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Of Embassies and Origins - Justice League International Part 2 (Eaglemoss Collection v77)

  Review: Since we are doing a series of reviews focusing on Booster Gold over his nearly 40-year history, we include this one as a collection of some of his earliest appearances, dating to late 1987. That places the original publish date of these tales while his original solo series was still going strong.  This book is a beautiful, glossy hard-cover with smooth and heavy-stock paper inside, although the sometimes-low print reproduction quality leads to blurred and hard to read word balloons on occasion. It is also a rare book here in North America, as Eaglemoss Collections targeted UK fans with this series. At this point in the history of the 1987-rebooted Justice League, they have gained official United Nations recognition and sanction. To ensure their reach truly is global, they rebrand as Justice League International (as does the title of the series!) and they open new headquarters buildings around the world: New York, Paris and Moscow are included here. As this is a product of 19
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More Friends than Enemies - Superman Action Comics vol 9 Last Rites

 

Cover of Action Comics v9

Review:

Relationships are always key. To life. To good stories. And to this unexpectedly strong collection of Action Comics stories. It collects the final issues of this ongoing series, #48-52, before another restart returned it to its original numbering.

With the awful Truth storyline dominating the Superman books at this time, these five chapters turn away from anger and vigilantism to relationships and their centrality to who Superman is at heart.

There's Wonder Woman and their romance and strained partnership. The trust and respect between Batman and Superman get strong play. Clark's friends are many. Countless Superman supporters in Metropolis and around the world also factor into these stories.

Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder co-write the epic three-part Vandal Savage story. It's filled with high drama, violent conflict and shocking, costly decisions. But it is the human relationships and interactions that make this worth reading. The manipulative parent-child relationship between Vandal Savage and his children. Wonder Woman's affection for Clark's smile. The subtle fist bump of two exhausted everyman fighters amidst the chaotic battles in Metropolis. From these small touches, Pak and Kuder build a strong, towering, sweet, absorbing tale.

The ferocity of Kuder's art makes this as much a visual treat as a touching story. Reds and Blues dominate the color palate, and the layout drives the action as it jumps from panel to panel and page to page.

Peter J. Tomasi ratchets up the relationship angle even further in his two postscript chapters. Superman and Supergirl wrestle with and work through some tensions in their relationship. The sweet tenderness of Diana and the simple act of handholding helps power her appearance. The respectful compassion of Batman seems out of character with the Dark Knight's stereotypes, yet faced with the weakened state of Superman their partnership proves layered and complex. And don't forget relational tensions, they appear in the interactions with Lois Lane and Solar Superman, among other facets of these nuanced tales. So many revelations packed into these pages! A highly recommended wrap-up to the New 52 Action Comics series! 


Description:

The acclaimed creative duo of Greg Pak (BATMAN/SUPERMAN) and Aaron Kuder (GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS), plus fan-favorite scribe Peter J. Tomasi (SUPERMAN), usher in the Man of Steel’s final days in SUPERMAN: ACTION COMICS VOL. 9: LAST RITES.

Superman’s downfall, impossible as it seems, has come at the hands of Vandal Savage. After eons of seeking a method to draw back to Earth the meteor that granted him immortality, Savage has discovered he can realize that goal by tapping into the Man of Steel’s super-abilities, and in turn the combined might of the Justice League.

With the Last Son of Krypton powerless to stop him, the immortal is primed to recall the comet that granted him eternal power. And as it nears Earth, it also awakens Savage’s genetic signature within members of the world’s unsuspecting populace. Literally growing mad with power, Savage’s progeny will stop at nothing to ensure their patriarch succeeds.

Superman’s salvation—and Earth’s—may lie in the one substance that’s lethal to the Man of Steel. Should he use it and somehow defeat Savage, one thing will be certain: regardless of the outcome, Superman as the world knows him will be no more.

Collects: issues #48-52

Authors: Greg Pak, Aaron Kuder, Peter J. Tomasi 
Artists: Aaron Kuder, Rafa Sandoval, Paul Pelletier, Dale Eaglesham, Scot Eaton
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: June 13 2017
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 978-1401274108
Pages: 152 pages


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