The Superman Family ramps it up against the Invisible Mafia in Action Comics #1024, by writer Brian Michael Bendis, artist John Romita Jr., inker Klaus Janson, colorist Brad Anderson, and letterer Dave Sharpe. Bendis does a masterful job of ratcheting up the tension in this one, adding to the overall story.

As the Invisible Mafia watches Superman and plans their next strike, Superman, the Superboys, and Brainiac head to the Daily Planet, as Red Cloud strikes someone close to Superman. Superman finds her victim and is joined by Supergirl. Together, the Superman Family and Brainiac continue the search for the Invisible Mafia as Leone meets with Dr. Glory from S.T.A.R. Labs. Leone’s watcher is found by the Superman Family, and Leone and Red Cloud prepare the next strike against Superman and his allies.

This is another of Bendis’s patented no action issues, but it’s not dull. There’s a lot of talking, but it never feels like he’s stretching things out, which is a problem he has with these mid-story arc set-up issues. In fact, the only thing that doesn’t really feel earned at all is the issue’s death, which is one of the OCs he introduced back during Man Of Steel. This character always seemed kind of superfluous, and Bendis pretty much proved it by killing her off in this issue. That said, it may be someone else; readers never see the body, but the chapter gives the impression that this is the character who dies.

Other than that, there’s the standard Bendis Superman stuff throughout the issue- good banter between the characters, some Daily Planet drama, a call back to things happening in another comic that Bendis is doing; those sorts of things. It’s all very entertaining, and Bendis manages to set things up admirably. Another small misstep is that he introduces the Invisible Mafia member who watches Superman and then has Superman find him in the same issue, which seems like a waste. It’s a minor quibble, though.

John Romita Jr.’s art is doing its weird yo-yo of quality. This issue is mostly good- there are at least two instances of him getting weird with the faces- one when the Superman Family enters the Daily Bugle and the other with Supergirl’s face. However, everywhere else, his art is extremely clean and detailed and looks very good.

Action Comics #1024 could have went either way- Bendis’s track record on mid-story arc set-up issues isn’t great, but this one ducks a lot of the problems that those comics of his have historically had. It sets things up and is entertaining throughout, not feeling drawn out at all and giving readers a nice ride that gets them excited for what’s coming next. Romita Jr.’s art is better than it was last issue, which is a huge plus. Action Comics #1024 isn’t perfect, but it’s very good and leaves readers begging for more.


Grade: B-