Action Comics # 988 3D Lenticular Motion Variant 2017 NM-

Action Comics #988 is a crucial, high-stakes milestone issue published by DC Comics on September 27, 2017. Serving as Part 2 of the legendary "The Oz Effect" storyline during the DC Rebirth era, this issue delves entirely into the shocking, universe-altering revelation of the true identity of the enigmatic mastermind Mr. Oz.

The Plot & Storyline

The narrative focuses almost entirely on a tense confrontation inside the Fortress of Solitude and an extensive, tragic flashback sequence:

• The Refusal to Believe: The issue kicks off right after the cliffhanger of issue #987. Superman faces down Mr. Oz, flatly calling him a "Liar" when the figure claims to be his biological father. Clark knows his father died alongside the rest of Krypton.
• Kelex's Confirmation: Seeking absolute proof, Superman asks his Fortress of Solitude guardian robot, Kelex, to run an advanced biometric scan. To Clark's absolute horror, Kelex confirms the match, formally greeting the intruder as Jor-El of Krypton.
• The Intervention from Death: Via Kryptonian memory crystals, Jor-El takes Superman through his true past. He reveals that just as Krypton was exploding around his baby pod, a mysterious, glowing blue cosmic force (implied to be Doctor Manhattan from Watchmen) intervened, snatching Jor-El out of the timeline and trapping him.
• Losing Hope in Humanity: Weak, blind in one eye, and severely injured, Jor-El was deposited on Earth in a war-torn human territory. He was selflessly nursed back to health by a local family. However, the family was eventually betrayed by their own young son and executed by brutal warlords. Witnessing the absolute worst atrocities of human nature firsthand—combined with being force-fed historical archives of human cruelty by his mysterious cosmic captor—shattered Jor-El's mind, causing him to lose all hope in humanity and set his master plan in motion.

Creative Team & Style

• Creators: The issue was written by veteran Superman scribe Dan Jurgens and brought to life with gorgeously detailed interior pencils and inks by acclaimed artist Ryan Sook.
• Context within Rebirth: This issue served as a primary bridge leading into the Doomsday Clock crossover event, explaining how the main Watchmen universe was actively manipulating and fracturing the timeline of the core DC Universe.

Collectibility & Variations

This highly significant modern key issue features a couple of eye-catching cover treatments:

• Cover A (Standard): Illustrated by Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, and Jason Wright, featuring a classic, emotional callback image of baby Kal-El's pod leaving a cracking Krypton.
• 3D Lenticular Motion Variant: A premium comic shop variant featuring special 3D Lenticular cover art designed by Nick Bradshaw and Mikel Janín. When tilted in the light, the background shifts back and forth between a modern Superman and a glowing, looming projection of Jor-El's classic silver-age attire.