REVIEW: Action Comics, #15

[Auguste Dupin]

Yet from context it isn't too hard to figure out what the ending was saying in 2001. Yes the details weren't played out, but the broad brush strokes were there and when you walked out of the theater you had a sense of satisfaction and, in my case at least, awe. Seeing the film more than once helped and I would give Action a second reading, but its forced because I didn't enjoy it as much as say, 2001.

And 2001 is a great storytelling choice because it is minimilist and yet, the transitions are there and you either see the necessary exposition or its part of the dialogue. 2001 did help me understand the universe more.

Especially when I saw the line "In space, no one can hear you scream!"

Well, the scenarist of the movie (and the writer of the book ) has said that if you get the end of the movie, then he failed at what he was trying to do.
I sure didn't (well, I actually think it's not supposed to be a clear ending and that you're more or less supposed to come to your own conclusions). Which is amusing because I have no problem at all understanding this run of Action Comics. Like, I don't even have to think about it, and it's actually pretty straight foward. Maybe the episodic monthly thing doesn't help, but if I have to be honest with you, it seems to be more about you not remembering some things than things being especially uncomprehensible. Like the problem you seems to have with the "Comet and the Wanderers" line. We aren't told who the "Wanderers" are, but we do know that Comet has been chosen among others "special people" from other planets by an alien race to fight the Multitude (it's stated by Adam Blake in the back up of issue 0, and Comet pretty much says so to Suzie in issue 11 and 12). From this, it seems pretty logical that these "Wanderers" are the people chosen by these aliens. From this, the "Comet and the Wanderers" line is just Superman calling everyone he can for help to fight the supervillains. Now I can understand why you would forget about this on a daily basis with other stuff to do (I happen to have a good memory).
I could have used David Lynchs movies as an example too. Some of them......I have really have no idea what really happened.

[Superlad93]

Why would you go to all the trouble to tell this complex story with all of these things going on and not care what the reader referenced?

In the case of the Golden Age stuff, there was always a narrative box at the beginning of the story to let you know what you missed last issue. DC as a company doesn't do this any more.

And I am fine with referencing a "outre concept" but I want it to pay off in the story that is being told. Again, I think the author drops the ball here often.

I know we've had our good talk and all, but I hope you don't mind if I chime in and ask what outer concept didn't "pay off" for you in Action comics?

[OldSchoolfan]

I know we've had our good talk and all, but I hope you don't mind if I chime in and ask what outer concept didn't "pay off" for you in Action comics?

I am going to take any further discussions in the same spirit...so no worries.

The hard part about talking about this is that the arc isn't done. But for example, if I reference something else Morrison wrote, the Final Crisis Superman 3D book he did awhile back for example, there were a bunch of ideas that he threw out there that it didn't seem like he did any thing with to tell the main story. It was a little off putting for me.

Dupin brings up a good point, I don't remember all these little references and inuendos....and this is part of the reason I don't enjoy this authors work that much. It's amusing though, because there are other writers I can read and lock right in to where they are going and be very entertained. It's just not happening here for me. And because of that I would not being honest if I said I thought he was a good writer.

[OldSchoolfan]

Well, the scenarist of the movie (and the writer of the book ) has said that if you get the end of the movie, then he failed at what he was trying to do.
I sure didn't (well, I actually think it's not supposed to be a clear ending and that you're more or less supposed to come to your own conclusions). Which is amusing because I have no problem at all understanding this run of Action Comics. Like, I don't even have to think about it, and it's actually pretty straight foward. Maybe the episodic monthly thing doesn't help, but if I have to be honest with you, it seems to be more about you not remembering some things than things being especially uncomprehensible. Like the problem you seems to have with the "Comet and the Wanderers" line. We aren't told who the "Wanderers" are, but we do know that Comet has been chosen among others "special people" from other planets by an alien race to fight the Multitude (it's stated by Adam Blake in the back up of issue 0, and Comet pretty much says so to Suzie in issue 11 and 12). From this, it seems pretty logical that these "Wanderers" are the people chosen by these aliens. From this, the "Comet and the Wanderers" line is just Superman calling everyone he can for help to fight the supervillains. Now I can understand why you would forget about this on a daily basis with other stuff to do (I happen to have a good memory).
I could have used David Lynchs movies as an example too. Some of them......I have really have no idea what really happened.

The guy that wrote the screenplay for 2001 said that? Okay....the way the movie was directed was as a whole pean to the evolution of man: from the first tools of homo habilus(?), to space flight to AI (which doesn't contribute and actually becomes an obstical) to the star child. I can't interpret it any other way. Other people might, but I can't.

Sorry about being off topic, but you picked a movie that is about as cool as Superman!

And you are right about the fact that I don't remember all these little references and it does interfere with my ability to enjoy GM's stuff. But, you have seen other people complain about the same stuff....so at least I have company.

[Superlad93]

I am going to take any further discussions in the same spirit...so no worries.

The hard part about talking about this is that the arc isn't done. But for example, if I reference something else Morrison wrote, the Final Crisis Superman 3D book he did awhile back for example, there were a bunch of ideas that he threw out there that it didn't seem like he did any thing with to tell the main story. It was a little off putting for me.

Dupin brings up a good point, I don't remember all these little references and inuendos....and this is part of the reason I don't enjoy this authors work that much. It's amusing though, because there are other writers I can read and lock right in to where they are going and be very entertained. It's just not happening here for me. And because of that I would not being honest if I said I thought he was a good writer.

I understand that but can you come up with some specific concepts that you didn't think payed off for you in Action? Maybe we could do another exchanging of perspectives and come out better for it. You actually showed me that maybe a monthly format was not the best for Action comics despite my enjoyment of it.

[Auguste Dupin]

The guy that wrote the screenplay for 2001 said that? Okay....the way the movie was directed was as a whole pean to the evolution of man: from the first tools of homo habilus(?), to space flight to AI (which doesn't contribute and actually becomes an obstical) to the star child. I can't interpret it any other way. Other people might, but I can't.

Sorry about being off topic, but you picked a movie that is about as cool as Superman!

And you are right about the fact that I don't remember all these little references and it does interfere with my ability to enjoy GM's stuff. But, you have seen other people complain about the same stuff....so at least I have company.

Well not enjoying Grant Morrison's comics are not a crime.......yet.
But 2001 sure is a great movie, but I know there have been lots of intepretations for the ending, yours being one of them of course.

[nightrider]

I'll agree Action has its high and lows, but this is simply brilliant.
Just ignore the fact that this is a beautifully written comic which great concepts.
Ignore the fact that the characters are so heartfelt and genuine, not to mention very easy to relate to.
Ignore the fact that Grant has went out of his way to make many past stories relevant and that Vyndktvx messed up his story line.

Hardcore fans should be able to enjoy the fact that Morrison managed to build a cohesive Superman world, filled with great supporting characters, new, old and revamped characters, also building pipelines and setting a foundation for future writers to use.
I am still extremely pissed and annoyed that DC wasted the whole year of story telling for one of their book by giving them to a couple to experienced writers who failed to deliver on all accounts.
But ultimately, I'll say that the new 52 has done wonders for Superman. Prior to this, we had several years of bad writing, with not much villains being established and supporting characters that didn't matter.
Mon El went to the 31st century, Legion are only part time supporting characters, Chris Kent was probably the only good thing that was being forgotten in the new 52.
But we are essentially going back to the same problem, that is, Superman has too many Kryptonian villains and supporting characters that has powers that are identical to him. Theres very little differentiation and I think new 52 has managed to do that.
I am also very excited about the villains month and new Man of Steel Comics from Lee/Snyder.

[Christopher Cross Is God]

I finally read this issue just now.....Pure brilliance from Grant Morrison.

For those who had a hard time following this story, I'm half-asleep due to fragmented, crappy sleep the previous night, and I also have some extra fatigue due to a hard workout yesterday which has my legs sore beyond belief........Yet I had no problem following this story.

If Vartox and his planet were finished off by the Multitude, I do hope it occurred years into the future. If not, it wounds me to learn of Vartox's possible demise, when such a glorious, multi-faceted character could have been used in the DCnU.

My only true grievance is on the Gsptlsnz character. I appreciate the fairy princess look Morrison went for, which went well with the theme, but I prefer the sultry DCAU version. But, with such a fantastic story laid upon these pages, I cannot complain over something so trivial.

Yet another dense, enriching issue from Sir Grant Morrison....Now I shall honour Sir Alan Moore by reading Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan.

[oldforce]

Morrison should write all the comics. I'll be sad to see this one go. Also the Fisch story was another crier.

[dupersuper]

See, I take this a step further and say that because you have to work so hard, the writer isn't doing his job. In essence: bad writing.
I realize you aren't saying that, but it's been my opinion of Morrison's work since JLA

You do certainly have to work for a lot of Morrison stories, but JLA?? Really? That was extremely straight forward...

[dupersuper]

before the new 52 Superman shrugged off such responsibility and just dumped them with someone he thought would do a better job than him (Kents, Amazons, Batman ect.).

Well, to be fair, the Amazons and Batman kidnapped Supergirl.