Action Comics #1012 Review

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Artist: Szymon Kudranski / DC Comics First things first. Those two covers for this comic are awesome to a degree that I’m seriously thinking about finding a full-sized print. Kudos to Jamal Campbell and Ben Oliver, they’re now both on my radar. This issue of Action Comics is a “while the cat’s away” kind of story. Bendis attempts to reconcile the fact that during this Leviathan event in Action Comics (and now a couple side stories) Superman is off-planet during his title book. It’s very much appreciated after years of getting used to suspending belief that the events in two books are happening around the same time. I feel respected as a comic reader. The first two acts are a few of our major players reacting to Superman’s departure into space. The Invisible Mafia of Metropolis are convened in their bunker discussing Leviathan, Superman’s leaving the planet and plans to take advantage. In these pages, I’m amused by the way they address each other. I never noticed their names but they’re funny; Gummy. Mr. Strong. Pretzel. Whisper. It gave me a Kid Next Door vibe with Mr. Wink and Mr. Fibb. I think this will be a profitable development, Mr. Strong. I agree, Mr. Whisper. The art in these pages were my favorite of the book (that’s saying something since there is a lot of good art here). There’s a dark, gritty, abstract aesthetic that reminds me of a toned-down David Mack.

Next, we get a firsthand look at the moments before Superman’s trip as he and …