When we last saw our heroes in the 1992 summer event "Eclipso: the Darkness Within" (you know, back when Booster Gold actually appeared in comic books), the situation was looking grim. But in in Action Comics Annual #4, things get downright ugly.

If you read the issue, the first thing you will probably notice is that the art is, well, it's not good. Chris Wozniak is credited as sole penciller, but there are four credited inkers. This probably means that the issue was behind schedule and the finished product was rushed to meet a deadline. The bloated page count required of the double-sized, double-priced seasonal annuals isn't doing it any favors, either.

That's a real shame, as it is written by one of my favorite Justice League writers, Dan Vado, who had the bad fortune of working with many—um, how to say this politely?—awful artists during DC's EXTREME nineties. Vado was always respectful of his characters and especially good at building melodramatic character moments that felt authentic and organic. That skill is certainly evident in this issue, even on page 30, where Ice gets to be both competent *and* deliver the punchline.

I know that I rate this issue poorly here at Boosterrific (2 out of 5 stars), but I really don't hate it. If you're a fan of the classic JLI, you'll find enjoyment in Booster, Fire, and Ice's struggle against an entire Eclipso-ed village... and Superman. It's just a shame you can't read it with your eyes closed.

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