Action Comics #806 (October, 2003)
"Hungry Ghost, Part One: Blood, Broads and Bushido"
Writer - Joe Kelly
Penciller - Pascual Ferry
Inker - Cam Smith
Guest Art - Karl Kerschl
Colorist - Guy Major
Letters - Comicraft
Associate Editor - Tom Palmer, Jr.
Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $2.25
You see that on the horizon?
That be the finish line for our #Action100 Endeavor, because, dear reader, we are in the "home stretch". Heck, we've already lapped the "home stretch" as today we are about to begin the, a-hem, penultimate installment!
That's right... this is our 99th discussion of Action Comics... and, perhaps most shockingly... we're right on time!
Barring my being hit by a bus, our 100th discussion will be this Wednesday... April 18th, the 80th Anniversary of Superman and the release date of Action Comics #1000!
Now let's learn some street magic, yo.
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We open in the gentrified Suicide Slum. Remember this is "City of Tomorrow/Y2K"Metropolis... so even the worst parts of town have a neat hi-tech sheen to 'em. In one of the apartments is Traci 13... or Girl 13... or Girl¹³... who knows. Anyhoo, she's chatting with, I wanna say her father, about what she's been up to since arriving in Metropolis. She's met Superboy... and, well, that's about it. Worth mentioning she has a large iguana named Leroy... and very odd undergarments. She is advised to ixnay her agicmay... and maybe get a job.
We follow her around town as she goes about her morning (I think it's morning) routine. While out she overhears a couple of passionate sports fans talking about their favorite team. This appears to annoy her greatly, so she wriggles her nose and forces them to kiss. That's pretty mature.
Suddenly screams fill the air... Traci turns around to see what's up and finds Superman splatted into the ground, with a spear run through his chest! She rushes over to check on him, and magicks up a green whirlwind to whisk them to the safety of the underground.
We shift scenes to Second-Lady Lana Lang... is that what we call the Vice-President's Wife? Second-Lady? I suppose I could Google it, but I don't want to find out that that's not what we call them. Anyhoo, she's hunting for an apartment in Metropolis... which she claims will be used for "retreats" for her "Foundation". Lois-on-the-spot smelled news, and so, she's there too. Worth noting, Lois looks like she miiiiight be 16 here.
Lois knows there must be more to this story than that, and decides to pry as best she can. Lana finally lets it slip that she and Pete are getting a divorce. She then requests that it be kept "off the record".
We shift scenes again... this time to John Henry Irons' Steelworks. This is post-"Our Worlds At War", so the man himself is dead... for now. We join his niece Natasha, who is chizzatting with her rewizzired rizzobot Kelex. It's pretty cringy stuff here... and since this was writting in the early 2000's, I'm not sure much of it is meant to be ironic.
Kelex rizzeccomends that Natasha try to pick up her Uncle's hammer... which she is surprised to learn she is able to do! The hammer than proceeds to speak... letting out a "Hammer Time", which makes her cringe just as hard as I've been cringing these last two pages!'
We shift scenes over to The Daily Planet where Jubilee considers hitting "send" on the Lana Lang/Pete Ross article. Wait... that's not Jubilee... that's Lois! I'm tellin' ya, this could be any high school intern! Anyhoo, she thinks back to a chat she had with Clark in bed... thankfully, she looks "of age" in the flashback... and decides that she's going to publish.
And so, we check back in with Lana... whose beans have just been spilled. She is greatly displeased, and is trying to spin the story best she can.
Suddenly, Traci 13 and Superman appear at her (Lana's) feet. Traci didn't know where else to go... and since she saw Superman and Lana on the news, figured this might be her best bet. She also needs nutmeg... and since Lana is in full Bree Vandecamp mode here, Traci figures she just might have some.
Back to the Steelworks, and the Hammer is still reading John Henry's recorded message to Natasha. He wants her to go to college, become a doctor or lawyer... anything but a superhero. He also knows her well enough that she'll probably try her hand at heroing anyway. And so, he's created something special for her.
Back at Lana's, Traci 13 is trying to get into Superman's head to see who or what put him in such a state. We hop into a flashback... Superman is taking care of a group of ninja-flavored nogoodniks. When the dust settles, he saves a woman who is about to be garroted... only for her to slump to the ground anyway. This distraction proves to be enough for Gaki, a "hungry ghost" to impale him with her staff.
We wrap up with Natasha Irons in her brand new Steel costume arriving... and insisting that Traci 13 back the eff off.
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Well... this was, uh, weird... right?
I suppose we should just addrizzess the elephizzant in the rizzoom right off the bizzat. There was some scarily-cringy dialogue in here... and the thing of it is, I'm not sure if it's meant to be! I mean, if this book were to come out today... then, yeah... this is definitely "for the laughs". Back in 2003, though? I'm not so sure. I really wish I could remember how I "received" this issue back when it first released.
Another thing worth mentioning (again)... man, did Lois look young here. I swear I thought that was Jubilee in the Daily Planet scene... complete with bubble gum! That's gotta be one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to shared-universe storytelling... lack of consistency in character appearance. Anything from hair length to body type... when the characters drastically change in appearance (and back again) from chapter-to-chapter, it just bugs the hell out of me. I know Lois didn't look like a teenager in all of the books at this time. Then again, by the turn of the century, character bibles and "style sheets" were probably already considered a passe relic.
It seems like this is kind of a throwaway story... doesn't quite feel like it belongs in Action Comics. Though, when I look at the last page of the book, there's an advertisement for the launch of Superman/Batman... which is clearly where all of the "important" things are going to be happening for the next little while. I suppose that allowed the regular "Super Team" to flex their storytelling muscles a bit... and explore not-so Super-centric story threads. That's fair enough, I suppose.
Overall... this is a weird one to recommend. Despite the characters not being completely "on model", the art here is pretty great. If you're in the mood for a Superman-flavored story that isn't necessarily about Superman, this might just be worth a shot.
That's it for today... but remember to check back Wednesday (4/18) when we finally cross the #Action100 finish line!
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Action Comics #792 (August, 2002)
"Big City Little Man"
Writer - Joe Kelly
Penciller - Pascual Ferry
Inker - Mark Morales
Colorist - Moose Baumann
Letters - Comicraft
Assistant Editor - Tom Palmer, Jr.
Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $2.25
After a few days off, we're back to our Action Comics 100 Project.
Today we're going to discuss a... quiet issue of Action Comics from 2002. This is part of the Joe Kelly run, which I initially ran sort of hot and cold with. In revisiting them, however, I'm finding a lot more to like than to dislike. Maybe I'm softening in my old age... or maybe I just foolishly dismissed them as a younger lad.
Either way, let's get down to it!
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We open on a snowy Metropolis morning. Clark Kent is making his usual stop at his regular newsstand to grab a paper, and engage in some idle chit-chat with the proprietor, Valentin. We see that they have a sort of exchange each day... Clark gives him his lunch, and Valentin keeps his paper on the radiator to keep it warm for him. Val seems a hard-working fellow, and is incredibly proud of his daughter, a student... soon to be a doctor. Over the months, we learn that Val's daughter became pregnant, putting her academic career in jeopardy... but he's still optimistic. All's reasonably well in the world... until one day, Clark visits to find his pal no longer there.
We shift scenes to see Superman and Wonder Woman engaging in some JLA business. Together they save the lives of two-million Hawaiians when they stifle an active-and-angry volcano... however, it's clear that Clark's mind is elsewhere. He just can't shake his concern for Valentin.
As Clark, he checks in on Lois at the Daily Planet. Worth mentioning that at this point, Clark Kent has been "fired". What's actually going on is Perry and Clark staged the firing in hopes of catching President Lex Luthor off-guard. Anyhoo, he shares his concern for the newsstand proprietor with Lois... and she decides there might just be a story there.
Together they head into Little Hispania, and Clark does some x-ray peeping until he finds Valentin's (pregnant) daughter. They invite her to a diner, and ask some questions about her missing father. She's reveals that he's been missing for three weeks and is positive that he's already dead, since he missed her birthday.
After dinner, Clark is called away on JLA business... which takes him to, well... I don't know what that is. Looks like a giant Kewpie doll with its brain hanging out... built into the side of a mountain. Or something. Anyhoo, he chats up Batman about the Valentin case... and is given some wildly positive advice... "You can't save them all." Way to go, Bats!
Back in Metropolis, Clark can't shake the feeling that there's more to this disappearance than meets the (human) eye... and so, he returns to Valentin's apartment to do some snooping. What he finds is a book (a numeros diarios)... that reveals Valentin was becoming a rather avid gambler.
And so, Lois and Clark venture into the 'hood to check in on his bookie. Lemme tell ya, this dude's a sleaze-bag. He tells the Kents that Valentin made some bets... and vanished. He rubs salt into the wound by suggesting he was only gambling because of his unwed pregnant daughter... of whom, he was embarrassed.
Lois and Clark grill the grifter... until, thanks to his super-hearing, Clark catches him in a lie. The Kents are then... politely... asked to leave.
Outside Clark struggles with the fact that he's very likely the most powerful being on the planet... and yet, he finds himself helpless. He wonders if he should just return and "make him talk", but they both know that's not his style... and it's also a line you can only really cross once. And so, Superman takes a different approach... deciding to just shadow the bookie everywhere he goes. Knowing full well that nobody will want to work with a fella who has Superman on his shoulder.
Finally... the bookie cracks! He reveals to Superman that Valentin actually won... and won big! So big he couldn't cover the bet. So... this fool coughed up the cash... buuuut, took it back immediately, if you smell what I'm cookin'.
We wrap up the following day... at the harbor. Lois and Clark bring Valentin's daughter to the drink, and wait for Superman to do his thing. After a super-quick change of clothes, Superman dives in... and finds Valentin's body.
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I'm currently doing a re-read of Superman: Grounded for an upcoming episode of the Cosmic Treadmill... and lemme tell ya folks, if you ever wanted to hear me let loose with the expletives, this might be the episode to check out. Anyhoo, I only mention that (besides the cheap plug) because right here, in this very issue... Joe Kelly shows us why Superman didn't need to take an indulgent walk across our great nation to "connect with the people". Superman/Clark Kent already did that... every day of his life.
Of course, I have my suspicions as to why JMS wrote "Grounded" the way he did... but that's a discussion for another time. This issue, was really quite good! It's a bit of a novelty to see Lois and Clark "on a case"... so that was a lot of fun. The inclusion of little things... like Clark nervously tapping his foot, and causing a slight quake. Lois having to cover for him... and help him maintain his cool. They make such a great team, and it really was a treat to see them "on the beat" together.
We don't often think... or, at least I don't often think about Clark Kent going through the motions of having a "normal" life. It's interesting to consider that he, like the rest of us, still has 24-hours to fill every day... and so, it's pretty neat to see him hanging out with a very talkative newsstand proprietor. This also illustrates Clark's saint-like patience in a way... ya gotta figure, and I don't wanna talk ill of the dead, but Valentin seems like the sort to go on... and on... and on. You'd almost need to be Superman to keep going back.
The story gets dark... and it gets dark fast. Let's look at what the bookie says toward the end, "He was justa guy working a newspaper shack. Who would miss him? Who would care?" I think that's the crux of this issue. Valentin was just a guy... in a city of millions. Who would notice... or care? Well, Superman for starters. Further illustration that Superman is always connected to the people. Even when things take priority... like say, an angry volcano acts up... or, uh... New Krypton happens... Superman is always connected to, and always thinking about "his" people. We really don't need to think on it much harder than that! Some things just "are".
The art here is from Pascual Ferry, who I've always enjoyed. It's very fitting artwork for the time and era of Superman, and has aged quite well to boot! Really a wonderful book to look at. I know not everyone's a fan of the "Berganza era" in style nor story, but there's quite a lot of good here!
Overall, I'd most definitely recommend this issue. If you're down for a more street-level "quiet" Superman story, this might be the one for you! For your convenience, this bugger is available digitally.
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Action Comics #771 (November, 2000)
"The Out of Towner"
Guest Writer - Chuck Dixon
Guest Penciller - Pascual Ferry
Guest Inker - Alvaro Lopez
Colorist - Moose Baumann
Letters - Comicraft
Assistant Editor - Maureen McTigue
Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $2.25
Hey guys... I had an idea! It might be pretty dumb, but at the same time... it might be pretty fun.
If you're reading this, then I have little doubt that you already know that we are only months away from the monumental Action Comics #1000... a book I never thought we'd see after... ya know, that big toilet flush back in 2011.
Anyhoo, I thought it would be neat to try and review... one-hundred issues of Action Comics here on the blog, with the hundredth coming out the same day as Action Comics #1000. We've already got over fifty Action Comics's's's under our belts... so this won't completely co-opt the humble blog.
This, of course, requires me to pay attention to a calendar... which many of you know isn't a strength of mine (2016's "Thirteen Days of Christmas on Infinite Earths" is testament enough of that fact), but we'll do our best... and hopefully have a good time!
Any issues of Action Comics you especially want me to ruin to hear my thoughts on? Just lemme know!
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We open with Superman flying through the City of Tomorrow... this is just after that whole Y2K B-13 thing, so Metropolis has gotten a bit of a face-lift. He sees who he believes to be a suicidal person swan diving from on high... and zips in for the save. Little does he know that the jumper was... Nightwing?! Wow, Superman saving a jumper without thinking twice... suck it, JMS!
After the confusion is cleared, Dick and Clark... hrm, Dick Clark? Why have I never noticed that before? Anyhoo, they head to a nearby rooftop for a chat. Turns out that Intergang has branched into Bludhaven, and so Dick decided to head into Metropolis to "go to the source"...
... who happens to be a disheveled fellow by the name of Bendel-White. A man who was believed to have been "offed" by Dudley Soames, but very clearly wasn't.
Dick is a bit incredulous at first, but deduces that they must've struck a mutually beneficial deal. He and Superman discuss a bit of strategy... realizing this is gonna be more Metal Gear than Metal Slug.
We shift scenes over to the Daily Planet, where (a very Ed McGuinness) Lois Lane is chatting up the Science Editor, J. Darrett... and it doesn't go all that well.
Let's pop back over and check in with Mr. Bendel-White. He's currently on the phone with a... very demanding party. Looks like Soames is about ready to "cash in" on his favor. He wants lots and lots of weaponry! In a neat bit, he mentions that his "line is secure", not for a moment considering that there might be a Kryptonian eavesdropper nearby.
We rejoin Lois at the Ace of Clubs where she's following up on the killer robot story. She wants information... but only gets sass. Well, our main man Bibbo ain't gonna stand for that... and gives the goofs the ol' heave-ho. He then tells Lois that the materials likely came by ship... probably the Kandihar Queen... which is odd to him because he hasn't seen any of the crewmen in awhile. I'll concede that I don't remember this arc in the slightest... so, let's just take Bibbo's woid f'r it.
Back with Bendel-White... it turns out his (borrowed) time is up. Outside his window hover a trio of geeks calling themselves Ferrous.
Lucky for him, he's also under the surveillance of a certain Man of Steel... who busts in with the quickness... and, he's brought a friend!
And so, we get a few pages of great high-octane action. In between punches, Superman inquires about Intergang... to which he gets the standard "What's an Intergang?" reply. One of the baddies tosses a grenade... which Superman catches and clasps in his hands before it goes boom... lessening the explosion a great deal. I mean, it still makes a pretty big pop... but, ya know... less so.
When the smoke clears, Superman looks around for Bendel-White... and notices that Nightwing has commandeered Ferrous' hover-craft thingie. Looks like the day is saved!
Next up, we get a bit of Intergang Interrogation. It's, as usual, a fruitless venture... all they get is the standard "What's an Intergang?" response. Dick ain't deterred though... he tells Bendel-White and the Geeks to keep their noses out of the 'haven...
... something that Superman is going to ensure they stick to.
We wrap up with Dick and Clark (Dick Clark... really man, how have I never noticed that before?) saying their "see ya's" and sharing some thoughts on a certain caped-crusader.
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This was... a blast!
Man, I never realized what a soft spot I had for Superman/Nightwing team-ups... but this was just so much fun. It's that odd sort of Super/Bat team-up that has none of the baggage... none of the cynicism and distrust... just a pair of heroes who trust in one another... and appear to enjoy each other's company.
And who betta' to write such a story than Chuck Dixon? I mean, this just as easily could've been an issue of Nightwing and wouldn't have felt out of place in the slightest. Just so much fun.
Pascual Ferry taps into an Ed McGuinness sort of style here, and absolutely pulls it off. I'm kind of a sucker for the McGuinness "inflated" Superman, so this really made me happy. I don't necessarily think Superman should be that huge... but, damned if it doesn't make me smile.
Let's talk the Dick/Clark relationship for a bit... and for the last time (I promise)... in my thirty-plus years reading these things how have I missed "Dick Clark"? Their relationship is so much fun. It isn't often we see Superman with a "sidekick"... and, I might be projecting, but... it doesn't feel like nearly often enough that Nightwing is able to work alongside a "big gun" and still exude so much confidence.
I feel like when paired with Batman he often... defers to him. Ya know? Like he second-guesses himself and allows Bruce to call all the shots. Again, might be projecting a bit. Either way, it was cool to see him as a "tactical adviser" to Superman here.
Overall... I can't say it enough... this was a FUN issue. Great dialogue, awesome action... amazing art. If you're a fan of either of these characters, I think you'll love this! It doesn't look like this one's been collected... however, it is available digitally.
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Letters Page:
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That be the finish line for our #Action100 Endeavor, because, dear reader, we are in the "home stretch". Heck, we've already lapped the "home stretch" as today we are about to begin the, a-hem, penultimate installment!
