The 40 Years of Comics Project - Day 1331: Action Comics #1003, November 2018

I feel like, as Man of Steel ended, Action Comics and the new Superman series acted like two choices in a Choose Your Own Adventure book. One follows Clark into Metropolis, one follows Superman into space. And, of course, that's exactly how they're supposed to function. But I will admit to finding reading the two at the same time to be a bit off-putting. I guess it's the continuity cop in me that just wants to know how these two stories can be happening consecutively. A small hint, just a gesture, to how these two stories fit together, would be lovely. Hopefully we'll get one soon.

Is anyone surprised that Mr. Bendis can write Batman? The scenes with Batman in this issue steal the story - he's grumpy and funny all at the same time. In fact, Bendis's Batman seems to be a bit more relaxed, even joking with people he's usually too eager to scare. He reminds me a bit of Dick Grayson's Batman, who I loved dearly.

Spoiler alert, but next issue we might actually get some answers about where Lois and Jon have been, and why Ms. Lane has been hiding in Metropolis.

More to come...

The 40 Years of Comics Project - Day 1328: Action Comics #1002, October 2018

Once more, it's the little moments that truly make this story. A Superman story is a Superman story - in this I mean that something outrageously ridiculous has to be happening, even if it's simply the idea of Superman himself. If you are telling a story about Superman, it involves the kind of narrative that grows around a character like Superman. And that's a good thing, even when poorly done. Remembering the scope of Superman's story is a very important aspect of the myth. What makes these particular stories stand out is the moments that aren't Superman stories, in a lot of ways. Well, in today's issue, that's the case. As Clark goes undercover to find out about a dead drug dealer, the little moment of humanity and grief he shares with the patrons of a dive bar, in the midst of a tale of superhumanity, is an all-important linking feature. Myths like this one rely on us being able to see not only our better selves in the main character, but to see the parts of ourselves that are already "super" to begin with - our empathy and sympathy, our ability and desire to help. If we share this quality with Superman (or any other mythic carpent...I mean, figure), then we can embody something of what he is and represents.

More to come...

The 40 Years of Comics Project - Day 1325: Action Comics #1001, September 2018

For me, this comic is all about the first scene, in which two armed gunmen are stopped by Superman. One of them simply accepts the fact that they've been busted, and that considering who has done the busting, there's no point in running. The other one loses his shit completely, and can't put a coherent sentence or thought together while Superman is taking him down.

It's a lovely scene, and is a great vehicle to see just how Superman deals with the low-level criminals he encounters.

More to come...