Action Comics had a pretty strong start in the first volume, but will the comic stay epic? Well, this one is definitely a lot more confusing and it isn’t meant as a casual read.

The stories aren’t very linear in this comic and we keep jumping from the present to the future and to the past. That would definitely be my main problem with the comic since I don’t think this plot needed to be so complicated. Since the plot points are jumping around the whole time, I’ll mention the main ones, but they may not be in complete order.

The big plot for the comic and definitely the most interesting part was the arrival of Captain Comet! To be honest, I didn’t even know that this guy was the New 52 version of Captain Comet, but it’s a pretty cool move on the writer’s part. He has a pretty cool design and his fight with Superman is a nice way to get the ball rolling. You will have to suspend your disbelief for a while since we all know that Superman is vastly superior to Captain Comet, but it’s all right.

Captain Comet is mumbling about how Earth is on the planetary death list. It was mentioned in volume 1 as well and Superman has done some thinking on the problem. It would seem that Earth is one of many planets that is doomed. Captain Comet is essentially a mutant and aliens helped him to elevate his powers. Lois Lane happens to be related to someone who also has latent potential inside of her. Superman defends her and Captain Comet is forced to make a hasty retreat. Still, I doubt that we’ve seen the last of him!

The K-Man also attacks and he deals some pretty heavy damage to Superman. Since he emits Kryptonite energy from his body, his attacks do some real damage to Superman. Steel comes in to help and Superman puts on a lead suit so that he can block the Kryptonite. K-Man puts up a pretty decent fight, but few people are able to take Superman down for the count. This plot was pretty short and only lasted for a comic or two, but the fight was decently long.

On a side note, Clark Kent died in the comic. Without a secret identity, maybe Superman will have more time to do good in the world. It seems to work for a while, but he can’t be Superman 24/7 can he? There are a lot of risks involved when you get rid of your secret identity, but I believe that Superman made the right choice. (Despite what Batman ends up saying) The other Justice League members appear as well, but they don’t look so good.

It brings up the old argument that I may have already stated in other reviews, but I shall do so again. Superman proposes that they end a dispute in this far away country and help the people. After all, dictators should be stopped right? Diplomatic Immunity shouldn’t work against superheroes. The Justice League tells Superman that he should forget about it and they’ll just stick to fighting aliens. When did the Justice League start acting like the Avengers? I’ll never agree with them on that point. If there is an evil dictator enslaving the people, then it’s their job to stop it. They shouldn’t care about what the government may think.

There is also a subplot that pops up once in a while. On another Earth, there is a Superman who also happens to be the President of the USA. This Superman isn’t afraid to mess with politics and he gets rid of the opposing nukes. He also has pals in the Justice League and they seem to be reasonable. Things get dicey for Superman when a portal opens and Lois comes through. The Superman of her world was just murdered and the guy who did it is still following her. Moments later, Superdoom appears!

I’ll say that this plot was extremely epic and there’s a lot that they can do with this. Superdoom is essentially a “Doomsday” opponent. He learns and adapts as he fights and he’s already destroyed many Supermen. His abilities are not to be underestimated and he actually gains the upper hand against this Superman. There are two things that you need to consider with this plot point.

Will Superdoom escape his imprisonment and go to the New 52 Earth? If so, that could pave the way for a really interesting arc. Assuming that he’s adapted and gotten even stronger, will the Justice League be a match for him? Either way, the battle would definitely be a lot of fun and I can’t wait until he returns.

As for the Superman president, what will happen to him? I doubt that he was introduced and will never appear again. I’m thinking that they may pull an Injustice League or Justice Lords type of scenario. We did just get the Crime Syndicate in Forever Evil, which may lower the chances of that. Still, the President definitely needs to return and his Justice League as pretty cool.

No matter what happens, I have really high hopes for the series. This volume of comics was pretty solid and continues the high quality of the series. Superman is my favorite comic book character and I’m glad that they’re doing him justice in the comic. (It makes up for the fact that Lex doesn’t get as much screentime in this comic) After all, we saw his battle against the Hunter right? I did not mention it since it’s a minor subplot, but this guy wants to destroy Superman..and he’s got a shotgun! This guy is definitely ambitious, but I somehow don’t think that a gun will be enough to stop a bulletproof man. Then again…this guy claims that Superman isn’t bulletproof so…….this guy’s obviously an intellectual! I highly recommend checking out this comic and while parts of it can be confusing if you speed through the comic, just take the time to read them carefully and you’ll be all right.

Overall 7/10