Action Comics #43

All in all this comic is a must read. I can't stress how muchI've enjoyed this new direction for Superman. Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder are doing something that might not be easy for long time fans to get into but it's worth checking out for Kuder's amazing artwork alone. Read Full Review

And as a comic, as a mix of pictures and words working together, this is superb. There is some sort of creative resonance happening here between Pak and Kuder as this thing just crackles. If you are going to get any of The Truth, it should be this title. Read Full Review

This new, de-powered Superman is making for one exciting and interesting protagonist. Read Full Review

This arc of ACTION COMICS has an excellent team holding it up. It's just a shame that it now hangs it limbo between what it could be, and what it is. Read Full Review

While this issue doesn't completely change my opinion on the Truth story as a whole, it took a huge step in that direction.  Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder make right on almost all the things I've hated in the last couple of issues and that just makes it that much sweeter.  I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next issue and that is something I haven't said since this story started. Read Full Review

Action Comics #43 sees the series reach an all time high, with the mysterious nature of the Shadow creatures and intense development leaving this fan captivated. The creative team also give us some amazing twists, with the end result bound to leave readers eager for more. Read Full Review

Aaron Kuder's art on Action Comics has been praised by the series' fans for a while, and it's not hard to see why. In addition to well-drawn figures and the cool and freaky design of the shadow monsters, Kuder's scenes heavily favor using the layout of panels to emphasize the action present in the story. Lots of artists do this, but it's especially noticeable with Kuder, whose panels can be slanted, angular, overlapping, or bleed into each other in a way that really takes advantage of the comic medium. Read Full Review

In some ways, Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder's work on Action Comics has been more revolutionary and provocative than the Man of Steel has seen since his early days in the 1930s. Yet you can't help but be a little disappointed that Pak and Kuder have basically had to backpedal out of their convictions, leading to a Superman book that has suddenly lost much of its bite. But the thoughtfulness in the rest of the execution - and especially the show-stopping art - has made Action Comics a true flagship book for the Superman franchise, and one that demands your attention month in and month out. Read Full Review

There is no activity known to humans that does not proceed by rules. Storytelling is no different, and indeed the very definition of genre largely depends on which set of rules a given narrative follows. And, since every activity proceeds according to rules, every activity, including storytelling, allows for the possibility for cheating. In a story, this often takes the form of violations of expectations established by evidence, foreshadowing, and genre. Action Comics #43 is an exercise in cheating of a rather brazen sort. Read Full Review

This comic is both a throwback and very relevant to today. Pak and Kuder (and the rest of the Superman team) are trying to remind us that even though Superman is also Clark Kent, we the readers can be Superman too through our every day actions to improve our neighborhoods. You don't need to fight aliens and save the world to be a superhero, you can also just do some good in your own town too. This comic is a reminder of that, and hopefully will inspire some more folks to tie towels around their necks and attempt to be the hero they enjoy reading about. Read Full Review

Carrying much of this is the gorgeous artwork of Aaron Kuder. Out of all the artists who have drawn Clarks new look Kuder manages to capture both the stature of Superman and the power contain in what he means, but also his newfound vulnerability. I physically winced every time I saw a bruise or cut on Clark, it hurt every time I saw him injured and was shocked to see someone with so much strength so physically wounded. Kuder has been an absolutely extraordinary talent since being placed on Action Comics and is the perfect artist to be handling this new take on Superman. While most other artists seem to be focusing on Superman look unrecognizably tough and edgy, I instantly recognize Clark as Superman under Kuders pen, matching Paks script by letting the beauty and strength of the character shine through the changes. Read Full Review

This issue offers a rousing conclusion to the current conflict, one that plays well on Clark's more vulnerable state and the way he continues to inspire those around him. Aaron Kuder's expressive yet down-to-earth style seems to suit the book more than ever given all these changes. Unfortunately, the story loses some of its punch as this issue wears on. Read Full Review

In the end, the book reads well and progresses the story in a new and fun way, just a little too fast for me. I am enjoying the man of steel being bent a few times, and I'm excited to see how far he can bend. Read Full Review

"Action Comics" #43 takes a step towards exploring the new status quo for Clark, albeit a small and tentative one. One need only look across the street rather than up in the sky to catch a glimpse of this Superman, and it's a plausible idea but one that doesn't have much of a charge left. Read Full Review

This particular challenge is newer ground for Superman as that comes about as a result of his diminished state. The idea is essentially just that because Supermans no longer as powerful as he used to be he cant give his neighborhood the protection it deserves. This is actually a pretty un-Superman dillema but it works in this context for two reasons. Partly its a logical extrapolation of Supermans new state and good moment of character development but mostly it works because of how Superman adapts to the situation. He doesnt give up, he doesnt become disheartened, instead he digs in his heals and Read Full Review

This arc was taking a great look at some of the massive problems the United States has with overzealous police with too much power. And then it made the leader of the antagonizing cops some shadow creature thing, absolving them of blame. And it only gets more out of touch with reality the further the issue goes. Like "Civil War", it presumes to be deep and topical but it ends up hackneyed and sending incredible mixed messages when mixing it with the superhero genre. Read Full Review

I loved the last issue of Action Comics but this one sees Greg Pak, Aaron Kuder and DC pull a resounding #NOTALLCOPS, undermining the statement that they started making. Read Full Review

This issue is good, but suffers from a few lazy cliches. The relevance to modern events is marred by the reveal of a "monster among us" and a somewhat generic brawl. However, there are plenty of good emotional beats in the issue and does touch upon perhaps the darkness that lies in everyone's hearts, and how even after that, a hero can inspire the good in all of us. Read Full Review

gustave154

Aug 23, 2015

Hope Greg Pak stays with AC for a long time.

ABottleofRhum

Aug 12, 2015

Not quite as intense as the previous issue, but still a great ride for this Superman close to the people in general, and to his neighbourhood in particular.

Comics Meanderings by Carl Li

Nov 13, 2015

SPOILERS I’m really enjoying most of these fresh takes on books for the DC You initiative. This is something Superman needs, being brought down from being a god. Just lowering his powers isn’t good enough, the physical, visual aspect, emotional/psychological, and philosophical and political aspects of it are what’s making this run different. I feel Greg Pak had a really good grasp on it all. I like the themes and ideas he’s working with. It’s not entirely new for people to begin to relate to what Superman stands for and realize, they are all Superman, meaning we all can strive for that ideal to do the right thing and that we’re in it together. The only thing I don’t really but is all the hate that comes when people rea lize Superman has been living a life secretly among them. I mean sure, he’s an alien, but that’s old news. I suppose, like in the real world, people have many different views, and there are those who really would react negatively. I guess when people just thought he was Superman, they believed he stood for this ideal of doing the right thing, but as soon people discovered he was living a lie as Clark, for some, it broke his image as that ideal. Maybe hate is more realistic than acceptance. Regardless, this way provides more opportunities for stories, drama, tension, etc, even if it’s a little cliche. But everything is, so people try to put a spin on it, or provide a different context, perspective or philosophy. Pak is doing a great job. I see it all coming together. They’ve been setting up this whole Superman is alien and the world is scared of aliens thing as DC’s new focus in the New 52 and answer to Marvel’s mutants, or Inhumans. It’s interesting just as Johns gave Superman a huge new power, they take it all away and more. Aaron Kruder is great as usual. 4 STARS, 8 out of 10 ==== www.kcrrlives.wordpress.com more