Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, DC Comics, Superman | Tagged: action comics, Sister Shadow
Supergossip For The Big Superman Action Comics Finale (Spoilers)
In recent Action Comics, terrorist/activist group Blue Earth, led by Norah Stone, has campaigned against an alien invasion by Superman
Article Summary
- Blue Earth under Norah/Janan Al Ghul revealed as Earth Al Ghul pawns in Action Comics finale.
- Norah Stone istaking on Superman with Lazarus Pit power-leeching.
- Otho-Ra faces chains, betrayal; may emerge as with Osul-Ra with new identities
- Action Comics #1060 and Annual #1 to conclude epic with multiverse allies against invasion.
In recent issues of Action Comics, terrorist/activist group Blue Earth, led by Norah Stone, campaigning against the alien invasion of Superman, has been revealed as a stooge for an interdimensional invasion from Earth Al Ghul. and Norah Stone to be Janan Al Ghul., the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul in that world. But we will learn much more before it all comes to a conclusion. As Otho-Ra, the adopted daughter of Superman, is taken hostage by Janan Al Ghul as part of the initial assault of the Empire Of The Shadows, reminiscent of the dimensional assault in the original The Authority series by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, which this run has referenced a number of times.
Superman, vulnerable to attacks of magic, has to recruit others to his side. Norah Stone seemed to have a version of Etrigan in her warehouse, and it is Etrigan that Superman allied with, along with Bloodwynd, the Superman of Hell. But that's rubbish gossip; it's in the solicits for the next issue. So what goss can we drop that you don't already know?
Sister Shadow was a character created by Bill Willingham for the Shadowpact series in 2006. And it is the identity that Norah Stone/Janan Al Ghul takes for herself for the final battle. And presumably going forward as potential new Superman Big Bad.
As a member of the Al Ghul family, Sister Shadow has access to Lazarus Pits which can be used to leech Kryptonian powers and grant them to the Empire Of Shadows. But will the powered up Blue Earth rebel against an actual invasion of Earth from their own side or will they double down? It's all very Insurrection all of a sudden…
We've talked at length about Phillip Kennedy Johnson's use of chains in both text and subtext in Superman, how it goes to the earliest trademarked images of Superman who was drawn from circus strong man imagery, including trunks over tights. But also how it symbolises the internalising of slavery that many victims of that abhorrent crime were subject to. And now being used against Otho-Ra by Sister Shadow to turn her against her adopted father, Superman.
We are to look to Otho-Ra and Osul-Ra to take new names, Starchild and Red Son, named after their Phaelosian heritage, but also reflecting Superman mythos.
Obviously, it will all come good… but at what cost?
ACTION COMICS #1060 CVR A STEVE BEACH (TITANS BEAST WORLD)
(W) Various (A) Various (CA) Steve Beach
Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Nicole Maines, Steve Orlando, And Joe Casey Art by Eddy Barrows, Fico Ossio, and Dan McDaid A mistake from Superman's past has returned, and Metropolis hangs in the balance! As the super-family is betrayed from within and stripped of their powers one by one, Superman sets out on a suicide mission into the Multiverse alongside the unlikeliest of allies: Constantine, the demon Etrigan, and–making his return to Action Comics–Bloodwynd! Plus: During Beast World in Metropolis, Dreamer has a run-in with life-changing consequences, and Zod's son begins to suspect New Kandor isn't as peaceful as it seems in the prelude to Kneel Before Zod #1! Retail: $4.99 In-Store Date: 12/12/2023
ACTION COMICS 2023 ANNUAL #1 (ONE SHOT) CVR A RAFA SANDOVAL
(W) Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Max Raynor (CA) Rafa Sandoval
Norah Stone's true form has been revealed, her gateway between worlds is opened, and the invasion of Earth has begun! As the Multiverse's two most powerful families clash above Metropolis, which legacy will Otho-Ra choose? Will the followers of Blue Earth defend their treacherous leader, or their own home? It has all led to this! Three years of Action Comics storylines culminate in this pivotal, dramatic double-sized issue! Retail: $5.99 In-Store Date: 12/26/2023