Superman and the Superboys tackle the Red Cloud in Action Comics #1023, by writer Brian Michael Bendis, artist John Romita Jr, inker Klaus Janson, colorist Brad Anderson, and letterer Dave Sharpe. Both Superman and the Invisible Mafia ramp up their battle against each other in an issue that feels dense but is also strangely light at the same time.

Red Cloud traps Jimmy and Lois, threatening their lives. Just as Red Cloud is about to kill Jimmy, Lois whispers, "Smallville." In Smallville, Superman hears her and gathers Connor and Jon to rescue them. They arrive at the abandoned mansion and confront Red Cloud, who tells Superman and his family to leave the city. After a series of attacks, she leaves, and Superman and company plan their next move. She reports to Ms. Leone, and they discuss what to do next when one of their goons tell them that Superman and the Superboys shrank one of their clubs. At the Daily Planet, Jimmy and Perry talk about what happened to Jimmy, but they are confronted by F.B.I as they enter the newsroom. Agent Chase and other agents taking apart the offices.

This is a pretty good comics, but it does stand as an illustration of some of the excesses of Bendis's storytelling style that are kind of annoying. Many pages are devoted to the confrontation between Red Cloud and Superman, and nothing really happens. Red Cloud yells a lot and keeps repeating that Superman and his family should leave Metropolis, and it just feels like Bendis is padding the pages of the book. He can't have a confrontation between them yet- having the heroes beat the big new villain in the second part of a story lessens their later threat, but the repetition is annoying.

However, the conflict being set up by the whole thing is pretty impressive. Both sides have been revealed to each other in a way they weren't before- Superman knows about the Invisible Mafia, and they know his secret identity. It adds a whole new aspect the conflict didn't have before, as both sides can hit the other in ways they hadn't been able to before.

This chapter shows some of Bendis's flaws, and also shows some of Romita's as an artist. His linework isn't as strong as it's been in some issues, and his facial proportions are sometimes a bit off. There's a big lack of detail in places, as well. His last few installments have been excellent, but this one feels like a bit of a step back.

Action Comics #1023 is a good issue that, unfortunately, shows off the creative team's weaknesses. Bendis drags the middle of the book out with a whole lot of repeated dialogue. A lot happens, but very little of it has any real weight. Romita Jr.'s art has some of the problems that have plagued his work, with indistinct line work and some strange lack of details in a few places. There's still a lot to like about this issue, and it's entertaining, but it does have some problems.


Grade: C+