Written by (See Below)
Art by (See Below)
Cover Art by Jim Lee; Scott Williams; & Alex Sinclair
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for June 2018, this 80-page issue consists of nine short stories and three single-page pin-ups, all by different creative teams.
- “From The City That Has Everything.” Writer/Artist: Dan Jurgens; Inks: Norm Rapmund; Colors: Hi-Fi; & Letters: Rob Leigh. Lois & their son, Jon, await Clark’s delayed arrival at ‘Superman Day’ in Metropolis. The Man of Steel contends with a Khund invasion. Upon his arrival in Metropolis, Superman is met by a poignant surprise.
- “Never-Ending Battle.” Writer: Peter J. Tomasi; Art: Patrick Gleason; Colors: Alejandro Sanchez; & Letters: Tom Napolitano. In a first-person narrative, Superman describes his recent time-warping battle vs. Vandal Savage. Reflecting Superman’s evolution, the imagery glimpses some super-homages, including Kingdom Come and George Reeves in the Superman vs. The Mole Men film. The final page reveals who is listening to this tale on the Man of Steel’s birthday.
- Pin-up # 1. Pencils: John Romita Jr.; Inks: Danny Miki; & Colors: Peter Steigerwald.
- “An Enemy Within.” Script: Marv Wolfman; Pencils: Curt Swan; Inks: Bruce Guice & Kurt Schaffenberger; Colors: Hi-Fi; & Letters: Rob Leigh. Based upon the original story by Cindy Goff, Curt Swann, & Butch Guice. A sample of “Superman: The Secret Years # 2” is from Bob Rozakis, Curt Swan, & Kurt Schaffenberger. With Superman in Japan battling Brainiac’s drones, Maggie Sawyer’s Metropolis SWAT team contends with a high school principal holding a student at gunpoint.
- “The Car.” Script: Geoff Johns & Richard Donner; Art: Oliver Coipel; Colors: Alejandro Sanchez; & Letters: Tom Napolitano. In homage to Action Comics # 1, the Golden Age Superman offers some life-changing advice to a hard-luck hoodlum hours after smashing up his automobile.
- “The Fifth Season.” Writer: Scott Snyder; Art: Rafael Albuquerque; Colors: Dave McCaig; & Letters: Tom Napolitano. At the Smallville Planetarium, Superman and Lex Luthor quietly reflect on Lex’s childhood in Smallville studying science.
- “Of Tomorrow.” Writer: Tom King; Art: Clay Mann; Colors: Jordie Bellaire; & Letters: John Workman. With a few glimpses of a Christopher Reeve-esque Superman, the Man of Steel visits the fiery remnants of Earth billions of years in the future one last time to honor his adoptive parents.
- “Five Minutes.” Script: Louise Simonson; Art: Jerry Ordway; Colors: Dave McCaig; & Colors: Carlos M. Mangual. With Perry White nagging him re: a critical deadline, Clark makes the most of five super-minutes wrapping up a lead story for The Daily Planet’s next edition.
- “Actionland!” Script: Paul Dini; Pencils: José Luis García-López; Inks: Kevin Nowlan; Colors: Trish Mulvihill; & Letters: Josh Reed. In the far future, the Man of Steel’s life is translated as a garish amusement park ride. Encouraged by his sultry girlfriend, Gspie, Mr. Mxyzptlk finally acknowledges the hidden respect he has for his old nemesis.
Pin-Up # 2. Pencils & Inks: Walter Simonson; & Colors: Brennan Wagner.
- “Faster Than a Speeding Bullet.” Writer: Brad Meltzer; Art: John Cassaday; Colors: Laura Martin; & Letters: Chris Eliopoulos. Dedicated to Christopher Reeve’s memory, Superman senses he can’t save a female hostage in time from a gun-wielding abductor in the Metropolis subway.
Pin-Up # 3. Pencils, Inks, & Colors: Jorge Jimenez.
- “The Truth.” Script: Brian Michael Bendis; Pencils: Jim Lee; Inks: Scott Williams: Colors: Alex Sinclair; & Letters: Cory Petit. In a sneak preview cliffhanger of the upcoming Man of Steel mini-series, Superman and Supergirl are mauled in mid-day Metropolis by the monstrous Rogol Zaar, who claims that he destroyed Krypton.
Note: The numerous variant decade covers (images not available here) are created by: Steve Rude [1930’s]; Michael Cho [1940’s]; Dave Gibbons & Angus McKie [1950’s]; Michael Allred & Laura Allred [1960’s]; Jim Steranko & Laura Martin [1970’s]; Joshua Middleton [1980’s]; Dan Jurgens; Kevin Nowlan; & Alex Sinclair [1990’s]; and Lee Bermejo [2000’s].
REVIEW:
Simply put, this is the right way to hold a celebration party. Though its shock value finale by Brian Michael Bendis doesn’t really merit inclusion, DC Comics deserves kudos for this well-rounded approach to honoring 80 years of both Superman and Action Comics.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars
