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 Action Comics #862
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank, Jon Sibal, Dave MCaig and Hi-Fi Colorists, and Rob Leigh
Reviewed by Kenne
I’m not a regular reader of Action Comics. For the most part, the reason is two-fold. First, I feel it’s hard to follow the book when there are so many creative changes. Just when you get used to a particular writer or artist team, they’re gone and a new creative team takes over. Secondly, I’m more of a team person. I like to read about the teams and less about the solo adventures of the main character.
The fact this arc is about Superman teaming up with a team of other heroes is probably a big factor into why I chose to pick up this story arc. Because it was the Legion of Super-Heroes, a Legion that is more in line with the Legion of the past, however, is the biggest draw for me. When I discovered that there was going to be a Legion of Super-Heroes story in Action Comics, the old Legion, I was definitely on board.
So far, the story has not failed me and kept me quite happy. Geoff Johns gets what the Legion is about. Geoff gets that some people want to read about the same Legion that was around in the seventies. He gets that it’s the history behind the Legion that brings the readers in. In “Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes”, He pays homage and respect to the history and familiarity that these characters evoke in the hearts of their long-time fans.
This fifth part of six keeps on ramping up the action, bringing back the history and familiarity, and gives the reader a kicking fun read. As we head into the conclusion of the story, Superman and some of the Legion call in the Legion of Substitute Heroes for assistance. Now for old time Legion geeks, we have a soft spot for the subs almost on par with the Legion. After all, how can you not like characters like Stone Boy, whose power is the ability to turn to stone but is rendered inanimate for a time. He’s good for a quick throw to knock an opponent off-guard, but after that, he’s inactive until he regains consciousness. Then there’s Chloryphyll Kid, he has the ability to cause plants to grow, but it’s not a very strong power, which makes him less than ideal to take into a fight. Those two along with a few others had all applied for the Legion and rejected because their powers weren’t what the Legion was looking for. They could have become disillusioned or resentful and vowed Revenge on the Legion, but instead they joined together and practiced their limited abilities with the hope that if the Legion were ever unable to protect the universe, they could step in and be the heroes they desired to be. They were often used as merely laughs in the old Legion stories, but Geoff brings respect and dignity to this team. If the Legion fans were tickled pink with glee before, I’m sure the appearance of the Subs in this issue sent them into nostalgia overload.
The only critique that I have about this arc and this issue is with the art. Gary Frank is a capable artist, but he has this thing that he does with faces, particularly eyes, that really unnerves me and isn’t very attractive. The closest I can get to explaining it is to say the eyes sometimes look like bug eyes, all bulging out and super-creepy. However, it isn’t such a detraction that I’m not enjoying this book. I’m both happy and sad that the next issue is the last issue. I’m happy because I can’t wait to read how it all ends, but I’m sad to see the Legion that I have fond memories of wrap up their story and potentially walk off the page to never been seen again. If you are now or have ever been a Legion fan, do yourself a favor and pick this book up.
 She-Hulk #26
Written by Peter David
Art by Shawn Moll, Val Semeiks, Victor Olazaba, Avalon’s Rob Ro, and Dave Sharpe
Reviewed by Kenne
I was a late-comer to this latest She-Hulk title. The main reason why I didn’t pick up the early issues is I wasn’t impressed with the art. Normally I can overlook art for a good story, but the early art was so distracting that it took away my enjoyment of the series. Eventually I gave the book a chance when Paul Pelletier pinch hit for the other artist. By the time Dan Slott was preparing to leave the book, I had learned to rely on his writing to overcome any choice of artist that I didn’t enjoy. I had found a good book, and with the impending departure of Dan Slott, I was a little worried about She-Hulk’s future. That is until I realized that Peter David was coming on board as the new writer. What’s more, he was bringing Shawn Moll with him to do the art. Now, I like Shawn’s work. It might not always be my favorite, but it was definitely more my style.
I’ve been loving this book even more ever since. No offense to Dan Slott because he wrote some amazing stuff, but I love how Peter David can bring depth, drama and humor in a way that feels natural and gets me to care. He even introduced a new character who’s quickly becoming one of my favorites, Jazinda the skrull bounty-hunter who’s She-Hulk’s partner in hunting bounties.
This issue was the conclusion of Peter David’s first story-arc, where She-Hulk has quit being an attorney and a super-hero. The first issue was a little jarring because obviously some time had passed since Dan Slott’s last She-Hulk and Peter David’s first, so the reader was having to play catch up trying to figure out the new status quo. But, quickly PAD (Peter David) got through the first, rough spot and has been bringing us an amazing story. When She-Hulk repeatedly denies that she is still doing the Super-Hero thing and is through saving lives, you have to wonder what brought her to this point and worry that she might really mean it. Let me just say, that in #26, “The Whole Hero Thing: Conclusion”, we know beyond a shadow of doubt that no matter what Shulkie might say, she’s not done saving the world and protecting lives. Which is exactly how it should be. Jennifer “She-Hulk” Walters will always be a good guy (girl). Whether she agrees with it or not, she will never let innocents suffer if she can help it. #26 illustrates this beautifully.
And yet, what amazes me about PAD’s run on this book is his ability to create a character like Jazinda. Not much is known about her, giving her a mysterious quality, yet, in the hands of a lesser writer, Jazinda might have been a character of mystery with nothing else to interest you. Eventually you grow tired of the mystery and decide that the character isn’t worth reading about. Unless you’re PAD and the mysterious enigma is Jazinda. In just a few short issues, Jazinda has shown what she’s made of , and while it’s not always “White Hat” material, she has her heart in the right place. What she does in this issue will blow you away. Yet, just as she’s doing it, you can see that both it has to be done, and that she’s not going to get bogged down over guilt for what’s she’s done. There are some qualities about her that normally make me uncomfortable and not like the character, but PAD created a character in Jazinda that allows me to overlook her “Bad Ways” and see the complexities of her and just out and out LIKE her. For that, I say bravo to Mr. David.
The art was delightful, but let me just gush about the cover for a minute. Recently, the She-Hulk covers were done by Greg Horn, an incredibly talented artist, but his obsession with the female form felt skanky to me. His spandex breasts would often feel down-right pornographic. So, imagine my surprise to find the cover to She-Hulk #26 was beautiful, amazing, eye-catching and showed the goddess of beauty that She-Hulk can be. I knew right away that it couldn’t be a Greg Horn cover, the breasts were downright subtle! So, I had to see who drew the cover, imagine how shocked I was to discover that it was none other than Greg Land! The first reason that blew my mind was that like the other Greg, Land has a deep appreciation for cheesecake art. But, the main reason I was impressed is that She-Hulk’s face didn’t have that usual Land female face that all his female characters have. She didn’t look like Sue Storm/Emma Frost/Mary Jane/Arwyn with green hair. Should I hope that Land has listened to his fans and broadened his artistic style some? I don’t know, but for now this cover of She-Hulk was the perfect cap to an excellent issue.
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