Action Comics: Grant Morrison, Ben Oliver, Brian Reber, Steve Wands, Rags Morales, Brad Anderson

Origin of the Species: Sholly Fisch, Cafu, Jay David Ramos, Dezi Sienty

The first Zero Issue out of the gate, and it’s a doozy. It already has leaps and bounds of a lead on the others. Go ahead and have that Superman pun.

There are so many touching, or moving scenes in this issue. Clark and Jimmy playing video games together (how Clark ever got the hang of those I’ll never know, but I like seeing this side of him), Clark putting in orders for his “S” shirt, the boy helping his brother/friend, and then of course the rescue at the end.

We also get a REALLY big hint at another upcoming Superman villain. Let’s just say certain premature thoughts about Mrs. Nyxly’s odd name did have some kind of credence.

The premise to this issue is that Clark gets knocked out by an RPG, and some kid comes along and takes his cape. It doesn’t take long for the child to figure out it’s indestructible, so he stands up to his abusive father and takes his little brother away to keep him safe, to run away together. I always cling to stories like that because I never had a brother, and always wanted one so desperately as a child. So this always tugs at my heart.

Meanwhile, Jimmy’s trying to get a respectable job at a respectable paper like the Daily Planet, but Perry doesn’t believe in his shots of Superman taking the RPG to the chest. Jimmy decides to introduce Lois to Clark, but that’s when they find the boys cornered on the train tracks by their drunk father.

And, of course, the kid in the cape gets stuck on the track as a train approaches. Believing in the cape’s abilities, he stands there…ready…waiting. Knowing he can’t be hurt….

Ben Oliver. I mean, what more do I need to say, right? I fell in love with his masterful work on Batwing, and I cried when he left the title. Well, not literally, but I could’ve if I really tried. Well, he’s back, and Superman has never looked better. I look at this issue, and suddenly feel like Morales’ issues are put to shame. And I love Rags’ take on the Man of Steel! Crazy!

Oh man, and then Sholly Fisch delivers yet another incredible back-up story at the end with the introduction of a metahuman simply called “Adam.” This kid was made the way he was by a comet, or probably Clark’s baby spaceship, that passed over rural Kansas. He has telekinetic powers, so far. And he talks to aliens about saving a list of doomed planets before zipping off in a beam of light.

I can’t help it…I really can’t. I can’t help but believe that this is the new Adam Strange. It’s the only explanation I can see. The guy that’s out there wanting to study Adam and the notes of the doctor who first studied Adam is named Erik Drekken. See, now we’re getting back to Action Comics #6! He was that giant monster Superman and the Legion were fighting together in the future! Now we have no choice but to believe Drekken’s continued research into this will cause his downfall, of course. But I like that we finally get an explanation to Erik in #6.

Action Comics #0, the verdict: We start out really strong with a heavy hitter, Superman. This was really, really great. The main story was incredibly moving, and I loved the resolution. I wasn’t sure what direction they were going to go with it…because there are two clear endings…happy or sad…and I’m pleased with the choice that was made. I expected Zero Month to sting a little bit with lower-quality entries, but I knew Action Comics would deliver with outstanding content. I just didn’t think it’d be this good.

(Photo Source: Newsarama)