Time for more Superman y'all. This week we are covering another volume two. I am excited to cover Action Comics Volume 2: Welcome to the Planet. This is a little bit of a shorter volume, containing issues #963-966, but it is Superman and a lot of stuff is happening, so I am going to break this into two parts. If you want to read about Superman fighting Doomsday, check out my recap of Action Comics Volume 1 here. Let's get into this recap and see if we can't figure out who the heck this other Clark Kent is.
Superman, Meet Clark Kent, Part 1: Clark Kent is running down a hall, lamenting the fact that no one believes he is who he claims to be. He also seems to be rocking a cast on his arm. Clark is confronted by a guard wearing a badge that says Geneticron (this is the place that Doomsday was stolen from back in issue #957). They get in a fight and the injured Clark does pretty well taking the guy down. Note: This is not Superman, this is the weird mystery Clark. He is looking for a big story. While climbing some stairs, another guard appears and starts shooting at Clark.
Flashing back to earlier in the day, Perry and Clark are backstage at a press conference that Lex is about to hold. Perry is having a hard time believing that Clark is legit (everyone knew that Clark Kent was Superman and many saw Superman die. They also all saw a new Superman show up and fight Doomsday.) Clark keeps trying to reassure Perry that he is who he claims to be.
Lex begins his speech (remember he is now the owner of the Daily Planet). He is discussing the events that revealed that Superman and Clark Kent are both alive and well and are for sure two different people. Many people in the crowd are unhappy and torn. Clark walks out to people yelling things like, "Take off those glasses" and "Fly for us..." In their home upstate the Kent family is watching the press conference. They are all shocked at how he is identical looking to the 'real' Clark.
In the very agitated crowd we see Captain Maggie Sawyer radioing her team to keep things tight. Human Clark begins to explain that he was investigating Geneticron and Superman came to him and told him to go into hiding. Before Clark can say anymore a man from the crowd pulls out a gun ready to prove Clark is Superman. Maggie tackles the gunman and Lex warns Clark in time to move him to safety. No one believes the story that this Clark is telling.
Back in the stairway, the guard is about to take Clark out, but this human Clark is pretty resourceful. He knocks the guard out with a fire extinguisher and continues on his mission to find a story.
We flashback to just after the shooting at the press conference. Clark is in Perry's office being fit to take a lie detector test. He is asked many questions about where he grew up and if he ever claimed to be Superman. This Clark is 100% being truthful when he claims to have no powers. This is enough to convince Perry, who apologizes for doubting Clark. Perry asks about Lois, but Clark hasn't spoken to her yet, but figures she won't be happy that she was manipulated into writing the story exposing Clark. Perry then asks what is next for Clark. Clark wants to finish the story he started, investigating Geneticron.
Human Clark makes it to the roof. He is narrating about all the things he had heard about Geneticron. They were up to a lot of shady things and tonight he is going to break this story.
Another flashback to earlier in the afternoon, Jimmy Olsen is asking Clark if he is sure about continuing this investigation as they walk up to the Geneticron building. Clark is a reporter and this is his story. (There is a bearded gentleman eavesdropping on Jimmy and Clark, he was also at the press conference earlier.) Jimmy remembers the building and that last time he was there was when new Superman and human Clark first showed up on the scene. Jimmy also has access to the Planet's rooftop security cameras (of course he does). He shows Clark footage of Superman and Batman chatting and he recognizes the lie detector case Batman is holding as the one that was used to test him earlier on in the day. Jimmy wonders why Batman was testing Clark. (Duh, because there is no way this Clark is legit, but he did pass the test.)
Inside the Geneticron, Clark tries to speak with the CEO. He gets to for about two seconds, but is quickly shut down. The CEO tells Clark he has never talked to him and that there is no record of Clark even asking for an interview before today. The CEO (who I am pretty sure doesn't get a name) tells Jimmy and Clark to get out or be sued. Clark takes this as a sign to sneak into the bathroom and then the vent shaft. Him jumping out of the vent shaft and being confronted by a guard, takes us back to the beginning of this issue.
In the now (sorry, the timeline on this issue is really back and forth) a guard catches up with Clark and punches him real hard. He is then somehow strong enough to lift Clark up and throw him off the roof. Of course Superman is there to catch him. From the ground beard guy goes, "Hmm" (I think this is Batman keeping an eye on things). It is time for Superman and Clark to talk.
Superman, Meet Clark Kent, Part 2: Poor human Clark is freezing. Superman has taken Clark to the Himalayan fortress because he thought that maybe this Clark was the man known as this Earth's Superman brought back to life somehow. The more time he spends with him the less likely that seems.
Superman asks his AI to bring him a gift he got from a telepath that he saved. His AI calls it the Globe of Revelation. While the AI is off getting it, Clark gets pretty defensive. He wants to know why they are not dealing with the guys who just tried to kill him. Superman agrees that the guards went too far, but that right now they need to wait and see what the Globe reveals.
Now Clark is tired and bummed that no one believes him. Superman can tell that the broken arm is real and that this fake Clark appears to be human. The AI arrives with the Globe and Clark is nervous about it. Superman explains that the Globe finds a person's deepest memories and their honest feelings. Clark is still unsure but eventually reaches out and touches the Globe.
Back at Geneticron a guy is looking around the docks for Kent, but gives an all clear. He is then immediately incapacitated by that bearded guy (okay, maybe he isn't Batman) who then plants some kind of bomb looking devise (we do not see what happens just yet).
At the Himalayan fortress we get to see all of Clark's memories. They are close to Superman's but with small changes. His parents died when their house blew up due to a gas leak. Then he was adopted by the Kents, grew up in Smallville, grew up then moved to Metropolis to work at the Daily Planet. Next, we get the story of Superman taking Clark into hiding (up in the Rockies, woot!) until they could figure out how to take down Geneticron. The Superman this Clark knew got sick and then stopped coming. So Clark headed back to Metropolis.
Once all the memories are revealed, Superman is even more confused. The memories are real or at least this Clark believes they are. Now Clark wants answers, why wont Superman accept that he is Clark Kent? Superman can't properly answer him and Clark can tell he is older than the Superman he knew. Finally Superman settles on saying he is Superman and he came from far away, just like the other Superman.
Supes can't tell Clark what to write, but he hopes that Clark will tell the people that he is here to help and hopes that the people will trust him like they used to trust the other Superman. Then he gives Clark a watch that will call to him if Clark ever needs help. The AI interrupts to show Superman that Geneticron was holding Doomsday and at least one other unknown being. Clark feels vindicated and Superman knows they need to get back to Metropolis.
When they get back, the entire Geneticron building is gone. Jimmy is there to tell Superman and Clark that some early employees were about to go to work, only for the building to just disappear in a flash of light. (Guessing the bomb thing beard guy planted someone moved the building.)
The next few pages are a story written by Clark Kent about his day with Superman. The story is intercut with images of people reading it. Clark explains that the Superman they knew was dead and this new Superman is here to help. We see Superman arrive home. He shows Lois and Jon a secret staircase from their basement to a cool looking track with a motorcycle looking car on it. It is a quick escape route that will take them about a mile from the house in the woods.
The beard guy from before walks into what could be an apartment or hotel room, but inside is a rip in space revealing death? (Super death?)
Thoughts: I am going to wrap up this post here. It was too hard to cut back on the details so next week you can look forward to a fun Lois Lane post. I do not like this mystery Clark Kent. I don't think he is evil, but it really makes everything super confusing. I can only assume this story will eventually clean itself up.
I didn't talk about the writer or artists in my first Action Comics post so I am going to talk about them now. The writer for the first few volumes of this Action Comics run is Dan Jurgens, a long time DC writer who has been working on Superman stories for a long time. There are a few artists who seem to be taking turns drawing for this run. The first is Patch Zircher the artist for issues #957 & #958 as well as #963 & #964. Next is Tyler Kirkham the artist for issues #959 & #960. Lastly is Stephen Segovia the artist for issues #961 & #962 as well as #965 & #966 (will see these two in part two). If you want to see what any of these awesome people are up to, give their names a click to check out their Twitter links.
Look forward to part two on Friday where we will catch up with Lois Lane and I'll share my favorite line and the best cover from this volume.
Last Week: Aquaman Volume 2: Black Manta Rising, Part 3
Next Post: Action Comics Volume 2: Welcome to the Planet, Part 2
Note: All images belong to DC™
Superman, Meet Clark Kent, Part 1: Clark Kent is running down a hall, lamenting the fact that no one believes he is who he claims to be. He also seems to be rocking a cast on his arm. Clark is confronted by a guard wearing a badge that says Geneticron (this is the place that Doomsday was stolen from back in issue #957). They get in a fight and the injured Clark does pretty well taking the guy down. Note: This is not Superman, this is the weird mystery Clark. He is looking for a big story. While climbing some stairs, another guard appears and starts shooting at Clark.
Flashing back to earlier in the day, Perry and Clark are backstage at a press conference that Lex is about to hold. Perry is having a hard time believing that Clark is legit (everyone knew that Clark Kent was Superman and many saw Superman die. They also all saw a new Superman show up and fight Doomsday.) Clark keeps trying to reassure Perry that he is who he claims to be.
Lex begins his speech (remember he is now the owner of the Daily Planet). He is discussing the events that revealed that Superman and Clark Kent are both alive and well and are for sure two different people. Many people in the crowd are unhappy and torn. Clark walks out to people yelling things like, "Take off those glasses" and "Fly for us..." In their home upstate the Kent family is watching the press conference. They are all shocked at how he is identical looking to the 'real' Clark.
In the very agitated crowd we see Captain Maggie Sawyer radioing her team to keep things tight. Human Clark begins to explain that he was investigating Geneticron and Superman came to him and told him to go into hiding. Before Clark can say anymore a man from the crowd pulls out a gun ready to prove Clark is Superman. Maggie tackles the gunman and Lex warns Clark in time to move him to safety. No one believes the story that this Clark is telling.
Back in the stairway, the guard is about to take Clark out, but this human Clark is pretty resourceful. He knocks the guard out with a fire extinguisher and continues on his mission to find a story.
We flashback to just after the shooting at the press conference. Clark is in Perry's office being fit to take a lie detector test. He is asked many questions about where he grew up and if he ever claimed to be Superman. This Clark is 100% being truthful when he claims to have no powers. This is enough to convince Perry, who apologizes for doubting Clark. Perry asks about Lois, but Clark hasn't spoken to her yet, but figures she won't be happy that she was manipulated into writing the story exposing Clark. Perry then asks what is next for Clark. Clark wants to finish the story he started, investigating Geneticron.
Human Clark makes it to the roof. He is narrating about all the things he had heard about Geneticron. They were up to a lot of shady things and tonight he is going to break this story.
Another flashback to earlier in the afternoon, Jimmy Olsen is asking Clark if he is sure about continuing this investigation as they walk up to the Geneticron building. Clark is a reporter and this is his story. (There is a bearded gentleman eavesdropping on Jimmy and Clark, he was also at the press conference earlier.) Jimmy remembers the building and that last time he was there was when new Superman and human Clark first showed up on the scene. Jimmy also has access to the Planet's rooftop security cameras (of course he does). He shows Clark footage of Superman and Batman chatting and he recognizes the lie detector case Batman is holding as the one that was used to test him earlier on in the day. Jimmy wonders why Batman was testing Clark. (Duh, because there is no way this Clark is legit, but he did pass the test.)
Inside the Geneticron, Clark tries to speak with the CEO. He gets to for about two seconds, but is quickly shut down. The CEO tells Clark he has never talked to him and that there is no record of Clark even asking for an interview before today. The CEO (who I am pretty sure doesn't get a name) tells Jimmy and Clark to get out or be sued. Clark takes this as a sign to sneak into the bathroom and then the vent shaft. Him jumping out of the vent shaft and being confronted by a guard, takes us back to the beginning of this issue.
In the now (sorry, the timeline on this issue is really back and forth) a guard catches up with Clark and punches him real hard. He is then somehow strong enough to lift Clark up and throw him off the roof. Of course Superman is there to catch him. From the ground beard guy goes, "Hmm" (I think this is Batman keeping an eye on things). It is time for Superman and Clark to talk.
Superman, Meet Clark Kent, Part 2: Poor human Clark is freezing. Superman has taken Clark to the Himalayan fortress because he thought that maybe this Clark was the man known as this Earth's Superman brought back to life somehow. The more time he spends with him the less likely that seems.
Superman asks his AI to bring him a gift he got from a telepath that he saved. His AI calls it the Globe of Revelation. While the AI is off getting it, Clark gets pretty defensive. He wants to know why they are not dealing with the guys who just tried to kill him. Superman agrees that the guards went too far, but that right now they need to wait and see what the Globe reveals.
Now Clark is tired and bummed that no one believes him. Superman can tell that the broken arm is real and that this fake Clark appears to be human. The AI arrives with the Globe and Clark is nervous about it. Superman explains that the Globe finds a person's deepest memories and their honest feelings. Clark is still unsure but eventually reaches out and touches the Globe.
Back at Geneticron a guy is looking around the docks for Kent, but gives an all clear. He is then immediately incapacitated by that bearded guy (okay, maybe he isn't Batman) who then plants some kind of bomb looking devise (we do not see what happens just yet).
At the Himalayan fortress we get to see all of Clark's memories. They are close to Superman's but with small changes. His parents died when their house blew up due to a gas leak. Then he was adopted by the Kents, grew up in Smallville, grew up then moved to Metropolis to work at the Daily Planet. Next, we get the story of Superman taking Clark into hiding (up in the Rockies, woot!) until they could figure out how to take down Geneticron. The Superman this Clark knew got sick and then stopped coming. So Clark headed back to Metropolis.
Once all the memories are revealed, Superman is even more confused. The memories are real or at least this Clark believes they are. Now Clark wants answers, why wont Superman accept that he is Clark Kent? Superman can't properly answer him and Clark can tell he is older than the Superman he knew. Finally Superman settles on saying he is Superman and he came from far away, just like the other Superman.
Supes can't tell Clark what to write, but he hopes that Clark will tell the people that he is here to help and hopes that the people will trust him like they used to trust the other Superman. Then he gives Clark a watch that will call to him if Clark ever needs help. The AI interrupts to show Superman that Geneticron was holding Doomsday and at least one other unknown being. Clark feels vindicated and Superman knows they need to get back to Metropolis.
When they get back, the entire Geneticron building is gone. Jimmy is there to tell Superman and Clark that some early employees were about to go to work, only for the building to just disappear in a flash of light. (Guessing the bomb thing beard guy planted someone moved the building.)
The next few pages are a story written by Clark Kent about his day with Superman. The story is intercut with images of people reading it. Clark explains that the Superman they knew was dead and this new Superman is here to help. We see Superman arrive home. He shows Lois and Jon a secret staircase from their basement to a cool looking track with a motorcycle looking car on it. It is a quick escape route that will take them about a mile from the house in the woods.
The beard guy from before walks into what could be an apartment or hotel room, but inside is a rip in space revealing death? (Super death?)
Thoughts: I am going to wrap up this post here. It was too hard to cut back on the details so next week you can look forward to a fun Lois Lane post. I do not like this mystery Clark Kent. I don't think he is evil, but it really makes everything super confusing. I can only assume this story will eventually clean itself up.
I didn't talk about the writer or artists in my first Action Comics post so I am going to talk about them now. The writer for the first few volumes of this Action Comics run is Dan Jurgens, a long time DC writer who has been working on Superman stories for a long time. There are a few artists who seem to be taking turns drawing for this run. The first is Patch Zircher the artist for issues #957 & #958 as well as #963 & #964. Next is Tyler Kirkham the artist for issues #959 & #960. Lastly is Stephen Segovia the artist for issues #961 & #962 as well as #965 & #966 (will see these two in part two). If you want to see what any of these awesome people are up to, give their names a click to check out their Twitter links.
Look forward to part two on Friday where we will catch up with Lois Lane and I'll share my favorite line and the best cover from this volume.
Last Week: Aquaman Volume 2: Black Manta Rising, Part 3
Next Post: Action Comics Volume 2: Welcome to the Planet, Part 2
Note: All images belong to DC™
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