Action Comics #29 Review

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Aaron Kuder and Jed Dougherty
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

The Given Experience

I'm going to start this review with a confession.  Superman never was and never will be my favorite Superhero.  However, the reason may not be what you're thinking.  In my crazy mind, Superman is above being my favorite character.  He is a given.  Him and Batman are two characters that are above mere mortals like myself.  No, my favorites were always the others like Nightwing and Flash.  It's this crazy reasoning why my favorite Penguin growing up was Ulf Samuelson.  Mario Lemieux was the given.  Everyone should love Superman, Batman and Mario Lemieux. Stick with me here.



This "given" should also extend to the quality of the books as well.  Batman and Superman should always have great books.  Unfortunately, the New 52 hasn't been kind to Superman.  In fact, it's been pretty bad...until recently.  Yes, Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder have stepped in and made Action Comics great again. This months issue continues the trend.

Greg Pak throws so much at the reader this month and those reading since his run started will reap the rewards.  You want to see Superman deal with the Ghost Soldier? Check.  You want to see who pulls the Ghost Soldier's strings? You're covered.  Want to find out Baka's real identity?  Read this issue.  You will also get the great interactions between Lana and Superman and may even shed a tear or two.

The last two things are what has made Greg Pak's story great so far.  His Superman is super strong, has heat vision, yada, yada...but he also has feelings and a lifetime of history that Pak uses to show how good a man Superman is. The best part is we are learning about him at the same time he is himself as well as his lifelong friend, Lana Lang. He wants to save everyone and that's what makes him great.  However, when he learns that he can't, we are there to see how bad he feels.  He is Superman, but is becoming a super man.

Speaking of super (transition folks), Aaron Kuder's art is fabulous.  I am not the harshest critic of art because I can't draw a lick myself.  That said, I would give my big toe to be able to draw half as good as what Kuder (and Jed Dougherty) gives us this month.

Bits and Pieces:

Action Comics #29 ties everything together that Greg Pak has thrown at readers since he took over the book.  Pak and Kuder's run has been really good so far, but this is my favorite issue and nails them down as my favorite team on Action Comics in the New 52.  I hope it lasts a long time.

9.2/10