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Nah, it can't be, can it? 40 years since this mag first hit the stands and changed the continuity of Superman forever. Well, that's not quite accurate, as Superman's continuity has shifted a few times since this momentous mag went on sale in 1986 and I haven't bothered to keep myself informed as to all the developments in the Man Of Steel's day-to-day life since the first Crisis.
He's married to Lois Lane now, I think, and they have at least two kids (one of whom 'plays' for both 'teams', I understand, so right away that's not the Superman I remember or recognise and am therefore not interested in reading about. No, not when I recall ol' Supes/Clark Kent at his best and he's not been at his best for a goodly number of years now, more's the pity.
However, there was once a time when Supes was still the character I grew up reading, and this latest facsimile is a good example of that, even though it marked the end of the particular era of which I speak. It's the second part of a story begun in Superman #423 (below), written by Alan Moore, and is a perfect example of when he was still capable of turning in a good yarn that pressed all the right buttons.
Still can't believe it's been 40 years - seems like only last week to me and that's no exaggeration.
8 comments:
Looking forward to picking this one after you kindly gave me a facsimilie copy of issue 423 which was a fun read with great art. I haven't read Superman regularly since the excellent John Byrne/ Jerry Ordway versions in the late. 1980s but I have scanned a few issues when I have been in Forbidden Plant. I can't vouch for the stories but some ( not all) of the art looks amazing
I have to say that I'm not the biggest Alan Moore fan in the world, McS, but he really nailed it with these two issues. I think I've got all of the Byrne/Ordway issues, but I eventually lost interest in the series once they started messing with the continuity again after the first Crisis. I tend only to buy anniversary issues now (like #1000, etc.,) or ones where the art and story really appeals to me. A spectacular cover helps as well, of course. I think you'll really enjoy this facsimile of #583 and would be interested in your reaction to it. Just think - it's all new to you, but to me it's 40 years old.
I had to chuckle at Paul's "Forbidden Plant" which is possibly cannabis?
Except that it doesn't seem to be so 'forbidden' nowadays, CJ. Am I the only person in the world never to have tried it?
I haven't tried it either, Kid, and I'm sure the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury haven't either so that's four of us.
Not so sure about those other two guys you mentioned, CJ, so better stick with just the two of us.
I read these at one time, but I never owned them. I was a Superman fan, but I never got into his comic or Action Comics. Curt Swan’s art was always kind of stiff and stodgy to me, your mileage may vary, and the stories didn’t appeal to me. Maybe it was the invulnerability bit…..that sort of took the suspense away for me, I guess. I was more into Batman.
From what I remember, I did enjoy these last stories, and I did read the beginning of the Byrne reboot and thought it was okay, but I had moved on from comics since college was kicking my butt, so haven’t seen much since. Did see most of the movies though.
I believe there was a time when Carmine Infantino did layouts for Swan (inked by Anderson) and the art was never better than when done by 'Swanderson', in my view, G. I enjoyed Byrne's (and Ordway's) turn on the character, but thinking about it now, they were (as you say) okay, nothing earth-shattering. Unless, of course, I've just forgotten after all this time. The movies were a mixed bag, but the first one was the best, The Quest For Peace stank to high-heaven.
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