Action Comics: Rise of Metallo (Comics) | Review

The peace that Superman's return from Warworld should have brought to Metropolis gets disrupted but writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson has other plans. Action Comics: Rise of Metallo delivers the kind of horror-tinged superhero storytelling that DC does best, transforming a classic silver-age villain into something terrifying.

What starts as a typical Superman versus robot story quickly evolves into a full-scale nightmare that puts the entire Super-Family through absolute hell and tests their limits. The timing couldn't be more perfect for this storyline within DC's current continuity landscape.

Following Superman's harrowing journey to Warworld, things seem to be going well– his powers are supercharged and Metropolis is undergoing futuristic transformation but peace never lasts long in the DC Universe and Johnson uses that false sense of security to maximum devastating effect for unsuspecting readers everywhere.

In a critical time for Metropolis, the increasingly violent Blue Earth movement keeps the entire Super-Family on their toes, while the opening of the new Steelworks tower draws unwelcome attention from a supercharged and vengeful Metallo himself.

The burning question isn't just where Metallo got his newfound power and advanced technological capabilities but why he seems hell-bent on revenge against both Superman and Lex Luthor with such relentless determination and absolutely unbridled destructive fury.

The horror elements kick in when Metallo evolves and gives rise to the nightmarish threat of the Necrohive. This isn't your grandfather's Metallo– Johnson transforms the character into something that feels genuinely menacing rather than just another obstacle for Superman to punch through with his usual relative ease.

The transformation process itself becomes a source of body horror that elevates the stakes beyond typical superhero fare. Johnson doesn't shy away from showing the psychological toll of watching innocent people lose their humanity, creating genuine emotional investment.

Metallo turns people, including Blue Earth antagonists, into Necrohive drones to fight against the Super-Family, further escalating tensions between political factions. The central mystery revolves around who's controlling Metallo but the real drama comes from watching the Super-Family navigate both physical threat and social unrest.

The Blue Earth movement serves as more than window dressing– it represents real-world anxieties about immigration and xenophobia, giving weight to the superhero action. When civilians start getting converted into undead drones, the political becomes deeply personal.

The Super-Twins find themselves alone against Metallo's undead army in what becomes an epic rematch for the ages. Johnson doesn't just throw obstacles at his heroes; he isolates them, strips away their support systems and forces them to confront their limitations.

What makes the threat even more personal is how Metallo's vendetta forces Superman to question his own methods and legacy. The villain's accusations hit close to home, making this as much a battle for Superman's soul as it is for Metropolis itself.

The Steelworks tower opening becomes ground zero for chaos but it also represents hope - scientific innovation versus destructive technology. That thematic tension runs through every single issue, making the stakes feel significantly larger than just another typical superhero slugfest between opposing good and evil forces.

Lex Luthor's involvement adds layers of complexity to the narrative. His relationship with Metallo creates a triangle of hatred that Superman gets caught in the middle of, making every confrontation unpredictable, dangerous and emotionally charged.

Artwork by Rafa Sandoval (Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps: Quest for Hope, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps: Zod's Will) deserves praise for transforming Metallo from a dated concept into genuine nightmare fuel. His character designs for the Necrohive feel appropriately horrific without crossing into gratuitous territory.

Cover work by artist Dan Mora (Detective Comics: Arkham Rising, Detective Comics: Fear State) perfectly captures the tone Johnson and Sandoval establish inside the issues. His Metallo designs hint at the nightmare to come without spoiling the transformation.

Johnson's writing strikes the perfect balance between political commentary and superhero action. His dialogue feels natural, especially the interactions between the Super-Family members. The way he handles the Blue Earth movement shows real understanding of contemporary social issues without becoming preachy.

The pacing deserves special mention– Johnson knows when to pull back for character moments and when to unleash full-scale action. The horror elements never overshadow the fundamental hope that defines Superman stories and their enduring appeal.

Action Comics: Rise of Metallo succeeds as both a horror story and a Superman tale because it understands what makes both genres work. The terror comes not from gore or shock value but from watching beloved characters face impossible odds while maintaining their moral center.

As part of DC's Dawn of DC initiative, this story invigorates the superhero that started it all with an accessible story starring a classic villain and Superman's cast including Supergirl, Steel and Jonathan Kent. New readers can jump in without background knowledge, while longtime fans will appreciate connections to recent continuity.

The political undercurrents never overwhelm the superhero spectacle but they add weight to every punch thrown and every life saved. When Superman fights the Necrohive, he's not just battling monsters– he's fighting for the soul of his adopted city.

Johnson and Sandoval have created something special here: a Superman story that acknowledges the darkness in the world while never losing sight of the light. The rise of Metallo becomes a test not just of Superman's strength but of his entire philosophy.

Action Comics: Rise of Metallo is collected in Action Comics Vol. 3: Rise of Metallo. You can pick it up in paperback from bookstores, comic-book shops and online retailers, as well as digitally on ComiXology, Kindle and DC Universe Infinite for instant access.