For me, this is the comic that will make or break the DC 52. Before this relaunch we had seventy-three consecutive issues with over nine-hundred issues to claim. (Yes Detective Comics has had just as many issues and years as a comic. But to me, Action Comics has a much bigger lore in history then Detective) Now we have not only a new volume for the biggest title in the company, but we have a whole new take on the Man of Steel. The good news is that legendary writer, and the most badass Scot in history, Grant Morrison. It’s a weird mix to be sure with a new Superman with Grant Morrison (known for ‘killing’ Superman in All-Star) to get the ball rolling.

For my money, this is the perfect way to introduce Superman to new readers. This is a completely new Superman and Clark Kent for us to read. This Superman is cocky, smug, and too sure of himself. It’s kinda like how Frank Miller introduced a young Batman in ‘All Star Batman’ but much, MUCH more toned down. It really works for me though because I’m tired of seeing the always perfect or too nice Sups running around the DCU. Yes I know this takes place long before anything else in the newDCU but I hope we see this personality bleed into JLA, Superman, and other titles. More on this series we get introduction to other mainstays like Luthor, Lois, and Jimmy Olsen. But Morrison doesn’t put much focus on them except for Luthor, who to be honest had an All-Star vibe to him especially on how he’s introduced. Instead Morrison just keeps his focus on Superman and how he’s constantly getting attacked by the army. I like that Superman isn’t fully trusted by the world yet so we’ll see what type of stories he’ll get to play with down the road.

For the most part Rags Morales draws a pretty damn good issue to start the new Action Comics. He’s able to draw the quieter moments with Clark while also handling the seemingly endless parade of army men for Sups to fight. Moments like Sups using the wrecking ball or handling the sequence of dropping ‘Mr. Glenmorgan’ are handled nicely. However, it’s plain obvious that Morales had to rush to get this issue done in time. Towards the end of the issue, or maybe even starting at the second half, I noticed Sups’s face being contorted a bit or the placement of characters seemed a bit lazy. Plus I didn’t quite understand what was happening in the train with Lois and Jimmy. Were they following the right guy or did this guy always come packing heat in a moving train? It makes sense why Brent Anderson has to come in for future issues because thirty plus pages are too much for his schedule. But again what is here, for the most part, is pretty damn good looking.

So the art had to be rushed a tiny bit, but it doesn’t hurt my overall thoughts of the issue. Morrison made this issue work for me from the beginning with his characterization of Superman. He’s cocky and dangerous; a great mix to give us new stories for the new DCU. It’s also the most straightforward comic I’ve read of Morrison in a while. But I wonder when the over the top ideas are going to come into play as we go on. I have a good feeling that I’ll never see the day when/if Action Comics Vol. 2 will reach nine-hundred issues. All I know is that it’s exciting to get the first ever issue and it’s a solid one at that.