Art by: Rafa Sandoval, Viktor Bogdanovic
Colors by: Matt Herms, Mike Spicer
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover art by: Steve Beach (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: October 24, 2023
Action Comics #1058 delivers two stories for the price of one-and-a-half. Superman faces down an evil doppelganger who magically stole Calrk's powers, and Kenan has a big secret about his association with the Superfamily that could cause an irreparable rift.
Is Action Comics #1058 Good?
This may be the best issue of Action Comics since the title was moved to an anthology format. Both stories have their strengths, with the positives far outweighing any minor negatives. This is an excellent starting point if you're looking to get on board with a Superman comic.
New Worlds Part 2
Clark uses his face as a punching bag to slow down the Blue Earther who stole Clark's powers intending to tear Metropolis down as Superman. Clark manages to trick the doppelganger into burning out his powers with a heat vision flame-out, ending the fight and giving Clark all the evidence he needs to pursue Norah Stone and the Blue Earth group. Unfortunately, Norah Stone is just getting started.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson delivers an action-packed adventure with creative superpower fights, an increasingly intriguing mystery surrounding Norah Stone and her mysterious masters, and family drama as Otho and Osul struggle to acclimate to life on Earth.
The big plus of the main story is the reveal that the Blue Earth group isn't yet another analog for real-world isolationist groups (boring) but the public face of a mystical cult with powerful magic at their disposal. Johnson's mystery execution is more robust here than in the rest of his Action Comics tenure. Further, Sandoval's action art (no pun intended) is fantastic.
Secret Identity Part 1
Between Action Comics #1050 and #1051, the Superfamily engages in fisticuffs with the Worm Emperor. When Kara, Conner, Osul, and Otho are about to be overcome by giant, kryptonite-infused worms, Kenan Kong arrives to save the day. Everyone believes Kenan is a hero and friend, except the twins, who believe Kenan has been secretly spying on the Superfamily.
The twins hastily speed off to Kenan's apartment, insisting they have proof, and they're right. Kenan has secretly been spying on the Superfamily by request of (China's) Bat-Man when the latter believes a friend was murdered by heat-vision. Unfortunately, Kenan instructs his Robinbot to scan the Superfamily after they argue over broken trust, and Kenan learns Superman's secret, causing an adverse reaction.
Although the side effects have been tangentially referenced before, this is the first time you get to see the effects of Luthor's psychic bomb play out in real time. The mystery behind Bat-Man's friend's death is intriguing, and the inter-family drama created by Kenan's conflicted loyalties makes for great reading. As a bonus, the art is first-rate.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Bits and Pieces:
Is Action Comics #1058 Good?
This may be the best issue of Action Comics since the title was moved to an anthology format. Both stories have their strengths, with the positives far outweighing any minor negatives. This is an excellent starting point if you're looking to get on board with a Superman comic.
New Worlds Part 2
Clark uses his face as a punching bag to slow down the Blue Earther who stole Clark's powers intending to tear Metropolis down as Superman. Clark manages to trick the doppelganger into burning out his powers with a heat vision flame-out, ending the fight and giving Clark all the evidence he needs to pursue Norah Stone and the Blue Earth group. Unfortunately, Norah Stone is just getting started.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson delivers an action-packed adventure with creative superpower fights, an increasingly intriguing mystery surrounding Norah Stone and her mysterious masters, and family drama as Otho and Osul struggle to acclimate to life on Earth.
The big plus of the main story is the reveal that the Blue Earth group isn't yet another analog for real-world isolationist groups (boring) but the public face of a mystical cult with powerful magic at their disposal. Johnson's mystery execution is more robust here than in the rest of his Action Comics tenure. Further, Sandoval's action art (no pun intended) is fantastic.
Secret Identity Part 1
Between Action Comics #1050 and #1051, the Superfamily engages in fisticuffs with the Worm Emperor. When Kara, Conner, Osul, and Otho are about to be overcome by giant, kryptonite-infused worms, Kenan Kong arrives to save the day. Everyone believes Kenan is a hero and friend, except the twins, who believe Kenan has been secretly spying on the Superfamily.
The twins hastily speed off to Kenan's apartment, insisting they have proof, and they're right. Kenan has secretly been spying on the Superfamily by request of (China's) Bat-Man when the latter believes a friend was murdered by heat-vision. Unfortunately, Kenan instructs his Robinbot to scan the Superfamily after they argue over broken trust, and Kenan learns Superman's secret, causing an adverse reaction.
Although the side effects have been tangentially referenced before, this is the first time you get to see the effects of Luthor's psychic bomb play out in real time. The mystery behind Bat-Man's friend's death is intriguing, and the inter-family drama created by Kenan's conflicted loyalties makes for great reading. As a bonus, the art is first-rate.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Bits and Pieces:
Action Comics #1058 delivers two power-packed, rock-solid, entertaining stories to get your Super fix. Both stories are strong in different ways and plant mysteries that hold your attention for the next issue. As a plus, the art is consistently excellent throughout.
8.5/10
