Review of Action Comics #961

First Look Review for Action Comics #961

The Path of Doom continues and the count of heroes goes up as we see evidence that Super Woman has taken a hand in this issue. Once again though, we’ve got a new artist for this issue and I’m wondering if this’ll be the plan, to swap artists every couple of issues. In any case, the style still works for me but it is noticeable that things are different.

As things move forward in this issue we kinda start to see a separation of the characters with Lex and Clark trying to resolve things in the city, Wonder Woman and Superman dealing with Doomsday in the country, and Lois and Jonathan eventually hanging out in space. It’s a pretty good issue that keeps the story moving and adds some new questions to be resolved.

Action Comics #961

Path of Doom, Part Five by Dan Jurgens and Stephen Segovia. Published by DC Comics, 2016.
In the last issue, Wonder Woman joined to fight and Doomsday heard Jonathan back at the farm. Enraged at another Kryptonian nearby, he engaged his hunting instincts…he was gonna find this new target. With him on his way upstate, the heroes had a few moments to discuss the beast’s origins before they flew up to stop him. At least Wonder Woman and Superman headed to cut off the monster…

Metropolis

Lex and Clark remained in the city. Clark, mostly because he was just a human who couldn’t fly or get upstate quickly and Lex because he needed to help out “his” city. As Lex tried to help people get out of the disaster zone, Clark kinda provided cheerleading. He did find a strange flying craft that turned out to be the cage that was carrying Doomsday before he was set loose on the city. The two also witness Super Woman’s entrance onto the scene as she saves some people from falling debris.

Upstate

Meanwhile, Superman and Wonder Woman continue the fight in the country. They’ve successfully moved the beast away from people and while Wonder Woman can hold her own against the monster, both Superman and she have a tough time with the creature. In one impressive set of panels, as Doomsday grapples with Superman using Diana’s lasso, Jonathan busts out his heat vision and briefly joins the fight. He’s worried for his dad and wants to do anything he can to help.

Turning Point

Superman is more worried about Jonathan though and he tasks Wonder Woman with taking him and Lois to the one place they may actually be safe. As she transports them to the Watchtower, Superman starts to worry that history might repeat itself. His last battle with Doomsday ended with both of them dead and this time around, while Clark has built a strategy based on previous fights, he’s still struggling at the edges of his ability. With a major blow, Superman needs some kind of a breather for a bit and as Doomsday presses his advantage, another force enters the battle. Mr. Oz sent his minions into the fray to immobilize the beast. Did he set this whole thing up to test the heroes and then save the day? Is he just showing how powerful he is? Or did he just decide to help out Superman? I’m sure we’ll find out more as the story continues but for now his motives are a mystery.

You can find first looks at other issues in this title linked in my January Reading List.
I rate this issue a B-.

This comic can be found on Comixology or at your local comic book shop.