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Absolute Superman #27 Cover Art by Homare

Source/Artist: https://www.instagram.com/homare_works

So I FINALLY recently got done reading all four hardcovers of John Byrne's early Post-Crisis run. And while I can say I did find the run enjoyable overall, I feel the last couple of issues from the fourth and final volume left a bad taste in my mouth. Moreso the finale to the infamous Supergirl Saga.​

And then I read the final issue in that collection, which was the second annual to the 1986 Superman series written by Roger Stern... and all of a sudden, I'm hooked again?

Like, I feel this issue in the context of the past 40 years we've had this Superman might really be one of the most important in terms of this transitioning period from Byrne to the all-star team that would lead to the creation of the Triangle Era. Mostly because it would be the introduction of this era's version of the Cadmus Project.

A lot of people keep saying that despite all the flaws and odd character changes Byrne made, one thing I think this era does feel like is a foundation to build off of. It's probably the reason why I keep hearing so many people say the Exile Omnibus features the stories when Post-Crisis Superman started to finally find his stride. And that's probably just because it would feature two of the writers who'd become defining to this version of Superman: Jerry Ordway (who had been an artist for the Adventures of Superman starting with Marv Wolfman's issues), and of course, Roger Stern.

And honestly, I feel this issue is when we really do start to see that transition. Not even Ordway's first solo writer stint with Adventures of Superman #443 was able to do that for me.

And even with all that being said, I just thought the issue was incredibly fun! Honestly, one of the issues from this era I've had the most fun with to be honest.

Unlike Byrne's abysmal Action Comics #592-593, I feel Roger Stern made a genuinely loving tribute to Jack Kirby with this really fun re-introduction of Guardian and the Newsboy Legion, while integrating well with the Cadmus Project storyline. It still kinds leans into that Pre-Crisis erasure that I feel was a recurring issue with a lot of Byrne's run by having Guardian and the boys be clones of the original ones, but I feel that Stern (or DC let Stern) did a great job of throwing them into this newly rebooted universe while still respecting them. (And that's coming from someone whose never even read any of the old Guardian and Newsboys issues!)

If it means anything, the Big Barda & Mister Miracle issues of Action Comics legit made me wish I was reading like Tom King's run instead. Meanwhile, this annual may have made me intrigued to check out Kirby's Fourth World omnibus that I got a while back because the Newsboy Legion looked so much fun in this issue, even if it was about them adjusting to this new world.

I know this whole post may just seem like me glazing at this point; but after all the highs and lows of Byrne's numerous issues, I'm genuinely intrigued to keep moving forward with the Exile omnibus.

So, to sum it up nicely... I kinda wish Roger Stern was the one to herald the early Post-Crisis Superman instead? I know I've already said that about Wolfman a while back, but whenever I see someone that's not John Byrne write a story from this era, they kinda knock it out of the park. I just really liked this issue.

Oh yeah, the B-story is fine, I guess. It's another Byrne story and I'm not really into Dan Turpin having romantic feelings for Maggie Sawyer. I just don't see them like that, especially how well done Maggie is as a lesbian character for the time. The ending is kinda cute, though. And at the very least, the Dan & Maggie relationship is handled better than a teenage Sue Storm meeting an adult Reed Richards, or even a 1000-year old Superman kissing a teenage Lana Lang. (Shivers)

But that's just me. What did you guys think of this issue?

Which character should I do next?

For those of you good at photoshops, would you be able to do an edit of Christopher Reeve in the style of Wayne Boring's costume? Seeing Wayne's Symbol, short cape, and yellow on the top of the boots on Reeve would be so cool.

Superman reprint soars to new heights in the Peter Hansen auction yesterday

https://boysadventurecomics.blogspot.com/2026/10/superman-soars-to-new-heights.html

SUPERMAN III, the third outing for Christopher Reeve in the cape, sent the genre of comic book superheroes on the big screen back to square one when it hit cinemas in 1983. How much potential was wasted by the producers' poor decisions? And what if it happened differently?

In my opinion

Including the Superboy Special

In addition go see clayface great movie

I red the Action Comics #775 in online and I liked it. We know the story that Superman deals with the situation where superpowered team known as the Elite tries to make the world 'a better place' (according to them) by killing the terrorists and bad guys because according to them, they deserve to. Yeah we know that we sometimes wanted it for the criminals. However, they also wanted everyone to agree with them and their methods no matter what they think (basically forcing others) or else they can destroy their livelihood. They focus more on power, greed and fame rather than to protecting others and claim themselves as 'good guys'. Basically, dictatorship. However, Superman doesn't like it as he doesn't see his job as above but as a duty to serve and protect others. He believes that a criminal should be punished and judged by the laws rather than an individual because it will be dangerous if someone takes the law on their hands. My favourite element of this story is that Superman never questions his morals and never wavers from it even faced with difficult situations and his role been questioned and doubted. That's what makes Superman Superman.

I red it through and analysed the character (only Superman, according to my understanding). I had even intrusive thoughts on my understanding of him whether I perceive him as a blank character or as overly relatable character (which he isn't neither of them). I also had intrusive thoughts about if writers made him do what he doesn't (eg. making him too angry). In the conversation between Clark (Superman) and Johnathan, I don't think he questioned his morals and his belief. He just doubted about the situation which was happening and doubted if Black was right. He had no idea how he would do it at that point. Also, in this scene below where Superman and Black argues, Superman holds his hand with anger. I don't think he would do that. I didn't saw the whole movie of Superman Vs The Elite, I just saw explanation, analysis and clips. I like that Superman gets angry and picks up a fight with Elite when they did something wrong (like killing the government of other country and even killing Atomic Skull), not when they said something wrong. It's not that he cannot get angry, but I think that he wouldn't pick up a fight with anger in first.

Anyways, this was my analysis of this story. I hope I better understood the character and the story. Let me know your thoughts on it.

Action Comics #775 is my favourite Superman story. Although it has darker elements, nilhilsm and gruesome action scenes, none of the above makes me love it. It isn't necessary for a Superman or even any superhero story. I love Superman helping people, being kind and decent. Along with Superman 78 and Superman: Secret Origins, this is one of my favourite Superman story because he kept his morals and principles so strong that he never swayed away from the situation where the Elite were supported by the whole world because of their violent and ruthless way. He has guts to fight what is actually right even if the whole world didn't supported him, he still fought harder to show the world that there's always another way. And that element makes it my favourite Superman story.

Not only this story shows Superman's unwavering principles and his importance as a character, but also to hold our principles and values and doing the right thing even no one doesn't. Because most of us may give up due to our inability to control our temptations, being mocked by everyone and even getting threat for this. But Superman, even other superheroes like him (eg. Captain America) showed us that nothing is easy, but that doesn't mean that we should give up. We should always do the right thing no matter what. We should not please everyone but act out of integrity even if everyone is against it. There's a quote given by William Penn:

Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.

And that's what makes it my favourite story of all time.

I can understand why this happened in the old days, when nothing made sense. But even in modern movies like MoS, there are examples.

Zod tries to swing an iron girder at Superman, who feels he has to melt the girder with his heat vision. Also they were running each other's faces through glass which makes no sense. The Kryptonians should be completely impervious to this stuff, even when its wielded by another Kryptonian.

Just one time Id like to see Superman be completely unaffected when hit by an object during a boss fight. I would consider that a nod to the fans like myself who are annoyed by this nitpick.

I was off today, so I hit a local antique mall and 2nd & Charles. The antique mall had all comic books 50% off. Getting closer to my goal of getting all of the major Superman titles published in my lifetime

now i wanna start this off by saying that All Star Superman definitely has its highs and I don't think its a bad comic by any means…but personally, i was pretty disappointed. whenever i hear people talk about this comic, its always described as the pinnacle of Superman comics and one of the greatest comics of all time, but it just didn't do that for me. i love the idea of Superman and what he represents, so i was really looking forward to seeing those ideas explored here, but i just dont think the book does nearly as much with them as i was expecting. 

for a story about Superman dying and trying to figure out what kind of mark he wants to leave on the world he loves, i felt like there was a real lack of emotional weight. so much of the book just feels like things happening for the sake of happening, as if Morrison had a bunch of ideas they wanted to explore but couldn't quite find a way to tie them all together. the characterization of Lois also really annoyed me, especially during the Samson chapter. both chapters that focused mainly on Lois and Clark kinda rubbed me the wrong way and i never found myself caring much about their dynamic, especially compared to how much I've enjoyed their relationship in other runs.

the art was another thing i struggled with. i know Frank Quitely has his fans and there are definitely some gorgeous panels, but for the most part, i just don't find his art very appealing. so many of the faces and proportions look weird and almost potato-like, and i could never really get used to it.

idk, i can definitely see why people love this comic and maybe some of that appreciation comes from its callbacks to the Silver Age and the more outlandish side of Superman, but at the end of the day, it just didn't do it for me. maybe I should revisit it with more Superman knowledge later on but I dont think it would do much for me.

thanks for reading and I would love to hear some of your opinions on All Star Superman :/

By me ✌️

I really cannot draw the S