DC Comics reviews 6/22/21 – Infinite Frontier #1, Robin #3

Action Comics #1032

Phillip Kennedy Johnson continues to show an impressive command of not just Superman’s universe, but on how to properly layer an arc to give it substance and depth.

Mongul is back and shaping up to be a problem, but Superman and his family has to consider a refuge group of Kryptonians in his clutches. Superman wants the Justice League’s help in stopping Mongul, but has to deal with a fleet of runaway sea creatures hailing from Atlantis. And if Superman and Aquaman are able to turn the tide, there’s that pesky matter of government jurisdiction that’s another problem entirely.

Johnson has given this arc a richness that’s becoming a rarity in modern comic book storytelling. He’s crafting numerous subplots that will ripen and get developed at the ideal time.

It’s also ideal to have an artist collaborator on the level of Daniel Sampere. Sampere is rising to the challenge of going big with everything Johnson can conceive. Sampere’s Superman has a power and grace that make sense for DC’s top gun. He’s also incredibly dialed in with the proper presence for characters like Supergirl, Jonathan Kent, Lois Lane, Aquaman and even Batman. It wasn’t an audition, but Sampere shows drawing the Justice League would hardly be a problem.

This Warworld Rising arc keeps taking surprising directions as Johnson and Sampere are disinterested in cranking out an overdone Superman/Mongul clash.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10