The last couple issues in this new beginning of Superman hasn’t been….well great to be honest. Grant Morrison is one of my favorite writers but I’d be lying if I would say this entire new run has been perfect. The pace has been all over and made the book more confusing then it should be. Plus the art that isn’t done by a fill-in but by Rags Morales is pretty rough. By no means have I considered dropping the title, but this recent issue needs to really wow me.

Well the issue didn’t wow me, but this was solid from both a writing and art standpoint. First let me talk about the main story, which definitely continues with the fast pacing. What makes it work in this issue is that it makes sense that everything is hectic because the whole city has gone to hell. Brainiac, while not named yet it’s pretty obvious it’s him, is collecting artifacts of Metropolis and hundreds of brainwashed robots are attacking the city. Oh and Corben has become an unwilling minion to Brainiac and is fighting Superman. So with a lot going on right now the fast pacing works for the most part. Some ideas don’t work for me including Lois trying to reason with Corben and Steel coming to the rescue. The former keeps the sense that Morrison doesn’t know what to do with Lois at this early stage of Sups life while the latter is much better in the back up. I know nothing about Sholly Fisch but he does an admirable job making a semi-new origin for Steel and make me care about him. The fight ends a bit too quickly but as introducing to a side character, it’s more then an admirable.

The art is the real improvement with this issue with me not feeling like Rags Morales has no chance to continue a monthly schedule. Again it’s not perfect. Lois and Jimmy in particular look completely different and off model in every panel. That and certain page layouts don’t seem to work. In the main story, Steel coming in doesn’t have the impact it should because of the way it’s laid out. Maybe make it more then a single panel is what I’m saying. But again, with all the hectic stuff going on, he’s more then capable of making it all look good. Superman punching a bunch of robots never gets old and Corben using a tank to shoot at Superman is cool to look at. The back up story has art by Brad Walker and his painted style strangely fits right in even though it might not seem it in a big fight scene. The pages may be more poses then actual fluidity but pages like the opening, or Steel revealing his big plan is great to look at. Maybe it isn’t perfect, but it’s all a damn big improvement then the last couple of issues.

Again this issue didn’t ‘wow’ me, but there was definitely enough to enjoy. Morrison’s pacing is still a bit hectic but with an issue devoted to a massive invasion it makes sense. The art by Morales has improved 100% but that also might be because he has two inkers making sure this can get done on time. But it’s consistent enough for me to enjoy. The back up with Sholly Fisch and Brad Walker was also pretty enjoyable and made me interested in this ‘new’ Steel to see where his place is in the new DCU. Hopefully with this issue things can finally get back to normal and volume two of Action Comics can get back on the right track.