Comics Review: Action Comics #1

Book: Action Comics #1 Written By: Grant Morrison, Art By: Rags Morales & Rick Bryant Publisher: DC Comics Price: $3.99 Pages: 40 Last week we saw the first issue of DC's New 52 emerge and saw it begin to establish the new universe five years in the past. Today we have Action Comics #1, the book that details the first appearance of the worlds first public superhero in the first steps of his career: Superman (set six months before Justice League #1). All under the careful watch of mastermind writer Grant Morrison. For the sake of arguments let us approach Action Comics #1 in a slightly different light to most comics: This is a modern day world that does not yet know what a superhero is, in essence we are seeing a new and fresh Superman enter our world of 2006 at the brink of a global recession with one goal, to help the down trodden and the needy. The hero of the oppressed, much like he originally was back in 1938. If anyone has read Morrisons recent novel Supergods you will know he has a real passion for superhero books and especially the mythology and concept of Superman. Looking at what has been set up in Supermans universe over these 30 pages makes me feel like we have only scratched the surface of a whole new world and makes me want a lot more of it very soon. In regards to story as I've already said we barley scrape the surface of Supermans world but we get glimpses: Superman on patrol, his routine for managing his dual life of Superman & Clark Kent, the governments reaction to his existence and the friendship shared between Clark, Jimmy & Lois (from what Grant has said in interviews I can't wait to see more of the Jimmy/Clark Dynamic). Rag Morales pencils this book and sadly brings a mixed bag to the table. First and foremost Morales' Superman is stunning, proportions and expressions are clear and precise. When Morrison steps back during the bigger action set pieces in the book, it gives Morales room to let his art do the talking. These moments suck you into its blockbuster world and successfully hit home runs every time (I'm looking at you page 27/28/30!). My one big problem? Morales struggles to draw the general public at times, eyes in the wrong place or heads oddly shaped, even Clark Kent looks a little bit like a potato at times - I don't know if this is intentional to help accentuate the difference between humans and Superman (and even Clark and Kal) but its a bit jarring. Overall this is a very promising start to an entirely fresh universe (warts and all!) and comfortably sits alongside Justice League #1 as a must read. It's confirmed people Grant Morrison has made Superman cool again.

rating: 4.5