Action Comics #872: Discussion and Review Thread

[Binker]

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

ACTION COMICS #872

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Gary Frank
Variant Covers by Chris Sprouse
Edited by Matt Idelson

PLOT:
As Superman attempts to free the other cities and abductees from Brainiac's ship – including the original monster military unit, the Creature Commandos – Lex Luthor experiments on Brainiac himself. Meanwhile, rebuilt and out for blood, Metallo and Reactron attack, and a major turning point for one of our characters sheds a dark shadow across all that is good.

REVIEW:
I could not believe what happened in the last issue of "New Krypton", and it was thanks to Robinson who pulled it off. New Krypton now has blood on their hands thanks to their actions that will surely ignite the enemies plans for this event. Alura showed her true colors, more Zod than El, and Mon-El looks like he is going to be in big trouble unless someone saves him. Now, we're back in "Action Comics", so let's continue on with part 7!

Okay, I can safely say that now we're in the second half of the "New Krypton" event. The first half was introduction and the problem, and now that problem is in full force with the execution being done by Superman's enemies, and friends. Luthor finally gets Brainiac under his control, which leads to an attack inside Kandor with more bottled cities opened such as the Creature Commandos. If anyone doesn't know about them, I'll explain later. Alura shows more of her colors, even suggesting (in my mind) that her mission is to have Krypton's salvation on Earth, instead of coexistence, and revealing that it was her who ordered the killing option back in "Superman #682". Luthor's plan, involving Reaction upgraded with a Gold Kryptonite heart, makes a tragedy for Kara (Alura too, but I don't know how she will respond given how she's been acting, probably not good...for everyone else) for he kills Zor-El. And the friends part; Guardian seeks out other heroes from those of the Titans, JLA, and JSA, and they're there because, as Guardian points it, "something has to be done about Kandor". And that is this issue in a nutshell.

Alright, you want to know about the Creature Commandos; the Creature Commandos are a team of military superhumans from World War II, debuting in "Weird War Tales #93" of November 1980. A product of the organization called Project M; the team consisted of: normal looking Lt. Matthew Shrieve, the werewolf Warren Griffith, the vampire Sgt. Vincent Velcro, Frankenstein in the form of Pvt. Elliot "Lucky" Taylor and Dr. Myrra Rhodes as Medusa. That's who we see in this issue. After World War II, the remaining Creature Commandos were forced to man a rocket aimed at Berlin. But the rocket went radically off course and headed out of the atmosphere into deep space. That's where this comes in, as Brainiac found them. Little history for ya!

Overall, this issue sets up the second half of this event, and things, like they weren't, aren't going so well. And this time, it isn't just the villains and New Krypton, but them AND the heroes too will be getting involved. How will Superman get out of this mess? Well, only Geoff knows, and I don't. I should also point that Alura says something that enforces what Geoff, James, and Sterling are trying to do in saying why Superman is unique despite having 100,000 Kryptonians, and it's easy: "we're not you, we'll never be you". That's enough. Let's face it: Superman is because he is because he IS what he is. Raised by two human parents since birth, he became who we all know him to be. It's that simple. Supergirl, when she came, had trouble adapting, and basically doing what she was doing. By comparison, she wasn't Superman, she needed to be taught how to be who he was, and she needed help. This is the same with the Kryptonians from Kandor in “New Krypton”, for just because they’re Kryptonian, and have powers under Earth's yellow sun, doesn't mean you get the same answer. There's more. Hell, you got this same answer back in "The Death and Return of Superman" with the Eradicator. So basically, there you go. Now, let's see what happens next in the next issue of "Supergirl", next time!

RATING: Yay

Next Issue: the city of Kandor is rocked to its core and Supergirl angrily unleashes her full power! And just what is Cat Grant smiling about?

[heffison]

No follow-up on Flamebird and Nightwing?

[bfrank]

They're shown in Gotham....

[heffison]

They're shown in Gotham....

Well, I hope they took that Phantom Zone projector with them.

Are they shown apologizing to Dick Grayson?

[Sean Walsh]

They're shown in Gotham....

And Nightwing's floating (CLUE?), with Flamebird croutched beside him in a building ledge complaining that he shouldn't be flying. I took that to mean Flamebird herself can't fly (ANOTHER CLUE?)

[WorstThingUS]

And Nightwing's floating (CLUE?), with Flamebird croutched beside him in a building ledge complaining that he shouldn't be flying. I took that to mean Flamebird herself can't fly (ANOTHER CLUE?)

She's flying at the end of Action #871, so, no.

[Retro315]

Wow.

Okay, so Alura gave the "kill if necessary" option. But she's still defensible. Even though she's a bit nationalistic after seeing Krypton destroyed, she probably wasn't thinking "kill human police" but rather "if the super-villains put up a fight, kill them". And of course, we know it was House of Zod soldiers who crossed the line ...

Zor-El gets a little bit heart-broken this issue ... then he gets a lot heart-broken. Kind of a shame, his character rocked ... now I see what Geoff Johns meant when he said Reactron was being set up as a Supergirl rogue ... jeez! (Of course, I assume he's dead, but he could just be put on life-support or something, crippled, yadda-yadda ... they don't follow up on "DEATH" so next issue we could get the switcheroo or shockingly, I'm still alive bit ... doubt it though).

What Alura has been up to though is pretty noble. She's working on saving all the bottle cities and she's got scientists and soldiers and everyone else working together on the project.

Gor and Mur are back ... and are working for Alura.The House of Zod soldiers we learn agreed to round up Superman's villains in exchange for Zod's possible freedom. So they nab Metallo and Reactron. Bad move, because these guys are working for Sam Lane, but we'll get to that ... they also seem to be big on collateral damage. We get a quick bit of Steve Lombard and Ron Troupe (no Lois or Jimmy, but in theory they're out there digging up info on this Anti-Superman Conspiracy).

Luthor and Brainiac's dialogue was awesome. Luthor has control of him like a puppet, but I hope Brainiac can at least talk of his own free will so he can comment on being used like a puppet. Luthor activates all the hibernating robots lurking in the woodwork of Brainiac's ship as a distraction - however it also wakes up the Creature Commandos and Ultra the Ultimate Alien so Superman has some non-Kryptonian back-up that can take down the two cyborgs next issue before they do any more damage, then Metallo and Reactron start killing Kryptonians - Reactron melts Lieutenant Mur's head clean off.

I imagine a werewolf, vampire, etc ... while not on a Kryptonian strength level, are at least super-strengthed to "near-Aquaman" levels. Enough to probably eff up our two enemy metal-men.

Then we cut to the "stuff's starting to happen in a big way" montage;

Lane has retrieved Doomsday's body from the Moon and Luthor is going to work on that too.

Nightwing and Flamebird are in Gotham wondering why Batman's not around. Still don't know if New Krypton is before or after RIP/Final Crisis .. but Flamebird talks about the "secret to hide" and we get another cut to the statue of Conner Kent being put back up. So if Nightwing isn't Superboy at this point, after three blatantly obvious foreshadow moves, then fans can definitely cry "cop-out". He better be Conner. Of course, Flamebird ... probably going to be Thara Ak-Var, who is conspicuously absent this issue, when Kandor could probably use a head of security.

Of course that raises more questions ... just what has "infected" Gotham?

Alura's pretty spot on in her argument with Kal. Too bad she's not going to win that argument.

Agent Liberty has almost uncovered Sam Lane via some clever questions for Tellus ...

And the Guardian in command of the Science Police, enlisting the JLA and JSA heavy-hitters to fix the Kandor problem ... nice. Three Green Lanterns, Wonder Woman, Power Girl, Steel, the Hawks ... can definitely keep Kryptonians from doing much harm. Not 100,000 Kryptonians ... but they can help, hahaha.

I can't wait for next week.

[WorstThingUS]

And the Guardian in command of the Science Police, enlisting the JLA and JSA heavy-hitters to fix the Kandor problem ... nice. Three Green Lanterns, Wonder Woman, Power Girl, Steel, the Hawks ... can definitely keep Kryptonians from doing much harm. Not 100,000 Kryptonians ... but they can help, hahaha.


But just don't call call Zatanna to say ".srewop ruoy esol snarodnaK" because then you wouldn't have a story, much less a bit super-fight. And don't remember Kyle Rayner knows how to change the frequency of his right to equal kryptonite, as shown in the Superman: King of the World storyline. Then there's Red Star who can emit red solar radiation...

[Mat001]

Well, I hope they took that Phantom Zone projector with them.

Nope.

Are they shown apologizing to Dick Grayson?

Why? He doesn't have the trademark on the name. If anything, he should be apologizing to the other Nightwing, since he took the Kryptonian name without asking them.

Still don't know if New Krypton is before or after RIP/Final Crisis ..

It's after "R.I.P." and before FC. In Supergirl #34, Kara mentions the Batcave was trashed and learns that Bruce is out of action, while in Superman #682, only Nightwing and Robin appear in Arkham to stop the Kryptonians.

[Doc Goblin]

I'm still really suspicious about Nightwing being Conner Kent. They're just being so blatant about wanting us to think that.

So Zor-El bought it, huh? I hope he did, because Supergirl having her parents back so far has been pretty dull. This shakes things up in an interesting way, especially with her mom turning out to be kind of like a Kryptonian Emma Frost almost.

[WorstThingUS]

I'm still really suspicious about Nightwing being Conner Kent. They're just being so blatant about wanting us to think that.

See, I don't get that beyond "tactile telekinesis." Outside of that one phrase it's nothing but wishful thinking. I don't look for Conner in Nightwing or Linda in Flamebird and don't know how people jump to these conclusions. I just see two welcome new characters. That they don't like Zod sympathizers actually suggests long term Kryptonian roots.

Not to mention, making him Conner would be the most convoluted stories ever and I thought the reboots were doing the opposite of that for Superman.

[AdamYJ]

So, is Metallo still mostly a machine? In this, it looks like he's wearing a mask over a human face.

[CYOTI]

He has been a robot with vat grown organic parts and organs since OYL.

[AdamYJ]

He has been a robot with vat grown organic parts and organs since OYL.

It's changed a couple times since then, hasn't it? I seem to remember that he was falling apart back during the Metal Men arc of Superman/Batman.

[Karl O'Neill]

just read this issue.


Loved it, Love the new take on metallo and Reactron, badass.

Luthor is in control again. which i like.

and what are they going to do with Doomsday?

I can see why readers would get confused by agent liberty and the Gaurdian, they both look the same.

The should have different colours or something.

still, I totally digged this issue. pete woods art is amazing..

[Doc Goblin]

See, I don't get that beyond "tactile telekinesis." Outside of that one phrase it's nothing but wishful thinking. I don't look for Conner in Nightwing or Linda in Flamebird and don't know how people jump to these conclusions. I just see two welcome new characters. That they don't like Zod sympathizers actually suggests long term Kryptonian roots.

It's there. People aren't just jumping to this conclusion blindly or seeing what's not there. In the issue where we have the duo's debut at the end, Johns makes a point of having Doomsday break Conner's memorial statue. Writers don't do things randomly. We were being reminded about him just before the duo appeared.

And in this issue, their one panel appearance is immediately followed by a panel of Conner's statue being fixed and saying how they both have a secret to keep. It's more blatant this time. We're "randomly" being shown Conner's statue in direct relation to Nightwing's secret.

I'm not saying Nightwing is Conner. I'm actually expecting some kind of twist instead. But I am saying that Johns obviously wants us to suspect it's Conner.

[Spiffy]

Are they shown apologizing to Dick Grayson?

Why would that be necessary?

[bfrank]

I took that to mean Flamebird herself can't fly (ANOTHER CLUE?)

I Thought that at first, but upon rereading, I don't think so.........

[bfrank]

Why would that be necessary?
Joke. Relax.

[AdamYJ]

Why would that be necessary?

Because pretty much everyone has a reason to apologize to Dick Grayson.

That said . . .

Dick, I'm sorry I made fun of those little elf shoes you wore as Robin (though they were pretty silly looking).

:biggrin: :tongue:

[Mat001]

It's changed a couple times since then, hasn't it? I seem to remember that he was falling apart back during the Metal Men arc of Superman/Batman.

That's probably not in continuity.

It's there. People aren't just jumping to this conclusion blindly or seeing what's not there. In the issue where we have the duo's debut at the end, Johns makes a point of having Doomsday break Conner's memorial statue. Writers don't do things randomly. We were being reminded about him just before the duo appeared.

See Jonathan Kent's death.

And in this issue, their one panel appearance is immediately followed by a panel of Conner's statue being fixed and saying how they both have a secret to keep. It's more blatant this time. We're "randomly" being shown Conner's statue in direct relation to Nightwing's secret.

I'm not saying Nightwing is Conner. I'm actually expecting some kind of twist instead. But I am saying that Johns obviously wants us to suspect it's Conner.

If it isn't Conner, it's Chris who's powers have mutated as he's gotten older, due to being born in the Phantom Zone.

[Rev. Calibos]

Solid issue, loved the amped threat of Reacton and Metallo, loved the Lex/Braniac moments, loved the Kryptonians getting owned by Gold Kryptonite, the only nit I had with the issue was a small one:

I appreciate history and all and I remember the Multi-Alien and the Creature Commandos....vaguely I suppose, but is the middle of a major arc the best place to throw in this randomness?

It was distracting and lent nothing to the overall story other than to say 'hey, look, it's the Creature Commandos. Huh.'

[heffison]

I'm still really suspicious about Nightwing being Conner Kent. They're just being so blatant about wanting us to think that.


Yeah, it does seem like they are working too hard to make us think it is Conner when they could just say "Look, it's Conner!" if that's the case. Even if they cop out and say that well, any Kryptonian can develop tactile telekinesis, it doesn't explain anyone else using that exact phrase for it.

If it is really Kon-El, they'll sell books to more of his fans if they admit it, and if it isn't, that reveal will make his fans angry right when DC needs to keep readers for the big change coming to Action Comics. I don't see how keeping up this mystery is a good bet for DC. We don't know the story arc they have planned, but I'm not optimistic.

[Retro315]

If it is really Kon-El, they'll sell books to more of his fans if they admit it, and if it isn't, that reveal will make his fans angry right when DC needs to keep readers for the big change coming to Action Comics. I don't see how keeping up this mystery is a good bet for DC. We don't know the story arc they have planned, but I'm not optimistic.

If it is Conner Kent keeping the mystery serves the story two ways, and the story is more important than DC itself ... for starters, he clearly doesn't want anyone who knows him to know he's alive because he's on some secretive mission.

As for Superman and Supergirl ... they'll be glad to have him back, but they'll be even more glad after losing Zor-El I suppose ... both Superman and Supergirl have lost their fathers ... getting a "lost cousin" back can be a pick-me-up down the road a ways. But first comes retribution and butt-kicking and so forth ...

And that invariably leads to the greater DCU getting Conner back as well ... maybe. But I will say, that I hope he keeps the Nightwing costume. I don't think Dick will be using it anymore ... and it is Kryptonian in origin.

[carabas]

See, I don't get that beyond "tactile telekinesis." Outside of that one phrase it's nothing but wishful thinking.Idon't know about that. When Flamebird tells 'Nightwing' to quit flying because he's got a secret to keep, the very next panel shows Superboy's memorium statue. I call that a rather huge hint.

[Toonimator]

Huge hint... or a giant red herring?

It could be either, and they'll probably play it out as long as they can. I haven't followed too much of the news of the changes, but could Nightwing/Flamebird become the new stars of Action, and they're just slowly building to it?

I kinda liked the new Zor-El, so him going out is a bummer but could/should bring Kal & Kara closer as family, both losing the fathers that raised them.

[heffison]

Huge hint... or a giant red herring?

It could be either, and they'll probably play it out as long as they can. I haven't followed too much of the news of the changes, but could Nightwing/Flamebird become the new stars of Action, and they're just slowly building to it?

It was announced, last week I think, that Action Comics will shift focus in March to follow Flamebird and Nightwing while Superman is off-planet for a while. The story is planned to run about a year, Rucka (I think) is writing it, and we won't find out who actually is in the Nightwing costume until that first issue of The Flamebird and Nightwing Show.

Every reference about Flamebird's identity seems even more vague, and the teases haven't been so clear on her in the books, so I'm guessing she is a lesser known character (probably Supergirl's friend from Kandor) that they don't think will make the same splash as the final yes/no on Conner Kent.

[edhopper]

It was announced, last week I think, that Action Comics will shift focus in March to follow Flamebird and Nightwing while Superman is off-planet for a while. The story is planned to run about a year, Rucka (I think) is writing it, and we won't find out who actually is in the Nightwing costume until that first issue of The Flamebird and Nightwing Show.

Every reference about Flamebird's identity seems even more vague, and the teases haven't been so clear on her in the books, so I'm guessing she is a lesser known character (probably Supergirl's friend from Kandor) that they don't think will make the same splash as the final yes/no on Conner Kent.

DC is going to turn over it's premier magazine to Flamebird and Nightwing? Two characters I only have a passing interest in.
One less book for me to buy.

Liked this issue. One way or the other, the Kryptonians can't stay on Earth.
I liked the return of the Creature Commandos, Johns shows how to bring in obscure characters and make it work, I hope Grant Morrison is taking notes.

[Spiffy]

Johns shows how to bring in obscure characters and make it work, I hope Grant Morrison is taking notes.
For that, he'd have to think he could actually learn something from someone else.

[Karl O'Neill]

Nightwing is defo connor:)

I might continue to buy this when johns leaves,. i have loved all of Rucka's work for DC so far.

[edhopper]

DC is going to turn over it's premier magazine to Flamebird and Nightwing? Two characters I only have a passing interest in.
One less book for me to buy.

Though I just saw the solicitations on Newsarama and it looks interesting and the art looks sweet. I take it that the Nightwing/Flamebird story is just while Supes is offworld and he'll be back in the pages of Action when Superman Returns, (that sounds familiar:smile: )
So I guess I'll shell out the 3 clams a little while longer.

http://i.livescience.com/images/sm_cv686.jpg

[Karl O'Neill]

Mon el rocks. I have always been really fond of him as a character.

[DonC]

So, is Metallo still mostly a machine? In this, it looks like he's wearing a mask over a human face.


When did he start dressing like a color blind luche libre wrestler? I thought he was Metallo, but I wasn't certain until Reactron (whoever the hell that is) said his name.

[jamal Igle]

When did he start dressing like a color blind luche libre wrestler? I thought he was Metallo, but I wasn't certain until Reactron (whoever the hell that is) said his name.

It's a revamp of this costume
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/JamalIgle/metallo.jpg

[Jeff O.]

Here's some more Ultra the Multi-Alien (Ace Arn) early backstory -- from when he operated in Earth's future.

http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=archive2003-08-11 (http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=archive2003-08-11)


http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=archive2005-03-04 (http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=archive2005-03-04)



__________________

[JessieMidnight]

New Krypton has been a good story so far, and the art has been great all around too. The new designs for Metallo, and Reactron that Gary Frank did are great! I've been wondering what they would be like since Geoff mentioned them in one of the interviews he did recently.

[HaroldAllnut]

I was fairly entertained by this issue, but I'm hoping to actually see the Creature Commandos and Ultra the Multi-Alien back in continuity; while those cameos were cool, they were essentially useless. I'm hoping to see these guys in action.

[Mat001]

I'm sure we'll see them during Robinson's run and possibly over in Adventure Comics.

[Sean Whitmore]

Yikes. That green Metallo costume was ugly then, and it's ugly now. Though I understand wanting to give the character a more recognizable look, rather than having him be a different shmuck with a Terminator half-face every time.

Reactron is curious for two reasons. First, why take away Metallo's new "one of every kind" kryptonite heart after only one story? And second, what in-story reasoning is there for limiting the effects of Gold K? (The real reason is obvious)


SEAN

[jamal Igle]

Yikes. That green Metallo costume was ugly then, and it's ugly now. Though I understand wanting to give the character a more recognizable look, rather than having him be a different shmuck with a Terminator half-face every time.

Reactron is curious for two reasons. First, why take away Metallo's new "one of every kind" kryptonite heart after only one story? And second, what in-story reasoning is there for limiting the effects of Gold K? (The real reason is obvious)


SEAN
All will be revealed. Reactrons the first. not the last.

[Spiffy]

second, what in-story reasoning is there for limiting the effects of Gold K? (The real reason is obvious)


SEAN
I think DC just chose to bite the bullet and ignore the fact that Gold K used to be "permanent". Its been a real limiter in the past in using it in stories, because you always have to contrive something to get over it, so I think this is just them fessing up it was always a mistake. I expect the earlier status of Gold K to simply be ignored in story, and for them to just hope that people will except the new status quo. Because taking away powers temporarily opens up more story possibilities. Then again, red wavelength solar energy already did that, so I AM confused why that doesn't just fit the bill.

So I guess Green K now "hurts"--its painful to be exposed, Gold K doesn't appear to hurt but leaves them vulnerable, Red K is still the one which makes Kryptonians act all wacky mentally and occasionally have weird physical side effects, and Blue K... er... does that still exist?

[Mat001]

Gold has only been temporary since Action Comics Annual #11, as Metallo noted it doesn't last a long time there. We're just given a time limit now which makes more sense and we have more useage.

[Karl O'Neill]

All will be revealed. Reactrons the first. not the last.

I reckon they are building an army of doomsdays and Reactrons to fight 100 thousand superman level kandorians

:)

awesome

[AdamYJ]

All will be revealed. Reactrons the first. not the last.

Ooh. Foreboding. :tongue:

It's a revamp of this costume.

No offense, but I think Metallo's better off sticking with cold gray and black. Metallic colors to suit his robotic nature and cold-heartedness.

[heffison]

DC is going to turn over it's premier magazine to Flamebird and Nightwing? Two characters I only have a passing interest in.
One less book for me to buy.


Which seems to me to be another reason for that to be Conner in the Nightwing suit. At least he has some fan base to bring in. But then they're obviously willing to take some risks here, as well as with the Bat books.

Are there really people who would get excited if that turns out to be Chris Kent? He's more likely to pop up with Mon-El in the Phantom Zone, but you never know.

Okay, so what did Flamebird mean by something infecting Gotham?

[JessieMidnight]

I really like the redesigns for Metallo, and Reactron, but that's me. I also noticed that both of their helmets to me resemble the robot Brainiacs head in design. Does that have to do with what Lex is doing with Brainiac, like he is using what he's learned from Brainiac, and incorporated it into Metallo, and Reactron?

I reckon they are building an army of doomsdays and Reactrons to fight 100 thousand superman level kandorians


I like that idea, and it does seem as that's where the story in headed. Maybe it's an army of Reactrons led by a new high-tech Doomsday. Can't wait to see if that's what happens.

[Pete26]

Is that FC ties into all this across the DCU. Bruce Wayne will retire as Batman, albeit temporarily, and Dick Grayson will inherit the cowl. Nightwing in Action comics will become the new "Superman" of Earth, while Supes is in space. I reckon that all of the FC stuff is to tie up some legal odds and ends and reinvent the DCU, while retaining the icons of the character.

Just my cynical take on it:evilsmile:

[Mat001]

No, what it is, is a story arc that each invidiual books will deal with. The Superman in space story has to do with Clark and the bottled cities. Batman's legal issues are fine, since Bob Kane made a deal that was satisfactory to him long ago, so that there wouldn't be a lawsuit. Unlike Siegel and Shuster, who were screwed over long ago and for a long time.

[Lupek]

I am late to the game again but this was good. Alura is becoming a right b!tch but she is also trying to do something good for her people. She she is nice and conflicted. Superman is conflicted. So must be the other human superheroes. I would imagine every human on earth who has ever admired Superman but now fears the Kryptonians are conflicted too. This is getting good.

And the Creature Commandos are great. I want to learn everything about them now