REVIEW: Action Comics #1086
Action Comics #1086 is probably one of the strongest Superman Superstars entries from a revolving talent team since Gail Simone’s story. The first story from Jason Aaron comes in an extremely close tie with G. Willow Wilson’s Man of Steel story. The also is said to be the last story in the initiative. While it’s not the biggest grand finale, Solitude Part II always has a relevant theme and satisfying action.
Brad Walker’s, with colors by Trish Mulvihill, cover picks up directly where the last one left off – revealing the villain behind the attack on the Arctic. The DC Universe is no stranger to killer AIs with Kilg%re getting his start as a Flash villain. A machine that could keep up with that kind of speed would be a worthy Justice League villain and he would be later on. Superman squares up against this cold natural opponent in the coldest place on Earth.
David Talaski goes full Saturday Evening Post set in the DC Universe. This is one of those pieces that can crossover into fine art. Lois Lane is in her work shirt and pants, complete with an ascot. She hasn’t rocked that in a while, but it gives it that classic vintage feel. Of course, there are all the fine details of Clark rushing off as Superman with everything from his civilian articles and actual articles flying about.
Action Comics gets its Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month variant cover from Cliff Chiang naturally featuring the Superman of China – Kong Kenan or Super-Man. With how Batman and Robin are cut off, this could be part of a larger image that can be combined with other variants in the series.
Other variants are available from Cully Hammer and Marcio Takara.
Superman would discover that the AI villain Kilg%re has been behind the targeted attacks on a climate change research base in the Arctic. He’s a typical, humankind-hating AI. There’s no talk of motivations and the fight is on site. As previously mentioned, Kilg%re has been able to keep up with The Flash. With some similar programming, he can actually be a viable threat against Superman. And, it sure seems that way in Action Comics #1086.
What Kilg%re does tell Superman is that with the reformatting of land and sea due to climate change, humanity, and the planet can actually benefit – with the cost of several lives. Naturally, Superman isn’t keen on it. As it would happen, polar bears may not have been the only animals he weaponized.
G. Willow Wilson is best known for her Poison Ivy writing, so this story about the ever-relevant topic of climate change and Earth’s health is in as good a hands as it’s going to get. In a way, Superman is like the white/winter to Poison Ivy’s green/summer in terms of environmental storytelling. While not as long, this Superman story can have just as much as an effective message. Kilg%re can come across as an interchangeable villain since controlling the weather is a common supervillain goal – but it’s good to see a character like him get recognition. To keep it spoiler-free, Wilson also does a great job of writing the more stressful aspect of Clark’s reporting career. She excels at writing Superman action, which is something I did not expect. Letters are by Dave Sharpe.
Gavin Guidry’s smooth art style is comparable to Clayton Henry’s, which fits Superman comics and stories like a glove. Here, the fun in the art is all in the details. Kilg%re is a product of his time when robots like Robocop and Terminator had a hold on science fiction – that was around the late 80s and early 90s. It’s completely reflected in his untouched design. Superman’s white suit is a cool design, but I’m personally still questioning what exactly it does if anything. Interestingly, the Arctic researchers always have their faces covered by sunglasses. It’s a cool detail that goes with Kilg%re’s motivation that their losses would otherwise be unknown to the world. Colors are by Trish Mulvihill.
(9/10) On one hand, you have a classic Superman vs. an evil robot battle, climate change as a theme, and the most satisfying kind of action in a Superman comic when it comes to Action Comics #1086. On the other, it can be a story that is overlooked for its simplicity. This review does argue for it, however.
