Action Comics #1023

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: John Romita Jr. Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: July 22, 2020 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 14 User Reviews: 40
5.8Critic Rating
5.7User Rating

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Just days after Clark Kent’s own shocking revelation, the facts behind who actually owns The Daily Planet have been revealed-and all hell has broken loose! The fallout from the Superman: Villains special starts here! No one is safe as a new era of Superman stories begins! Plus, now that the dust has settled, is the Red Cloud hero or villain? 

  • 9.3
    Black Nerd Problems - Keith Reid-Cleveland Jul 22, 2020

    By the end of the issue, it's clear that the Super-family is in the middle of a power struggle unlike what they're used to, but they're thinking outside of the box on how to handle it. Which is refreshing. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jul 21, 2020

    Bendis' Superman is a lot more unpredictable than the character usually is, and it feels like this is the first shot in a war that's going to get nasty. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jul 21, 2020

    John Romita Jr. makes some interesting choices with the composition of the art and there are some panels that showcase the true menace of the character of Red Cloud. While a lot of the action works visually, the characters lack depth and there are some close ups that are confusing when trying to differentiate between Clark, Jon and Conner. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Supergirl Comic Box Commentary - Anj Jul 24, 2020

    So the arc proceeds. The stakes are known. And this looks like a brawl with the fate of the city on the line. Time for some Supergirl!! Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    Comic Watch - Kevin Rossi Jul 23, 2020

    Action Comics #1023 (Bendis, Romita Jr., Janson, Anderson) is a fun issue with a couple of great moments that reminds you how well Bendis and Romita Jr. work together. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Bleeding Cool - Hannibal Tabu Jul 26, 2020

    The Red Cloud thinks she has Lois and Jimmy on the ropes until two dimensions worth of Kents blow into town. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    You Don't Read Comics - David Harth Jul 29, 2020

    Action Comics #1023 is a good issue that, unfortunately, shows off the creative team's weaknesses. Bendis drags the middle of the book out with a whole lot of repeated dialogue. A lot happens, but very little of it has any real weight. Romita Jr.'s art has some of the problems that have plagued his work, with indistinct line work and some strange lack of details in a few places. There's still a lot to like about this issue, and it's entertaining, but it does have some problems. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Jul 21, 2020

    Action Comics remains a disappointment as both Bendis and Romita seem to flail unsure of what and how they want to tell this story. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    DC Comics News - Matthew Lloyd Jul 21, 2020

    While the majority of page space in Action Comics #1023 is more or less enjoyable with the extended Kent family facing a problem together and the Invisible Mafia getting much needed exposure, the issue really falls flat as the Red Cloud lacks any real depth and Superman's actions at the end of the issue just don't fit the character we. Two years into Bendis's run, this is probably about the best one can hope for. The title is too mired in erratic characterization and overextended storylines that don't always have a satisfying payoff. There are moments, but they hold little depth. Read Full Review

  • 4.5
    AIPT - Alex Curtis Jul 22, 2020

    'Action Comics' #1023's plot is so overbearing, Brian Michael Bendis has cut off the circulation to the charm and heart he's so often capable of pulling off. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Jul 22, 2020

    You know that a story has gotten overly convoluted when you have to rely on a fairly extensive, full-page (and then some) recap in order to make sense of the issue in hand and that's where we are in Action Comics #1023. Read Full Review

  • 3.0
    Weird Science - Eric Shea Jul 21, 2020

    Red Cloud is pissed and now it's an all-out war between the Superman Family and the Invisible Mafia, but who knows what that actually means since we really know nothing about the Invisible Mafia still and with Bendis writing terrible versions of our heroes.  The art in this issue was........ something I hope to never see in DC Comics again and the story was just so ridiculous that it felt more like a fever dream than an actual progression in a story. Read Full Review

  • 3.0
    Newsarama - Pierce Lydon Jul 25, 2020

    Brian Michael Bendis' "The House of Kent" storyline is really collapsing in on itself, and we're only two parts in. Read Full Review

  • 2.0
    Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz Jul 22, 2020

    Overall, this is a missed opportunity and it is apparent on each and every boring page. Read Full Review

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