Action Comics #33 Review

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Aaron Kuder
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 2, 2014

Everything Isn't Better in Space

The Doomed story has been many things so far.  Exciting, action packed, touching, confusing and things I can't think of right now.  With so may creative teams involved, it's bound to have it's up and downs and lefts and rights.  Even with all that, it's still the best Superman story we've had in the New 52 so far.  I've enjoyed Greg Pak's contribution so far for one main reason, action star Lana Lang.  She's in full effect this month, but even with that and some good Superman/Doomsday dialog, this issue feels a bit off.  Action Comics #33 is the closest to a filler issue we've gotten in Doomed up to this point.



Action star, Lana Lang, has had enough of this Smallville coma and she's taking the show into...Space...with Steel!  Meanwhile, SuperDoom is punching asteroids, having a family reunion and saving a planet.

I liked the Lana Lang bit, but it had nothing to do with what was going on, but with how awesome Greg Pak is making Lana and Steel.  Lana heading into space to stop the comas in Smallville felt a little out of left field and when Lois got involved it became more so.  Still, any way to get Lana and Steel in the spotlight is okay with me.

Of course, the main focus here is on SuperDoom.  I loved the continuation of the inner conflict between Superman and Doomsday and the dialog between them is great.  Again though, I didn't like the situations Pak gives us.  The meeting with Supergirl was too quick and a bit ridiculous and Superman fighting off Doomsday to save a Planet came out of no where and just didn't impact the story at all.

That's the main problem I had with this issue.  It had no impact on the Doomed story.  Things happen and words are said, but at the end of the day we are in the same spot as when we started.  I would usually say this was pure filler, but SuperDoom's inner strife and Lana and Steel's continued character development were good enough not to make that claim.

I liked Aaron Kuder's art with on minor exception.  There were two times where Lana looked a little strange.  Other than that, everything looked great.  I really like how Kuder is drawing SuperDoom and his space scenes are second to none.

Bits and Pieces:

Action Comics #33 may have some good dialog and continues making Steel and Lana into badasses, but it really doesn't push the Doomed story forward at all.  Aaron Kuder's art is good, but you could skip this issue and not miss much.  If your reading Doomed, get it.  If you're an Action Comics fan not reading Doomed, skip it.

6.5/10