Before we jump into this review, I want to share a little anecdote. A while ago, I have gotten my hands on the MAD ON SUPER-HEROES trade paperback. One of the strips in the trade featured this interesting little frame with Superman consulting with a therapist (supposedly at eighty bucks a session). It’s funny, it’s interesting, and it’s likely never to happen in actual continuity.
Apparently, someone must have read the same piece and thought differently, because just a few weeks ago, DC debuted Superman’s therapist. Contrary to what some people may think at first glance, that first story was far from hilarious, but you couldn’t help but see the irony of the whole thing. In addition, it offered a glimpse into the mind of the Man of Steel and as a result, it ended up being a good read too.
Action 797 brings Superman back into therapy, this time spilling his guts on the recent Manchester Black fiasco and the death of the pocket-universe General Zod and his two pocket-universe buddies by his hands (the Zod thing is happened in the early issues of the current Superman series, so you may have to check the back issue bins for a more detailed account). All of these recounts seem to be a method to finding out who Superman is. Of course, there are some light-hearted moments too.
It’s not an action-packed issue. It’s Superman in therapy. There isn’t that many mindless battles that has been the dominant theme in the “Ending Battle” story, nor do I expect. Joe Kelly does a wonderful job in trying to surmise who Superman is and how he is viewed. Only thing is that some of this stuff is relying on continuity, which is a nice thing, but it’s something that may get lost on new readers. The artwork is alright, but nothing particularly noteworthy.
I wish there were more emphasis on the “man” and not on the “super” in these Superman books and Action 797 manages to work nicely. It’s better that Superman 188 where Superman goes flying around, beating the crap out of bad guys, and crack lame jokes that Spider-Man would cringe at. It’s a nice change of pace that doesn’t feature 100 different fights. It’s Superman in therapy and it’s a pretty good read.
dtm666 