WikiComics - New pages [en]

Phalanx Covenant

2010-12-15T18:37:00Z

Summary: New page: "'''The Phalanx Covenant'''" was a [[wikipedia:crossover (fiction)|crossover]] storyline that ran through [[wikipedia:Marvel Comics|Marvel Comics]]' [[X-Men]] family of books in September ...

"'''The Phalanx Covenant'''" was a [[wikipedia:crossover (fiction)|crossover]] storyline that ran through [[wikipedia:Marvel Comics|Marvel Comics]]' [[X-Men]] family of books in September and October [[wikipedia:1994 in comics|1994]]. One of its unique aspects was that the X-Men themselves only played a minor role in the story.

Druid

2010-12-14T19:53:42Z

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'''Doctor Druid''', also known as '''Doctor Droom''' and '''Druid''', is a [[wikipedia:fictional character|fictional character]], a [[wikipedia:supernatural|supernatural]] [[wikipedia:monster|monster]]-[[wikipedia:hunter|hunter]] in the [[wikipedia:Marvel Comics|Marvel Comics]] [[wikipedia:Marvel Universe|universe]]. Co-created by [[wikipedia:writer|writer]]-[[wikipedia:Editing|editor]] [[wikipedia:Stan Lee|Stan Lee]] and [[wikipedia:penciller|penciller]] [[wikipedia:Jack Kirby|Jack Kirby]], he starred in his own continuing feature that debuted in ''[[Amazing Adventures No 1|Amazing Adventures #1]]'' (June 1961) — predating Lee & Kirby's milestone creation ''[[The Fantastic Four No 1|The Fantastic Four #1]]'' (Nov. 1961) and establishing him as Marvel's first [[wikipedia:superhero|superhero]] of the mid-1950s and 1960s period known as the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]].

He starred in the [[wikipedia:miniseries|miniseries]] ''Druid'' #1-4 (May-Aug. 1995), by writer [[wikipedia:Warren Ellis|Warren Ellis]] and artist [[wikipedia:Leonardo Manco|Leonardo Manco]], and co-starred with [[wikipedia:Ulysses Bloodstone|Ulysses Bloodstone]] and others in the flashback title ''Marvel Universe'' #4-7 (Sept.-Dec. 1998). There he was [[wikipedia:retconned|retconned]] as a member of the group the [[Monster Hunters]], whose adventures took place at the crux between the "[[wikipedia:Atlas Comics (1950s)#Pre-superhero Marvel|Age of Monsters]]" and "Age of Heroes".

==Publication history==
In his earliest five appearances, in ''Amazing Adventures'' #1-4 & #6 (June-Sept. & Nov. 1961), Doctor Druid was introduced as Doctor Droom. More a monster-story appendage than a serious attempt at creating a three-dimensional character in the manner of the upcoming [[Spider-Man]] or [[Fantastic Four]], Doctor Droom vanished into obscurity for years after the series was re-titled and reformatted as ''[[Amazing Adult Fantasy]]'' with #7. He resurfaced in the 1970s as a guest character in ''[[The Incredible Hulk]]'', where he was re-titled Doctor Druid to avoid confusion with the far more recognizable [[Doctor Doom]].

==Fictional character biography==
[[Image:DrDroom AA1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Weird Wonder Tales'' #19 (Dec. 1976), an edited reprint of "I Am the Fantastic Dr. Droom" from ''Amazing Adventures'' #1 (June 1961). Art by [[wikipedia:Jack Kirby|Jack Kirby]] & [[wikipedia:Steve Ditko|Steve Ditko]]]]
Doctor Druid's real name is Dr. Anthony Ludgate Druid, although he usually refers to himself as Dr. Anthony Druid for effect. He is a [[wikipedia:psychiatrist|psychiatrist]] and explorer, as well as a minor [[wikipedia:telepath|telepath]] and [[wikipedia:magic (paranormal)|magician]], specializing mostly in [[wikipedia:hypnosis|hypnosis]] and other feats of [[wikipedia:mesmerism|mesmerism]]. He has minor magical abilities that have varied over the years. He is also an expert on the [[wikipedia:occult|occult]], having been trained by a [[wikipedia:Tibet|Tibet]]an [[wikipedia:lama|lama]] who had come to the [[wikipedia:U.S.|U.S.]] for [[wikipedia:medical|medical]] attention (later [[wikipedia:retconned|retconned]] as the [[wikipedia:Ancient One|Ancient One]],<ref>''Avengers Spotlight'' #37 (Oct. 1990)</ref> the same sorcerer who trained [[Doctor Strange]]). Ludgate was later revealed to be a distant descendant of the real-life [[Amergin]] the [[wikipedia:Druid|Druid]] of the 10th century.

Doctor Druid remained on the sidelines for years. He eventually appeared again, and teamed with the [[Hulk]] against the [[Maha Yogi]].<ref>''Incredible Hulk'' #209-211</ref> With the [[Avengers]], he encountered the [Fomor]] and his ancestor Amergin.<ref>''The Avengers'' #225-226 (Nov.-Dec. 1982)</ref>

Doctor Druid some time later aided the Avengers in thwarting [[Baron Zemo]] and the fourth [[Masters of Evil]]'s takeover of [[Avengers Mansion]].<ref>''Avengers'' #276 (Feb. 1987)</ref> He joined the ranks of the Avengers shortly after helping to defend from this attack.<ref>''The Avengers'' #278 (April 1987)</ref> He battled a [[Dracula]] [[wikipedia:doppelganger|doppelganger]] in the realm of Death.<ref>''West Coast Avengers Annual'' #2 (1987); ''Avengers Annual'' #16 (1987)</ref>

His membership was tainted when he was [[wikipedia:mind control|mind control]]led by [[wikipedia:supervillain|supervillain]]ess the [[Terminatrix]] (at the time impersonating the [[wikipedia:space pirate|space pirate]] [[Nebula]]) into manipulating the team on her behalf. When "Nebula" was cast into [[Limbo]], Druid followed, as he was still under her thrall. He eventually regained control of his own mind and returned to Earth, where, after learning his true origin, banished "Nebula" and became younger by magic.

Due to his actions as the villain's thrall, Druid was disgraced. He was briefly reunited with his former teammates while working with [[Doctor Strange]] during the [[Infinity War]], and later became leader of the [[Secret Defenders]]. In that role, he was once again victimized by a villain's mind-control, this time by the [[demon]] Slorioth. Doctor Druid and the demon were defeated, Druid faked his own death, and the team disbanded.

Then, he abandoned his spandex costume and became even more of a real, traditional druid, a fact reflected by his taking on the simple name of "Druid", and the new nature of his nature powers, but he let his feelings of rage and power lust take him over, went insane, was betrayed by his allies, and was finally killed by [[Daimon Hellstrom|Hellstorm]], the putative Son of Satan.<ref>''Druid'' #4 (Aug. 1995)</ref> Druid's ghost appeared later alongside the spirits of other dead ex-Avengers, confirming that Druid had in fact died this time. The Avengers later placed a memorial statue of him in the garden of Avengers Mansion.

Doctor Druid's son is introduced as one of [[Nick Fury]]'s new recruits to fight against the [[Secret Invasion]].<ref>''[[The Mighty Avengers]]'' #13 (July 2008)</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
Doctor Druid's latent mystical abilities were activated by the [[Ancient One]]. He has a variety of [[wikipedia:psionic|psionic]] abilities including: [[wikipedia:telepathy|telepathy]], enabling him to scan or project his thoughts to any mind on Earth; the ability to mesmerize minds less adept than his own, and can perform mass [[wikipedia:hypnosis|hypnosis]]. Doctor Druid's hypnotic abilities enable him to achieve numerous illusory effects, including invisibility, seeming transformation, and sudden seeming materializations. He has [[wikipedia:psychokinetic|psychokinetic]] powers enabling him to levitate himself or other people and objects. Doctor Druid has limited [[wikipedia:precognitive|precognitive]] abilities and can sense the presence of recent uses of magic and trace them to their sources.

Doctor Druid's druidic powers have a special vulnerability to iron, as did the powers of his ancestors. Iron tends to act as a "lightning rod" for the magical forces he employs, sometimes disrupting their effects.

Doctor Druid employs the mystical knowledge and skills of the ancient Druids. Through Earth magic rituals that may involve chants, runes, candles, potions, mystic symbols, and other such preparations, Doctor Druid can achieve various magical feats. These rituals tap the inherent mystical energies in natural objects and materials. Doctor Druid possesses various [[wikipedia:Celt|Celtic]] mystical artifacts as well. Doctor Druid can also call upon the Celtic war goddesses [[wikipedia:Morrigan|Morrigan]], [[wikipedia:Macha|Macha]], and [[wikipedia:Badb|Badb]] for mystical assistance. Doctor Druid also possesses various [[wikipedia:yogi|yogi]]c abilities including control over involuntary functions of his body, such as his heartbeat, respiration, bleeding, and reaction to pain.

In his latest and last "incarnation", when he was called only "Druid", he has been seen manipulating fire and making a tree instantaneously grow in a person's stomach from the seeds of an eaten apple. These powers were nature-based (elements, plants, etc) as the druids of old worshipped nature.

Druid has earned an M.D. from [[wikipedia:Harvard|Harvard]], a degree in psychiatry, and extensive knowledge of occult lore, especially Celtic lore.

==Original Doctor Droom appearances==
[[Image:AmazingAdventuresV1no4.jpg|thumb|250px|"Dr. Droom" banner, ''Amazing Adventures'' #4 (Sept. 1961). Art by Jack Kirby & [[wikipedia:Dick Ayers|Dick Ayers]]]]
''Amazing Adventures''

All reprinted in ''Amazing Fantasy Omnibus'' (2007). The previous reprints below were edited to reflect name-change to "Dr. Druid" plus other [[wikipedia:retcon|retcon]]

* #1 (June 1961) — "I Am the Fantastic Dr. Droom"
::Reprinted in ''Weird Wonder Tales'' #19 (Dec. 1976)
* #2 (July 1961) — "The World Below"
::Reprinted in ''Weird Wonder Tales'' #22 (May 1977)
* #3 (Aug. 1961) — "Dr. Droom Meets Zemu"
::Reprinted in ''Weird Wonder Tales'' #7 (Dec. 1974)
* #4 (Sept. 1961) — "What Lurks Within?"
::Never reprinted outside ''Amazing Fantasy Omnibus''
* #6 (Nov. 1961) — "Dr. Droom Defies the Menace Called ... Krogg"
::Reprinted in ''[[Man-Thing|Giant-Size Man-Thing]]'' #3 (Feb. 1975)

==Other versions==
===Marvel Zombies===
An [[wikipedia:Parallel universe (fiction)|alternate universe]] version of Dr. Druid appears in the 2007 [[wikipedia:miniseries|miniseries]] ''[[Marvel Zombies vs The Army of Darkness]]'' #3 (July 2007). Infected with the [[wikipedia:zombie|zombie]] virus, he visits [[Doctor Strange]] seeking help to stop from turning. With Strange having left to join the resistance, a ravenous Druid consumes Strange's assistant, [[Wong]]. The [[wikipedia:chainsaw|chainsaw]]-handed [[wikipedia:Ash Williams|Ash Williams]] later kills Druid.

==Other characters==
Doctor Druid is not the subversive cult leader, [[wikipedia:Dredmund Druid|Dredmund Druid]], also known as '''The Druid'''.

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*[http://www.comics.org/ The Grand Comics Database]
*[http://marvel.com/universe/Doctor_Druid Marvel Universe Database: Doctor Druid]

==Sources==
*[http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/DoctorDruid.html Doctor Druid] The Religious Affiliation of Comic Book Character, Doctor Druid of the Avengers and Secret Defenders

[[Category:Druid]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics]]

World's Finest (1999) No 4

2010-12-12T23:56:59Z

Summary: New page: {{Template:Comic type right column 01 | | image01=[[Image:WordsFinestSup4-1.jpg|175px|World's Finest (1999) No 4]] | Publisher =[[wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]] | Date= | Series=[[World'...

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[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:World's Finest (1999)]]

Adventure Comics No 128

2010-12-12T23:51:01Z

Summary: Copied from Wikia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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| image01=[[Image:AdvenCom128-1.jpg|175px|Adventure Comics No 128]]
| Publisher =[[wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]]
| Date=1948
| Series=[[Adventure Comics]]
| Pages=
| Format=Color
| Price=0.10¢
| Previous=[[Adventure Comics No 127|No 127]]
| Next=[[Adventure Comics No 129|No 129]]
| priceguide=[[Adventure Comics No 128#Price Guide|Price Guide]]
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'''Adventure Comics No 128''' is entitled ''How Clark Kent Met Lois Lane''.

==Specifications==
* Cover Art: Win Mortimer
* Story: “How Clark Kent Met Lois Lane”
* Editor: Jack Schiff
* Writer: Bill Finger
* Penciller: Al Wenzel
* Inker: George Roussos
* Letterer:

==Synopsis==
Clark Kent and Lois Lane both win an annual contest for school reporters, landing them a free trip to Metropolis to work as cub reporters for a week on the Daily Planet. Clark finds Lois attractive, but Lois finds Clark dull, and tries to pump him for information on Superboy. The two have a competition over filing stories, which Lois wins repeatedly because Clark must appear as Superboy in each incident, and Clark Kent is observably not present. Superboy rescues Lois from a gang of crooks using construction equipment. Then, as Clark Kent, he pays up on his ice-cream bet, and says goodbye to Lois after a week’s work.

==Collecting==

==Price Guide==
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==See Also==
*[[Superman Vol 1]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==
*[http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Adventure_Comics_Vol_1_128 Wikia - Adventure Comics Vol 1 128]

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Superman Vol 2]]

Action Comics No 1

2010-12-12T23:37:28Z

Summary:

{{Template:Comic type right column 01
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| image01=[[Image:Action1.JPG|250px|Action Comics No 1]]
| Publisher =[[wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]]
| Date=
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'''''Action Comics'' #1''' (June 1938) is the first issue of the [[comic book]] series ''[[Action Comics]]''. It features the [[wikipedia: first appearance| first appearance]] of several comic book heroes, most notably the [[wikipedia: Jerry Siegel| Jerry Siegel]]/[[wikipedia: Joe Shuster| Joe Shuster]] creation [[Superman]].

==Specifications==
* Cover Art:
* Story:
* Editor:
* Writer:
* Penciller:
* Inker:
* Letterer:

==Publication==
Published in April 1938 (cover-dated June) by National Allied Publications, a corporate predecessor of [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]], it is considered the first true [[wikipedia: superhero| superhero]] comic, and though today ''Action Comics'' is a monthly title devoted to Superman, it began, like many early comics, as an [[wikipedia: anthology| anthology]].<ref>"[[Action Comics]]". IGN. Retrieved 2007-04-25.</ref>

''Action Comics'' was started by publisher [[wikipedia: Jack Liebowitz| Jack Liebowitz]]. The first issue had a print run of 200,000 copies, although sales of the series would soon approach 1,000,000 a month.<ref>"[http://blog.comichron.com/2010/02/million-dollar-action-1-copy-was-once.html Million-dollar Action #1 copy was once one-in-200,000]". Comichron. Retrieved 2010-02-23.</ref> Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were paid $10 per page, for a total of $130 for their work on this issue. They effectively signed away millions in future rights and royalties payments. Starting in 1978 Siegel and Shuster were provided with a $20,000 a month annuity which was later raised to $30,000. Liebowitz would later say that selecting Superman to run in ''Action Comics'' #1 was "pure accident" based on deadline pressure. He also selected the "thrilling" cover, depicting Superman lifting a car over his head.<ref>Nash, Eric P. (December 13, 2000). "[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE0DD103FF930A25751C1A9669C8B63 Jack Liebowitz, Comics Publisher, Dies at 100]". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-01.</ref> [[wikipedia: Christopher Knowles (comics)|Christopher Knowles]], author of ''[[wikipedia: Our Gods Wear Spandex| Our Gods Wear Spandex]]: The Secret History of Comic Book Heroes'', compared the cover to ''Hercules Clubs the Hydra'' by [[wikipedia: Antonio del Pollaiolo| Antonio del Pollaiolo]].<ref>Knowles, Chris (November 28, 2007). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12056 The "Action Comics" #1 Cover Debate – Part 1]". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2008-08-01.</ref><ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=12067 The "Action Comics" #1 Cover Debate – Part 2], [[wikipedia:Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]], November 29th, 2007</ref>

==Collectibility==
''Action Comics'' #1 is considered the most valuable comic for a given condition, followed by ''[[Detective Comics No 27| Detective Comics #27]]'' (the first appearance of [[Batman]]) and ''[[Superman]]'' vol. 1 #1.<ref>"[http://www.nostomania.com/servlets/com.nostomania.CatPage?name=Top100ComicsMain Nostomania's 100 Most Valuable Comic Books]". Nostomania. Retrieved 2007-04-26.</ref><ref>"[http://www.aolnews.com/category/goodbye-propeller/ World’s Most Valuable Comic Books].". Netscape. Retrieved 2007-04-26.</ref>

On February 22, 2010, a copy of ''Action Comics'' #1 sold at [[wikipedia: auction| auction]] for [[wikipedia: United States dollar|USD]]$1 million, besting the $317,000 record for a comic book set by a different copy, in lesser condition, the previous year. The sale, by an anonymous seller to an anonymous buyer, was through the [[wikipedia: Manhattan| Manhattan]]-based auction company ComicConnect.com.<ref>[[wikipedia: Associated Press| Associated Press]] via [http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100222/FREE/100229983 "Superman's debut sells for $1M at auction"], ''[[wikipedia: Crain's New York Business| Crain's New York Business]]'', February 22, 2010. [http://www.webcitation.org/5nlh9imNu WebCitation archive].</ref>

There are five known CGC-graded copies with a grade above VG (CGC 4.0), with a single issue having the best grade of VF+ (CGC 8.5). There is one known uncertified copy in higher grade, the famous [[wikipedia: Edgar Church|Edgar Church/Mile High]] copy.<ref>"[http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=262&ai=55528&ssd=3/17/2007&arch=y Mastro to Offer “Forgotten” Action #1]". Diamond Galleries. Retrieved 2007-04-26.</ref><ref> "[http://web.archive.org/web/20080522091739/http://comics.drunkenfist.com/the-most-valuable-comic-books-in-the-world/ The Most Valuable Comic Books in the World]". It's All Just Comics. Archived from the original on 2008-05-22. Retrieved 2008-07-18.</ref> [[wikipedia: EC Comics|EC]] and ''[[wikipedia: Mad magazine|Mad]]'' publisher [[wikipedia: William Gaines| William Gaines]], whose father was also a comic book publisher and had business dealings with DC Comics at the time ''Action Comics'' #1 was published, claimed in a ''[[wikipedia: The Comics Journal|Comics Journal]]'' interview that he at one point had dozens of copies of the issue around his house, but they were probably all thrown out.<ref>"An Interview with William M. Gaines", ''The Comics Journal'' #81, May 1983, p. 55</ref><ref>"[http://www.comicconnect.com/ The Online Marketplace for Comic Buyers & Sellers]". ComicConnect. Retrieved 2010-06-17.</ref> Another copy, rated CGC 5 ("Very Good/Fine") was discovered in July 2010 by a family facing [[wikipedia: foreclosure| foreclosure]] on their home while packing their possessions; ComicConnect.com estimated the comic may sell as high as $250,000 once auctioned, saving the family's home.<ref>Sanchez, Ray (2010-08-03). "[http://abcnews.go.com/Business/superman-comic-saves-familys-home/story?id=11306997 Superman Comic Saves Family Home From Foreclosure Unexpected Find of Action]". [[wikipedia: ABC News|ABC News]]. Retrieved 2010-08-04.</ref>

On March 29th, 2010, ComicConnect.com sold another copy and fetched USD$1.5 million, making it the most expensive and most valuable comic book of all-time.<ref name="15million"> "[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/comic-with-first-superman-story-sells-for-15m-1930852.html Comic with first Superman story sells for $1.5m]". [[wikipedia: The Independent|The Independent]]. 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2010-03-30.</ref> The copy sold is currently the highest-graded copy from the [[wikipedia: Comic Guaranty LLC| Comic Guaranty LLC]] (CGC), which stands at 8.5 VF+ grade.<ref name="cnn15million">"[http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/03/30/superman.comic/index.html Rare comic of Superman debut fetches $1.5 million]". CNN. 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2010-03-30.</ref>

==Reprints==
In the mid-1970s, DC reissued several of its most popular [[Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] comics under the "Famous First Editions" series, including ''Action Comics'' #1. These reprints were oversized, roughly double the size of the original editions. A cardboard-like cover was placed over these copies, showing that they were a part of the Famous First Edition series. However, there have been many reports over the years of the outer cover being removed and these reprints being sold as legitimate first issues to unsuspecting buyers.<ref>"[http://reviews.ebay.com/ACTION-COMICS-1-1st-Superman-BEWARE-OF-REPRINTS_W0QQugidZ10000000000083834QQ_trksidZp3286.c0.m17 Beware of 1st Superman reprints]". eBay. Retrieved 2008-08-06.</ref>

DC reprinted ''Action Comics'' #1 in 1988 as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Superman that year. This edition only reprinted the Superman story, with a 50¢ U.S.A. cover price.

The complete issue was reprinted in 1998 with an additional half-cover featuring the [[wikistamps: Superman stamp |Superman stamp]] from the [[wikipedia: U.S. Postal Service|U.S. Postal Service]]'s "Celebrate The Century" commemorative stamp series along with a "First Day Of Issue" cancellation. It was sold by the U.S. Postal Service, shrinkwrapped, for $7.95.

The complete issue, except for the inside front, inside back, and outside back cover, was reprinted in 2000 as part of DC Comics' ''[[wikipedia: Millennium Edition (DC Comics)|Millennium Edition]]'' series of reprints of famous DC comics.

==Price Guide==
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==See Also==
*[[Superman Vol 1]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==
*[http://www.dcuguide.com/Sm/Sm2_009.php DC Guide]
*[http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Superman_Vol_1_2 Wikia - Superman Vol 1 2]

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Action Comics]]

Superman Vol 1 No 2

2010-12-12T23:07:34Z

Summary: Copied from Wikia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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| image01=[[Image:SupermanV1-2-1.jpg|175px|Superman Vol 1 No 2]]
| Publisher =[[wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]]
| Date=1939
| Series=[[Superman Vol 1]]
| Pages=64 Pages
| Format=Color
| Price=0.10¢
| Previous=[[Superman Vol 1 No 1|No 1]]
| Next=[[Superman Vol 1 No 3|No 3]]
| priceguide=[[Superman Vol 1 No 2#Price Guide|Price Guide]]
|}}

'''Superman Vol 1 No 2''' is entitled ''The Redemption of Larry Trent''.

==Specifications==
* Cover Art: Joe Shuster
* Story: “The Redemption of Larry Trent”
* Editor: Vincent Sullivan
* Writer: Jerry Siegel
* Penciller: Joe Shuster
* Inker: Paul Cassidy
* Letterer:

==Synopsis==

==Notes==
* This issue is reprinted in Superman Archives, Volume 1 and Superman Chronicles, Volume 2.
* "The Redemption of Larry Trent" was originally published in the Superman Daily newspaper serials (February 20th - March 18th). The title for this story is provided in Superman Archives, Volume 1.
* Superman appeared last in Action Comics #16. He appears next in [[Action Comics No 17]].
* George Taylor is identified by name for the first time in this issue. Taylor appeared last in [[Action Comics No 16]]. He appears next in [[Action Comics No 17]].
* Jimmy Olsen appeared last in [[Action Comics No 10]]. He appears next in [[Superman No 3]]. This is his first appearance in the series.
* Lois Lane appeared last in [[Action Comics No 15]]. She appears next in [[Action Comics No 18]].

==Collecting==

==Price Guide==
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==See Also==
*[[Superman Vol 1]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==
*[http://www.dcuguide.com/Sm/Sm2_009.php DC Guide]
*[http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Superman_Vol_1_2 Wikia - Superman Vol 1 2]

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Superman Vol 2]]

Superman Vol 2 No 9

2010-12-12T20:12:33Z

Summary:

{{Template:Comic type right column 01
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| image01=[[Image:SuperVol2-9-1.jpg|175px|Superman Vol 2 No 9]]
| Publisher =[[wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]]
| Date=Sept. 1987
| Series=[[Superman Vol 2]]
| Pages=32 Pages
| Format=Color
| Price=0.75¢
| Previous=[[Superman Vol 2 No 8|No 8]]
| Next=[[Superman Vol 2 No 10|No 10]]
| priceguide=[[Superman Vol 2 No 9#Price Guide|Price Guide]]
|}}

'''Superman Vol 2 No 9''' is entitled ''To Laugh and Die in Metropolis''.

==Specifications==
* Cover Art: [[wikipedia:John Byrne|John Byrne]]
* Story: “To Laugh and Die in Metropolis” (17 Pages)
* Editor: Andrew Helfer, Mike Carlin
* Writer: [[wikipedia:John Byrne|John Byrne]]
* Penciller: [[wikipedia:John Byrne|John Byrne]]
* Inker: Karl Kesel
* Letterer: John Costanza

==Synopsis==
The [[wikipedia:Joker (comics)|Joker]] comes to [[wikipedia:Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]]. He builds a [[Superman]] robot and programs it to rob the Metropolis diamond exchange. It uses the Joker's patented Joker gas to kill everyone in the bank. Maggie Sawyer and the SCU team arrive at the same time that Superman flies down to the scene.

[[Superman]] confronts the robot and discovers that it is carrying a bomb inside of it. He flies it high into the atmosphere, where it explodes harmlessly. When he returns to Metropolis, he learns that the Joker has kidnapped Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White. Each of them are encased inside of a lead coffin and Superman has thirty minutes to find their locations before their air runs out. Superman quickly deduces that the Joker is lying and that he has his three friends held up in a train car. Superman finds the car, frees the hostages and nabs the Joker. He asks the Joker why he suddenly began operating out of Metropolis. The Joker replies, "Why not?"

Back in Smallville, a small robot probe flies into Lana Lang's window and zaps her in the forehead with a laser beam. Time for Lana to become a victim again.

Nine-hundred miles outside of Metropolis, Lex Luthor goes to a run of the mill diner. He offers a waitress, Jenny Hubbard, one-million dollars if she would agree to stay with him for one month. Jenny reflects upon the opportunity, but her strong morality prevents her from accepting Luthor's offer.

==Notes==
* [[Superman]] appeared last in [[Adventures of Superman No 431].
* The Joker was last seen in Doctor Fate Vol 1 No2. He appears next in Swamp Thing Vol 2 No 66.
* Lois Lane appeared last in [[Booster Gold Vol 1 No 19]].
* Lana Lang appeared last in [[Adventures of Superman No 430]]. She appears next in [[Action Comics No 595]].
* Maggie Sawyer appeared last in [[Superman Vol 2 No 7]].
* Behind the scenes appearances by the [[Manhunters]].
* First appearance of Jenny Hubbard. She will make one more appearance in [[Superman Vol 2 No 163]].
* First appearance of Toby Raynes, a reporter for the Metropolis Star. She appears next in [[Superman Vol 2 No 15.
* This is the 1st appearance of the Stryker's Island Penitentiary. It is loosely based on the Riker's Island prison outside of Manhattan Island in New York City. Riker's Island penitentiary does in fact exist in the modern DC Universe.
* Clark finally opens the package that was delivered to him in issue #2. The contents are the [[Kent Family Scrapbook]].
* The Superman Robot that appears in this issue is a weapon utilized by the Joker. It is not to be confused with the robotic simalucrums that Superman keeps in storage at the Fortress of Solitude.

==Collecting==

==Price Guide==
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==See Also==
*[[Superman Vol 2]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==
*[http://www.dcuguide.com/Sm/Sm2_009.php DC Guide]
*[http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Superman_Vol_2_9 Wikia - Superman Vol 2 9]

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Superman Vol 2]]

Superman and Batman: Generations

2010-12-12T19:28:50Z

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Superman & Batman: Generations

2010-12-12T19:27:17Z

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World's Finest (1999)

2010-12-12T19:08:18Z

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The '''World's Finest (1999)''' is a ten-issue mini-series written by [[wikipedia:Karl Kesel|Karl Kesel]] and illustrated by Dave Taylor. This series explored the Post-Crisis history of [[Superman]] and [[Batman]] with each of the ten issues taking place one year after the other.

[[Category:World's Finest]]

Young Justice

2010-12-12T18:31:43Z

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[[Category:Young Justice]]

Superman (Metropolis)

2010-12-12T18:18:49Z

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[[Category:Superman (Metropolis)]]

Superman Superband

2010-12-12T18:12:28Z

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[[Category:Superman Superband]]

Superman Presents Tip Top

2010-12-12T18:01:53Z

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[[Category:Superman Presents Tip Top]]

Superman For All Seasons

2010-12-12T17:55:03Z

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[[Category:Superman For All Seasons]]

Superman Extra

2010-12-12T17:38:53Z

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Superman Album

2010-12-12T17:32:26Z

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Superman Adventures

2010-12-12T17:24:32Z

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Superman - Shazam

2010-12-12T17:17:34Z

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Supergirl

2010-12-12T17:07:00Z

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Super Adventure Comic

2010-12-12T16:59:17Z

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The New Adventures of Superboy

2010-12-12T16:52:34Z

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[[Category:The New Adventures of Superboy]]

Giant Superman Annual

2010-12-12T16:37:06Z

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Superman Vol 2

2010-12-12T02:41:23Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman''''' was an ongoing [[comic book]] series featuring the [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] [[wikipedia: superhero| superhero]] of the [[wikipedia: Superman|same name]]. The second volume of the [[wikipedia: Superman (comic book)|previous ongoing ''Superman'' title]], the series was published from [[wikipedia: cover date| cover date]]s January 1987 to April 2006, and ran for 228 issues (226 monthly issues along with two specials published outside the concurrent numbering). This series was launched after [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]] revamped the Superman character in 1986 in ''[[The Man of Steel]]'' [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]], introducing the post-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' version of the Superman character.

After that limited series, ''Action Comics'' returned to publication and ''Superman'' vol. 2, #1 was published. The original ''Superman'' series (volume 1) became ''[[Adventures of Superman]]'' starting with issue #424. ''Superman'' vol. 2 continued publishing until March of 2006. At that point, DC revived the original Superman series, giving ''Adventures of Superman'' its original title and canceling the second ''Superman'' series in the process.

==Publication history==
Because the [[wikipedia: DC Universe| DC Universe]] was revamped after the events of ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'', the previous continuity before that series (colloquially referred to as "pre-''Crisis''") was voided. Because of this, old established characters were given the opportunity to be reintroduced in new ways. Re-introductions of classic villains were part of the new ''Superman'' series' first year, featuring the first post-''Crisis'' appearances of villains such as [[wikipedia: Metallo| Metallo]]<ref>[[wikipedia:John Byrne|Byrne, John]] (w). Superman 2 (1) (January 1987), DC Comics</ref> and [[wikipedia: Mxyzptlk| Mxyzptlk]].<ref>Byrne, John (w). Superman 2 (11) (November 1987), DC Comics</ref> The historic engagement of [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]] and [[wikipedia: Clark Kent| Clark Kent]]<ref>Byrne, John and Breeding, Brett (w). Superman 2 (50) (December 1990), DC Comics</ref> was one of the major events in the book's run. The hallmark of the run, however, was the storyline ''[[The Death of Superman]]''. The actual death issue was published in this series' 75th issue,<ref>Jurgens, Dan (w). Superman 2 (75) (January 1993), DC Comics</ref> and would be a major media and pop culture event with the issue going on to sell over 3 million copies.<ref>Burns, Kevin (Director). (June 20, 2006). [[Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman|Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman]]. [Film documentary]. Warner Home Video.</ref>

As the main series featuring the flagship character of the DC Universe, the series crossed over with a number of different line-wide crossover stories including ''[[wikipedia: Zero Hour: Crisis in Time| Zero Hour: Crisis in Time]]'',<ref> Jurgens, Dan (w). Superman 2 (93) (September 1994), DC Comics</ref> ''[[wikipedia: The Final Night| The Final Night]]'',<ref>Jurgens, Dan (w). Superman 2 (117) (November 1996), DC Comics</ref> and ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''.<ref>[[wikipedia:Joe Kelly|Kelly, Joe]] (w). Superman 2 (226) (March 2006), DC Comics</ref>

Writer [[wikipedia: Jeph Loeb| Jeph Loeb]]'s run on the series introduced audiences to the post-''Crisis'' incarnations of [[wikipedia: Bizarro| Bizarro]]<ref>Loeb, Jeph (w). Superman 2 (160) (September 2000), DC Comics</ref> and [[wikipedia: Krypto| Krypto]],<ref>Loeb, Jeph (w). Superman 2 (160) (September 2000), DC Comics</ref> and also introduced a controversial storyline in which Superman's arch nemesis, supervillain [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]], became the [[wikipedia: President of the United States| President of the United States]].<ref>Loeb, Jeph (w). Superman 2 (160) (September 2000), DC Comics</ref><ref>Loeb, Jeph (w). Superman 2 (160) (September 2000), DC Comics</ref> Loeb's run on the series also included the massive crossover event ''[[wikipedia: Our Worlds at War| Our Worlds at War]]'', which saw the destruction of [[wikipedia: Topeka, Kansas| Topeka, Kansas]],<ref>Loeb, Jeph (w). Superman 2 (160) (September 2000), DC Comics</ref> serious damage to Clark Kent's nearby hometown of [[wikipedia: Smallville (comics)|Smallville]], and Superman adopting a costume of more somber colors to mourn the heavy loss of life during the event.<ref>Loeb, Jeph (w). Superman 2 (160) (September 2000), DC Comics</ref>

More attention was brought to the series when it was announced that superstar artist [[wikipedia: Jim Lee| Jim Lee]], who had recently concluded the highly popular ''[[Batman]]'' story arc ''[[Batman: Hush]]'' with Jeph Loeb, would be providing the artwork for a story by writer [[wikipedia: Brian Azzarello| Brian Azzarello]].<ref>[http://www.mania.com/jim-lee-to-draw-superman_article_39260.html "Jim Lee to draw Superman"], Mania.com, July 29, 2003</ref> The story, ''[[Superman: For Tomorrow]]'', ran for twelve issues<ref> ran for twelve issues </ref><ref> ran for twelve issues </ref> and received high acclaim, reflected in the publication of an [[wikipedia: DC Comics Absolute Edition|Absolute Edition]] hardcover in May of 2009.<ref> ran for twelve issues </ref>

With the publication of issue #226 (May 2006), the series was canceled as part of the company-wide ''Infinite Crisis'' event. ''Adventures of Superman'' was returned to its original title, ''Superman'', with issue #650 the following month.<ref>Busiek, Kurt and Johns, Geoff (w). Superman 1 (650) (May 2006), DC Comics</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Superman Vol 2]]

Justice League of America Vol 2

2010-12-12T01:50:07Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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[[wikipedia: One Year Later|One year]] after the events of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', [[Superman]], [[Batman]], and [[Wonder Woman]] reunite in the [[wikipedia: Batcave| Batcave]] to re-form the League in ''[[Justice League of America No 0|Justice League of America #0]]'', the kick-off '''Justice League of America Vol 2''' by [[wikipedia: Brad Meltzer| Brad Meltzer]] and [[wikipedia: Ed Benes| Ed Benes]]. The series featured a roster which included Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Black Canary, [[wikipedia: Roy Harper (comics)|Red Arrow]] ([[Green Arrow]]'s former sidekick), Red Tornado, [[wikipedia: Vixen (comics)|Vixen]], [[wikipedia: Black Lightning| Black Lightning]], and [[wikipedia: Hawkgirl#Kendra Saunders|Hawkgirl]]. The first arc of the series focused upon Red Tornado and pitted the team against a new intelligent incarnation of [[wikipedia: Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]] and the rebuilt [[wikipedia: Amazo| Amazo]]. The new incarnation of the team has two main headquarters, linked by a [[wikipedia: teleportation|transporter]]. The first site is [[wikipedia: Hall of Justice (comics)|The Hall]], which in mainstream DC Universe is a refurnished version of the Justice Society of America and the [[wikipedia: All-Star Squadron| All-Star Squadron]]'s former headquarters located in [[wikipedia: Washington, D.C.| Washington, D.C.]] Black Canary is elected as the first official Chairperson after the fight against Amazo and Solomon Grundy, and led both the Justice League and Justice Society in a complex quest to reunite time-lost members of the pre-Crisis [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]], who had been sent back in time to free both [[wikipedia: Bart Allen| Bart Allen]] and [[wikipedia: Wally West|Flash]] from the other dimensional realm of the [[wikipedia: Speed Force| Speed Force]]. Meltzer left the series at the end of issue #12, with one of his subplots ([[wikipedia: Per Degaton| Per Degaton]], a pre-nuclear fire mutation version of [[wikipedia: Despero| Despero]], and a circa 1948 version of the [[wikipedia: Ultra-Humanite| Ultra-Humanite]] gathering for an unknown plot) resolved in the pages of ''Booster Gold''.

[[wikipedia: Dwayne McDuffie| Dwayne McDuffie]] took over the writing job with the ''Justice League Wedding Special'' and the main book with issue #13. Due to DC Comics seeking to launch a spin-off Justice League book led by Hal Jordan, the character was removed from the main League series and replaced by John Stewart. [[wikipedia: Firestorm (Jason Rusch)|Firestorm]] also joined the roster, with the series entering into a series of tie-in storylines towards ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'', with the arrest of a large number of supervillains (gathered by Lex Luthor and [[wikipedia: Deathstroke| Deathstroke]] to attack the League on the eve of the wedding of Black Canary and Green Arrow) setting up the ''[[wikipedia: Salvation Run| Salvation Run]]'' tie-in miniseries. Also, roster members Red Tornado and [[wikipedia: Geo-Force| Geo-Force]] were written out. McDuffie's run received mixed reviews and negative fan response due to fan favorite Hal Jordan's removal in favor of Stewart. Jordan ended up being restored to the roster by issue #19 of the series, only to be removed once again by issue #31 once ''Justice League: Cry for Justice'' was completed and ready to be shipped.

Issue #21 saw the return of [[wikipedia: Libra (DC Comics)|Libra]] and the [[wikipedia: Human Flame| Human Flame]], setting up their appearances in ''[[wikipedia: Final Crisis| Final Crisis]]''. Later issues would resolve issues involving Vixen's power level increase and see the integration of the [[wikipedia: Milestone Comics| Milestone Comics]] characters the [[wikipedia: Shadow Cabinet (comics)|Shadow Cabinet]] and [[wikipedia: Icon (comics)|Icon]], who fought the Justice League over the remains of the villainous Doctor Light. The group suffered greater losses during ''Final Crisis'' with the deaths of Martian Manhunter and Batman, leading to Green Arrow and Hal Jordan forming their own splinter Justice League group to hunt down the men responsible for arranging Martian Manhunter's death (Black Canary herself has also sent John Stewart and Firestorm after Human Flame, as seen in the ''Final Crisis Aftermath: Run!'' miniseries).

Hal's decision to form his own group, combined with the rest of the roster leaving the group due to their own personal issues, has resulted in a new League roster of Black Canary, Firestorm, John Stewart, Zatanna, Vixen, and the heroic female Doctor Light. Later, Black Canary tries to disband the League, believing it to be too weak with its current, shaky roster. It is implied by the comments of Vixen and Firestorm that the team took this more as a resignation on her part.<ref name=35v2>''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #35</ref> Thus, Vixen has assumed command of the League.<ref name=35v2/>

[[wikipedia: Len Wein| Len Wein]] wrote a three-part fill-in story for ''[[Justice League of America]]''<ref> Renaud, Jeffrey (April 22, 2009). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20900 Len Wein Talks JLA Two-Parter]". [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]].</ref> that ran from #35 to #37. McDuffie was fired from the title before he could return, after discussion postings to the DC Comics message board, detailing behind-the-scenes creative decisions on his run, were republished in the rumor column "Lying In The Gutter".<ref>Parkin, JK (May 28, 2009). "[http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/05/dwayne-mcduffie-fired-from-justice-league/ Dwayne McDuffie fired from Justice League]". [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]].</ref> [[wikipedia: James Robinson (comics)|James Robinson]] was announced as the new ''Justice League of America'' writer.<ref> Segura, Alex (June 18, 2009). "[http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/18/some-news-for-you-robinson-bagley-step-aboard-justice-league-of-america/ Some news for you: Robinson, Bagley step aboard Justice League of America]". The Source. DC Comics.com.</ref>

Following the events of "Cry for Justice", the JLA is once again decimated with Hal Jordan being forced to rebuild the League, with [[Green Arrow]], [[wikipedia: Atom (Ray Palmer)|the Atom]], [[Batman]], [[wikipedia: Mon-El| Mon-El]], [[wikipedia: Donna Troy| Donna Troy]], [[wikipedia: Cyborg (comics)|Cyborg]], [[wikipedia: Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)|Doctor Light]], [[wikipedia: Starfire (comics)|Starfire]], [[wikipedia: Congorilla| Congorilla]], and [[wikipedia: Guardian (DC Comics)|the Guardian]].

At the end of issue #43, the majority of the new members leave for various reasons. Mon-El and the Guardian leave after Mon-El returns to the future, Black Canary returns to the [[wikipedia: Birds of Prey (comics)|Birds of Prey]], Starfire leaves to join the [[wikipedia: R.E.B.E.L.S.|R.E.B.E.L.S.]], Green Lantern leaves due to his new status after ''[[wikipedia: Blackest Night| Blackest Night]]'', and Green Arrow is forced to leave due to his fugitive status. James Robinson revealed this was due to him having second thoughts about his decision to use so many characters, and revealed that the team will have a different roster in the coming months.<ref>Evans, Chris (April 5, 2010). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25567 WC10: Spotlight on James Robinson]". [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]].</ref> He confirmed that to replace the departed members, [[wikipedia: Jade (comics)|Jade]] and [[wikipedia: Jesse Quick| Jesse Quick]] will be joining. He later revealed that Cyborg will remain with the team in a reduced capacity, and will be given his own co-feature storyline for issues 48–50.<ref>Manning, Shaun (April 17, 2010). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25804 C2E2: DC Universe Panel]". [[wikipedia:Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]].</ref>

==Various origins of the Justice League==
In a story told in flashback in 1962's ''Justice League of America'' #9, Earth was infiltrated by the [[wikipedia: Appelaxian| Appelaxian]]s. Competing [[wikipedia: Extraterrestrial life|alien]] warriors were sent to see who could conquer Earth first to determine who will become the new ruler of their home planet. The aliens' attacks drew the attentions of [[Superman]], [[Batman]], [[Wonder Woman]], [[wikipedia: Flash (Barry Allen)|Flash (Barry Allen)]], [[Green Lantern]] (Hal Jordan), [[wikipedia: Aquaman| Aquaman]], and [[wikipedia: Martian Manhunter| Martian Manhunter]]. While the superheroes individually defeated most of the invaders, the heroes fell prey to a single competitor's attack; only by working together were they able to defeat the competitor. For many years, the heroes heralded this adventure as the event that prompted them to agree to pool resources when confronted with similar menaces.

Years later, however (as revealed in ''Justice League of America'' #144), [[Green Arrow]] uncovered inconsistencies in League records and extracted admissions from his colleagues that the seven founders had actually formed the League after the Martian Manhunter was rescued from Martian forces by the other six founders, along with several other heroes including [[wikipedia: Dick Grayson|Robin]], [[wikipedia: Robotman (Robert Crane)|Robotman]], [[wikipedia: Congo Bill|Congo Bill/Congorilla]], [[wikipedia: Rex the Wonder Dog| Rex the Wonder Dog]], and even [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]]. Green Lantern participated in this first adventure solely as Hal Jordan, due to the fact that he had yet to become the costumed hero at that time (the biggest inconsistency Arrow found, as they celebrated the earlier incident's date, while recounting only the later one's events). When the group formalized their agreement, they suppressed news of it because of anti-Martian hysteria (mirroring the real-world backdrop of Martian scares and anti-communist hysteria of the 1950s). Because the League members had not revealed their identities to each other at the time, they did not realize that Jordan and Green Lantern were one and the same when he turned up in costume during the event described in #9. While most subsequent accounts of the League have made little mention of this first adventure, the animated ''Justice League'' series adapted this tale as the origin of the League as well.

1989's ''[[Secret Origins No 32| Secret Origins #32]]'' updated ''Justice League of America'' #9's origin for Post-Crisis continuity. Differences included the inclusion of the original [[wikipedia: Black Canary| Black Canary]] as a founding member and the absence of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman (the 1960s time frame was retained, but the post-Crisis versions of DC's three biggest stars were young and early in their careers in the late 1980s). Additionally, while Hal Jordan served as the public face of the Justice League, this iteration of the League's origin cast the Flash as the team's unofficial leader, since it was Allen who usually came up with the plans that best utilized everyone's powers. 1998's ''JLA: Year One'' [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]], by [[wikipedia: Mark Waid| Mark Waid]], [[wikipedia: Brian Augustyn| Brian Augustyn]], and [[wikipedia: Barry Kitson| Barry Kitson]], further expanded upon the ''Secret Origins'' depiction, with the revelation that the group was secretly financed by Oliver Queen, a.k.a. the superhero Green Arrow. It also stated that Superman rejected membership into the group, leading to much animus between him and the other "founders" during the early years of the group.

In 1994's ''Justice League Task Force'' #16, during [[wikipedia: Zero Hour (comics)|Zero Hour]], an unknown superhuman named [[wikipedia: Triumph (comics)|Triumph]] appeared. It was revealed that, in a plotline never explored before, Triumph was revealed to have been a founding member of the Justice League, serving as their leader. On his first mission with the fledgling Justice League, Triumph seemingly "saved the world", but was teleported into a dimensional limbo that also affected the timestream, resulting in no one having any memory of him. This was to explain how all the heroes ended up in Washington for their first meeting.

Further convolutions came with the issue of Batman's involvement with the League; during the 1990s, the editors of Batman sought to distance Batman from the Justice League, to the point of demanding that Batman's entire Justice League membership be removed from the group's canon. According to Christopher Priest, this "Batman was never in the Justice League" edict came down ironically after DC published Justice League America Annual #9, which featured Batman as a member of the League during its early days. The edict itself was largely haphazardly enforced; while Mark Waid had Batman proclaim to have never been a member of the League in Justice League Incarnations #7, other writers such as Grant Morrison and Keith Giffen took the stance that Batman had simply never joined the team until the Justice League International era.{{fact}} This edict was ultimately dropped by the early 2000s, as Batman's involvement with the League is now referenced heavily by later writers such as Brad Meltzer.

The convoluted change made to Hawkman's background in the wake of the launching of the Hawkworld ongoing series, in 1990, resulted in a [[wikipedia: retcon| retcon]] where the original Golden Age/Justice Society [[wikipedia: Hawkman (Carter Hall)|Golden Age Hawkman]], Carter Hall was now a member of the team as opposed to [[wikipedia: Hawkman (Katar Hol)|Katar Hol]] (who would now not join the group until 1994's Justice League America #0). The details of how Carter Hall joined the team, would be revealed in the 2001 "Justice League Incarnations #1, with the revelation that Carter joined the team to serve as a mentor for then-young heroes.

In 2006's ''[[Infinite Crisis No 7| Infinite Crisis #7]]'', the formation of "New Earth" (the new name for the Post-Crisis Earth) resulted in the [[wikipedia: retcon| retcon]] that Wonder Woman was a founding member of the Justice League in the early days. In Brad Meltzer's ''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #0 (2006), it was also revealed that both Superman and Batman were founding members as well. ''52 - Week 51'' confirmed that the 1989 ''Secret Origins'' and ''JLA: Year One'' origins were still in canon at that time, with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman joining the team (consisting of Aquaman, Black Canary, Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter) with founding members' status shortly after the group's formation.<ref>Waid, Mark. "[http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/heroes_and_villains/?hv=origin_stories/justice_league_of_america The Origin of the Justice League of America]". DC Comics.com. Retrieved December 31, 2007.</ref> However, in various issues (particularly issue #12) of the current ''Justice League'' series, the founding members of the Justice League are shown to be: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Flash (Barry Allen), Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Justice League of America Vol 2]]

Superman Confidential

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Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman Confidential''''' was a monthly [[comic book]] series from [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]]. The series debuted November 1st, [[wikipedia: 2006 in comics|2006]], and was canceled in April [[wikipedia: 2008 in comics|2008]] after 14 issues.<ref>Superman Confidential issue #14, Cover Date June 2008(c) DC Comics</ref>

''Superman Confidential'' featured [[Superman]] stories set in the early years of the character’s career. The stories illustrated key moments in the character’s past such as first meetings, critical decisions, alliances, confrontations, and events that shaped him into the character he is today. The creative team on the series rotated.<ref>Brady, Matt (2006-06-12). "[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=73448 Tim Sale on Superman Confidential]". [[wikipedia: Newsarama|Newsarama]].</ref>

The stories in ''Confidential'' are the earliest points of reference in the character's newly established continuity, since (according to former monthly ''[[Superman Vol 1]]'' writer [[wikipedia: Kurt Busiek| Kurt Busiek]]) the character's origin in this new continuity had yet to be established.<ref>Bailey, Neal (April 2007). "[http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php?topic=articles/continuity-postIC Byrne is Dead... Long Live... YOD!]". Superman Homepage.</ref>

==Plot Summaries==
===Kryptonite!===
The first story arc by writer [[wikipedia: Darwyn Cooke| Darwyn Cooke]] and artist [[wikipedia: Tim Sale (artist)|Tim Sale]] features Superman’s first encounter with [[wikipedia: Kryptonite| Kryptonite]]. The story occurs in issues #1-5 and is concluded with issue 11.

The story begins in a flashback, showing Superman's rocket reaching the Earth, just as depicted in ''Man of Steel'' and ''Birthright'', and as it does, a chunk of strange green rock breaks off. Flashing forward to the beginning of Superman's career, in Metropolis, Superman catches a tanker truck and does battle with the [[wikipedia: Royal Flush Gang| Royal Flush Gang]]. Seeing Superman struggle with the tanker, they attack him, severing the tank and causing an enormous explosion. Superman wonders about his own stamina and mortality, about how he's never sure if anything is going to hurt him, and just what attack will kill him ultimately, landing on the android Royal Flush Gang member in the form of a block of ice.

Later, in the ''Daily Planet'' building, Perry White meets with Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and Jimmy Olsen, and gives them their next assignment: The new casino that gangster Tony Gallo has put up in Metropolis. They set up a sting, prepping the audio with Lois and readying their surveillance equipment. Distracted from his current job, Clark watches a volcano eruption on TV, anxious that he can't do anything as Superman without giving away his identity.

Lois calls Gallo, who is about to hang up on her when he sees that she's a reporter, and instead decides to talk to her. When Superman fails to show up for one of their dates, Lois instead calls Gallo who promptly takes her for a night on the town.

Superman confronts Lois about Gallo, and she tells him that a relationship between the two of them could never work. Superman re-commits himself to Metropolis by crashing a party the villainous Lex Luthor throws for sick children and presents instead a massive cake. When an armored-car robbery is attempted, Superman rushes to save the day. However, Gallo uses kryptonite radiation to blast Superman from afar and he falls, unconscious, to the ground.

===Welcome to Mer-Tropolis===
This is a two issue story by writer Justin Gray and [[wikipedia: Jimmy Palmiotti| Jimmy Palmiotti]] and penciler [[wikipedia: Koi Turnbull| Koi Turnbull]]that occurred over issues 6 and 7. It focused on the [[wikipedia: Lori Lemaris| Lori Lemaris]] and Metropolis being brought underwater.

===Darkseid related Story (Arc does not have a title)===
This is a three issue arc that by writer [[wikipedia: Andy Lanning| Andy Lanning]] and [[wikipedia: Dan Abnett| Dan Abnett]] and penciller [[wikipedia: Chris Batista| Chris Batista]] that occurred during issues 8-10. It focused on Superman's first encounter with the gods of [[wikipedia: New Genesis| New Genesis]] and [[wikipedia: Darkseid| Darkseid]].

===Signal To Noise===
This is the final three issue arc by writer [[wikipedia: B. Clay Moore| B. Clay Moore]] and penciller [[wikipedia: Phil Hester (comics)|Phil Hester]] that occurred during issues 12-14. It focused on Superman's first encounter with the [[wikipedia: Toyman| Toyman]], and [[wikipedia: Jimmy Olsen|Jimmy Olsen's]] first signal watch.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Superman Confidential]]

All Star Superman

2010-12-12T01:01:58Z

Summary: copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''All Star Superman''''' is a twelve-issue [[comic book]] series featuring [[Superman]] that ran from November [[wikipedia: 2005 in comics|2005]] to October [[wikipedia: 2008 in comics|2008]]. The series was written by [[wikipedia: Grant Morrison| Grant Morrison]], drawn by [[wikipedia: Frank Quitely| Frank Quitely]], digitally inked by [[wikipedia: Jamie Grant| Jamie Grant]] and published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]]. DC claimed that this series would "strip down the Man of Steel to his timeless, essential elements".<ref>Offenberger, Rik (September 6, 2005). "[http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/112602239631900.htm Uniquely Original: Grant Morrison]". [[wikipedia: Comics Bulletin|Comics Bulletin]]. Retrieved April 21, 2008.</ref>

The series was the second to be launched in 2005 under DC's [[wikipedia: All Star DC Comics|All Star]] [[wikipedia: imprint| imprint]], the first being ''[[All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder]]''. These series are attempts by DC to allow major comics creators a chance to tell stories showcasing these characters without being restricted by [[wikipedia: DC Universe| DC Universe]] [[wikipedia: Continuity (fiction)|continuity]].

==Publication history==
Grant Morrison's approach to writing this series was to make the reading as universal as possible. He stated that he wasn't interested in "re-doing origin stories or unpacking classic narratives" but instead wanted to do "a total update, rehaul and refit". However, rather than just creating a "fresh and relevant" update for new readers, Morrison wanted to write a "collection of ‘timeless’ Superman issues".<ref name=Interview /> The origins of this lie in a revamp of Superman, '''''Superman Now''''', which began when Morrison and editor [[wikipedia: Dan Raspler| Dan Raspler]] were unsuccessfully brainstorming ideas for a new take on the character outside the [[wikipedia: San Diego Comic Con| San Diego Comic Con]], when they had a "[[wikipedia: shamanic| shamanic]]" encounter with a man dressed as Superman which helped spark the creative process and inspired the cover to the first issue:<ref name=newsarama100821>Smith, Zack (October 21, 2008). "[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100821-All-Star-Morrison-01.html All Star Memories: Grant Morrison on All Star Superman, 1]". [[wikipedia: Newsarama|Newsarama]].</ref>

:''"He was perched with one knee drawn up, chin resting on his arms. He looked totally relaxed...and I suddenly realized this was how Superman would sit. He wouldn't puff out his chest or posture heroically, he would be totally chilled. If nothing can hurt you, you can afford to be cool. A man like Superman would never have to tense against the cold; never have to flinch in the face of a blow. He would be completely laid back, un-tense. With this image of Superman relaxing on a cloud looking out for us all in my head, I rushed back to my hotel room and filled dozens of pages of my notebook with notes and drawings."''

The ideas generated by that meeting were refined and pitched to DC in 1998 by Morrison, [[wikipedia: Mark Millar| Mark Millar]], [[wikipedia: Mark Waid| Mark Waid]] and [[wikipedia: Tom Peyer| Tom Peyer]].<ref>Cronin, Brian (February 12, 2009). "[http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2009/02/12/comic-book-legends-revealed-194/ Comic Book Legends Revealed #194]". [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]].</ref> They picked up on the fifteen-year cycle of reboots to the character, the previous one being [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]]'s ''[[The Man of Steel]]'', and suggested a new approach:

:''The Superman relaunch we’re selling bucks the trend of sweeping aside the work done by those who came immediately before. Unlike the ‘cosmic reset’ revamps all too prevalent in current comics, our New Superman approach is an honest attempt to synthesize the best of all previous eras. Our intention is to honor each of Superman’s various interpretations and to use internal story logic as our launching pad for a re-imagined, streamlined 21st century Man of Steel. The ‘cosmic reset’ notion has been replaced by a policy of ‘include and transcend’ with regard to past continuity.''

:''Our intention is to restore Superman to his pre-eminent place as the greatest super-hero of all<ref>[http://theages.superman.nu/History/2000/ Superman Now proposal]</ref>''

Although initially greenlit, it was eventually turned down and Morrison said, "I didn’t expect to be doing any further work on Superman" but the chance came as he was finishing his run on ''[[wikipedia: X-Men: Legacy#New X-Men|New X-Men]]''.<ref name=newsarama100821 /> In an interview with Matt Brady from [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], Grant Morrison stated he was contacted by DC Vice President [[wikipedia: Dan DiDio| Dan DiDio]] and asked "if I'd like to come back to DC to work on a Superman project with an artist of my choice". He mentioned it worked out well since he was also planning to return to DC "to do the [[wikipedia: Seven Soldiers| Seven Soldiers]] project and the [[wikipedia: Vertigo (DC Comics)|Vertigo]] books".

Morrison has confirmed that he made use of some of his ''Superman Now'' ideas for ''All Star Superman'', like "Luthor’s heart–stopping moment of understanding," as well as drawing on his original proposal for elements later included in the ''[[wikipedia: DC One Million| DC One Million]]'' storyline.<ref name=newsarama100821 />

In his writing of the character Superman, Morrison identifies different aspects of his personality, stating, "'Superman' is an act. 'Clark Kent' in Metropolis is also an act. There are actually two Kents, at least – one is a disguise, a bumbling, awkward mask for Superman. The other is the confident, strong, good-hearted Clark Kent who was raised by his surrogate Ma and Pa in Kansas and knows how to drive a tractor. I think he's the most 'real' of all."{{fact}}

===Specials===
As the series drew to a close, writer Grant Morrison brought up his pitch for the ''All Star Superman Specials''.<ref>Renaud, Jeffrey (April 17, 2008). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16045 ALL STAR MORRISON III: Superman]". [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]].</ref> It would be special one-shot issues on his Superman concepts from the DC Comics [[wikipedia: All Star DC Comics|All Star imprint]] line all written by him with a host of artists, though it would be loose in continuity from the main series. The three brought up, or possible first three specials, were:
# A look at Superman during his first year with a [[Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] powered Superman.
# An "All Star Superman/Batman" book tribute to the [[wikipedia: Super-Sons| Super-Sons]] [[wikipedia: World's Finest| World's Finest]] team featuring the son of Superman (Superman Secundus, the replacement Superman implied at the end of the series) as well as the son of [[Batman]].
# A story on the Superman Squad, led by the [[wikipedia: Superman (Kal Kent)|Superman of the 853rd Century]], and featuring the Supermen of the [[wikipedia: Superman Dynasty| Superman Dynasty]].
Didio has said there are no current plans for the specials.<ref>Rogers, Vaneta (October 12, 2009). "[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091012-10-answers-dan-didio.html 10 Answers & a Question with Dan Didio 10-12-09 Updated]". [[wikipedia:Newsarama|Newsarama]].</ref>

== Plot ==
Dr. Leo Quintum and his team from [[wikipedia: Project Cadmus|P.R.O.J.E.C.T.]] are exploring the [[wikipedia: Sun| Sun]] when they are sabotaged by a booby-trapped, genetically enhanced [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]] clone. [[Superman]] saves the day, but finds out he has a new power: the ability to project his bioelectric aura. Lex Luthor (used by [[wikipedia: Sam Lane|General Sam Lane]] to work for the government) has orchestrated this to overwhelm Superman's cells with a massive amount of yellow solar radiation. Dr. Quintum determines that Superman's newly enhanced power is also killing him, and that he has about one year to live. Lex Luthor is arrested, thanks to Clark Kent's article. Superman decides to keep his impending death secret from the public.

However, Superman reveals his secret identity to [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]] because he wants to spend his remaining time with her. Lois refuses to believe that Clark and Superman are the same person, and suspected him of playing a birthday trick on her. For her birthday, Superman takes her to the [[wikipedia: Fortress of Solitude| Fortress of Solitude]]. During this visit Superman's secretive behavior heightens Lois' suspicions. She becomes paranoid after she is exposed to alien chemicals in the air which play on her fears. Her paranoia causes her to attack Superman with a kryptonite laser. Superman learns that his newly enhanced powers have rendered him immune to green kryptonite.

Superman is able to calm her down and reveals that his secret was that he has been preparing her birthday present: superpowers for 24 hours. Now as a [[wikipedia: Superwoman| Superwoman]], she and Superman stop a monster attack in [[wikipedia: Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] just as Samson and [[wikipedia: Atlas (DC Comics)|Atlas]] arrive. Flirting with Lois, and showing a newspaper that reads "Superman Dead, by Clark Kent", Samson is revealed to be the one who stole jewels from an Ultra-Sphinx. Kidnapping Lois; the Sphinx demands an answer to the question: ''What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object?'' and Superman answers: ''They surrender'', Lois is saved. Superman then defeats Atlas and Samson in a double [[wikipedia: arm-wrestling| arm-wrestling]] match for Lois' company. Superman and Lois then go from the ocean depths to the moon and kiss before her powers fade and she falls asleep. Superman flies her home without being able to ask his question.

For his ''...For A Day'' column series, [[wikipedia: Jimmy Olsen| Jimmy Olsen]] is allowed to "run" P.R.O.J.E.C.T., but the day gets hectic when Superman gets exposed to [[wikipedia: Kryptonite#Forms of kryptonite|black kryptonite]] and becomes evil. In order to save Superman, Jimmy exposes himself to a life-threatening chemical to become a monster called [[wikipedia: Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]]. Because evil-Superman becomes weaker the more he commits evil acts, Jimmy uses that to stop and save Superman and himself. As a thank you, P.R.O.J.E.C.T. writes a message from Jimmy on the moon to his girlfriend: [[wikipedia: Lucy Lane| Lucy Lane]].

Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. Clark Kent meets Lex Luthor for an exclusive interview at [[wikipedia: Stryker's Island| Stryker's Island]]. As a result of his proximity to Superman, [[wikipedia: Parasite (comics)|Parasite]] begins to absorb Superman's power and manages to free himself and causes havoc in the prison. Clark stops him while not revealing his secret identity. Lex Luthor discloses his respect for Clark as a journalist. He then reveals a tunnel from his cell for Clark to escape with the help of Nasthalthia, his delinquent niece from his sister [[wikipedia: Lena Luthor|Lena]] (originally from a 1970 ''Adventure Comics'' story<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #397 (September, 1970)</ref>). Luthor states that he has no desire to escape himself so long as he defeats Superman by causing his death. He reveals to Clark that Superman is dying, with the hope that it will be published in the ''[[wikipedia: Daily Planet| Daily Planet]]''.

In the past, Clark goes out as [[wikipedia: Superboy|Young Superman]] with his dog [[wikipedia: Krypto| Krypto]] and encounters a monster called a Chronovore. Three strangers arrive and reveal themselves to be: [[wikipedia: Kal Kent| Kal Kent]], the Superman from 853,500 AD, the Unknown Superman of 4500 AD, and Klyzyzk Klzntplkz, the Superman of the 5th Dimension. As the monster is defeated, the Unknown Superman meets with [[wikipedia: Jonathan and Martha Kent|Pa Kent]] and tells him that his son will be fine. Then, Pa Kent suffers a fatal heart attack, something Young Superman was warned about, ignored, and now has failed to prevent. During the funeral, the Unknown Superman reveals himself to be actually the Superman of the present. Before he leaves to his own time, he meets Superman-Prime (from [[wikipedia: DC One Million| DC One Million]], also by Grant Morrison) along with two other descendants of the [[wikipedia: Superman Dynasty| Superman Dynasty]] and he gives him an indestructible flower from New Krypton. In the present, Superman places the flower on his father's grave.

Dr. Leo Quintum explores the Underverse, a newly discovered layer of reality with extreme gravity fluctuations, and notes that a giant life-form is getting closer: Htrae, aka [[wikipedia: Bizarro World| Bizarro World]]. Superman releases his pet [[wikipedia: Sun-Eater| Sun-Eater]] into space just as he is attacked by a Bizarro group; one metamorphises him. At the ''Daily Planet'' Christmas party, Bizarros attack and imperfectly replicate the people they touch. While the plague is going on, Superman returns to fight Bizarro-Superman and save the ''Daily Planet'' staff. Jimmy Olsen figures out sunlight is the Bizarro's weakness and Superman uses his super speed to knock Bizarro World out of the sun's way so it can be reflected on Earth to stop the Bizarros. As Htrae retreats into the Underverse, Superman's powers begin to fade and he is trapped. There, he meets his Bizarro counterpart: Zibarro, a "flawed" Bizarro copy with intelligence and empathy. As Htrae sinks into the Underverse; Superman, with help from Zibarro and the Bizarro version of an undead [[wikipedia: Jor-El| Jor-El]] named Le-Roj, builds a rocket to send Superman back home. Lois is with the staff at P.R.O.J.E.C.T., watching the events of Htrae, and learns of Superman's coming death, and there accepts that Clark IS Superman. As the rocket is completed, Superman is tied onto it as it lifts and rockets off Htrae, but from Lois and Quintum's POV, Bizarro World has sunken and there is no sign of Superman. Two months later, Superman finally returns to Earth, but discovers that in his absence, Metropolis has been repaired with Kryptonian architecture, and Earth has been protected by Bar-El and Lilo, Krypton's first astronauts, survivors, and Superman's relatives. But the two have less altruistic goals, as they are preparing Kryptonian dominance on Earth, and in turn, are disgusted at Superman's acceptance of Earth culture. While they overpower Superman, Bar-El and Lilo begin showing signs of illness: the two had passed through a radioactive cloud in space which has saturated them with Kryptonite. Despite Bar-El's initial refusal, and their attitude toward him, Superman helps them by placing the two within the [[wikipedia: Phantom Zone| Phantom Zone]] until a cure can be found. Until then, Bar-El and Lilo are more than happy to handle law and order within the Zone.

As death comes near, Superman accomplishes a variety of tasks: a world tour for terminally-ill children whom he helps cure, creating life in the form of a Superman-less Earth-Q, Leo Quintum assists him to relocate [[wikipedia: Kandor| Kandor]] to [[wikipedia: Mars| Mars]] without enlarging it, and he gives Quintum (and Lois) the method to combine human and Kryptonian DNA strands. He stops Mechano-Man's rampage and saves a suicidal girl's life when Lois confronts him on his upcoming death. Cutting back to Earth Q: it is revealed that this Earth is actually ''our'' Earth as [[wikipedia: Joe Shuster| Joe Shuster]] illustrates [[Action Comics No 1|''Action Comics'' #1]]. Superman's last task, his last will and testament, is completed when Lois discovers, at Clark's home, an article headlined: "Superman Dead, by Clark Kent". Luthor acts odd as he is prepares for execution. After the switch is thrown, Luthor is still alive. His last "cocktail" was actually a serum similar to the one Superman made for Lois that gives him powers for a day. Escaping, he meets up with Nasthalthia below one of his lairs to continue his plans. Superman finishes off his final plans in the Fortress of Solitude when he learns of Luthor's secret ally: [[wikipedia: Solaris (comics)|Solaris]], the tyrant star computer, which has tampered with earth's sun. With his robots, Superman engages Solaris in space. All seems lost until the Sun-Eater returns to sacrifice itself to weaken Solaris. Superman brings Solaris to Earth but won't destroy it, because he has learned from the Superman Squad that Solaris will become an ally in the future. Clark returns to the ''Daily Planet'', very ill, to submit his article until he falls dead. As the staff tries to save him, the super-powered Luthor arrives and begins attacking Metropolis.

Imagining he is on Krypton, Kal-El joins Jor-El and Jor-El reveals that they are both dead and Kal-El's body is converting itself to solar radio-consciousness. He offers him a choice: remain or come back to life. Stating that the sun has turned blue thanks to Solaris, and Earth has become endangered, Clark wakes up and fights off Luthor with a gravity gun. Jimmy Olsen (believing Clark is at the Fortress) then hands him a Superman costume to continue the fight. The gravity gun warps time for Luthor, burning out his powers early. As his powers fade, Luthor briefly sees the world as Superman sees it, and weeps as he gains a gleaning of understanding before Superman knocks him out. With Superman's transformation into solar-radio consciousness nearing completion, he and Lois embrace one final time and he proclaims his love once and for all. He takes off, flying into the sun as his solar-radio consciousness begins to overtake his body, and then, he enters the sun and thus repairs it. Superman has saved the day, for one last time. One year later, a memorial service is held for Superman. Lois isn't sad, as she tells Jimmy that Superman will return once he creates an artificial heart for the sun. Inside the sun, Superman, a solar being, is activating and making machinery within the sun. The story concludes with Quintum revealing that if something happens, they'd be ready. Next to him is a large door with the Superman S-Shield, and the "S" has been replaced by a "2".

==The Twelve Challenges of Superman==
One of the series' subplots is Superman's attempt to complete a series of challenges before he dies. The challenges were first mentioned in issue #2 and Samson enumerated only four. Morrison introduced the twelve challenges to build the mythology of Superman. He has also deliberately kept from making each issue as the completion of each challenge. The challenges are not meant to mirror those of the [[wikipedia: Labours of Hercules|twelve challenges of Hercules]] but as a means to present the archetypal hero's journey.

Morrison listed the twelve challenges in chronological order, during an interview with fan site [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]]. He also indicated that labors take place over a year.<ref> Smith, Zack (October 22, 2008). "[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100822-Morrison-All-Star2.html All Star Memories: Grant Morrison on All Star Superman, 2]". [[wikipedia: Newsarama|Newsarama]].</ref>

# Superman saves the first manned mission to the sun.
# Superman brews the Super–Elixir.
# Superman answers the Unanswerable Question.
# Superman chains the Chronovore.
# Superman saves Earth from Bizarro–Home.
# Superman returns from the Underverse.
# Superman creates Life (a universe in which Earth exists without Superman, possibly our Earth since they show an artist creating Superman on paper).
# Superman liberates Kandor/cures cancer.
# Superman defeats Solaris.
# Superman conquers Death.
# Superman builds an artificial Heart for the Sun.
# Superman leaves the recipe/formula to make Superman 2.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/allstarsuperman/issue1_preview.htm Newsarama preview]
*[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100823-Morrison-Superman3.html All Star Memories: Grant Morrison on All Star Superman, 3], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], October 23, 2008
*[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100824-Morrison4-Superman.html All Star Memories: Grant Morrison on All Star Superman, 4], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], October 24, 2008
*[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100827-Morrison-Superman-05.html All Star Memories: Grant Morrison on All Star Superman, 5], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], October 27, 2008
*[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100828-Morrison-Superman6.html All Star Memories: Grant Morrison on All Star Superman, 6], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], October 28, 2008
*[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/110803-Grant-Superman-10.html All Star Memories: Grant Morrison on All Star Superman, 10], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], November 3, 2008

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:All Star Superman]]

Superman (Birthright)

2010-12-12T00:33:51Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman: Birthright''''' is a twelve-issue [[comic book]] [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]] published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] in [[wikipedia: 2003 in comics|2003]] and [[wikipedia: 2004 in comics|2004]], written by [[wikipedia: Mark Waid| Mark Waid]] and drawn by [[wikipedia: Leinil Francis Yu]].<ref>[[wikipedia:Mark Waid|Waid, Mark]] (w), [[wikipedia:Leinil Francis Yu|Yu, Leinil Francis]] (p), [[wikipedia:Gerry Alanguilan|Alanguilan, Gerry]] (i). Superman: Birthright (2004), New York: DC Comics, ISBN 1401202527</ref>

Originally, this was meant to be more of an [[wikipedia: Ultimate Marvel|ultimate]] version of Superman, showcasing his origin and updating him for the 21st Century. Soon after, it was decided to make the series canon, and thus it replaced [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]]'s ''[[The Man of Steel]]'' series as Superman's canonical origin story.<ref> Singh, Arune (11 March 2004). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=3256 Super-Stars (Part 1): Mark Waid's "Birthright", the Official Origin]". [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]]. Retrieved 20 August 2009.</ref> This editorial position lasted until 2006.

==Plot==
The story begins with a retelling of the destruction of planet [[wikipedia: Krypton (comics)|Krypton]]. [[wikipedia: Jor-El| Jor-El]] laments the fact that his world accomplished "miracles no one will remember" while he is busy preparing infant Kal-El's voyage. Kal-El's shuttle pod fires into space moments before the planet's destruction. Jor-El and his wife [[wikipedia: Lara (comics)|Lara]] regret that they will never know if Kal-El survives the journey.

Time winds forward to present day [[wikipedia: West Africa| West Africa]], where an ethnic conflict between the fictional Ghuri and Turaaba clans is claiming lives (this conflict is very reminiscent of the [[wikipedia: Hutu| Hutu]] and [[wikipedia: Tutsi| Tutsi]] wars in [[wikipedia: Rwanda| Rwanda]]). [[wikipedia: Clark Kent| Clark Kent]], a freelance reporter in his early twenties, arrives to cover the conflict, and to meet with the Ghuri representative and activist, Kobe Asuru. Later, Clark interviews the Turaaba representative Mr. Kebile who dislikes Kobe and opposes Ghuri rights. While protecting Kobe's sister Abana from a thrown bomb, he hears a commotion and speeds back to the rally where Kobe has already been stabbed. Enraged, Clark grabs the fleeing assassin and throws him into a wall, demanding to know who hired him. The terrified killer raises his arm—pointing directly at Rep. Kebile, who is incidentally surrounded by media. Kebile is besieged with questions and is later forced to resign.

Clark returns to [[wikipedia: Smallville (DC Comics)|Smallville]], determined to learn more about his alien heritage. He tells his mother [[wikipedia: Martha Kent|Martha]] that he wants to unearth his spaceship. He and Martha use the data tablet that came with Clark from Krypton to examine holographic records of Kryptonian history. Clark realizes the '''S''' insignia had great significance on Krypton and seemed to symbolize the Kryptonians' hope for a better tomorrow. He refuses to wear a mask while taking flight. Martha's solution is that only Clark's ''human half'' requires a disguise. She dresses him in professional, nerdy attire that stands apart from his usual look and gives him prescription glasses to wear. She promises they will refract light so no one will notice his startling blue eyes (which would otherwise give him away). Clark learns to slouch and act nervous and clumsy, to distance his civilian identity from tall, self-assertive Superman.

He travels to [[wikipedia: Metropolis (Superman)|Metropolis]] to apply for a position at the ''[[wikipedia: Daily Planet| Daily Planet]]''. When he arrives, he finds robotic anti-[[wikipedia: terrorist| terrorist]] helicopters criss-crossing the sky. Upon reaching the ''Planet'' building, he sees the publisher, Mr. Galloway, berating [[wikipedia: Jimmy Olsen| Jimmy Olsen]] for fetching him the wrong yogurt. [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]] appears and yells at Galloway for humiliating Jimmy. When Galloway storms off, Clark introduces himself to Lois and is immediately smitten with her. He finally meets [[wikipedia: Perry White| Perry White]] for a one-on-one interview, but it does not go well. Moments later, a miniature robo-chopper hovering outside goes berserk and opens fire on the Daily Planet building. When no one is looking, Clark ducks out to change into his costume and flies off to repel the helicopters. When he rips a radio transmitter off one of the wrecked units, he uses his powers to trace the signal to the incomplete skyscraper in the distance: [[wikipedia: LexCorp| LexCorp]].

Clark bursts into [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]]'s office, just as Luthor is speaking to someone via radio. He tells Luthor he saw the signals and knows he sabotaged the Army choppers. Luthor is amused that he thinks anyone could possibly convict him on such evidence and demands to know who designed the technology that allows him to fly. At that moment, LexCorp's armored security barges in, with Lois and Jimmy right behind them. When Lois asks what Lex's connection is to Metropolis' new hero, Lex pretends to endorse the caped figure, saying, "He is a friend to Lex Luthor." The next day, the Daily Planet webpage dubs the hero "SUPERMAN". Luthor is ready with a cover story: a disgruntled Army employee was behind the attacks. LexCorp has stepped in to produce the robotic helicopters now that the Army's model has been recalled. But the LexCorp connection is an unprecedented black mark on Luthor's sterling reputation; Perry decides that Clark has earned his shot.

Lois and Clark visit Luthor at the massive towers that form his corporate headquarters. Luthor greets them both, but when Clark extends his hand as if they are old acquaintances, Luthor coldly dismisses it, claiming to have never met him. He presses a button on the console in his desk and the room transforms into a [[wikipedia: holographic| holographic]] theater. Luthor asserts that he is first and foremost an [[wikipedia: astrobiologist| astrobiologist]], and describes many lucrative LexCorp inventions that were designed solely on his theories of possible space life. He then pulls up images of Superman and makes an official statement; Superman is not of this Earth. Clark reports Luthor's findings to Perry, who orders he write it up. Clark protests, knowing that the revelation that Superman is an alien will drive people away and points out that they have no real proof. Perry insists, saying Luthor is the leading authority on this matter, which is proof enough. When Superman now goes out to rescue those in need, people are too fearful to even go near him.

While sulking in an empty restaurant, Clark hears a commotion as a suspension bridge across town inexplicably blows up. Superman speeds off to reconnect the bridge cables, but another explosion rocks the bridge. In his office, Lex Luthor watches the disaster and triggers bombs along the support column, making it appear that Superman is the one tearing it down. As the finishing touch, a mechanical drone in the water aims [[wikipedia: kryptonite| kryptonite]] radiation at Superman, causing him to collapse.

Realizing he has made an enemy in Lex Luthor, Clark looks back on his childhood in Smallville when a young Lex arrived in town. Lex was a quiet genius, but his intelligence alienated him from everyone around him. Lex's parents were unloving and ruthlessly trained him to become the next [[wikipedia: Einstein| Einstein]]. Clark muses that "they were underestimating him". Despite his contemptuous exterior, Lex warmed to Clark when he discovered they shared a common interest: [[wikipedia: astronomy| astronomy]]. Unfortunately, Lex was so "fundamentally disturbed" that he started spending increasing amounts of time locked in his makeshift laboratory next to the Luthor mansion. During one of these periods of seclusion, Clark visited Lex, who allowed Clark inside to unveil his new invention, a sub-space communicator. Lex hoped that with a piece of meteor rock (Kryptonite), he would finally be able to open a wormhole into visions from an alien civilization. While aware of the radiation emanating from the rock, Lex assured Clark that it was perfectly harmless. Clark, stricken with sudden pain, staggered back looking ghastly; he was experiencing his first bout of Kryptonite poisoning. Lex misread Clark's expression and believed he had become afraid of him like everyone else. Dismissing him from the lab and commencing with his experiment, he managed to open a portal into events and times of the planet Krypton for a moment, but his generator overloaded and exploded, engulfing the house in flames. Lex, his hair burned off, staggered through the flames to uncover the piece of kryptonite that was integral to his machine. He neglected his father, who was buried beneath rubble and burning alive. In the present day, Lex begins piecing together instruments to recreate his failed experiment from long ago in the bowels of the research facility, hoping to retrieve the alien visions he saw before. As expected, the Kryptonite creates a wormhole and Luthor is greeted with a wealth of visions from the history of Krypton.

The next day, the newspapers blare warnings of an upcoming alien invasion, showing photos of alien warships bearing the Superman insignia. At the Daily Planet, Clark hears that the footage has been analyzed by experts and has been confirmed to be un-doctored and 100% legitimate. Having seen footage from the data tablet that was in his spacecraft, Clark knows Luthor must have used similar methods to uncover these images. Soon afterward, Metropolis is besieged by giant, monstrous-looking warships that bear Superman's logo on their face, including a giant mechanical spider. They begin killing indiscriminately. Troops empty out of the vehicles in Kryptonian garb, all bearing red capes and S-shields with their faces covered. Just as Superman is about to intervene, Luthor uses the spires of his skyscraper to project a city wide "web" of Kryptonite radiation from which Superman cannot hide. When the city police start firing on the vulnerable Superman, he assumes his Clark guise and meets up with Lois, who comments on how sick he looks. Upon returning to the newsroom, which is in chaos, Perry yells at Clark for coming to the office without a story on this crisis. Stripped of his powers and faced with imminent dismissal, Clark leaves a notice of resignation on his desk. When Lois catches him leaving, she calls him a "spineless worm" and then storms off.

The "alien commander", a man dressed in armor, calls himself "Van-Gar" and declares war on Earth. Clark, his confidence restored by Lois' sermon, dons his costume and charges Van-Gar's troops before they can open fire on a crowd of innocents. When Superman labels him and his men "actors", Van-Gar beats downs the weakened hero and whispers to him they're "not in it for the money". They believe Luthor is right and that Superman will turn on those weaker than him. Meanwhile, Lois sneaks back into the LexCorp building, which Luthor ordered abandoned. She sees Luthor giving orders to his men over his tele-screen and grabs his priceless shard of the Kryptonite with the "S" engraving out of its energy core, disabling the entire machine.
However she fails to notice Luthor, who emerges from the shadows behind her. With the Kryptonite removed, most of the robots attacking Metropolis are revealed as holograms and vanish, along with the Kryptonite web over the city.

Back at LexCorp, Luthor grabs the Kryptonite crystal from Lois' hands and demands she tell him how much she knows. When Lois tells him everyone will know about his hoax, Lex drags Lois to a wall, where he uses a remote control to open out to a balcony. He reveals that he placed a Kryptonite bomb inside the suit of every "Kryptonian" soldier and that they are primed to go off and take out Superman in the blast. However, his men don't know about the bombs, since Luthor "sort of left that part out of the hiring [[wikipedia: Brief (law)|brief]]." He then shoves Lois off the skyscraper balcony. Superman is still down below and grappling with Van-Gar, whose armor suddenly starts glowing green. Superman soars up with Van-Gar in his grip, ripping the bomb off moments before it explodes. In the instant before Lois hits the ground, Superman rushes up and catches her just in time.

Superman returns to LexCorp, where Luthor is feverishly trying to reconnect with the static images to Krypton, this time to establish direct contact. Luthor begins requesting to be sent weapons before the machine overloads in his face, embedding several Kryptonite pellets in his face. Visions of the imminent destruction of Krypton swirl on the view screen; back on Krypton, many years in the past, one of the Kryptonians points to the sparring adversaries and says he can see them on his viewing screen, and he wonders if they are real. A desperate Luthor screams out "No! I am real!... We can save each other!" Jor-El and Lara appear seconds after they have launched baby Kal-El and say goodbye to one another. An awestruck Superman realizes that is his name: ''Kal-El''. Luthor attacks Superman from behind, telling him he's doing him a favor, it's agony to be alone in the world. Superman tells Luthor he wasn’t always alone, he made his choice, and punches him several times across the jaw. A bloodied Luthor lies defeated as Superman runs up and calls out something into the void; but the transmission is cut off too soon, and Superman thinks his parents never heard what he was trying to tell them. In the aftermath, Luthor is scarred from the Kryptonite shrapnel that sprayed in his face, and is facing indictment. Clark Kent writes the article that ruins Luthor's reputation, although Luthor has already assembled his lawyers and will probably beat the charges. "Van-Gar" was actually the leader of a group of extremist survivalists. Clark and Lois resolve their differences, with Lois revealing she intercepted Clark' resignation letter, knowing he would not quit. Clark also, jokingly, ask if Lois likes him better if he could "leap tall buildings in a single bound". Lois, stuttering, asks Clark if she has a "lame crush" on Superman, implying that she does.

During the last moments of Krypton, Jor-El and Lara look at a viewing screen with a static image crackling from it. A figure, barely visible and wearing the S-shield on his chest, says, "Mother... Father... I made it." Realizing that their efforts were successful, Jor-El and Lara kiss as the building collapses around them.

==Behind the Scenes==
The project was given to [[wikipedia: Mark Waid| Mark Waid]] with the original request to give readers an "Ultimate Superman", to redefine Superman for the 21st century, a series that anyone on Earth can pick up and get in on the Superman story. To Waid, this was something he had wanted to do since seeing ''[[wikipedia: Superman (film)|Superman: The Movie]]'', considering this series as the Mark Waid Superman story because he wanted to have everything he ever loved of the character in it.{{fact}}

By comparison to other origin retellings, Waid wanted some differences. His Superman has a lack of [[wikipedia: infallibility| infallibility]], as he points that it is not Superman but Clark Kent as readers are supposed to relate to. Doing this made Waid avoid a "Clark-is-dull" trap as, by making Clark get chewed by the boss, whose dry cleaning gets lost, who longs to connect and be accepted, made the character a touchstone. Another difference was having [[wikipedia: Africa| Africa]] in the origin so, as Waid has it, helps establish Kal-El/Clark as a citizen of the world, laying important ground, and making him a journalist and not a typist.<ref>[http://theages.superman.nu/ges/birthright/ultimate.php Superman.nu], Mark Waid and Gail Simone talke Superman: Birthright.</ref>

==Changes in continuity==
*In this series, Clark has the power to see the "aura" that surrounds all living things and fades away at the moment of death, something not shown in the ''Man of Steel'' mini-series. Clark can literally "see" when a person or animal dies, an experience that he finds profoundly disturbing. Because of this, Clark refuses to take a life, making him a [[wikipedia: vegetarian| vegetarian]]. This was influenced by a passage in [[wikipedia: Elliot S! Maggin| Elliot S! Maggin]]'s novel ''[[wikipedia: Miracle Monday| Miracle Monday]]''. This "Soul Vision" created controversy among some segments of fandom, and as of now, its status in continuity has yet to be explored. However, in other comics he informs both Lex Luthor (in ''[[wikipedia: Lex Luthor: Man of Steel| Lex Luthor: Man of Steel]]'') and Superboy that he can see their souls.
*The ''Superman: Birthright'' miniseries reinstated several Silver Age elements of Superman, one of which is Kandor. After the mini-series was completed, its place in canon was shown in ''Superman'' (vol. 2) #200. Superman was thrown out of time and saw both versions of his origin: the ''Man of Steel'' and ''Birthright'' limited series. Entering the universe of the ''Birthright'' limited series, he experienced temporary amnesia. Afterward, he discovered/remembered the new history:
**The city had been shrunken and was kept in the Fortress of Solitude.
**When shrunken in Kandor, Superman again has no more powers in the Red Sun Krypton-like environment.
**The city is once again from Krypton (but populated by non-Kryptonian aliens as well as native Kryptonians).
**The citizens also recall Brainiac stealing their city from Krypton, and not the wizard Tolos.
**It was not explained how Tolos got a hold of the "bottle city" from Brainiac. It had been speculated and later confirmed by Geoff Johns that Brainiac encountered the wizard and he stole one of the bottle cities from Brainiac's collection.{{fact}}
**Apparently, a hundred years have passed in the city (while the world outside has aged normally). Because of this, Superman (or the ideal of him) had grown to god-like status and is worshiped in Kandor.
*Among alterations to Superman's power spectrum, Superman's enhanced vision was strengthened, capable of detecting [[wikipedia: x-rays| x-rays]] (hence his ability to see through walls), as well as "seeing" the transmissions and detection radii of satellites, enabling him to fly between and around their fields of vision to travel incognito. He has been able to see radio waves as early as the 1980s, as he traced his enemy the Toyman's radio broadcast in [[wikipedia: Alan Moore| Alan Moore]]'s ''[[Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?]]'' two-part story. This is primarily a case of showing how Superman deals with today's ever advancing communications technology.
*As in the [[wikipedia: Superman#Silver Age version|Silver Age comics]], Superman uses his [[wikipedia: eidetic memory| eidetic memory]] combined with his super-speed to learn and comprehend vast amounts of knowledge.
*[[wikipedia: Franklin Stern| Franklin Stern]], a character from post-''Crisis'' continuity, is no longer publisher of the [[wikipedia: Daily Planet| Daily Planet]]. That position belongs to Mr. Galloway, a rotund, obnoxious man.
*Lex Luthor is stated several times during the story to be a leading [[wikipedia: astrobiologist| astrobiologist]]. In pre-''Crisis'' continuity, Luthor was a brilliant scientist with no specialty, then later an industrialist in post-''Crisis'' continuity. ''Birthright'''s version of Luthor is a combination of both versions of the character, and though his knowledge as a general scientist is apparently unmatched (he is referred to as the smartest man in the world), astrobiology is his particular forte.
*Lex Luthor is shown to have spent some time in [[wikipedia: Smallville| Smallville]], Superman's hometown. He attended high school with Clark Kent for at least a few months, befriending him in the process. This is a departure from the previous continuity, where he was born and raised in Metropolis' notorious Suicide Slum neighborhood. Though the ''Birthright'' limited series is no longer canon, it is known that Clark met Lex at some point early on before he became Superman, having been referenced in the ''[[wikipedia: 52 (comic book)|52]]'' maxiseries (which was co-written by ''Birthright'' author Mark Waid). Also, Luthor now admits to being from Smallville, while in ''Birthright'', he refused to admit he had ever been to the town and had erased all evidence of his being there.

==Removal==
The ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' storyline altered Superman's early history so that ''Birthright'' and John Byrne's ''[[The Man of Steel]]'' mini-series were removed as Superman's canonical origin. This was reinforced by then-monthly ''[[Superman Vol 1]]'' writer [[wikipedia: Kurt Busiek| Kurt Busiek]]'s statement that the post-''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' Superman's origin had yet to be established.<ref>Bailey, Neal (April 2007). "[http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php?topic=articles/continuity-postIC Byrne is Dead... Long Live... YOD!]". Superman Homepage.</ref> The new origin is currently being shown in the ''[[Superman: Secret Origin]]'' mini-series.<ref>''Superman: Secret Origin'' (September 2009 - February 2010)</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php?topic=articles/birthright Discussion of ''Birthright's'' implications for continuity] (by Neal Bailey)

[[Category:Superman (Birthright)]]

Superman/Batman

2010-12-11T23:46:05Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman/Batman''''' is a monthly [[comic book]] [[wikipedia: ongoing series|series]] published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] that features the publisher's two most popular characters: [[Batman]] and [[Superman]]. ''Superman/Batman'' premiered in August [[wikipedia: 2003 in comics|2003]] and is an update of the previous series ''[[World's Finest Comics]]'', in which Superman and Batman regularly joined forces.

''Superman/Batman'' explores the camaraderie, antagonism, and friendship between its titular characters. [[wikipedia: Jeph Loeb| Jeph Loeb]], the series' first writer, introduced a dual-[[wikipedia: narrator| narrator]] technique to present the characters' often opposing viewpoints and estimations of each other, which subsequent series writers have maintained. Prior to the [[wikipedia: 1985 in comics|1985]] [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]] ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', the two iconic characters were depicted as the best of friends. [[wikipedia: Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]]'s landmark series ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'' was the first DC story that depicts the heroes at odds with each other, as opposed to Pre-''Crisis'' incarnations. This dynamic became [[wikipedia: DC Universe| DC Universe]] [[wikipedia: Canon (fiction)|canon]] with [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]]'s ''[[The Man of Steel]]'', a Superman [[wikipedia: Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] published in [[wikipedia: 1986 in comics|1986]].

With the exception of the first thirteen issues, most of the story arcs are independent and self-contained from the ongoing or crossover storylines in the other Batman and Superman comic titles.<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/120824-DiDio.html 20 Answers and 1 Question With Dan DiDio: Dec. 24, 2008]</ref> ''Superman/Batman'' #26, Loeb's final issue, features a story plotted by Jeph Loeb's son, Sam Loeb, who wrote it prior to his death from cancer in [[wikipedia: 2005 in comics|2005]] at the age of 17. Twenty-six writers and artists who knew Sam worked on the issue, donating their fees and royalties for the issue to The Sam Loeb College Scholarship Fund.<ref>[http://www.popmatters.com/comics/superman-batman-26.shtml Superman/Batman #26 - PopMatters Comic Book Review]</ref>

== Publication history ==
=== Jeph Loeb ===
Loeb, who had great success with stories like ''[[Batman: The Long Halloween]]'' and ''[[Superman for All Seasons]]'', as well as being the author of the highly successful ''[[Batman: Hush]]'' story, was the first writer of the series when it premiered in [[wikipedia: 2003 in comics|2003]].

In the first story arc, '''"The World's Finest"''', also referred to as '''"Public Enemies"''' (issues #1-6, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Ed McGuinness| Ed McGuinness]]), then-[[wikipedia: President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]] declares Superman and Batman enemies of the state, claiming that a [[wikipedia: Kryptonite| Kryptonite]] asteroid headed for Earth is connected to an evil plot by Superman. Luthor offers a $1 billion bounty, which encourages both supervillains and superheroes to attack. Superman almost kills Lex, with Batman standing aside. Superman changes his mind at the last moment. The new [[wikipedia: Toyman| Toyman]], Hiro Okamura, assists with the asteroid's destruction. [[wikipedia: Captain Atom| Captain Atom]] is seemingly killed.<ref>Captain Atom is actually transported to the [[wikipedia: Wildstorm Universe| Wildstorm Universe]], as revealed in ''Captain Atom: Armageddon'' #1 (December 2005).</ref> The danger averted and Luthor's plans in jeopardy, Luthor injects himself with a mixture of [[wikipedia: Bane (comics)|Venom]] and synthetic Kryptonite, dons a battle suit from the planet [[wikipedia: Apokolips| Apokolips]], and confronts Batman and Superman. Luthor is defeated and appears to die in the battle, although he is shown to survive. In the course of the fight, Luthor is irrevocably exposed to the world as a villain for the first time in post-''Crisis'' continuity.<ref>Many of Luthor's crimes were revealed by [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]] and the [[wikipedia: Daily Planet| Daily Planet]] in ''[[Action Comics No 700| Action Comics #700]]'' (June 1994). However, the charges against him were dismissed at trial, after he presented falsified evidence that he had been kidnapped by renegade scientists from [[wikipedia: Cadmus Labs| Cadmus Labs]] and replaced with a violent clone. ''Action Comics'' #737 (September 1997).</ref> Losing the presidency, Luthor is succeeded in office by [[wikipedia: Pete Ross| Pete Ross]].

In '''"Protégé"''' (Issue #7, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Pat Lee| Pat Lee]]), [[wikipedia: Superboy (Kon-El)|Superboy]] and [[wikipedia: Tim Drake|Robin]] investigate the new [[wikipedia: Toyman#Hiro Okamura|Toyman]] for their mentors.

In '''"The Supergirl From Krypton"''' (issues #8-13, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Michael Turner (comics)|Michael Turner]]), the Kryptonite asteroid is revealed to hold a pod that contains Superman's cousin [[wikipedia: Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Kara Zor-El]]. Batman says her arrival is too coincidental. [[Wonder Woman]] abducts Kara to [[wikipedia: Themyscira| Themyscira]] to train her for combat. [[wikipedia: Darkseid| Darkseid]] kidnaps Kara, intending her to be the new leader of the [[wikipedia: Female Furies| Female Furies]]. She is rescued from Darkseid and taken back to Earth. The villain follows, seemingly killing Kara at the home of [[wikipedia: Jonathan and Martha Kent| Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. An enraged Superman throws Darkseid into the reality-spanning [[wikipedia: Source Wall| Source Wall]], entrapping him. However, Kara is back in Themyscira and is introduced to the world as Supergirl. This story arc marked the only time in late artist Michael Turner's career that he provided interior art for a company other than [[wikipedia: Top Cow Productions| Top Cow Productions]] or his own publisher [[wikipedia: Aspen MLT| Aspen MLT]].<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17010 Remembering Michael Turner: Jeph Loeb], [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources| Comic Book Resources]], June 28, 2008</ref> The story was dedicated to [[wikipedia: Christopher Reeve| Christopher Reeve]], who died during the year the storyline ended.

In '''"Absolute Power"''' (issues #14-18, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Carlos Pacheco| Carlos Pacheco]]), [[wikipedia: Lightning Lord| Lightning Lord]], [[wikipedia: Saturn Queen| Saturn Queen]] and [[wikipedia: Cosmic King| Cosmic King]] -- three supervillains from the 31st century -- eliminate members of the [[Justice League of America]], except for young Superman and Batman, whom they raise as their own children. Batman and Superman are raised to be dictators of the world, eliminating all opposition and killing people who would otherwise be their friends. During a fight with Wonder Woman and the [[wikipedia: Freedom Fighters (comics)|Freedom Fighters]] the timeline is thrown into chaos, and the two men travel through alternate timelines. Darkseid makes a deal with them in one reality to send them back through time to stop the supervillains who raised them from altering history. Superman and Batman restore history, but the murders they committed haunt them.

Issue #19 (illustrated by [[wikipedia: Ian Churchill| Ian Churchill]]) is a stand-alone [[wikipedia: Television pilot#Backdoor pilots|backdoor pilot]] story for the ''Supergirl'' series. The issue was later reprinted as ''Supergirl'' #0.

In '''"With A Vengeance!"''' (issues #20-25, illustrated by Ed McGuiness), [[wikipedia: Mister Mxyzptlk| Mister Mxyzptlk]] battles the [[wikipedia: Joker (comics)|Joker]], who has tricked [[wikipedia: Bat-Mite| Bat-Mite]] out of his powers, using other characters as their pawns. Superman and Batman fight a team of superheroes from an alternate universe called the [[wikipedia: Maximums| Maximums]] (a [[wikipedia: pastiche| pastiche]] of [[wikipedia: Marvel Comics| Marvel Comics]]' [[Avengers]] series, more specifically their incarnations from the [[wikipedia: Ultimate Marvel|Ultimate universe]], the [[wikipedia: Ultimates| Ultimates]]). Keeping the bargain he made in "Absolute Power", Superman frees Darkseid from the Source Wall. Double-crossed, Superman becomes stuck in the wall himself. Bizarro and multiple Supergirls rescue him. Everyone so far and many more other duplicates fight in an arena before Bat-Mite escapes. The two imps tie up all loose ends with their cosmic powers. Additionally, Superman, Batman and the Toyman discover that Captain Atom is alive.

=== Sam Loeb ===
Before he finished writing ''Superman/Batman'' #26, Jeph Loeb's son Sam died on June 17, 2005 at the age of 17 after a three-year battle with cancer. The issue was supposed to be Sam's DC writing debut and was to be illustrated by [[wikipedia: Pat Lee| Pat Lee]]. Jeph, along with 25 other comic book professionals and artists who had known Sam, worked on the issue, scripting or penciling individual pages. [[wikipedia: Marvel Comics| Marvel Comics]] allowed [[wikipedia: John Cassaday| John Cassaday]] and [[wikipedia: Joss Whedon| Joss Whedon]] to work on the issue despite their exclusive contracts. All 26 contributors donated their fees and royalties for the issue to The Sam Loeb College Scholarship Fund.

In '''"The Boys Are Back in Town"''' (issue #26), Superman and Batman send Superboy and Robin to visit the Toyman in Japan because he has not been heard from in a while. The issue was released shortly after Superboy's death in ''[[Infinite Crisis No 6| Infinite Crisis #6]]'', and Robin's eulogy of Superboy serves as both a framing sequence and as a meditation on the author's passing.

'''"Sam's Story"''', a back-up story written by Jeph Loeb ten days after his son's death, depicts young Clark Kent's friendship with a boy named Sam who gets cancer. Tim Sale provides the art for the story in a style reminiscent of the ''[[Superman for All Seasons]]'' limited series.<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Sams_story/jeph.html Newsarama.Com: Jeph Loeb On "Sam's Story"]</ref>

=== Mark Verheiden ===
''Superman'' writer and ''[[wikipedia: Smallville| Smallville]]'' producer [[wikipedia: Mark Verheiden| Mark Verheiden]] took over ''Superman/Batman'' with issue #27.

In '''"Never Mind"''' (issue #27, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Kevin Maguire (artist)|Kevin Maguire]]), The [[wikipedia: Superman (Earth-Two)|Superman]] and [[wikipedia: Batman (Earth-Two)|Batman]] of [[wikipedia: Earth-Two| Earth-Two]] discover that their minds have been transferred by the [[wikipedia: Ultra-Humanite| Ultra-Humanite]] and the original [[wikipedia: Brainwave (comics)|Brainwave]] into the bodies of [[wikipedia: Power Girl| Power Girl]] (Superman's cousin) and the [[wikipedia: Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Huntress]] (Batman's daughter). If they cannot reverse the process in time, the women's personalities will soon reassert themselves and destroy the men's consciousness, killing them.

In '''"The Enemies Among Us"''' (issues #28-33, illustrated [[wikipedia: Ethan Van Sciver| Ethan Van Sciver]] for Parts 1-3, with Matthew Clark picking up Parts 4-5, and Joe Benitez concluding with Part 6), Superman, Martian Manhunter and other alien superheroes are being controlled by an entity known as [[wikipedia: Blackrock (comics)|Blackrock]].

In '''"A.I."''' (issues #34-36, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Pat Lee| Pat Lee]]), Superman and Batman are introduced to [[wikipedia: Will Magnus| Will Magnus]] and his malleable, shape-shifting [[wikipedia: Metal Men| Metal Men]] for the first time (in post-''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' continuity). Bruce Wayne hires the Metal Men as security guards. They go on a rampage and steal a prototype ''[[wikipedia: OMAC (comics)|OMAC]]'' unit.

=== Alan Burnett ===
Known for his work on the [[wikipedia: DC animated universe| DC animated universe]] and ''[[wikipedia: The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'' television series, [[wikipedia: Alan Burnett| Alan Burnett]] took over as writer of the series with issue #37.

In "'''Torment'''" (#37 to #42, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Dustin Nguyen (artist)|Dustin Nguyen]]), Superman is psychologically tortured by the [[wikipedia: Scarecrow (comics)|Scarecrow]] and brought to the war planet Tartaros by [[wikipedia: Desaad| Desaad]]. Desaad plants a mind-controlling spike in Superman's head, and sends him to retrieve [[wikipedia: Highfather| Highfather]]'s staff from the [[wikipedia: Source Wall| Source Wall]], which Darkseid plans to use to restore his powers, which have been steadily waning since his escape from the wall. Batman comes after Superman, but is sidetracked by [[wikipedia: Orion (comics)|Orion]]'s wife [[wikipedia: Bekka| Bekka]]. Both are unable to control their attraction to one another. Superman retrieves the staff, but is trapped in the Source Wall as a result. Batman and Bekka take advantage of Desaad's attempted betrayal of Darkseid to steal the staff and bring back Superman. Darkseid and Desaad flee, and Tartarus is pulled into the hole Superman made in the Source Wall when he escaped. Superman, Batman and Bekka return to Earth, bringing Scarecrow with them. Bekka is retrieved by Orion, and is later seen being killed by [[wikipedia: Infinity-Man|a shadowy assailant]].

=== Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning ===
This team filled in for issue #43, and later wrote off of scripts from Mike Johnson for issues #57-59.

In "'''Darklight'''" (#43, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Mike McKone| Mike McKone]]), [[wikipedia: Doctor Light (Arthur Light)|Doctor Light]] infiltrates a dark matter fuel experiment on a Waynetech satellite, by creating solidgram versions of the original [[Teen Titans]] to distract the guards. He then uses the experiment's Kryptonian processor to enter the Fortress of Solitude. While Superman battles the Titan solidgrams, Batman manages to head off and defeat Light by trapping him in a Dark Matter crystal. Light is later freed by Lex Luthor, who wants him to join his new [[wikipedia: Injustice League| Injustice League]].

In "'''Nanopolis'''" (#57-59) The Prankster tricks Superman and shrinks him to microscopic size. Batman must find him and return him to normal size. Before returning to normal, the two heroes must rescue the microscopic civilization whose existence has been inadvertently endangered by the Prankster.

=== Mike Johnson and Michael Green ===
As of issue #46, Mike Johnson joined with [[wikipedia: Michael Green (writer)|Michael Green]] to continue the series; issue #44 was the beginning of the run. They are the first writers to hold regular roles on this series since Jeph Loeb.

In "'''K'''" (#44 to #49, illustrated by [[wikipedia: Shane Davis| Shane Davis]]), Superman and Batman began a mission to collect and rid the Earth of every piece of Kryptonite, a substance lethal to Superman, which has been in great abundance since Kara's arrival earlier in this series. Along the way, Batman and Superman receive a lot of support from other heroes, including [[wikipedia: Firestorm (Jason Rusch)|Firestorm]], looking for membership in the JLA. They surprisingly also encounter some resistance, especially from the new [[wikipedia: Aquaman#Arthur Joseph Curry|Aquaman]]. This story also includes the reveal of two new variations of Kryptonite that have been also enhanced by a magical charm. One causes Superman to feel like a kid and care-free for the day, which also has implications of a drug-like effect, while the second restores him to normal. As they continue to search, they encounter the Last Line, a team run by Amanda Waller.

In "'''The Fathers'''" (#50), while rebuilding [[wikipedia: Smallville (comics)|Smallville]] following the events of "K", Superman and Batman uncover a piece of Kryptonian technology that reveals that [[wikipedia: Jor-El| Jor-El]] came in contact with [[wikipedia: Thomas Wayne| Thomas Wayne]] while searching for an appropriate planet to serve as baby Kal-El's new home. It is revealed that Jor-El was initially hesitant to send Kal-El to Earth until Thomas Wayne managed to convince him otherwise.

In "'''<nowiki>Lil' Leaguers</nowiki>'''" (#51-52), Superman, Batman and the Justice League of America face miniature versions of themselves. These ''Lil' Leaguers'' are child like versions of the heroes, and have similar powers. They face off against the Lil' Villains, and learn the harsh truth that the world is a very dangerous place when Lil' Superman is killed by a Father Box enhanced Lil' Doomsday.

In "'''Super/Bat'''" (#53-#56) Johnson and Green are joined by [[wikipedia: Rags Morales| Rags Morales]]<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100816-Rags-Morales.html Checking in with Rags Morales - 'Super/Bat'], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], October 15, 2008</ref> for a story about Superman's powers being transferred to Batman during a battle with the [[wikipedia: Silver Banshee| Silver Banshee]].<ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100828-Green-Johnson-Superman-Batman.html Green & Johnson on Superman/ Batman's Power Switch], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], October 28, 2008</ref> As Batman overjoys of his new powers and uses them to bring complete fear and order to Gotham's criminal underworld and eventually sets his sight to the world while Superman trying to lead a normal life as a husband and journalist, their allies realised that the power switch has a psychological side effect to both men as Batman's behavior became increasingly aggressive, and Superman himself becomes emotionally depressed despite of living the life he has always wanted. With the aid of the Justice League, The Man of Steel was able to bring himself and The Dark Knight back to normal.

In "'''Mash-Up'''" (#60-61) Superman and Batman meet the Justice Titans in Gothamopolis and together they must take down the city's worst villains. Francis Manapul is on covers and interiors for this two-parter.

In "'''Sidekicked'''" (#62, illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque), Supergirl and Robin (Tim Drake) reminisce about their first mission as a team: a hostage crisis at [[wikipedia: Arkham Asylum| Arkham Asylum]]. The inmates they confront include the [[wikipedia: Joker (comics)|Joker]], the [[wikipedia: Scarecrow (comics)|Scarecrow]], [[wikipedia: Two-Face| Two-Face]], [[wikipedia: Clayface| Clayface]], the [[wikipedia: Mad Hatter (comics)|Mad Hatter]], [[wikipedia: Killer Croc| Killer Croc]], [[wikipedia: Poison Ivy (comics)|Poison Ivy]] and [[wikipedia: Victor Zsasz| Victor Zsasz]].

In "'''Night and Day'''" (#63, illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque), Superman is forced to flee Earth when [[wikipedia: Gorilla Grodd| Gorilla Grodd]] succeeds in filling the planet's atmosphere with Kryptonite. Subsequently, Grodd conquers Earth, having used his mental abilities to control the minds of every remaining inhabitant of the planet . . . except Batman.

=== Joe Kelly ===
So far, Joe Kelly's work on the series has been exclusive to two Annuals. Both released stories have been reinterpretations of stories originally published during the [[Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]].

In "'''Stop Me If You've Heard This One...'''" (Annual #1 illustrated by [[wikipedia: Ed McGuinness| Ed McGuinness]], 2006), Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne both end up on a cruise together along with [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]]. Along the way, they encounter [[wikipedia: Deathstroke| Deathstroke]] (Slade Wilson), as well as the [[wikipedia: Crime Syndicate of America#Crime Syndicate of Amerika|Crime Syndicate]] from the [[wikipedia: Antimatter| Antimatter]] Universe which is made up of evil duplicates of the heroes. The members they face are [[wikipedia: Ultraman (comics)|Ultraman]] (Superman), [[wikipedia: Owlman (comics)|Owlman]] (Batman), and [[wikipedia: Superwoman#Antimatter Earth|Superwoman]] (Wonder Woman) whose name is Lois Lane (An alternate version of Deathstroke also appears, characterized very similar to Marvel Comics' [[wikipedia: Deadpool| Deadpool]]). Superman and Batman first reveal that they in fact know each other's secret identity, and agree to work together, even though they disagree with each other's ''[[wikipedia: modus operandi| modus operandi]]''. . . methods of operating. The issue is a reimagining of "The Mightiest Team In the World", the tale from ''Superman'' #76 (May-June 1952) where the two heroes discover each other's secret identity and team up for the first time.

In "'''The Unexamined Life... '''" (Annual #2, 2008), Superman loses his powers and takes on the identity of [[wikipedia: Supernova (comics)|Supernova]]. The issue is a reimagining of "The Has-Been Superman" from ''World's Finest Comics'' #178 (September 1968) and "Superman's Perfect Crime" from ''World's Finest Comics'' #180 (November 1968). This story takes place early in the career of the original [[wikipedia: Dick Grayson|Robin]] and depicts his first meeting with Superman.

=== Len Wein ===
So far, [[wikipedia: Len Wein| Len Wein]]'s work has been exclusive to the most recent of the annuals. This annual follows the trend set by Joe Kelly's work, reimagining a Silver Age tale.

In "'''Compound Fracture'''" (Annual #3, 2009), Superman and Batman encounter the [[wikipedia: Composite Superman|Composite]], a failed experiment of [[wikipedia: Professor Ivo| Professor Ivo]] with all the powers of the Justice League of America. The issue is a reimagining of "The Composite Superman", the tale from ''World's Finest Comics'' #142 (June 1964) where Superman, Batman and Robin must battle a new villain with all the powers of the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]].

=== Joe Casey ===
In issue #64, Batman discovers information on Superman's Kryptonian origins that place the two in doom unless Superman is willing to sacrifice himself.<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=12859] Issue 64</ref>

=== Peter Johnson and Matt Cherniss ===
Issue #65 is a special Halloween issue showing what scares Superman and Batman, and also exposing the inner fears of Joker and Lex Luthor.<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=13211] Issue 65 </ref>

=== Scott Kolins ===
[[wikipedia: Scott Kolins| Scott Kolins]] is set to write issues #66-67 as a special ''[[wikipedia: Blackest Night| Blackest Night]]'' tie-in starring Bizarro and Man-Bat.

=== Paul Levitz ===
[[wikipedia: Paul Levitz| Paul Levitz]] wrote the lead story in the #75 anniversary issue, guest starring the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]]. In addition, this issue featured an all-star lineup, including [[wikipedia: Steven T. Seagle| Steven T. Seagle]], [[wikipedia: William Tucci| William Tucci]], [[wikipedia: Adam Hughes| Adam Hughes]], [[wikipedia: J. T. Krul| J. T. Krul]], and [[wikipedia: David Finch (comics)|David Finch]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://SupermanBatmanDVD.com/ Superman Batman: Public Enemies Official Movie Website]
*[http://www.sequart.com/JLAvarious.htm The Continuity Pages: Justice League of America > Various Writers Era (2003-Present)]

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Superman/Batman]]

Superman (The Man of Tomorrow)

2010-12-11T23:40:50Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''Superman: The Man of Tomorrow''' is the title of a comic book series published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] which ran for 16 issues from 1996 to 1999 featuring the adventures of [[Superman]].<ref>[http://www.comicbookdb.com/title.php?ID=790 ''Superman: the Man of Tomorrow]'' comicbookdb.com</ref> At the time, the four Superman titles, [[Action Comics]], [[Adventures of Superman]], [[Superman Vol 2]] and [[Superman: The Man of Steel]] were released weekly with an intertwining story. ''The Man of Tomorrow'' title was created to fill the extra week in months with five weeks. At about this time, however, DC began its [[wikipedia: Fifth week event| Fifth week event]]s, disrupting the schedule of The Man of Tomorrow. The Man of Tomorrow was subsequently cancelled with issue 15.

Issue #1,000,000 of the series was a part of the [[wikipedia: DC One Million| DC One Million]] storyline which was a top vote-getter for the [[wikipedia: Comics Buyer's Guide| Comics Buyer's Guide]] Fan Award for Favorite Story for 1999.

Writers included [[wikipedia: Roger Stern| Roger Stern]] and J.M. DeMatteis, pencillers included [[wikipedia: Tom Grummett| Tom Grummett]], Tom Morgan, and [[wikipedia: Paul Ryan (comics)|Paul Ryan]], and Ryan Sook, and inkers included [[wikipedia: Brett Breeding| Brett Breeding]] and Jeff Gan.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:Superman (The Man of Tomorrow)]]

Superman (The Man of Steel)

2010-12-11T23:22:45Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman: The Man of Steel''''' is the title of a monthly [[American comic book]] series that ran 136 issues (ending with issue #134) from 1991 to 2003. published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]], featuring [[Superman]]. As a consequence of introducing this series alongside its already existing titles, [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] was able to publish a new [[Superman]] comic each week. Included in these 136 issues were two special issues: #0 (October 1994, published between issues #37 and #38) and #1,000,000 (November 1998, published between issues #83 and #84), both of which related to other storylines crossing over the [[wikipedia: DC Universe| DC Universe]], [[wikipedia: Zero Hour (comics)| Zero Hour (comics)]] and [[wikipedia: DC One Million| DC One Million]].

The first issue was written by [[wikipedia: Louise Simonson| Louise Simonson]] and featured art by [[wikipedia: Jon Bogdanove| Jon Bogdanove]], [[wikipedia: Tom Grummett| Tom Grummett]], [[wikipedia: Bob McLeod (comics)|Bob McLeod]], [[wikipedia: Dan Jurgens| Dan Jurgens]], Dennis Janke, [[wikipedia: Jerry Ordway| Jerry Ordway]], and [[wikipedia: Brett Breeding| Brett Breeding]].

Issues 22 through 26 of the series were a part of the story ''[[The Death of Superman|The Reign of the Supermen]]'' storyline which received the [[wikipedia: Comics Buyer's Guide| Comics Buyer's Guide]] Fan Award for Favorite Comic-Book Story for 1993.

The title, Superman: The Man of Steel, would be used again for a series of trade paperbacks collecting the early adventures of the [[wikipedia: Crisis on Infinite Earths|Post-Crisis]] Superman. The first volume collects and retitles [[The Man of Steel]] limited series.

===Key Issues===
*[[Superman (The Man of Steel) No 18|Superman (The Man of Steel) #18]]: The first appearance of [[wikipedia: Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]].
*[[Superman (The Man of Steel) No 22|Superman (The Man of Steel) #22]]: First full appearance of [[wikipedia: John Henry Irons| John Henry Irons]], aka Steel.
*[[Superman (The Man of Steel) No 50|Superman (The Man of Steel) #50]]: First issue in the arc "The Trial of Superman."
*[[Superman (The Man of Steel) No 75|Superman (The Man of Steel) #75]]: A comical story spoofing "[[Superman Vol 2 No 75|Superman (Vol. 2) #75]]'', "[[The Death of Superman]]," this issue featured the "Death of Mxyzptlk."
*[[Superman (The Man of Steel) No 95|Superman (The Man of Steel) #95]]: Following a revamp and a new creative team coming on board all the Superman titles, MOS begins to focus more on the science fiction elements of Superman.
*[[Superman (The Man of Steel) No 100|Superman (The Man of Steel) #100]]: First appearance of the New Fortress of Solitude
*[[Superman (The Man of Steel) No 134|Superman (The Man of Steel) #134]]: Final issue.

==Annuals==
From year 1992 to 1997, six annual issues of Superman: The Man of Steel were published by DC Comics. The stories tied into the crossover or themes that were running through DC's annuals that year. These were:

# 1 (1992)- Eclipso: The Darkness Within
# 2 (1993)- Bloodlines
# 3 (1994)- Elseworlds
# 4 (1995)- Year One
# 5 (1996)- Legends of the Dead Earth
# 6 (1997)- Pulp Inspired Stories

[[Category:Superman (The Man of Steel)]]

Superman Vol 1

2010-12-11T23:03:19Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman''''' is an ongoing [[comic book]] series featuring the [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] [[wikipedia: hero| hero]] of the [[wikipedia: Superman|same name]]. The character Superman began as one of several anthology features in the [[wikipedia: National Periodical Publications| National Periodical Publications]] [[comic book]] ''[[Action Comics No 1|Action Comics #1]]'' in June 1938. The strip proved so popular that National launched Superman into his own self-titled comic book, the first for any [[wikipedia: superhero| superhero]], premiering with cover-date June 1939. Between 1986 and 2006 it was retitled '''''Adventures of Superman''''' while a new comic book used the title ''[[Superman Vol 2|Superman]]''. In May 2006, it was returned to its original title and numbering. The title reached issue #700 in June 2010.

==Publication history==
Due to the Superman character's popularity after his premiere in ''[[Action Comics No 1|Action Comics #1]]'', National Allied Publications decided to launch an entirely new magazine featuring a single character, which at that time was unprecedented. ''Superman'' #1 as a stand-alone comic appears on the shelves in the Summer of [[wikipedia: 1939| 1939]]. This was due to sales success, and a great promotion for the character. This introduced an innovation in the industry: having an entire comic book devoted to a single character. ''Superman'' #1 was groundbreaking. Superman now also had the distinction of being the first hero-character featured in more than one comic magazine. By issue number 7, Superman was being hailed on the covers as the "World's Greatest Adventure Strip Character".<ref>[http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php?topic=articles/superb-manifestations Superb Manifestations at the Superman Homepage]</ref>

''Superman'' ran uninterrupted until the mid-1980s, when DC Comics instituted a line-wide relaunch with the 1985 event maxi-series ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]''. Folding their vast [[wikipedia: multiverse (DC Comics)|multiverse]] into a single shared [[wikipedia: DC Universe|universe]], Superman and his supporting cast would receive a massive overhaul at the hands of writer/artist [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]]. One last story was published to give a send-off to the former status quo: [[wikipedia: Alan Moore| Alan Moore]]'s ''[[Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?|Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?]]''. The story's first part saw publication in ''Superman'' #423, which would be the last issue before the title was relaunched with its legacy numbering as ''Adventures of Superman''. ''Superman'' was relaunched with a new #1 issue in a [[Superman Vol 2|second volume]] in 1986, and was published concurrently with ''Adventures of Superman''.

===1986 revamp===
'''''Adventures of Superman''''' was numbered from issue #424 (January 1987) to issue #649 (April 2006), for a total of 228 monthly issues (including issue #0 (October 1994) published between issues #516 and #517 during the [[wikipedia: Zero Hour (comics)|Zero Hour]] crossover event and issue #1,000,000 (November 1998) during the [[wikipedia: DC One Million| DC One Million]] crossover event) and nine Annuals published between 1987 to 1997.

The plots of the Superman books were often linked during the first few years of the series run. To coordinate the storyline and sequence of event, from January 1991 to January 2002, "triangle numbers" (or "shield numbers") appeared on the cover of each Superman comic book. During these years, the Superman storylines ran with the story continuing through the titles ''Superman'', ''Action Comics'' and later in two further series, ''[[Superman: The Man of Steel]]'' and ''[[Superman: The Man of Tomorrow]]''. After February 2002, the integration between the Superman titles became less frequent, and the remaining issues of ''Adventures of Superman'' commonly carried self-contained stories. The final issue (#649), however, was part of a three-part crossover with ''Superman'' and ''Action Comics'', an [[wikipedia: homage| homage]] to the [[wikipedia: Superman (Earth-Two)|Earth-2 Superman]] in the wake of events in the [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]] ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''.

For its last few years, ''Adventures of Superman'' was written by [[wikipedia: Greg Rucka| Greg Rucka]]. Notable plots included the villain [[wikipedia: Professor Hamilton|Ruin]], the attempted assassination of [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]] and a number of well-regarded [[wikipedia: Mxyzptlk| Mxyzptlk]] appearances.

===Superman returns===
''[[Superman Vol 2)|Superman volume 2]]'' reached issue #226 (April 2006) and was then canceled as part of the linewide ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' event. ''Adventures of Superman'' was returned to its original title, ''Superman'', with issue #650 (May 2006), as a part of the ''[[wikipedia: One Year Later| One Year Later]]'' banner. ''Action Comics'' had continued publication normally. The annual editions after the retitling back to volume 1 continued starting with Annual #13. The book also participated in the weekly series ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'', giving a different perspective on certain happenings that were shown in the weekly title, such as the events preceding the death of [[wikipedia: New Gods|New God]] [[wikipedia: Lightray| Lightray]].

In 2008, [[wikipedia: James Robinson (comics)|James Robinson]] replaced writer [[wikipedia: Kurt Busiek| Kurt Busiek]] after his 25-issue run on the title. Robinson's run on the title began with the ''[[The Coming of Atlas]]'' story arc and began a link between ''Superman'', ''[[Action Comics]]'', and ''[[Supergirl]]'' that started a long-form narrative with the ''[[Superman: New Krypton|New Krypton]]'' event. The majority of Robinson's run featured [[wikipedia: Mon-El| Mon-El]] and the [[wikipedia: Guardian (DC Comics)|Guardian]] as the featured characters, while Superman himself had gone to live on the planet [[Superman: World of New Krypton|New Krypton]]. Robinson's last full issue was #699, tying into ''[[Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton|Last Stand of New Krypton]]'', and he finished his run in a short story in issue #700 that returned Superman to Earth.<ref name="Number700">[[wikipedia:James Robinson (comics)|Robinson, James]], [[wikipedia:Dan Jurgens|Jurgens, Dan]], and [[wikipedia:J. Michael Straczynski|Straczynski, J. Michael]] (w). Superman 1 (700) (June 2010), DC Comics</ref>

===Reaching a milestone===
In June 2010, ''Superman'' reached issue #700, and writer [[wikipedia: J. Michael Straczynski|J. Michael Straczynski]], a self-professed Superman fan who feels a personal connection to the character,<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17059 Reflections: J. Michael Straczynski Part II @ CBR]</ref> took over writing duties with a short story in the issue, and will have his run on the title begin in earnest with issue #701.<ref>[http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/08/j-michael-straczynski-to-write-superman-and-wonder-woman-starting-in-july/ J. Michael Straczynski to write Superman and Wonder Woman Starting in July @ DC's The Source]</ref> Artist [[wikipedia: Eddy Barrows|J. Michael Straczynski]], a previous ''Action Comics'' artist and one of the artists on the ''[[Superman: War of the Supermen|War of the Supermen]]'' event, is Straczynski's artistic collaborator.<ref>[http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/19/unveiling-jms%E2%80%99-superman-artist/ DC's The Source - Unveiling JMS' Superman Artist]</ref>

Straczynski and Barrows began a year-long story entitled "[[Superman: Grounded|Grounded]]," that sees Superman begin a long walk across the [[wikipedia: United States| United States]] in order to regain the connection with his adopted home that he feels he lost while away on New Krypton.<ref name="Number700" />

==External links==
*[http://www.comichron.com/titlespotlights/superman.html Superman sales figures] for 1960-1987 at The Comics Chronicles

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Superman |Superman ]]
[[Category:Superman Vol 1]]
[[Category:Adventures of Superman]]

The Man of Steel

2010-12-11T20:57:33Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''The Man of Steel''''' was a six-issue [[comic book]] [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]] released in [[wikipedia: 1986 in comics|1986]] by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| limited series]], several months after the twelve-issue limited series ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' completed. ''The Man of Steel'' was written and penciled by [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]] and inked by [[wikipedia: Dick Giordano| Dick Giordano]].

==Overview==
The mini-series was designed to [[wikipedia: reboot (fiction)|reboot]] the [[Superman]] mythos. Using the history-altering effects of ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' as an explanation, it was decided by DC editorial to give Superman an updated look and feel by completely rewriting his history, as an attempt to attract more readers. Thus, for modern comics, ''Man of Steel'' is the dividing point between the previous [[wikipedia: Canon (fiction)|canon]] and the current one; many comic fans refer to the two different versions as "pre-Crisis" and "post-Crisis", per ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' being the major dividing line across [[wikipedia: DC Universe|DC's universe]] as a whole. The pre-Crisis stories were drawn to a close in [[wikipedia: Alan Moore| Alan Moore]]'s "[[Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?]]".

From 1986 to [[wikipedia: 2004 in comics|2004]], this series was regarded as the "official" [[wikipedia: origin of Superman| origin of Superman]]; in 2004, it was superseded by ''[[Superman: Birthright]]''.<ref>Singh, Arune (11 March 2004). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=3256 Super-Stars (Part 1): Mark Waid's "Birthright", the Official Origin"]. Retrieved 20 August 2009.</ref> However, after the 2006 conclusion of the [[wikipedia: DC Universe|DCU]]-spanning ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' storyline, the ''Birthright'' series' was removed in favor of the ''[[Superman: Secret Origin]]'' mini-series in [[wikipedia: 2009 in comics|2009]].

''The Man of Steel'' was followed by three four-issue mini-series that also retold and explored the rebooted world of Superman: ''The World of Krypton'' (December [[wikipedia: 1987 in comics|1987]] - March [[wikipedia: 1988 in comics|1988]]), ''The World of Smallville'' (April - July 1988), and ''The World of Metropolis'' (August - November 1988), all of them written by Byrne.

==Story==
''The Man of Steel'' retells Superman’s story beginning with his origin. Each issue focuses on a different time in the early years of his career. In telling the story, Byrne drew from all available media to have depicted Superman for inspiration.

The series [[wikipedia: Reboot (fiction)|reboots]] Superman continuity for a modern audience. Previous depictions of the comic book Superman and his mythology are discarded. Some characters’ backgrounds were largely altered.

==Behind the Scenes==
In the years before ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' that led to the [[wikipedia: reboot (fiction)|reboot]], [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] and [[wikipedia: Marv Wolfman| Marv Wolfman]] had been wanting to do a revision for Superman for a while, even bringing it up with DC's then-publisher and president [[wikipedia: Jenette Kahn| Jenette Kahn]]. Nothing developed until Kahn asked for revision proposals for Superman. While regular Superman writer [[wikipedia: Cary Bates| Cary Bates]] wanted the revision that kept the ongoing continuity as it was, Wolfman, and other writers [[wikipedia: Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]] and [[wikipedia: Steve Gerber| Steve Gerber]] wanted to start the continuity all over from scratch. Wolfman, Miller, and Gerber all wanted to do the same thing: get rid of [[Superboy]], cut down on [[wikipedia: Powers and abilities of Superman|Superman's powers]], make changes in [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]], and make Superman the last survivor of [[wikipedia: Krypton (comics)|Krypton]], but how they wanted to do it was different. Time passed, and no concept for a revised Superman series was given a go-ahead.

Work once again started for a revision in May 1985, and this was when Marv Wolfman found out [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]] had left [[wikipedia: Marvel Comics| Marvel Comics]]. Since both of them liked the same media takes on Superman, and Wolfman felt that Byrne would ''"make it sell"'', Wolfman called Byrne and he accepted going to DC and proposed his revision of Superman. DC agreed with 99% of Byrne's plans, and the reboot was given the go-ahead. Wolfman was offered one of the monthlies: [[wikipedia: Adventures of Superman (comic book)|the Adventures of Superman comic book]] that was a retitle of the first Superman volume ongoing series. At first, [[wikipedia: Alan Moore| Alan Moore]] was going to do [[Action Comics]], which was to be a Superman team-up book akin to the [[wikipedia: DC Comics Presents| DC Comics Presents]] Superman team-up series. But Moore proved to be too busy, so Byrne was given that book as well.<ref>[http://theages.superman.nu/History/steel.php superman.nu: The Man of Steel (1986)]</ref>

==Unused ideas==
In some pre-''Crisis'' retellings, Jor-El wanted to save both Lara and Kal-El by sending them away in the same rocket, but she would refuse saying that the rocket was too small and might not make it to Earth because of her added weight, and she wanted to stay with her husband, (an idea that was briefly touched on in ''Superman: The Animated Series''). Byrne's original idea was to show a pregnant Lara leaving Krypton. After landing near Smallville, Lara would immediately succumb to a small chunk of kryptonite that was embedded in the ship's hull. This would have been Byrne's way to show early on how deadly kryptonite was. Lara would then have been found by the Kents while she was in labor, induced by the stress from kryptonite poisoning. Before dying, Lara would have told the Kents to look after her son. They would then take young Kal-El, an alien born on Earth, and raise him as their own just as they promised his mother. This was also Byrne's way to emphasize the Kents being chosen caretakers rather than them being a random couple who finds a baby in a rocket, (this concept was also, in a way, touched on in ''[[wikipedia: Smallville| Smallville]]'' and ''[[wikipedia: Last Son of Krypton| Last Son of Krypton]]''). The idea was not used because DC wanted Kal-El to be sent to Earth alone, as all the previous incarnations agreed upon.<ref name="Alan Kistler's History of Superman">[http://alankistler.squarespace.com/journal/2007/12/17/alan-kistlers-history-of-superman-part-3.html Alan Kistler's History of Superman] Part 3: Post-Crisis</ref>

In his public debut, Superman was originally going to save a landing space-shuttle. After the [[wikipedia: Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|''Challenger'' disaster]], the ''Constitution'' was changed to "an experimental space-plane".<ref name="Alan Kistler's History of Superman" />

Byrne suggested that the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes (1958 team)|Legion of Super-Heroes]] was formed based on legends of Superman's adventures as a boy. The Legion would eventually be surprised to discover that these adventures never happened.<ref>[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=2&T1=Questions+about+Comic+Book+Projects#32 How did the Superboy/Legion/Time Trapper arc come about? -- Byrne Robotics: FAQ]</ref>

According to Byrne, it was initially agreed upon that he could depict Superman "learning the ropes" as a young hero early in his career (another concept similar to ''[[wikipedia: Smallville| Smallville]]''). This was part of the reason why Byrne eliminated Superboy from the mythos, as he felt Superboy would be an unnecessary character under those circumstances. However, once Byrne officially signed on he was informed by DC that his Superman would need to be "up to speed" and an established hero by the time the relaunch of the monthly titles took place. Byrne later stated that he wished he had kept Superboy to fill the role of Superman still "figuring it out". <ref>[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=2&T1=Questions+about+Comic+Book+Projects#143 byrnerobotics.com - Questions about Comic Books]</ref>

Another unused Marv Wolfman idea was to show Lois Lane and Lex Luthor being romantically involved and living together in Luthor's estate in the mountains until Superman came to Metropolis. Lois would then leave Luthor to go after Superman, another reason for Luthor to hate Superman. This idea was scrapped because Byrne did not want Lois as someone who was drawn to power (and he didn't want any mountains shown alongside the city either).<ref>[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=2&T1=Questions+about+Comic+Book+Projects#31 Who created the "new" Lex Luthor for MAN OF STEEL? -- Byrne Robotics: FAQ]</ref> However, ''Man of Steel'' depicts Lois and Luthor as having only casually dated.

==Impact of changes==
''The Man of Steel'' became the official origin story for Superman from 1986 through the early 2000s. Its changes to the origin story were adapted to other media featuring Superman. It was a huge success and within a few weeks after the first issues were released, fans picked up over 200,000 copies. Many of the biggest changes were on Superman himself. While many of his standard superpowers remained, Superman was effectively limited in power and scope to make him more believable. He still had superhuman strength, vision powers and super breath but while the Silver Age [[wikipedia: Kal-El (Earth One)|Kal-El]] at his peak could easily move [[wikipedia: planets| planets]], the post-''Crisis'' version strained at moving a commercial [[wikipedia: airliner| airliner]] in flight. His vision powers still include x-ray, heat and microscopic/telescopic vision but are set at a more realistic level. He no longer had the ability to survive in space indefinitely without an air supply as he had done often in pre-''Crisis'' stories. The powers dropped in succeeding stories include his ability to travel through time, freeze breath (though he still possessed super-powerful blowing strength), and super intelligence.

Byrne made the most important changes to Superman's personality. Superman's alter-ego [[wikipedia: Clark Kent| Clark Kent]] was no longer "mild-mannered"; he became more assertive, and an important half of a double life. ''Man of Steel'' established Clark Kent as the "real" person, with Superman being the "disguise" - a reversal of the earlier canon.{{fact}} Stories featuring people actively trying to discover Superman's [[wikipedia: secret identity| secret identity]] became practically non-existent, since it was not known to the general public that Superman had a secret identity since he did not wear a mask, and most generally assumed that Superman was the full-time (i.e. only) identity. Additionally, Superman's status as the sole survivor of Krypton is restored. This resulted in the writers having to come up with alternative explanations to related characters such as [[Supergirl]] and [[wikipedia: General Zod| General Zod]] and the [[wikipedia: Phantom Zone| Phantom Zone]] villains.

The changes among Superman’s cast include Lana Lang, [[wikipedia: Jimmy Olsen| Jimmy Olsen]] and Lex Luthor. Lana and Jimmy did not adopt any [[wikipedia: superhero| superhero]] identities (pre-''Crisis'' they frequently developed superpowers). Lana was no longer a romantic rival of Lois Lane for Superman's affections, but a childhood friend with an unrequited crush on Clark. Lex Luthor became an evil billionaire (inspired in part by his portrayal by [[wikipedia: Gene Hackman| Gene Hackman]] in the [[wikipedia: Superman (film series)|Superman movies]]{{fact}}). Clark's adoptive parents are still alive and well and remain important supporting characters to this day.

After the limited series, Byrne took over the storytelling in the monthly Superman series. The change he made to Superman’s greatest weakness, [[wikipedia: Kryptonite| Kryptonite]], was limiting the form to only the original green variety. Other variant forms of Kryptonite such as gold, yellow, blue and white no longer existed; only green remained. The other red version of Kryptonite would eventually resurface later on, created by [[wikipedia: Mister Mxyzptlk| Mister Mxyzptlk]]. Kryptonite was also made a much rarer element and extremely hard to find and acquire, having only come to Earth in a single fist-sized piece stuck to Clark's spacecraft. In fact early on only Lex Luthor had access to it (having taken the only existent piece from [[wikipedia: Metallo| Metallo]]), and this knowledge allowed Superman to know who supplied [[wikipedia: Bloodsport (comics)|Bloodsport]] with Kryptonite bullets. Superman's enemies had to become even more creative in finding a way to battle him. Lex Luthor believed early on that the radiation emanating from Kryptonite was within safety limits for humans. However it was determined later that long-term exposure to Kryptonite was also deadly to humans when Lex's right hand which wore a Kryptonite ring became poisoned, in fact requiring amputation.<ref>''Action Comics'' #600</ref>

The removal of Clark's [[Superboy]] career, as well as of [[Supergirl]], from continuity would have a serious impact on the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]]. Byrne would later state that removing Superboy from continuity was a mistake.<ref>[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=2&T1=Questions+about+Comic+Book+Projects#143 Why did JB remove Superboy from continuity with the MAN OF STEEL reboot? -- Byrne Robotics: FAQ]</ref> To correct this incontinuity, a storyline was created having the Legion travel back in time to confront the post-''Crisis'' Superman<ref>''Superman'' vol. 2 #8 (1987) and ''Action Comics'' #591 (1987)</ref> to find an explanation for Superboy's existence. It was revealed that Superboy existed in a "[[wikipedia: pocket universe| pocket universe]]" created by the [[wikipedia: Time Trapper| Time Trapper]], consisting of only Earth and Krypton before its destruction. That universe's Kal-El grew up as the pre-''Crisis'' Superboy; whenever Superboy would travel to the future or the Legion would return to Superboy's past the Time Trapper would shift them in and out of the Pocket Universe.

==Continuity==
From 1986 until 2003, ''[[The Man of Steel]]'' was the Superman origin story, with even ''[[wikipedia: Superman For All Seasons| Superman For All Seasons]]'' touching upon it. While Superman For All Seasons might have added and changed new things, it never removed Byrne's retelling. However, in 2003, another story of Superman's origin, a 12-issue limited series called ''[[Superman: Birthright]]'', was published. DC stated that ''Birthright'' and ''Man of Steel'' formed the full "official" origin for Superman. ''Birthright'' made use of many elements of ''Man of Steel'' that tied into the other series, but also introduced new aspects ignored by Byrne and thus brought back various pre-''Crisis'' elements (such as Lex and Clark as childhood friends in [[wikipedia: Smallville (comics)|Smallville]]). The [[wikipedia: Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Kara Zor-El]] version of Supergirl was also brought back. The ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' storyline made further changes to Superman, which left the question once again asked about Superman's origin. It wasn't until then-monthly ''[[Superman]]'' writer [[wikipedia: Kurt Busiek| Kurt Busiek]] stated that the post-''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' Superman origin had yet to be established.<ref>Bailey, Neal (April 2007). "[http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php?topic=articles/continuity-postIC Byrne is Dead... Long Live... YOD!"]. Superman Homepage.</ref> This ultimately removed both ''The Man of Steel'' and ''Birthright'' from canon, and in its place was ''[[Superman: Secret Origin]]'', released in 2009.

==Collections==
The ''Man of Steel'' limited series has since been collected in [[wikipedia: trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] form in several editions. The first used a better paper stock after the series’ completion. In [[wikipedia: 1993 in comics|1993]], it was reprinted with newsprint-type paper and priced cheaper. The 2003 edition sported a new cover by [[wikipedia: Jerry Ordway| Jerry Ordway]] and was titled as ''Superman: The Man of Steel'' Vol. 1, the first in a series of trade paperbacks collecting the early adventures of the post-''Crisis'' Superman.

The Chinese version was transltaed by Michael Leung (梁德輝) and his team of Comic Network in Hong Kong.

With the release of ''[[Action Comics No 584|Action Comics #584]]'', ''[[Adventures of Superman No 424|Adventures of Superman #424]]'', and ''[[Superman No 1 (Vol 2) |Superman (vol. 2) #1]]'' there was a card in each copy that readers could fill out and mail to DC for a chance to win 1 of 3000 copies of a collected trade paperback. This version was unique in that it was actually all six issues of the Man of Steel mini-series with the spines trimmed and rebound with a new cover with a photocopied note that read:

''Congratulations!''

''Your entry has been selected to receive a copy of the "MAN of STEEL" special edition the entire six issue mini-series bound between two covers''

''Thank you for responding to our contest and your continued support of SUPERMAN and DC Comics''

''Sincerely,''

''Dale A. Kanzler''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Superman]]
[[Category:The Man of Steel]]

Superman (Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?)

2010-12-11T19:51:21Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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"'''Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?'''" is a 1986 [[comic book]] story featuring the [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] character of [[Superman]]. The story was published in two parts, in the final issues of the series ''[[Superman No 423|Superman #423]] and ''[[Action Comics No 583|Action Comics #583]]'', both published in September 1986. Written by [[wikipedia: Alan Moore| Alan Moore]], pencilled by long-time ''Superman'' artist [[wikipedia: Curt Swan| Curt Swan]], and inked by [[wikipedia: George Pérez| George Pérez]] (''Superman'') and [[wikipedia: Kurt Schaffenberger| Kurt Schaffenberger]] (''Action''), the tale incorporates the [[wikipedia: Mort Weisinger| Mort Weisinger]]-era style but has a distinctly modern twist. The story was intended to close the book on the original character's history subsequent to the events of ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' and in preparation for the following ''[[The Man of Steel]]'' [[wikipedia: reboot (fiction)|reboot]] by [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]], and was Swan's final major contribution to the series, though he would later occasionally return for special occasions.

==Plot synopsis==
===Superman (vol. 1) #423===
The framing device of ''Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?'' is the tale of a ''[[wikipedia: Daily Planet| Daily Planet]]'' reporter, Tim Crane, in the then-future year of 1997, paying a visit to former ''Planet'' reporter [[wikipedia: Lois Lane|Lois Lane-Elliot]], hoping that she, as the last person to have seen Superman alive, can shed some light on the mystery of the Man of Steel's disappearance ten years previous. The majority of the story is told in flashback, as Lois recounts for Crane the tale of Superman's final days.

Ten years beforehand, a period of relative peace had ensued after the majority of Superman's enemies had either died or vanished, Brainiac believed to have been destroyed two years prior, Lex Luthor going underground and [[wikipedia: Parasite (comics)|The Parasite]] and [[wikipedia: Terra-Man| Terra-Man]] having killed each other. However, upon returning from a government expedition in space, Superman is met with an unpleasant reunion of an old foe. [[wikipedia: Bizarro| Bizarro]], historically a harmless dunce who says the opposite of what he means, changes his ''modus operandi'' to become a "perfect imperfect duplicate" of Superman, by first going on a killing spree (since Superman never kills anyone), deliberately destroying the Bizarro World and coming to Earth as an adult (since Superman's home planet of [[wikipedia: Krypton (comics)|Krypton]] was destroyed in an accident and he was sent to Earth as a baby) and then — taking the "opposite" theme to its logical conclusion — committing suicide, via exposure to [[wikipedia: Kryptonite#Comics|blue kryptonite]] (since Superman was, in fact, alive, Bizarro's twisted logic translated this into his having to be dead to be the ''perfect imperfect duplicate''). His last words were, "''Hello, Superman, hello.''" This darkening of intent is furthered when two famous, if minor, past nuisances of Superman's, the [[wikipedia: Toyman (comics)|Toyman]] and the [[wikipedia: Prankster (DC Comics)|Prankster]], learn of Superman's secret identity from [[wikipedia: Pete Ross| Pete Ross]], whom they have tortured and killed, and during a live TV newscast, the "fearsome funsters" launch an attack that exposes Clark Kent's secret to the world.

While this is going on, [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]] is searching an unidentified snowy wasteland for the remains of [[wikipedia: Brainiac (comics)|Brainiac]], who presumably died when his organic spaceship crashed (see ''Action Comics'' #545). Finding the android's seemingly inert head, Luthor claims it with the intent of disassembling it to learn its technology. However, he inadvertently re-activates the head, which quickly moves to take over Luthor's own body and motor functions. With the intent of avenging his own defeat at Superman's hands, Brainiac, now in full control over Luthor, moves to build a new ship and take the fight to Superman personally. Along the way, he stops to pick up the [[wikipedia: Kryptonite Man| Kryptonite Man]], who has also been compelled to seek out and destroy Superman.

After saving the ''Daily Planet'' staff from an assault by an army of [[wikipedia: Metallo| Metallo]]s, Superman takes his closest friends (including Lois, [[wikipedia: Jimmy Olsen| Jimmy Olsen]], [[wikipedia: Lana Lang| Lana Lang]], and [[wikipedia: Perry White| Perry White]] and his wife Alice) to his [[wikipedia: Fortress of Solitude| Fortress of Solitude]] for safety. [[wikipedia: Krypto| Krypto]] even joins them here, having returned from unspecified adventures in deep space especially for the occasion. At this moment, the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]], including the recently-deceased [[Supergirl]] (who, from an earlier point in her own lifetime was visiting the Legion in the 30th Century at the time they took this trip to her near-future), pay a visit from the far future, to bestow upon Superman a gift — a trophy of him holding the [[wikipedia: Phantom Zone| Phantom Zone]] projector inscribed "HIS SUPREME HOUR" — in what is clearly, though [[wikipedia: Brainiac 5| Brainiac 5]] pointedly denies it, a token of farewell.

===Action Comics #583===
True to Superman's fears, by the morning Brainiac and the time-traveling [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Villains| Legion of Super-Villains]] have begun a siege on the Fortress, with Brainiac erecting a forcefield around it to prevent other heroes (including [[Batman]], [[Wonder Woman]], [[Captain Marvel]], and others) from interfering. In the ensuing battle, Jimmy and Lana find inside the Fortress trophies of their own past dalliances with superpowers and decide to use these artifacts to aid Superman in this standoff. Lana is able to subdue the Kryptonite Man, while Jimmy successfully shuts down Brainiac's force-field generator. During this skirmish, Luthor is able to wrest back enough control of his body to beg Lana to kill him; she complies, snapping his neck.

Unfortunately, the Legion of Super-Villains is able to determine how these two ordinary humans were able to gain superpowers, and using that knowledge, they kill Lana. Jimmy is murdered by Brainiac, who is able to temporarily maintain control of Luthor's corpse. He then notes that his force-field is still keeping the other heroes away, despite the destruction of the device generating it. A nuclear bomb, launched by Brainiac, finally breaches the walls of the Fortress. The Kryptonite Man rushes in, almost insane in his desire to see Superman "turn green and die" at his hands; Krypto, sensing the threat to his master, attacks and kills the Kryptonite Man, but succumbs to a fatal dose of Kryptonite radiation in the process.

In the end, with Brainiac finally deactivated when Luthor's body goes into [[wikipedia: rigor mortis| rigor mortis]] and the Legion of Super-Villains having fled back to the future due to Superman's apparent murderous rage at the death of Lana (screaming, "You hurt ''LANA''?!"), Superman realizes that not ''all'' of his old foes have yet been accounted for — and that the one missing name, [[wikipedia: Mister Mxyzptlk|Mxyzptlk]], must be the villain behind all of this, as only he could have caused such bizarre events to occur. Sure enough, the extradimensional [[wikipedia: imp| imp]] appears, with a decidedly darker color scheme and grimmer, more serious smile on his face, and claims credit for orchestrating the attacks, saying he has grown bored with simply being "mischievous" and now wants to see what it would be like to be "evil" instead. He then reveals his true form ("''Did you '''honestly''' believe that a 5th Dimensional sorcerer would resemble a funny little man in a derby hat?''"), a giant purple, truly five-dimensional (as Lois puts it, “''I can’t describe what Mxyzptlk then became. He had height, width, depth, and a couple of '''other''' things, too.''”), vaguely humanoid shape, and begins stalking Superman through the ruins of his Fortress.

With Lois' help, Superman suddenly realizes the significance of the trophy given to him by the Legion of Super-Heroes, and threatens Mxyzptlk with the Phantom Zone projector. Upon seeing this, Mxyzptlk panics and says his own name backwards, which sends him back to his own dimension — at the same instant, Superman activates the projector, sending Mxyzptlk into the Phantom Zone. Torn in two between dimensions, Mxyzptlk dies with a horrific scream. Since he has broken his own code never to kill, Superman, in [[wikipedia: penance| penance]], voluntarily enters a chamber containing a sample of [[wikipedia: Kryptonite#Comics|Gold Kryptonite]] (which would permanently strip him of his powers), and disappears into the [[wikipedia: Arctic| Arctic]] wasteland. When the other heroes enter the remains of the Fortress, they find only Perry White, his wife, and Lois still alive. Superman's body is never found, and it is assumed by all parties that he wandered into the Arctic wasteland, powerless, to die.

After the interview is over and Crane leaves the Elliot residence, it is indirectly revealed that the [[wikipedia: mechanic| mechanic]] Jordan Elliot, Lois' husband, is in fact Superman himself — apparently now without powers and living the life of a typical [[wikipedia: working-class| working-class]] [[wikipedia: suburbanite| suburbanite]] with Lois and their son Jonathan (very likely named after [[wikipedia: Ma and Pa Kent|Jonathan Kent]]) — meaning he did not in fact die in the Arctic, although exactly how he ''did'' survive is never revealed. He seems to prefer the life of a normal man, finding great pleasure in his job as a car mechanic and stating, "''Superman was overrated. Too wrapped up in himself. Thought the world couldn't get along without him.''" At his feet, his son Jonathan playfully squeezes the [[wikipedia: coal| coal]] in his hand. Opening it he stares gleefully at a large, glimmering [[wikipedia: diamond| diamond]]. The final image is of Jordan delivering a classic "Superman" [[wikipedia: wink| wink]] to the reader, as he and Lois continue to "''just live [[wikipedia: happy ending|happily ever after]].''"

==Notes==
*[[wikipedia: Curt Swan| Curt Swan]], [[wikipedia: Jenette Kahn| Jenette Kahn]], and [[wikipedia: Julie Schwartz| Julie Schwartz]] are waving goodbye among the Superman characters on the cover of Action Comics #583.<ref>[[Paul Kupperberg|Kupperberg, Paul]]. "The Time Has Come!". ''Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?''. [[wikipedia: DC Comics |DC Comics]]. p. 4.</ref>
*[[wikipedia: Neil Gaiman| Neil Gaiman]] would go on to write a story in the same vein as this for [[Batman]], entitled, "[[Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?]]"

==Allusions==
*Superman's new identity pays homage to both of his fathers; not only is Jonathan, his son with Lois, named after his adoptive father ([[wikipedia: Jonathan Kent (fictional character)|Jonathan Kent]]), but his own new name, '''Jor'''dan '''El'''liot, hearkens back to [[wikipedia: Jor-El| Jor-El]], the name of Kal-El's [[wikipedia: Kryptonian| Kryptonian]] birth father.
*In the ''[[Superman/Batman]]'' comic book series, an older Superman from a future timeline appears wearing the same costume that Superman wore in ''[[wikipedia: Kingdom Come (comic)|Kingdom Come]]''. In 2005, at the closing moments of the "''Absolute Power''" arc in ''Superman/Batman'', with the intervention of [[wikipedia: Metron (comics)|Metron]], the future Superman manages to change the timestream and with it, he becomes Jordan Elliot, ready to live happily ever after.
*The story's name is a reference to the backup stories published in ''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s, which revisited various long-unused Golden Age and Silver Age characters; these stories were all titled "''Whatever Happened to (x)?''"{{fact}}
*When originally published, ''Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?'' was presented as if it were indeed the ''last'' ''Superman'' story - because, as far as the [[Silver Age of Comics|Silver Age]] version of the character was concerned, it was precisely that. The first half of the story, published in ''Superman'' (vol. 1) issue #423, was even billed as that magazine's "''Historic Last Issue''" (which was accurate in a sense, as that magazine would be retitled ''[[Adventures of Superman]]'' effective with issue #424, but subsequently retitled back to its original title ''Superman'' with issue #650 in 2006, after the ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' story arc). A second series, ''[[Superman Vol 2]]'', was published during this duration, but it too was canceled with issue #226 (April 2006) after the events of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''.{{fact}}
*Regardless of DC's editorial intentions, this "final" ''Superman'' story was presented by DC as being an [[wikipedia: Elseworlds#"Imaginary Stories"|"Imaginary Story"]], a [[Silver Age (comics)|Silver Age]] convention, revived especially for this occasion, that served to tell "''[[wikipedia: Alternate history#Comic books|What If?]]''" stories that would have been considered series-killers if they were to happen in the "real" continuity of the comic. Thus, it is debatable whether or not this story should be considered [[wikipedia: canon (fiction)|canonical]] with the ''Superman'' series as it existed pre-''Man of Steel'' reboot.
*The story opens with a brief legend that ends thus: "''This is an Imaginary Story... Aren't they all?''" The legend is a [[wikipedia: triple entendre| triple entendre]]:

# It could be interpreted that the story is non-canonical.
# It could be interpreted that the story is canonical, since all comic books are "imaginary stories", so it is as valid as any "official" Superman comic.
# It could be interpreted that the story is canonical, but only for this incarnation of Superman, as the upcoming John Byrne reboot would render the earlier series as "imaginary". {{fact}}
# It could be interpreted that the story is the end of the [[wikipedia: Earth-One| Earth-One]] [[wikipedia: Superman (Earth-One)|Superman]] had the [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]] never happened.

==Collected editions==
The story was originally reprinted in 1997, in trade paperback format. In 2006, DC pulled the original trade paperback from the market and inserted it, along with ''[[Batman: The Killing Joke]]'', into a revised edition of ''Across the Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore'' (now titled ''DC Universe: the Stories of Alan Moore''). The initial printing of this collection omitted the introduction essay at the start of the story, though this was corrected with later printings of the collection.

In 2009, DC Comics has announced that they will be re-releasing the story again as a stand-alone hardcover. The new version will collect the original story as well as additional Alan Moore penned Superman material: Superman Annual #11 (featuring the classic "For the Man Who Has Everything" story) and DC Comics Presents #84, which features a team-up between Superman and Swamp Thing.

*''Superman: "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?"'' ([[wikipedia: Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]], 47 pages, 1997, [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]], ISBN 1-56389-315-0)
*''[[wikipedia: DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore| DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore]]'' ([[wikipedia: Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]], 2006, [[wikipedia: Titan Books|Titan]] ISBN 1-84576-257-6 [[wikipedia: DC Comics|DC]] ISBN 1-4012-0927-0)
*''Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? Deluxe Edition'' Hardcover trade paperback. Released on July 8, 2009.<ref>[http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=11735 DC Universe: Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? Deluxe Edition.] Retrieved on 19 March 2009.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/117932624712522.htm Review of collected edition], [[wikipedia: Comics Bulletin| Comics Bulletin]]
*[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080926-FridayFlashbackSuperman.html Friday Flashback: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], September 26, 2008

[[Category:Superman]]

DC Comics Presents

2010-12-11T18:25:32Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''DC Comics Presents''''' was a [[comic book]] published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] from 1978 to 1986 (97 issues plus 4 [[wikipedia: annual publication|annuals]]) featuring team-ups between [[Superman]] and a wide variety of other characters of the [[wikipedia: DC Universe| DC Universe]]. (The final issue is an exception, instead featuring Superman in an "Untold Tale" involving the [[wikipedia: Phantom Zone| Phantom Zone]], by [[wikipedia: Steve Gerber| Steve Gerber]], following up in his [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]] of the same title.) A recurring back-up feature "Whatever Happened to..." had stories revealing the status of various minor and little-used characters.

The series' most famous (and expensive back) issue was #26, which included an insert prequel to the then-upcoming ''[[wikipedia: Teen Titans|New Teen Titans]]'' series by [[wikipedia: Marv Wolfman| Marv Wolfman]] and [[wikipedia: George Pérez| George Pérez]]. Another insert in issue #41 previewed the "new direction" [[Wonder Woman]]. In #47, Superman traveled to [[wikipedia: Eternia| Eternia]] and met [[wikipedia: He-Man| He-Man]]. ''DCCP'' #87 featured the first appearance and, in a back-up story, origin of the divergent Kal-El of the [[wikipedia: Earth Prime| Earth Prime]] reality, who would become known as [[wikipedia: Superboy-Prime| Superboy-Prime]].

In 2004, the title ''DC Comics Presents'' was revived for eight one-shot issues, each a tribute to DC editor [[wikipedia: Julius Schwartz| Julius Schwartz]] who had recently died. Each issue featured two stories based on a classic DC Comics cover of the past, reflecting Schwartz's frequent practice of commissioning a cover concept, then telling the writers to create a story around that cover.

==2010 revival==
In July of 2010, DC announced that they were launching a new "DC Comics Presents" series, this time it features stories that have not seen print since their original publication.
The announced issues are<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27854 Comic Book Resources]</ref>:

*''DC Comics Presents: [[Batman]]'' #1, which spotlights Batman and reprints ''Batman'' #582-585 (10/20/2010)
*''DC Comics Presents: Batman'' #2, which spotlights Batman and reprints ''Batman'' #591-594 (11/17/2010)
*''DC Comics Presents: Batman'' #3, which spotlights Batman and reprints ''Batman'' #595-598 (12/15/2010)
*''DC Comics Presents: [[Brightest Day]]'' #1, which spotlights [[wikipedia: Deadman| Deadman]] and [[wikipedia: Hawkman|Hawkman]], and reprints selected stories from ''Hawkman'' #27, 34 and 36, ''[[wikipedia: Solo (DC Comics)|Solo]]'' #8, ''DCU Holiday ‘09'' and ''[[Strange Adventures]]'' #205.
*''DC Comics Presents: Brightest Day'' #2, which spotlights [[wikipedia: Martian Manhunter| Martian Manhunter]] and [[wikipedia: Firestorm (comics)|Firestorm]] (both [[wikipedia: Ronnie Raymond| Ronnie Raymond]] and [[wikipedia: Jason Rusch| Jason Rusch]]), and reprints ''Martian Manhunter'' #24 and ''Firestorm'' #11-13.
*''DC Comics Presents: [[wikipedia: Ethan Van Sciver| Ethan Van Sciver]]'', which spotlights the art of Ethan Van Sciver and reprints ''Batman and [[Catwoman]]: Trail of the Gun'' #1-2.
*''DC Comics Presents: [[The Flash]] and [[Green Lantern]]: Faster Friends'', which spotlights [[wikipedia: Hal Jordan| Hal Jordan]] and [[wikipedia: Barry Allen| Barry Allen]], and reprints both issues of the titular mini-series.
*''DC Comics Presents: Green Lantern'', which spotlights [[wikipedia: Kyle Rayner| Kyle Rayner]] and [[wikipedia: Jade (comics)|Jade]], and reprints ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 3) #137-140.
*''DC Comics Presents: [[wikipedia: Jack Cross| Jack Cross]]'', which spotlights Jack Cross and reprints issues #1-4 of his self-titled series.
*''DC Comics Presents: [[wikipedia: J.H. Williams III|J.H. Williams III]]'', which spotlights the art of J.H. Williams III and reprints ''[[wikipedia: Chase (comics)|Chase]]'' #1 and #6-8.
*''DC Comics Presents:[[Superman]]'' #1, which spotlights Superman and reprints ''Superman'' #179-185 and ''[[Superman: The Man of Steel]]'' #121.
*''DC Comics Presents: Superman'' #2, which spotlights Superman and reprints ''Superman: The Man of Steel'' #133, ''Superman'' #189, [[Adventures of Superman]]'' #611, and ''[[Action Comics]]'' #798.
*''DC Comics Presents: [[Young Justice]]'' #1, which spotlights Young Justice and reprints ''[[Justice League|JLA]]: World Without Grown-Ups'' #1-2.
*''DC Comics Presents: Young Justice'' #2, which spotlights Young Justice and reprints ''Young Justice Secret Files'', ''Young Justice in [[wikipedia: No Man's Land (comics)|No Man's Land]]'', and ''Young Justice: [[wikipedia: Secret (DC Comics)|The Secret]]''.
*''[[wikipedia: Vertigo (DC Comics) |Vertigo]] Resurrected'', which reprints a controversial and previously banned ''[[wikipedia: Hellblazer| Hellblazer]]'' story by [[wikipedia: Warren Ellis| Warren Ellis]].

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:DC Comics Presents]]

Superman Family

2010-12-11T18:02:31Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman Family''''' was a [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] [[comic book]] series which ran from 1974 to 1982 featuring stories starring supporting characters in the [[Superman]] comics. The term "Superman Family" is often used to refer to the extended cast of characters (especially super-powered ones) of comics books associated with Superman.{{fact}}

''Superman Family'' was an amalgamation of the titles ''[[Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane |Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane]]'' and ''[[Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen|Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen]]'', along with the first series of ''[[Supergirl]]'', therefore immediately becoming DC's flagship title with the highest sales for the remainder. The first issue, #164, took its numbering from ''Jimmy Olsen'', which had reached issue #163 and thus had the most issues published (''Lois Lane'' ended at #137, while the newly-launched ''Supergirl'' book had only made it to #10).

''Superman Family'' went through two distinct phases. In its inception the three leads Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Supergirl rotated new stories each issue with reprints for the other characters. In 1976, ''Superman Family'' became the first [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] 80-page [[Dollar Comic]], consisting of 64 pages of new stories. In 1977, beginning with issue #182, the "framing element" was removed from the covers, and the book switched to printing all new material. It became a monthly series in 1981 starting with issue #207.

Other featured series in addition to [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]] (#s 166,169,172,175,178,181-222), [[Supergirl]] (#s 165,168,171,174,177,180,182-222), and [[wikipedia: Jimmy Olsen| Jimmy Olsen]] (#s 164,167,170,173,176,179,182-222) included:

*"[[Superboy]]" (#182,191-196) — The adventures of the [[wikipedia: Multiverse (DC Comics)#Earth-One|Earth-One]] Superman as a teenage superhero. This series continued from ''[[Adventure Comics No 458| Adventure Comics #458]]'' and led to the feature leaving the title for its own in 1980, ''[[wikipedia: Superboy#The New Adventures of Superboy (1980-1984)|The New Adventures of Superboy]]''.
*"The Private Life of Clark Kent" (#195-199, 201-215) — The adventures of [[wikipedia: Clark Kent| Clark Kent]] in which he used his powers and skills without becoming Superman. This feature had moved over from ''[[Superman]]'' after issue #328 of that series.
*"Mr. and Mrs. Superman" (#195-199, 201-222) — The adventures of the [[wikipedia: Earth-Two| Earth-Two]] [[Superman]] and his wife, Lois. This feature had moved from ''[[Superman]]'' after issue #329 of that series.
*"[[wikipedia: Krypto| Krypto]]" (#182-192) — the adventures of Superman's dog with the aid of detective Ed Lacy.
*"[[wikipedia: Nightwing| Nightwing]] and [[wikipedia: Flamebird| Flamebird]]" (#182-194) — the adventures of the second Nightwing and Flamebird team of heroes (Van-Zee and Ak-Var) in the Bottled City of Kandor.

DC published several other ''... Family'' titles concurrent with ''Superman Family''. These included ''[[Batman Family]]'' (1975-78), ''[[Super-Team Family]]'' (1975-1978) and ''[[Tarzan Family]]'' (1975-76). As a rule, DC's ''... Family'' titles contained mostly reprints, and featured a higher page count (and higher price) than DC's normal books.

In 1982, with issue #222, ''Superman Family'' series was cancelled to make room for ''Daring New Adventures of Supergirl,'' which briefly featured a ''Lois Lane'' back-up series. The [[Doom Patrol]] appeared alongside Supergirl in issues of both series.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Superman Family]]

Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane

2010-12-11T17:38:02Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane''''' was a [[comic book]] series published monthly by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] focusing on the adventures of [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]]. The series began publication March/April 1958 and ended its run September/October 1974 with 137 regular issues<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/1296/''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane''] at the [[wikipedia: Grand Comics Database|Grand Comics Database]]</ref> and 2 80 page Annuals.<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/1553/''Lois Lane Annual''] at the Grand Comics Database</ref> From the first, stories centered on Lois' romantic interest in [[Superman]] and her attempts to maneuver him into marriage, only to fail due to a comic plot twist. In the early 1960s [[wikipedia: Lana Lang| Lana Lang]] made regular guest appearances, generally as Lois' romantic rival. Artist [[wikipedia: Kurt Schaffenberger| Kurt Schaffenberger]] drew most of the stories for the first 81 issues of the series, missing only issue #29.<ref>[http://www.comics.org/search/advanced/process/?letters=&series=Superman%27s+Girl+Friend%2C+Lois+Lane&feature=&issue_notes=&colors=&price=&job_number=&issues=&issue_date=&tracking_notes=&title=&series_notes=&indicia_publisher=&pub_name=DC&start_date=&pub_notes=&end_date=&format=&brand=&inks=&has_stories=None&volume=&pages=&characters=&genre=&issue_pages=&order2=date&order3=&order1=series&pencils=Kurt+Schaffenberger&script=&target=sequence&language=en&reprint_notes=&country=us&notes=&story_editing=&publication_notes=&method=icontains&synopsis=&issue_editing=&logic=False&page=1 Kurt Schaffenberger's run on ''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane] at the Grand Comics Database</ref> Schaffenberger's rendition of Lois Lane became cited by many<ref>Voger, Mark and Voglesong, Kathy (PHT). "Front Page Romance," ''Hero Gets Girl!: The Life and Art of Kurt Schaffenberger'' (TwoMorrows Publishing, 2003).</ref><ref name="Eury">Eury, Michael. "Kurt Schaffenberger: Ladies' Man," in "The Superman Mythology," ''The Krypton Companion: A Historical Exploration of Superman Comic Books of 1958-1986'' (TwoMorrows Publishing, 2006), p. 67.</ref> as the "definitive" version of the character. The [[Catwoman]] made her first [[Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]] appearance in #70 (Nov. 1966).<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/20528/''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #70] at the Grand Comics Database</ref> By the 1970s, the stories began to reflect growing social awareness: Lois became less fixated on romance, and more on current issues. In the controversial story "I Am Curious (Black)!" in #106 (Nov. 1970),<ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/23852/''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #106] at the Grand Comics Database</ref> for example, Lois uses a machine that allows her to experience racism firsthand as an [[wikipedia: African American| African American]] woman. The series saw the debut of [[Silver Age of Comics|Silver Age]] heroine ''[[wikipedia: Thorn (comics)|The Rose & The Thorn]]'' in a back up feature that ran from #105 (Oct. 1970) through #130 (April 1973).

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane]]

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen

2010-12-11T17:24:23Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen''''' is an [[American comic book]] series published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] from October 1954 until March 1974, spanning a total of 163 issues, featuring the adventures of [[Superman]] supporting character [[wikipedia: Jimmy Olsen| Jimmy Olsen]].

Many of the issues include Jimmy undergoing a transformation of some form. Some of these include:
*Speed Demon in #15 (1956)
*Elastic Lad in #37 (1959)
*Wolf-Man in #44 (1960)
*Giant Turtle Boy in #53 (1961)
*A human porcupine, in ''[[Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen No 65|#65]]'' (1962)
*[[wikipedia: Hippie| Hippie]] in ''[[Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen No 118|#118]]'' (1969)

When [[wikipedia: Jack Kirby| Jack Kirby]] began working at DC in the 1970s, he insisted on this title since it was the lowest selling in the publishing line and without assigned talent at the time so he wouldn't cost someone their job.<ref>Evanier, Mark. "Afterword." ''Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus'': Volume 1, New York: DC Comics, 2007.</ref> During his run, Kirby introduced many memorable characters, notably the [[wikipedia: Jack Kirby's Fourth World|Fourth World]]'s [[wikipedia: New Gods| New Gods]], [[wikipedia: Darkseid| Darkseid]], [[wikipedia: Project Cadmus| Project Cadmus]] and [[wikipedia: Transilvane| Transilvane]]. He also reintroduced the [[wikipedia: Newsboy Legion| Newsboy Legion]] and [[wikipedia: Guardian (DC Comics)|the Guardian]].

The title was replaced by ''[[wikipedia: Superman Family| Superman Family]]'' with issue ''[[Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen No 164|#164]]'', continuing the numbering from ''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen''.

A ''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen'' Special one-shot was published in December 2008, following on from the "[[wikipedia: Atlas (story arc)|Atlas]]" storyline, and leading into ''[[Superman: New Krypton]]''.

==Collected editions==

*''Jimmy Olsen: Adventures by Jack Kirby, Volume 1'', ISBN 1563899841
*''Jimmy Olsen: Adventures by Jack Kirby, Volume 2'', ISBN 1401202594
*''Superman: The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen'', ISBN 1401213693
*''Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus, Volume 1'', ISBN 1401213448
*''Showcase Presents: Superman Family, Volume 1'', ISBN 1401207871
*''Showcase Presents: Superman Family, Volume 2'', ISBN 1401216560
*''Showcase Presents: Superman Family, Volume 3'', ISBN 1401221881
*''Countdown Special: Jimmy Olsen #1'': Reprints ''Jimmy Olsen'' #136 and #147-148.

==Proposed TV series==
In 1959, the producers of the [[wikipedia: action (fiction)|action]]/[[wikipedia: adventure (genre)|adventure]] series ''[[wikipedia: Adventures of Superman (TV series)|Adventures of Superman]]'' were hit by a snag as to how revive the now-canceled series after series star [[wikipedia: George Reeves| George Reeves]] had died that summer from a gunshot wound. [[wikipedia: Jack Larson| Jack Larson]], who played Jimmy in the series, was approached with the idea of continuing the franchise as a [[wikipedia: Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] for two new seasons of 26 episodes each to begin airing in 1960. Titled ''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen'', it would focus on a more serious angle of Olsen's rising career as a reporter and journalist with Larson reprising his role. In place of Reeves, [[wikipedia: stock footage| stock footage]] of Superman flying and a look-alike [[wikipedia: stunt double| stunt double]] to play the Man of Steel. Disgusted at the thought of the producers trying to cash in and make money over the death of Reeves, Larson rejected the proposal, and the proposed project died unmade.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen]]

Adventure Comics

2010-12-11T17:04:47Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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'''''Adventure Comics''''' is a [[comic book]] series published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] from 1935 to 1983. It ran for 503 issues (472 of those after the title changed to ''Adventure Comics''), making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind ''[[Detective Comics]]'', ''[[Action Comics]]'', ''[[Superman]]'' and ''[[Batman]]''. It was revived in 2009 by writer [[wikipedia: Geoff Johns| Geoff Johns]] with the [[wikipedia: Superboy (Kon-El)|Conner Kent incarnation of Superboy]] headlining the title's main feature, and the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]] in the back-up story.<ref name="Vol2">Johns, Geoff (w). Adventure Comics 1 and 2 (504/1) (August 2009), DC Comics</ref> It returned to its original numbering in July 2010 (cover date September) with #516.

==Publication history==
''Adventure Comics'' began its nearly 50-year run in 1935 under the title '''''New Comics''''', which was only the second comic book series published by National Allied Publications, now [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]]. The series was retitled '''''New Adventure Comics''''' with its 12th issue in January 1937. Issue 32 saw the title changed again to ''Adventure Comics'', which would remain the book's name for the duration of its existence.

Originally a humor series, it evolved into a serious adventure series. In addition, the series' focus gradually shifted to superhero stories starting with the debut of [[wikipedia: Sandman (Wesley Dodds)|The Sandman]] in issue #40. Other superheroes who appeared in the early days of ''Adventure'' included [[wikipedia: Hourman| Hourman]] (beginning with issue #48), [[wikipedia: Starman (Ted Knight)|Starman]] (beginning with #61), and Joe Simon & Jack Kirby's [[wikipedia: Manhunter (comics)#Golden Age|Manhunter]] (replacing a similarly named business-suited investigator beginning with #73).

A pivotal issue of the series was #103, when [[Superboy]], [[Green Arrow]], [[Johnny Quick]] and [[Aquaman]] moved from ''[[More Fun Comics]]'' (which was being converted to a humor format) to ''Adventure''. Starman's and Sandman's series were canceled to make room for the new features, while one other, [[Genius Jones]], moved to the comic the new arrivals had just vacated. Superboy became the star of the book, and would appear on each cover into 1969 (counting Superman on the covers of issues 354–355). Superboy's popularity in ''Adventure'' resulted in the character receiving his own title in 1949, when superhero titles in general were losing popularity.

In issue #247 (April 1958), Superboy met the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]], a team of super-powered teens from the future. The group became popular, and would replace ''[[wikipedia: Bizarro|Tales of the Bizarro World]]'' as the ''Adventure'' backup feature with #300, and soon be promoted to its lead, lasting until issue #381 (June 1969). At this time, [[Supergirl]] migrated from the backup slot in ''Action Comics'' to the starring feature in ''Adventure''. To this day, however, the title is most closely associated with the Legion.

As of #425 (December 1972), the book's theme changed from superhero adventure to fantasy/supernatural adventure. That issue debuted one new feature along with three non-series stories, the pirate saga "Captain Fear". The next edition added a semi-anthology series, "The Adventurers' Club". Soon, editor Joe Orlando was trying out horror-tinged costumed heroes, first [[wikipedia: Black Orchid| Black Orchid]], then [[wikipedia: Spectre (comics)|the Spectre]]. Before long, though, conventional superheroes returned to the book, beginning behind the Spectre, first a three-issue run of [[wikipedia: Aquaman| Aquaman]] (issues 435–437, an early assignment for [[wikipedia: Mike Grell| Mike Grell]]) and then a newly drawn 1940s [[wikipedia: Seven Soldiers of Victory| Seven Soldiers of Victory]] script (issues 438–443). Aquaman was promoted to lead (issues 441-452), and backing him up were three-part story arcs featuring [[wikipedia: The Creeper (comics)|the Creeper]] (445–447), the [[wikipedia: Martian Manhunter| Martian Manhunter]] (449–451), bracketed by issue-length Aquaman leads. He was awarded his own title and [[Superboy]] (453-458) took over ''Adventure'' with [[wikipedia: Garth (comics)|Aqualad]] (453–455) and [[wikipedia: Eclipso| Eclipso]] (457–458) backups. Following this was a post-[[wikipedia: DC Implosion| DC Implosion]] run as a giant-sized book (issues 459-466), including such features as the resolution of the recently cancelled ''[[wikipedia: New Gods#Return of the New Gods (1977)|Return of the New Gods]]'', [[wikipedia: Deadman| Deadman]] and the [[Justice Society of America]].

The standard format returned (issues 467–478), split between a new [[wikipedia: Starman (comics)#Prince Gavyn|Starman]] named Prince Gavyn and [[wikipedia: Plastic Man| Plastic Man]]. With an increase in the story-and-art page count, the last four issues also included one more run of Aquaman. All three were dropped simultaneously (Aquaman moved to ''[[Action Comics]]'' and Plas to ''[[wikipedia: Super Friends#Super Friends|Super Friends]]'', while Starman's storyline was resolved in ''[[DC Comics Presents No 36| DC Comics Presents #36]]'') to make way for a completely new version of an old feature, "[[wikipedia: Dial H for Hero#1980s series|Dial H for Hero]]" (issues 479-490). Issue #490 (February 1982) saw the comic's cancellation (its feature moving to ''New Adventures of Superboy'' as of its #28), but the title itself was soon rescued. As of the September issue it was revived as a [[wikipedia: digest-sized| digest-sized]] comic. This format lasted from issues 491-503, with most stories during this period being reprints (featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, from the beginning and in chronological order, and others), and with new stories featuring the [[wikipedia: Marvel Family| Marvel Family]] (a two-parter left over from the recent reduction of ''[[World's Finest Comics]]'' from the same giant format ''Adventure'' had long since dropped) and the [[wikipedia: Challengers of the Unknown| Challengers of the Unknown]] (a new five-issue retelling of their origin). The long-running title was discontinued for good with the September 1983 issue.

===80 Page Giant===
An '''Adventure Comics 80 Page Giant''' was released in 1998.

===Justice Society Returns===
DC published an ''Adventure Comics'' #1 as part of the company's ''[[Justice Society Returns]]'' event in 1999.

===Adventure Comics Special featuring The Guardian===
As part of the 2008 ''[[Superman: New Krypton]]'' story arc, a special issue of Adventure Comics was published, titled ''Adventure Comics Special featuring the Guardian'' #1 (cover dated: January 2009). Jimmy Olsen continues to delve into the mystery surrounding the American government's safeguards against the new Kryptonian population.

==Revival==
The five-issue mini-series ''[[Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds]]'' led into an all-new volume of ''Adventure Comics'', featuring the revived [[wikipedia: Superboy (Kon-El)|Conner Kent/Superboy]] and the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]]. The main creative team of [[wikipedia: Geoff Johns| Geoff Johns]] and [[wikipedia: Francis Manapul| Francis Manapul]] debuted in a backup story in February's ''Adventure Comics'' #0.<ref>"[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/110817-AdventureComics.html DiDio Confirms Adventure Comics Return]". [[wikipedia: Newsarama|Newsarama]]. 2008-11-17. Retrieved 2008-11-18.</ref> A secondary feature starring the Legion of Super-Heroes is co-written with [[wikipedia: Mike Shoemaker (comics)|Mike Shoemaker]] and drawn by [[wikipedia: Clayton Henry| Clayton Henry]]. The first issue of the new run of ''Adventure Comics'' was released on August 12, 2009, and features watermarked numbering marking it as both #1 ''and'' #504, thus continuing the original numeration of the series concurrently with the volume 2 numeration (for the variant incentive cover editions, the original numeration was dominant on the cover while the vol. 2 numeration was the watermarked numbering marking). The indicia of the comic book also reflects this dual numbering. The title officially returned to its original Vol. 1 numbering in July 2010 (cover dated Sept. 2010) with #516.

===Main feature===
====''Superboy: The Boy of Steel (former)''====
The revived ongoing title ''Adventure Comics'' features Conner as the headlining character for the first six issues in the story arc entitled, "Superboy: The Boy of Steel." The arc begins as Conner settles back into his life in [[wikipedia: Smallville (DC Comics)|Smallville, Kansas]]. Returning to live with Martha Kent, who is thrilled to take the young boy in after her husband's death, Conner returns to Smallville High School and begins keeping a journal of everything Superman has done as a costumed hero, going down a checklist titled, "What Did Superman Do?" He and the also recently-returned [[wikipedia: Bart Allen| Bart Allen]] supposedly rejoin the [[wikipedia: Teen Titans| Teen Titans]], and Conner symbolizes the team being "stacked" again by destroying his memorial statue outside of Titans Tower West.

After visiting [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]]'s childhood home in Smallville, [[Superman]] arrives and talks to Conner about his desire to understand his "other father". Superman tells Conner not to worry about Luthor, saying that the madman is a problem for the Man of Steel. Conner remarks that the next time he sees Lex Luthor will be, "too soon".

In his attempt to confront his shared legacy, Conner accepts a date with Wonder Girl. Conflicted between opening his heart to his girlfriend (thus "Telling the truth" as Superman always did in his life), and deliberately lying to avoid touching delicate subjects with Cassie (thus "Lying" as Luthor would do), ultimately Conner chooses to share with Cassie his fears and desires, and his desire to find himself by exploring both his legacies, but only to find his ''real'' self. Cassie is obviously touched, and despite her initial doubts, mostly out fear that in his desire to be more like the Man of Steel eventually Conner could discard her as Clark Kent did with Lana Lang, feels compelled to admit her brief bond with [[wikipedia: Tim Drake| Tim Drake]]. Conner quickly forgives her, arguing that, since he was dead and Cassie had no means to know about his future resurrection, her liaison with Robin cannot be considered a true ''affair''. As they share a reconciliation kiss, Martha Kent stares at them, remembering about her past with Johnathan and Clark.<ref name="Adv2">''Adventure Comics'' (vol. 2) #2 (September 2009)</ref>

Soon after his date, Conner returns to his search for Lex Luthor, with the aid of Krypto. Unfortunately, neither Conner nor Krypto can find Luthor on their own, so they instead track down a detective to help him: Tim Drake. Now going by the identity of ''Red Robin'' (the Robin identity was taken away from Tim by [[wikipedia: Dick Grayson| Dick Grayson]] and turned over to [[wikipedia: Damian Wayne| Damian Wayne]]), Superboy finds him in Paris, where Tim is continuing his search for Bruce Wayne, who is believed to be dead following the events of the Final Crisis. Agreeing to help, Tim and Conner rekindle their friendship, as Tim admits to all the pain he has suffered over the last two years, and both boys discuss their private mission. Conner offers Tim the first bit of true support, by replying "I believe you," when Tim states firmly that Bruce is still alive.<ref name="Adv3">''Adventure Comics'' (vol. 2) #3 (October, 2009)</ref>

On his way back from France, Conner encounters a girl named Lori, whom he earlier saved, in the middle of vandalising a local practice. Conner takes her home, learning that the doctor had refused to help her ailing mother due to her lack of medical insurance. Someone then knocks on the door. Conner answers it, revealing the caller to be Lex Luthor, whom Lori calls "uncle", who incapacitates Conner with Kryptonite.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' (vol. 2) #5 (December 2009)</ref>

Lori's mother [[wikipedia: Lena Luthor|Lena]], Luthor's sister, comes down the stairs, revealed to be mentally and physically unwell. Conner reminds Luthor of his boast that he could cure all diseases if Superman wasn't in his way. Telling him that Superman is now on [[wikipedia: New Krypton| New Krypton]], Conner challenges Luthor to cure Lena. Luthor agrees, but demands Conner's help, threatening Lori's life. Conner collects the ingredient Luthor needs to make a cure for Lena's condition, which is then administered to her, restoring her to full health. Lex then undoes his cure, vowing that it will stay with him until "Superman is dead". In a rage, Conner attacks Luthor, but is staved off by [[wikipedia: Brainiac (comics)|Brainiac]], who teleports Luthor back to his ship. Conner realises that there is no good in Luthor after all, and decides to not be like Luthor or Clark but pursues his own path in life, burning his checklists in a fire.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' (vol. 2) #6 (January 2010)</ref>

====''Superboy And The Legion of Super-Heroes (current)''====

After the Johns and Manupal run, writer Paul Levitz took over the book. It has been renumbered with its previous numbering and highlights Clark Kent's years as Superboy as well as The Legion of Super-Heroes' past.

===Second feature===
====''Long Live the Legion (former)''==== 
After recounting the history of the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]], [[wikipedia: Thom Kallor|Starman]] converses with a [[wikipedia: pigeon| pigeon]] in mid-flight while having a [[wikipedia: Soft drink|soda]] and [[wikipedia: cheeseburger| cheeseburger]]. While asking the pigeon if it would like to join the Legion, Starman crashes into a sign of a local Smallville [[wikipedia: bowling alley| bowling alley]]. Picking up a ball and not feeling it to be heavy enough, he uses his powers to "weigh as much as a time sphere full of [[wikipedia: inertron| inertron]]." The ball is then flung through the back of the alley and into the windshield of a parked car. Then Starman exclaims, "''Touchdown.''"<ref name="Vol2" />

====Atom (current)====
Following this is the [[wikipedia: one-shot (comics)|one-shot]] ''[[Brightest Day: Atom]]'' written by [[wikipedia: Jeff Lemire| Jeff Lemire]], with art by [[wikipedia: Mahmud Asrar| Mahmud Asrar]]. The same team will also create a ten-part, ten-page ''Atom'' co-feature in ''Adventure Comics''.<ref>Renaud, Jeffrey (April 13, 2010). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25682 Lemire Embiggens Ray Palmer]". [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources|Comic Book Resources]]. Retrieved April 13, 2010.</ref>

==Collected editions==
Various stories have been collected into [[wikipedia: trade paperback (comics)|trade paperbacks]]:

*''[[Showcase Presents]]: [[Green Arrow]] Volume 1'': Stories from issues #250-266, plus stories from other comics
*''[[Showcase Presents]]: [[wikipedia: Aquaman| Aquaman]] Volume 1'': Stories from issues #260-280, 282 and 284
*''[[Showcase Presents]]: [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]] Volume 1'': Stories from issues #247, 267, 282, 290, 293, 300-328
*''[[wikipedia: Bizarro|Tales of the Bizarro World]]'': Stories from issues #293-299
*''[[Showcase Presents]]: [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]] Volume 2'': Stories from issues #329-348
*''[[Showcase Presents]]: [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]] Volume 3'': Stories from issues #349-380
*''[[wikipedia: Spectre (comics)#Bronze Age version|Wrath of The Spectre]]'': Stories from issues #431-440
*''[[Justice Society Vol 2| Justice Society Volume 2]]'': Stories from issues #461-466
*''Superboy: The Boy of Steel'' Stories from ''Adventure Comics'' (vol.2) #0-3, 5-6

==Awards==
The series has won several awards for itself and its creators over the years, including the [[wikipedia: Shazam Award| Shazam Award]] for Best Pencil Artist (Humor Division) for [[wikipedia: Bob Oksner| Bob Oksner]] for his work on ''Adventure Comics'' and other [[wikipedia: DC Comics|DC]] comics in 1970.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.comics.org Grand Comics Database]
*[http://www.comic-covers.com/DC/DCA-B/Adventure/index.html Adventure Comics cover gallery]

[[Category:Adventure Comics]]

Superboy

2010-12-10T23:54:48Z

Summary:

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'''Superboy''' is the name of several [[wikipedia: fictional characters| fictional characters]] that have been published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]], most of them youthful incarnations of [[Superman]]. These characters have also been the main characters of four ongoing ''Superboy'' comic book series published by DC.

The first, and arguably best-known, Superboy was simply [[wikipedia: Superboy (Kal-El)|Superman as a boy]], acting as a superhero in [[wikipedia: Smallville (DC Comics)|Smallville]], where '''Kal-El''' (Superboy's [[wikipedia: Krypton (comics)|Kryptonian]] name) lives under his [[wikipedia: secret identity| secret identity]], '''[[wikipedia: Clark Kent| Clark Kent]]'''. The character was featured in several series from the 1940s until the 1980s, with long runs appearing in ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' and two eponymous series, ''Superboy'' and ''[[The New Adventures of Superboy]]''. He developed a mythos and [[wikipedia: supporting character|supporting cast]] of his own, including foster parents [[wikipedia: Ma and Pa Kent| Ma and Pa Kent]], love interest [[wikipedia: Lana Lang| Lana Lang]], and [[wikipedia: time travel| time travel]]ing allies the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]].

When DC Comics rewrote much of its [[wikipedia: continuity (fiction)|continuity]] in 1986, Superman’s history was changed so that he never took a costumed identity until adulthood, erasing Superboy from the [[wikipedia: canon (fiction)|canonical]] history of Superman, although many aspects of the backstory created in Superboy comics, such as Clark's friendship with Lana Lang, remained. In the last few years, some additional features of Superboy's history, such as his tenure in the Legion, have also been reintroduced into the story of Superman's youth.

The character was adapted into a [[wikipedia: Superboy (TV series)|''Superboy'' television series]] (1988–1992), which also spawned another, short-lived ''Superboy'' comic book series; and a teenage Clark Kent, secretly using his powers in heroic acts, appears in the highly successful ''[[wikipedia: Smallville| Smallville]]'' TV series (2001–present), drawing to a great extent on the comic book continuity in its depiction of young Clark's life.

In 1993, DC introduced a [[wikipedia: Superboy (Kon-El)|new, modernized Superboy]], a teenage [[wikipedia: Clone (genetics)|clone]] of both Superman and [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]], also known by his Kryptonian name '''Kon-El''' and his secret identity as Clark's cousin, '''Conner Kent'''. The new Superboy was featured in his own series, ''Superboy'' (volume 3), from 1994 until 2002, and in several series devoted to teenage superhero groups. He was featured in DC's relaunch of ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' and is slated to get his own series again starting in late 2010.

Due to DC Comics’ complex [[wikipedia: Multiverse (DC Comics)|Multiverse]], several other Superboys have appeared over time, with the most notable being the mentally unstable [[wikipedia: Superboy-Prime| Superboy-Prime]].

==Fictional character biographies==
===Kal-El===
The original pitch for a "Superboy" character was made by [[wikipedia: Jerry Siegel| Jerry Siegel]] (without [[wikipedia: Joe Shuster| Joe Shuster]]) in November 1938. The idea was turned down by [[wikipedia: DC Comics|Detective Comics, Inc.]], and the publisher again rejected a second, more detailed pitch by Siegel two years later.<ref name="sblegal0707">[http://www.trexfiles.com/superboy_0727.pdf Trexfiles: The latest Superboy/Superman copyright decision PDF file]. See pages 1-5 for early Superboy publication history.</ref> After the appeal of kid superheroes had been demonstrated by the success of [[wikipedia: Robin (comics)|Robin, the Boy Wonder]] and similar characters, Detective Comics reversed itself in late 1944 and started publishing a Superboy feature, in an effort to expand the Superman franchise by presenting a version of the character to whom younger readers could easily relate.<ref name="mileds">''Millennium Edition More Fun Comics'' #101 (2000) and ''Millennium Edition Superboy'' #1 (2001), inside cover commentaries</ref> Superboy first appeared in ''[[More Fun Comics No 101| More Fun Comics #101]]'' (1944, with a 1945 cover date). Though Joe Shuster supplied the art, the Superboy feature was published without the input or approval of Jerry Siegel, who was serving in [[wikipedia: World War II| World War II]]. This fact increased an already-growing rift between the publisher and Siegel and Shuster.<ref name="sblegal0707"/>

====Superboy in ''Adventure Comics''====
In early 1946, Superboy moved to ''[[Adventure Comics]]'', where he debuted in issue #103 (Apr 1946) as the lead feature for the [[wikipedia: anthology| anthology]] comic, and he remained the headlining feature for over 200 issues. Stories in ''Adventure Comics'' treat Superboy as essentially a junior version of Superman. To that end, he wears the Superman costume and his alter ego Clark Kent wears glasses as a disguise for his civilian identity. Superboy is the superhero of Clark's hometown of [[wikipedia: Smallville (DC Comics)|Smallville]] and grows up under the guidance of his foster parents, [[wikipedia: Ma and Pa Kent| Ma and Pa Kent]]. Superboy's adventures in ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' include the story of how he was reunited with his pet superdog, [[wikipedia: Krypto| Krypto]];<ref name="adv210">''Adventure Comics'' #210 (Mar 1955)</ref> the story of how his friend, the teenage scientist [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]], becomes his most bitter foe;<ref name="adv271">''Adventure Comics'' #271 (Apr 1960)</ref> and how Superboy joins the 30th-century [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]].<ref name="adv247">''Adventure Comics'' #247 (Apr 1958)</ref>

The popular Legion [[wikipedia: Spin-off (media)|spun off]] from Superboy into its own feature, which debuted in ''Adventure Comics'' #300 (Sep 1962). The feature soon dominated the comic and forced out original Superboy features, with the last new Superboy story appearing in #315 (Dec 1963). Superboy continued to appear in the comic in reprinted stories and as a member of the Legion until the Legion's final issue, ''Adventure Comics'' #380 (May 1969).

====''Superboy'' (volume 1) (1949-1977)====
Four years after his debut, Superboy became only the sixth DC superhero to receive his own comic book when ''Superboy'' #1 (Mar-Apr 1949) was published. The series became the first new DC superhero title to succeed since World War II. ''Superboy'' saw the debuts of the first Superbaby story,<ref name="sboy8">''Superboy'' #8 (May-Jun 1950)</ref> (about Clark's adventures as a super-powered toddler), and of Clark's two closest friends: [[wikipedia: Lana Lang| Lana Lang]],<ref name="sboy10">''Superboy'' #10 (Sep-Oct 1950)</ref> who also serves as a romantic interest for Superboy; and [[wikipedia: Pete Ross| Pete Ross]],<ref name="sboy86">''Superboy'' #86 (Jan 1961)</ref> who later discovers and helps protect Clark's secret identity.<ref name="sboy90">''Superboy'' #90 (Jul 1961)</ref> Other notable stories to appear in ''Superboy'' include the story of the first [[wikipedia: Bizarro| Bizarro]]<ref name="sboy68">''Superboy'' #68 (Oct 1958)</ref> and the first appearances of [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]] members [[wikipedia: Lar Gand|Mon-El]]<ref name="sboy89">''Superboy'' #89 (Jun 1961)</ref> and [[wikipedia: Ultra Boy| Ultra Boy]].<ref name="sboy98">''Superboy'' #98 (Jul 1968)</ref>

After the Legion pushed new Superboy stories out of ''Adventure Comics'' in 1963, ''Superboy'' became the only comic book to feature original Superboy stories. Less than two years after the Legion itself left ''Adventure Comics'', ''Superboy'' became the Legion's new home. Starting with ''Superboy'' #172 (Mar 1971), the Legion appeared as an occasional backup feature. Once again, the Legion feature proved so popular that by ''Superboy'' #197 (Sep 1973), the Legion had become the lead feature, and with the next issue, the title's only feature. Although from issue #197, the cover logo read "Superboy starring the Legion of Super-Heroes" ("and" replaced "starring" with #222), the official title (shown in the indicia) of the comic remained ''Superboy'' until #231 (Sep 1977), when the comic became ''Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes''. In issue #259 (Jan 1980), Superboy left the Legion and his name was dropped from the title altogether, which now became simply ''The Legion of Super-Heroes''. Though Superboy still periodically appeared in the series that once bore his name, the series remained a Legion title until its final issue, #354, in 1987.

====''The New Adventures of Superboy'' (1980-1984)====
After the Legion took over ''Superboy'', the Superboy feature was nearly moribund until the late 1970s, when it appeared in two short runs, first in ''Adventure Comics'' (again) and then in ''[[wikipedia: Superman Family| Superman Family]]''. Then, in the same month Superboy left the Legion in ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' #259 (Jan 1980), a new series entitled ''The New Adventures of Superboy'' debuted, with the first issue depicting Clark Kent celebrating his sixteenth birthday. Published monthly, this title lasted for 54 issues until 1984. Between issues #28 (Apr 1982) and #49 (Jan 1984), the series also featured "[[wikipedia: Dial H for Hero| Dial H for Hero]]" as a backup.

Several months after the last issue of ''The New Adventures of Superboy'', a four-issue miniseries was published called ''Superman: The Secret Years'' (1985), which tells the story of how Superboy becomes Superman during his junior year of college.

====Continuity changes====
Shortly after the miniseries was published, Superboy's career was discarded from Superman's [[wikipedia: Continuity (fiction)|continuity]] after the 1985-1986 [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]] ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' and writer [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]]'s 1986 revamp of Superman's origin, ''[[The Man of Steel]]''.<ref> "[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=2&T1=Questions+about+Comic+Book+Projects#143 Why did JB remove Superboy from continuity with the MAN OF STEEL reboot?—Byrne Robotics: FAQ]". Byrnerobotics.com. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
</ref> Twenty years later, following the ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' limited series, some elements of Superboy's history were restored to the story of Superman's youth (see the [[wikipedia: #Infinite Crisis|Infinite Crisis]] subsection).

===Post-Crisis appearances of Superboy (Kal-El)===
====The Legion's Superboy====
Following John Byrne's revamp of Superman, a new version of Superboy was introduced as a means of patching the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]]' continuity, which was undermined by the removal of Kal-El's Superboy career. This Superboy is said to have been created by the [[wikipedia: Time Trapper| Time Trapper]], one of the Legion's greatest enemies, when he notices that the great youthful hero they take inspiration from does not start his career until he is an adult. Wishing to preserve this history due to his own history's connection to the Legion's past, the Trapper takes a sliver of time from the ancient universe and uses it to craft a "pocket universe" in which Earth and Krypton are the only inhabited planets. Whenever the Legionnaires travel back in time, they travel to the 20th century of the Pocket Universe, not the main DC Universe. From birth until the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', Superboy's life is similar to the life of the original Superboy. When the universe-destroying ''[[wikipedia: Crisis on Infinite Earths|Crisis]]'' strikes, Superboy lacks the power to save his Earth, but the Time Trapper can do so, provided Kal-El helps him capture the Legion. Superboy reluctantly agrees. After a battle with the post-''Crisis'' [[Superman]]- during which Superman is drastically overpowered by Superboy's pre-Crisis strength while managing to keep Superboy on his toes due to his superior experience, Superboy realizes he can't turn on his friends and instead helps the Legionnaires defeat the Trapper. Using a device the Trapper employed to stave off Earth's destruction, Superboy saves his Earth, but only at the cost of his own life. His dying act is to return the Legion to their century (and Earth), where he is later buried.<ref name="lsh37">''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 3 #37-38 (1987), ''Superman'' vol. 2 #8 (1987) and ''Action Comics'' #591 (1987)</ref> Later editorial mandates that removed Superboy from the history of the Legion<ref name="legcomp1">Cadigan, Glen: ''The Legion Companion'', pages 194 (interview with Keith Giffen) and 201 (interview with Tom Bierbaum), TwoMorrows Publishing: Raleigh, NC, 2003.</ref> led to a story where the Time Trapper is apparently erased from history, wiping the Pocket Universe and that universe's Superboy from existence.<ref name="lsh4">''Legion of Super-Heroes'' vol. 4 #4 (1990)</ref>

====''Superboy: The Comic Book'' (1990-1992)====
From 1989 to 1991, DC Comics published a comic series based on the TV series ''[[wikipedia: Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]'' (1988–1992) about a college-age Superboy. Originally entitled ''Superboy'' (volume 2) (as shown in the indicia), the cover logo read ''Superboy: The Comic Book'' from #1-10. From issue #11, the series changed its cover title (as the TV show had done) to ''The Adventures of Superboy'' (although the comic book was not officially renamed under that title until issue #18). as well as displaying a short-white box next to the title (logo) which read "As Seen on TV." After 22 regular issues, the series concluded in a one-shot special published in 1992 that wrapped up adventures and stories from previous issues and depicted them as having been the daydreams of the young post-''Crisis'' Clark Kent.<ref name="aosbsp1">''The Adventures of Superboy Special" #1 (1992)</ref>

====Zero Hour and Hypertime====
During the 1994 storyline known as ''[[Zero Hour]]'', Kon-El, the [[wikipedia: Superboy (Kon-El)|modern Superboy]], encounters a version of the [[wikipedia: Superboy (Kal-El)|original Superboy]], who resurfaces due to temporal disruptions involving [[wikipedia: Hypertime| Hypertime]]. This Superboy soon seemingly vanishes, returning to his own alternate timeline.<ref name="sb8">''Superboy'' vol. 3 #8 (1994)''</ref>

During a [[wikipedia: Superboy (Kon-El)#Superboy in Hypertime|later trip]] through Hypertime, Kon-El accidentally discovers this Superboy while finding himself in that version's reality. During this visit, Kon-El discovers that this Superboy is a young Clark Kent, and by this means realizes the Superman of his reality must therefore be an adult Clark Kent.<ref name="sb62">''Superboy'' vol. 3 #62 (1999)</ref> Sometime after returning to the main DC Universe, Kon-El reveals to Superman that he now knows his [[wikipedia: secret identity| secret identity]].<ref name="soy:sby">''Sins of Youth: Superman Jr & Superboy Sr." (2000)</ref>

====Infinite Crisis====
In the aftermath of the events of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', [[wikipedia: Alexander Luthor, Jr.|Alexander Luthor]] finds that Earth's history has changed once again and in particular, he notes that there are several reports of Superman's activities prior to his first appearance in Metropolis.<ref name="ic7">''[[Infinite Crisis No 7|Infinite Crisis #7]]'' (2006)</ref> Later comics have made some of the changes in the history of Kal-El's youth explicit. A year after ''Infinite Crisis'', a cinematic Superman retrospective states that young Kal-El gave rise to "a rarely-glimpsed American myth--the mysterious Super-Boy."<ref name="sm650">''Superman'' #650 (2006)</ref> Fourteen-year old Clark Kent is depicted using his superpowers to save lives in secret, wearing no costume other than his everyday clothes, much like the [[wikipedia: Clark Kent#Smallville|Clark Kent]] of the ''[[wikipedia: Smallville| Smallville]]'' TV series.<ref name="actan10">''Action Comics Annual'' #10 (2007)</ref>

Several concepts and plot points associated with the original Superboy and ''Smallville'' have been reintroduced into post-''Infinite Crisis'' continuity as part of Superman's earlier years. As a teenager, Clark assists stranded space traveler [[wikipedia: Lar Gand|Mon-El]], whom he first believes to be his older brother from Krypton, in a story that is similar to Mon-El's first appearance in ''Superboy'' #89 (1961).<ref name="actan10"/> [[wikipedia: Krypto| Krypto]] has been revealed as a companion to Clark in his youth.<ref name="act854">''Action Comics'' #854 (2007)</ref> Clark also joins the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]]; Superman later recalls that "the Legion used to visit between school days. We had adventures in the future between classes."<ref name="act858">''Action Comics'' #858 (2007)</ref> As an adult, Superman still keeps a Legion flight ring and has statues of the Legion on display in the Fortress of Solitude.<ref name="jsa5">''Justice Society of America'' #5-6 (2007)</ref>

[[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]]'s adolescence in Smallville, first as Superboy's friend and then his foe, was one of the elements of Superman's history removed by the ''[[The Man of Steel]]''. Post-''Infinite Crisis'', a short biography has established that once again "Lex Luthor spent much of his teenage years in Smallville",<ref name="cd34">''[[wikipedia: Countdown to Final Crisis|Countdown]]'' #34 (2007)</ref> where he meets Lana Lang, Pete Ross, and Clark Kent, who befriends him.<ref name="act850">''Action Comics'' #850 (2007)</ref> Unlike the Superboy story,<ref name="adv271" /> Lex does not lose his hair in a disfiguring lab accident that he blames on Clark. Rather, when he leaves Smallville "under a cloud of rumor and suspicion", he still has a full head of hair.<ref name="cd34"/>

These aspects of Superman's [[wikipedia: History of Superman#The Silver Age|pre-1986 history]] have been restored, while many of the changes brought about by ''[[The Man of Steel]]'', such as the survival of Clark's foster parents into his adulthood and his revelation to Lana about his powers, remain part of his story. Since ''Infinite Crisis'', while Clark has been depicted as having a youthful (if somewhat secretive) career as a superhero, he has not been depicted in costume—at least in his own time. As a member of the futuristic Legion, the teenage Clark does sport a "Superman" costume,<ref name="jsa6">''Justice Society of America'' #6 (2007)</ref> which he apparently begins wearing during his first adventure with the Legion.<ref name="act863">In a flashback sequence in ''Action Comics'' #863 (2008), after his first visit with the Legion, Clark returns to his own time wearing his costume under his everyday clothes.</ref> The Legion co-feature in the first issue of the revived ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' reveals that when Clark does join the Legion, he is known as Superboy.<ref name="adv1">''[[Adventure Comics]]'' (vol. 3) #1 (2009)</ref>

The six-issue miniseries ''[[Superman: Secret Origin]]'' (2009–2010) outlines Superman's origin as it stands post-''Infinite Crisis''.<ref name="secretorigin">[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/110828-Geoff-Secret-Origin.html Geoff Johns: Telling Superman's Secret Origin], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], November 28, 2008</ref> The first two issues of this miniseries address Clark Kent's adolescence in Smallville. In these two issues, Clark is depicted as donning his costume for the first time, working in secret (and in costume) as a superhero in and around Smallville, joining the Legion of Super-Heroes as Superboy, and finding Krypto when the superdog lands on Earth.<ref name="sso1">''[[Superman: Secret Origin No 1| Superman: Secret Origin #1]]'' (November 2009) and #2 (December 2009)</ref> Superboy's further adventures with the Legion are featured in ''Adventure Comics'' beginning with issue #12 (#515 using ''Adventure'''s original numbering).

===Superboy-Prime===
In 1985, during the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' [[wikipedia: Fictional crossover|crossover]] event, another Superboy was created. This Superboy hails from the parallel Earth known as [[wikipedia: Earth Prime|Earth-Prime]], where Superman and the other DC superheroes only exist as fictional comic book characters.<ref name="dccp87">''DC Comics Presents'' #87 (1985)</ref> Brought over from his dimension by [[Superman]] to aid in the universe-spanning battle at the heart of the Crisis, Superboy helps the [[Earth-Two]] [[wikipedia: Superman (Kal-L)|Superman (Kal-L)]] defeat the [[wikipedia: Anti-Monitor| Anti-Monitor]], the villain who spawned the Crisis. With their home dimensions destroyed, Superboy, Superman of Earth-Two, his wife [[wikipedia: Lois Lane| Lois Lane]], and [[wikipedia: Alexander Luthor, Jr.| Alexander Luthor, Jr.]] of [[wikipedia: Earth-Three| Earth-Three]] journey to a "paradise dimension".<ref name="crisis12">''[[wikipedia: Crisis on Infinite Earths| Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' #12 (1986)</ref> In DC's 2006 ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' miniseries, Superboy, Alex, Kal-L and Lois are revealed to have been watching the DC Universe since they entered this "paradise". Unhappy with what they have been seeing, they decide to take action, and return to the post-''Crisis'' DC Universe.

Superboy-Prime quickly becomes a supervillain. Feeling that this world's heroes were inferior, he feels no qualms about committing wanton acts of destruction, kidnapping, and murder. In the end, Superboy-Prime is pulled into the core of a red sun by both Superman of Earth-Two and Superman (Kal-El) of the main DC Universe. They crash land on [[wikipedia: Mogo| Mogo]], the [[Green Lantern]] that is a living planet. Under a red sun, their powers rapidly vanish. On Mogo, Superboy-Prime beats the Earth-Two Superman to death before he is defeated by Kal-El. The [[wikipedia: Green Lantern Corps| Green Lantern Corps]] put Superboy-Prime in a maximum-security prison on their home world of Oa and guard him round-the-clock. While incarcerated, he carves the "S"-symbol into his chest and vows to escape.<ref name="ic7"/>

One year later, Superboy is released from his prison by the newly-formed [[wikipedia: Sinestro Corps| Sinestro Corps]] and joins them, becoming one of their heralds and wearing a Sinestro Corps uniform beneath his Anti-Monitor inspired armor.<ref name="glsc">''Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special'' #1 (2007)</ref> Now calling himself [[wikipedia: Superman Prime| Superman Prime]], he becomes involved in the war between the Sinestro Corps and the [[wikipedia: Green Lantern Corps| Green Lantern Corps]]<ref name="tscsp">''Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Superman-Prime'' #1 (2008)</ref> and later in the events of ''[[wikipedia: Countdown to Final Crisis| Countdown to Final Crisis]]''. In the ''[[wikipedia: Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds| Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds]]'' miniseries, Prime leads an expanded [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Villains| Legion of Super-Villains]] into battle against [[Superman]] and versions of the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes| Legion of Super-Heroes]] from three parallel Earths in the 31<sup>st</sup> century.<ref name="gjl3w1">"[http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080722-Legion3Worlds.html GEOFF JOHNS - MORE ON LEGION OF 3 WORLDS]". Newsarama. Retrieved 2010-09-15.</ref>

====''Superman: Secret Identity''====
The Superboy-Prime character was the inspiration for [[wikipedia: Kurt Busiek| Kurt Busiek]]'s miniseries ''[[wikipedia: Superman: Secret Identity| Superman: Secret Identity]]'', which begins as a story about a teenage boy, named Clark Kent after the comic book character, who exists in the "real world" where there are no superheroes and discovers that he possesses powers similar to Superman's. In the first press reports about Clark's life-saving super-deeds, the press refers to Clark (whose identity is unknown) as "Superboy."<ref name="ssi1">''[[wikipedia: Superman: Secret Identity| Superman: Secret Identity]]'' #1 (2004)</ref>

===Kon-El===
In 1993, during [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]]'s ''[[Death of Superman]]'' story, a new Superboy was introduced.<ref name="aos500">''Adventures of Superman'' #500 (1993)</ref> Unlike previous characters bearing the name, this Superboy is a [[wikipedia: human cloning|clone]] created to replace the seemingly-dead Superman, rather than simply being an adolescent Clark Kent. His initial abilities are based on a form of [[wikipedia: telekinesis| telekinesis]] (known as [[wikipedia: tactile telekinesis| tactile telekinesis]]) by which he could fly and simulate Superman's strength and invulnerability. Nicknamed "the Kid", Superboy is distinguished from other "Supermen" who appear after the [[wikipedia: The Death of Superman|death of Superman]] by his youth and brash character. Though he prefers to be called Superman during the [[wikipedia: The Death of Superman#Reign of the Supermen!|Reign of the Supermen]], after Superman returns from the dead the Kid accepts the name Superboy for himself<ref name="aos506">''Adventures of Superman'' #506 (1993)</ref> and begins his own superhero career. He also learns that he is not a clone of Superman, but rather genetically-engineered from the human DNA of [[wikipedia: Paul Westfield| Paul Westfield]], director of the government sector known as [[wikipedia: Project Cadmus| Project Cadmus]] that had created the Kid.<ref name="aos506"/>

====''Superboy'' (volume 3) (1994-2002)====
Superboy then received his own series, the third series from DC Comics simply entitled ''Superboy''. In ''Superboy'' #1 (Feb 1994), Superboy settles in [[wikipedia: Hawaii| Hawaii]] with his supporting cast, becoming Hawaii's resident superhero for the next four years, until ''Superboy'' #48 (Feb 1998). Starting in ''Superboy'' #56 (Nov 1998), Superboy returns "home" when he begins working for Project Cadmus, the same project that created him. In ''Superboy'' #59 (Feb 1999), Superman gives him the [[wikipedia: Krypton (comics)|Kryptonian]] name Kon-El, in effect making him part of the El family. After leaving Project Cadmus and living on his own for a brief time in Metropolis, in ''Superboy'' #100 (Jul 2002), the final issue of the series, at Superman's suggestion Kon-El goes to live with [[wikipedia: Ma and Pa Kent|Martha and Jonathan Kent]] in [[wikipedia: Smallville (DC Comics)|Smallville]], where he adopts a secret identity as their nephew (and Clark's cousin) Conner Kent.

====Teen Titans====
In the course of his career, Kon-El becomes involved with several teen superhero groups, notably the [[wikipedia: Superboy and the Ravers|Ravers]], [[wikipedia: Young Justice| Young Justice]], the [[wikipedia: Teen Titans#Teen Titans (vol. 3, 2003 - present)|Teen Titans]], and the [[wikipedia: Legion of Super-Heroes#Rebooted (1994–2004)|Legion of Super-Heroes]], and he was featured in comic series devoted to these groups. Through his association with them in both Young Justice and the Teen Titans, Kon-El becomes the best friend of [[wikipedia: Robin (Tim Drake)|Robin]], the Boy Wonder, a close friend of [[wikipedia: Bart Allen|Impulse (later Kid Flash)]], and becomes romantically involved with [[wikipedia: Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)|Wonder Girl]].

Sometime before he joins the Teen Titans, Superboy learns that he had been actually created from the DNA of both Superman and a human. Though he had believed that human to be Paul Westfield, after he joins the Teen Titans he learns that the human is actually Superman's [[wikipedia: archnemesis| archnemesis]] [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]].<ref name="tt1">''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #1 (2003)</ref> Moreover, as the clone Superboy was developing, he was brainwashed so that Luthor could have a sleeper agent among the superhero community. When Luthor unleashes Kon-El, Superboy comes close to destroying the Teen Titans, but he manages to free himself from Luthor's control before any tragedy occurs.<ref name="tt24">''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #24-25 (2005)</ref> Shortly thereafter, Kon-El sacrifices his life to save Earth in a battle with Superboy-Prime during the [[Infinite Crisis]].<ref name="ic6">''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' #6</ref> After his death, statues are erected in his honor in [[wikipedia: Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] and [[wikipedia: Titans Tower| Titans Tower]]. Though he coerced Superboy into serving his own purposes, Luthor continues to claim that he views Kon-El as his son.

In a story published after Kon-El's death, the alternate future Titans known as the [[wikipedia: Titans Tomorrow| Titans Tomorrow]], including an older Conner who was cloned from the original, come back in time to the present day.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #50 (2007)</ref>

====''Adventure Comics'' (volume 2)====
During the [[Legion of 3 Worlds]] storyline, [[wikipedia: Brainiac 5| Brainiac 5]] resurrects Conner in the 31st Century after arranging for him to spend 1000 years in the Kryptonian regeneration chamber that revived Superman after his battle with Doomsday and introducing into it a hair from Lex Luthor.<ref name="fcl3w4">''Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds'' #4 (2009)</ref> In the aftermath of ''Legion of 3 Worlds'', Conner is back in the present, living with Martha Kent and Krypto in Smallville.<ref name="adv1" /> Superboy starred in his own feature in the revival of the long lost DC flagship ''[[wikipedia: Adventure Comics#Revival|Adventure Comics]]'', which began publication in August 2009 (see Superboy of Steel//Adventure Comics #1-4,& 6-8).

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.toonopedia.com/superboy.htm Toonopedia entry on Superboy]
*[http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Superboy Supermanica:Superboy] Supermanica entry on the pre-''Crisis'' Superboy.
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/superboyind1.htm Index of the Earth-One Superboy's adventures]
*[http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/08/02/superboy-copyright-faq/ Superboy Copyright FAQ]

[[Category:Superboy]]

More Fun Comics No 101

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Detective Dan: Secret Operative No 48

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Justice Society of America

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The '''Justice Society of America''', or '''JSA''', is a [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] [[wikipedia: superhero| superhero]] group, the first team of superheroes in [[comic book]] history. Conceived by editor [[wikipedia: Sheldon Mayer| Sheldon Mayer]] and writer [[wikipedia: Gardner Fox| Gardner Fox]], the JSA first appeared in ''[[All Star Comics No 3| All Star Comics #3]]'' (Winter 1940).

Unlike subsequent "all-star" teams, the JSA was limited to heroes not already featured in their own titles because the publisher wanted to expose their lesser known characters. Hence, [[Superman]] and [[Batman]] were only honorary members and [[Flash]] and [[Green Lantern]]'s early tenures were brief, ending when each character was awarded his own book. However, a 1944 change in policy allowed them back into the group. Other popular members were [[Hawkman]], the [[Spectre]], [[Hourman]], [[wikipedia: Doctor Fate| Doctor Fate]] and the [[wikipedia: Atom (Al Pratt)|Atom]].

The team was popular throughout the 1940s, but after superheroes fell out of favor their adventures ceased with issue 57 of the title (Feb-Mar 1951), and ''All Star Comics'' became ''[[All-Star Western]]''. There then followed a gap of 11 years in appearances by JSA members, until the original (Jay Garrick) Flash appeared in ''The Flash'' #123 (September 1961).

During the [[wikipedia: Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]], DC reinvented several popular Justice Society members and banded many of them together in the [[Justice League of America]]. However, instead of considering the JSA replaced, DC revealed that the team existed on "[[wikipedia: Earth-Two| Earth-Two]]" and the Justice League on "Earth-One". This allowed for annual, [[wikipedia: Multiverse (DC Comics)|cross-dimensional]] team-ups of the teams, lasting from 1963 until 1985. It also allowed for new series, such as ''[[All-Star Squadron]]'', ''[[wikipedia: Infinity, Inc.| Infinity, Inc.]]'' and a new ''All-Star Comics,'' which featured the JSA, their children, and their heirs. These series explored the issues of aging, generational differences and contrasts between the Golden Age and subsequent eras.

In the 1985 ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' [[wikipedia: maxi-series| maxi-series]] the series merged all of the company's various realities into one, placing the JSA as [[wikipedia: World War II| World War II]]-era predecessors to the company's modern characters. A few unsuccessful and often controversial revivals were attempted, until a new series, titled ''JSA'', was launched in 1999, continuing until July 2006. A new ''Justice Society of America'' series was launched in December 2006, to coincide with the new ''Justice League of America'' series, also launched in 2006.

==''All Star Comics'' (Golden Age)==
The JSA [[wikipedia: first appeared| first appeared]] in [[wikipedia: DC comics| DC comics]]' ''[[All Star Comics No 3|All Star Comics #3]]'' (Winter 1940), during the [[Golden Age of comic books]]. The team initially included [[wikipedia: Doctor Fate| Doctor Fate]], [[wikipedia: Hourman|Hour-Man]] (as it was then spelled), the [[Spectre]] and the [[wikipedia: Sandman (Wesley Dodds)|Sandman]], [[wikipedia: Atom (Al Pratt)|Atom]], the [[Flash]], [[Green Lantern]] and [[Hawkman]]. This makes All-Star Comics #3 the first inter-company superhero title as well as the first team-up title. An in-house rule (explicitly laid out on the last page of ''All Star Comics'' #5, reprinted on page 206 of ''All Star Comics Archives'' vol. 1) required that whenever a member received his or her own title, he or she would leave ''All Star Comics'', becoming an "honorary member" of the JSA. Thus, the Flash was replaced by [[wikipedia: Johnny Thunder| Johnny Thunder]] after #6; Green Lantern left shortly thereafter for the same reason. This is also the reason why [[Superman]] and [[Batman]] were established as already being "honorary" members prior to ''All Star Comics'' #3; how these two heroes helped found the JSA before becoming honorary members was not explained until ''DC Special'' #29 in 1977. [[Hawkman]] is the only member to appear in every JSA adventure in the original run of ''All Star Comics'', a fact invoked sixty years later in the then-current JSA series when Hawkman temporarily takes command of the team. The [[wikipedia: Atom (Al Pratt)|Atom]] missed two issues.

''All Star Comics'' is also notable for featuring the first appearance of [[Wonder Woman]] in issue #8 (December 1941). Unlike the other characters who had their own titles, she was allowed to appear in the book, but only as the JSA's secretary and did not actively take part in most adventures until much later in the series, although she was excluded from the title due to the rules that had excluded Flash, Green Lantern, Superman and Batman from the title.

The early JSA adventures were written by [[wikipedia: Gardner Fox| Gardner Fox]] and illustrated by a legion of artists including E. E. Hibbard, [[wikipedia: Jack Burnley| Jack Burnley]], [[wikipedia: Jack Kirby| Jack Kirby]] and [[wikipedia: Joe Kubert| Joe Kubert]]. The first JSA story featured the team's first meeting, a framing sequence for each member telling a story of an individual exploit. In the next issue, the team worked together on a common case, but each story from there on still featured the members individually on a mission involving part of the case, and then banding together in the end to wrap things up.

By ''All Star Comics'' #24, a real-world schism between National Comics and [[wikipedia: All-American Publications| All-American Publications]] — a nominally independent company run by [[wikipedia: Charlie Gaines| Charlie Gaines]] and [[wikipedia: Jack Liebowitz| Jack Liebowitz]] — had occurred, which resulted in the Detective Comics, Inc heroes being removed from the title. As a result, Flash and Green Lantern returned to the book. Eight months later, National Comics bought out Charlie Gaines' share of All-American and the two companies merged to form Detective Comics, Inc. However, the JSA roster remained mostly the same for the rest of the series.

''All Star Comics'' and the JSA's Golden Age adventures ended with issue #57, the title becoming ''All-Star Western'', with no superheroes. While Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman continued to have their own adventures, most of the characters lay dormant for several years during the slump in superhero comic books in the early to mid-1950s.

The explanation for the team's disappearance and the inactivity of most of its roster after the early 1950s was first given in ''[[Adventure Comics No 466| Adventure Comics #466]]'' ("The Defeat of the Justice Society!"; December 1979) by writer [[wikipedia: Paul Levitz| Paul Levitz]], which explained that most of the Society chose to disband and retire rather than appear in front of the Joint Un-American Activities Committee, which demanded that they unmask themselves (this was later [[wikipedia: retcon| retcon]]ned into the real [[wikipedia: House Un-American Activities Committee| House Un-American Activities Committee]]).

The chairmanship of the Justice Society mostly resided with Hawkman, although initially the Flash and later Green Lantern took their turns at leading the team. For a brief period in 1942 they were known as the Justice Battalion, as they became an extension of the armed forces of the [[wikipedia: United States of America| United States of America]] during World War II. It was later revealed that the reason the JSA didn't invade Europe and end the war was due to the influence of the [[wikipedia: Spear of Destiny| Spear of Destiny]] which caused the JSA's most powerful members to fall under the control of its wielder, [[wikipedia: Adolf Hitler| Adolf Hitler]]. It was also revealed in the 1980s that the JSA had a loose affiliation with the [[wikipedia: All-Star Squadron| All-Star Squadron]]; the All-Star Squadron's adventures were set in the 1940s, and considered to have happened concurrently with the Justice Society's, an example of "retconning", or retroactive continuity, where new material is inserted into already existent continuity. Both teams were the brainchild of American president [[wikipedia: Franklin D. Roosevelt| Franklin D. Roosevelt]].

The headquarters for the JSA was initially a hotel suite in New York City, and after the war, the team settled on a brownstone building in [[wikipedia: Gotham City| Gotham City]] and later in [[wikipedia: Civic City| Civic City]].<ref>Thomas, Roy; Murphy Anderson (June 2004). ''All-Star Companion'', Vol. 1. [[wikipedia: TwoMorrows Publishing |TwoMorrows Publishing]]. p. 157. ISBN 978-1893905054.</ref> For a very brief period, the JSA was provided a satellite headquarters, much like their later day counterparts, the JLA; however, this turned out to be a deathtrap orchestrated by a crooked senator's henchman from Eliminations, Inc. The Gotham City brownstone remained unoccupied until years later, when the team was active again. The current headquarters is a brownstone in the neighborhood of [[wikipedia: Morningside Heights| Morningside Heights]], [[wikipedia: Manhattan| Manhattan]], north of [[wikipedia: Central Park| Central Park]].<ref>[[wikipedia:Phil Jimenez|Jimenez, Phil]] (2008). "JSA Headquarters". In Dougall, Alastair. ''The DC Comics Encyclopedia''. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 132. ISBN 0-7566-4119-5. OCLC 213309017.</ref>

The entire original run of ''All Star Comics'' has been collected in hardcover volumes in DC's series of [[wikipedia: DC Archive Editions|Archive Editions]].

==Guest appearances in ''Justice League of America'' and others (Silver Age)==
Having successfully re-introduced several of their Golden Age characters (Flash, Green Lantern, etc.) during the late 1950s, DC tapped industry veteran (and former Justice Society writer) [[wikipedia: Gardner Fox| Gardner Fox]] to pen a new version of the Justice Society, which Fox re-named the [[Justice League]]. As Barry Allen (the Silver Age Flash) was to Jay Garrick (the Golden Age Flash), so the Justice League was to the Justice Society: the same team, but with an updated roster and a fresh start.

In ''Flash'' (vol. 2) #123 "The Flash of Two Worlds" (September 1961), the Silver Age Flash met his Golden Age counterpart, Jay Garrick, who (along with the rest of the original Justice Society) was said to inhabit an alternate universe. This historic meeting thus became one of the classic DC comics of the Silver Age. Fan letters on the pages of following issues were wildly enthusiastic about the revival of the original Flash, both from older fans who remembered the old JSA tales, and younger fans desperate to learn more of these new heroes. Further meetings occurred in ''Flash'' (vol. 2) #129 "Double Danger on Earth" (June 1962) and ''Flash'' (vol. 2) #137 "Vengeance of the Immortal Villain" (June 1963). ''Flash'' (vol. 2) #129 contains the first mention of the JSA in the Silver Age, and refers directly to their last adventure in ''All-Star Comics'' #57, while in ''Flash'' (vol. 2) #137 the JSA actually reform.

These stories set the stage for "Crisis on Earth-One" (''Justice League of America'' #21, August 1963) and "Crisis on Earth-Two" (''Justice League of America'' #22, September 1963), a 2-part tale where the Golden Age Justice Society teamed up with the Silver Age Justice League to combat a team of villains from both worlds who had gained a way of travelling between the worlds quickly using vibratory devices made by the Fiddler. The following year Earth-Three was fully introduced (its existence was guessed at in the previous years' tale), with ''Justice League of America'' #29, "Crisis on Earth-Three," (August 1964). This Earth featured an evil version of the Justice League known as the [[wikipedia: Crime Syndicate of America| Crime Syndicate of America]], whose line-up consisted of Superwoman (an evil version of Wonder Woman), Owlman (an evil version of Batman), Ultraman (an evil version of Superman), Johnny Quick (an evil version of the Flash), and Power Ring (an evil version of Green Lantern). These stories became the first of a long series of team-ups of the two supergroups, an annual summer tradition which carried on until 1985. These meetings produced a considerable number of notable events and characters to JSA history, including [[wikipedia: Black Canary| Black Canary]] leaving to join the Justice League, the return of the Golden Age team the [[wikipedia: Seven Soldiers of Victory| Seven Soldiers of Victory]], the creation of the [[wikipedia: Freedom Fighters (comics)|Freedom Fighters]], (which incorporated several [[wikipedia: Quality Comics| Quality Comics]] characters into DC continuity after the characters were purchased by DC Comics), and the introduction of a number of other alternative Earths to house these other teams.

As well as the annual Justice League of America appearances, members of the JSA popped up in other titles over the next few years, the Golden Age Atom in ''The Atom'' (vol. 1) #29 and #36, and the Golden Age Green Lantern in several issues of Green Lantern. In addition, a number of the characters appeared in team-up stories in issues of the DC titles ''Brave and the Bold'' and ''Showcase'', while the Spectre was given a solo run in the latter which led to his own series.

Almost uniquely in superhero comics at the time, the JSA members during this period were portrayed as middle-aged — and often wiser — versions of their younger, contemporary counterparts. Originally this theme appears to have been introduced simply to acknowledge the back-history of the JSA in DC continuity (another fairly new development for comics), later it was to become a major theme for character development.

===Appearances through 1975===
*''[[The Flash]]'' (vol. 2) #123, 129, 137, 170, 173, 215
*''[[Justice League of America]]'' (vol. 1) #21-22, 29-30, 37-38, 46-47, 55-56, 64-65, 73-74, 82-83, 91-92, 100-102, 107-108, 113, 123-124
*''[[Showcase]]'' #55-56 (Doctor Fate and Hourman), 60-61, 64 (The Spectre)
*''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #61-62 (Starman and Black Canary)
*''[[The Spectre]]'' (vol. 1) #1-10
*''[[The Atom]]'' (vol. 1) #29, 36
*''[[Green Lantern]]'' (vol. 2) #45, 52, 61

==Return to ''All Star Comics'' (Bronze Age)==

The JSA's popularity gradually grew until they regained their own title. ''All Star Comics'' #58 (January – February 1976) saw the group return as mentors to a younger set of heroes (briefly called the "Super Squad" until they were integrated into the JSA proper). This run lasted until #74, with a brief run thereafter in ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #461-466, but it had three significant developments: It introduced the popular character [[wikipedia: Power Girl| Power Girl]] in ''All Star Comics'' #58; it chronicled the death of the Golden Age [[Batman]] in ''Adventure Comics'' #461-462); and, after nearly 40 years, it finally provided the JSA with an origin story in ''DC Special'' #29. This run was mainly written by [[wikipedia: Gerry Conway| Gerry Conway]] and [[wikipedia: Paul Levitz| Paul Levitz]], and artists included [[wikipedia: Wally Wood| Wally Wood]], [[wikipedia: Joe Staton| Joe Staton]], [[wikipedia: Keith Giffen| Keith Giffen]] and [[wikipedia: Bob Layton| Bob Layton]].

The series was noteworthy for depicting the heroes as having aged into their 50s; the artwork gave them graying hair and lined faces. It was highly unusual, then or now, for a comic book to have heroes this old. Most comic books obscure the timelines or periodically relaunch the series to keep the characters youthful. This depiction was a consequence of the fact that the heroes were closely linked to World War II era. This became problematic in the 1980s when the heroes would logically be well into their 60s. The explanation given for this by writer [[wikipedia: Roy Thomas| Roy Thomas]] in ''[[wikipedia: All-Star Squadron| All-Star Squadron]]'' Annual #3 was that the team (and several friends) had absorbed energy from the magical villain Ian Karkull during an adventure in the 1940s that stunted their aging process.

Meanwhile, the JSA continued their annual team-ups with the Justice League. Notable events included meeting the [[wikipedia: Fawcett Comics| Fawcett Comics]] heroes, including [[Captain Marvel]], the death of [[wikipedia: Mister Terrific (Terry Sloane)|Mr. Terrific]] and an explanation for why Black Canary hadn't aged much despite debuting in the 1940s. A particularly popular JLA/JSA team-up came in #195–197, in which the two teams had to contend with a re-formed [[wikipedia: Secret Society of Super-Villains| Secret Society of Super-Villains]], drawn by [[wikipedia: George Pérez| George Pérez]].

A series taking place in the team's original setting of the [[wikipedia: World War II|wartime]] 1940s called ''[[wikipedia: All-Star Squadron| All-Star Squadron]]'' featured the JSA frequently along with several other Golden Age superheroes. This led to a spin-off, modern day series entitled ''[[wikipedia: Infinity, Inc.| Infinity, Inc.]]'' which starred the children and heirs of the JSA members. Both series were written by noted JSA fan [[wikipedia: Roy Thomas| Roy Thomas]] and featured art by [[wikipedia: Rich Buckler| Rich Buckler]], [[wikipedia: Jerry Ordway| Jerry Ordway]], [[wikipedia: Todd McFarlane| Todd McFarlane]] and others.

In 1985, DC [[wikipedia: retcon| retcon]]ned many details of the [[wikipedia: DC Universe| DC Universe]] in ''[[wikipedia: Crisis on Infinite Earths| Crisis on Infinite Earths]]''. Among the changes, the Golden Age Superman, Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman ceased to exist, and the [[wikipedia: Earth-One| Earth-One]]/[[wikipedia: Earth-Two| Earth-Two]] dichotomy was resolved by merging the Multiverse into a single universe. This posed a variety of problems for the JSA, whose history — especially in the 1980s comics — was strongly tied up in these four characters.

The JLA/JSA team-ups had seemingly ended with the last pre-Crisis teamup occurring in ''Justice League of America'' (vol. 1) #244 and ''Infinity Inc.'' #19 during the Crisis.

===Other appearances===
*''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #461-466
*''DC Special'' #29
*''[[Justice League of America]]'' (vol. 1) #135-137, 147-148, 159-160, 171-172, 183-185, 193 (''All-Star Squadron'' preview), 195-197, 207-209, 219-220, 231-232, 244
*''[[Wonder Woman]]'' (vol. 1) #231-232 (JSA guest-stars; part of a run of Earth-Two Wonder Woman stories set during [[wikipedia: World War II| World War II]])
*''[[All-Star Squadron]]'' #1-67, Annuals #1-3
*''[[wikipedia: Infinity, Inc.| Infinity, Inc.]]'' (vol. 1) #1-10, 19, plus various other issues
*''[[America Vs The Justice Society]]'' #1-4 (limited series; recounts the entire history of the JSA prior to 1985)
*''[[Secret Origins]]'' (vol. 3) #1 (Golden Age Superman), #6 (Golden Age Batman), plus various other issues

==After ''Crisis on Infinite Earths''==
One of Roy Thomas' efforts to resolve the Crisis-created inconsistencies was to introduce some analogues to Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, in a sequel to ''All-Star Squadron'' entitled ''[[wikipedia: Young All-Stars| Young All-Stars]]''.

Meanwhile, DC editoral decided that the time had come to write off the JSA from active [[wikipedia: Continuity (fiction)|continuity]]. A 1986 one-shot issue called ''The Last Days of the Justice Society'' involved most of the JSA battling the forces of evil while merged with the [[wikipedia: Norse gods| Norse gods]] in an ever-repeating [[wikipedia: Ragnarok| Ragnarok]]-like [[wikipedia: Limbo (DC Comics)|Limbo]] (written by Thomas, with art by David Ross and Mike Gustovich). Only Power Girl, the [[wikipedia: Sylvester Pemberton|Star-Spangled Kid]], the Spectre and Dr. Fate escaped the cataclysm. This was later revealed to be a simulation created by [[wikipedia: Odin| Odin]] searching for a way to thwart the real Ragnarok.<ref>''[[wikipedia: The Sandman (Vertigo)|The Sandman]]'' (vol. 2) #26</ref>

Thomas also revised the JSA's origin for post-''Crisis'' continuity in ''[[wikipedia: Secret Origins| Secret Origins]]'' (vol. 3) #31.

===''Justice Society of America'' (vols. 1, 2) (1991, 1992–1993)===
Fan interest, however, resulted in DC bringing back the JSA in the early 1990s. An eight-issue ''Justice Society of America'' limited series telling an untold JSA story set in the 1950s was published in 1991. In the final issues of the four-issue ''Armageddon: Inferno'' limited series, the JSA returned to the modern-day DC Universe when Waverider transported the "daemen" of the interdimensional Abraxis to Asgard as a substitute for the JSA in the Ragnarok cycle, allowing the team to return to Earth.

In 1992, the JSA was given an ongoing monthly series titled ''Justice Society of America'', written by [[wikipedia: Len Strazewski| Len Strazewski]] with art by [[wikipedia: Mike Parobeck| Mike Parobeck]], featuring the original team adjusting to life after returning from Ragnarok. Though ''Justice Society of America'' was intended as an ongoing series, and was popular with readers, it was cancelled after only ten issues. Writer Len Strazewski, in an interview explaining the cancellation of this surprise hit series, said, "It was a capricious decision made personally by [[wikipedia: Mike Carlin| Mike Carlin]] because he didn't like Mike's artwork or my writing and believed that senior citizen super-heroes was not what DC should be publishing. He made his opinion clear to me several times after the cancellation."<ref>Aragona, Mike (June 1998). "[http://www.savageland.com/articles/inconvo/iclstrazewski.html Interview with Len Strazewski]". ''Savage Enterprises Publishing''. Retrieved October 12, 2008.</ref> Much more "cartoony" than the more realistic artwork favored at the time, Parobeck's art was a pioneering example of the "animation" style that would become quite popular with ''[[wikipedia: Batman: The Animated Series| Batman: The Animated Series]]''. ''Justice Society of America'' included the first appearance of [[wikipedia: Jesse Chambers|Jesse Quick]], the daughter of All-Star Squadron members [[wikipedia: Liberty Belle (comics)|Liberty Belle]] and [[wikipedia: Johnny Quick| Johnny Quick]].

Not long after, most of the team was incapacitated or killed off in the controversial 1994 crossover series ''[[wikipedia: Zero Hour (comics)|Zero Hour]]''. During the battle between the Justice Society and the villain [[wikipedia: Hank Hall#Zero Hour: Extant|Extant]], the latter removes the chronal energies keeping the Justice Society young. The Atom, [[wikipedia: Doctor Mid-Nite#Charles McNider|Dr. Mid-Nite]] and Hourman die immediately.<ref>[[wikipedia:Robert Greenberger|Greenberger, Robert]] (2008). "Extant". In Dougall, Alastair. ''The DC Comics Encyclopedia''. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 117. ISBN 0-7566-4119-5. OCLC 213309017.</ref> Hawkman and [[wikipedia: Hawkgirl#Shiera Sanders|Hawkgirl]] (who were separated from the rest of the Justice Society by being pulled into the timestream) merge into a new [[wikipedia: Hawkman (Katar Hol)#Post-Hawkworld version|Hawkgod being]], resulting in their deaths. Dr. Fate dies of the resulting aging shortly after Zero Hour. Green Lantern is kept young due to the mystical effects of the Starheart but loses his ring and subsequently changes his name to Sentinel. The rest of the team is now too physically old to continue fighting crime and retires. [[wikipedia: Starman (Ted Knight)|Starman]] retires and passes on the Starman legacies to his sons resulting in one of the new series created following Zero Hour, [[wikipedia: James Dale Robinson|James Robinson]]'s ''[[wikipedia: Starman (Jack Knight)|Starman]]''. The new Starman series brought new attention to the JSA legacy.

===''JSA'' (1999–2006)===
The JSA had remained inactive for some time shortly after the events of ''[[wikipedia: Zero Hour: Crisis in Time|Zero Hour]]'', but the surviving members (Flash, Wildcat, and Alan Scott, now going under the name Sentinel) remained active throughout the DCU, having been placed as reserve JLI members, as evidenced in ''Justice League Europe'' #50.

When the ''JLA'' series was revived by Grant Morrison in 1997, he had a 4-issue story beginning in ''JLA'' (vol. 3) #28-31, in which the JLA and JSA teamed up against the menace of Qwisp, a 5th dimensional entity, much like Mr. Mxyzptlk, who had previously been a nuisance to Aquaman. That was the only time the JLA had actually teamed up with the JSA post-Crisis, until almost 10 years later (see below in next article topic).

The Justice Society as a monthly series was again revived in 1999 in a popular and critically acclaimed series (called simply ''JSA'') which mixed the few remaining original members with younger counterparts. This incarnation of the team focused on the theme of generational legacy and of carrying on the heroic example established by their predecessors. The series was launched by [[wikipedia: James Robinson (comics)|James Robinson]] and [[wikipedia: David S. Goyer| David S. Goyer]]. Goyer later co-wrote the series with [[wikipedia: Geoff Johns| Geoff Johns]], who went on write the series solo after Goyer's departure. The series featured the art of Stephen Sadowski, [[wikipedia: Leonard Kirk| Leonard Kirk]] and [[wikipedia: Don Kramer| Don Kramer]], among others. It also featured a story by Pulitzer Prize Winner [[wikipedia: Michael Chabon| Michael Chabon]].

As a result of the events of ''[[wikipedia: Infinite Crisis| Infinite Crisis]]'', some of the surviving Golden Age characters, such as [[wikipedia: Wildcat (comics)|Wildcat]] and the [[wikipedia: Jay Garrick|Flash]], are aware of the existence of Earth-Two.{{fact}}

===Other appearances===
*''The Last Days of the Justice Society'' Special (1986)
*''[[Secret Origins]]'' (vol. 3) #31
*''[[The Young All-Stars]]'' (various issues)
*''[[wikipedia: The Golden Age (comics)|The Golden Age]]'' #1-4 ([[wikipedia: alternate history (fiction)|alternate history]] story based on the ''All-Star Squadron'' set-up, written by [[wikipedia: James Robinson (comics)|James Robinson]] and drawn by [[wikipedia: Paul Smith (comics)|Paul Smith]])
*''[[wikipedia: Zero Hour: Crisis in Time|Zero Hour]]'' #4-0 (this series was published with numbering in reverse order, reflecting a "countdown")
*''[[Wonder Woman]]'' (vol. 2) #130-133 (1940s adventure by [[wikipedia: John Byrne| John Byrne]], retroactively establishes [[wikipedia: Queen Hippolyta (comics)|Queen Hippolyta]] as the Golden Age Wonder Woman in post-''Crisis'' continuity)
*''[[Sandman Mystery Theatre]]'' #1-70 (solo [[wikipedia: Sandman (Wesley Dodds)|Sandman]] series written by [[wikipedia: Matt Wagner| Matt Wagner]], set in the 1930s and early 1940s; not strictly in regular DCU continuity)
*''Sandman Mystery Theatre Annual'' #1
*''[[wikipedia: Justice League#JLA|JLA]]'' #28-31 ("Crisis Times Five", first post-''Crisis'' JLA/JSA team-up, introduces [[wikipedia: Jakeem Thunder| Jakeem Thunder]])
*''[[wikipedia: Justice Society Returns| Justice Society Returns]]'' (a story arc that ran through a number of comic books published by DC Comics in 1999, with issues named with various 1940s-era titles, set in the 1940s)
*''JLA/JSA: Virtue and Vice'' (hardcover graphic novel)

==''One Year Later''==
After the events of DC's ''[[wikipedia: Infinite Crisis| Infinite Crisis]]'' crossover and the [[wikipedia: World War III (comics)#52|World War III]] event that was chronicled in ''[[wikipedia: 52 (comics)|52]]'', JSA members Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, and Ted Grant decided to revive the Justice Society.

===''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 3) (2006 – present)===
On December 6, 2006, a new series was launched with the creative team of [[wikipedia: Geoff Johns| Geoff Johns]] (writer), [[wikipedia: Dale Eaglesham| Dale Eaglesham]] (pencils), and [[wikipedia: Alex Ross| Alex Ross]] (cover art). According to a pre-release interview in Newsarama, Alex Ross also has the "honorary" title of "creative advisor".{{fact}}

The beginning of the new series shows JSA veterans [[Flash]], [[Green Lantern]] and [[wikipedia: Wildcat (comics)|Wildcat]] choosing members of the new generation of superheroes to train. Continuing a major theme from the previous JSA title, this new series focuses on the team being the caretakers of the superhero legacy from one generation to the next.

This was also to begin the crossovers between the JLA and JSA once again, beginning with "The Lightning Saga" (see below) in ''JLA'' (vol. 4) #8-10 and ''JSA'' #5-6 (epilogue in issue #7).

''Justice Society of America Annual'' #1 (September 2008; titled ''JSA Annual'' #1 in the comic's legal indicia) featured the Justice Society Infinity, a team continuing from an analogous post-''Crisis'' Earth-Two. Most of the current members of the Justice Society Infinity are either original members of Earth-Two's Justice Society, such as the [[wikipedia: Atom (Al Pratt)|Atom (Al Pratt)]] and [[wikipedia: Robin (comics)|Robin]] ([[wikipedia: Dick Grayson|Atom (Al Pratt)]]), but it also included characters that are normally associated with Infinity, Inc., such as Jade and Nuklon ([[wikipedia: Albert Rothstein|Albert Rothstein]]).

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.comicsarchives.org/JSAHOME.html Fact File: The Justice Society of America of Earth-2: 1940–2010]
* [http://darkmark6.tripod.com/justice_society_index.html Index of the Earth-Two adventures of the JSA]
* [http://www.cosmicteams.com/jsa/index.html Cosmic Teams: JSA]
* [http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=54 Earth-2 JSA Index at Mike's Amazing World of DC Comics]
* [http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/heroes_and_villains/?hv=origin_stories/justice_society&p=1 Justice Society's secret origin at DCcomics.com]
* [http://en.dcdatabaseproject.com/Justice_Society_of_America DC Database Project: Justice Society of America]

[[Category:Justice Society of America]]

World's Finest Comics

2010-12-10T19:18:33Z

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'''''World's Finest Comics''''' was an American [[comic book]] series published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled ''World's Best Comics'' for its first issue; issue #2 (1941) switched to the more familiar name. Most likely the reason for the title change was that DC received a cease and desist letter from Better Publications, Inc., who had been publishing a comic book entitled Best Comics since November 1939.<ref>Superman: The World's Finest Comics Archives, Vol 1. Forward by Michael Uslan, p 7</ref>

Virtually every issue featured DC's two leading [[wikipedia: superhero| superhero]]es, [[Superman]] and [[Batman]],<ref>Issues #198-214 (November 1970 through October–November 1972) featured tales teaming Superman with various heroes from the DC Universe. Almost none of these issues featured Batman.</ref><ref>Superman Jr. and Batman Jr. were the [[wikipedia: Super-Sons| Super-Sons]], the college-aged sons of Superman and Batman in an alternate version of the DC Universe. They were featured in issues #215-216, 221-222, 224, 228, 230, 231, 233, 238, 242, and 263.</ref> with the earliest issues also featuring Batman's sidekick, [[wikipedia: Dick Grayson|Robin]].

==Overview==

The series was initially a 96 page quarterly [[wikipedia: anthology| anthology]], featuring various DC characters - always including Superman and Batman - in separate stories. When superheroes fell out of vogue in the early 1950s, DC shortened the size of the publication to that of the rest of its output, leaving only enough space for one story; this led to Superman and Batman appearing in the same story together starting with ''World's Finest'' #71 (1954). In 1977, World's Finest Comics was "upgraded" to one of the first 80 page Dollar Comics which featured The [[wikipedia: World's Finest Team| World's Finest Team]] with back-up features such as [[Green Arrow]], [[wikipedia: Black Canary| Black Canary]], [[Wonder Woman]], [[wikipedia: Vigilante (comics)|Vigilante]], [[wikipedia: The Creeper (comics)|Creeper]], [[Shazam!]], [[wikipedia: Black Lightning| Black Lightning]], [[Hawkman]], [[wikipedia: Red Tornado| Red Tornado]], [[wikipedia: Zatanna| Zatanna]] and [[wikipedia: Plastic Man| Plastic Man]]. With #283, the series reverted to a standard format title featuring Superman and Batman [[wikipedia: team-up| team-up]]s. Except for a brief run of Superman teamups in the early 1970s (#198-214) not featuring Batman, the series continued in this vein until its cancellation in 1986 at #323.

The idea for ''World's Best'' #1 originated from the identically formatted ''1940 New York World's Fair Comics'' featuring Superman, Batman, and Robin with 96 pages and a cardboard cover. The year before there was a similar ''[[wikipedia: 1939 New York World's Fair| 1939 New York World's Fair]] Comics'' featuring Superman but without Batman and Robin because [[wikipedia: Bob Kane| Bob Kane]] had not yet created them.

==Titles==
A number of ''World's Finest'' titles have since appeared:
*A three-issue 1990 mini-series by [[wikipedia: Dave Gibbons| Dave Gibbons]] and [[wikipedia: Steve Rude| Steve Rude]]
*A three-issue ''Legends of the World's Finest'' mini-series in 1994 by [[wikipedia: Walt Simonson| Walt Simonson]] and [[wikipedia: Dan Brereton| Dan Brereton]]
*A two-issue ''[[wikipedia: Superboy| Superboy]]/[[wikipedia: Robin (comics)|Robin]]: World's Finest Three'' in 1996
*''Elseworld's Finest'' - a two-issue mini-series that reimagines Superman and Batman in a 1920s style pulp adventure.
*''Batman/Superman Adventures: World's Finest'' one-shot in 1997, adapting the Batman/Superman [[wikipedia: team-up| team-up]] in the [[wikipedia: Batman: The Animated Series|Batman]] and [[wikipedia: Superman: The Animated Series|Superman]] animated series.
*''[[wikipedia: Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl| Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl]]'' one-shot in 1998
*''[[wikipedia: Superman and Batman: World's Funnest| Superman and Batman: World's Funnest]]'', featuring [[wikipedia: Mr. Mxyzptlk| Mr. Mxyzptlk]] and [[wikipedia: Bat-Mite| Bat-Mite]]
*A ten-issue mini-series in 1999 written by [[wikipedia: Karl Kesel| Karl Kesel]] and illustrated by [[wikipedia: Dave Taylor (comics)|Dave Taylor]]. This series explored the Post-Crisis history of the two with each of the ten issues taking place one year after the other.
*[[wikipedia: List of Superman: The Animated Series episodes|World's Finest: Parts I-III]], a three-part episode of ''[[wikipedia: Superman: The Animated Series| Superman: The Animated Series]]''
*While not under the name "World's Finest", ''[[Superman/Batman]]'' (2003–present) fulfills much the same function as the earlier series.
*HarperCollins Publishers released a ''World's Finest'' novel on Summer 2009, titled ''Enemies and Allies'' by novelist [[wikipedia: Kevin J. Anderson| Kevin J. Anderson]]. The story is about the first meeting between The Dark Knight and The Man of Steel during [[wikipedia: The Cold War| The Cold War]].<ref>Last pages of ''The Last Days of Krypton'' paperback</ref>
*A four-issue ''World's Finest'' limited series written by [[wikipedia: Sterling Gates| Sterling Gates]] was published in late 2009 and early 2010. In the series, Superman has relocated to [[wikipedia: New Krypton| New Krypton]] and Batman (Bruce Wayne) is presumed dead. Thus, it falls to various members of the Superman and Batman families to battle a threat posed by the [[wikipedia: Toyman#Toyman_.28robot.29|Toyboy]], [[wikipedia: Mr. Freeze| Mr. Freeze]], the [[wikipedia: Penguin (comics)|Penguin]] and the [[wikipedia: Kryptonite Man#K. Russell Abernathy|Kryptonite Man]]. Protagonists include Superman Family members [[wikipedia: Chris Kent (comics)|Nightwing (Chris Kent)]], the [[wikipedia: Guardian (DC Comics)#Post-Infinite Crisis|Guardian]] and [[wikipedia: Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]], along with Batman Family members [[wikipedia: Tim Drake|Red Robin (Tim Drake)]], [[wikipedia: Damian Wayne|Robin (Damian Wayne)]], [[wikipedia: Barbara Gordon|Oracle]] and [[wikipedia: Stephanie Brown (comics)|Batgirl (Stephanie Brown)]]. Superman and [[wikipedia: Dick Grayson|Batman (Dick Grayson)]] appear in the final issue.

== See also ==
* ''[[Superman/Batman]]''
* ''[[Superman & Batman: Generations]]''

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:World's Finest Comics]]

Action Comics

2010-12-10T18:49:48Z

Summary:

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'''''Action Comics''''' is an [[American comic book]] [[wikipedia: ongoing series|series]] which [[wikipedia: first appearance|introduced]] [[Superman]], the first major [[wikipedia: superhero| superhero]] character as the term is popularly defined. The publisher was originally known as [[Detective Comics]], Inc., and later as National Comics and as [[wikipedia: National Periodical Publications| National Periodical Publications]], before taking on its current name of [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]], a subsidiary of [[wikipedia: Time Warner| Time Warner]].

==Publication history==
===Superman===
[[wikipedia: Jerry Siegel| Jerry Siegel]] and [[wikipedia: Joe Shuster| Joe Shuster]] saw their creation, Superman, aka Kal-El (originally Kal-L), launched in [[Action Comics No 1|Action Comics #1]] in April 1938 (cover-dated June). Siegel and Shuster had tried for years to find a publisher for their Superman character (originally conceived as a newspaper strip) without success. Superman was originally a bald madman created by Siegel and Shuster who used his telepathic abilities to wreak havoc on mankind. He appeared in Siegel and Shuster's book ''Science Fiction''.<ref>Gerard Jones, ''Men of Tomorrow'' pp82-84 Arrow Books ISBN 978 0 099 48706 7</ref> Siegel then commented, "What if this Superman was a force for good instead of evil?" The writer and artist had worked on several features for National Periodical Publications' other titles ([[wikipedia: Slam Bradley| Slam Bradley]] in [[Detective Comics]], for example<ref>Gerard Jones, ''Men of Tomorrow'' pp120 Arrow Books ISBN 978 0 099 48706 7</ref>) and were asked to contribute a feature for National's newest publication. They submitted Superman for consideration, and after re-pasting the sample newspaper strips they had prepared into comic book page format, National decided to make Superman the cover feature of their new magazine.<ref>Gerard Jones, ''Men of Tomorrow'' pp124 Arrow Books ISBN 978 0 099 48706 7</ref>

===Coincidence?===
To quote from the second chapter of The Annihilist, a December 1934 [[wikipedia: Doc Savage| Doc Savage]] story: "He returned, grumbling disgustedly, to stare at his picture, which was a partially completed study of a Herculean male figure supporting a certain well-known automobile. It was an advertising poster." Did this influence the cover of Action #1 nearly four years later? [[wikipedia: Lola Lane| Lola Lane]], an actress of the mid-30's bore more than a passing resemblance to the later "Lois Lane".

===Early anthology===
Originally, ''Action Comics'' was an [[wikipedia: anthology comic|anthology title]] featuring a number of other stories in addition to the Superman story. [[wikipedia: Zatara| Zatara]], a magician, was one of the other characters who had their own stories in early issues. ([[wikipedia: Zatanna| Zatanna]], a heroine introduced in the 1960s, is Zatara's daughter.) There was also the hero [[wikipedia: Tex Thomson| Tex Thomson]], who eventually became Mr. America and later the [[wikipedia: Americommando| Americommando]]. [[wikipedia: Vigilante (comics)|Vigilante]] also enjoyed a lengthy run in this series. Sometimes stories of a more humorous nature were included, such as those of [[wikipedia: Hayfoot Henry| Hayfoot Henry]], a policeman who talked in rhyme. Gradually the size of the issues was decreased as the publisher was reluctant to raise the cover price from the original 10 cents, so there were fewer stories. For a while, [[wikipedia: Congo Bill| Congo Bill]] and [[wikipedia: Tommy Tomorrow| Tommy Tomorrow]] were the two features in addition to Superman (Congo Bill eventually gained the ability to swap bodies with a gorilla and his strip was renamed [[wikipedia: Congorilla| Congorilla]]), but soon after the introduction of [[wikipedia: Supergirl| Supergirl]] in issue #252 (May 1959) the non-Superman-related strips were crowded out of ''Action'' altogether. Since then, it has generally been an all-Superman comic, though other backup stories such as [[wikipedia: The Human Target| The Human Target]] occasionally appear.

===Hiatus, name changes, publication changes, and special numbering===
''Action Comics'' is the second-longest running [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] series after ''[[Detective Comics]]''; however, it cannot claim to have had an uninterrupted run, due in large part to two separate occasions on which the title was put on a three-month hiatus. The first of these occurred during the summer of [[wikipedia: 1986 in comics|1986]], with issue #583 bearing a cover date of September, and issue #584 listing January, 1987. The regular Superman titles were suspended during this period to allow for the "post-[[wikipedia: Crisis on Infinite Earths|Crisis]]" revising of the Superman story through the publication of [[wikipedia: John Byrne|John Byrne's]] six-issue ''[[The Man of Steel]]'' [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]].<ref name="Standard"/> Publication was again suspended between issues #686 and #687 (February and June 1993) following the "[[Death of Superman]]" and "Funeral for a Friend" storylines, before ''Action Comics'' returned in June with the "[[Reign of the Supermen]]" arc.<ref name="Standard"/> (The two "Funeral for a Friend" issues, #685 and #686 featured the cover announcement of "Super'''''girl''''' in ''Action Comics''" highlighting the passing of Superman.<ref>[http://comics.org/covers.lasso?seriesID=97&skip=600&show=50 ''Action Comics'' covers at the Grand Comics Database]. Retrieved July 18, 2008.</ref>)

In 1988, DC Comics tried unsuccessfully to return the format of the comic to an anthology and publish it on a weekly basis. After May, 1988's landmark issue #600, issues #611-615 all bore August cover dates.<ref name="Standard"/> The ''Action Comics Weekly'' experiment lasted only until the beginning of March 1989, however, and after a short break, July's issue #643 brought the title back onto a monthly schedule.<ref name="Standard">[[wikipedia: John Jackson Miller|Miller, J. J.]], [[wikipedia: Maggie Thompson|Thompson, Maggie]], [[wikipedia: Peter Bickford|Bickford, Peter]] & [[wikipedia: Brent Frankenhoff|Frankenhoff, Brent]], ''The Comic Buyer's Guide Standard Catalog of Comic Books'', 4th Edition (KP Books, 2005) - "Action Comics", pp. 35-44</ref> (However, the temporarily increased frequency of issues allowed ''Action'' to further surpass the older ''Detective Comics'' in the number of individual issues published. It originally passed ''Detective Comics'' in the 1970s when that series was bi-monthly for a number of years.)

Another departure from a strict monthly schedule were the giant-size [[wikipedia: Supergirl| Supergirl]] reprint issues of the 1960s (published as a 13th issue annually): issues #334 (March 1966), #347 (March/April 1967), #360 (March/April 1968), and #373 (March/April 1969).

An issue #0 (October 1994) was published between issues #703 and #704 as part of the [[wikipedia: Zero Hour (comics)#Zero Month|Zero Month]] after the [[wikipedia: Zero Hour (comics)|Zero Hour]] crossover event and issue #1,000,000 (November 1998) during the [[wikipedia: DC One Million| DC One Million]] crossover event in October 1998 between issues #748 and #749.

Starting with issue #875, [[wikipedia: Thara Ak-Var| Thara Ak-Var]] and [[wikipedia: Chris Kent (comics)|Chris Kent]], two characters introduced in the [[Superman: New Krypton|New Krypton]] story arc, took Superman's place as the main protagonists of the comic, while Superman left Earth to live on New Krypton. These are written by [[wikipedia: Greg Rucka| Greg Rucka]] with artist [[wikipedia: Eddy Barrows| Eddy Barrows]], who left the art duties on ''[[Teen Titans]]'' to pencil ''Action''.<ref>"[http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news.php Greg Rucka on being named new Acton Comics writer]". Supermanhomepage.com. 2007-01-01. Retrieved 2010-06-17.</ref><ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20543 Greg Rucka: Man of “Action”], [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources |Comic Book Resources]], March 24, 2009</ref>

===''Action Comics Weekly''===
For slightly less than a year in 1988-1989, the publication frequency was changed to weekly and the title became ''Action Comics Weekly'', and was an anthology format series; this change lasted from issue #601 to issue #642. During this time, Superman appeared only in a two page story per issue; however, he was still the only character to appear in every issue of the run. Due to going weekly for this period, ''Action Comics'' was able to surpass the issue total of ''Detective Comics'', despite that title being older by a year.

Prior to its launch DC cancelled its ongoing [[Green Lantern]] title ''Green Lantern Corps'', and made Green Lantern [[wikipedia: Hal Jordan| Hal Jordan]] and his adventures exclusive to ''Action Comics Weekly''. During the ''Action Comics Weekly'' run, a ''Green Lantern Special'' was published in 1988, tying in with the events happening in ''Action Comics Weekly''. Green Lantern was soon moved out of the title, with ''Green Lantern Special'' # 2 (1989) published concluding the story plots from ''Action Comics Weekly'', and the character was relaunched with a [[wikipedia: limited series| limited series]] in 1989 (''Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn''), followed up by a new ongoing series in June 1990 (''Green Lantern'' Vol. 3).

The rest of these issues featured rotating serialized stories of other, mostly minor, DC heroes, as try-outs that led to their own limited series. Characters with featured stories in the run included [[wikipedia: Black Canary| Black Canary]], [[wikipedia: Blackhawk (comics)|Blackhawk]], [[Captain Marvel]], [[Catwoman]], [[Deadman]], [[Nightwing]], [[wikipedia: Phantom Lady|Phantom Lady]] (Dee Tyler), [[wikipedia: Phantom Stranger|Phantom Stranger]], [[Secret Six]], [[Speedy]], and [[wikipedia: Wild Dog (comic)|Wild Dog]]. Each issue also featured a two-page Superman serial, a feature which, according to an editorial in the first weekly issue, was intended as a homage to the Superman newspaper strips of the past.

The final issue of the weekly was originally intended to feature a book-length encounter between [[wikipedia: Clark Kent| Clark Kent]] and [[wikipedia: Hal Jordan| Hal Jordan]] penned by writer [[wikipedia: Neil Gaiman| Neil Gaiman]].<ref name=NG>Gaiman, Neil (2000). "Introduction", ''Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame'', [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]].</ref> While Gaiman's story primarily teamed up Green Lantern and Superman, it also featured other characters from Action Comics Weekly including the Blackhawks (in flashback), Deadman and the Phantom Stranger. The story ran counter to DC editorial policy at the time as it portrayed Hal Jordan and Clark Kent as old friends who knew each other's secret identities. This was not considered canon in 1989 (though other issues of Action Comics Weekly implied Hal and Clark were friends) and Gaiman was unwilling to change this aspect of the story.<ref name=NG /> The story was pulled and a different story was run. Gaiman's story was finally published as ''[[Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame]]'' one-shot in 2000.

===2000s===
After the "[[One Year Later]]" company-wide storyline ''Action Comics'' had a crossover arc with the series ''Superman'', titled "[[Superman: Up, Up and Away!|Up, Up and Away!]]" and which told of Clark Kent attempting to protect Metropolis without his powers and eventually regaining his powers. Afterward, he leaves Earth and is replaced by the new [[wikipedia: Nightwing| Nightwing]] and [[wikipedia: Flamebird| Flamebird]] as the starring characters of the book.

Starting in July 2009, ''Action Comics'' includes back-up stories featuring [[wikipedia: Captain Atom| Captain Atom]].

On February 22, 2010, a copy of ''Action Comics'' #1 (June 1938) sold at [[wikipedia: auction| auction]] for $1 million, besting the $317,000 record for a comic book set by a different copy, in lesser condition, the previous year. The sale, by an anonymous seller to an anonymous buyer, was through the [[wikipedia: Manhattan| Manhattan]]-based auction company ComicConnect.com.<ref>[[wikipedia: Associated Press| Associated Press]] via [http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100222/FREE/100229983 "Superman's debut sells for $1M at auction"], ''[[wikipedia: Crain's New York Business| Crain's New York Business]]'', February 22, 2010. [http://www.webcitation.org/5nlh9imNu WebCitation archive].</ref>

Although DC had initially announced that [[wikipedia: Marc Guggenheim| Marc Guggenheim]] would take over writing of the title following the ''[[War of the Supermen]]'' limited series,<ref>Segura, Alex (December 10, 2009). "[http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2009/12/10/dcu-in-2010-marc-guggenheim-steps-in-as-writer-on-action-comics/ DCU in 2010: Marc Guggenheim Steps in as Writer on Action Comics]". The Source. [[wikipedia:DC Comics.com| DC Comics.com]]. Retrieved April 12, 2010.</ref> he was replaced by [[wikipedia: Paul Cornell| Paul Cornell]].<ref> Segura, Alex (April 12, 2010). "[http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/04/12/paul-cornell-steps-in-as-new-action-comics-writer/ Paul Cornell Steps in as New Action Comics Writer]". The Source. [[wikipedia: DC Comics.com |DC Comics.com]]. Retrieved April 12, 2010.</ref>

Cornell has stated that [[wikipedia: Lex Luthor| Lex Luthor]] would feature as the main character in ''Action Comics'' from issues #890-900<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26828 Comic Book Resource -Paul Cornell: A DC Exclusive]</ref> and [[wikipedia: Death (DC Comics)|Death]] would appear in issue #894, with the agreement of the character's creator [[wikipedia: Neil Gaiman| Neil Gaiman]].<ref>Phegley, Kiel (July 8, 2010). "[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27068 Lex Luthor Faces Death]". [[wikipedia: Comic Book Resources |Comic Book Resources]]. Retrieved July 10, 2010.</ref>

==Collected editions==
(These generally reprint only the Superman stories from the given issues)

* ''[[The Superman Chronicles]]''
** Volume 1 reprints issues #1 - 13, as well as ''New York World's Fair Comics'' #1 and ''Superman'' #1.
** Volume 2 reprints issues #14 - 20, as well as ''Superman'' #2 & 3.
** Volume 3 reprints issues #21 - 25, as well as ''New York World's Fair Comics'' #2 and ''Superman'' #4 & 5.
** Volume 4 reprints issues #26 - 31, as well as ''Superman'' #6 & 7.
** Volume 5 reprints issues #32 - 36, as well as ''Superman'' #8 & 9 and ''World's Best Comics'' #1.
** Volume 6 reprints issues #37 - 40, as well as ''Superman'' #10 & 11 and ''World's Finest Comics'' #2 & 3.
** Volume 7 reprints issues #41 - 43, as well as ''Superman'' #12 & 13 and ''World's Finest Comics'' #4.
* ''Superman in the Forties'' reprints issues #1, 2, 14, 23, 64, 93 & 151.
* ''Superman in the Fifties'' reprints issues #151, 242, 252, 254 & 255.
* ''Superman in the Sixties'' reprints issue #289.
* ''Superman in the Seventies'' reprints issue #484.
* ''Superman in the Eighties'' reprints issues #507, 508, 554, 595, 600 & 644.
* ''Superman: The Action Comics Archives''
** Volume 1 reprints issues #1, 7 - 20, and summarizes #2 - 6.
** Volume 2 reprints issues #21 - 36.
** Volume 3 reprints issues #37 - 52.
** Volume 4 reprints issues #53 - 68.
** Volume 5 reprints issues #69 - 85.

==Awards==
''Action Comics'' #687 through 689 were part of ''[[The Death of Superman|The Reign of the Supermen]]'' storyline, which won the 1993 ''[[wikipedia: Comics Buyer's Guide| Comics Buyer's Guide]]'' Fan Award for Favorite Comic Book Story that year.{{fact}}

==See also==
*[[Action Comics No 1|Action Comics #1]]
*[[List of DC Comics publications]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.comic-covers.com/DC/DCA-B/Action/index.html Action Comics cover gallery]

[[Category:Action Comics]]

Flash Gordon

2010-12-09T23:42:38Z

Summary:

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'''Flash Gordon''' is the hero of a [[wikipedia: science fiction| science fiction]] adventure [[wikipedia: comic strip| comic strip]] originally drawn by [[wikipedia: Alex Raymond| Alex Raymond]], which was first published on January 7, 1934. The strip was inspired by and created to compete with the already established ''[[wikipedia: Buck Rogers| Buck Rogers]]'' adventure strip. Also inspired by these series were comics such as ''Dash Dixon'' (1935 to 1939) by H.T. Elmo and Larry Antoinette and ''Don Dixon and the Hidden Empire'' (1935 to 1941) by Carl Pfeufer and Bob Moore.{{fact}}

In Australia, the character and strip were retitled ''Speed Gordon'' to avoid a negative connotation of the word "Flash".<ref>p.42 Burrows, Toby & Stone, Grant ''Comics in Australia and New Zealand'' 1994 Routledge</ref> At the time, the predominant meaning of "flash" was "showy", connoting dishonesty.<ref>[http://www.anu.edu.au/andc/res/LambertonAND.php ANU]</ref>

The ''Flash Gordon'' comic strip has been translated into a wide variety of media, including motion pictures, television and animated series. The latest version, [[wikipedia: Flash Gordon (2007 TV series)|a ''Flash Gordon'' TV series]], appeared on the US [[wikipedia: Syfy|Sci Fi Channel]] in 2007-2008 and then on the [[wikipedia: United Kingdom| United Kingdom]] [[wikipedia: Sci Fi Channel (United Kingdom)|Sci Fi channel]]. A print comic book series by Brendan Deneen and Paul Green and published by Ardden Entertainment debuted in 2008, with the first arc entitled "The Mercy Wars", and is also available on [[wikipedia: iTunes| iTunes]] for the [[wikipedia: iPod| iPod]] and [[wikipedia: iPhone| iPhone]]. Ardden also published a Flash Gordon anthology entitled ''The Secret History of Mongo''. Ardden's second Flash Gordon arc is currently entitled ''Invasion of the Red Sword'' and is set to debut in fall 2010.

==Characters and story==
The comic strip follows the adventures of Flash Gordon, a handsome [[wikipedia: polo| polo]] player and [[wikipedia: Yale| Yale]] graduate, and his companions [[wikipedia: Dale Arden| Dale Arden]] and Dr. [[wikipedia: Hans Zarkov| Hans Zarkov]]. The story begins with Earth bombarded by fiery meteors. Dr. Zarkov invents a rocket ship to locate their place of origin in outer space. Half mad, he kidnaps Flash and Dale, whose plane has crashed in the area, and the three travel to the planet [[wikipedia: Mongo (planet)|Mongo]], where they discover the meteors are weapons devised by [[wikipedia: Ming the Merciless| Ming the Merciless]], evil ruler of Mongo.

For many years, the three companions have adventures on Mongo, traveling to the forest kingdom of Arboria, ruled by [[wikipedia: Prince Barin| Prince Barin]]; the ice kingdom of Frigia, ruled by Queen Fria; the jungle kingdom of Tropica, ruled by Queen Desira; the undersea kingdom of the Shark Men, ruled by King Kala; and the flying city of the Hawkmen, ruled by [[wikipedia: Prince Vultan| Prince Vultan]]. They are joined in several early adventures by [[wikipedia: Prince Thun| Prince Thun]] of the Lion Men. The long story of the '''Skorpii War''' takes Flash to other star systems, using starships that are [[wikipedia: Faster-than-light|faster than light]]. Flash and his friends also frequently return to Mongo, where Ming has been overthrown and [[wikipedia: Prince Barin| Prince Barin]], married to Ming's daughter [[wikipedia: Princess Aura| Princess Aura]], has established a peaceful rule (except for frequent revolts led by Ming or by one of his many descendants).

==Comic books==
Over the years, several publishers have produced ''Flash Gordon'' comics, either reprints or original stories.

* [[wikipedia: David McKay Publications| David McKay Publications]] ''King Comics'' #1-155 ([[wikipedia: 1936 in comics|1936]]-[[wikipedia: 1949 in comics|1949]]) [strip reprints]
* [[wikipedia: Dell Comics| Dell Comics]] ''[[wikipedia: Four Color Comics| Four Color Comics]]'' #10, 84, 173, 190, 204, 247, 424, 512; ''Flash Gordon'' #2 ([[wikipedia: 1945 in comics|1945]]-[[wikipedia: 1953 in comics|1953]]) [first 2 strip reprints]
* [[wikipedia: Harvey Comics| Harvey Comics]] #1-5 ([[wikipedia: 1950 in comics|1950]]) [strip reprints]
* [[wikipedia: Gold Key Comics| Gold Key Comics]] #1 ([[wikipedia: 1965 in comics|1965]]) [reprints FC #173]
* [[wikipedia: King Comics| King Comics]] #1-11 ([[wikipedia: 1966 in comics|1966]]-[[wikipedia: 1967 in comics|1967]]) (also in ''Phantom'' #18-20)
* [[wikipedia: Charlton Comics| Charlton Comics]] #12-18 ([[wikipedia: 1969 in comics|1969]]-[[wikipedia: 1970 in comics|1970]])
* [[wikipedia: Gold Key Comics| Gold Key Comics]] #19-27 ([[wikipedia: 1978 in comics|1978]]-[[wikipedia: 1979 in comics|1979]]); under their "Whitman Comics" #28-37 ([[wikipedia: 1980 in comics|1980]])

King also released a comic version as a part of their Comics Reading Library in the 1970s.

In [[wikipedia: 1988 in comics|1988]], [[wikipedia: Dan Jurgens| Dan Jurgens]] wrote a modernized version of the comic strip as a nine-issue [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]] mini-series. It featured Flash as washed up [[wikipedia: basketball| basketball]] player who finds new purpose in life on Mongo, Dale as an adventurous reporter who is just as capable as Flash, and a gray-skinned Ming who is less of an Asian stereotype.

The series ran for the planned nine issues and was left with an open-ended conclusion, probably in hopes that it would have been popular enough to start a regular comic run. Though Mongo was not a threat to Earth in this series, Ming had every intention of conquering Earth once he coerced Dr. Zarkov into designing the needed ships.

In [[wikipedia: 1995 in comics|1995]], [[wikipedia: Marvel Comics| Marvel Comics]] did a two-issue series with art by [[wikipedia: Al Williamson|Al Williamson]] in the style of the ''Flash'' comics he had produced for King and others.

A new comic book series was released by Ardden Entertainment in August [[wikipedia: 2008 in comics|2008]], though with inconsistent release dates for subsequent issues. The initital story arc concluded in mid-2009 with an open door to an announced new story arc to begin fall 2009.<ref>[http://www.ardden-entertainment.com/ Ardden Entertainment's site]</ref><ref>[http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=18387 Previewing Ardden's Flash Gordon #1], [[wikipedia: Newsarama| Newsarama]], June 12, 2008</ref>

A reprint of all of Al Williamson's Flash Gordon comic books in black and white was printed by Flesk in 2009.

In 2010, [[wikipedia: Dark Horse Comics| Dark Horse Comics]] began an archive reprint series in hardback, starting with the original comics published by Dell. The second volume will cover the comics published by King Comics, and the third will cover the comics published by Charlton Comics.

==See Also==
* [[Flash Gordon Strange Adventure Magazine]]
* [[wikistamps:Flash Gordon|Flash Gordon postage stamp]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://flashgordon.wikia.com Flash Gordon Wiki]
*[http://www.toonopedia.com/fgordon.htm Flash Gordon] at [[wikipedia: Don Markstein's Toonopedia|Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]
*[http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/fgordon/about.htm ''Flash Gordon''] at King Features
*[http://home.comcast.net/~cjh5801a/Flash.htm Flash Gordon] at the Holloway Pulp Hero page, featuring extensive information on the various adaptations of the character, including pulps, novels and radio plays.

[[Category:Flash Gordon]]

Detective Comics No 1

2010-12-09T20:45:00Z

Summary: New page: {{Template:Comic type right column 01 | | image01=[[Image:DetComis1-2-7564.jpg |175px|Detective Comics No 1]] | Publisher =[[wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]] | Date=1937 | Series= | Pages=...

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The Reign of the Super-Man

2010-12-09T20:38:38Z

Summary: Copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

:''The subject of this article is not to be confused with the Reign of the Supermen storyline published by DC Comics. For that subject, see [[The Death of Superman]].''
[[Image:Reign of the Superman.jpg|thumb|250px|"The Reign of the Super-Man" in the [[wikipedia: fanzine| fanzine]] ''Science Fiction: The Advance Guard of Future Civilization'' #3 (June 1933).]]

"'''The Reign of the Super-Man'''" (January 1933) was a [[wikipedia: short story| short story]] written by [[wikipedia: Jerry Siegel| Jerry Siegel]] and illustrated by [[wikipedia: Joe Shuster| Joe Shuster]], a writer/artist duo who would later become famous for creating the [[wikipedia: fictional| fictional]] [[wikipedia: superhero| superhero]] [[Superman]]. This short story marked their first published use of any form of the name ''Superman''. Although hyphenated as ''Super-Man'' in the story's title, the term is ''Superman'' within the story's text.

==Publication==
High school friends Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster tried selling their stories to magazines in order to escape [[wikipedia:Great Depression|Depression era]] poverty. With their work rejected by publishers, 18-year-old Shuster printed the duo's own [[wikipedia:typewriter|typewritten]], [[wikipedia:Mimeograph machine|mimeograph]]ed [[wikipedia: science fiction| science fiction]] fanzine titled ''Science Fiction: The Advance Guard of Future Civilization'', producing five issues.<ref name="TCS13">Daniels (1998), p. 13.</ref><ref>[http://www.goldenapplecomics.com/pompeii/october98/inthe.html Tales from the Comics Crypt]</ref>

According to a 1983 interview with Siegel,<ref>[http://theages.superman.ws/siegel.php "Happy Anniversary, Superman!"]</ref> he first wrote the short story "The Reign of the Super-Man" in 1932. Inspired by [[wikipedia: Friedrich Nietzsche| Friedrich Nietzsche]]'s idea of an ''[[wikipedia: Übermensch| Übermensch]]'',<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/superman.html The Jewish Virtual Library: Superman]</ref><ref>[http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives/305/ The Reign of the Superman]</ref> Siegel's original story featured his first Super-Man as a powerful villain bent on dominating the entire world. Siegel's short story appeared in ''Science Fiction, the Advance Guard of Future Civilization'' #3 with accompanying art by Shuster.<ref> [http://www.posterlovers.com/superman/history.htm Superman History: The Creation of the Man of Steel]</ref> For this publication, Siegel used the [[wikipedia:pseudonym|pen name]] ''Herbert S. Fine'', combining the first name of a cousin Herbert with the maiden name of Siegel's mother.<ref>[http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug02/superman/45thanniversary.html Identity Crisis: The Many Faces of the Man of Steel]</ref>

The name ''Superman'' originated in the English translation of Friedrich Nietzsche's statement, "''Ich lehre euch den Übermenschen''" ("I will teach you the Superman"), in his 1883 work ''[[wikipedia:Also sprach Zarathustra|Also sprach Zarathustra]]''. [[wikipedia: George Bernard Shaw| George Bernard Shaw]] popularized the term with his 1903 play ''[[wikipedia: Man and Superman| Man and Superman]]''.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7DE1338F931A15755C0A9659C8B63 The Way We Live Now: 6-22-03: On Language; Hyperpower]</ref> The character [[wikipedia:Jane Porter (Tarzan)|Jane Porter]] refers to [[wikipedia: Tarzan| Tarzan]] as a "superman" in the 1912 pulp novel ''[[wikipedia: Tarzan of the Apes| Tarzan of the Apes]]'' by [[wikipedia: Edgar Rice Burroughs| Edgar Rice Burroughs]], and Siegel would later name Tarzan as an influence on the creation of his own Superman.<ref>[http://comics.ign.com/articles/708/708922p1.html Comics in Context #133: Swinging Down Broadway]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

The Death of Superman

2010-12-09T02:39:02Z

Summary: copied from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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"'''The Death of Superman'''" is a 1992 [[comic book]] [[wikipedia:plot (narrative)|storyline]] that occurred in [[wikipedia: DC Comics|DC Comics]]'s [[Superman]] titles. The completed multi-issue story arc was given the title '''''The Death and Return of Superman'''''. <ref>"Superhero Wages Battle To The Deaths". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-10-16.</ref>

In the story, [[Superman]] engages in battle with a seemingly unstoppable killing machine named [[wikipedia:Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]] in the streets of [[wikipedia:Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]].<ref>Greenberger, Robert (2008), "Doomsday", in Dougall, Alastair, The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, pp. 108, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5, OCLC 213309017</ref> At the fight's conclusion, both combatants die from their wounds in [[Superman (vol. 2)|''Superman'' (vol. 2)]] #75 in 1992.

The crossover depicted the world's reaction to Superman's death in "''Funeral for a Friend''," the emergence of four individuals claiming to be the "new" Superman, and the eventual return of the original Superman in "''Reign of the Supermen!''"

The storyline, devised by editor [[wikipedia: Mike Carlin|Mike Carlin]] and the Superman writing team of [[wikipedia: Dan Jurgens|Dan Jurgens]], [[wikipedia: Roger Stern|Roger Stern]], [[wikipedia: Louise Simonson|Louise Simonson]], [[wikipedia: Jerry Ordway|Jerry Ordway]], and [[wikipedia: Karl Kesel|Karl Kesel]], met with enormous success: the ''Superman'' titles gained international exposure, reaching to the top of the comics sales charts and selling out overnight. The event was widely covered by national and international news media. The storyline was adapted into a 2007 animated film, ''[[wikipedia: Superman: Doomsday |Superman: Doomsday]]''.<ref>[http://www.warnervideo.com/supermandoomsdaydvd/ Superman Doomsday DVD Official Site (DC Universe)]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Superman]]

Green Arrow

2010-12-08T01:19:10Z

Summary: New page: '''Green Arrow''' ('''Oliver Jonas "Ollie" Queen''') is a [[wikipedia: fictional| fictional]] character that appears in [[comic book]]s published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]]. Cr...

'''Green Arrow''' ('''Oliver Jonas "Ollie" Queen''') is a [[wikipedia: fictional| fictional]] character that appears in [[comic book]]s published by [[wikipedia: DC Comics| DC Comics]]. Created by [[wikipedia: Mort Weisinger| Mort Weisinger]] and [[wikipedia: George Papp| George Papp]], he first appeared in ''[[More Fun Comics No 73|More Fun Comics #73]]'' in November 1941. His [[wikipedia: secret identity| secret identity]] is Oliver "Ollie" Queen, billionaire and former [[wikipedia: mayor| mayor]] of fictional [[wikipedia: Star City (comics)|Star City]].<ref>Greenberger, Robert (2008). "Green Arrow". In Dougall, Alastair. The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-7566-4119-5. OCLC 213309017</ref> Dressed like [[Robin Hood]], Green Arrow is an [[wikipedia: archery|archer]] who invents [[wikipedia: trick arrows| trick arrows]] with various special functions, such as glue arrows, net arrows, explosive arrows, time bomb arrows, grappling arrows, fire extinguishing arrows, flash arrows, tear gas arrows, cryonic arrows, boxing-glove arrows, and even a [[wikipedia: kryptonite| kryptonite]] arrow. Originally developed as an archery-themed analogue of the very popular [[Batman]] character, writers at DC have developed Green Arrow into a voice of [[wikipedia: Left-wing politics|left-wing]] and [[wikipedia: progressivism|progressive]] politics very much distinct in character from Batman, with his own supporting cast.

Throughout his first twenty-five years, Green Arrow was not a significant hero. In the late [[wikipedia: 1960s| 1960s]], however, writer [[wikipedia: Denny O'Neil| Denny O'Neil]] chose to have him lose his fortune, giving him the then-unique role of streetwise crusader for the [[wikipedia: working class| working class]] and the disadvantaged. In 1970, he was paired with the more law-and-order-oriented hero [[Green Lantern]] in a groundbreaking, socially conscious [[comic book]] series. Since then, he has been popular among comic book fans and most writers have taken an urban, gritty approach to the character. The character was [[wikipedia: kill off|killed off]] in the [[wikipedia: 1990s| 1990s]] and replaced by a new character, Queen's son [[wikipedia: Green Arrow (Connor Hawke)|Connor Hawke]], the second Green Arrow; however, Hawke proved a less popular character, and the original Oliver Queen character was resurrected in the 2001 [[wikipedia: Quiver (comics)|"Quiver" storyline]]. In the [[wikipedia: 2000s| 2000s]], the character has been featured in bigger storylines focusing on Green Arrow and the character [[wikipedia: Black Canary| Black Canary]], such as the DC event ''The Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding'' and the high-profile ''[[wikipedia: Justice League: Cry for Justice| Justice League: Cry for Justice]]'' storyline, the climax of which sees Green Arrow becoming a morally-ambiguous [[wikipedia: anti-hero| anti-hero]].{{fact}}

The character was not initially a well-known character outside of comic book fandom; he had appeared in a single episode of the animated series ''[[wikipedia: Super Friends| Super Friends]]'' in 1973. The character, however, became a prominent feature in the [[wikipedia: DC Animated Universe|DCAU]] animated series ''[[wikipedia: Justice League Unlimited| Justice League Unlimited]]'' in the 2000s, reflective of his status in ''[[Justice League]]'' comic books, as well as the animated series ''[[wikipedia: The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'' and several [[wikipedia: DC Universe Animated Original Movies]]. From [[wikipedia: Smallville (season 6)|season six]] of popular live-action series ''[[wikipedia: Smallville| Smallville]]'', in 2006, Green Arrow has been played by actor [[wikipedia: Justin Hartley| Justin Hartley]], who later becomes a core cast member; he was originally introduced in a guest run as a substitute for the restricted-rights character [[Batman]]. As a main character, ''Smallville'' prominently features Green Arrow supporting characters and mythos. [[wikipedia: David S. Goyer|David S. Goyer]] has also attempted to get ''Green Arrow: Escape from Super Max'' into production as a film in the late 2000s.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [[DCDatabase:Green Arrow|Green Arrow]] at the DC Database Project
* [http://www.dccomics.com/heroes_and_villains/?hv=origin_stories/green_arrow Green Arrow's secret origin] at DC Comics.com
* [http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=181 Earth-1 Green Arrow Index]
* [http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=72 Earth-2 Green Arrow Index]
* [http://darkmark6.tripod.com/greenaind.htm Index of the Earth-One adventures of Green Arrow]
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/grnarrow.htm Green Arrow at Don Markstein's Toonopedia]

[[Category:Green Arrow]]