Superman takes on Wrath, the creature causing people to freak out and attack each other across the city. It's part four of "The Hard Truth."

Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder's run on ACTION COMICS has been very different from what we've seen come from Superman for decades. The two have ventured into horror, action, adventure, and now present a more grounded Superman story that deals just as much with the average citizens of the world as it does with Superman. Pak and Kuder take a chance with this character, who is in quite the situation due to his powers being dampened; however, the story does fall a little flat overall, and features a villain that just doesn't grab the reader, which is a bit of a bummer because she looks great.

There are some great moments within the issue though. The ending of the main story introduces readers to a new character who I have become pretty fond of from her appearance here and I think she'll be a great addition to the series. Pak and Kuder, as the folks behind the story, do hit some great emotional moments in this issue.

One of the things that keeps this series looking amazing is obviously the artwork of Aaron Kuder with Tomeu Morey on colors. While Greg Pak is a great writer, Kuder and Morey have really given this book a life of its own. Kuder's page set-ups and panel layouts keep ACTION COMICS a moving piece of art that never gets dull or slows down. There's a lot of innovation within Kuder's execution, especially for where he puts the "camera" for each panel.

Overall, ACTION COMICS' story was about par. It does a lot of set-up work for potential future stories, but this issue, along with the rest of the story, was just ok. However, there are great moments scattered throughout the issue, but the highlight of the issue is truly the art. It wasn't a bad issue, but really didn't feel like this creative team's strongest.

Spot on review. Art was terrific. This is the first issue that I wasn't crazy about in this arc, but still look forward to the next one.

I only have one question since I haven't read this issue. Does superman get his powers back at all?

Huh, glad I decided not to pick this up at the shop

Nope

This powerless supes gimmick has gone on for long enough, give him his powers back already.

You mean a story-arc where every issue is a fight ends with a fight? brilliant

Only bought two issues from the whole of Truth and won't be buying this one. As far as the art goes, Superman looks so bad to me that it ruins the whole book. Really is one of the worst redesigns in comics imo.

In spite of Kuder's artwork, even the supposed best comics out of the Truth event is suffering even moreso than usual as of this issue. It really sounds like the story is comprised of drawn out filler, aimless switching of supernatural shadow creatures for potentially dangerous commentary on American police controversies and topped off with poor neutering of what makes Superman enjoyable to his fans in the first place.

I say we leave Superman depowered forever.

~Marvel Comics

LOL!

Maybe I am in the minority here, but what a terrible time to be a fan of Batman, Detective Comics, Superman and Action Comics. First Batman really isn't Batman any more. Instead we get Jim Gordon. Now don't get me wrong I like Gordon, but he is not Batman. Secondly, we get a depowered Superman. Maybe it was time for them to pull the reigns on Supes a little bit, because every now and then they make him too powerful and the stories aren't that great. This "Truth" arc hasn't been terrible but it just hasn't done it for me. The Batman arc however is just terrible. IMO