A thrilling Superman tale bound to be a classic

Every life has a turning point. It’s a kind of seemingly cliched conventional wisdom in storytelling that life is in fact a series of tipping points and any one of them can change and shape what we become. But while the idea of ​​how any moment can be a turning point is a bit cliched, in the hands of writers Philip Kennedy Johnson and Cie Spurier this week Action Comics 2022 Annual It is one of simplicity and strength that provides a solid foundation for what may ever be a classic Superman tale.

In this issue, readers are taken back to the childhoods of both Clark Kent and the current Mongol. The two stories don’t care about any illusions. Readers know from the jump that they are getting a first-hand comparison between the two men and how one formative experience set them on the path to becoming who they are both today. work comics a story. In Clarke’s story, he deals with a young bully, Caleb, while young Mongol deals with a real struggle for survival on the day of his execution. Both young men have mothers to guide them – and it’s no spoiler to suggest that their mothers’ advice is startlingly different.

What Johnson and Spurrier do well with these stories is to make the smaller versions of Clarke and Mongol not quite what you’d expect. Clarke yearns to fight back against a bully and childish revenge when his mother is insulted, while Mongol is a kind soul who doesn’t want to cause harm and actually wants to protect her. Ultimately, Clarke is advised by his mother to be kind and compassionate while trying it hard for Mongol. It’s to be expected, yes, but there is elegance to how the stories are told, with Mongol in particular bringing some heartbreaking tragedy.

But perhaps the best thing done in this case is less directly related to Clark and Mongol, but rather to Caleb instead. Mongol would not have emerged from his childhood unscathed. Even if he hadn’t hardened, he would have died while Clark, largely because of good parenting, would always be a good person. Caleb’s fate is uncertain and it is his own that speaks more to the idea of ​​tipping points, but more specifically to Superman – to Clark Kent – the true strength: empathy.

Enhancing these well-designed tales is some truly poignant artwork. Dale Eaglesham and Ian Churchill build interesting worlds for both Clark and Mongul guys, and Lee Loughride’s color keeps them warm and cool at the same time. There is real emotion in the images and colors on these pages, especially in the Mongol part of the story.

As a whole, Action Comics 2022 Annual It employs the idea of ​​how one moment in life can shape everything else in a way that, while not entirely groundbreaking, is so well-written and illustrated that it elevates an ordinary story to a classic level, providing new insight into a lovable character, embodying a new antagonist, and reminding readers By the great power we all have in the compassion and care we share with others.

Posted by DC Comics

on me May 31, 2022

written by Philip Kennedy Johnson and Si Spurier

art through Dale Eaglesham and Ian Churchill

Colors Lee Logridge

Messages by Dave Sharp

cover by Francesco Francavilla

.

[ad_2]

Related posts

Leave a Comment