REVIEW: Knight Terrors: Action Comics #2

Power Girl and the Super-Fam continue their trips through separate but equally terrifying nightmares in Knight Terrors: Action Comics #2. With the lines between dream and reality and their most blurred, can the group of young heroes figure things out before it’s too late?

The first issue paid homage to classic horror flicks, and fortunately, this issue continues that trend. Power Girl is caught in a nightmarish Groundhog Day. There’s also a bit of Inception-like dreaming within a dream going on but it’s easy to follow. Power Girl’s tragic past and her deep-seeded self-loathing serve as both her fear and her motivator. It’s interesting to see this part of her being explored especially in a nightmare setting. Writer Leah Williams makes her fear more psychological exploring the character’s weakness without making her look weak.

The art for Power Girl’s story is also very well done. The standout being one of her escape attempts from the ship she’s being kept hostage on. Her escape is beautifully done literally as she performs some impromptu Cirque du Soleil while being stalked and taunted by Insomnia. Again, the design of Power Girl is more understated but she still looks great. The art is mostly darker this issue, leaning more towards the horror side of things. The art team of Vasco Georgieva and Alex Guimaraes bring the fear and loathing of the story to life.

The second part of the issue features the Super fam and continues its “Nightmare on Elm Street” vibes. The Super Twins, Superboy, Kong Kenan, and Natasha Irons have gone from watching a scary movie in Metropolis to living a nightmare on Warworld. All while being stalked by Cyborg Superman who has gone full on Freddy Kruger. The story transitions to full on action as Cyborg Superman takes it to the Super kids and narrates each’s secret fears. There are some cool pop culture references sprinkled in and the twist leads to a very satisfying ending. In fact, major props are in order to writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson for creating this intense throwback inspired horror romp.

Moreover, the art is no slouch here either. The haunted house vibes from issue #1 are traded for a dark and foreboding alien world. The extremely detailed character designs really emote the fear each character is experiencing, Cyborg Superman included. Mico Suayan, Fico Ossio, and Romulo Fajardo Jr. use their artistic talents to convey a true sense of intensity and dread from start to finish.

Knight Terrors: Action Comics #2 is a nod to horror and pop culture at large. Dreams, fears, trash-talking villains, the issue has it all. Power Girl goes on an emotional journey which may or may lead to her becoming a better person, and the Super fam go on a trip from Elm Street to…Oz? This is a wild ride of a storyline that ends up as a very solid showcase for some of Superman’s less famous friends and family.

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Coloring – 4 Stars

Overall
4 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.