REVIEW: It’s reigning (Super)Men in ‘Action Comics #957′

As the mysteries continue to unfold in the wake of DC Comics’ Rebirth, the question on who should rightfully carry on the name “MAN OF TOMORROW” remains in the aftermath of “THE FINAL DAYS OF SUPERMAN” event in ACTION COMICS #957. This Rebirth issue actually pays tribute to two (in)famous mega-Superman events in the early to mid-1990s, Death of Superman and Reign of Supermen. The cover art serves already a giveaway on what to expect inside. So, an arch-nemesis suits up to become the successor; while the visitor “shaves” up to challenge the impostor; as the old reporter appears out of nowhere; and the hybrid offspring watches in awe of his most powerful dad. At the same time, another notorious and over-powered monstrosity enters the fray as writer cum artist Dan Jurgens likes to do well in the annals of Superman comic book history.

Personally, I am not surprised at all at these developments since this moment is a homage of old tales trying to make both old and new readers/loyalists/customers come back/around to fulfill the company’s or DC’s objective of fusing classic and postmodern superhero reading legacies. But the saturation, if not perennial, of deaths, replacements and returns already stagnated what is left for great superhero stories unless a writer/creator is bold enough to go beyond the conventional mainstream/company-wide superhero storytelling. But Jurgens is no innovator either, though the issue is basically a decent reading to be honest.

Patrick Zircher’s art is nothing groundbreaking nor eye-popping, just good old-fashioned superhero visual storytelling.  Patrick’s illustrations and sequential paneling are equally decent, accessible and clean to follow and view. Even the shock value supposedly at the end which serves as a typical cliffhanger in superhero narrative is nothing to be surprised with because the cover art, again, foreshadows already.

Action Comics #957 is basically an average read. Typically a Jurgens storytelling that is formulaic and most likely, predictable. The consolations are the $2.99 price tag and the overall decent reading experience. Another beef for this one is the absence of our very own Stephen Segovia who was supposedly tasked to illustrate the interiors here. But, we are treated with Patrick’s rather average artwork. What happened here? Anyways, fans of Jurgens or the 1990s Superman narrative tropes can dig this one. That is all I can honestly say here.