Action Comics #42 is many things. It is a good looking, beautifully presented piece of work. It is a powerful politically meaningful narrative. It is also action packed from its start to its finish. I recommend this book for everyone. It is incredible. Read Full Review

One last thing: after reading so many comics, we can take panel-by-panel storytelling for granted. Take time to appreciate the tight, economical storytelling in ACTION COMICS #42 (and #41)"Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder are doing excellent work. Read Full Review

I don't know if I want *this* Superman for the long haul. I still really miss Lois. But I have to say, this is an entertaining comic. This is a compelling Superman. This has great art. I can't say this about all the Super-books. I can't say this about all of The Truth. But people should be reading this book. Action Comics is a very good comic with a Superman I can believe in. Read Full Review

Action Comics #42 is an incredibly powerful issue, and a return to form for one of America's most enduring heroes. Pak and Kuder handle their premise with poise and maturity. While some readers will decry this as another attempt by comic book creators to infect "Big Two" comics with their own personal politics, it should be seen as a stark reminder that the times we're living in are dark and getting darker. Even our greatest heroes don't stand a chance against systemic oppression, and that should be something of a wake-up call. Pak and Kuder have managed to call attention to a problem that has permeated our culture so deeply that we've let it become an acceptable status quo. But Superman can't let these injustices stand, and neither should we. Clark Kent is just like you. He barely has any superpowers now. So what's your excuse? Read Full Review

I really love the direction this comic is going. It's becoming one of my favorite pulls of the month and I'm worried having Pak writing Hulk again is going to take him away from DC. Here's hoping that he can work for both companies and the readers can get the best of both worlds. Read Full Review

Greg Pak's tenure on Action Comics has been filled with emotional storytelling, but this new status quo for Kal-El allows him to tell more intimate, street level stories while still exploring who Superman is and how he deals with this new found predicament. Read Full Review

Action Comics continues to be the standout of Truth, as though it's far from perfect, it's got a strong narrative. It also manages to give some exciting developments, with one in particular near the end leaving some poignant question regarding Superman's image moving forward. Read Full Review

Rather than being a flying symbol of truth and justice, Superman is now a man of the people, forced to stand on his own two feet down in the grime and the muck. I really liked that aspect of the issue. The cops are almost cartoonishly evil in this issue, but it works to really put the pressure on Superman. Read Full Review

Action Comics #42 draws on recent confrontations between citizens and police for a standoff on behalf of the Man of Steel. But, it's a parallel that just doesn't work as used in this issue. The out of sequence storytelling of the Truth arc hasn't bothered me so far, but with this issue I finally feel like I'm missing part of the puzzle. Read Full Review

This new direction for Superman is still trying to change the boundaries of what defines the hero, it is just not really clear if it is going about it the right way. Read Full Review

Action Comics #42 is not so much a story as a meditation. In this book, Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder provide a set of linked meditations on multiple subjects. The first is the theme of falling and rising, dropping to your knees under the weight of life's blows and fighting to stand again. The vehicle they choose to tell this morality tale is the unlikely character of Clark Kent, enmeshed in the TRUTH crossover in which his identity has been exposed and he has been partially depowered, evidently in the wake of using his newly discovered solar flare ability. Now, just returned to Metropolis, Clark struggles to protect his home from a shadow monster while even more ominous darkness gathers at has back. Read Full Review

This is only the second chapter of a larger story being told, and readers still don't know the path Pak and Kuder plan to take. Overall, the story is still entertaining and visually appealing and a testament to the work that this team continues to put into this book month in and month out. "Action Comics" #42 has some causes for concern for the overall plot but still gives readers the most nuanced and developed take on Clark Kent and his world that is currently on the stands. Read Full Review

I didn't like this issue.  While I still like the idea of seeing Clark depowered and exposed, the police brutality story in this issue felt forced.  Maybe it will be explained better in the next issue (The American Way?), but as of now, I can't recommend it.  I liked Aaron Kuder's art, but having three colorists caused some noticeable transitions.  It's still early, but I'm losing patience with the Truth. Read Full Review

Best Truth issue so far.

High stakes very personal superman story, definitely running with the de powered storyline in an interesting and engaging way. Love Pak on Superman, love Kuder on the character too. A great point in a great run!

Very relevant. The protest stuff, not that weird monster thing.

I really enjoyed this book; I was able to just sink into the story enough that I forgot to care about the technical details of execution. Instead, I really felt angry and sad and excited as I read the book, reacting to the characters actions. I'd definitely recommend this as a book to pick up, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes.

Chunks of the story are missing. The plot is terribly slow. Filler pages.