This is another incredible issue and continues to prove that Action Comics is one of the best book DC is releasing. Read Full Review

I sometimes miss the days of the conniving, hiding Luthor biding his time to unleash something horrific. But I have to grudgingly admit that since Rebirth I have been interested in Luthor and his character. There are layers here ... whether onion or parfait ... and peeling him back to try to get to his core has been a very engaging read. Read Full Review

While we still get a shit load of fighting in this issue, with our previous cliffhanger just being a clever ruse to buy some time, I like the direction that this arc is taking and love the fact that we keep moving between our Superman story and our Lois story....... because really, we have a lot of things to deal with in this series and constant movement isn't a bad thing.  The art in this issue is really enjoyable and I can't wait to see what else Jurgens has in store for us. Read Full Review

I've been very impressed with Action's turnaround. The title has been a welcome surprise the last few months and this arc is holding fast with that trend. I'm looking forward to seeing where Jurgens and Segovia take the next issue while retaining this enjoyable momentum. Read Full Review

There's an unwavering sense that Jurgens is really enjoying writing this series, and Action Comics #971's exuberance is contagious. Read Full Review

In the shocking conclusion of the preceding issue, Superman stated that he had been persuaded of Luthors guilt. Is the Last Son of Krypton truly prepared to let the Remnants of Nideesi carry out the death sentence their verdict has imposed? Read Full Review

Jurgens has dug himself a deep hole with Action Comics, shoveling out contrivances and mischaracterizations, born, it would seem, out of his infatuation with cliffhangers in particular and mysteries in general. This issue's cliffhanger seems to focuses on the series' central enigma: the mystery man named Clark Kent, and his first encounter with the son of Superman. For all the problems with the current issue enumerated above, the fact that that particular subplot involving Kent has been far less guilty of leaps in logic and misconstruing classic characters " mostly because the entire premise is of a deliberately alternate take on a seemingly familiar character, which certainly seems to play to Jurgens' strengths (and weaknesses) as a writer " brings with it the promise that next issue might actually sail with some success through the Strait of Messina. Read Full Review

This arc doesn't stop getting better! Dan Jurgens' great experience on Superman can be found as much in the story as in the characterizations of the protagonists. Also, the team-up between Superman and Lex Luthor works very well, specially at the end of the issue. This arc is a really nice surprise. It's original and interesting. There's only one issue left and I'm eager to know what will happen with Lex!

Comic Book Review (8/10) "Great"
Action Comics #971 "Men of Steel Part 5"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Stephen Segovia
Plot: Lex Luthor is on trial for his life, and Superman creates a diversion to rescue him. Now Superman and Luthor are stranded on a red sun planet during their daring escape and Luthor must now protect a powerless Superman from L'Call and Zade.
The story takes a great turn with Superman and Luthor being stranded on an alien planet with a red sun. Luthor behaves like an egomaniac as he looks to Superman like "are you kidding me - I have to protect you now?" and the back and forth between Supes and Luthor is some of the best dialogue in this series. The only thing that sort of confused me in this issue was Clark appearing with Chinese food towards the end. So is this doppelganger Clark working as a part-time delivery man for a Chinese restaurant, while working for the Daily Planet?! I actually laughed at this, but there must be a logical explanation for this weird turn of events - right?
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SCORE: 7.6