Action Comics 831 *review and spoilers*

[LibrarianThorne]

My God.

My God.

I didn't know the universe could contain this much awesome. Bizarro and Zoom debating Star Wars and champagne while running in a zig zag race around the world? Brilliant.

[Guts/Batman]

Had a few things going on at the same time. But different so it was not a confusing issue.

Review: We have the long awaited Black Adam - Superman throwdown. Neither side doing too much damage to the other in the end. Black Adam not wanting to fight at all but only being forced to when Superman decides to throwdown.

Superman says some interesting things in the thought boxes during the fight. He says that Black Adam is stronger than Captain Marvel after getting punched by him. And how how fragile human bones are.

Eventually ending up with Black Adam flying away with Psycho. But not before Superman says he has evidence that a group of metahuman criminals is being set up (not that the reader knows what it is yet) and that he will be watching.

Black Adam makes a comment that he should have been more "vigilant with his mindwiping JLA comrades" and that "they" will be watching Superman and co. as well.

Black Adam tells Superman that he didn't know who Shrapnal was so it's clear that Psycho was solely behind Shrapnel doing what he did. Not that I believe that Black Adam would be involved in that.

After the fight ends when Superman deciedes to not punch Adam when he turns his back as Clark charged him, Black Adam promises Superman that Psycho will be punished and Superman lets Black Adam fly away with Psycho after he lets go of the controlled minds.

I loved what Superman said "That punch would have split the moon in half, Adam. You took quite a risk just now." And Adam responded "It was a risk born of faith. Faith in you, Superman."

Meanwhile, Bizarro and Zoom have their race. (I have a hard time understanding Bizarro so if i get this wrong don't shoot me or anything). They race for 60,000 miles around the Earth and Bizarro ends up winning the race and joining the Society.

Zoom is not happy about it. He cannot stand Bizarro and says many times, that he would do Bizarro in himself if given the chance.

The continued plot of a congressman also weaved in. Now deciding just kill her, not just scare her.

Lois goes to Lana for help in finding stuff out. A general told Lana and she relayed it to Lois who apparently told Superman. But I'm guessing that will be fleshed out in Adventures 644.

I miss anything important?

Small nitpick, however. Am I the only one who thought that Jimmy looked like he was 11? That's the only thing that stuck out to me but I can look past it.

Reaction: I liked it. Didn't love it. But it wasn't confusing. Each mini-plot in the story had it's own area so it was understandable. Good issue overall.

[Guts/Batman]

Heh. Typing my the review with spoilers took me 10 minutes.

I come out and someone has a thread about it. :p

[SuperManny]

Heh. Typing my the review with spoilers took me 10 minutes.


And we all appreciate it here, believe me Guts.

Nothing a simple super-merge can't take care of ;)

[Guts/Batman]

I knew there was a reason why you were tapped as the mod of the Superman forum... ;)

[DracoMalfoy]

How the hell did Bizarro win against Zoom? Did he cheat or something?

[Guts/Batman]

I dunno how, like I said Bizarro screws me up though he is certainly fun to read but it seemed that he did, in fact. finish ahead of Zoom. Thus joining the Society.

If I had a scanner I would scan the picture in.

[Michael P]

I just hated Jimmy's haircut. If he thinks the Roy Orbison look will get him laid, he's sorely mistaken.

[Guts/Batman]

I just hated Jimmy's haircut. If he thinks the Roy Orbison look will get him laid, he's sorely mistaken.

That bothered me as well...

[pureclint]

I dunno how, like I said Bizarro screws me up though he is certainly fun to read but it seemed that he did, in fact. finish ahead of Zoom. Thus joining the Society.

If I had a scanner I would scan the picture in.


Zoom won he even says so, I think Zoom had a hard time understanding Bizzaro as well and ran with him trying to do Society buisness.

and Black Adam should drop Psycho; but the society needs him? Hmm mind control issues to come?

[Guts/Batman]

Ahhhhhhh....Yesssss...

That's right.

In addition, we know that the Society's plan is to mind wipe all the heros so do they need powerful telepaths to do that?

[Sean Whitmore]

So who do we blame for making Jimmy look like a five year old? Byrne or his inker? ;)

Fun issue. I love the fact that Adam is so regal he considers himself above the whole idea of super heroes and super villains. He seems to genuinely have no idea why Superman is mad at him.

I'm starting to dislike Jimmy's new partner more than a little. Hope that changes.

I'm also finding it a little hard to believe that Adam is suffering Psycho to live. I get that they need him for their plans, but where is the line? As long as Adam considers himself heroic, I keep expecting him to go: "plan schlan, you gotta GO."

Bizarro versus Zoom was awesome, though quite frankly the story would have worked better with the cover from Superman last week. "Me am hero of France" was sooo close to being my new sig, but I couldn't pass over the one I've got.


SEAN

[Guts/Batman]

Ahhhhhhhhh...."You join the Society?" threw me off on the vitor of the race.

I have yet to read All-Star Batman and Robin yet. I'm tempted to read it right now.

[pureclint]

I'm also finding it a little hard to believe that Adam is suffering Psycho to live. I get that they need him for their plans, but where is the line? As long as Adam considers himself heroic, I keep expecting him to go: "plan schlan, you gotta GO."


Well he did Vow to make sure Psycho hurt no more inoccents.

[Sean Whitmore]

Well he did Vow to make sure Psycho hurt no more inoccents.


Ah, but if that were enough, why does Adam get so pissy when the Justice Society throws a bad guy in jail instead of killing him?

I mean, I'll buy the reasons they give, it just seems a little like plot dictating character.


SEAN

[Guts/Batman]

I mean, I'll buy the reasons they give, it just seems a little like plot dictating character.


SEAN

Plot is dictacting everyone's character nowadays...Black Adam is no different.

[Pariah128]

I wanted to see the black adam fight last longer, they never really even hinted as to who would of won, but we can atleast agree it was a bit of a stalemate, and seeing as now according to supes black > marvel..thats one debate thats settled

[jerrymcl89]

This book was a lot of fun. The Supes-Adam fight probably could have been better, but everythin else was terrific, from Dr. Psycho to Zoom and Bizarro, to Jimmy (although as everyone noted, Jommy does look ten years too young).

[TJ Shoun]

Was I the only one that was confused when Lois shoved Psycho and threw the paper airplane?

Why did she shove him? What was the paper airplane?

Where did over 1,000 of my posts go?

Mysteries abound.

Uh, maybe I just need sleep.

I know it was fanboyish, but damn I loved the fight. Byrne looked great, as always. Or Nelson. Whatever. ;)

[Sean Whitmore]

Was I the only one that was confused when Lois shoved Psycho and threw the paper airplane?

Why did she shove him? What was the paper airplane?


The paper airplane contained the research that Lois and Lana dug up. And she shoved him because...well, he's a little prick, and he should die. :)


SEAN

[TJ Shoun]

The paper airplane contained the research that Lois and Lana dug up. And she shoved him because...well, he's a little prick, and he should die. :)


SEAN


God I hate Lois.

See, this means that Lois is a morally crappier person than Black Adam. Adam sees him as the little turd he is but refrains from any murderous attempts on his life.

I'm tellin' you... she shoulda died in Identity Crisis.

:cool:

[Sean Whitmore]

See, this means that Lois is a morally crappier person than Black Adam.


Yeah, well, she's got better legs, so :p .


SEAN

[Guts/Batman]

Where did over 1,000 of my posts go?

Mysteries abound.



Jonah and co. "cleaned"...

[Guts/Batman]

Yeah, well, she's got better legs, so :p .


SEAN


If I wanna see legs I'll re-read All Star Batman and Robin #1. ;)

[Sean Whitmore]

If I wanna see legs I'll re-read All Star Batman and Robin #1. ;)


Not to mention #3...(but keep it under your hat) :D


SEAN

[Dante]

I finally got around to reading this.

Great stuff.

Gail is just a terrific writer. I will continue to be a huge fan for years to come becaue of specifically what she is doing on Action and Villians United.

This book was great because it was so much fun. It just feels like the good old Superman of my youth and I love it. I enjoyed the race even though I really have a difficult time understanding Bizzaro... to the point that I think him talking detracts from the book. But the fight was great, and the overall plot.

The one thing that I disliked and agree with other posters on is this. Yes Lois should have died long ago. I didn't see the point to making the paper airplane and then throwing in down to Supes. She had to explain it on the ground anyway... or at least how she got it. So couldn't she have just pushed Psycho and then took the paper to Supes later? Who knows.

Anyway... great book

Dante

[Sean Whitmore]

I didn't see the point to making the paper airplane and then throwing in down to Supes. She had to explain it on the ground anyway... or at least how she got it. So couldn't she have just pushed Psycho and then took the paper to Supes later?


Because this way, Superman was able to confront Adam about the existence of the Society, before Lous could get close to him.

Hail Lois Lane! May she live forever! :p


SEAN

[Guts/Batman]

Hail Lois Lane! May she live forever! :p


SEAN

It should be that law that only Jim Lee gets to draw Lois... :D

[trickster]

It should be that law that only Jim Lee gets to draw Lois... :D

Blasphemy! We should get Tim Sale or Frank Miller :p
Now seriously, Ed Benes also qualifies.

[Arkham Resident]

I wanted to see the black adam fight last longer, they never really even hinted as to who would of won, but we can atleast agree it was a bit of a stalemate, and seeing as now according to supes black > marvel..thats one debate thats settled

Same here.. wished they dedicated more panel on the fight. And deleted some from Jimmy's ( btw, Olsen here looked like MAD Magazine's coverboy, what's his name?).Curious to see how Supes would have handled someone stronger than Capt. Marvel. I also wondered what would have happened if Superman's last punch found it's mark. During that instance Adam acted like more the Boy Scout than Superman, until the last second whwn he held the punch.

Has Black Adam figured in a brawl with any DC heroes before? This issue got my interest on how strong this guy is?

[Guts/Batman]

Has Black Adam figured in a brawl with any DC heroes before? This issue got my interest on how strong this guy is?

In "Black Reign" he was owning the JSA after his team went down. The JSA then hit him with everything and the kitchen sink and only managed to knock him down but not out.

He was Shazam's former champion until he became corrupt with the power, but Shazam didn't take his power away.

As Superman said, he is stronger than Captain Marvel (whom Superman has fought many times including the crossover that lead to Day of Vengeance)

[G. Wayne]

I enjoyed the race even though I really have a difficult time understanding Bizzaro... to the point that I think him talking detracts from the book.

agreed. maybe it's my imagination, but i think bizarro-speak is getting like zatanna's spellcasting (reversing words ekil os, or os ekil) where multiple writers do it differently.

Now seriously, Ed Benes also qualifies.

oh yeah. :D

as far as the art, very inconsistent. it bugged me that black adam looked so great, but jimmy looked like the MAD guy, and bizzaro looked like crap.

and at points, the narration induced flashbacks of the abso-frikkin-lutely RIDICULOUS hunger arc in the short-lived thanos series from a few years ago. never read BoP, but is simone always so heavy-handed with that?

[protege]

agreed. maybe it's my imagination, but i think bizarro-speak is getting like zatanna's spellcasting (reversing words ekil os, or os ekil) where multiple writers do it differently.



oh yeah. :D

as far as the art, very inconsistent. it bugged me that black adam looked so great, but jimmy looked like the MAD guy, and bizzaro looked like crap.

and at points, the narration induced flashbacks of the abso-frikkin-lutely RIDICULOUS hunger arc in the short-lived thanos series from a few years ago. never read BoP, but is simone always so heavy-handed with that?
Here's a thoroughly useless question; how would Bizarro Zatanna cast spells?

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Never read BoP? Stop depriving yourself.

[G. Wayne]

Never read BoP? Stop deprivong yourself.

schill much? :D

doesn't answer my question though.
...or does it?

[Astonishing X-Fan]

I meant, "depriving" by the way...

As for your question...I'm not sure I really understood it. Did you mean the part of the narration that was on the first page and during the race and stuff? Because if that's what you meant...then no...this is actually the first time I've seen Gail narrate like that.

[Arkham Resident]

As Superman said, he is stronger than Captain Marvel (whom Superman has fought many times including the crossover that lead to Day of Vengeance)

So, if they'd stretch the fight who would you think will win?

[marshal99]

Unlike Captain Marvel , Black Adam does not need to pull his punches because Superman is no friend of his so of course , Superman would think Black Adam punched harder than Cap but still , Cap & BA should be the same power wise.

[G. Wayne]

I meant, "depriving" by the way...

s'what i took it as anyway.

As for your question...I'm not sure I really understood it. Did you mean the part of the narration that was on the first page and during the race and stuff? Because if that's what you meant...then no...this is actually the first time I've seen Gail narrate like that.

yeah, that's what i meant. thank you. BoP has been on the list of stuff i'll get around to someday, more for benes though. love his superman stuff.

[Andy S.]

Really liked this issue. The fight scenes, anyway.

I have to say however that while I have no issue with Simone's writing (got a couple of laughs reading) the art leaves something to be desired.

I've seen some of Byrne's uninked pages for this book (I think there's a link on YABS) and I think those pages would look better with a different inker. Nelson's style seems seems a little amateurish to be on a mainstream title like Action. But anyway, that's just personal preference talking I guess.

And yeah, I agree with ya'll on the weird Jimmy man-child person in this issue. :D

[Stanlos]

OH I thought I was alone in that. The only time 'Bizarro' worked for me was when PAD had a Bizarro Supergirl clone in his story. Somehow it was creepy, horrifying, tragic, sad, and funny all at the same time.

But that Superman ish with Bizarro and Zoom? I had to put the book down several time because of Bizarro's speech. It was annoying!

[protege]

OH I thought I was alone in that. The only time 'Bizarro' worked for me was when PAD had a Bizarro Supergirl clone in his story. Somehow it was creepy, horrifying, tragic, sad, and funny all at the same time.

But that Superman ish with Bizarro and Zoom? I had to put the book down several time because of Bizarro's speech. It was annoying!
Yeah, i couldn't really follow any of the dialogue between Zoom, and Bizarro.

[Private America]

France am awesome! :-)

[TheDarkestHorse]

Great issue. I now love Black Adam, who I've never seen before last issue.

I just wanted to point out to whoever said Lois was trying to kill Dr. Psycho...I thought it was pretty clear she knew Superman would catch him. I like Lois...except for in the movies, where she's very very irritating.

[Guts/Batman]

I got JSA volume 8: Black Reign before I read this. Black Adam is badass.

I definitely recommend getting Black Reign.

[Alan2099]

Not bad. it was actually a nice read. Black Adam was written quite well.

Two problem's I had. Jimmy looked WAY to young and Bizarro was too hard to udnerstand. They need to look to Loeb for how to write decent Bizarro dialog.

[Guts/Batman]

Not bad. it was actually a nice read. Black Adam was written quite well.

Two problem's I had. Jimmy looked WAY to young and Bizarro was too hard to udnerstand. They need to look to Loeb for how to write decent Bizarro dialog.

That was the only problems I had with it.

That's why I thought that Bizarro won. LOL

[Alan2099]

I still don't know who won that race!

[Guts/Batman]

I thought that I say that Bizarro was actually ahead of Zoom on last page but what Bizarro says afterwords just confuses me.

I also loved it how Zoom kept saying how he wanted to kill Bizarro.