Action Comics #1039
Superman and the Authority learn more about the realities of Warworld in Action Comics #1039, by writer Philip Kennedy Johnson, artist Riccardo Federici, colorist Lee Loughridge, and letterer Dave Sharpe. In the backup, by writer Shawn Aldridge, artist Adriana Melo, colorist HI-FI, and letterer Dave Sharpe, Martian Manhunter learns who’s behind the disappearances in Metropolis. The main story is terrific, and the backup brings in a whole new bit of Metropolis lore.
The main story begins in the arena, as OMAC and Steel battle against Warzoons. Superman joins in and helps save the day but is beaten down by the guards. After the fight, Steel gets a job there to make better armor in the forge. One of Phaelosians, Kryl-Ux, talks to Superman about how he fights and his life when the prisoners are called away to witness the death of the Old Crow. Superman sees writing that is familiar to what he saw on the Genesis fragment and realizes Mongul’s bloodpriests don’t know how to read it. Elsewhere, Midnighter finds Apollo and lets him know he’ll be back for him. In the backup, J’onn talks to Zook about what’s been going on. The next day, the police follow who they believe is the next kidnap victim and watch him get picked up. Martian Manhunter shows up, frees the kid, then uses his telepathic powers to discover who sent them but discovers a whole new secret.
Action Comics has been on a tear since Johnson took over, and this issue is no exception. He’s doing such a fantastic job. He begins the chapter with some exciting and then goes from there, building plot, doing some character work with Superman and new character Kryl-Ux, then does some fantastic world-building, in this case literally. Johnson reveals more about Warworld than ever before, and the way he’s building it up is amazing. The entire scene with the death of Old Crow and what comes after is breathtaking and really shows just how great Johnson can be.
The issue is narrated by Superman, which makes a lot of sense and again shows just how good Johnson is. Again, the death of Old Crow is the heart of the whole issue. Superman is beaten and broken, his powers weaker than ever, but he never stops fighting. He never stops being Superman and what he sees makes him want to protect the people of Warworld more than ever. It’s all so good. In the backup, things are coming together very nicely. Aldridge is introducing something new to the Metropolis mythos. Fans may have had an idea in the last issue, but this one really brings it home. It’s also great to see Martian Manhunter interacting with someone besides a superhero.
This is Federici’s first issue as penciler, and he does a fantastic job. His style is reminiscent of old fantasy and sci-fi book artists, and it’s gorgeous. His alien designs look great, the scenes during Old Crow’s death are haunting and beautiful, and he does incredible work of capturing the rusted-out glory of Warworld, really bringing Johnson’s captions to life. In the backup, Melo does her best job yet. Her linework is strong, and everything look gorgeous, like her art on Female Furies.
Action Comics #1039 is terrific. Johnson is creating a once-in-a-lifetime epic, and Federici’s art is the perfect complement. The backup is heating up, and things are getting interesting there. Aldridge and Melo are doing an excellent job with Martian Manhunter. Action Comics has truly reached the next level.