Action Comics #33

By Greg Pak, Aaron Kuder & Wil Quintana

Superman is changing, both in physicality and in story. Action Comics has recently been contributing to the larger cross-series story arc, Superman: Doomed, and it is a storyline that looks to have divided the Superman fans in half. Certain elements of the story arc, like Superman’s metamorphosis, have been strange, yet welcome changes to the world’s oldest superhero. Positively, this current tale allows for writers of Superman, like Greg Pak to showcase Superman’s supporting characters, like Steel and Lana Lang, who would normally take a backseat in most predominately focused Superman stories. But with so many changes to the Superman character and lore being created recently, Doomed is a storyline that, simply, you’ll like or you won’t.

Sometimes cross-series story arcs can be a pain to those who only buy select series, but Doomed has proven to be a unique and original story that could warrant spending a little extra cash to get the complete story. Superman transforming into Doomsday, Supergirl meeting him in space, as a Red Lantern no less, and much more fills this issue with a lot of action. Cool heads do not prevail though, as Superman struggles to maintain his identity when a short-tempered Supergirl enters the mix to complicate the situation. Yes, there is a lot going on, and it’s only going to get more complicated, both for Superman and his supporting cast. One great moment of this issue reveals that Doomsday may have the title, but the true villain behind Doomed may have just been unveiled.

Aaron Kuder’s art is dynamic as ever with his art, and detailed line work accentuated in the full-page images and battle sequences. Kuder’s art is good in any scene, admittedly. From faces, to spaceships, to action scenes, the art is undeniably spectacular and the amount of detail in every image contradicts how this book stays on schedule with the amount of work being put into it. Quintana’s colors are yet another positive aspect of the series. Color-wise, this may be one of the brightest, most beautiful books currently in the New 52. From light and energy, to even the shading on characters’ faces, the colors are tremendously detailed.

This series displays Superman in ways he’s never been seen before. As he inches closer to becoming one of his greatest enemies, Superman slowly looses his personality and identity. This is certainly a change of pace for Superman fans who’ve been a little sick of the whole “truth and justice” thing, but it is evident that loyal fans of the Man of Steel would be taken aback but the sudden change of story as well as Superman himself.

Whatever your opinion of these unique changes to the multiple Superman series, it has been an exciting and surprising ride that is has been intriguing, to say the least. And with an art team as skilled as this one, this book, no matter what defect or disliking the overall story may have, will always be be regarded in high quality. The conclusion of this issue is proof that, no matter how much has changed for Superman, its about to get a lot worse for him, and a lot better for us.