Action Comics #1077
Scheduled to arrive in stores: November 27, 2024
Cover date: January 2025
Cover: Clayton Henry and Tomeu Morey
Variant Covers: Seba Fiumara, Meghan Hetrick, A.L. Kaplan
Reviewed by: Marc Lax
“Phantoms – Part Eight”
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Clayton Henry and Michael Shelfer
The Justice League assess the damage to the sun while Superman assesses what Aethyr has been doing to the Phantom Zone in his absence. After rescuing some of the prisoners Superman finds Mon-El who gives him a heads up as to what’s been happening. Superman finds out that Xa-Du has told Aethyr of Earth and plans on extinguishing its sun. Superman must leave the Phantom Zone in order to stop Aethyr.
Meanwhile, somewhere in space with Conner and Keenan, the Khunds threaten the Curator and after much back and forth our two heroes and the contents of the Fortress are returned where they belong.
Superman and Aethyr finally confront each other and have an epic fight. During all of this Aethyr keeps increasing his mass, threatening all to collapse on him. Finally Aethyr repents but it’s too late. He destroys himself. With the help of Mon-El and some alien tech a rift is opened and Superman is on his way back to Earth.
Story – 4: An issue that lives up to its title! Superman and Aethyr’s final confrontation is spectacular. After the last few issues, while Superman was on Krypton, things have escalated and Superman returns just in time. Now I don’t know if this is the last we’ll see of Aethyr, though it didn’t look too good for him, but he’s been a worthy foe. The appearance of Mon-El through this story has really given him some extra depth we haven’t seen in a while. It’s unfortunate what’s happened to him in the Zone and some of the things he had to do to survive but it has made him stronger. Hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot more of him in this book as the story progresses.
The Conner and Keenan sub-plot has come to a fairly satisfying conclusion. I haven’t loved this part of the story but it’s brought humor and I’ll give it that much. What it has to do with everything in the story I still don’t know but it was entertaining nonetheless.
Well Superman is on his way back to Earth and this story just continues full throttle.Art – 4: Henry and Shelfer continue to give us beautiful drawings. The art hasn’t let up from the start and I don’t see that happening. Gorgeous!
“Supergirl – Your Mission Kara Zor-El”
Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Meghan Hetrick
Supergirl and the prisoner continue to fly through space. The prisoner tells the story of their brother and how they were the catalyst for destruction. Its fear feeds the brother. The prisoner has been running from the brother ever since. The prisoner wants Kara to finally kill them or they will give Kara no choice.
Story – 2: While we learn a bit more about the prisoner it makes no more sense than in previous parts. This is a wasted space in this book. Sorry to be blunt but it’s been my feeling all along.
Art – 3: Again the art is serviceable and is still the best part of the story. Though it is still not impressive.Cover Art – 3: Well done cover but nothing spectacular. Not everyone can be a winner.Variant Cover Art – 3: Interesting cover of Superman landing on what appears to be an asteroid. Nice color scheme.Variant Cover Art – 4: Beautiful drawing by Meghan Hetrick of Superman flying through the skies.Variant Cover Art – 4: A sweet colorful drawing of Super Dad, Super Son, and dog.
