Written by [See Credits Below)
Art by (See Credits Below)
Cover Art (2nd Print Variant) by Rodolfi Migliari
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for May 2011, this ad-free 96-page anniversary issue has a feature story followed by five short tales, each with different creative teams.
Note: Though the images aren’t provided here, three other covers were created by artists Adam Hughes, David Finch, & Alex Ross.
- “The Black Ring (Finale): Reign of Doomsday:” written by Paul Cornell, with art by Pet Woods; Brad Anderson; Jesus Merino; Blond; Dan Jurgens; Norm Rapmund; Rags Morales; Adrian Syaf; Jamal Igle; Jon Sibal; Gary Frank; & Rob Leigh (51 pages).
In Metropolis, Lois Lane advises Superman that Doomsday has vanished, along with a critically-injured Steel with him. Doomsday now holds a captive Supergirl; the Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw); Superboy; the Eradicator; and Steel aboard a space station hidden within the remnants of New Krypton. Despite Henshaw’s uncooperative attitude, the other four try escaping Doomsday’s grasp. In deep space, Superman faces a now-omniscient Lex Luthor, who has merged with an alien force from the Phantom Zone. Superman later joins the other five ‘Supers’ vs. Doomsday’s frightening new incarnation.
- “Life Support:” written by Damon Lindelof and art by Ryan Sook & John J. Hill (10 pages).
A young Kryptonian physicist is given the task by Jor-El of solving the issue of life support for a prototype starship. The scientist’s own personal crisis poignantly echoes Jor-El’s.
- “Autobiography:” written by Paul Dini and art by RB Silva; Rob Lean; Java Tartaglia; & John J. Hill (3 pages).
Superman is enthralled by the hippo-like alien Sarva’s tale of its galactic journey over millions of years.
- “Friday Night in the 21st Century:” written by Geoff Johns and art by Gary Frank; Brad Anderson; & John J. Hill (4 pages).
In a mini-sequel to “Superman: Secret Origin,” Lois finds her misplaced Legion flight ring. She urges Clark that they host the Legionnaires for a dinner party.
- “The Incident:” written by David S. Goyer and art by Miguel Sepulveda; Paul Mounts; & Rob Leigh (9 pages).
Superman is privately scolded by the U.S. President’s national security advisor over his high-profile intervention in turbulent Tehran (a fictional Middle Eastern country). The Man of Steel opts to renounce his U.S. citizenship, so the world will no longer deem him a pawn of the U.S. government.
- “Only Human:” written by Richard Donner & Derek Hoffman and storyboard art by Matt Camp (15 pages).
Note: This story is depicted like a cartoon storyboard with four art panels per page accompanying the script.
Egged on by Lois, Superman accepts the challenge of a race from charismatic ex-superstar athlete Cliff Carter, who is now a corporate spokesman for the controversial Super-Tech company. Wearing his prototype ‘power suit,’ Carter keeps up with the Man of Steel, utilizing its power-siphoning capabilities.
REVIEW:
DC recognizes what a landmark accomplishment this issue is. Starting with the five back-up tales, only “Autobiography” is filler material, though it is still well-illustrated. Overcoming its clichés, “Only Human” would make a fine installment of “Superman: The Animated Series.” Its storyboard novelty is a big asset, as readers glimpse behind the scenes of scripting a comic book or cartoon.
“Life Support” is this comic’s most poignant tale, as its visuals are stunning. Writer Damon Lindelof comes up with the inspired idea that someone else besides Jor-El engineered some of the prototype starship’s most vital components. Though “Friday Night in the 21st Century” doesn’t accomplish much, it’s still a fun little gem from Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. Frank also delivers splendid work in his contributions to the feature story. As for “The Incident,” its stark realism is well-played, as this tale is more engrossing than the Doomsday tale.
Often over-indulging itself, the “Black Ring” tale still has numerous solid moments (including a Luthor flashback sequence re: a mystery that has been eluding him for years). What doesn’t work is a godly Luthor deeming himself as judge, jury, and executioner against the Man of Steel, as it keeps dragging on and on. Also, exactly how Superman withstands Luthor’s cosmic onslaught isn’t explained.
Though parts of this Superman vs. Luthor ultimate showdown are satisfying, it misses the point of everyman mega-genius Luthor vs. Superman. Taking its intriguing concept to an absurd extreme, Luthor’s future credibility takes a major hit. At least the Joker’s cameo conveys the wicked irony Luthor brings upon himself. As a commemorative issue, Action Comics # 900 is mostly dynamite, especially in terms of its nearly 100 pages of awesome visuals.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
From artist Brian Stelfreeze, a two-page spread depicts the ‘Evolution of the Man of Tomorrow,’ as Superman is seen in six different incarnations dating back to the Golden Age. There is a single-page letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
