Action Comics #1038
Superman and the Authority learn more about the brutalization of Warworld in Action Comics #1038, by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson, artist Miguel Mendoca, colorist Adriano Lucas, and letterer Dave Sharpe. In the backup, by writer Shawn Aldridge, artist Adriana Melo, colorist HI-FI, and letterer Dave Sharpe, Martian Manhunter takes on the Human Flame. All in all, this is another great issue of this book.
In the main story, Mongul and his servants make a show of Superman and the Authority. OMAC and Steel escape but are taken down again before doing too much damage. Mongul tries to force Superman into doing his bidding, but instead, he tries to free Lightray before he’s take again. OMAC and Steel are given their first chains, and Superman meets captive Phaelorians. Midnighter comes to free him, but he refuses because more people need his help. Midnighter stalks off in disgust, but others listen to his message of hope. In the backup, Martian Manhunter is able to defeat Human Flame, discovering that it’s not the one he used to fight and finding out who sent him. Meanwhile, the cops try to find out more about the missing teenager. Back at the museum, MM searches for clues and meets Zook, who tells him who broke in.
Johnson is doing an amazing job with this story. For years, Mongul and Warworld have just been a generic force for destruction, but this story is changing all of that by creating an entire culture behind the whole thing. It’s more than just a planet-sized prison camp/combat arena/battleship; it’s a civilization. Johnson is creating something to rival Apokolips in this comic, and it’s brilliant. This is an entirely new Mongul, and this story feels like it.
There are so many great moments in this comic. OMAC escaping to take revenge for Lightray and being joined by Steel is both weird and perfect; they’re both tough as nails in different ways, and of all of the remaining members of the Authority, they’d be the ones to go crazy. Superman’s speech to Lightray is classic Superman, as is his conversation with Midnighter. The moments when OMAC and Steel get their chains feel like a perverse religious service, and the end of the issue is terrific. In the backup, Aldridge is setting up something interesting. It’s starting to come together how the police investigation fits with the museum stuff. This is an interesting story that needs a little more time to unfold.
Mendoca’s art is hit and miss. It’s more hit than miss, though. There’s a lot of really nice detail in the comic, and the action looks great, but there are also some weird proportions in place. Some of the background characters in wide shots don’t look great as well. It’s mostly good art, but there are some places where it could be better. Melo’s art is similar. It’s mostly great throughout, but there are a few places where the linework isn’t up to snuff.
Action Comics #1038 is yet another hit in a book that has been full of them lately. Both teams do a remarkable job of building their stories. The art is mostly great, but it lacks in places in both stories. All in all, this issue is gets it done.