Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay Points!
For this entry, Absolute Power has taken over the DCU. Superman has been caught up in Amanda Waller’s big plan to eliminate metahumans. This comes right off the heels of the House of Brainiac storyline which last left a lasting impression on the Man Of Steel.
With all that going on, the lates issue of DCs longest running series takes a trip back in time. Readers can settle in for a classic era Superman story. Considering the creative team behind it, we are in for a fantastic ride.
ACTION COMICS #1067 by Gail Simone, Eddy Barrows, Danny Miki, Rex Lokus and Dave Sharpe (Back-up by Rainbow Rowell, Cian Tormey, and Romulo Fajardo jr.) throws it back for vintage time period tale.
Let’s take a deeper dive at what transpires now.
ACTION COMICS #1067 by Gail Simone, Eddy Barrows, Danny Miki, Rex Lokus and Dave Sharpe (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Welcome back to a timeless era. Simone checks off all the boxes with this issue. Drama, action, suspense…this one has it all! Readers start with the timeless Clark-Lois reporting competition front and center. This is pushed aside with a surprising Alien invasion. Tensions mount until a dramatic entrance from Big Blue swings everything into a new plateau.
Where a fight could break out, Superman tries talking and understanding the situation. It is one of Clark’s strongest qualities: being a diplomat when needed. The conflict becomes clear but not without strings attached. Simone weaves in a fun twist in before the action commences. There are iconic Superman moments all through the aliens’ challenge. Its’ resolution leaves a great cliffhanger (or should I say “shiphanger”) ending that locks in readers for the long haul.
Barrows, Miki and Lokus go heavy into the full (or near-full) page images for this issue. IMO, this is what works best with Superman stories. The introduction with Mr. Pierce connects with the audience of the impact of losing the youth center. This is followed up with a superb introduction of Superman into the building conflict. The mix of full page with sparce panels conveys the larger-than-life aura the Man of Steel carries.
This never escapes readers sight. Once his “challenger” appears, the moment feels gigantic to match. The following action images could have been taken form a movie. It is vintage Superman. It’s fallout is a more subtle build but the last panel is one that has a few exclamation points on it before concluding! Excellent work by the team for this chapter.
The back-up story by Rowell and Tormey dives into the present struggle of Lois as the Daily Planet EIC. Rowell’s writing sets up the strong ethical conflict of interest perfectly. Tormey and the team mix in some action to soften the jabs thrown by the new boss. Great ending to carry into Lois’ next moves being in charge.
FINAL POINT: 8.8
Taking the Man Of Tomorrow back in time proves to be a winning play for Superman fans. Simone brings out the best of Clark Kent with fantastic storytelling. Barrows, Miki, Lokus and Sharpe elevate the high stakes to new levels with epic imagery. This story doesn’t miss bringing back the superhero themes we all know and love. Don’t miss it.
Hit me up on ODPHpod social media and let me know your thoughts on Action Comics #1067. Thanks for reading.