Written by Greg Pak
Drawn by Aaron Kuder
Colored by Wil Quintana
Published by DC Comics

PREVIOUSLY: Action Comics #36

Picking right up from the end of the previous issue, the living mist has still engulfed the entire town of Smallville and Superman is trapped inside it along with Lana, John Henry Irons, and all the townsfolk. Superman keeps trying to fly his way out of it to get more help, but doesn’t work, he keeps being teleported back inside and eventually passes out. Meanwhile Hiro, the new Toyman, is on the outside of the city, trying to through the mist to help Superman only to be teleported out. This actually thrills him as he starts thinking of ways he can utilize teleportation to make money. But then he’s grabbed by tentacles…

After an unspecified amount of time, Superman wakes up, being tended to by John and Lana. He’s surprised to go outside and see that the people of Smallville seems to be coping with this pretty well, and are just going about their lives like normal, despite being trapped inside this strange mist. Lana tells him that after everything the town has been through recently, they can cope with this, as most are just assuming that Superman will fix everything somehow. And once again Superman notices the undercurrent of distrust in Lana’s voice, realizing that she is blaming Superman for everything that’s gone wrong, even though she won’t come right out and say it.

There’s an interesting flashback to when Superman was in 3rd grade and he tried to put out a fire using his newly discovered superbreath. Let’s just say that it didn’t go well, and it’s a lesson Superman has learned about the limits of his powers and how to use them responsibly. While investigating the place when the mist originated from, a large group of townspeople arrive, even though Superman had earlier asked everyone to stay indoors until the crises was over, but they all appear to be under mind control by some other entity, and attack him, Lana, and John (who is in his STEEL armor). And then the monster returns.

I’m trying to avoid major spoilers, but I’m not sure that just my words can do this story justice. You need to see this monster that Superman is facing…

Awesome indeed. Artist Aaron Kuder is outdoing himself here, and colorist Wil Quintana’s muted tones help create an atmosphere of dread throughout the story. IF this had been brightly colored like a typical Superman story it would probably lessen the impact. And of course the man credit goes to Greg Pak, the writer,for crafting this tale which is feeling like a classic horror story. I’m glad I decided to pick this up, and eagerly await the next chapter.

Action Comics #37