2018 Comic Book News Archives
April 18, 2018: Celebrating 80 Years of Superman - "Superman: The Eternal Era"
By T.A. Ewart"Gathered together from the cosmic reaches of the universe, here in this great Hall of Justice, are the most powerful forces of good ever assembled!" is how the Super Friends cartoon series would begin. It introduced me to Superman, the most powerful force for good in the universe, as he appeared smashing meteors like popcorn being swatted away.
Superman didn't mean much to me at that time. I would leave the States soon after, and the Super Friends became a childhood memory, and would have remained so, but my uncle decided to treat me for being a good lad, and took me to see Superman II. I had read comic books before, and my favorite hero at that time was Daredevil. Superman II, however, was like reading a comic book. The film moved images in the same manner my young mind turned pages and filled in voices and off panel actions. I ran up and down the walk on the way home, quite taken with what I saw... but Daredevil was still my favorite.
Later, Batman would explode my senses in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. The influence could be found in every first person narrative I penned thereafter, and he became a close second to Daredevil, though I would eventually give up on him when I learned that he would never be allowed to grow past his childhood trauma. I had tried reading Superman when John Byrne's 1986 reboot commenced, and while I enjoyed The Man of Steel limited series, I wasn't enthused by what followed. The contrast to what I had experienced on television and film was stark. I had also read DC Comics Presents #29, which presented Superman in a much more robust manner than what was offered circa 1986. I stopped reading right before the infamous Superman #22. I wouldn't return until the "Panic in the Sky" storyline.
I stayed with Superman, and I was unsure why. I was waiting for something to happen. Something big. Superman, in the Bronze Age, had a sense of wonder that was lost around 1986, and I waited to see if it would ever return. It didn't. Instead, Superman was killed off in Superman #75, which was a very sobering moment in my life. Honestly, it was obvious that DC would never kill Superman permanently, but the execution of the "" storyline was such that I wasn't sure... and then he did.
If you're wondering why the personal narrative regarding Superman, it's because Superman, for every reader, viewer, for every fan, is a personal experience. Each of us has a connection to the character that is rarely examined, rarely given any shrift or diligence, and with Superman's 80th birthday coinciding with Action Comics #1,000, it's great to both celebrate and remind ourselves what he means to each individual and the collective.
2011 was only seven years ago. It was an incredibly divisive year and would be followed by an even greater one with 2012. DC rebooted Superman for the "New 52" and readers were given a Superman that was quite different than the one whom they had been reading for decades past. In 2013 the film Man of Steel featured a scene that produced a great deal of vitriol in response to it. Things that had been established were undone and not with great efficacy. Superman's outfit was changed, his marriage with Lois Lane was scuttled, and he killed, definitively, on screen. The layman who entered any of the arguments may have seen it as fanboy nonsense. However, unlike so many heroes, Superman proponents have a basis for their stances.
Superman has existed through every age of comic books; he's been a fixture of American culture for 80 years. He's been in actuality longer than some countries have come into being. Czechoslovakia is gone, but split Superman into two, and he comes back. He's resilient in a manner that only one other character in history has been, and that is because of what he represents on a larger basis in the subconscious of people. Why do readers resist Superman killing, want trunks, and a knowing wink from the Man of Tomorrow? Superman is an idea. An old idea, yes, but still a very prevalent one.
The belief that someone will be willing to come an aid you in your time of need, stems from the hero archetype, and that archetype, that idea, has been with humans longer than we can recall. The hero is the one running towards the danger, while everyone else is running for their lives. We believe in this idea, despite the cynicism that pervades the Internet, social media, and other forms of media. When DC/WB decides to make changes to Superman, whether they realize it or not, they're trying to tweak an idea, and that can only be done with a better one. We've yet to find a better idea for heroism. Ages have come and gone, and Superman remains, for while we may lose our taste for cowboys, pirates, and such, we have an intrinsic need for valor. The idea of heroism has sustained people through the worst times on a global scale and very personal ones.
Fanboys will rail against Superman being too powerful, even Superman fans will agree to limits, but how strong does one need to be to save them all? Superman was never created for vs/battle fodder, but to save people, when all else fails, and he does so simply because it is the right thing to do. This simplistic rationale has proven to be a complex challenge for readers and writers who do not expand their minds to the thoughts of a hero. Bravery isn't a deliberation, it's an action without thought from the selfless human heart. We can throw whatever we like at Superman, but if he needs to mover a solar system, or fly from the edge of the universe to save a kitten, he'll do it. It's frustrating, confounding, and wonderful. He's been at it for 80 years, and he's just getting warmed up. He's entered what I'm going to call the "Eternal Age".
The Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Copper Ages have all passed. We could label the years that come with more metal, prosaic to say the least, or label them after a writer or artist as some are wont to do. However, Superman has transcended these labels, having outlasted the age of his birth, by giving life to every age that has followed. Superman's children wear cowls, use lassos, spin webs, and make deals with the devil. They transform, save princesses, win tournaments, and have convincing knock-out punches. No other fictional character has inspired so many, save one, and it stems from the idea Superman represents. The notion can be approached from a myriad of avenues, but the result is the same. It's about being as strong as we need to be to help one another. Heroism will stay with us on Earth, when we leave to other places, and the dimensions beyond that. We can only imagine what Truth, Justice, and the American Way will sound like in 80 more years, or beyond that, but only time will reveal the answer.
It is intriguing that despite all of our attempts to reduce Superman and heroism with him, to a cynical cut-out, he defies it. He outlasts the attempts to do so, being more than bulletproof, but foolproof as well. He may be the best idea we as a species have ever had, handed through the years until two crafted it into an exceptionally durable form. Isn't that a comforting thought?
Happy Anniversary Superman, and many, many, many happy returns.
2018 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2018.- January 4, 2018: Papercutz Announces Joe Shuster Graphic Novel
- January 19, 2018: Superman's Red Trunks Return in “Action Comics #1000”
- January 23, 2018: Official Press Release - “Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman” Hardcover Book
- February 1, 2018: Brian Michael Bendis Taking Over “Action Comics” and “Superman”
- February 1, 2018: Red Trunks - Poll Results
- February 1, 2018: DC Comics Announces “DC Nation” Fan Magazine
- February 5, 2018: DC Launches New Young Readers Imprints
- February 13, 2018: End of an Era - Superman Oversized 48-Page One-Shots
- February 15, 2018: DC Comics Announces “Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman” Poster
- February 15, 2018: Brian Michael Bendis - Poll Results
- February 20, 2018: Image Gallery - “Action Comics #1000” Variant Covers
- February 21, 2018: “Supergirl” and “Super Sons” Comic Books Cancelled
- February 22, 2018: Tomasi Announces “Super Sons/Dynomutt Special”
- February 23, 2018: All Six Brian Michael Bendis “Man of Steel” Covers in Color
- February 27, 2018: “Action Comics #1000” Forbidden Planet Exclusive Jock Variant
- March 1, 2018: Action Comics #1000 Poster Video
- March 4, 2018: Action Comics #1000 Yesteryear Comics Exclusive Jason Fabok Variant
- March 4, 2018: Brian Michael Bendis Tackles Truth, Justice and the American Way
- March 5, 2018: Action Comics #1000 Third Eye Comics Exclusive Kaare Andrews Variant
- March 6, 2018: DC Reveals Action-Packed SXSWXDC Fan Signing Schedule
- March 6, 2018: Action Comics #1000 Summit Comics & Games Exclusive George Perez Variant
- March 7, 2018: 1980s Action Comics #1000 Joshua Middleton Variant Cover Released
- March 7, 2018: Read Tom King's Complete Of Tomorrow Story From Action Comics #1000
- March 7, 2018: Video - Brian Michael Bendis Talks Superman
- March 7, 2018: Action Comics #1000 Bulletproof Comix Exclusive Gabriele Dell'Otto Variant
- March 8, 2018: Patrick Gleason Talks About Boyzarro in Superman #42
- March 8, 2018: DC Launches New Publishing Imprint DC Black Label
- March 9, 2018: DC Comics C2E2 Panel Schedule and Superman Program Guide
- March 9, 2018: Image Gallery - The Creative Process Behind the Superman Comic Books
- March 10, 2018: Superman: 80 Years Of Truth, Justice And Hope At SXSW 2018
- March 10, 2018: The World of Krypton #1 Reprint Features TV Redesign
- March 10, 2018: Exclusive Action Comics #1000 Variant Cover by Artgerm
- March 11, 2018: DC Hands Out Superman's Red Trunks at SXSW
- March 12, 2018: Brian Michael Bendis Previews Artwork From Man of Steel Miniseries
- March 14, 2018: DC Brings The Action to WonderCon 2018
- March 14, 2018: Auction Battle - “Action Comics #1” vs “Detective Comics #27”
- March 15, 2018: Purchasing “Action Comics #1000” Variant Covers - Poll Results
- March 19, 2018: Official - Justice League Comic Book Relaunch Details
- March 20, 2018: Exclusive Action Comics #1000 Variant Cover by Francesco Mattina
- March 20, 2018: Exclusive Action Comics #1000 Variant Cover by Dan Jurgens
- March 21, 2018: Interview - Stephen Fishler from ComicConnect.com
- March 22, 2018: Jim Lee Unveils His “Action Comics #1000” Variant Cover
- March 23, 2018: First-Ever Live Stream of DC Publishers Panel from WonderCon w Jim Lee/Dan DiDio
- March 23, 2018: Exclusive “Action Comics #1000” Cover by Olivier Copiel
- March 24, 2018: DC Comics Announces Two New Justice League Titles
- March 25, 2018: Jim Lee Thinks Superman's Red Trunks Will Go Again One Day
- March 27, 2018: Read ACTION COMICS #1000 Bonus Story From Louise Simonson and Jerry Ordway
- March 28, 2018: Dan Jurgens Looks Back at 31 Years with Superman
- March 28, 2018: Exclusive “Action Comics #1000” Cover by Felipe Massafera
- March 31, 2018: Alex Ross Paints Stunning “Action Comics #1” Recreation
- April 4, 2018: Exclusive “Action Comics #1000” Cover by Pat Gleason
- April 5, 2018: “Action Comics #1000” Reaches 500,000 Orders
- April 6, 2018: Exclusive “Action Comics #1000” Cover by Tyler Kirkham
- April 9, 2018: DC Comics Celebrates Superman with Variant Covers
- April 10, 2018: New “Action Comics #1000” Pages Released
- April 13, 2018: First Look at “Action Comics #1001” and “Superman #1”
- April 16, 2018: DC Comics Continues to Celebrate Superman with Variant Covers
- April 16, 2018: Shopping - Celebrating “Action Comics #1000”
- April 17, 2018: Complete List of “Action Comics #1000” Variant Covers
- April 17, 2018: ACTION COMICS #1000 Talk at Google, Digital Sale and More
- April 18, 2018: Celebrating 80 Years of Superman - “Superman: The Eternal Era”
- April 18, 2018: Giveaway Contest Winner - “Action Comics #1000” and “Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman”
- April 22, 2018: Action Comics #1000 - A Closer Look at The Truth by Brian Michael Bendis
- April 23, 2018: DC Comics Continues to Celebrate Superman with More Variant Covers
- April 23, 2018: Free Comic Book Day Offerings From DC Comics
- April 26, 2018: “Action Comics #1000” Variant Covers - Poll Results
- April 27, 2018: Brian Michael Bendis on Superman's New Villain
- April 30, 2018: DC Comics Announces “Action Comics #1000” Super-Sized Deluxe Edition Hardcover
- May 2, 2018: “Action Comics Special #1” Puts Lex Luthor in President Trump's Origin Story
- May 2, 2018: Superman Expert Talks Superman Comic Strips with Library of American Comics
- May 2, 2018: DC Comics Launches DC Universe Digital Experience
- May 3, 2018: Creators Discuss “Justice League: No Justice”
- May 3, 2018: “Action Comics #1000” Fan Ratings - Poll Results
- May 5, 2018: “Action Comics #1000” Tops April's Sales Chart
- May 10, 2018: DC Comic Books Now Priced at $3.99
- May 10, 2018: John Byrne's Own Favorite Superman Story
- May 13, 2018: Introducing the Hall of Justice and Legion of Doom in “Justice League”
- May 17, 2018: More DC/Looney Tunes Specials Sees Lex Luthor Meet Porky Pig
- May 20, 2018: “Super Sons” to Return in 12-Issue “Adventures of the Super Sons” Maxiseries
- May 21, 2018: “Supergirl” Comic Book Returns with New Creative Team and New Costumes
- May 22, 2018: Brian Michael Bendis Discusses “The Man of Steel” Miniseries
- May 24, 2018: Favorite Superman Artist - Poll Results
- May 25, 2018: Brazilian Festival of Comics
- June 6, 2018: Brian Michael Bendis Answers Your Questions About “The Man of Steel”
- June 11, 2018: DC Reveals Artists, On Sale Dates and More for DC Zoom and DC Ink
- June 13, 2018: DC Comics Announces Tom King's “Heroes in Crisis” Seven-Issue Miniseries
- June 14, 2018: Gene Luen Yang Unveils Artwork for “Superman Smashes The Klan”
- June 14, 2018: Exclusive Art Baltazar Interview - 2018 Superman Celebration
- June 14, 2018: Brian Michael Bendis' miniseries “The Man of Steel” - Poll Results
- June 20, 2018: Superman to Battle Nuclear Man in Upcoming Comic Book
- June 22, 2018: 100-Page Giant Comics from DC to be Sold Exclusively at Walmart
- June 23, 2018: Tom King & Andy Kubert's 12-Part Superman Story
- June 27, 2018: Geoff Johns Discusses “Doomsday Clock #6” and the Superman Theory
- June 29, 2018: Is Grant Morrison Bringing Back New 52 Superman?
- July 3, 2018: Superman Comic Book TV Commercial Coming Soon!
- July 8, 2018: Superman vs. The Flash - Did DC Just Reveal Who is Really the Fastest?
- July 9, 2018: Bendis on the Differences Between “Action Comics” and “Superman”
- July 9, 2018: Bendis Promises Lois and Jon Will Return to Both “Action Comics” and “Superman”
- July 10, 2018: DC Comics Releases Two Superman Comic Book TV Commercials
- July 10, 2018: Comic Book Store Exclusive Variant Covers for “Superman #1”
- July 11, 2018: Superman's New Fortress of Solitude
- July 16, 2018: DC Comics Announces Upcoming “Superman/Top Cat Special #1”
- July 19, 2018: “Action Comics” Receives Guinness World Record
- July 19, 2018: DC Entertainment Announces Next Wave of DC Ink and DC Zoom Publications
- July 20, 2018: Tom King Talks “Heroes in Crisis” at SDCC
- July 25, 2018: Bizarro and Luthor Stories in “DC's Beach Blanket Bad Guys Summer Special #1”
- August 1, 2018: “The Death of Superman” Digital-First Mini-Series
- August 5, 2018: More 100-Page DC Giant Comics at Walmart
- August 7, 2018: Marc Andreyko Talks “Supergirl #21”
- August 14, 2018: DC Comics Announce “Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth”
- August 14, 2018: Turma da Monica Meets the Justice League in Brazil
- August 22, 2018: “Heroes in Crisis #1” Variant Covers Revealed
- August 30, 2018: Interest in “Heroes in Crisis” - Poll Results
- September 6, 2018: Original Superman Story by Tom King and Andy Kubert Kicks Off in Superman 100-Page Comic GIANT
- September 18, 2018: “Action Comics #1006” Delay Announcement
- September 21, 2018: Heroes in Crisis Expands to Nine Issues
- September 24, 2018: Video - Elliot S! Maggin on What Superman Means to Him
- October 4, 2018: Conner Kent Returns in Wonder Comics by Brian Michael Bendis
- October 7, 2018: Additional Details on “Young Justice” and “Wonder Twins” Comic Books
- October 9, 2018: DC Comics' “Cursed Comics Cavalcade #1” Horror Anthology
- October 14, 2018: Unpublished Marv Wolfman Story in Upcoming “Superman 100-Page Super-Spectacular”
- October 23, 2018: Lois Lane and Lex Luthor Caught on Camera - “Action Comics #1004”
- November 1, 2018: DC Comics Introduces Platinum Kryptonite
- November 9, 2018: Walmart Celebrates the Holidays with DC Comics
- November 9, 2018: DC Comics Expands Black Label Line
- November 12, 2018: Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Dies, Aged 95
- November 15, 2018: Favorite Superman Comic Book Writer - Poll Results
- November 22, 2018: Favorite Superman Comic Book Artist - Poll Results
- November 28, 2018: Cover Reveal - First Look at DC Zoom Title “Dear Justice League”
- December 26, 2018: Titans Magazines Ceases DC Comics Publications in UK
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