Anticipation for “Superman Reborn: Part Two” is over. DC Comics fans have been given the true identity of the mysterious Clark Kent but are left with more questions regarding the darkness coiled within the Rebirth Universe.

Action Comics #975, written by Dan Jurgens and penciled by Doug Mahnke, picks up immediately after the events of Superman #18.  “Superman Reborn: Part Two” starts off with the Kents in search of their son, Jon, and the likely culprit for his disappearance, Post-Crisis Superman’s doppelganger, Clark Kent.

This week’s Action Comics was a special anniversary issue, with a bonus story to the cross-over event written by Paul Dini, the creator of Harley Quinn. A character that returned in the issue even references the 1990’s animated “Superman” show that Dini produced, with Superman even drawn to look like the classic animated character in this specific section, all thanks to Ian Churchill, who penciled the bonus story.

One thing that Jurgens does differently in this issue of “Reborn” is allowing the readers to go into the mind of Superman. In the first couple of pages, the reader as the Man of Steel flies across the skies of Metropolis, Lois in his arms, both of them in a desperate search for their son. That internal thought makes the story instantly personal to the readers. This leads readers to ponder the question of who Clark Kent really is.

Before lifting the veil, tension for the moment is built up when the reader is tossed through pages where the mystery character changes from Kent into different possible suspects, like the Cyborg Superman. Finally, it is revealed to be no one other then the fifth-dimensional imp Mr. Mxyzptlk, first created by Jerry Siegel in 1944.

Some readers of “Superman Reborn” may have mixed feelings regarding Mr. Mxyzptlk, considering he could be seen as a childish character and the amount of hype built up around some of the other villains that were rumored to return were Magog and Eradicator.

Still, the riddle to the identity of Clark Kent is a smaller question compared to another which has been kept hush hush by DC ever since the hooded mans first appearance in Geoff Johns run on Superman back in New 52.  Who is Mr. Oz?

Paul Dini adds more to the question in the bonus story when it is revealed that the imp was Mr. Oz’s prisoner that escaped in the opening of “Part One.” Although the prankster from another dimension isn’t considered evil, Mxyzptlk does have the ability to bend reality to his will, and with Mr. Oz having the power to imprison a being like that, things could be getting worse for Superman.

Readers will just have to wait until Superman #19 comes out March 15 for answers.

Final Verdict

8/10