Action Comics #864

One of those issues where I don't know if it's a jumping on point or not. Johns seems to have this thing for transition issues after a large arc that could work as a standalone but are tied up in the continuity of what just happened to make them too unfriendly to jump on at (see Alpha Lanterns between SCW and Secret Origin, for example)

Well, it's not the middle of an arc so if you're going to jump on this is as good a place as any.

ok...I'm jumping!

It sounds like Geoff Johns is starting his epic arc next issue

@cutty The last arc was pretty epic.

The last arc was awesome.  Not sure what to expect from the next arc, lately Supes stories are pretty poor, but I am putting my faith in Johns. 

Also, as long as Gary Frank is on the title, I will continue to pick this book up.  He draws the best Superman I've seen in a long time. 

I'm hoping that Frank handles the majority of the art.

well im not going to yell out loud "this book rules" but THIS BOOK RULES! I got so excited I farted and let off a wet one.

Considering I'm a huge fan of James Robinson's Starman series, I majorly geeked out about Starman mentioning becoming Danny Blaine.

Legion SQUEEEE!

Awww, this just brought a big old smile to my face. Silver Age nostalgia meets 21st century (what else?) action. The story has Lightning Lad (my, that fella just won't grow up!) dropping Superman off in the 21st century and staying for a reminisce in the Fortress of Solitude. They're sitting in the Interplanetary Zoo from the Silver Age, complete with Kryptonian Thought Beast, and swapping funny anecdotes. Batman turns up, and is understandably suspicious that this is the third version of the Legion he's met, and we're given actual issue numbers for the relevant comics (that's the Silver Age team in the JLA/JSA team-up from JLA 148-9; the Final Night meeting with the post-Zero Hour team; and the recent Brave & Bold run-in with the current rude kids).

So writer Geoff Johns wasn't kidding - everything is back in continuity, so far as he's concerned. This fact is underlined by the issue's mystery narrator - I guessed who that was pretty quickly (no, it's not the narrator from DC Universe 0!), but in case you're going to buy this book, I'll leave that a pleasure (hopefully, anyway) to be discovered. And if you're not buying the book, othe reviews will perhaps be less discrete!

The three heroes wind up in Gotham City, where the post-Countdown bodies of Karate Kid and Mono Maiden are found, courtesy of Mystery Narrator dumping them there. There's then a meeting with Legionnaire Star Boy aka Thom Kallor, currently the JSA's Starman, and a tad brain addled still. What's intriguing here is that, as I choose to read a comment from the narrator, he's not actually schizophrenic, as believed, just unable to deal with knowledge of the future given him by Dream Girl.

Then there's Thom's comment: 'But Karate Kid IS dead. AGAIN!' That's interesting, because the presence of Val Armorr in and beyond the Lightning Saga was pointed out by many readers as a sign that this ISN'T quite the original, Silver Age Legion grown up, as Val died in that continuity, courtesy of Nemesis Kid (well done NK, well done crispy Val). But now it seems that the apparent mistake was part of Geoff John's plan. I look forward to seeing where this goes next.

Thom also takes a step here towards becoming the Danny Blaine of the James Robinson Starman posited future, and gives Superman a piece of 'art' he's created, no doubt a clue to soemthing or other.

The characterisation is great throughout - Batman and Lightning Lad are intense in different ways, while Superman loves both his friends but accepts that there's no point trying to make them into drinking buddies.

Guest artist Joe Prado does a great job, tapping into his inner Gary Frank while showing off his own talent. Shame about Lightning Lad's appalling curtains haircut - the rest of his look is great, especially the tattoo.

The issue is rounded off by a terrific Kevin Maguire haircut - four books read and I think this will be my comic of the week.

Kevin Maguire haircut . . . er, I mean cover!

The new Wizard has an interview w/ SNL's Seth Meyers where he says he ran into Kevin Maguire in a bar and got him to sketch Blue Beetle for him.

I thought this book was great: Batman jealous like a school girl!

My all-time favorite book was Legion of Super-Heroes, and to have them back in the spotlight this year has made this collector of 33 years happy as a glass of Kono juice! For those who have never tried Legion, I think any back issue during the 1982-1989 era holds up well. And any complaint about too many characters...um, that's why it's called LEGION. I figured out who was who when I picked up my first issue in the 70s. ..and I was like 7.

@Mart - Great write-up; would have probably worked better in the review section!  :)

@Conor

 Thanks Conor - I'd have put it there but still can't see a button to post a review . . .  I can get to existing reviews, and post a comment there, but that's about it.

I sent a query to you guys to this effect about a week back, busy fellas!

this was a GREAT issue. i loved the last story arc with the LoSH!! this should prove to be an amazing issue and i can not wait for the next one!!

ps-LOVED the interaction between Lightning Lad and Batman

Right now I am busy with reading the google nemisis review. But I remember the time when I was a child and verything I knew were the action comics. I remember that I used to spend hours with my cousin reading them over and over again until we were bored, if we were!:))