Flash #39 & Action Comics #994 Two-In-One Review

A few weeks ago, I bought a stack of brand new comic books. I had the intention of giving them a try-out, so to speak and critiquing them for my readership. I have already reported on some and decided to review more Modern Age books. So , this week , I will be critiquing two brand new issues. And the first comic is -- The Flash #39.

 I just finished reading The Flash #39. This is also, in accordance with the various original numbers of each successive series of Flash issues, The Flash #700! And as an anniversary issue of that magnitude it is passable. The story itself is good but is really just another issue of The Flash. It lacks that feeling of a special anniversary issue. The book DOES recount the origin of the Flash, but it is only on a splash page and is the condensed version (Iris recounts the facts of the Flash's origin to Barry "The Flash" Allen).

I bought the book because I have always been a fan of the Barry Allen Flash. I admit to liking the older stories better but the modern day Flash story here is interesting. Having not read a new Flash comic since the inception of the New 52, I wondered whom all of these speedsters are in the book. But I figure in today's GOOGLE world, I can find them out pretty quick. If you like the Barry Allen Flash character, then read this book. There is enough of Barry to satisfy in the Modern Age.

My next comic book of the Modern Age to be reviewed is Action Comics #994. I enjoyed this comic book! It is part two and I have not read part 1, but I was able to keep up with the plot very well. I liked the artwork (I saw an obvious Dan Jurgens touch; especially in the figure of Superman on the top of page 5).  The things that I did not like were/are small. I do not like Superman's trunkless uniform (but  that is set to FINALLY change with the upcoming Action Comics #1000! It is about damn time too), I also do not like the depiction of Jor-El. He looks FAR too much like Superman. I realize that he IS supposed to look like Superman, as he is the man's FATHER! BUT I merely prefer the interpretation done in the mid 1980's by John Byrne. This is likewise why I do not like the idea of the "S" just happening to be the El family crest. Jor-El even has a red cape with that "S" on the back. To me this is not only a step back but a BAD step back! I like the idea of Krypton not being a Utopia but rather a sterile environment where people live apart from each other as much as they can. This is my personal feeling on the situation, so these things might not be a bother (or even NOTICEABLE to some younger readers whom did not read and love those tales from decades before).

 I enjoyed this issue more than the Superman issue that came out the same month. It too, was the last part of a multi-part story line. But that story was harder to figure out and I did not like the plot at any rate! I will be putting Action Comics on my hold list at my local comics shop; if only to insure getting my copy of the historic, landmark copy of Action Comics #1000! I want to be present when the Man Of Steel FINALLY gets his red trunks back! Superman just isn't Superman without them!

 Altogether these are some fun issues, and yes, I DID enjoy them both enough to place them on my hold list at my local comic book shop! Mr. Bronze Age recommends these Modern Age books!