Mild Mannered Reviews – Action Comics #1006


KindleDownload iBookBuy Now

Action Comics #1006

Scheduled to arrive in stores: January 2, 2019

Cover date: February 2019

“Invisible Mafia” – Part 6

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Penciller: Ryan Sook

Inker: Brad Anderson

Cover: Ryan Sook

Variant Covers: Francis Manapul

Reviewed by: Mario Bennese

Click to enlarge

Action Comics #1006Following a children’s charity event, Clark Kent confronts Mayor Hopkins regarding his decision to halt the Metropolis fire department’s investigation into the recent string of fires. Hopkins and his team leave, avoiding Clark’s questions. In their limo, they discuss who might have leaked the information to the Daily Planet. Unbeknownst to them, Kent uses his super hearing to eavesdrop on their conversation.

At the Daily Planet, Robinson Goode has finished her story about Superman’s encounter with Red Cloud. Perry demands more, believing it to be front page material. Clark and Jimmy have a light conversation, but Clark springs into detective mode as he sees Goode leaving the bullpen. He decides to follow her.

Meanwhile, Melody Moore is leaving the fire station for the night when she is nearly murdered by Red Cloud. Superman arrives just in time to stop Red Cloud and the two begin to fight again. Believing that there’s good in everyone, Superman offers Red Cloud a chance to turn herself in and make steps towards redemption. Instead, Red Cloud vanishes.

Later, at a shady bar, Robinson Goode is given the chance to meet with her employer. Goode was selected by a woman named Leone for very specific reasons. Leone had grown up in Suicide Slum and worked her way to the top. Acknowledging that they can’t kill the Man of Steel, she informs Goode that in addition to running a crime organization right under Superman’s nose for years, she also bought the Daily Planet.

4Story – 4: If I remember correctly, this is the last issue of this story arc. However, I have a feeling that this is just the beginning of a much larger story. There’s plenty being set up here with the corrupt Mayor Hopkins and Leone’s acquisition of the Daily Planet.

Not much happens in this issue, but it was still an enjoyable read. I got a bit of a Golden Age vibe with Clark taking on corrupt politicians. Of course, the wrecked green sedan didn’t escape my notice. Perhaps Bendis is trying to take Superman in a more Golden Age direction, pulling him away from the big space battles and world-shattering events. Without getting too political, a champion for the oppressed is the kind of Superman we need.

I love that Superman offers Red Cloud a chance at redemption. That empathy is what sets him apart from other heroes, and it’s always a treat to see that compassion on full display. I’m not entirely sure about Leone purchasing the Daily Planet. At this point, who hasn’t owned it? The switching of the company’s ownership just feels like an easy out for when the writers want to switch up the status quo. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s a bit old hat at this point. Hopefully, we get something unique out of this setup.

4Art – 4: Ryan Sook continues to deliver superb work for this title. The fight with Red Cloud is dynamic and engaging. Every panel is a treat to look at and his Superman is magnificent.

3Cover Art – 3: The cover also features art by Sook. While it’s certainly not a bad cover, it just didn’t grab me in the way that I think he might have intended. The red map of Metropolis makes the cover feel a little cluttered. Perhaps the cover might have benefited from a different layout.

4Variant Cover Art – 4: This is a nice, cheery cover. Clark’s face looks a little weird, but it’s not enough to detract from a fun New Year’s cover.

Check out the Mild Mannered Reviews contents page.

8 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
kal-bert
kal-bert
January 4, 2019 10:48 pm

And again we see the end of a story arc with no conclusion to a story. Bendis has been in Superman comics for 7 months and after those time no story has really been told. 6-7 open threads, none finished. Worse of it all “ending” in a cliffhanger. I’m just done with Superman comics. I had to suffer all that horrible New52 just to see that when Superman comics started to be good again, Bendis arrives and sends all the good job done by Jurgens and Tomasi right to the trashcan. There is only one good thing I can say… Read more »

January 4, 2019 11:57 pm

I really don’t understand what all the hate for Bendis is for.
I can see someone disliking this run or being bored or disappointed by his stories, but the amount of vitrol against Bendis as if he’s pissing on Superman’s character is getting a bit ridiculous and I don’t believe it’s warranted.
Does that mean I think this run has been good? Not necessarily, but there have been MUCH worse writers.
(For Godsake, someone on here actually tried to blame Bendis for the hiatus in DC’s publication schedule during Christmas. Seriously?)

liheibao
liheibao
January 5, 2019 12:23 am

“Perhaps Bendis is trying to take Superman in a more Golden Age direction, pulling him away from the big space battles and world-shattering events.”

Bendis is writing exactly that in “Superman”.

“Without getting too political, a champion for the oppressed is the kind of Superman we need.”

When did Superman stop being a champion of the oppressed? Saving the world over and over doesn’t count? I guess he has to fling a wife-beater into Hob’s Bay to get some credit.

MattComics
MattComics
January 5, 2019 2:14 pm

His being brought in as if he were the second coming of Jack Kirby (and in a sense John Byrne) with the giant ads and Man Of Steel was the first sign of trouble. The molasses pacing, some weird dialog, the focus on two over-hyped and uninteresting villains one of which Superman’s origin is being monkeyed with to justify that we’re STILL on after all these months and nixing the family which many readers had been enjoying just fine before he came along though Jor-Oz is actually not his fault since that nugget came before he signed on IIRC. I… Read more »

sundevil82
sundevil82
January 5, 2019 6:35 pm
Reply to  MattComics

His grasp of Superman/Clark’s personality is really the only thing that’s keeping me coming back week after week. To be honest I’m over Rogol Zaar. I don’t even care if there is a pay off with him at this point, I just want to move on. Again, I think the character moments have been superb so I’ll stick with it, but these story lines are taking forever. I like Bendis so I do still hope for a pay off

MattComics
MattComics
January 6, 2019 7:02 am
Reply to  sundevil82

Couldn’t agree with you more about Rogol Zaar. I have no real desire to ever see that character again or to have his being responsible for Kryptons destruction be an idea that lasts after Bendis is gone. It’s not like Superman’s legend really needed a Joe Chill anyway.

January 7, 2019 12:57 pm
Reply to  MattComics

If I had to compare it to anything, Bendis’ run is kinda like how I feel about “Superman Returns”.
It feels like Superman, it’s done with respect and reverence for the characters, it’s technically sound, the story mechanics are relatively coherent. But the overall story itself is lacking and I disagree with some of the creative decisions.

Superman2878
January 5, 2019 6:57 pm

Wishing everyone a happy weekend