Written by John Byrne
Art by John Byrne; Leonard Starr; Keith Williams; Tom Ziuko; & John Costanza
Cover Art by John Byrne
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics for February 1988, the post-Millennium issue is entitled “Visitor.” Seeking the truth re: Clark Kent’s mysterious past, Lois Lane explores Smallville for the first time. Not only is the Man of Steel already there, Lois soon meets Lana Lang and Clark’s parents.
To dispel Lois’ suspicions that Clark is really Superman, Jonathan & Martha Kent abruptly reveal that they had secretly raised the future Superman in Smallville with their infant son, Clark, as his surrogate ‘brother.’ Superman and Clark both subsequently fail in efforts to reconcile with Lois re: their conspiracy to deceive her, as Clark/Superman still won’t divulge his secret identity.
In a private chat, Lois is skeptical when Lana confides that Clark secretly loves her. Lois, with mixed emotions, wonders if Lana is actually Clark’s true love. During the Metropolis epilogue, as they both visit a hospitalized Jose Delgado, Lois disappointedly expresses her loss of trust in Superman.
Note: This issue continues a Byrne creative gaffe: Lois repeatedly mentions that she has known Clark for years. Yet, the reboot inconsistently implies that Clark/Superman’s public debut is far more recent (as in just months).
REVIEW:
Despite John Byrne’s assurance that the insipid cover image doesn’t occur, his storyline is frankly worse. Clearly, time hasn’t improved this Golden/Silver Age rehash of Lois during his Superman reboot project. During the Kents’ wildly implausible fib, readers should half-expect Lois to break the fourth wall and bitterly complain to readers: ‘Seriously? Do these people really think that I’m that stupid?’ Or a snarkier reply would be Lois asking the Kents if they would like a large fry and a Coke to go with their whopper. Yet, Byrne lets Lois gullibly swallow their supposed secret, as if a little investigative research on her part couldn’t easily disprove it.
The utter condescension shown to Lois by Clark/Superman, not to mention, her future in-laws, hits an all-time franchise low. Even a decent epilogue doesn’t mitigate Byrne’s waste of an intriguing opportunity to witness Smallville through Lois’ eyes. The issue’s fading visuals are still good, but the disappointing Action Comics # 597 isn’t a keeper.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a two-page “Re-Action Comics” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
