Action Comics' crossover with Superman: Son of Kal-El introduces a version of Metallo at his lowest point.
As part of the upcoming "Kal-El Returns" crossover, a preview for writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Riccardo Federici's Action Comics #1047 shows John Corben's bleak incarceration within Stryker's Island. When his sister, Tracy, goes to visit him, John's cyborg body is seen without both of his legs, bottom jaw and left arm. The guard tells Tracy that they removed his voice box due to an "episode" he had nights earlier, causing his only form of communication to be words that appear on a computer screen. Tracy tells her brother how hard it is to see her brother in the state that he is in, wishing to trade places with him before Warworld arrives near Earth.
ACTION COMICS #1047
- Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
- Art by WILL CONRAD
- Backup by DAVID LAPHAM
- Cover by STEVE BEACH
- Variant cover by NATHAN SZERDY
- 1:25 variant cover by LUCIO PARRILLO
- Harley Quinn 30th Anniversary variant cover by LEIRIX
- $4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
- ON SALE 9/27/22
- In the aftermath of Superman’s epic Warworld Revolution, the Man of Steel is back on Earth and stronger than he’s ever been!
- As he and Steel join forces to remake Metropolis as a true City of Tomorrow, two of Superman’s most iconic villains take notice…and they have plans of their own. Meanwhile, Superman’s meddling on Warworld has had unforeseen consequences: he’s awakened an enemy so ancient and powerful, even this stronger-than-ever Superman will need the whole Super-Family to face it. Introducing new characters and beginning this new chapter in Superman’s mythology, don’t miss the kickoff to the countdown to Action Comics #1050!
Since Action Comics #1036, Superman Clark Kent/Kal-El has been away from Earth as a part of Johnson's "Warworld Saga," pitting the Man of Steel against the villain Mongul on Warworld. In his absence, his son Jon has stepped into the role of Superman to protect the planet, a story told in the Superman: Son of Kal-El series. Following the Warworld Saga's conclusion with Superman: Warworld Apocalypse #1, the "Kal-El Returns" crossover will be a six-part storyline that runs across both Action Comics and Son of Kal-El, featuring Metallo as the event's main villain.
Metallo Will Be Back Stronger and Scarier Than Ever
Back when the crossover was announced, Johnson promised to deliver "the strongest and scariest version of Metallo you've ever seen." The writer said of the character, "Metallo might be my favorite Superman villain, and I think he's often overlooked in lieu of the more god-like characters like Mongul or Darkseid. There's a really scary, complex, interesting version of him I've been wanting to show readers for a long time. His origins, his motivations, and his power set are all overdue for a deep-dive refresh, and we're ready to give readers a Metallo worthy of Superman."
What to Read for the Kal-El Returns Superman Crossover
Son of Kal-El writer Tom Taylor will join Johnson to pen the crossover, which features art by Federici, David Lapham, Mike Perkins, Cian Tormey and Ruairi Coleman. After launching with Action Comics #1047, the crossover will alternate between the two titles, encapsulating Action Comics #1047 through #1049 and Son of Kal-El #16 through #18.
As for Action Comics #1047 specifically, in addition to Johnson writing and interior art by Federici, the issue features colors by Lee Loughridge, letters by Dave Sharpe and main cover art by Steve Beach. Variant cover artwork for the issue is contributed to by Nathan Szerdy, Lucio Parrillo and Leirix. The issue goes on sale Sep. 27 from DC Comics.
Source: DC Comics