Review: Action Comics #1042

Riccardo Federici is one of the greatest artists in comics. Federici knows how to make every issue, every page, every panel memorable. The detailed backgrounds, the character designs, the shifting perspectives and the wild creatures all combine into a book worth treasuring and reading over and over again.

This is Superman by way of Conan with all of the grandeur War World should have. The story bookended with Lois uncovering the secrets of the Kryptonian scientist Thalkis Sal-Re. She searches for the Orphan Box that could resuscitate her. Clark hid it prior to going to Warworld and she quickly deduces that it’s with John Henry Irons.

Meanwhile Clark is on Warworld with Midnighter fighting off the minions of Mongul. They are betrayed by O.M.A.C./Mack. Superman fights Mack while trying to convince him to switch back. Superman and his friends also coincidentally need an Orphan Box to win this battle. Mongul arrives with massive alien creatures but Superman is able to grab the aliens power source potentially leading to a massive shift in the battle arena. Lois and John Henry manipulate a similar power on their end and hear Clark through the power source.

The battle sequences are even more impressive contrasted to the more modern sequences involving Lois with an entirely different look and feel by the same artistic team. Colorist Lee Loughridge is an absolute superstar matching the tone of each scene and finding just the right contrasts. With all of the astounding work on this book and a powerful plot to lend itself to the action, it’s a bit of a letdown to have a rather plodding script.

Philip Kennedy Johnson has so much skill in crafting an exciting world with massive action and intrigue. It’s just a shame that his characters come off as caricatures whenever they speak. Superman specifically just can’t stop preaching the entire issue. Much of what he says about the importance of taking action against evil and lifting up the common man is admirable. But these thoughts might be more powerful as thought boxes rather than having Clark constantly preaching during the battle.

It would also be nice to have just a bit more strategy involved here rather than just a basic brawl. But this book is extraordinary in its overall execution and a real treat for the visuals and sheer majesty of the proceedings.

Writing: 2.5 of 5 stars
Art: 4.9 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.5 of 5 stars

Overall: 3.9 of 5 stars

Writer: Philip Kennedy Johnson
Art: Riccardo Federici
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Publisher: DC Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.