Action Comics #1070 is written by Mark Waid and published by DC. Art is by Clayton Henry, colours by Matt Herms and letters by Dave Sharpe. This issue also features a backup story written by Mariko Tamaki with artwork by Skylar Patridge and colours by Marissa Louise. Main cover art (left) is by Clayton Henry and Tomeu Morey.
Action Comics #1070 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon ComiXology UK right here.
Synopsis
An otherworldly horror, tearing its way through Metropolis, has emerged from the Phantom Zone. Something’s wrong in the Zone—something terrible—and Superman must enter alone to find out what! From the pages of Absolute Power and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest comes a new Action epic unlike any you’ve seen before from the visionary creative team of Mark Waid and Clayton Henry! Plus, the Woman of Tomorrow is here today! Supergirl Special’s Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Patridge return to bring Kara to the farthest reaches of space in pursuit of a mysterious threat only she can handle.
Review
It’s been one week since Absolute Power concluded and since the DC All-In Special released, kicking off a brand new initiative for DC. Beginning a new jumping on point for readers and making it easier to tag along for the adventures that will be taking place within the DCU. Action Comics #1070 brings onboard a new creative team, ripping straight from the pages of Absolute Power and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, comes Mark Waid, tagged along with Clayton Henry, who will be providing the art for the weeks leading up to December as they both tackle a story that has Superman travelling the depths of the Phantom Zone.
This story takes place sometime during the 52 days that occur between Absolute Power and the Battle of the Watchtower, which takes place in DC All-In Special #1. It’s an action-packed issue that rushes straight into this grotesque monstrosity breaking out of the Phantom Zone, where Superman usually imprisons his foes. Superman runs into Jimmy Olsen hanging from a lamppost doing what he does best: taking pictures for the Daily Planet. Funnily enough, he didn’t think of a way to get down, but luckily Superman is here to fly him to a safe location. But mid-flight, destruction ensues in Metropolis, making it our usual Wednesday.
Superman isn’t alone, as Supergirl tags along to fight this mysterious creature, which looks like three Kryptonians conjoined into one body. This means trouble, as they have triple the power of both Superman and Supergirl and are filled with rage for a reason unknown to us. Throughout this battle, which lasts hours, the creature is speaking Kryptonese, which isn’t translated until later, but it’s what they say that frightens even the Man of Steel.
Mark Waid always knows how to keep readers on their toes by always keeping an element of surprise with his stories. Just within the first part of the story arc, we witness two members of the Superfamily struggle against a foe, which leads Superman to the only possible outcome, which could also affect him. It’s intense and full of action that Clayton Henry beautifully conveys with his art with panels that showcase Superman destroying numerous bits of debris in a singular panel.
The Phantom Zone has always been mysterious, and not much is known about it to us or our band of heroes. Something is up with it, which led to the escape of the three Kryptonians, and unfortunately, due to the events that occurred in Absolute Power, they can’t figure out what’s going on. A lot has changed with the Phantom Zone overtime; it’s not the same place it once was.
Whatever has abruptly changed, Superman has to enter to solve the mystery. I can see the future issues of this storyline being just as engaging as this if Mark Waid continues on the same path and manages to deliver the same level of tensity. It should work, as we’ll be venturing into this mysterious void alongside Superman over the coming weeks.
As part of the backup story, we have Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Patridge returning from their Supergirl Special #1 to write another Supergirl story. One that fits the main story in the issue with its themes. Supergirl is visiting numerous people, getting what she needs for this perilous journey, and making sure they don’t remember their interaction with her.
Why? Tamaki is keeping this mysterious element surrounding her mission that only supposedly she can do unknown for the time being. Even Superman himself is wishing that she wasn’t the one to be taking it head-on. There are references to Tom King’s Woman of Tomorrow, and Tamaki shows well enough within her writing for the character that she has a perfect understanding of what Kara has gone through and is able to convey all that emotion through the writing that Skylar Patridge is able to bring to life with through the facial expressions in her artwork.
Verdict
Action Comics #1070 delivers on not just one but two stories that involve mysterious journeys into the unknown. Mark Waid is able to create a tense situation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, while Mariko Tamaki shows why she’s the best modern writer for Supergirl. What will Superman find in the void? What will Supergirl’s mission entail? We only have to wait a week to find out!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
