"Action Comics" Comic Book Index
2021
Action Comics #1027
Cover date: January 2021
"The House of Kent" - Epilogue
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
As Supergirl rescues an unconscious Superman, the Superboys and Brainiac 5 attempt to trap the Red Cloud. Those in the Daily Planet building are looking for a safe place to go while Marisol Leone makes her escape. Red Cloud then finds herself in the Phantom Zone with the Super Family where she is given a choice. She can either go to prison or remain trapped in the Phantom Zone. Either way, she must pay her debt to society for all the death and pain she has caused. At the Metropolis F.B.I. offices, Agent Chase asks Lois how she got her information for her Invisible Mafia stories in spite of the need to protect sources. Now both women ponder where Leone ran off to. Lois recalls being accused of being from another Earth, leaving her to realize that Marisol Leone is actually from a parallel universe. She can travel from one dimension to another. This explains how the Parasite who killed another Superman came to this Metropolis. Meanwhile, Robinson Goode is in prison as Leone plans her next move elsewhere. With Leone's disappearance, the F.B.I.'s investigation of the Daily Planet is closed, and the newspaper has a new owner. It's someone nobody would ever expect.
Action Comics #1028
Cover date: February 2021
"Micro Hopes"
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
In Metropolis, the Daily Planet staff and the House of Kent are taking a breather while preparing for the next chapter of their lives. Conner Kent has learned he may lose his abilities with time, but he is a new discovery since the multiverse rebooted, and that could possibly change. In the meantime, Clark's parents take him in. Jon Kent helps Clark help those in need after the recent Invisible Mafia conflict. Jon recounts his experiences with the Legion of Super-Heroes and his relationship with Saturn Girl. Upon his return to the 31st Century Lois and Clark go to the Daily Planet staff meeting for their next assignments.
NOTE: FUTURE STATE - The triumphant victory of our heroes saved all reality from the brink of destruction and shook loose the very fabric of space and time. From the ashes of "Death Metal" rose new life for the infinite multiverse and gave us glimpses into the possible unwritten world of tomorrow. This 2-month event (catalogued in the "Specials" section of the Comic Book Index) in some ways ended the "Rebirth" era, launching in to the "Infinite Frontier" era.
Action Comics #1029
Cover date: May 2021
"The Golden Age" - Part 2/"The Passenger" - Part One
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson/Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad
Penciller: Phil Hester/Michael Avon Oeming
Inker: Eric Gapstur/Michael Avon Oeming
Clark and Jon have been fighting the aliens coming out of the dimensional rift opened by S.T.A.R. Labs. Amanda Waller has been using these battles to test the effects on Superman, who seems more vulnerable to these creatures' attacks than his son. Clark intends to have a serious talk with S.T.A.R. Labs and Waller. Jon fears that this will be the mission in which his father will die even if 31st Century historical records are unclear. However, Clark knows that there comes a time when every child must see their parents' fall. Jon must step out of Clark's shadow, but Superman will always be a part of Superboy's life. Meanwhile, Mongul and his minions are monitoring the Kents' tussle with the insect-like aliens. He knows Superman is dying. Yet, the cause is unclear. In spite of this and Jon Kent being immune to these monsters' melees, Mongul still believes Superman is a greater threat to his plans./From a possible future, Midnighter comes to the present to clean up the streets of Metropolis. With a supercomputer in his head, he's taking out bad guys and leaving a body count. The A.I. is communicating mentally with Midnighter. His vocal outbursts worry his love Apollo. That love may not last long if Midnighter listens to the supercomputer's suggestions, for it feels the vigilante should purge the impediment of emotions. Apollo wonders if Midnighter is okay after hearing angered responses from the next room.
Action Comics #1030
Cover date: June 2021
"Warworld Rising" - Part One/"The Passenger" - Part Two
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson/Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad
Penciller: Daniel Sampere/Michael Avon Oeming
Inker: Daniel Sampere/Michael Avon Oeming
As a mysterious stranger promises a gift to Warworld's Mongul, Batman is worried. Clark's power levels are diminishing, he's still able to use his abilities to save the multiverse. Lois knows her husband will overcome the odds. In spite of this, it may be time for Jon Kent to take his father's place. However, the Kent men may not have time to discuss the future. Warworld ships arrive on Earth. That's not the only surprise. Superman hears a prayer he remembers reading spoken in Kryptonian. Are some gladiator slaves survivors of Superman's birth world?/Midnighter has assured Apollo he is okay. He just must accomplish his mission. Trojan, whose future self occupies the A.I. in Midnighter's head, has been performing cruel experiments to see if the mind can transcend the body. Midnighter is preparing to assassinate Trojan, who will become a powerful villain while at the same time living in Midnighter's head.
Action Comics #1031
Cover date: June 2021
"Warworld Rising" - Part Two/"The Passenger" - Part Three
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson/Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad
Penciller: Daniel Sampere/Michael Avon Oeming
Inker: Daniel Sampere/Michael Avon Oeming
"Thalkis Help Us!" Refugees from Warworld with Superman's family sigil burned on to their flesh have said this in Falkiri, a long-dead version of the Kryptonian language. The Man of Steel's quest for answers takes him to Atlantis where the escapees' ship crashed. He finds a stone that could be made of the same material as the Source and a large prisoner who wishes to fight him. Jon Kent, who storms out of the Fortress, believes the arrival of these people is a trap set by Mongul. He may be right as we witness the leader of Warworld burning Superman's S shield on the chest of someone in chains./Midnighter wants to kill young Andrej Trojan, the same person who occupies the artificial intelligence in his head, in order to prevent his technology to arrive on Warworld. The present day Trojan is trying to reverse engineer the Mother Box taken from his captive Mister Miracle. Can the world's most famous escape artist escape Trojan's trap before he unlocks Mother Box's secrets?
Action Comics #1032
Cover date: August 2021
"Warworld Rising" - Part Three/"The Passenger" - Part Four
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson/Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad
Penciller: Daniel Sampere/Michael Avon Oeming
Inker: Daniel Sampere/Michael Avon Oeming
Phaelosians are a colony of shunned fringe scientist Kryptonians who left Krypton thousands of years ago. They could very well have been taken to Warworld. Some of these refugees, including a woman named Thao-La are in Superman's Fortress with his S-shield burned into their skin as they wonder where Kal-El was and why he didn't rescue them. That is a question the Last Son of Krypton often asks when he cannot save someone. As his guest is left with Lois, Superman goes to seek the Justice League's aid. He must help Aquaman fight gigantic creatures in the process. Upon entering one's mouth, the Man of Steel discovers an illusion telling of someone awaiting him. The alien fragment currently in Atlantis is the cause of it and the monsters' mutation. Steve Trevor wants the piece for the United States government. Yet, that would be considered an act of war by Atlantis. Superman has had no success in convincing either party that neither of them can contain the object's power./Midnighter tries to send a message to his future self on Warworld as Trojan Solutions comes one step closer to success, Meanwhile, Mister Miracle is planning his escape. He just needs to time it correctly.
Action Comics Annual 2021 #1
Cover date: 2021
"Tales of The House of El"
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Penciller: Siya Oum and Scott Godlewski
Inker: Siya Oum and Scott Godlewski
In a future time, children on Warworld secretly hear a tale of another future where the House of El welcomes a new family member. Phaelosian Warmaster Khan and Kryptonian Valkyrie of the Warworld Engines and Alura Van-El, Kara Zor-El's niece, are about to marry. Khan gives his sword to the House of El and his blood to Alura. Then, as per Phaelosian tradition, he must combat one of the House of El's family members. Pyrrhos, fallen son of Superman who killed Darkseid and took over as ruler of Apokolips, accepts Khan's challenge, but his means of fighting meant sending many from the House of El to the Phantom Zone. There they find Henry Henshaw, the destroyer of Coast City who is better known as the Cyborg Superman. Henshaw has helped Brandon Kent, Khan, Brainiac 4 and the others while Pyrrhos holds Kara prisoner. The latest line in the House of El is saved many times over by the Cyborg Superman. However, he merely used them to active a Mother Box belonging to the dead Mister Miracle, who was murdered by Henshaw. Kara, meanwhile, looks to a metal model of Kal-El, the same one as child's toy in the beginning of the story, for hope. As if to answer her, Brandon Kent and those stranded in the Phantom Zone return with Hank Henshaw, who is pardoned by Kara. The Cyborg Superman leaves, but we may not have seen the last of him or Pyrrhos, who has returned to Apokolips. The wedding of Khan and Alura goes on without any problems. Brandon's son Ronan takes over as Earth's Superman. He and his sister, the Blue Lantern Rowan Kent, defended the universe while Brandon trained daughter Theand'r to one day become Superwoman. More stories will entertain Warworld's children another day. Yet, little Thao-La wonders how her Superman toy came into Kara Zor-El's possession. That is but another tale for another time.
Action Comics #1033
Cover date: September 2021
"Warworld Rising" - Part Four/"The Passenger" - Part Five
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson/Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad
Penciller: Daniel Sampere/Michael Avon Oeming
Inker: Daniel Sampere/Michael Avon Oeming
As two Phaelosians remain in a coma and Lois tries to gain Thao-La's trust, Task Force X agents attempt to steal the Genesis Fragment from Atlantis. Superman, his family and the Justice League must defuse the situation as Atlantis and the United States prepare for war. Meanwhile, Mongul has sent a warrior to get Thao-La. However, he didn't count on the Phaelosian gaining superhuman powers and Lois Lane protecting her like she is family./Midnighter has freed Mister Miracle from Trojan Solutions trap. However, they may not have a chance to fully escape because Acolytes are blocking their path. If they are to leave Trojan Solutions alive, Mister Miracle and Midnighter will need everything at their disposal and, well, a miracle.
Action Comics #1034
Cover date: October 2021
"Warworld Rising" - Part Five/"The Passenger" - Part Six
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson/Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad
Penciller: Christian Duce/Michael Avon Oeming
Inker: Christian Duce/Michael Avon Oeming
Desperate to end the fighting between Atlantis and the United States military, Superman takes the Warworld fragment. This may not be the best coarse of action, but Clark, Kara and Jon don't have time to ponder this decision. Thao-La has killed those who invaded Kal-El's Fortress, and she's about to reluctantly do the same to Lois and fight the Man of Steel and his family./Midnighter and Mister Miracle have made short work of Andrej Trojan's cult. However the artificial intelligence that Trojan becomes is still in Midnighter's head. Apollo is about to arrive to assist Midnighter and Mister Miracle.
Action Comics #1035
Cover date: November 2021
"Warworld Rising" - Part Six/"Tales of Metropolis: The Guardian"
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson/Sean Lewis
Penciller: Daniel Sampere/Sami Basri
Inker: Daniel Sampere/Sami Basri
Thao-La has been electrocuted by Mongul. Superman has made a promise to her to free all the slaves of Warworld. To do that he must go to Warworld with a new team while the Justice League protects Earth. Batman knows of this team and will learn more [in the upcoming Batman/Superman: Authority Special #1]. Meanwhile, Jon Kent has big shoes to fill as he is about to be the new Superman on Earth. Yet, Kal-El knows he'll be back because, as he says to Lois as they say goodbye, his love for his family is the strongest thing ever./Jimmy Olsen and Guardian must battle Dismember, a demon who imprisons young people in shards of the digital cloud to feed on their souls. Guardian takes the direct approach fighting the creature in the abandoned Metropolis Cathedral. However, he and Jimmy will need to find a means of freeing his victims.
Action Comics Comic Book Index
Introduction
Here is a listing of the regular Action Comics title since the 2016 Rebirth saga that started a new era for the DC Universe of comic books. For accuracy almost every entry is based upon actually looking in the issue, and not memory or another source.This listing is done in the order for when a comic book issue was published.
Note: Remember, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic was on sale.
The Writer, Penciller and Inker for each issue is listed under the Comic's Title and Date.
CONTENTS:
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024Back to Comic Book Index Contents Page.
You can read reviews of all the Superman related comics (from October 1999 onwards) in the Mild Mannered Reviews section of this website.