DC’s Action Comics and Superman Have New Creative Teams!
Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Artist Phil Hester Team Up for the Two-Part Tale “The Golden Age” in March 2021!
Plus, the Backup Series “Tales of Metropolis” Begins!
Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson (The Last God, Future State: Superman: Worlds of War) flies from DC’s Future State event in January and February back to the present DCU in March to join artists Phil Hester and Eric Gapstur for a two-part story that spans both Superman and Action Comics!
“I can’t begin to describe what an honor it is to be writing Superman and Action Comics,” said Johnson, “especially following one of my industry heroes, Brian Michael Bendis. One of my very earliest memories is the thrill I felt watching the Christopher Reeve Superman films for the first time. My goal for every issue will be to give readers that same physical reaction, and the same lofty aspirations that Superman inspires: the desire to be better than we are, and to do more than the world thinks we can do.”
In “The Golden Age” part one on March 9 (Superman #29), Jonathan Kent is back from the 31st Century and fighting cosmic threats alongside his legendary father. But when an interdimensional breach opens near Earth, Jon recognizes the creatures that emerge: the cosmic leviathans that the Legion of Superheroes credit with the DEATH OF SUPERMAN!
And in the new backup series “Tales of Metropolis” story in the same issue, writer Sean Lewis (DC Future State: Superman of Metropolis) and artist Sami Basri (Harley Quinn) follow Jimmy Olsen on a quest to meet of some of the city’s more colorful denizens, beginning with Bibbo Bibbowski!
Then in “The Golden Age” part two on March 24 (Action Comics #1029), as Superboy desperately tries to save Superman’s life from the leviathans of the Breach, Superman discovers the Breach’s shocking origins. But with his powers mysteriously fading, he is utterly outmatched. Can Superboy change the course of history and save his father’s life? Don’t miss this prelude to DC’s MASSIVE Superman event!
Plus, in another all-new backup “Tale of Metropolis” story, writers Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad (Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman) join forces with Michael Avon Oeming to continue the Midnighter story that Cloonan and Conrad started in DC Future State. But is the DC Universe ready for Trojan Industries?
In the months following “The Golden Age” two-part crossover, Phillip Kennedy Johnson will continue writing both Superman and Action Comics with artists Scott Godlewski (on Superman) and Daniel Sampere (on Action Comics) before reuniting with Future State: Superman: Worlds of War co-creator Mikel Janín on a special Superman project—still to be announced!
“The work I’m doing now with Phil Hester, Scott Godlewski, and Daniel Sampere is already some of my favorite of my career,” continued Johnson. “All three are wizards on the page, and the massive event that we’re building up to in Action Comics is a considerably bigger swing than I ever expected to get in comics. It’s no exaggeration to say it will change Superman’s status quo forever and have a lasting impact across the entire DC Universe. The already iconic Future State: Superman: Worlds of War artwork that you’ve seen from Mikel Janín in recent months is just the tip of the iceberg of what he and I have planned together. Stay tuned, you will NOT want to miss what’s coming.”
ABOUT PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Outside of writing, Phillip Kennedy Johnson has a full-time career as an active duty soldier, musician, and teacher. As a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army, Phillip regularly tours the continental United States with The U.S. Army Field Band and the Federal Brass of Washington, DC, connecting Americans with their Army. Phillip is passionate about being a role model for his son, and teaches him important values by reading him stories of Superman, the Justice League, and other DC Super Heroes. Phillip hopes that someday his son will read his Superman stories and see his dad’s love for him on the page.
SUPERMAN #29
written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
backup story written by SEAN LEWIS
art by PHIL HESTER and ERIC GAPSTUR
backup story art by SAMI BASRI
cover by PHIL HESTER
wraparound variant cover by JOHN TIMMS
ON SALE 3/9/21
$4.99 US | 40 PAGES
ACTION COMICS #1029
written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
backup story written by BECKY CLOONAN and MICHAEL W. CONRAD
art by PHIL HESTER and ERIC GAPSTUR
backup story art by MICHAEL AVON OEMING
cover by PHIL HESTER
variant cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
ON SALE 3/24/21
$4.99 US | 40 PAGES
“..change Superman’s status quo forever.”
Here we go again.
Alright, that’s funny right there. I don’t care who you are, that’s funny right there…!
Action Comics #1029 variant cover kinda reminds me of George Reeves. Not sure how I feel about all this new change that’s coming for Superman. I do know that I’m not liking the idea of Jon now being a full grown adult Superman only after four years of being a 9-15 year old Superboy.
I wouldn’t be shocked if the gimmick this time is to rush Jon to being Superman kinda like they rushed Impulse/Bart Allen to being The Flash years ago.
I thought this as well. Thought it was pretty cool. I will miss Bendis and his crew but time marches on.
I found a longer interview with Johnson: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dcs-new-superman-writer-unveils-his-epic-plans
I like some things he says about Superman, but we’ll have to see. My gut says it would be better to have two writers for the two books.
I had been hoping for Venditti. I wonder what he’s up to now.
I agree completely, I would much prefer two writers, more chance at least one of them is good.
I’m sad there is no support characters books announced (no Superboy or Supergirl book, but at least we got a Supersons digital first).
“it’s no exaggeration to say it will change Superman’s status quo forever and have a lasting impact across the entire DC Universe.” They just don’t learn… smh