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Action Comics #993

Scheduled to arrive in stores: December 13, 2017

Cover date: February 2018

"Booster Shot" - Part 1

Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Dan Jurgens
Inker: Dan Jurgens
Cover: Dan Jurgens, Trevor Scott and Hi-Fi
Variant Cover: Francis Manapul

Reviewed by: Mario Bennese
Click to enlarge


Booster Gold and his robot Skeets have arrived too late to stop Superman from going back in time. Before he can get Superman's exact temporal coordinates from the cosmic treadmill, Flash arrives to lay the smackdown on Booster. As a result of the continuity changes over the past few years, Flash has no recollection of Booster Gold and treats him like an intruder. As the two heroes fight in the Watchtower, Superman makes his way to Krypton moments before its destruction. Before Superman can see if there's any validity to his father's story, a chronal storm hits him. During the storm, familiar and unfamiliar events flash before his eyes of Krypton's history. As the storm weakens, Clark finds himself on Krypton well before its destruction.

Back in the Watchtower, Booster manages to subdue Flash by having Skeets use the Watchtower's defense system against him. The cosmic treadmill is placed in Booster's time sphere and the two set out after Superman. Over at the Daily Planet, Steve Lombard shows Jon his collection of Booster Gold memorabilia. Jon is unimpressed and after Lombard's tour, goes in search of his mother. Through a window, Jon sees his mother talking to Perry in his office. Using his super hearing, Jon discovers that his grandfather has been captured leading a black ops mission against the corrupt government of Logamba. According to Perry's sources, his execution is to be streamed live. With no rescue mission planned, Sam Lane is likely going to die. Unfortunately, Sam never got to meet his grandson. Lois decides then and there that she is not going to let her father die.

In the time stream, Booster and Skeets have difficulty reaching the moment in time before Krypton's destruction as their destination is changed. Meanwhile, Superman lurks in the shadows to avoid detection. If he changes anything in the past, the consequences in the present could be severe. It is then that he witnesses his father and General Zod working together as friends. Taken aback, the Man of Steel steps out of the shadows for a moment. Booster arrives and attempts to zap him into the darkness, but the two heroes are spotted by guards. Superman is hit in the arm by a laser blast and is wounded. Under Krypton's red sun, he is powerless.

4Story - 4: First things first, I enjoyed this issue. A buddy of mine said that it reminded him of a Silver Age story and I agree. Superman going back in time to see the destruction of Krypton has actually happened, albeit in the later years of the Golden Age. Still, the time traveling elements seem to have a distinct Silver Age vibe to it and I love it. Structurally, the issue is fine. I have no problem with Jurgens' writing. He's one of the most revered in the Superman community for a reason. My issue with this book - if I can even call it that - is that this issue feels like a setup issue. Aside from that, this issue is a fun read and has that classic Superman feel to it. It's great to see Booster Gold again, especially since his existence was, if I'm not mistaken, relegated to a Futures End one-shot in the New 52. I'm glad to see him have an important role in a Superman story.

4Art - 4: The art is spectacular. Jurgens just draws such a fantastic Superman. It's hard to see his Superman art and not smile. The two-page splash of Superman going through the time stream is simply stunning. Every once in a while, a face looks a little weird, but they don't subtract from the quality of the book. It's also nice to see Jurgens drawing Booster again.

5Cover Art - 5: Wow! What a cover! This screams classic Superman to me. The layout is just awesome. The cover just grabs the customer's eye and makes them want to read the issue. That's what a good cover should do. On a side note, I really love the new DC Universe side banner. I know it's on every DC book, but it just further adds to that classic feel. I think DC chose the right time to switch to this cover format. The Rebirth banner would have looked off for this issue.

3Variant Cover Art - 3: I like the idea and I love the coloring effect for the background, but I've seen Manapul produce better work.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2018

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

January 2018 February 2018 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 August 2018 September 2018 October 2018 November 2018 December 2018

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