Action Comics #867-- Spoilers!

[chriskenny]

Why hasn't anyone started a thread on this? This comic is pretty awesome and I felt like people would want to talk about it.

Some great bits (SPOILERS):
- Supergirl with actual characterization-- characterization that makes her an interesting, unique member of the Superman supporting cast. Yeay!
- Kara's description of Kandor's disappearance was reminiscent of how people reflect back on 9/11. The emotion was very genuine and the fear for Brainiac is very effective.
- I'm really liking the use of the Fortress of Solitude-- the Clark robot in the back is a nice touch.
- I like the idea that Clark almost envies Kara's longing for Krypton. The idea that he feels like he wishes he had memories of the place to really miss, and not just know it as a list of facts. That is a very interesting bit in their relationship.
- The randomness of the Pa Kent scene is not so random. Based on the solicitations, Pa is about to die. It makes sense, being that he is dead in the movies as well as Smallville. Synergy and all that. I actually think its a good idea (don't hit me!) just because I think that Superman has this secure family and it makes it hard sometimes to exude that sense of being alone. Having a father figure so readily available worked against an important part of what was so appealing about him in the Chris Reeves movie. This conversation in the barn reminds me of the conversation he has with teenage Clark before he has a stroke in the first movie.
- The Steve Lombard stuff is a little overwritten, but I like that someone is there to contrast the mild-mannered quality of Clark's persona, which has been missing for all these years.
-Superman using a spaceship to get around is cool, it really conveys that he is going on a long journey. Sometimes the notion that Superman can just fly out into space and get to where he is going, no matter how far, can be kind of annoying. This gives a sense of a great journey.
- Superman fails to save a planet?! Something that may haunt Superman for awhile and gives a more personal connection to Brainiac.

Great issue. Thoughts?

[ultramandingo]

.........loved clark take'n the football to the head , bruce wayne woulda snaped his wrist in two

[WorstThingUS]

Why hasn't anyone started a thread on this? This comic is pretty awesome and I felt like people would want to talk about it.

Some great bits (SPOILERS):
- Supergirl with actual characterization-- characterization that makes her an interesting, unique member of the Superman supporting cast. Yeay!

Seriously. Let's hope he influences Supergirl more than James Robinson.

- Kara's description of Kandor's disappearance was reminiscent of how people reflect back on 9/11. The emotion was very genuine and the fear for Brainiac is very effective.
- I'm really liking the use of the Fortress of Solitude-- the Clark robot in the back is a nice touch.
- I like the idea that Clark almost envies Kara's longing for Krypton. The idea that he feels like he wishes he had memories of the place to really miss, and not just know it as a list of facts. That is a very interesting bit in their relationship.
- The randomness of the Pa Kent scene is not so random. Based on the solicitations, Pa is about to die. It makes sense, being that he is dead in the movies as well as Smallville. Synergy and all that. I actually think its a good idea (don't hit me!) just because I think that Superman has this secure family and it makes it hard sometimes to exude that sense of being alone. Having a father figure so readily available worked against an important part of what was so appealing about him in the Chris Reeves movie. This conversation in the barn reminds me of the conversation he has with teenage Clark before he has a stroke in the first movie.

I'm not a fan of Pa Kent being dead. I know it's been bandied about for the few years complete with a "confirmation" in Meltzer's JLA, but I think it's a mistake. It's part of what makes Superman so grounded, to have both parents at home. It doesn't take away from his loneliness at being the sole survivor of a dead world. And the movie still disturbs me because it has Clark encouraging his dad to run, who then apparently drops dead as a result! I know that's not the intent, but that's what it looks like.

- The Steve Lombard stuff is a little overwritten, but I like that someone is there to contrast the mild-mannered quality of Clark's persona, which has been missing for all these years.

I'm sorry, but who the hell wanted Steve Lombard or Cat Grant back. There's barely enough room in Superman's supporting cast for characters who really matter like Jimmy and Perry, but now these two wastes of space have returned?


Great issue. Thoughts?

I did enjoy it. I love the new creepiness of Brainiac.

[Hatut Zeraze]

I loved this issue.

The only thing I would add to your comments is this:

Those aliens on the planet Superman was trying to save looked pretty familiar. If I'm not mistaken, they look like the different parts that make up Ultra, the Multi-Alien.

The next issue blurb said there would be guest stars. I'm calling that one right now.

[rZi]

Loved it!

Johns and Frank deliver me my faviroute slice of superman-pie each month and never fail me.

Franks art is clear and detailed, and his superman is really resembling of Christopher Reeve which i thought was a nice touch.

I never want these two to stop collaborating on this title.

[dupersuper]

I'm sorry, but who the hell wanted Steve Lombard or Cat Grant back. There's barely enough room in Superman's supporting cast for characters who really matter like Jimmy and Perry, but now these two wastes of space have returned?


*I* did, for one. I'd love to see more Ron, Lucy, their baby, Lois' mom, Bibbo, Mildred, Whit, Alice, Keith, Allie...I miss Superman comics feeling like their own consistent little world, rather than a string of short runs by writers who want to/only get to tell their 1 dream Superman story and then move on (not that a lot of them weren't good). Hell, I'd love to hear what happened to Dirk and Ashlee Armstrong, Ceritek, Alpha Centurion, and others that were far from my favourite charactors, just to see other people in Metropolis. Also; I'm against killing Pa. He's dead in Smallville, the current movie series, the Superman/Doomsday movie, and possibly the Legion cartoon...current comics are the only place you can see Clark looking to his still living parents for perspective and advice, which I always like. Oh, and I loved this issue.

[WorstThingUS]

*I* did, for one. I'd love to see more Ron, Lucy, their baby, Lois' mom, Bibbo, Mildred, Whit, Alice, Keith, Allie...I miss Superman comics feeling like their own consistent little world, rather than a string of short runs by writers who want to/only get to tell their 1 dream Superman story and then move on (not that a lot of them weren't good). Hell, I'd love to hear what happened to Dirk and Ashlee Armstrong, Ceritek, Alpha Centurion, and others that were far from my favourite charactors, just to see other people in Metropolis. Also; I'm against killing Pa. He's dead in Smallville, the current movie series, the Superman/Doomsday movie, and possibly the Legion cartoon...current comics are the only place you can see Clark looking to his still living parents for perspective and advice, which I always like. Oh, and I loved this issue.

But that world had no Steve Lombard and Cat Grant was so one note the only way to give her depth was to kill her child and what little depth they gave her afterwards has obviously been destroyed to try and make her into this slut again. Not to mention, I believe retcons have destroyed the wonderfully intricate world that was created for Superman in the Carlin era with all those characters. Does Ron even exist any longer? Much less to be married to Lucy and have a child? And then Lois's father faked his death in Worlds At War to do government work. All of this is much more interesting than dumb jock Steve Lombard and would-be temptress Cat Grant.

[B. Kuwanger]

Why hasn't anyone started a thread on this? This comic is pretty awesome and I felt like people would want to talk about it.
Eh, I dunno. I figured there was a guy that always does these things.

Thoughts?

You pretty much got it all. I couldn't really figure out that Pa scene, but if it implied his death then it's very interesting.....and extremely sad. Kudos to Johns for not battering us with clues in-story. Though I felt he did slightly overdo Lombard and could have been a little more clear with the ending. Overall I liked it just about as much as last issue.

[phantomblot]

But that world had no Steve Lombard and Cat Grant was so one note the only way to give her depth was to kill her child and what little depth they gave her afterwards has obviously been destroyed to try and make her into this slut again. Not to mention, I believe retcons have destroyed the wonderfully intricate world that was created for Superman in the Carlin era with all those characters. Does Ron even exist any longer? Much less to be married to Lucy and have a child? And then Lois's father faked his death in Worlds At War to do government work. All of this is much more interesting than dumb jock Steve Lombard and would-be temptress Cat Grant.

Ron's in this issue and in the last issue. Why don't you wait and see what happens with Cat. Her Story is just getting good. In issu3 866, they make a point that Cat's whole slut act is a cover for the pain of losing her son.

[chriskenny]

I'm sorry, but who the hell wanted Steve Lombard or Cat Grant back. There's barely enough room in Superman's supporting cast for characters who really matter like Jimmy and Perry, but now these two wastes of space have returned?

I think there is plenty of room! If you think about it, the supporting characters are pretty sparse. Beside the core cast, there is really no one. Rounding out the DP staff is a good idea, esp. when it varies the personalities (jock and shallow gossip-monger) to act as a foil for Clark.

Superman's book needs more human characters.

[jeangreydp]

I've been dying to see the return of Superman's supporting cast so I love that Cat and Ron are around and that they are expanding with Steve Lombard.

I think this issue was great. We got to see Clark in his professional life, talking with his parents in Smallville, in the fortress comforting Kara, and beating the crap out of bad guys as Superman.

I feel like Superman comics have become primarily Superman beating the crap out of bad guys and nothing else. This series is such a breath of fresh air. I hope Johns and Frank stay on this for a long while.

Ps- I don't want Pa to die.

[Mr. Palmer]

I have to mutter the same sentiments as everyone else: I LOVED IT!

I'm really enjoying the art, the interaction between the characters, and the set-up for next issue.

Can't wait! :smile:

[IvCNuB4]

Anyone else notice that in the Fortress they showed the wall drawing stick figures of Luornu Durgo that Starman drew and gave to Superman in Action Comics 864 ?

[Frankie Dennis]

This issue sold out pretty fast, I gotta check if the other shop in town has it tomorrow.

[Zero Hunter]

What was interesting is with one page Johns cleared up so much about why Brainiac kept looking different everytime he would show up. That is how you clean up stuff. It doesn't take a whole issue or a mini series, just a well thought out reason, and its over and done and you can move on with the story.

[Jack Tango]

What was interesting is with one page Johns cleared up so much about why Brainiac kept looking different everytime he would show up. That is how you clean up stuff. It doesn't take a whole issue or a mini series, just a well thought out reason, and its over and done and you can move on with the story.

Well, actually, since 1986, Brainiacs varying appearances were always explained in story. His bodies kept getting destroyed, or whatever. It wasn't necessarily an issue that needed clearing up.

BUT.

In order to make Brainiac seem fresh and exciting, he's basically giving him the Toyman Treatment. All the other Brainiacs are explained away neatly and efficiently, and we finally meet the real, super-creepy Coluan. Good times, good times.

[MaxofSteel]

This book makes me happy. :smile:

Ps- I don't want Pa to die.

Me neither.

[Rokkit]

I'm interested to see if Johns will go in the direction that was hinted at in the little Krypton history lesson on Superman's flight.

[WorstThingUS]

What was interesting is with one page Johns cleared up so much about why Brainiac kept looking different everytime he would show up. That is how you clean up stuff. It doesn't take a whole issue or a mini series, just a well thought out reason, and its over and done and you can move on with the story.

As another poster pointed out, it wasn't something that needed clearing out and he used this same device with Toyman, which will probably be retconned itself because it kills more interesting characters.

[chriskenny]

Well, actually, since 1986, Brainiacs varying appearances were always explained in story. His bodies kept getting destroyed, or whatever. It wasn't necessarily an issue that needed clearing up.

BUT.

In order to make Brainiac seem fresh and exciting, he's basically giving him the Toyman Treatment. All the other Brainiacs are explained away neatly and efficiently, and we finally meet the real, super-creepy Coluan. Good times, good times.

Yeah, Brainiac never resonated as a great villain for me because his entire premise and appearance would change from appearance to appearance, as if he wasn't even really a character but just a name. If Johns can stabilize Brainiac's mission statement, that would be a feat in itself.

[chriskenny]

I'm interested to see if Johns will go in the direction that was hinted at in the little Krypton history lesson on Superman's flight.

Me too. I hate Doomsday but am intrigued by the notion that he is tied into Jor-El somehow and that there is more to him than just a giant hulk-like figure. That he is more embedded into a deeper tapestry of history. The Kryptonian history stuff is really fun.

I hope James Robinson's book gets better and is more in league with what his former protege is up to.

What did you guys think of the character beats for Supergirl. Obviously this is hints at more things to come in her own books. Do you like how she is presented?

[Mon-el]

I'm sorry, but who the hell wanted Steve Lombard or Cat Grant back. There's barely enough room in Superman's supporting cast for characters who really matter like Jimmy and Perry, but now these two wastes of space have returned?


"I" for two wanted them back.

I haven't read the issue yet, having a hard time getting away from work at the moment, I will not be able to get to a shop till tommorrow, but from the comments from this thread I can't wait to read it.

[TROUBLEZ]

I love this title now. I didn't like the new Supergirl, the way she was drawn and portrayed in her own series, but here, I really liked her.

The scene between Clark and his dad was nice too. A great moment. The whole issue was nice.

I too, like the Brianiac explanation. Short and sweet.

I didn't like the Birthright and looking back at the Man of Steel era, that one was kind of bland. But right now, I think they have just the right elements of Superman to make it feel like the right one.

If they kill off Pa Kent I wouldn't mind. I mean, I really like his character along with Ma Kent, but in the original silver age comics he died too. So it makes sense. But either way, I'm sure I'll enjoy the story.

The cover was great, interiors and dialogue and story. One more thing, I also like how Brianiac is portrayed. He actually seems threatning.

[KET]

What did you guys think of the character beats for Supergirl. Obviously this is hints at more things to come in her own books. Do you like how she is presented?

Kara's appearance was mostly a standard-issue Johns info-dump. Frank's character rendering certainly made her appear more emotionally sympathetic than in previous outings, but she's still a virtual blank slate character-wise.

[david r]

Mark me as another fan of Action Comics #867. Great epic storytelling. Geoff Johns gets the little moments right (the Kents, Clark's talk with Lois) and Johns gets the grand spectacular moments right (that shocking ending.) This is shaping up to be a fantastic Superman adventure.

[WorstThingUS]

If they kill off Pa Kent I wouldn't mind. I mean, I really like his character along with Ma Kent, but in the original silver age comics he died too. So it makes sense. But either way, I'm sure I'll enjoy the story.


Actually, they killed them both and Ma actually died first.

[JCAll]

I hope they don't kill Pa Kent. It seems like very time I get over the death of a favorite character there's another one being lead to the chopping block. :frown:

But otherwise add me to the list of approvals for this issue. I'm liking the new Brainiac origin, even if it wasn't needed.

[MaxofSteel]

Now that I think about it, I recall reading a particular scene in Justice League of America #0 where Superman grieves over the loss of his dad in his room in Smallville.

I'll have to dig it up.

[IvCNuB4]

Me too. I hate Doomsday but am intrigued by the notion that he is tied into Jor-El somehow and that there is more to him than just a giant hulk-like figure.

When they said "Doomsday rant" I assumed they were referring to Jor-El's "it's the end of our world" warnings, not Doomsday the character. I read it like Johns may be suggesting that Brainiac was somehow responsible for Krypton's core becoming unstable ...

[$5 Milkshake]

.........loved clark take'n the football to the head , bruce wayne woulda snaped his wrist in two

LOL I also loved that scene, Frank did a great job showing his *sigh* face while purposefully taking the hit.

Actually,Gary Frank did a great job with EVERYTHING. I am so in love with his work. I cant believe how much I'm enjoying Action Comics right now, I cant remember ever being as into it as I am right now. It's surpassed GL as my #2 book at DC, and is damn close to surpassing even JSA.

[B. Kuwanger]

I agree about Frank, he almost single handedly made me interested in Supergirl. Supergirl. Though I definitely prefer the colorist he had on the Legion story.

[MaxofSteel]

Now that I think about it, I recall reading a particular scene in Justice League of America #0 where Superman grieves over the loss of his dad in his room in Smallville.

I'll have to dig it up.

Found it:

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q109/calamax34/JLA0Scan.jpg

[$5 Milkshake]

Found it:

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q109/calamax34/JLA0Scan.jpg

LOL I totally forgot about that....

Oh DC continuity, you silly goose you!

[Binker]

Sorry for the delay. Again, it was work!

By Nathaniel Ruff (also known as Binker, Binker2 and Nate on many forums)

ACTION COMICS #867

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal
Cover by Frank
Edited by Matt Idelson

PLOT:
Brainiac arrives in Earth's orbit as the specter of death begins to close in on Superman. The Man of Steel has fought Brainiac many times before, but he's utterly unprepared for his old foe this time. And if that weren't enough, thousands of invader probes have been launched with the sole mission of destroying all technology on Earth! Dramatic changes are ahead for Superman, and it all starts with this attack!

REVIEW:
The first part of "Brainiac" accomplished what Geoff wanted to do: make Brainiac a real, scary threat. Kudos had to go to Gary Frank for the visual of Geoff's revamp on Brainiac, creating this creepy, eerie, new version of the character that probably added a new layer to this 50 year old villain. Other things that made that issue special wasn't just the flashback scenes, but also the return of Cat Grant and Steve Lombard at the Daily Planet. What could Geoff be planning with those two is up in the air, but it was with what was coming next on "Brainiac" that got me psyched about the next issue! Here is part 2 of "Brainiac"!

For this issue, we get more substance added toward Brainiac under Geoff's writing. And that was good. That is almost the issue in a nutshell, but there are other moments that make this issue a little more than just Superman on Brainiac. One is Supergirl on Brainiac, and how Geoff writes her is more of how better she is here than in her book (for the moment), and a Smallville scene between Clark and his family. And oh yeah, action between Superman and the Brainiac robots, that end with the true Brainiac capturing our boy in blue.

The way Geoff is going with Brainiac, it reminds me of something called "pulling a Hawkman". What that means is that back in Hawkman's post-Crisis ("Crisis on Infinite Earths") days, he was still confusing even from a total revamp he was giving, the same revamps and reboots Wonder Woman and of course Superman, among others, got at the same time. Finally, that all ended when someone finally said "it's all true!" There was a Golden Age, as much as there was a Silver Age, Bronze going on to then-modern versions of Hawkman and Hawkgirl (and Hawkwoman) respectfully. In short: any and every take of the character he (and she) had gone through all existed, and that was better than denying one for the other. In turn, it made more sense. And that is still the case post-"Infinite Crisis", as seen in the Hawkman and Hawkgirl two-page origin from the 52 weekly series. This is exactly the same for Brainiac: every single version, every different take on Brainiac that has ever faced Superman that we all took as retcons, all exist. The Brainiac without any pants, the more robotic Brainiac, Y2K, the one seen prior to "Infinite Crisis", EVERY VERSION exists. But here is the kicker: none of them were the original, just copies or clones that carried Brainiac's programming, but none the less acted like him. Similar to Brainiac in the DCAU. And the Brainiac revamp by Johns, the one in this arc, is the one true Brainiac. So when this tagline says that "Superman will be facing Brainiac for the first time", that is true given this new and better idea Geoff decided to use toward one of Superman's greatest villains.

Overall, this issue hit another one in the ballpark. There wasn't alot of action scenes, but with a story like this, and this part of it in this issue, it was almost like you didn't need it (yet). What Geoff Johns decided to do with Brainiac, what is called as the "pulling a Hawkman", is the right way to go. Just as good as it was to do it with Hawkman post-Crisis; admitting and not denying that there were past versions, and not retconing them or another excuse, makes a lot of sense. And you could tell that it does when it comes to new writers who come on board. This is not the first thing that Geoff admitted toward doing, y'know? Before this arc, we knew that Geoff was pulling a Hawkman with the various versions of Legion of Super Heroes that will be explored with the "Legion of Three Worlds" series coming next month as of this review. So if how he does it there is as good or great as he did it here, no one will say anything bad to it. As always, I'm excited for this arc, and can't wait for the next one.

RATING: Yay

Next Issue: Superman heads to meet Brainiac toward the deepest reaches of space.

[mgs]

Another LOVE of the issue!! All around greatness! ;)

[Jack Tango]

(snip)...what is called as the "pulling a Hawkman"...

This is the first time I've heard that phrase (except when I alluded to it (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=219196)once before). So in your case you should say, "what I'd call "pulling a Hawkman."

Also, that is very dirty, dirty. Shame on you! :-P

[jeangreydp]

Found it:

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q109/calamax34/JLA0Scan.jpg

......where the heck was Lois?

When did this happen? So confused....

[MaxofSteel]

......where the heck was Lois?

When did this happen? So confused....

I dunno about Lois, but this is apparently a snippet of what will happen in the future. Notice the "Tomorrow" caption in the yellow text box at the top of the page. The entire issue was mainly marked by "Yesterdays", "Todays" and "Tomorrows".

Poor Pa Kent. :frown:

[$5 Milkshake]

I dunno about Lois, but this is apparently a snippet of what will happen in the future. Notice the "Tomorrow" caption in the yellow text box at the top of the page. The entire issue was mainly marked by "Yesterdays", "Todays" and "Tomorrows".

Poor Pa Kent. :frown:

Oh yeah. Damn, I forgot it was from "Tomorrow", I have to take back my continuity joke. :frown: :wink:

[chriskenny]

When they said "Doomsday rant" I assumed they were referring to Jor-El's "it's the end of our world" warnings, not Doomsday the character. I read it like Johns may be suggesting that Brainiac was somehow responsible for Krypton's core becoming unstable ...

Well, I would have thought that too but there has been a number of allusions to Doomsday as a separate issue from Krypton's destruction.


I forgot to mention this when I started the thread, but I think Gary Frank can do for this run of Action Comics what Curt Swan, John Byrne, and Dan Jurgens did for Superman in years past. I love this work, and the last few pages where he tries to stop the Brainiac probes was classic.

[fan4fan]

http://i.newsarama.com/images/ActionComics867.jpg

Where exactly is Clark being bitten here? :eek:

[mgs]

Where exactly is Clark being bitten here? :eek:

in the weiner. I think that's pretty obvious. ;)

[WorstThingUS]

in the weiner. I think that's pretty obvious. ;)

He not being bitten at all given that's the robot whose head he just knocked off and considering it's neck is at his crotch, the head would have been in his abdomen. Yes, I'm here to ruin all jokes.

[$5 Milkshake]

He not being bitten at all given that's the robot whose head he just knocked off and considering it's neck is at his crotch, the head would have been in his abdomen. Yes, I'm here to ruin all jokes.

Tell me, did the buzz suffer much when you killed it? :tongue:

[fan4fan]

He not being bitten at all given that's the robot whose head he just knocked off and considering it's neck is at his crotch, the head would have been in his abdomen. Yes, I'm here to ruin all jokes.

Granted, the head flying off provides a logical justification for the non-biting argument.

However :wink:, the cursory look suggest an elongated "head" with "closed eyes" and several probes (tongues?) coming out of a "mouth".

And, no, this doesn't have anything at all to do with this being one of my favorite Superman covers:

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/116/400/116_4_349.jpg

Not that there's anything wrong with that! :cool:

[Mon-el]

Read the Issue yesterday, I loved everything about it,

One thing did strike me kinda of odd about the Superman viewing the Non tapes in his crystalized ship(though a part of me wanted to see the Superman mobile). Superman has obviously fought Brainiac before in the earlier pages, right...Ya think Superman would have listened to those tapes before(but this is now new Post Infinite Crisis continuity).

I Loved the Clark Robot in the background at the Fortress.
I Loved that Brainiac wiped out a sun and a whole planet just to get his Kryptonian at all costs.

Im in awe of Gary Frank's work. This is shaping up to be a fine caliber run of Superman that hasn't been seen in quite some time.

Now to the Pa Kent scene which I called it last issue about his death. (Please don't hate me as well) I can accept Pa Kent's death in the comics. I think the Superman viewing readership can accept that easier as well, they might not like it, but considering he has died several times in past continuity, The films, and Smallville, Clark has been raised and theirs not much really that the Kents can do to raise their son any further. If anyone that could die in the Superman supporting cast and be accepted it would be one of the Kents or both.

Now I lost my Mother last April of last year, and 3 months later I lost my Grandfather, In a couple of weeks I'll be 34(which will mark my 30th year of reading comics), Not that I don't miss them both dearly, They have given me the tools in my life. I still love them even though I miss both of them.

[WorstThingUS]

Tell me, did the buzz suffer much when you killed it? :tongue:

I swear it didn't suffer.

Granted, the head flying off provides a logical justification for the non-biting argument.

However :wink:, the cursory look suggest an elongated "head" with "closed eyes" and several probes (tongues?) coming out of a "mouth".

And, no, this doesn't have anything at all to do with this being one of my favorite Superman covers:

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/116/400/116_4_349.jpg

Not that there's anything wrong with that! :cool:


I remember this! You should have posted it on the Bronze Covers thread.

[TROUBLEZ]

I wish the title cover template was a little modernized. I love the old school logo, but something a little different to compliment Gary Franks covers and stand out more

Something along the lines of Ultimate Marvel covers, or All-Star DC. Because I noticed that the sales of Action aren't that great.

Considering the quality of the art and story, I'm surprised that it isn't atleast in the 70s every month.

[Mat001]

Read the Issue yesterday, I loved everything about it,

One thing did strike me kinda of odd about the Superman viewing the Non tapes in his crystalized ship(though a part of me wanted to see the Superman mobile). Superman has obviously fought Brainiac before in the earlier pages, right...Ya think Superman would have listened to those tapes before(but this is now new Post Infinite Crisis continuity).

Clark probably hasn't listened to every bit of history regarding Brainiac, much less all of Krypton's history. There's only so much time in a day, when you're juggling two different lives.

[Lupek]

I pretty much loved this.

I've been really pleased with the Johns/Donner/Busiek Superman books the past few years, but this Brainiac arc is shaping up to be better than all of that.

My one small peeve is this..I loved the Kara and Clark scene. I really like how she was written, but I still think her costume could cover her midriff a little more.

oh and I think Clark inscribed the horse shoe upside down. Your meant to hang horseshoes with the points up so that it looks like a cup. Otherwise your luck will run out.

[Dr. Ghost]

When I was a kid, I thought Superman was boring.
I saw Johns name on this issue and the one before it, picked them up, and I thought they were great.
I like Superman now.:smile:

[dupersuper]

But that world had no Steve Lombard and Cat Grant was so one note the only way to give her depth was to kill her child and what little depth they gave her afterwards has obviously been destroyed to try and make her into this slut again. Not to mention, I believe retcons have destroyed the wonderfully intricate world that was created for Superman in the Carlin era with all those characters. Does Ron even exist any longer? Much less to be married to Lucy and have a child? And then Lois's father faked his death in Worlds At War to do government work. All of this is much more interesting than dumb jock Steve Lombard and would-be temptress Cat Grant.

As stated, Ron has been in the last few books; plus I pretty much ignore retcons I dislike whenever possible. :cool: Steve was mentioned a few times back in the day; he just worked for WGBS at the time. Cat was hardly 1 note; she had an ex-husband, unexplored history, drinking problem, spoiled son, hooked up with Jose AND had dated Clark.

[dupersuper]

If you must do retcons, Johns Toyman and Brainiac issues are the way to go. Leave the original stories untouched, just fill in the blanks with new information to get you where you need to go to start your story.