Action Comics #987

By Dan Jurgens, Viktor Bogdanovic, Jonathan Glapion, Jay Leisten, and Mike Spicer

The identity of Mr. Oz has been one of the biggest mysteries in all of DC Rebirth. There have been many theories and clues dropped along the way, but Action Comics #987 finally reveals his identity. As if that wasn’t cause for celebration already, we also get our first wave of DC’s lenticular covers. One way or another, Action Comics #987 is the start of something big for the DC Universe.

Dan Jurgens has been a wizard on Superman books. Whenever something needs to be done right for Superman, they bring in Jurgens and he fixes it or at least makes things interesting. His run on Action Comics has been very enjoyable so far and with this issue, we finally find out who Mr. Oz is. Jurgens shows us this issue all of the things that Superman does for the world; most of it goes unappreciated. Jurgens allows us to see Superman in several different scenarios such as saving immigrants from a radical shooter, or saving people from an oil ship that is burning. Mr. Oz’s perspective is that the world doesn’t deserve Superman. The reveal of who has been pulling the strings is good. Even if you have a suspicion of who Mr. Oz is, you may still be a little surprised. Jurgens has worked on building this suspense up since Rebirth started and it’s paid off really well. As a reader we were never sure where Mr. Oz fell on the good or evil spectrum, but Jurgens has done some things this issue that may change your view on Oz.

The pencils this issue were handled by Viktor Bogdanovic with colors by Mike Spicer and inks by Jay Leisten, Bogdanovic, and Jonathan Glapion. Bogdanovic’s pencils are good here and at certain spots remind you of something you would see from Greg Capullo. There is a similarity in the noses of some characters to Capullo’s work. Bogdanovic earns his money this issue drawing Superman in many action panels, from the opening pages where he saves a van from the river to stopping a hate crime. Bodonovic’s action panels throughout sell the art here. The small confrontation between Kal-El and Mr. Oz is also drawn very well, and the focus on Superman’s eyes in a couple of panels stress his feelings on their meeting. A mention should be made to the inkers on this book, Jay Leisten and Jonathan Glapion, because they did not have an easy task with this issue. There are many shaded panels, Mr. Oz is almost always hidden in shade, and they all look wonderful. The colors by Mike Spicer work well here too. Much of the book has a light color palette; this can be seen as Superman is flying through the air on a perfect day in the city. The colors of course take a darker turn later in the issue as the confrontation between Superman and Mr. Oz unfolds.

Action Comics #987 had a lot of hype around it, and it’s definitely been met. The story and art are both very good and you shouldn’t be disappointed in the issue. More excitement should come from wondering what will happen next for the DC Universe and Superman moving forward.