ACTION COMICS #880

Codename Patriot

October 2009

Written by Greg Rucka with James Robinson

Pencils by Julian Lopez

Inks by Bit

Cover by Andrew Robinson

Synopsis

[Continued from Superman: World Of New Krypton #6] Project 7734 informs General Lane of three Kryptonians headed for Earth.  One is Ral-Dar, who just attempted to kill Zod, and the other two are Superman and Supergirl trying to capture him.  General Lane sends aircraft to intercept the Kryptonians.  Superman manages to catch Ral-Dar.  However, Ral-Dar shoots down an aircraft, forcing Superman and Supergirl to rescue the civilians inside.  They are helped by Mon-el.  Elsewhere, Nightwing and Flamebird are trying to locate Nadira and Az-Rel when they hear the news of Superman’s return.  Meanwhile, Perry gives Lois Lane the assignment to question Superman and find out why he has returned.  At Science Police Headquarters, Guardian informs Superman he is welcome on Earth, but Supergirl is not.  Superman convinces Guardian that the attack on Zod could have ramifications.  They need to find Ral-Dar.  Meanwhile, General Lane informs Ral-Dar that death of Zod will avert war.  Ral-Dar is a patriot.  Elsewhere, Nightwing and Flamebird find Nadira and Az-Rel.  They follow the Kryptonians in a subway tunnel.  Nadira and Az-Rel then beat down and defeat the heroes.  Nadira and Az-Rel then reveal to be Metallo and Reactron in disguise, helped by Mirabai, who informs General Lane that Phase Two is complete.  Moving to Phase Three.  [Continued in Supergirl #44]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I liked this issue and, so far, I think the new “Codename Patriot” story is doing well.  This issue worked for me because Rucka (with Robinson) didn’t forget that this book belongs to Nightwing and Flamebird.  So it was a welcome sight to see those too so prominently in the issue, but also featured well in the story.  Too often in crossovers, main characters are forgotten in their own books in the service of the overall plot, or writers concentrate on the main characters to the determent of the crossover story.  In this case, Rucka finds the right balance, keeping Nightwing and Flamebird on track with their current story in finding the fugitive sleepers, but also finding a good way to bring them into the big crossover.  The moment where the two kiss, expressing the love for each other they have been gradually feeling, was a good moment, especially as it comes on the heels of their capture.  So far the entire story is coming together nicely and I am eager to see where it goes. 

The other thing that I like about this story so far is the fact that the motives of General Lane are really hard to decipher.  Superman talks about how Zod’s assassination could easily spark a war between the two worlds.  But Lane tells Ral-Dar that Zod’s death will actually prevent a war.  Granted, Lane could be lying to Ral-Dar, but one has t wonder if trying to incite a war against a thousand Supermen is the best course of action.  Unless, of course, Lane has some Kryptonite.  Anyway, combine the assassination with whatever Atlas is doing with Steel, and it is kinda difficult to determine what Lane is really up to. 

The scene with Lois and Superman doesn’t quite play right.  I like the fact that there is awkwardness at the two of the meeting and not being able to express how much they missed each other.  Yet, they are allowed to disappear to chat alone way too quickly.  I mean, if I were Guardian, I wouldn’t let Superman run off to talk to a reporter.  Why would you let Superman, someone who was living on New Krypton, talk to a reporter, especially when he knows about why the other Kryptonian just infiltrated Earth’s atmosphere?

I would also like to point out that I would have liked to have seen Superman’s reaction to Chris’ return, other than the single panel that we got.  I felt cheated.

Captain Atom, Part One

Written by James Robinson and Greg Rucka

Art by Cafu

Synopsis

Captain Atom is about the killed, but he manages to protect himself and hurt his attacker.  Atom then is about the kill the lord of the castle.  Suddenly he has an image of being hurt in a steel chair.  He remembers who he is:  Nathanial Adam, an officer in the United State Air Force.  Codename:  Captain Atom.

Review

This back-up is really weird.  We have this big, momentous story crossing over to all of the various Superman titles, but a back-up feature that is not even remotely connected in any way.  It is almost a complete 180 degree turn from the main feature.  Most of the back-ups in the DC books tend to, at least, tangentially connect to the main feature.  But this?  I don’t even know what to make of it.  I mean, it’s not bad, but it also doesn’t make sense, either in terms of the story being told or its relation to the rest of the DC universe.  I think what is hurting this story so far is the brevity of the pages needed to tell the story.  The strange sword and sorcery back-up kinda works if it were one issue, but spread over more than, and it feels strange, a little off.  Hopefully next month the story picks up a little bit.  

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