There comes a time in every Grant Morrison story when you stop reading and you go, "Wait a minute, something's going on here." A little later, you usually say "Oh! So that's what it was all about!" Issue #5 represents the former for my experience with Morrison's run on Action Comics. There have certainly been many plainly marked pieces placed on the chess board earlier in the series, but, with Morrison's first chapter of Superman's origin story, we get a better sense of the scope of Morrison's run and the direction in which it will move.
The re-imaginings of roles for Brainiac and the Phantom Zone are interesting aspects to this book, but the major development here is the addition of the shadowy Anti-Superman Army. This introduction adds a vaulted ceiling to what was the relatively modest foyer of Morrison's origin story. Further appearances at the end of the book just deepen the mystery. Aside from these intriguing bells and whistles, Morrison gives an interesting new telling of Superman's arrival on Earth, using Brainiac as the narrator to give the story a new perspective and foreshadow motivations in future issues.
Andy Kubert is tasked with illustrating this issue, and the result is, predictably, quite good. The classic superhero look instilled in the book results in a number of iconic images. Kubert's familiar line work powers his storytelling as he skillfully shines a clear light on the emotions of Martha and Jonathan Kent while shrouding the identities of Superman's future foes.
The backup story for this issue provides some interesting background for the Kents, adding to the tale that Morrison had just finished telling; however, it is (appropriately enough) significantly less compelling than the main story. Still, writer Sholly Fisch is able to add an interesting message in the story, expressing how silly it can be to force something instead of letting things work themselves out naturally.
Action Comics #5 may well be the point in Morrison's run where the shallow end becomes the deep end. The story is charming, beautiful, and well-layered. Make sure you pick up this issue if you have any intention of knowing what the hell is going on later.
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