- Another good question... now I have one--who is the Red Cloud?
Action Comics #1005 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of January, 2019. It was published on November 28, 2018.
Synopsis for "Invisible Mafia, Part 5"
A secret group of criminals is holding a sale in a bar located in the seedy underbelly of Metropolis, and the object for sale is a Hero Dial, said to be capable of transforming its user into a superhero. A female mobster known only as Gummy tries to buy the Hero Dial, but the sale is interrupted by the Question, who demands to know who the Red Cloud is.
The next morning, at the Daily Planet, Clark and Robinson continue to work on their Red Cloud story, until Clark gets a phone call from Melody, who needs to talk to someone about the recent spread of fires across Metropolis. Superman told Melody she could speak to Clark, and Clark agrees to meet her.
At the Fleischer district, 25 miles away from downtown Metropolis, the Invisible Mafia holds a meeting. Gummy complains to Mr. Strong that not only the Question ruined the sale, but the Hero Dial she was trying to buy turned out to be a fake. She goes on saying that these past few nights have brought unwanted attention on the Invisible Mafia and if they don't do something about it, everyone will be on their trail. She demands that the Red Cloud kill the Question and Mr. Strong answers he will see what he can do, but not before telling the gathered criminals that the name of the Invisible Mafia's boss is another one of the things they are not allowed to say out loud.
Clark and Melody meet up next to one of the buildings devastated by the string of fires. Melody tells Clark about her talk with Mayor Hopkins at the Diamond and Pearl gala, remembering that he told her that she should drop the investigation on the fires. According to Hopkins, whenever a superhero, like Superman and Batman, gets involved in a criminal investigation, things become difficult for elected officials, but Hopkins refused to further elaborate. Clark promises to keep investigating while also keeping Melody's involvement hidden.
Shortly afterwards, Superman visits the Mayor's office, only to find the Mayor collapsed on the floor. In that moment, the Red Cloud ambushes Superman, pouring her smoke into his nose and mouth. Superman defends himself with his super breath and attempts to put some distance between the Red Cloud and himself but as soon as he turns around, he finds the Red Cloud missing. Confused, Superman takes his leave.
What Superman does not notice, however, is the Red Cloud reforming on a nearby rooftop. She begins to take solid form and reveals herself to be none other than Robinson Goode. Amazed that she survived a confrontation for Superman, Robinson proclaims she has her first page story.
Appearing in "Invisible Mafia, Part 5"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Melody Moore (Flashback and main story)
- The Question (Vic Sage) (First appearance as The Question)
Antagonists:
- "The Big Boss Lady" (Unnamed) (Behind the scenes)
- The Invisible Mafia (Unnamed)
- Ms. Gummy (First appearance)
- Ms. Gummy's Crew (First appearance)
- "Kumquat" (First appearance)
- Mr. Strong
- Whisper (Cameo)
- Ms. Gummy (First appearance)
- The Invisible Mafia (Unnamed)
- The Red Cloud (Robinson Goode) (Real identity revealed)
Other Characters:
- Mayor Hopkins (First appearance) (Flashback and main story)
- Jimmy Olsen (Cameo)
- Jon Kent (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- Justice League (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- The Atom (Ray Palmer) (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- The Atom (Ryan Choi) (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- The Flash (Barry Allen) (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- Wonder Woman (Diana of Themyscira) (Flashback only) (Cameo)
- Kobra Cult (On a TV or computer screen) (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- Kobra (Jason Burr) (On a TV or computer screen) (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- Livewire (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- Lois Lane-Kent (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- Metropolis Fire Department (Cameo)
- Amanda Waller (Mentioned only)
- Batman (Bruce Wayne) (Mentioned only)
- Black Canary (Dinah Drake) (Mentioned only)
- Candy (Deceased) (Mentioned only)
- The Fire Chief (Unnamed) (Mentioned only)
- God (Mentioned only)
- Kate Spencer (Mentioned only)
- Perry White (Mentioned only)
- Teen Lantern (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Earth 0
- Earth (Flashback and main story)
- United States of America
- Colorado (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- S.T.A.R. Labs (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- New York
- Metropolis (Flashback and main story)
- Fleischer District (Real name revealed)
- The Invisible Mafia's Mansion
- Metropolis City Hall (Cameo)
- Suicide Slum
- Club Ultimate (First appearance; unnamed)
- Washington
- Seattle
- Kobra Cult Hideout (On a TV or computer screen) (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- Seattle
- Colorado (In a photograph only) (Cameo)
- United States of America
- Earth (Flashback and main story)
- Sphere of the Gods
- Phantom Zone (Mentioned only)
Items:
- Bracelets of Submission
- Fake H-Dial (First appearance)
- H-Dial (Mentioned only)
- Question's Mask
- Wonder Woman's Tiara
Concepts:
- The Green (Mentioned only)
Notes
- This story reveals that these last five issues take place after Earth returned from its banishment into Phantom Zone in Superman (Volume 5) #6.
- Zumbado's defeat from Naomi #6 also took place just before the last few issues.
Trivia
- Fleischer District is a reference to the Superman animated movies producer, Max Fleischer.
See Also