Action Comics #894
Words by Paul Cornell
Arting by Pete Woods
Jimmy Olsen Back-Up Words by Nick Spencer
Jimmy Olsen Back-Up Arting by RB Silva
Good lord man, I can’t describe just how good this series has been since the arrival of Paul Cornell and the spotlight shift from Superman to Lex Luthor. Truth to tell, I’ve historically existed in stark opposition to the Super side of the DC Universe, for varying reasons usually including the words “boring”, “stereotypical” and “trite.” However, the recent overhaul of the Super line post-New Krypton has produced hit after hit not only with this book, but also Superman by J. Michael Straczynski and the upcoming guaranteed to be amazing Superboy by Jeff Lemire. Making the original Super-Hero and by extension his universe seem fresh and relevant is no easy task, and this book more than any other is leading the charge. The breath of fresh air that Cornell and artist Pete Woods have inserted into this book has been nothing short of (capital B) Brilliant and this issue continues the trend of high intrigue meets modern pop-culture snark meets high comic fantasy and comes very close to achieving the very first perfect score I’ve given to a book.
It would be impossible not to mention the giant hullabaloo this issue caused once it was revealed that it would feature Death from Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series. It’s always notable when a character from the largely inclusive Vertigo Universe makes its way into the DC Universe, especially when it’s created by that fancy pants Mr. Amanda Palmer. Full disclosure admittance: I have not read all that much of Sandman…and to go further into “blasphemous” territory, I don’t really plan to read any more any time soon. Yeah yeah I know “super influential groundbreaking comic book blah blah”…there are a LOT of great comics that have been created over the last 75 years of the medium and while I’m not saying I’ll NEVER get around to Sandman, I’d much rather dig my way through, say, DMZ, Battle Pope or Fear Agent first. Now I guess what I’m trying to say with this lengthy diatribe other than Amanda Palmer has become boring and played out is that the fact that this issue’s co-star was Death from Sandman meant next to nothing to me…and the issue was still fantastic.
So far, Cornell has written two kinds of issues with this book: high action “Lex is a badass” issues and high intrigue, big inner working “Lex is a complex human being that despite being around for 70 years we didn’t REALLY know” issues. This was most certainly the latter as we’re given what seems, for the large majority of the issue anyway, Lex confronting the end of his existence and in turn addressing his own mortality. And how does Lex Luthor deal with the prospect of finally shuffling off the mortal coil? Simply put: by giving every traditional concept of a God and heaven the middle finger. Quite frankly one of the best lines I’ve ever seen to describe the inside of Lex Luthor’s mind HAS to be “I’ll find something to do — I’ll find something to win — even when I’m dead.” And just like that, one of the greatest archetypal super villains became a lot more human and infinitely relatable and I simply can’t get enough.
That having been said, on the art end, despite maintaining his impressive ability to convey emotion on his character’s faces, Pete Woods’ work here just seems…a little sloppier than we’ve been used to and is what keeps this issue out of the “complete perfection” category. Whereas once his character were crisp, well formed and immensely emotive, he’s slipped into slightly off, in some cases poorly composed facial structures and backgrounds that lack the detail he has come to be known for. Frankly, this befuddles me to no end given the fact that he had last issue off to, I would assume, recharge his batteries. I hope this turns into a one-time occurrence and not trend moving forward.
Continued belowMoving into the Jimmy Olsen back-up by current comic book Wunderkind Nick Spencer, Spencer continues to prove that ten years of gaining varied and valuable life experience really DOES help you write better comics. This back-up has, despite only having two installments so far, been a perfect complement to the largely dark and sadistic tones of the main feature. I mean, what better way to compliment dark comedy than with snarky, Gen-X farce. Taking its cues from many classic Jimmy appearances in addition to some of the best in young adult comics, this fun little story about Jimmy dealing with drunk driving alien celebutards hits all the right laugh notes and Silva’s art brings it to live with the exact amount of realistic but still slightly cartoony flare. I can only hope DC is smart enough to continue letting Spencer tell Jimmy Olsen stories in SOME capacity once this back-up goes away along with the 3.99 price point on the book. You heard it here first: I will anxiously buy a Jimmy Olsen ongoing by Nick Spencer…and I never buy anything.
Its growing increasingly rare that I deliver a definitive “buy buy buy” to any comic book…let alone one published by one of the big two starring one of the most recognizable characters in the history of graphic fiction. That having been said, if you have not been reading this you have been missing out and should feel ashamed. Also you should pee your pants in shame.
Final Verdict: 9.8 — Buy Buy Buy.
