Written by John Byrne.
Art by John Byrne; Keith Williams; John Costanza; & Tom Ziuko.
Cover Art by John Byrne.
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Past Imperfect,” DC Comics released this issue for August 1987. Though unacknowledged, this story is Part 2 of a three-part crossover that began in John Byrne’s Superman # 8. In a mysteriously idyllic version of Smallville, a Silver Age-like Superboy has used a Kryptonian device to paralyze the post-Crisis Superman.
Note: Byrne’s Superman is openly acknowledged as not being as powerful or as fast as his pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths incarnation. Yet, this Superboy, to some degree, has evidently surpassed the rebooted Superman’s power levels.
The Boy of Steel’s device has simultaneously neutralized the Legion of Super-Heroes’ Blok, Invisible Kid, Sun Boy, and Brainiac Five. Superboy intends to deliver these captive 30th Century Legionnaires to his unknown ‘master.’ Pursuing Superboy into hyperspace, an outmatched Man of Steel’s failure sends him plummeting back to this slightly askew version of Smallville.
After encountering Pete Ross and Superboy’s version of the Kents, Superman is double-teamed by the Boy of Steel and his ultra-loyal pet: Krypto the Super-Dog. Subsequently, Krypto’s poignant choice gives Superboy and Jonathan Kent a last-ditch chance to win. Afterwards, a compassionate Superman deduces enough of what has somehow transpired to make a truce with his repentant younger counterpart.
Superman ponders some familiar elements of this world (again, broadly recalling the Man of Steel’s prior incarnation). Elsewhere, the nefarious Time Trapper reveals what exactly he has done to finally vanquish the Legion of Super-Heroes. Including Superboy, the crossover now shifts to Legion of Super-Heroes # 38 for its conclusion.
Notes: Following 1985-86’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics established that the post-Crisis Superman’s reboot meant he was never Superboy, let alone had never met the Legion of Super-Heroes. Further, Superman’s reboot specified that neither Supergirl nor Krypto existed in his post-Crisis continuity.
Historically, Issue # 591’s major twist signified DC’s first tweaking of its post-Crisis ‘no alternate reality’ policy in its seemingly unified universe.
REVIEW:
Old school fans can appreciate this odd storyline as John Byrne’s homage to the Silver Age: Superboy, Krypto, and the Boy of Steel’s association with the Legion of Super-Heroes. Though Byrne spells out his convoluted premise, casual fans might be understandably confused distinguishing the pre-and post-Crisis Superman from one another. Byrne, in fairness, earns points for originality, even if his intriguing plot is somewhat disjointed.
Overall, Byrne’s kid-friendly writing and artwork are enjoyable for the mid-80’s, so one might consider finding Action Comics # 591 for nostalgia’s sake. Given how muddled DC continuity is, his experiment thirty-five years ago pitching a few ripples is simplistic by comparison.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a two-page “Re-Action Comics” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
