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Action Comics #1043

Scheduled to arrive in stores: May 24, 2022
Cover date: July 2022

"Warworld Revolution" - Part 1

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artists: Riccardo Federici and Will Conrad
Cover: Dale Eaglesham
Variant Cover: Julian Totino Tedesco

Reviewed by: James Lantz
Click to enlarge

Manchester Black has been rescued by The Authority, but it may be too late for Apollo. He is powering the latest Engine City that is on course to invade some innocent world. Enchantress has also been found. However, she has become the prized "child" of a world destroyer called Mother who kills indiscriminately. Mongul himself has gone off world to conquer a world because he believes the United Planets violated an agreement with him.

As the element called Genesis in underground tunnels allows Superman and the Phaelosians to gradually regain some of their superhuman abilities, Kal-El is learning the writings, language and lore of Warworld. Phaelosian storyteller Byla recounts a tale to Superman. Seven aspects of the ancient god Olgrun have been placed throughout the universe after a war of said gods. Somewhere on Warworld is said to contain the fire of Olgrun. If Superman does not claim it, Mongul most certainly will, even while he attempts to conquer worlds left and right.

4Story - 4: Had this run in more than one monthly title, I may not be complaining about the pacing of this and the past few issues. It isn't as slow as Bruce Jones' run on The Incredible Hulk, but it's also not going as fast as earlier chapters of Phillip Kennedy Johnson's run on this title. I guess I didn't expect things to drag out this long. I still enjoy this book. It just feels like something, perhaps editorial in nature, is making the series lag a bit.

5Art - 5: The art has had a Edgar Rice Burroughs or Robert E. Howard feel to it, making the book easier to enjoy.

"Myth of The Mongul"

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Will Conrad

Before Warworld was Warworld, the Warzoons were a hunter/gatherer group. Something from space had crashed into the planet revealing the Necropolis which currently serves as the underground hideout of Superman's rebel forces. A Warzoon named Guldejo, which means "Cruel Wind" in his language, investigates the site where this object had hit. Guldejo encounters an alien whom he believes to be a god. This being is filled with disgust upon seeing Guldejo. This enrages the Warzoon, prompting him to kill the extraterrestrial. He takes the person's armor with a jewel in the center as a prize. This armor was actually skin Guldejo had removed. Guldejo feels more powerful and takes the name Mongul. None save his own son had ever challenged him. However, every Mongul has worn the deadly yellow gem taken from the star god's armor. One thing is certain, Mongul's hunger to dominate the universe could prove to be his downfall as a carving depicting the "Kingdom Come" Superman shield may tell of Mongul's defeat.

4Story - 4: While this story is good, I can't help but feel that it's an attempt to prolong the entire saga going on in the main story. I did like it. I just feel like its placing and timing are deliberate. Had it been published after the Midnighter arc, perhaps I'd feel differently.

5Art - 5:The art is really well done in this back-up. The scenes where Mongul removes the armor skin are especially amazing.

5Cover Art - 5: Eaglesham has been missed. I've been a fan since his run on JSA.

5Variant Cover Art - 5: Tedesco seems influenced by Alex Ross for this. I was reminded particularly of "Peace On Earth" with this variant.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2022

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