Action Comics #1020

Metropolis Doom! Part 4

Brian Michael Bendis Writer

John Romita Jr. Penciller

Klaus Janson Inker

Brad Anderson Colorist

Dave Sharpe Letterer

John Romita Jr., Alex Sinclair Cover

Lucio Parillo Variant Cover

Brittany Holzherr Associate Editor

Jamie S. Rich Editor

Superman created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster.

By special arrangement with the Jerry Siegel family.

Superboy based on characters created by Jerry Siegel.

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.

Our cover shows Superman caught in the middle of a fight between Lex Luthor and Leviathan. This busy, messy, ugly cover does not portray a scene that happens in this comic — except for Superman ordering the evacuation of Metropolis. I will never understand the appeal of Romita's art. There are too many lines all over the place and every single face he draws looks squashed and deformed. The variant cover is only a picture of Superman — no Impulse — so we won't worry about it.

Our story begins 40 minutes ago from the "now" of Action Comics #1017, with Young Justice, Teen Titans and Justice League members lying defeated in the streets. So a mere 40 minutes before that harrowing scene, our heroes were standing outside the Hall of Justice for some reason — geeking out about how cool it is to be there. Superboy has been reunited with his teammates, indicating that this story takes place much later in the current Young Justice timeline. (Amethyst is also missing, which isn't particularly unusual, since Bendis has largely forgotten her in the latest issues of Young Justice.) Conner is understandably nervous about meeting Superman for the first time and trying to explain how he's technically not from this universe.

Superman suddenly arrives and orders the Hall of Justice on full lockdown protocol. He's perplexed by the gathering of costumed teenagers, so Tim introduces everybody, wisely calling himself Robin instead of the stupid Drake. Superman recognizes Cassie and Naomi, but says there's no time for pleasantries, as they need to prepare for an imminent battle. Impulse says they're ready, and Superman explains that Luthor, the Legion of Doom and Leviathan are invading Metropolis.

As they race through the Hall of Justice, Superboy introduces himself as Conner Kent, and Superman apologizes for not having any time to talk. The Wonder Twins meet our heroes, reporting that both the Fortress of Solitude and the Batcave are also on lockdown and Batman is on his way. Superman orders everyone to evacuate a nearby park, elementary school and shopping mall (obnoxiously named after past Superman creators Joe Shuster, Otto Binder and Dan Jurgens, respectively). Meanwhile, Superman takes Superboy to directly confront the villains.

Taking full advantage of the element of surprise, Superboy pushes the gigantic Legion of Doom headquarters/spaceship out into the ocean. Or, as Jinny Hex eloquently put it, he kicked it with his "foot bone." Superman, meanwhile, is being pounded by Brainiac, Gorilla Grodd, Cheetah, Sinestro and Luthor. When the Justice League arrives, Young Justice joins them in rushing forward head-first to save Superman. For the sake of the story, Impulse is uncharacteristically choosing to be flown in by Teen Lantern and the Flash is stupidly riding on the top of Batman's stupid tank. So that means that two of the fastest men alive chose to leisurely "rush" to Superman's aid, and were unable to prevent Brainiac from setting off his bomb that knocked everybody out at the beginning of issue #1017 (and some of the Teen Titans suddenly and mysteriously appeared amongst the rubble, as well).

Only Batman and Wonder Woman are the only ones left to stand by Superman's side because ... reasons. Leviathan then decides the time is right to bring in his enormous flying city above Metropolis.

Ugh. It took me so long to write this review. And that's not just because of the holidays and my job hectically turning upside down. This was not a fun comic. The art is gross. The story is lame. Bendis hooked us with the shocking image of defeated heroes lying at the villains' feet three issues ago. But when it came time to actually show how those heroes ended up in the rubble, Bendis couldn't think of anything more clever than a bomb. A bomb that easily could have been avoided if any of the heroes acted with a shred of intelligence. This isn't just a "speedsters could have saved the day" thing. Every single one of those heroes idiotically charged straight ahead without a second thought. Stories where your heroes are defeated can be thrilling and engaging. Stories where your heroes are defeated because they acted out of character and incredibly stupidly are not fun at all.

Let's try to forget our troubles in these new house ads:

Superman: Year One by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr. (Seriously, why do people think Romita is good?)

The Joker is dead. Did Batman kill him? Batman: Damned.

An interview with Amy Reeder, writer and artist of the six-issue Amethyst series. (Where's Impulse's?)

Next time, we'll get to celebrate the Flash's return to its legacy numbering with The Flash #750.