REVIEW: Knight Terrors: Action Comics #1

The Super-Fam go through it in two separate stories in Knight Terrors: Action Comics #1. In an issue paying homage to classic horror flicks, can the young team get out of their dreams safe and sound?

First up is Power Girl, and in her nightmare, she faces off against…herself. Her own thoughts of inadequacy and self-doubt to be exact. It’s a very interesting take with multiple levels she continues to descend as she “awakens” from one nightmare scenario into the next. It’s excellently paced and keeps the reader on their toes till the final panel. Writer Leah Williams presents the Kryptonian in a down-to-earth way that anyone can relate to, and takes us on the mind-bending ride right alongside her.

The second part of the issue, is the true standout. It’s “Nightmare on Elm Street” brought to Metropolis and it is incredible. The Super Twins, Superboy, Kong Kenan, and Natasha Irons are watching a scary movie and soon find themselves hearing bumps in the night, getting split up, and facing a villain built to thrive on nightmares. Cyborg Superman basically becomes Freddy Kruger including claw hands, popping out of the TV, and cracking pop culture jokes. It’s an amazing reinvention of a solid but not spectacular Superman villain. From the pacing, to the writing, and the conclusion, this is one of the best nightmare scenarios in the entire Knight Terrors run thus far. Major props to writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson for taking it back with this throwback inspired horror romp.

Equally important to shoutout is the art. Both stories have their own distinct styles and both look great. Power Girl is a bit of an infamous character design-wise. This version of her is more respectfully designed and is a good-looking version of the character. Her story’s art is bright and fun at some points yet dark while brooding in others. There’s some Shakespeare and some Matrix mixed in with the horror elements. It’s quite the visual stew cooked up by Vasco Georgieva and Alex Guimaraes. The Super Family section keeps it dark the entire time. Haunted house vibes are the wave from beginning to end. The character designs are drawn with extra detail making them look “rougher” even before the nightmare kicks off to further the horror vibes Mico Suayan, Fico Ossio, and Romulo Fajardo Jr. were aiming for.

As fun as a nightmare can be of course, Knight Terrors: Action Comics #1 is just a vibe. Wall climbing, scary dark hallways, personal fears, a campy trash-talking villain, the issue has it all. Power Girl even flat out smacks the you-know-what out of Superman randomly. Again, what a ride of an issue. And with Power Girl and the Super Twins in danger-danger, it will be interesting to see if and how they can all escape their Nightmare on Knight Terrors Street. In conclusion, read this issue!

Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 4.5 Stars
Coloring – 4.5 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; Leah Williams and Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Art by; Vasco Georgieva, Mico Suayan and Fico Ossio
Colors by; Alex Guimaraes and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letters by; Becca Carey and Dave Sharpe

Published by; DC Comics

Author Profile

Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.