DC Comics reviews for the week of 5/2/18

Action Comics Special #1

You know, it would be real easy to get used to weekly installments of Superman anthology books. After Action Comics #1000, DC decided to spread the love a little longer with Action Comics Special, a 53 page collection of short stories. While it doesn’t boast all of the all-star talent as last week’s big milestone, the creative teams deliver four very strong Superman stories.

In the first, written by Dan Jurgens and drawn by Will Conrad, features Superman dealing with his greatest threat — Lex Luthor. But what does Lex think about being accused of attacking Superman and his family again? This was a fun follow-up to the long-running tension Jurgens established with his early Rebirth run on Action when Luthor wore an armored suit with Superman’s logo.

Next up, writer Mark Russell teams with Jill Thompson for an especially timely event — the White House Correspondents’ Dinner co-hosted by Lois Lane and Clark Kent. Luthor recalls his rise to power from his earlier beginnings and his desire to achieve even greater heights. This was another solid story.

Max Landis and Francis Manapul collaborate on the third about Lois getting into a wreck and Superman trying to help a down on his luck criminal.

The final story isn’t a Superman tale at all, but the origin of a new post-Dark Nights Metal character called Firebrand by Ryan Sook, Cary Nord and Steve Orlando. There’s promise here and a smart way to introduce a new character. This is the first part of Firebrand’s saga so I’m curious to see where the rest will play out.

DC keeps delivering strong Superman reads and if you’re a fan, this one is highly recommended.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10