Action Comics #719

Happy New Year one and all. For Christmas I reviewed my single favorite comic issue book issue in Amazing Spiderman #500, and to ring in the new year, I thought I'd review my close second, Action Comics #719. While not quite as epic of a story as it's competitor, it does go a long way to toward the development of three of DC's most iconic characters in what is a truly excellent one-shot. While cleaning her apartment one day, Lois Lane collapses and is rushed to the hospital. Apparently, A Joker figurine that she had kept as a souvenir from one of Superman's previous encounters with The Joker was coated with a toxic agent that she had gradually absorbed over time and is now killing her. Enraged by his lack of foresight Superman flies off in search of the Joker. He seeks the help of Batman but Bruce recognizes that Clark is not thinking clearly because of Lois's situation and sends him on a wild Goose chase while he confronts The Joker in Arkham. Superman catches up to him and is ready force Joker to give him the cure for Lois's poison by any means necessary. Joker offers Superman an ultimatum. Apparently, the cure is actually the original poison combined with the Joker's chemically altered DNA. In order to get it, Superman must inject the poison into the Joker, killing him in the process. The idea here is that the Joker would effectively destroy what Superman represents since he will have taken a life with his own hands. Both he and Lois would have to live with that on their conscience. Superman is ready to do it, but Batman tries to talk some sense into him and tell him not to play the Joker's twisted game. Superman almost kills Batman but is ultimately convinced that letting Lois die is the right thing to do. At the hospital Lois flat lines and Superman is wrought with grief but Batman reassures him that this is what she would have wanted. However, just as all hope seems lost, Lois starts slowly returning to health. Batman exposits that the poison would have killed the Joker but probably would only take others to the brink and then right back, the "joke" being that Superman would have essentially killed the Joker for no reason. That's right, Joker was willing to die just to screw with Superman. Clark and Lois have a touching reunion and we end with Joker laughing like well... the Joker.

What Works:

As I said before, this issue goes a long way toward the development of the three central characters. Let's start with Superman. This issue shows Superman at one of his most vulnerable points. In the comic he says "I can crush mountains, melt steel, are you saying I can't save one woman?" It's very rare that we see Superman feeling this powerless. it brings out side of him that is not often seen. Most people I know who criticize Superman say that they don't like him because he's too powerful and therefore can't be defeated. If you are of that mindset, I highly suggest you track down this issue. Superman may not be harmed by bullets, but that does not mean he's invincible. It actually is very similar to how Legatto destroyed Vash's psyche in Trigun by dying by Vash's own hand. Now on to the Joker. I've always thought of the Joker as the epitome of human evil. No powers, no morals, no regrets and no mercy, just psychosis and boredom. Villains like Darkseid, who are arguably just as powerful as Superman, may be able to hurt him, but it's the normal human who nearly destroys what he is. There is literally nothing the Joker will not do in order to get what he wants, making him more dangerous than any other villain in the DCU. He has no regard for any life, not even his own. He is willing to give his own life just so he could pull a prank on Superman. That's a level of evil that almost defies description. Finally there's Batman. This comic does a great job of demonstrating the relationships he has with the other two. While not as much of a boyscout as Superman, he is more level headed and is sometimes needed to talk sense into his colleague. As for his relationship with the Joker, that's a bit tougher to explain. Essentially, the Joker is playing a game with Superman and Supes plays right into it, much to the Joker's amusement. However, Batman always defeats the Joker because he refuses to play the Joker's game, which is how he's able to convince Superman to let him live, thus Joker's obsession with him grows

What Doesn't:

There's an absolutely pointless and non sequitur scene that features a character I don't recognize seeing the ghost of Martin Luther King. It has nothing to do with the story in any way shape or form.

Overall:

5/5

This is another one of my personal favorites. It's a simple story that works perfectly. Happy New Year everyone. I look forward to many more reviews in the coming year.