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Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1

Scheduled to arrive in stores: August 22, 2023
Cover date: October 2023

Cover: Bjorn Barends
Variant Covers: Lucio Parrillo, Clayton Crain, Puppeteer Lee, Jon Gogdanove and Dan Jurgens

Reviewed by: James Lantz

Click to enlarge

"Doomsday in Hell"

Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira

The Lord of Hell known as the First of the Fallen is not happy, for Doomsday has made his followers believe he is their king. The creature who killed Superman wants to returned to Earth with an army of his followers. The First of the Fallen is not ready at the Earth to become a battleground for the war between Heaven and Hell at the present time. Thus, knowing of Martian Manhunter's psychic link to Doomsday, a message in Kryptonian is sent and given to Kara Zor-El to not burden Superman. Supergirl and Martian Manhunter literally go to Hell to fight Doomsday. In spite of wearing an armor forged in the fires of Hades, things do not go well for Kara. J'onn asks the souls sent to the underworld to use a powerful weapon - Hope - to prevent Doomsday from harming loved ones on Earth. This allows the gateway to leave Hell to be sealed, saving every living soul from Doomsday... at least for now.

Story - 5: As much as it saddens me, I must say that this will be my last regular review for Superman Homepage. Recent schedule changes, manuscript deadlines and my current workload no longer allow me to do so. I wish to thank Steve Younis and all the past and present Superman Homepage staff for letting me be a part of this wonderful community since I wrote about the 1940s radio serial way back in 2006. It's been fun, and I hope to return in the future, even to take a look at a back issue or two in my comic book collection. Until then, may Rao watch over you all, and as my father used to say, "Don't shed a tear, and have a beer."

Now, without further delay let's take a look at this special...

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I had. Yet, this issue was surprisingly entertaining. The fact that Superman isn't fighting Doomsday in this is a welcomed change of pace. Plus, the last panels' call back to Doomsday's debut really took me back to when I first read "The Death of Superman". Overall my last review ends on a high note for the first story. Let's see how Bloodwynd does for me.

Art - 5: The is pretty consistent and incredibly worthy of a story featuring Doomsday. Every page was visually stunning.

"Bloodwynd: A Superman For Hell"

Writer: Dan Watters
Artists: Max Raynor

Bloodwynd is traveling through the fifth circle of Hell - Wrath trying to save souls after he learns of Doomsday causing problems in the nether realm. He fights a demon and takes his Hell Hounds to protect sinners. The gigantic canines stay to defend the beings trapped there while Bloodwynd attempts to move the next levels.

Story - 4: This story is great, like the previous one. There is just one thing that would have made it perfect. It would have been nice to have a page or two of background on Bloodwynd just before the feature started. Aside from that. Max Watters has given us an incredible special worth its price.

Art - 5: The art is solid and gives the story a sense that an epic saga is about to begin.

Cover Art - 5: This main cover is super. I may even go as far as call it one hell of a cover.

Variant Cover Art - 5: This is one of the few times when all the variants were well done. I especially loved the Bogdanove and Jurgens covers, but then again, I'm bloody old.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

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Mild Mannered Reviews - Action Comics Comic Books

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

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