Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Color Artist: Alejandro Sanchez
Cover Artists: Rafa Sandoval & Alejandro Sanchez
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
Superman has been on a roll as of late. He formed an alliance with Lex Luthor who’s actually trying to change. He has the backing of LexCorp, now SuperCorp to help him out for a change. His Super-Family helped stopped multiple takeovers of Metropolis. And he and Lex stopped the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad from tearing the city apart to kill him. Things seemed to be blowing their way, but that’s not the case as Brainiac has been planning something big. Read Action Comics #1064 to see just what Brainiac has in store for Superman.
Review:
Okay, this issue was a big one. Whoa! Let’s get it out of the way, there will be SPOILERS in this review, but not too many. All I’ll say is that this issue starts off this whole “House of Brainiac” storyline big and strong with a lot of personality from everyone in it. Let’s get to the review.
The story starts out somewhat ominous with a bit of dialogue from Brainiac stating that even though he knows many secrets of the Universe, he still feels there’s something missing. But it doesn’t overstay its welcome as the comic quickly shifts perspective to Lois Lane, who’s finally on her day off from work at the Daily Planet. She starts her day bright and early with the energy to match as she takes a quick job through Metropolis, where the comic uses this as an opportunity to introduce the members of the Super-Family going about their daily lives as well as other members of the supporting cast. And when she finally reaches the park to meet Jimmy, his girlfriend Silver Banshee, and of course her husband Clark Kent, it doesn’t take long for trouble to arrive as it starts raining Czarnians (Lobo’s species) and Brainiac drones.
From there, the comic just kicks the action into full max. I will say this, Rafa Sandoval’s art is the real star of this entire comic. If it were any other artist who worked on the main Superman title, other than Jamal Campbell, or on Jason Aaron’s current run on Action Comics, this comic wouldn’t work as good as it does here. What more can I say about Sandoval’s art other than it is immaculate, it’s great especially when, you guessed it, depicting all the incredible action as Superman and his allies fight Brainiac’s army of robot drones and Czarnian warriors who rain down destruction upon Metropolis that ropes everyone into the action in one form or another. We get a new villain in the Czarnian army’s leader General Chacal, who might be related to Lobo, but he’s got a more serious look in his eyes instead of the violently jubilance we get from Lobo and even the other soldiers. Even Lex Luthor gets in on the action with a special type of high-tech armor he has for emergencies.
There’s no more I can say about Rafa Sandoval’s art without repeating myself, it’s amazing. The writing isn’t bad either. Joshua Williamson once agains nails the characterization for everyone in this comic from the minor to the major characters, especially while they’re all fighting off this alien invasion. Williamson also gave this story a solid pace so it feels like things are actually moving forward even with all the action going on. Clearly, the art in this comic has won me over, but the actual story is what has me concerned.
With all of that said, what are the problems? Well aside from a few confusing continuity errors and mentions, the other issue is the potential nostalgia bait that Williamson plays with as the final page shows Brainiac alongside his alternate selves from past DC Comics continuities all showing up and standing in formation together. The problem is why are they even here? I ask this because DC has been going all in on Multiverse stories for the last couple of years, but 99% of them don’t pay off at all. If Williamson isn’t too careful, he could end up repeating his mistakes with the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths event, and that didn’t do so well. But I’m willing to see where he takes this in the next part.
Final Thoughts:
Action Comics #1064 begins the first part of the House of Brainiac storyline with a huge bang. The issue lives up to the title’s name as we get a ton of high-octane action as Brainiac unleashes his army of robot drones and Czarnian warriors for Superman and his allies to fight. Readers won’t need to know too much about what’s happened prior to this as the issue is very much a jumping-on point for returning readers. The biggest star of this comic has to be the art team of Rafa Sandoval’s art and Alejandro Sanchez’ colors. Their work really sells this comic book, and hopefully the next part of the storyline keeps up the momentum.