Action Comics #1003 Review

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Artist: Yanick Paquette / DC Comics Action Comics #1003 continues Superman’s local, Metropolis-centered crisis by exploring some elusive criminal dealings. While his self-titled book demands supersonic rescues and a fair amount of punching, Action Comics is a more subtle book. Between the two, it’s really everything we could want from a couple of Superman books.

This book opens with Robinson Goode, a new reporter for the Daily Planet. She’s focused on the murder of a crime boss, a string of fires and their connection to the Man of Steel. Goode finds herself tracking down a very dangerous piece of the Superman lore. When Kent discovers this the hard way, he relies on a close friend and ally who may or may not dress up like a bat. In the meantime, mystery still surrounds the sudden disappearance of Lois Lane. The audience is treated to some progress on that front, but we’re left with more questions than answers by the end. Brian Michael Bendis is finding his stride with these characters. It’s hard to tell whether he’s getting more used to the voices he’s trying to capture, or whether we’re just getting accustomed to the tone set by his work. Either possibility speaks on his skill as a writer. The most entertaining dialogue came from his scenes with Batman. Superman and Batman are probably (definitely) my favorite superhero team up. If this book is a peek at a possible relaunch of Batman/Superman, I am all the way for it. Bendis has a characterist…