If there’s an indication of improvement in the current DC Rebirth phenomenon right now, it’s the storytelling. As shown in the few past months, perennial Superman scribe Dan Jurgens is on the grove in delivering good and solid Superman stories since the start of the Rebirth arc. As of this moment, ACTION COMICS #966 is his testament of his improving writing skills, in addition of some great interiors by own kababayan Stephen Segovia.
[CHECK OUT… REVIEW: Lois Lane Undercover in ‘Action Comics #965′]
This issue is the end of the rather short arc that focuses on two Lois Lanes–the past/parallel and the current The New 52. The former uncovers why the latter “disappears” in the first place, which is why readers must read this interesting issue since it connects with the first issues of the Rebirth event. On the other hand, this issue also concerns some tender familial moments between the pre-New 52 Superman and his son. Dan is no exceptional writer, but somehow, he manages to make the father-and-son moment grounded and surprisingly, realistic because the dialogues between them provide the fatherly concerns of Clark and the newfound enthusiasm (and later on, cockiness) on his son’s emerging Kryptonian powers, similar to our fathers’ concerns towards their children’s actions (truth to the matter, Tomasi is the better writer in that regards, but let’s give Dan the benefit right now).
In the art department, Stephen manages to remain consistent in his illustrations, although there are some panels and/or pages that are hurriedly drawn and/or a bit awkward, particularly his female drawings. Other than that, his sequential paneling are still accessibly good, some of his women are illustrated as realistically as possible, and his shadings are greatly lessened to good effects.
Action Comics #966 concludes the mystery behind the so-called “mystery” of New 52 Lois Lane, as well the decision the pre-New 52 counterpart and her family. In all seriously, DC Comics should encourage short stories rather than mid-range to long story arcs to retain the readership’s interests, as well as continuing maintaining the current creative team’s respective capabilities, which both Dan and Stephen present. Also, there’s a Philippine archipelago somehow, if you love scrutinizing Steph’s drawings carefully.
