Action Comics #900 * * *
This issue has received a lot of publicity, less for reaching such a milestone than the controversy of a plot development in one of the shorter stories in the back (which I won't spoil here). My favorite stories were some of these back stories. The main story, which wrapped up the Luthor story in Action and set up the next plot with Doomsday. Superman's conflict with Luthor was psychedelic and trippy, but not too incomprehensible.It wasn't bad, but it didn't blow me away either. I'm taking a wait and see attitude, to see if the Superman titles will improve over recent storylines. I give The Black Ring Finale / Reign Of Doomsday * * *.
Life Support, written by one of the producers of Lost, is about Jor-El preparing his son's rocket, and needing help from someone to solve certain problems. It was a sad and touching story about what parents will do for their children. I rate it * * * *.
Autobiography, written by Paul Dini, is about a conversation Superman had with another being with powers and abilities far beyond normal men, who was also a planet's protector. But he/she found a battle it could not win against, and had to make a choice. It was a different Superman story, but very thought provoking. I also give it * * * *.
Friday Night In The 21st Century is a fun lighthearted story about Lois giving Clark a rare evening at home with close friends. This story, written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Gary Frank was a nice change of pace, a simple and fun read. * * * *
The Incident is probably the story that garnered the most publicity when this issue was released. It involves a decision Superman makes after recent actions by the Man of Steel create an international incident for the United States. While I wasn't as upset with his decision as some members of the public have been, I thought that DC made a mistake by taking that route, and seem to be back pedaling afterward. If this was done just as a publicity stunt I don't think it worked. From some of the reaction I don't think it will make people want to read Superman, just the opposite. And if DC didn't expect this reaction from the public, maybe they're out of touch with Superman, and their audience. It was a decent story, and I'd give it 4 ( * ) because of Superman's reasons for making this decision, but it only gets * * * because I don't think that DC should have toyed with one of the foundations of the Man of Steel's character.
Only Human, co-written by Richard Donner and told in storyboard form, was about someone who gets super powers through a high tech suit. There was some good interactions between Clark and Lois, who take differing opinions over this new would be superhero. * * *
The issue ends with a great two page spread drawn by Brian Steelfreeze, showing Superman's changing looks over the decades.
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