Review – Action Comics #959 (DC Comics)

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Tyler Kirkham
Release Date: 13th July 2016

Although the ‘Rebirth’ universe is is still in its infancy, the stories so far are engaging the readership and are driving DC back from the messy endeavor that was the New 52. Perhaps no character illustrates this change of fortune more that the Man of Steel himself. This Superman story arc bridges between the issues of Superman and Action Comics, and while the self-titled issues deal with Supe’s family life, Action Comics dives straight into the… well… action.

The cover is presented like a renaissance painting and in my opinion is one of the best pieces of comic book art I have seen in a very long time. It hints to the story it covets between its pages and with a title like ‘The Path of DOOM’ it doesn’t take the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound to put two and two together and realise that Doomsday is back. Throw into the mix Lex Luthor playing the role of hero with a suit of armour that Tony Stark would sell his soul for, and a version of Clark Kent who is in fact just a mild mannered reporter trying to get a scoop, and you have a story which asks more questions than it reveals answers.

Having Superman and Doomsday go head to head so early in this new universe’s existence is a brave move, but for me it is one that pays off as it sets up what appears to be a bigger and bolder story arc to come. The story does justice to the seminal work that is ‘The Death of Superman’ as it should, coming from the same man whose pen killed off Superman all those years ago.

Dan Jurgens’ writing is as enthralling as it was back then, dragging you through the pages at breakneck speed, barely letting up between the panels. And even when there is a break in the greatest battle since Ali v Foreman, the scenes between Lois and her son Jon are written with equal parts tenderness and emotion. The art of Tyler Kirkham also switches between the aggressive representations of the fight to the softness of the tender moments that Jurgens scribes flawlessly.

All in all this is a great read and is yet another title which is leading the Rebirth universe by example.

Rating: 4/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
[Click to Enlarge]