound like a bad thing. But when a comical proportion of the dialogue averages around “fourth-grader-gotcha-banter”, mediocre is a welcome surprise.
And speaking of comedy, John Romita Jr. is still the artist for this series. Don’t get me wrong, I like JR Jr.’s art. However, he rushes his pencils here faster than Superman trying to save a burning building. I’m not going to complain that proportions are off, as that’s Romita style 101. But his details and facial expressions are completely lacking in this series. It’s a shame that just as Action Comics begins its climactic arcs with Year of the Villain and the return of the Super family, Romita takes over art duties. This is his second run drawing Superman but somehow his quality is trending way down.
If you wanted to read the reunion of Superman, Supergirl, Jon, and Conner, this is the issue for you. If you wanted to read a well-written reunion of Superman, Supergirl, Jon, and Conner, keep waiting. While a very palatable issue, Actions Comics #1024 manages to make the return of Conner Kent boring. I will long await the day when all these characters remember Conner and interact with him in meaningful ways. Until then…I don’t know I’ll probably read about fifteen more issues about the Red Cloud or something.
