DC’s Superman Superstars initiative kicks off a new story arc this week in Action Comics #1067. In the driver’s seat are Gail Simone and Eddy Barrows, with a backup by Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey. To say Simone is one of the hottest writers right now is an understatement as she’ll be taking over Uncanny X-Men this summer, but first, a blast-from-the-past Superman tale!
The main story opens with Clark, Jimmy, and Lois walking the beat with camera and microphone in tow. They’re doing a report on a youth center that’s closing, but before he can finish questioning, Lois has a scoop and takes over. From this to the cheery Jimmy and somewhat shy Clark, Simone nails the characterization.
If you’re expecting a slow detective story, you’d be surprised to find aliens descending on Earth rather quickly after the opening scene. Soon, Superman faces a tough choice: the death of all of Earth or its enslavement. Simone has raised the stakes right out of the bat, and the cliffhanger will leave you breathless.
Barrows brings his A-game on art, with an excellent splashy entrance of Superman, complete with the old-school S logo. The aliens are monstrous, and the scale is well rendered.
Now THAT is Superman.
Credit: DC Comics
The main story also does a good job of capturing the earlier days of Superman without looking too dated. Lois is certainly wearing an outfit that’s not modern, and Clark’s got the old-school hat on, but it ends up feeling endearing more than a period piece. That said, I did wonder if this was in canon or some kind of Elseworlds tale. You might be wondering, like me, when this fits into the canon.
The backup is also great, focusing on the new dynamic of Clark, the reporter, and Lois, the Editor in Chief. Lois is feeling the pressure of the job while Clark is being as supportive as ever. It’s a very adult dynamic at work, which is pushed to the brink when Clark’s life as Superman and reporter creates an issue. It’s honestly a question I’ve wondered before, and now that Lois is Editor-in-Chief, she’s bringing him to task for it.
Tormey’s are in the backup is excellent with a clean line and a vibrancy to body language that’s unmistakable. Tormey is very good at breaking up dialogue-heavy scenes and making them look interesting. That’s especially tricky in what could be a boring office scene. Instead, there are great mid to wide shots mixed in with close-ups and interesting angles on the office to keep your interest up.
The main story calls back to an earlier time for Superman and Lois, while the backup pushes the relationship of an editor and its writer to new lengths in the roles of Clark and Lois. Combined, Action Comics #1067 has the stakes and the heart that make Superman comics great.
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