REVIEW: Action Comics #1069
Like the modern-day Hercules that he is, Superman continues to best the gladiatorial labors of Lord Grunhar for the survival of some of the world’s largest cities, including Kandor. It’s all or nothing with his final challenge against the invaders’ champion, a Daxamite, in Action Comics #1069 as this Superman Superstars story comes to an Earth-shaking end.
Eddy Barrow’s covers as the artist for this arc work as timeless Superman pieces since they don’t pertain to the actual story – just scenes inspired by the Bronze Age wherein it’s set. It’s a wholesome cover and Barrow had help from Eber Ferreira and Tomeu Morey on inks and colors respectively.
Wes Craig gives us an impressive feat of strength in his variant as Superman stops a US satellite from falling to Earth just from where he stands. The ground crumbles inward into a crater while he pushes back against it. You also have to appreciate how the light is reflecting off the satellite with those little glares.
Guillem March’s variant cover is all about style with Superman, Metropolis, letter-popping typography, and rocketing baby Kal-El (all classic Superman elements everyone recognizes) in a unique fusion of modern and retro comics with how the textures are handled with the small dots often seen in the art of older comics. March also sticks the color palette of Superman with red, blue, and yellow hues.
Other great variants are available from Nicola Scott, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, and Dan Panosian.
Lord Grunhar and his invading party of several conquered worlds are getting a lesson in the human spirit as Superman continues to best everything, he throws at him while staying humble. Clark never gives into the savagery or revels in his wins as he gets more battered, he’s just pushing forward to the end convinced that it is within reach. Meanwhile, Lois meets his final opponent, the Daxamite warrior Hux-Ur who lives for battle and vows to defeat Superman. The rest of the issue sees the arena prepped and combatants to arms in a battle of raw power to decide the fate of Earth and several other worlds in Lord Grunhar’s alliance.
When there isn’t a second paragraph for the synopsis, that means there’s nothing but action for the rest of the issue. Gail Simone does a great job complimenting it all with her prose of narration – one of several reasons why she’s one of the most influential women in comics. Onomatopoeias aren’t necessary here; Simone gives you everything you need to hear and feel it. She also does a great job of returning Superman to his Bronze Age roots where his flawlessness was beginning to give way to more vulnerability. But that doesn’t mean he’s any less strong as his status as the big boy scout hasn’t gone anywhere. Simone writes a true Superman story here in that regard. Letters are by Dave Sharpe.
The visual team of Eddy Barrows, Danny Miki, and Jonas Trindade give us nearly 10 pages of uninterrupted fisticuffs with Superman vs. Hux-Ur. With a flying arena, an alien fight commentator, and a despot watching over it all, there are all the elements intergalactic Roman Coliseum that inspired so many so many superhero stories of the same type. Hux-Ur has a pretty rad design too in his first appearance – DC needs more Daxamites from different walks of life. Colors are by Rex Lokus.
This issue also features the final entry in the Lois and Clark story, “In Love At Work”, by Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey. It’s a nice heart-to-heart piece with one of the first conversations Lois and Clark had regarding their continuing relationship after Lois had found out he was Superman. Clark is one of few comic book characters who gets to marry their love interest and be happy, so it’s cool to see how he and Lois got over so many bumps that other heroes can’t. Colors are by Romulo Fajardo Jr.
(9/10) Whenever Superman is in an arena of sorts, you know it’s going to be an event of a comic book. The action in Action Comics #1069 satisfies thanks to Simone’s immersive narrating, making you not only hear how loud the blows are but the motivation of why they are being thrown in the first place. This is the kind of writing comics need more of.
