Scan barcode
A review by bmaackreadscomics
Superman: Action Comics, Volume 3: At the End of Days by Chris Sprouse, Grant Morrison, Sholly Fisch, Travel Foreman, Brad Walker, Rags Morales
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It (almost) all comes together. Grant Morrison’s Action Comics Volume 1 felt like a bit of a mess, but he sure did pull off a wild story in the end. So much happens in these 6 issues it’s hard to describe.
5th Dimensional beings who treat our universe like a magic trick, time traveling superheroes trying to save Superman and consequentially the whole future, phantom zones and ghost dogs. This volume felt like a time portal to the sorts of pulp stories that existed in the early 1900’s.
My two main complaints across Morrison's “trilogy” here remain the same: Inconsistent artwork/conveyance of action and emotion, and a real lack of believable and relatable characters. Superman has all of these ideals that he stands for, but as the issues climb in number, Clark Kent becomes less and less important. So much time is spent in the comics constructing these insane other dimensions and clever plots that hardly any time at all is given to flesh out the characters as people. A new character will pop in, say who they are, and we’re supposed to just roll with it and keep moving.
Despite my gripes, this volume simultaneously captures what comics are all about: unbridled creativity. While the art may not be consistent, it’s really good in certain spots; shoutouts to Travel Foreman and Chris Sprouse. And the way that all of the many loose ends were tied up really does feel like a clever magic trick. It’s not perfect, and some of the resolutions will probably confuse me to my grave, but it’s entertaining and satisfying to see the majority of the puzzle pieces come together.
5th Dimensional beings who treat our universe like a magic trick, time traveling superheroes trying to save Superman and consequentially the whole future, phantom zones and ghost dogs. This volume felt like a time portal to the sorts of pulp stories that existed in the early 1900’s.
My two main complaints across Morrison's “trilogy” here remain the same: Inconsistent artwork/conveyance of action and emotion, and a real lack of believable and relatable characters. Superman has all of these ideals that he stands for, but as the issues climb in number, Clark Kent becomes less and less important. So much time is spent in the comics constructing these insane other dimensions and clever plots that hardly any time at all is given to flesh out the characters as people. A new character will pop in, say who they are, and we’re supposed to just roll with it and keep moving.
Despite my gripes, this volume simultaneously captures what comics are all about: unbridled creativity. While the art may not be consistent, it’s really good in certain spots; shoutouts to Travel Foreman and Chris Sprouse. And the way that all of the many loose ends were tied up really does feel like a clever magic trick. It’s not perfect, and some of the resolutions will probably confuse me to my grave, but it’s entertaining and satisfying to see the majority of the puzzle pieces come together.