Action Comics #815

Superman vs. Gog: End Times

Chuck Austen Writer
Ivan Reis Penciller
Marc Campos Inker
Guy Major Colors
Comicraft Letters
Tom Palmer Jr. Associate Editor
Eddie Berganza Editor
Superman created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

This month's cover by ... Arthur Adams, color by Guy Major. This cover shows a new villain, Gog, who is reminiscent of Magog from Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross, although he is a different person. The cover promises a tale guest-starring the Teen Titans, but what we see is what we get: Wonder Girl, Superboy and Kid Flash. And no one else. It is a decent cover, but I think Reis could have made it even better.

Our story begins with Superboy giving Wonder Girl and Kid Flash casually walking down the street in Smallville. Apparently Superman believes Doomsday is targeting the town and has asked these heroes to patrol the city, while he works his day job in Metropolis. With no immediate trouble in the area, Bart quickly becomes bored. He says that the Imperiex War slashed the defense budget, closing the nearby military base, which has diminished Smallville's population, leaving behind only the farmers. He complains that Smallville sucks, but Cassie thinks it's cute. Conner's happy to see she likes his new hometown, but Bart insists she'd die of boredom in an hour. He then calls Superman a hick for coming from a place like this.

Bart's complaining is interrupted by a massive blast, caused by the arrival of Gog. Kid Flash and Wonder Girl are flung aside, and Superboy immediately calls out to Superman. Gog grabs Superboy's throat, and is actually pleased to learn that Superman is on his way. Of course, that doesn't stop him from beating up Superboy as much as he can until the Man of Steel arrives. He tosses Superboy through a building and prepares to impale him with his trident, but is stopped at the last second by Superman.

Kid Flash and Wonder Girl finally catch up with Superboy, and Gog punches Superman right over to them. Superman tells Superboy he looks like hell, to which Conner cheesily exclaims that people tell him he looks just like Superman. Superman says they're just being nice, then he orders Kid Flash to see if any of the bystanders need medical attention. Bart's already done that, so Superman tells him and Wonder Girl to now get everyone to safety just in case he can't lure Gog away from the city. Bart agrees, calling Superman "sir," which prompts Conner to remind him of his "hick" comment. Bart says that Superman is a "cool and intense hick" and he runs off with Wonder Girl.

Superman tells Conner to go to the Kents' house to recover, but he refuses. Kid Flash and Wonder Girl quickly return after helping all the civilians and gleefully watch the fight, calling it "wicked." Superman tells them to stop rubber-necking and get away, so they comply. Superman then takes control of the fight, and almost has Gog beat, until he shoves his trident into Superman's gut.



Ivan Reis' art was a welcome relief after all the Teen Titans issues I've been reviewing. It's big, explosive and exciting. Unfortunately, the artwork was the only aspect of this issue I liked. It was incredibly disappointing to see Superboy, Wonder Girl and Kid Flash reduced to a mere fan club. Literally, all they did this issue was stand around and talk about how awesome Superman was. I don't know why they were included in this story at all.

To recap: Superman had reason to believe that Doomsday — the all-powerful monster that killed him — was going to attack Smallville. So instead of contacting every superhero he knows to watch out for this threat, Superman calls in just three members of the Teen Titans to walk the streets of Smallville, while Clark Kent deals with mundane office drama at the Daily Planet. I don't get this logic. And, when a villain did show up, the Teen Titans weren't allowed to even throw a punch at the menace. Superboy got beat up a little bit, and Kid Flash and Wonder Girl "helped people" off panel. And where does Bart get off on mocking Smallville? He grew up in Manchester, Alabama, which can't be much bigger than this place.

At this point in the reviews, almost all of my comics are digital only. But this is one of the rare physical comics I own, so we get to check out the ads for the first time in a long while.

Hey! Where's the cream filling? Twinkies.

New Lego X-Pod. What will you make?

I test myself by testing others. Kaijudo Duel Masters trading card game.

When there's trouble you know who to call. Teen Titans toys. (Based on the Cartoon Network series, not the comics.)

Prepare foolish humans! Invader Zim DVD release.

Return of Dr. Sloth. Neopets trading card game.

Are your Minis pretty or swampy? Shrek-themed M&Ms Minis.

Play big. Magic: The Gathering.

Rind the clues and relp me rolve the rystery! Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed toys at Burger King.

Heads up! Jetix on Toon Disney.

Courage might fail you. Friends won't. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban for PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Game Cube, Xbox and PC CD-Rom.

GameRiot powered by Xbox.

Throw cards, not punches. Draw cards, not swords. Duel Masters: Sempai Legends on Game Boy Advance.

Bubble Tape Rule the Rides contest. Grand prize a trip to Six Flags.

Their odor is unstoppable. And their mission is downright foul! Zombie Butts from Uranus!

Tip: Grow more fingers! With 25 new Postoken rewards and 5 new games, you'll have your hands full! Postopia.com.

Free Justice League Adventures comic book through Sour Punch Straws.

Next time, Wally West will pay the Teen Titans a visit in The Flash #210.