Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank; Jon Sibal; Rob Leigh; & Brad Anderson
Cover Art by Gary Frank & Brad Anderson
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for August 2008, the first chapter of the five-part Brainiac storyline is entitled “First Contact.” In a prologue set on Krypton thirty-five years ago, Brainiac’s lethal cybernetic drones scatter fleeing Kryptonians during his invasion. Despite Zod & Ursa’s efforts to stop him, Brainiac abducts the city of Kandor for his ever-growing intergalactic collection of alien trophies.
The present-day: The Daily Planet’s latest staff meeting includes workplace humor amongst the staff. Lois & Clark’s privacy is interrupted when Clark hears a satellite explode in Earth’s orbit. Superman’s mid-air interception of Brainiac’s drone has a twofold impact: 1. the Man of Steel is dumbfounded re: the drone’s sudden deactivation; and 2. Brainiac now senses from deep space where the last Kryptonian is.
Meanwhile, a Smallville interlude at the Kent farm foreshadows an upcoming sub-plot.
REVIEW:
In impressive fashion, this issue revitalizes the Superman vs. Brainiac rivalry. Writer Geoff Johns believably upgrades Brainiac into a monstrous, Borg-like villain. Updating familiar faces Steve Lombard and Cat Grant also works well. Even better, Johns nicely infuses the Clark-Lois-Perry-Jimmy quartet with elements siphoned from Christopher Reeve’s Superman movies. The same applies to the flashback where Zod & Ursa aren’t merely pre-villainous caricatures.
Artist Gary Frank generously indulges fans with an abundance of memorable Superman images. Most notably, there’s Superman’s reaction shot to spotting the Brainiac drone, which would later be recycled as cover art for a DC Comics DVD about the company’s history. Another image is Lois observing her husband unbutton his shirt to reveal the big ‘S.’ Frank’s expert rendition of his Reeve-like Superman proves timeless. Not surprisingly, his Ursa & Zod mirror Sarah Douglas and Terence Stamp. Even Lois Lane is reminiscent of Margot Kidder. Without question, the creative team does a fantastically inspired job on this comic, including the terrific cover image.
Still, there are parental concerns re: this issue’s disturbing content for younger readers.
- In pages 1-4: Brainiac’s cybernetic drones are depicted ruthlessly “assimilating” fleeing Kryptonians. Page one has a brutally graphic image of a teenage boy being impaled at the base of his skull. The gloating drone displays its victim on the next page. A similar image has another male victim being impaled through the eye. Inexplicably, DC Comics neglected to include any parental advisory. Johns & Frank could have easily toned the shock value down without this opening scene losing its impact. Note: This violence resembles that seen in the PG-13-rated “Star Trek – First Contact.”
- The Daily Planet’s Lombard’s crude innuendo to Lois should likely go over younger readers’ heads in terms of its sexual inference.
- In Clark & Cat’s one-page scene, Cat’s cosmetic enhancements are prominently displayed. Though well-played, this hilarious gag sequence is adult humor only.
Action Comics # 866 is a stellar Superman adventure packed with iconic Christopher Reeve-esque images as the Man of Steel. However, some questionable content makes it inappropriate for kids.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Written by Michael Siglain, the DC Nation column heralds the supposed brilliance behind Grant Morrison’s Final Crisis. The column also shills for the upcoming 12-part Batman – Gotham After Midnight maxi-series.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
Note: The complete storyline is available in both hardcover and trade paperback form.
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
