Flashback Fridays: Action Comics #665

Here is an oddity for you this Flashback Friday.  I bought a four pack of comics at a store called Five Below and had some great mixture of books in there when buying for really only one that I knew I wanted.  This book will probably go into the sale box, but it did give a great story of Lois Lane and her strengths as a character.  It also has a great back-up photo album and remembrances by Ma and Pa Kent.

This must have occurred as the romance that would lead up to the wedding was happening.  We have Clark and Lois supposedly on a date to meet the Kents as a way for Clark to realize Lois might be in trouble.  Seems Lois has gotten a break on a story about stolen military equipment and she makes a decision to jump on a moving truck to follow the story.  It means she never shows for the date.  While we see Lois as the cool reporter it highlights some things that are cool about Clark and his alter-ego Superman.

Clark is able as Supes to read a scribble indention about a person Lois was meeting.  As Clark he interrogates the guy and soon learns what the story is about.  We watch Superman use his powers in interesting ways to find Lois.  He is using heat vision to see the after effects of heat residue.  We watch as he is a CSI unit unto himself.  Of course Lois is eventually out-gunned and out-numbered in the hidden base she has been lead to at the end of the truck ride.  Needless to say that Superman shows up and kicks butt, although Lois stealthily takes the bad guy's gun away when Superman provides a diversion.

This is a cool little story.  The back-up pages are sweet and look at Clark's life through scrapbook pictures.  The talk of the pictures they could not have was endearing as they were shown.  

BDS

DCnU: Action Comics #1

            Is it Action Comics or is it Superman Action Comics #1?  No matter what it is called, it is written by Grant Morrison.  All the long timers wondered which Morrison we were getting.  He is such a genius that you know it will be astounding.  What we didn't know was whether it would be his over our heads cosmic conscious expanding writing or a more down to earth straight forward tale?  Morrison gave us a very accessible story of a Superman that is not so super yet.  He does it very well.  This is what DC needed from him as they are trying to court “new” readers. 

            This is a Superman that is not catching the bullets bouncing off of him.  It is a hero being hounded by what looks to be corrupt cops, military, and corporate interests.  I like that Morrison has brought back the people's hero concept.  Two comicbook characters should be the people's protectors, Captain America and Superman.  Morrison reminds the long timers of this while explaining it to a group of readers that live in a world where we are told not to worry about the poor and struggling.  Having Lex Luthor contrasted as a cold-hearted corporate shark is what we also needed.

            You have to read this issue to really enjoy it.  I do hope that issue #2 drops down from $3.99.  I would add it to my pull list if it does.  I will look to the trade if it does not.  My pal from PBR days rich had it right.  That last page is just so amazing.  It hooks you.  We know that Superman goes on, but wow what he endures in that page makes you wonder why he would.  One quick mention of Rags Morales and the art.  Very well matched.  This is a great team and I hope they can stay matched up for a long time in the run of Action Comics. 

            Action Comics is one of the new issues that worked in this glut of #1's  Worth the $3.99 to check it out. 

BDS