Action Comics # 881 - The Hunt for Reactron, Part 1

The first in a four part story where Reactron is captured for the second time this year. This issue is emotionally charged for the leads and that is about it. The issue is full of arguments that are not pleasant to read. The leads are too busy fighting each other to notice the threat which makes them seem a bit dim. In fact one panel has Thara call Kara and 3 panels later Kara asks Chris how he knows her name despite him never leaving the scene. Aside from those issues this issue does not clear up anything from Codename:Patriot. The three are teleported into an alley in the opening page but they never question why they were let go. The only good thing I can say about this issue is that its revealed that Kara has multiple apartments all over the world (remember she has a Wayne trust fund!) which eases my complaints about Sterling Gates' placing her under parental authority since he has joined the title. I always wondered why a 17 year old girl would voluntarily move in with a 'big sister' figure when she had the means to sustain her own apartment. While its still confusing from a story viewpoint I like the resurgence of her independance. Gates wanted her closer to Metropolis rather than New York City and to give her Lana as a supporting character but he has yet to justify it. I also liked the way he is building her relationship to Batman and yet he hasn't had her mourn for his death. I hope for more of this when Bruce returns and when Diana becomes available. 
 
I give this 2 stars. Its a setup and an adequate one. The issue felt clautrophobic at times and the shouting left off the page but there was too much of that. The issue needed to breathe.