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" In the latest of our comprehensive series exploring the game-changing relaunch of DC Comics, we take a look at flagship title Action Comics #1. Who&amp;#039;s it by? Action Comics #1 is written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Rags Morales. What&amp;#039;s the history? The original Action Comics #1 came out in 1938, and was an anthology containing 11 stories, including the introduction of a certain Kryptonian named Superman. As DC&amp;#039;s longest running title, Action Comics has always been one of the most important comics in the publisher&amp;#039;s line. Its focus shifted exclusively to Superman in the early 1960s. The comic has undergone several name alterations and publication changes over the years, and been placed on hiatus twice. Despite interruptions to its print run, Action Comics&amp;#039; popularity has endured thanks to critically acclaimed contributions from a range of top creators. Recent writers to tackle the title include Marc Guggenheim and Paul Cornell. What&amp;#039;s new? For starters there&amp;#039;s Superman&amp;#039;s controversial new look. In a move that is sure to divide fans, the iconic hero has been reimagined as a cocky youth in denim jeans and jackboots. As the first story arc takes place just six months after Clark Kent&amp;#039;s arrival in Metropolis, he&amp;#039;s yet to win the affections of Lois Lane or land a job at the Daily Planet. Writer Grant Morrison is no stranger to penning the Last Son of Krypton, having helmed the exceptional All-Star Superman, regarded by many fans as a definitive take on the character. Artist Rags Morales has long been a regular fixture in the DC Universe, illustrating such high-profile events as Identity Crisis and Blackest Night. What happens? Action Comics #1 picks up six months after Clark Kent&amp;#039;s arrival in Metropolis. It follows Superman&amp;#039;s attempts to take down a corrupt businessman named Mr Glenmorgan, with or without the help of the law, and introduces us to his well-meaning alter ego.  Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is hatching a plot with General Sam Lane to take down the Man of Steel. The issue also introduces us to Jimmy Olson and Lois Lane, though they don&amp;#039;t cross paths with our protagonist.  What&amp;#039;s the verdict? It&amp;#039;s difficult to judge the resulting comic as a standalone offering, as it&amp;#039;s clear that Morrison intends to develop his characters over time. However, it&amp;#039;s an action-pack thrill ride bolstered by some excellent artwork from Morales. Action Comics #1 shows us a side of Superman rarely seen before in the mainstream DC Universe. He&amp;#039;s a cocky youth, operating as a social crusader on the wrong side of the law. He takes on a crooked businessman and deals with a perpetrator of domestic violence using methods closer to those of Batman than the traditional incarnation of the Kryptonian. Long term readers could well take issue with this interpretation of the archetypal hero. It can certainly be argued that the character was overdue a makeover (the red underpants simply had to go), but it&amp;#039;s Superman&amp;#039;s actions that give rise to an uncomfortable air of unfamiliarity.  The new Man of Steel is a far cry from the moral pillar we know and love. However, there&amp;#039;s no reason why that shouldn&amp;#039;t work to the comic&amp;#039;s advantage in the long run. With Morrison at the helm, the character transition will certainly be interesting. Several other key players are introduced in the first issue. Lex Luthor and General Sam Lane are hatching a plot to take down Superman, in keeping with the universal disapproval of superheroes across the new DC line. General Lane comes across as a military stereotype, though the new take on Luthor is spot on.  Morrison portrays the villain as a cold and calculating individual who sees Superman as a cancer on the hide of Metropolis. None of the character&amp;#039;s borderline insanity has begun to creep through yet, but give it time. Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane also make an appearance, though never directly interact with Superman or Clark Kent. It&amp;#039;s difficult to judge either at this early stage, though the dynamic between Kent and Lane should be interesting, especially when taking the latter&amp;#039;s new love interest into account. In summary, Action Comics appears to be in safe hands. The first issue strikes a good balance between hard-hitting action and scene-setting build-up. Morales looks right at home illustrating either situation, and Morrison has laid down a solid foundation to build on.  &amp;gt; Buy the digital version of Action Comics #1 &amp;gt; Read our review of Justice League #1 Watch The New 52 introduction video from DC Comics below:      "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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