It’s Superman and the heroes’ last stand in Action Comics #1021, by writer Brian Michael Bendis, artist John Romita Jr, inker Klaus Janson, colorist Brad Anderson, and letterer Dave Sharpe. This story has had some ups and downs, but Bendis sticks the landing.

Luthor and the Legion Of Doom stand triumphant over Superman and the Justice League. Superman tries to attack Luthor, but Red Cloud grabs him. Luthor calls on Leviathan, but they don’t answer, and Superman asks Luthor what Leviathan promised him and if Leviathan is in charge now. Superboy attacks Luthor, but the Legion takes him down. Red Cloud starts to choke Superman out, and he begs her not to spare him but to save the bus full of kids down the street. She throws him into Luthor and attacks the other members of the Legion Of Doom and saves the bus full of children. Superman and the heroes turn the tide on the villains… and then Leviathan strikes. The Legion is gone, and Leviathan comes down and explains to everyone that he teleported the Legion away. While he believes that anyone who stands against Superman or Wonder Woman is evil, he still thinks that there isn’t much difference between the Legion Of Doom and the Justice League. The heroes begin the cleanup, Superman and Connor Kent plan talking about things more later, and Batman and Superman set their sights on Leviathan. Meanwhile, Red Cloud and Ms. Leone talk about how Superman has told Perry White he’s going to reveal his identity and how they can capitalize on it.

Over the years, Bendis has proven that while he can build a good story, he doesn’t always do very well with the endings. This story has a very good ending, full of highs and lows. Every time the heroes come back, it seems like the villains have another ace up their sleeve, ready to knock them back down. It’s great drama, and the pace is perfect the whole time. At first, it seems a little weird that Red Cloud ends up helping Superman, but when one thinks about it, it makes a lot of sense. Red Cloud doesn’t want to see innocent people die, especially not children. Superman doesn’t ask her to spare him- he asks her to spare them. The Legion has been fighting the heroes and not caring about what happens to those around them. Superman and the heroes may be fighting, but they’re fighting to protect the people. Red Cloud jumps ship because Superman helps her realize what’s important. She hasn’t become his ally, but in this one fight, she’s decided to work with him.

The whole speech by Leviathan both makes a lot of sense and is also completely hypocritical on his part. Leviathan talks about how crazy things are with heroes and villains battling each other and how the people caught in the crossfire have no place in their battles. He talks about not making the world the way it is and how anyone who agrees with him should join him. Everything he says makes a lot of sense, but here’s the thing- he could have stopped this whole thing before it started. He could have gotten rid of the Legion Of Doom and saved Metropolis a lot of damage. He didn’t, though, just to make his point. He’s a hypocrite, and it’s hard to know if he actually believes in the things he says or if he’s playing a long game for power. Bendis did a great job with this entire sequence.

John Romita Jr’s art is just as great in this issue as it’s been during this entire story. Bendis gives him a lot of double-page spreads to work with, and he makes them look gorgeous. His action penciling is top-notch as usual. Romita Jr draws a great Superman, and this story was a perfect showcase of that. He’s just such a good artist, and this story is a perfect showcase of that.

Action Comics #1021 is a great comic. This story arc is probably the best one of Bendis’s tenure so far, and this issue ends it in perfect fashion. This issue is action-packed and a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Romita Jr’s artwork makes the whole thing pop. This story could have gone a few ways, but it turned out great, and this ending is a testament to that.

Grade: A