Action Comics #997
Scheduled to arrive in stores: February 14, 2018
Cover date: April 2018
“Booster Shot” – Part 5
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Brett Booth
Inker: Brett Booth
Cover: Brett Booth
Variant Cover: Kaare Andrews
Reviewed by: Mario Bennese
Superman and Booster Gold engage in a fight with Lor-Zod and the Eradicator. Booster is quickly taken out before Superman bests the son of Zod. Suddenly, an old and grey General Zod arrives and subdues the Man of Steel.
In Logamba, Lois makes her way towards her father’s prison cell. Before she is attacked by a Logamban guard, Jon intervenes and saves his mother. The two find and free Sam Lane from his cell. Jon meets his grandfather for the first time.
Back on New Krypton, Superman and Booster Gold are chained up in the capital for a public execution. Zod announces to the people of New Krypton who Superman is and why he must perish. Skeets angers Zod and is destroyed. The House of Zod plans to utilize the heroes’ time machine and travel to the past to murder Lois and Jon. Although protected by Booster’s shield, the two heroes face impending doom as Zod, Lor-Zod, Ursa, and the Eradicator unleash a barrage of heat vision.
In the jungles of Logamba, Lois, Jon, and Sam continue their escape. The three are spotted and gunned down by Logamban soldiers.
Story – 4: Although this was a relatively fast read, it was still enjoyable. There was plenty of action and plot progression to build intrigue. The sign of a good story – and especially when it comes to a serialized, long-lasting character like Superman – is being able to make the reader worry for the well-being of the characters. I know Superman, Lois, and Jon won’t be killed off in this story. I’ve seen the solicitations for the coming months; I know they’re going to get out of this mess. Nevertheless, I’m still concerned for them. That’s good story telling.
Art – 3: I’m not sure if I just didn’t feel like seeing Booth’s art this week or if his work was weak, but I really wish Booth hadn’t done this issue. There are quite a number of panels that just look mediocre. I feel like someone like Zircher would have done better on this issue. Either way, there are still some panels that look great, though they mostly exist in the beginning battle.
Cover Art – 2: Like I’ve said for many covers before this, I like the concept, but the execution is flawed. Superman and Booster look – for lack of a better word – bad.
Variant Cover Art – 5: Now that’s a Superman cover! The art is simply gorgeous and the image is absolutely iconic. I would love to own this image as a poster.
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So like Mario said, Zircher has been a great artist that should stay in this comic. Or maybe better to have Jurgens back on the pencils until he leaves Action. This comic deserves to have him in his full splendour until issue #1000. He has revived the character in a way only John Byrne could have done before. He simply deserves this.