A New Golden Age
I’ve waited a long time for this issue. I’ve engaged in a lot of smack talk leading up to it. I couldn’t be more thrilled with how Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #1 actually turned out. This is the Golden Age version of Superman perfectly updated for our modern world. Superman is acting as a social crusader for an economy in recession just as the first version of Superman did for the 1930’s depression. He really shows himself to be the “Champion of the Oppressed” once again in one memorable scene of this book. I may also have to eat my words about keeping Superman’s characterization away from Spider-Man. Grant gracefully mixes in bits and pieces of Peter Parker’s life without tarnishing the gleeful zen of Kal-El. We may get a Superman who is both relatable and an enlightened being out of this Clark Kent. All in all, I enjoyed reading about this young, brash, and cocky Superman.
The pace of this book is frantic. It moves at superspeed along with its hero and exhibits all the comforts of our modern technology. Yet, it never loses this thirties noir feel. Just like the Golden Age stories, this Superman’s world is populated by gangsters and corrupt city officials. You feel like there’s danger and a mob hit around every corner. The story almost exists outside of time like the late thirties and the year 2011 are happening simultaneously. It also pays a good deal of homage to Superman’s past. The interrogation of Glenmorgan has already been established as being right out of the original Action Comics #1. Clark’s landlady refers to another scene from Superman’s first appearance, and the lady’s name, Mrs. Nyxly, pays a more obscure tribute to the Bronze Age. If you take a close look at the passengers in the train Superman stops, you’ll see someone very special who’s been lurking in the backgrounds of many of the other #1’s (thanks to Bleeding Cool for getting me to look for this Easter Egg). It’s really amazing what Grant and Rags packed into one issue.
Rags’ art, in particular, didn’t disappoint. He captured the action and pace of every scene perfectly. I’ve always liked how genuine he makes his faces look and the dramatic emotion he gets them to cast. He gives a certain playful quality to Superman’s famous grin. His eyes get a bit wonky in some of the panels, but nobody’s perfect. All in all, Action Comics #1 was more than I ever expected. It’s a new dawn for Superman and completely different than even how Grant has portrayed him before. I think we’re all in for a wild ride in what will be a very memorable and unique superhero book. This is a perfect five out of five. If you don’t pick this issue up then shame on you.
