WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for Action Comics #1001 by Brian Michael Bendis, Patrick Gleason, and Alejandro Sanchez, on sale now!
When the super-sized, jam-book Action Comics #1000 was released in April, it was nothing short of a milestone in comic book history. The issue was impressive not just due to the four digit number plastered across its cover -- it also heralded the arrival of Brian Michael Bendis to DC Comics's monthly schedule. But somehow, despite this, Action Comics #1001 almost feels like a bigger deal. If issue #1000 was the summit of a mountain, then this issue marks the beginning of a new climb, which feels like something that should be celebrated as well.
This summer has involved comic readers becoming acclimated to Bendis taking up the reins on Superman. Some fans were apprehensive about how the prolific comic scribe would embrace the most iconic superhero ever created, but thus far, his tenure at DC (which has included the six-issue miniseries The Man of Steel and Superman #1) has proven that not only does Bendis understand the character on the fundamental level, he can also incorporate his own story telling devices to make the Kal-El feel new again without betraying the last eighty years of Superman comics. Action Comics #1001 is no exception.
RELATED: Action Comics Is Poised To ‘Redefine’ Superman & Lois’ Relationship
In this issue, we pick up a loose plot thread from The Man of Steel surrounding a series of mysterious arsons plaguing Metropolis. The fires have been the bane of not just Superman, but Clark Kent. And yes, there is a dichotomy there, despite the two of them being the same person. Clark can interact with certain groups of people in ways Superman never could, and vice versa.
As the logline on the cover of this issue proclaims, “As Metropolis burns, only one hero can save it… Clark Kent.” This isn’t some cheeky nod to the power of investigative journalism. It’s stating a fact. Despite all his power, there are some thing Superman can’t get done on his own. The string of fires burning his city down is a something he can’t solve by punching it into orbit.
Page 2: [valnet-url-page page=2 paginated=0 text='Who%20Needs%20Batman%20When%20You%27re%20Clark%20Kent%3F']
Bendis has Superman going full-on detective in this issue. Watching Clark Kent do his research at his desk and seeing Superman use the collected information to question people (one of them being a kid) definitely has echoes of Bendis’ superhero-crime series Powers. Superman can be a brief-wearing boy scout and an intimidating presence at the same time. The way in which these two aspects of The Man of Steel collide make for some compelling moments.
When it comes to shaking down suspects and digging for information, the go-to DC Comics hero is usually Batman. But Bendis wants readers to remember that Big Blue has a day job, one that requires a lot of mental prowess and deductive reasoning. After all, would Perry White keep Clark employed for this long if he wasn’t good at his job?
RELATED: Brian Michael Bendis Is Revisiting His Noir Roots in Man of Steel
Yes, it’s well-known that Clark is often disregarded for writing “fluff pieces,” he still has journalistic integrity…well, sort of. The guy gets killer Superman stories because…well, he is Superman. Regardless, Clark Kent is a man of iron will and determination. Whether he handles a situation as super powered god or good-natured reporter all depends on which persona he believes will get things done. Basically he’s both the good cop and the bad cop.
What drives Superman to really dive into the arsons (besides his general obligation to protect his city) is that his name is on the lips of someone who has marked him as a suspect. While Deputy Fire Chief Melody Moore, who has been pounding the pavement in the hopes of finding a pattern regarding the fires, doesn’t necessarily believe Superman would commit a series of heinous acts, she is certainly apprehensive about answering The Man of Steel’s questions at first. When an alien with the power to destroy the planet is your sole suspect, it would be tough for anyone to handle. Superman quells Chief Moore’s concerns in a moment that is a hallmark in a lot of detective stories, an accused man talking to someone with authority who knows he’s innocent and is asking for their help.
That’s where the detective aspect of this story shines brightest. Superman has personal stakes in the matter. It doesn’t matter if he’s saved Metropolis a million times in the past and everyone knows he has the city’s best interests at heart. A rumor, one tiny little fib can snowball into a career-shattering lie. It doesn’t matter where it originated from. All that matters is that it’s in the ether. Now, with an ally on his side, Clark Kent works the other end of the case, finding out who paid the kid to lie about Superman starting the fires. But like with all great detective stories, the web of intrigue only grows more tangled before it can unravel.