Action Comics #841 (SPOILERS)

[Jack Zodiac]

Fantastic issue! It's gonna' suck when Kurt leaves the book, because both this and the last issue of Superman have been great. This one introduces a galactic-level threat that attacks several places on Earth at the same time, running Superman in circles and into random meetings with other heroes. He tag teams Carapax with Firestorm in Baltimore, helps Nightwing figure out what's attacking the planet in New York, and aides the Teen Titans with one of the giant robotic spiders stealing landmarks in San Francisco.

The villain, a being called the Auctioneer, almost reflects a more serious version of the great Manga Khan. :p When he finally appears on the planet, he's a monster, standing taller than the Golden Gate Bridge. I love it! Superman fighting giant aliens and spider robots! It's crazy Silver Age storytelling. :) Seriously, I'm gonna' be pissed if Johns can't manage to keep the momentum of Busiek's work after he and Donner take over the book.

[Nick Kal]

Yeah, Busiek always gives us great issue. I enjoyed all the team-ups, as well... but don't say it's going to suck when he's off... we're gettoing Geoff Johns and Richard Donner!

[chriskenny]

I liked it. It had a lot of good premises in it, including the Auctioneer himself and the idea that everyone is skeptical of Superman being who he says he is. And can you blame them after Cyborg Superman? A great story.

I'm not digging how this artist draws Superman though. Small quibble. This is a fill-in story arc that is actually enjoyable before the actual run.

And I am not going to be sad to see Busiek leave this title because we won't be losing him--he'll be writing Superman-- and we're getting Geof Johns on Superman, who is the one guy after Grant Morrison I would want to take a crack at Superman long term. And now I am getting both!

[Zanku]

I enjoyed it but, am I the only one getting tired of superman fighting big robots? I mean, luthor, manheim, now this? Even the random villain he encountered was in some sort of alien robotic suit.

[BYC]

That's why Kurt Busiek is so great. His stuff that I've read never seems to disappoint. He's kinda is my Robert DeNiro of comic book writers. He may not be great, but he's never bad.

[Patman]

Who's replacing Pete Woods on Action when Johns and Donner come abroad?

[cactusmaac]

One of the Kuberts.

[Sean Walsh]

One of the Kuberts.

Adam.

Who I used to think was the better one before I saw Andy's STELLAR work on Batman this week.

[mrc1214]

This was good issue. Im glad where getting Johns after Busiek leaves because i dont think too many other writer could follow up with this good storytelling. Johns is going to be very busy in October what does that make 5 books hell be working on. Busiek is becoming one of my favorite writers. Sword of Atlantis is a very good title as well.

[Rokk]

This was a pretty solid read. I like Busiek and Woods, but trading them for Johns and Kubert isn't so bad.

[Jack Zodiac]

The only thing putting me off wanting to anticipate Johns and Donner's upcoming run on Action Comics is that they're introducing a new Kryptonian. Again. And even if it turns out not to be a real Kryptonian, or winds up being some time-lost alien, or something similar, the idea itself will still suck to me.

I hope I'm wrong, though.

[chriskenny]

The only thing putting me off wanting to anticipate Johns and Donner's upcoming run on Action Comics is that they're introducing a new Kryptonian. Again. And even if it turns out not to be a real Kryptonian, or winds up being some time-lost alien, or something similar, the idea itself will still suck to me.

I hope I'm wrong, though.

I sympathize with you. I am growing weary of the constant re-introduction of Zod myself. I would just as soon have them re-introduce the Zod from "For Tomorrow," since he is a blank slate to begin with anyway (just ditch the ridiculous armor). But the pedigree of that team is too good for me to let one unappealing idea turn me off completely.

[chriskenny]

Adam.

Who I used to think was the better one before I saw Andy's STELLAR work on Batman this week.

I feel the same exact way. I had to double-check that it was Andy drawing, because it was too good. Ha.

[The Batman]

The only thing putting me off wanting to anticipate Johns and Donner's upcoming run on Action Comics is that they're introducing a new Kryptonian. Again. And even if it turns out not to be a real Kryptonian, or winds up being some time-lost alien, or something similar, the idea itself will still suck to me.

I hope I'm wrong, though.

agreed. the constant introductions of Kryptonians is getting a bit tiresome. that being said i still can't help but look forward to this, the Superman Donner presented in his film is one of my favourite versions of the character.

i really enjoyed Kurt's first [solo] issue of Action Comics, the auctioneer seems like a fun idea for a cosmic villian even if it's a little Bottle City Braniacish. the world being skeptical about Superman is somewhat understandable all things considered but i'm hoping that the idea doesn't get played out too quickly similar to the way that post-Death of Superman every villian was compared in strength to Doomsday by Superman.

[FabianNicieza]

i really enjoyed Kurt's first [solo] issue of Action Comics


Uhm, excuse me, while I certainly acknowledge Kurt is driving the bus, please look at the cover and the interior credits to acknowledge that he had a noisy, whiny co-pilot alongside him (mostly nagging in his ear and whining that Nightwing should save the universe ;-).

-- fabian

[Jack Zodiac]

So that was you, eh? Even if it was just a couple pages, I think that was the best Nightwing written since Infinite Crisis ended, and quite possibly the only real Dick Grayson seen since. 'Cause that schmuck Jones has been writing ain't him.

Oh, and hey, Fabian. Do everyone here a favor and start pitching Ambush Bug mini ideas to Didio. :D

[lucifernomi]

I loved this issue, first of all. But the one thing abour it that bugs me is all the cameos. Don't get me wrong, I love cameos, especially when they involve two of my DC faves, Nightwing and Robin, who were both in fine form. But cameos remind me that this is a shared universe, which makes me ask questions that tend not to get answered like

If there's aliens roaming the universe stealing major things and selling them off to numerous high-profile clients, why hasn't the GLC done something about it yet? Doesn't this seem like exactly the sort of thing they were made to prevent?

I dunno, minor gripe, still loved the issue and read it twice.

[FabianNicieza]

I loved this issue, first of all. But the one thing abour it that bugs me is all the cameos. Don't get me wrong, I love cameos, especially when they involve two of my DC faves, Nightwing and Robin, who were both in fine form. But cameos remind me that this is a shared universe, which makes me ask questions that tend not to get answered like

If there's aliens roaming the universe stealing major things and selling them off to numerous high-profile clients, why hasn't the GLC done something about it yet? Doesn't this seem like exactly the sort of thing they were made to prevent?

I dunno, minor gripe, still loved the issue and read it twice.


Well, we could quibble over terminology a bit, since I know Robin appears briefly again next issue while Nightwing and Firestorm appear in all 3 parts, so they're a bit more than cameos and much closer to legitimate "guest star" or even "co-star" status.

But with ANY story that is expansive in scope -- taking place all over the planet -- it's only logical to show bits and pieces of what's going on all over and include other characters while you're doing that. What's the sense of playing in such a big, fun sandbox if you're not going to use the toys available?

As for the GLC question, it's a legitimate one, but sometimes you have to suspend your sense of logic just a bit for the sake of allowing for new concepts to be introduced.

And just to clarify a previous post, all I did was co-plot. The overall story and dialogue is all Kurt's, as are various parts of the plot itself. I set up much of the scene and page pacing, but we went back and forth so much, I've frankly forgotten who came up with what (although I know having Nightwing in it was ME!! ;-).

-- fabian

[The Batman]

Uhm, excuse me, while I certainly acknowledge Kurt is driving the bus, please look at the cover and the interior credits to acknowledge that he had a noisy, whiny co-pilot alongside him (mostly nagging in his ear and whining that Nightwing should save the universe ;-).

-- fabian

oh my good gosh, you're right i totally forgot. :o

my apologies and keep up the great work both here with Kurt on Action Comics and with Cable/Deadpool one of the best laughoutloud books out there.

[Jack Zodiac]

And pitch an Ambush Bug book, damnit! :mad:

[CaptainAwesome]

I liked this issue. I think its really a classic type of super-hero story at its core, which is always great, but I do hope that there a few twists thrown in there to prevent this from getting stale.

Pete Woods' art seems to fit this story a lot better than Up, Up, and Away. I think he works better as a science-fiction artist instead of a super-hero artist. This is more along the lines of what he should be doing, and he does it great, IMO.

One thing, though. Isnt the Auctioneer basically the same as that one guy who bugged the JLI every now and then? You know, the guy with the Cluster. L-Ron was his assitant. I cant remember his name right now, but you know the guy. Were the similarities intentional? Is the Auctioneer a villain that has appeared before and I am just completely ignorant of his previous appearences?

I definately look forward to the next issue.

[Jack Zodiac]

Nope. The Auctioneer is new, and yeah, he does seem sort of like a more serious Manga Khan.