Ricky Church reviews Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman…
Superman is about to reach a milestone 1000th issue of Action Comics, the title which introduced him to the world and irrevocably changed the landscape for the comic book industry and superhero genre forever. To further celebrate the milestone, DC has published Actions Comics: 80 Years of Superman The Deluxe Edition, a collection of some of Superman’s most famous and significant stories from the past eight decades. Filled with these issues and essays from some of DC’s most prolific writers, editors and professors on Superman’s sustainability, this book is a real celebration of the hero’s history.
Beginning with a reprint of Action Comics #1, the book goes back to the very beginning of Superman’s origins and gives us a glimpse of the original hero, one without the vast powerset he’s become known for. Its interesting to see Superman as he was originally presented, yet despite the lack of familiar powers this is still very much the same Superman we know. He looks out for the little guy while also working for the Daily Star, trying to date the feisty Lois Lane while claiming the headline story.
That’s one of the special things about the book: seeing the evolution of Superman and his world. Along with the famous first two issues of Action Comics are the introductions of many key elements to the Superman mythos, such as the introduction of the Fortress of Solitude and the first appearances of Brainiac and Supergirl. There are even vignettes of those early Action Comics issues that have a second, unrelated story which sees readers introduced to the magician Zatara, Vigilante and The Human Target.
Those other stories also show just how special Siegel and Shuster’s Superman stories were. Compare the art of Zatara’s introduction to that of Superman’s and you’ll see a much more animated, distinct style in Shuster’s art than the others. While it is definitely not as detailed compared to the art we usually see in comic books today, Shuster’s movements and body language never stay static for more than a panel. Everything is always in constant motion, an apt aspect for a hero faster than a speeding bullet.
From there we get some classic Superman stories featuring some of DC’s most prolific writers and artists during the Silver and Modern Ages of Action Comics, including Edmond Hamilton, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Curt Swan, John Byrne and Grant Morrison. Each writer and artist here manages to capture Superman’s character and world very well, even including a lost 1945 story from Siegel and Shuster that Wolfman managed to track down.
One of the real draws of the book, however, is the collection of essays from various writers and profressions on Superman’s history and endurability. Essays from Levitz and Wolfman look at the history of the character and how Siegel and Shuster worked together while Gene Luen Yang examines Superman’s status as an immigrant or journalism professor David Hajdu talking about Clark Kent’s role in the comics. Possibly the best piece, however, is the retrospective written by Laura Siegel Larson, the daughter of Jerry Siegel. Her essay is a personal one and really gets across the creativity and struggles both her father and Shuster went through in getting Superman to the page. Its enlightening to hear from a close member of Siegel’s family and emphasizes just how special the hero is. The knowledge that Lois Lane was modelled after her mother years before Jerry and Joanne Siegel married just adds to the passion that bleeds through Siegel and Shuster’s work.
Actions Comics: 80 Years of Superman The Deluxe Edition is a great collection and celebration of the Man of Steel, one that just adds to the gravity of Action Comics #1000. Reading these stories or essay prior to the big milestone issue isn’t required, but it certainly adds to feeling of history behind the Superman mythos. This isn’t just a book Superman fans will enjoy, but anyone interested in comic book history should enjoy the deep dive into the Man of Steel’s character and creation.
SEE ALSO: Truth and Justice: Why Superman remains an icon 80 years later
Rating: 9/10
Ricky Church
