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ACTION COMICS #15

• Superman is on trial for his life – and the jury is the Anti-Superman Army! It’s the ultimate villains springing the ultimate trap at the end of time itself!

• And the mystery that has built since issue #1 is resolved as the Little Man’s true identity is revealed – with grave consequences!

• Plus, in the backup feature: A crucial piece of information is revealed!

Story by Grant Morrison
Art by Brad Walker, Rags Morales, Andrew Hennessy, & Mark Propst
Colors by Brad Anderson
Letters by Steve Wands
Cover by Rags Morles, Brad Anderson, & Fiona Staples

Price: $3.99
iFanboy Community Pick of the Week Percentage: 4.2%

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Comments

  1. Avatar photo deepspacesamurai says:
    December 3, 2012 at 11:31 pm

    Love Superman, love Rags Morales. That being said, this title has been all over the place.

  2. Avatar photo theWAC1 says:
    December 4, 2012 at 8:45 am

    I feel that trades have influenced comic reading so much that when a comic run doesn’t fit nicely into a 5 or 6 issue arc readers have problems. That being said, I really like the more one-and-done feel to comics that then fit nicely into a greater continuum (chew, prophet, and most older comics to name a few), and Action falls into that category. Morrison is telling some fun superman stories, and from what I’ve read, it hasn’t worked for a lot of people. Personally, I read it monthly, then go back and read the “chunk” of issues that go together when the mini story (if there is one) is finished up, andI’ve really liked it, look forward to it every month, and will miss it when Morrison leaves.

  3. Avatar photo WheelHands says:
    December 4, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    I’m an extremely vocal advocate of Morrison, but even I can’t argue with the criticism here. I could debate about the blame resting on editorial or Morales, but the fact remains that this has not been a consistent read. I’ve enjoyed it for what it’s worth, but I don’t feel that this will read any better in trade (as is often the case with Morrison’s capes and tights work) than it has in issues. I’m kinda just waiting for this to be over next month.

  4. Avatar photo misterckent says:
    December 4, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    I love these little one off stories. This is where Grand does his best with Supes.

  5. Avatar photo Scarlet-Batman says:
    December 4, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    I don’t get why people hate this series so much. It’s been excellent thus far. Admittedly, it isn’t the best tittle to read month to month but when read in chunks or in trades, the work really shines. Just because there hasn’t been one consistent story arc over the course of the run doesn’t mean this is bad, it’s just different. I think the real shame is that DC has really dropped the ball on the main Superman title, which hyper focused most people’s sights on Morrison’s run on Action Comics.

    I’ll be sad to see Morrison go. I’m scared of what will come after he leaves.

    • Avatar photo WheelHands says:
      December 4, 2012 at 6:34 pm

      I can tell you one thing that’ll come with Morrison’s exit; my own.

    • Avatar photo BCDX97 says:
      December 4, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      This has definitely been the best Super-book in the new 52, but that’s because the rest have been mediocre to terrible. When you compare this to something like All-Star Superman, you can’t help but be disappointed.

    • Avatar photo theWAC1 says:
      December 6, 2012 at 7:43 pm

      I think comparing it to All-Star Superman is the problem here. This has been a very good run, not always as good as All-Star, but at times at least as good, and sometimes better (story only of course). Frank Quitely and Grant Morrison make one of the best teams in comics, and this is not it, but it blows JMS’s Grounded out of the water, and that’s my only other comparison. I’ve really liked the threads of the little man woven throughout, the Krypton reflections, the anti-Superman army, blue jean Superman, the purple-eyed “Superman”.It’s been a lot of fun, and if it was taken more for what it is instead of what its not (All Star) I think it can be appreciated a lot more.

    • Avatar photo sitara119 says:
      December 8, 2012 at 6:16 pm

      @theWAC1
      you’re absolutely right. a lota people compare this to All-Star, to a fault. It’s like comparing every Batman book the DKR or every movie to Casablanca. i realize that Morrison wrote both this and All-Star and that’s why people love to compare the 2, but All-Star is arguably the best Superman story every told, so my analogy is justified.

  6. Avatar photo robbydzwonar says:
    December 5, 2012 at 1:53 am

    I actually like this better then All Star, art and story. I never understood what was so great about All Star volume 1 (tpb), and I had no idea what wuz going on at all in volume 2

    • Avatar photo manwithoutbeer says:
      December 5, 2012 at 12:51 pm

      vol. 2:

      – Superman goes to Bizarro world.
      – He’s replaced, temporarily.
      – Superman creates our universe, making him God.
      – He defeats his 2 greatest villains (well besides Braniac, Solaris only if you’ve read DC 1,000,000)
      – Superman exiles himself to the Sun, to keep it alive eternally.
      – He leaves behind the ingredients for everyone to become Superman.

      If you still have them, read them again. They’re a lot better after the first time, as with all Morrison.

  7. DrewHLMW says:
    December 5, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Well finally everything makes sense, its no wonder the title felt all over the place…..because it literally was.
    I’ve enjoyed Grant’s run but this whole 5th dimension stuff is overcomplicated for me and I look forward to its end.
    Reading it in one big go from #1-#17 is probably the best way to enjoy this run.

  8. jsa1036 says:
    December 6, 2012 at 2:45 am

    I really enjoyed this issue.

  9. a.j.howard09 says:
    December 6, 2012 at 3:20 am

    I’ve really enjoyed this entire run. The only negatives I can sympathize with are the art inconsistencies, and I think that’s even been over-emphasized. However, up to now, I’ve appreciated the title as a collection of great issues, more than a single, overarching story. This is the issue that changed that. Even without the benefit of a second reading, this issue really helps you put the narrative threads together. Morrison’s storytelling has been somewhat Lynchian, in that you really don’t know what the fuck you’re seeing until well after you encounter it. Granted, that may not be the most accessible form of storytelling, but it’s been intellectually engaging in a way few DC super-hero books are. If the next two issues follow up, I think Action will earn a spot in the Morrison pantheon. You had to go along for the ride for over a year, but Morrison has built up enough capitol to earn that trust. And it’s not like he wasn’t telling really interesting stories along the way.

    It’s going to be dismissed by people who gave up after the fourth issue, and that’s a shame. Really, this run has developed in a manner similar to his Batman one. I think some people had certain storytelling expectations coming out of the relaunch and were judging this book for what it wasn’t. The lack of consistent quality on the other Superman book might have exacerbated the problem too.

    • Avatar photo WheelHands says:
      December 6, 2012 at 9:17 pm

      You make a lot of sound points here. But as a longtime fan of both Morrison and Lynch, I still think this was weak and loosely sewn from the beginning. As I said above, Morrison may not be at all to blame for the disjointed pace and execution of the book, but the fact remains that it is not as tight as his Batman work, or even Final Crisis. You’re absolutely right that his superhero work rewards those who stick with it and view it as a whole. You’re also correct that a lot of these issues were fantastic reads. Even the worst Morrison (which this is definitely not) is better than the average superhero comic. I’m in it til the last, but I think when all is said and done, this will be shelved rather than celebrated by future readers.

      If we’re going to stick with the Lynch metaphors: If Seven Soldiers is Mulholland Drive, Action is Inland Empire. It’s got that great Morrison wackiness, but without the heart and follow-through.

  10. Avatar photo GunnerAsh says:
    December 6, 2012 at 5:45 am

    This was awful. I’ve enjoyed this entire run but I felt completely lost in this issue, it was all over the place and the art was so inconsistent. Hated this one, really felt like Morrison dropped the ball here. I was not feeling this at all… A real shame because I’ve loved the last few issues too.

    • Avatar photo Scarlet-Batman says:
      December 8, 2012 at 1:30 am

      The art was all over the place because you had the normal art and then the fanciful art when discussing the 5th dimensional beings.

      This issue explains so, so, so much of what has been going on. Why does that weird short guy hate Superman? Why does that weird short guy keep popping up every where? Who the heck is that short, weird guy? Why has the story been jumping around time so much? What’s the deal with the landlady? All of those questions were answered in this comic.

      Superman is fighting a 5th dimensional being who is not bound by the laws of time as we (3 Dimensional creatures) are. Superman’s enemy can go any where and any when. Vyndktvx is systematically challenging Superman at every point in his life, almost at once. He’s distorting time around Clark, who is now remembering things that have yet to come to pass. Some of the most important happenings in Clark’s life have been influenced by Vyndktvx and his war on Superman’s time-stream.

      Action Comics really rewards readers who go back and re-read all of the comics. I highly suggest you re-read the comic with what you know now. So many little details will jump out at you. 🙂

  11. Avatar photo kamicowzi says:
    December 6, 2012 at 10:05 am

    For me, as a huge Superman fan, think Morrison’s run on Action has been crap. It started off really cool with this psuedo-classic take on Superman…had a lot of promise to tell some Superman stories that haven’t been told in a while and to show how he developed in his younger years…but nope. Morrison had to add to much ridiculous crap to the story and completely lose any resemblance to a coherent plot line (in my opinion anyway). I know I am in the minority here, but I have been enjoying the main Superman book a lot more. Action Comics #17 can’t get here soon enough.

  12. Avatar photo TomO says:
    December 7, 2012 at 9:56 am

    Wonderful issue. Couldn’t get enough.

    This is everything that I was hoping for out of a Grant Morrison Superman run!

  13. jsa1036 says:
    December 7, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Not really understanding why so many people were confused by this one. I feel like this is one of the more coherent issues of the entire run.

  14. Avatar photo HossBonaventure says:
    December 7, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    No idea what was happening here.

  15. Avatar photo markish says:
    December 7, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    And thus, explanations start to come. Shocking noone but the people who always moan about things not being explained straight-away.

  16. Avatar photo GaviinNansoong says:
    December 8, 2012 at 10:12 am

    I really enjoyed this issue, seems like its going to end strong and be well worth a full read through by the time #17 lands.

  17. Avatar photo sitara119 says:
    December 8, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    this comicbook run is one of those that challenges the reader. it forces you to have an eye for detail. it tasks you to notice subtle nuances throughout the epic saga and tie them together as best you can. it keeps you guessing at every turn and constantly questioning your findings, assumptions and ideas.
    you have to be a detective of sorts beyond the obvious “who did it” platform. this is evidently lost on some and it’s no wonder that lovers of one-and-dones or short, tight, easy to follow story arcs DROP like flies. that is not an antagonistic or derogatory assesment. this just isn’t for “everyone”.
    Morrison brings a complexity to superhero comics that is seldom seen in the medium and clearly not appreciated by all.

  18. Avatar photo deepspacesamurai says:
    December 9, 2012 at 12:50 am

    I don’t know what the hell I just read…but I liked it.

    • Avatar photo Scarlet-Batman says:
      December 9, 2012 at 4:08 am

      Re-read the comic. It really helps! 🙂

    • Djinn says:
      January 10, 2013 at 10:33 am

      @deepspacesamurai
      My thoughts exactly after reading it for the first time last night, I wasn’t all that confused just tired but I read it again this morning …OMG…I love A#15 so much I know I will be reading this again and again in the present and the (far) future.

  19. Djinn says:
    January 10, 2013 at 10:40 am

    Adding to the above….I only read #6, #10, #12, #0, #14 & #15 and I can’t see the confusion and problems most people are dumping on this title, I’m totally in…

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