ON THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUPERMAN, THE MOST ICONIC SUPERHERO OF ALL TIME, DC RELEASES THE LANDMARK 1,000TH ISSUE OF “ACTION COMICS” ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2018
With Over 500,000 Copies Pre-Ordered, ACTION COMICS #1000 Promises to Be One of the Best-Selling Comic Books of The Year
Top Artists and Writers Paul Dini, Dan Jurgens, Brian Michael Bendis and Marv Wolfman Discuss Superman’s 80-Year Legacy as Part of “Talks at Google” Series, Now Available Online
Eighty years after ACTION COMICS #1 first introduced the world to Superman and launched the entire superhero genre, fans, booksellers and local comic shops are all preparing to celebrate tomorrow’s release of the milestone ACTION COMICS #1000 periodical and ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN hardcover from DC.
ACTION COMICS #1000
ACTION COMICS #1000 is an 80-page, US$7.99 blockbuster available at comic retailers and digitally on Wednesday, April 18. With more than 500,000 copies pre-ordered by retailers, it’s expected to be one of the biggest comic books of the year.
“ACTION COMICS #1000 is a celebration of Superman that’s not only for the hardcore comic book fan but for all fans of pop culture,” said DC Publisher Jim Lee. “It has been a long time since I’ve seen the local comic book shop community, from the owners to the customers, rally behind something with the level of excitement that we are seeing for ACTION COMICS #1000. This is truly something special and we can’t wait for fans to get their hands on the issue.”
This one-of-a-kind comic book is a must-have for any fan of comics, entertainment or superheroes, with a collection of feature stories by Brian Michael Bendis (in his first published work for DC) with art by Jim Lee, current ACTION COMICS writer Dan Jurgens with Norm Rapmund and the SUPERMAN team of writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason. A host of comic book and literary talent have also contributed bonus stories to this comic, including legendary Superman movie director Richard Donner and The New York Times bestselling writer Geoff Johns with art by Olivier Coipel, Brad Meltzer with John Cassaday and Laura Martin, Tom King with Clay Mann and Jordie Bellaire and more, plus a story by longtime DC writer Marv Wolfman based on previously unpublished art from iconic Silver Age Superman artist Curt Swan.
ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN
ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN is available now at all major book retailers for $29.99. This 384- page commemorative hardcover book revisits stories from across eight decades of ACTION COMICS, featuring the debuts of not just the Man of Tomorrow, but also Supergirl, Brainiac, the Fortress of Solitude and more. In addition to the unpublished story by Jerry Siegel and the Joe Shuster Studio, the collection features a foreword by Laura Siegel Larson, the daughter of co-creator Jerry Siegel, in addition to series of essays and iconic Superman stories from literary luminaries like Jules Feiffer, Larry Tye, Gene Luen Yang and others, all edited by former DC Publisher Paul Levitz.
“When ACTION COMICS #1 debuted exactly 80 years ago, it was like capturing lightning in a bottle with the introduction of Superman,” said DC Publisher Dan DiDio. “It’s amazing that after all of these years, the characters are not only relevant but are a part of everyday discussions on how the real world needs Superman.”
SUPERMAN TALKS AT GOOGLE
Google recently hosted four top comic book writers and artists, Paul Dini, Dan Jurgens, Brian Michael Bendis and Marv Wolfman as part of their “Talks at Google” series to discuss some of the most notable moments in Superman’s 80-year history and what the future holds for the timeless character. Hear first-hand from Wolfman about the unpublished story he saved from the incinerator as a teenager while on a tour of the DC offices in New York. This story, written by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, with art from the Joe Shuster Studio, will be published for the first time ever in ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN. The talk is available for viewing below…
DIGITAL CELEBRATION
As part of the 80 years of Superman celebration, DC is offering two super digital sales. The “Road to Action #1000” sale features hundreds of ACTION COMICS issues and 13 e-books, including the first appearance of Supergirl (ACTION COMICS #252), as well as Clark Kent’s reveal of his true identity to Lois Lane (ACTION COMICS #662). Another SUPER sale is available with 143 e-books featuring Superman and the Super-family including THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN, SUPERMAN: RED SON, SUPERGIRL VOL. 1: LAST DAUGHTER OF KRYPTON, SUPER SONS VOL. 1: WHEN I GROW UP and more starting at just $5.99. Both sales are currently available on digital retailers, including ComiXology and Google Play, until April 23.
LOCAL AND VIRAL CELEBRATIONS
Fans can take part in the celebration around ACTION COMICS #1000 right in their hometown. Local comic book shops have planned midnight release parties, signings with members of Superman’s past, present and future writers and artists to mark the momentous occasion. Snapchat users will be able to turn themselves into the Man of Steel with a special filter that applies the Superman suit and hair (including his trademark “spit curl”) for photos. In addition, the super filter gives everyone the power of Superman’s heat-vision. For download and installation details, check out the Snapchat website.
Check out the website at www.dccomics.com or the DC YouTube channel for the latest news regarding Krypton’s last son and his elevation to pop culture icon.
The Google talk was fun. I have two thoughts:
1. I would definitely read a three-year Lex Luthor series by Dan Jurgens.
2. Why does it seem like everyone–even these comic writers–has to hate on Superman’s villains? I’m always open to good new villains, but Luthor, Brainiac, Darkseid, and Zod are incredible. And different authors have told great stories with Parasite, Metallo, Bizarro, Doomsday, Mongul, Toyman, Mxyzptlk, and Cyborg Superman. It’s not like Supes has no good villains.