Action Comics #832

October 10, 2005

Quick Rating: Good
Title: Old Ghosts

The Spectre’s war on magic takes him to Metropolis!

Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Pencils: John Byrne
Inks: Nelson
Colors: Guy Major
Letters: Rob Leigh
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Art: Dan Jurgens & Wayne Faucher
Publisher: DC Comics

Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning fill in for Gail Simone this issue with a story that isn’t labeled as a Day of Vengeance tie-in, but should be. On Halloween, the Spectre comes to Metropolis to hunt down Superman’s old foe, Satannus. Meanwhile, as ghosts run rampant across the city, Lois Lane receives a very unexpected visitor.

To be perfectly frank, I’m not sure what to make of this issue. As a Day of Vengeance tie-in, it’s perfectly passable, but Satannus? While he was, for a time, one of Superman’s dominant enemies, he hasn’t been seen in years. New readers will likely have no idea who he is or his history with the man of steel, where even long-time readers such as myself will have to take a moment for a refresher course. (Right, right, that demon guy Big Blue fought all the time in the early 90s…) It’s almost as if someone at DC realized they never paid off his storylines and decided to hurry up and get it out of the way.

That caveat aside, the story itself works fine and the scenes with Lois are particularly well-done. The last page is something of a shocker as well, and it really makes me wonder where exactly DC is planning to go with this storyline.

Byrne’s art still works for me. One of his earliest issues of Action Comics back in the 80s was a team-up between Superman and the Spectre, and he’s still got the knack for both characters. He also gets to flex some of the nastier muscles he’s been using over in Blood of the Demon with the ghosts and demons that populate the issue. There’s also a brief but very appreciated nod to the late, great Jim Aparo.

I’ve also got to draw attention to the cover – Dan Jurgens and Kevin Nowlan have done the last few issues and they’ve done a solid job, but Nowlan’s inks frequently overtake the pencils. Faucher’s inks are more complimentary and make the cover more recognizable as Jurgens’ familiar, welcome style – he was one of the main Superman artists when I started reading the character, and it’s always welcome to see him back.

This issue is definitely intended for the long-time fan, but as one, I can tell you I enjoyed it.

Rating: 7/10