Tag: Action Comics reviews

Comics Reviews: Superman 413, Action 573, DC Comics Presents 87, All-Star Squadron 51, Infinity Inc. 20

Superman 413 coverSuperman #413 – “Superman—Your World is Mine” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Al Williamson

This one starts with a recap of the last couple issues to remind us how Lex Luthor used a mind-altering ray to make Superman hallucinate events that never happened. Not only did Superman believe (for a short while) that he’d killed Luthor and caused the destruction of Metropolis, but Clark Kent got fired from Galaxy Communications for writing a story about Superman that never actually happened. Superman is pretty freaked out, not knowing if he can trust his senses anymore. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 413, Action 573, DC Comics Presents 87, All-Star Squadron 51, Infinity Inc. 20”

Comics Reviews: Superman 412, Action 572, DC Comics Presents 86, All-Star Squadron 50, Infinity Inc 19

Superman 412 coverSuperman #412 – “Luthor—Today You Die” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Al Williamson

This one starts with Clark Kent at the unemployment office after losing his job a couple issues ago when he wrote a story about Superman stopping a falling satellite that turned out to be only in his mind. (Clark doesn’t know that Luthor projected the fake satellite adventure into Superman’s mind hoping either Clark or Lois would file the story and be discredited.) Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 412, Action 572, DC Comics Presents 86, All-Star Squadron 50, Infinity Inc 19”

Comics Reviews: Superman 411, Action 571, DC Comics Presents 85, All-Star Squadron 49, Infinity Inc. 18

Superman 411 coverSuperman #411 – “The Last Earth-Prime Story” – Elliot S! Maggin/Curt Swan/Murphy Anderson

This is a special story that was created for Julius Schwartz’s 70th birthday. Julie was the longtime editor of the Superman line and apparently the creators (along with some help from Dick Giordano, Paul Levitz, and Bob Rozakis) managed to put this issue together without Julie finding out about it until the last minute. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 411, Action 571, DC Comics Presents 85, All-Star Squadron 49, Infinity Inc. 18”

Comics Reviews: Superman 410, Action 570, DC Comics Presents 84, All-Star Squadron 48, Infinity Inc. 17

Superman 410 coverSuperman #410 – “Clark Kent—Fired!” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Al Williamson

This one starts with Superman taking care of a satellite that’s fallen from orbit. The satellite breaks in half and he buries one piece (containing a nuclear-fueled engine) deep underground, flying to Hawaii just in time to kick the other piece into a volcano, which gives the crowds in Honolulu a thrill. Back in Metropolis, Superman changes to Clark Kent and writes up the satellite story for the Daily Planet, pretending (as always) that he scored an exclusive interview with Superman. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 410, Action 570, DC Comics Presents 84, All-Star Squadron 48, Infinity Inc. 17”

Comics Reviews: Superman 409, Action 569, DC Comics Presents 83, All-Star Squadron 47, Infinity Inc. 16

Superman 409 coverSuperman #409 – “The Sleepwalker From Krypton” – Craig Boldman/Curt Swan/Al Williamson

This one starts with a UFO hunter named Ferlin Nyxly tracking a possible alien spaceship out in the countryside. Apparently, Nyxly has encountered aliens a couple times before and tried to use their superior tech for himself, but was stopped by Superman. Nyxly finds the alien (well, it finds him after he falls off a cliff and almost breaks his neck) and he ends up stealing the alien’s ship, which can turn invisible. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 409, Action 569, DC Comics Presents 83, All-Star Squadron 47, Infinity Inc. 16”

Comics Reviews: Superman 408, Action 568, DC Comics Presents 82, All-Star Squadron 46, Infinity Inc. 15

Superman 408 coverSuperman #408 – “The Day the Earth Died” – Ed Hannigan (plot), Paul Kupperberg/Curt Swan/Al Williamson

This one starts with Clark Kent having a nightmare about the world being ravaged by nuclear war. When he wakes up, Clark starts wondering why he hasn’t done something (as Superman) about all the nukes that are present on Earth. With his power, he could easily destroy them and make the world a safer place. He contemplates that while flying around as Superman and helping various people. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 408, Action 568, DC Comics Presents 82, All-Star Squadron 46, Infinity Inc. 15”

Comics Reviews: Superman 407, Action 567, DC Comics Presents 81, All-Star Squadron 45, Infinity Inc 14

Superman 407 coverSuperman #407 – “Peril of the Pass-Along Powers” – Gerry and Carla Conway/Irv Novick/Dave Hunt

This is another goofy Superman story that seems like it belongs back in the Silver Age. Mr. Mxyzptlk casts a spell (while invisible) on Superman so Supes will pass on 75% of his powers to the first friend he touches, who will pass some of that power on to another friend, and so on. Superman notices something destabilizing the bedrock of Metropolis and finds a giant metal worm underground, eating through the city’s foundations. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 407, Action 567, DC Comics Presents 81, All-Star Squadron 45, Infinity Inc 14”

Comics Reviews: Superman 406, Action 566, DC Comics Presents 80, All-Star Squadron 44, Infinity Inc 13

Superman 406 coverSuperman #406 – “The Fight for the Right to Be Superman” – Paul Kupperberg/Irv Novick/Dave Hunt

This one starts with a wrestler named Moe Ramboe having a dream about beating the crap out of Superman. Apparently Moe used to wrestle under the name “Superman” until the Man of Steel came along, and Moe wants his old moniker back. After beating Superman and reclaiming the name, Moe wakes up with a yell, bringing his brother Jake running. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 406, Action 566, DC Comics Presents 80, All-Star Squadron 44, Infinity Inc 13”

Comics Reviews: Superman 405, Action 565, DC Comics Presents 79, All-Star Squadron 43, Infinity Inc 12

Superman 405 coverSuperman #405 – “The Mystery of the Super-Batman” – Craig Boldman/Alex Saviuk/Karl Kesel

This one starts with some crooks robbing a set of gold pan-pipes from the Metropolis Museum, knocking a homeless dude aside on the way out. They’re stopped by a Batarang slamming right through their car engine. The Batarang wasn’t thrown by Batman, but by Superman … wearing a Batman cape and cowl. Later, Clark calls Wayne Manor to assure Batman he has a good reason for (semi-)impersonating him and we get some flashbacks showing what happened up to this point. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 405, Action 565, DC Comics Presents 79, All-Star Squadron 43, Infinity Inc 12”

Comics Reviews: Superman 404, Action 564, DC Comics Presents 78, All-Star Squadron 42, Infinity Inc 11

Superman 404 coverSuperman #404 – “Born to be Superman” – Paul Kupperberg/Carmine Infantino/Bob Oksner

This one is an imaginary story, which means I’m not too impressed by it. I prefer stories that actually happen (so to speak) in their comic book settings; imaginary stories always leave me wondering why I should care, since the stories don’t really count. (I know, I know, they’re all imaginary stories …) Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 404, Action 564, DC Comics Presents 78, All-Star Squadron 42, Infinity Inc 11”