Silent auction at Speeding Bullet and thoughts on Superman
We are kicking off another silent auction today at Speeding Bullet Comics, which will go through 7 pm on March 1.
This auction benefits Annette Price’s run for the Norman School Board. (If you’re stumbling upon this post, Annette is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet and spouse of your author.)
There are a lot of great items in the auction -- see them all at the Facebook page at https://fb.watch/iRXq4nFtX8/?mibextid=5zvaxg
-- but I’m mainly going to focus on one.
We’ve got two of the 1:200 variants from the New 52 issue #1s in this auction, one for Action Comics and one for Justice League.
My main focus here will be on “Action Comics” #1 from 2011.
With Superman getting another reboot this week with a new #1 -- a very good jumping-on point if you’re curious -- it’s interesting to look back at the Morrison New 52 Superman, who really was meant as a break from the status quo in ways that maybe didn’t end up 100 percent working in the DC Universe continuity, but worked well within the confines of the story Morrison was telling. It was a real throwback to the brash, early Superman who would throw a wife-beater through a window or crash into the governor’s mansion to demand justice for an unjustly convicted man.
Back in 2011, I wrote:
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When DC Comics announced plans to relaunch “Action Comics,” the granddaddy of all superhero comics, the company was probably prepared for some criticism. However, after reading the 2011 “Action Comics” No. 1 by Grant Morrison, Rags Morales and Rick Bryant, I can't find much with which to take issue.
For those who have read a lot of “Superman,” there are homages to be found, and a strong tie back to Superman's original conception in 1938's “Action Comics” #1. But for brand-new fans or curious new readers, it's all there on the page. ...
(This Superman) goes about his business in work boots and blue jeans. This occasionally grandstanding Superman rustles up corporate criminals and raises the ire of everyone from the police and military to Lex Luthor, a brash industrialist who doesn't much cotton to the idea of a superhuman.
Superman's a bit arrogant, but very much easy to root for, as he attempts to stand up to bullies of all stripes.
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The rest of this article is still posted at The Oklahoman web site if you want to check it out.
Today’s relaunch fits more seamlessly into the continuity of the recent Superman titles, but again puts the Superman-Luthor relationship front and center. Luthor, despite being jailed, seems to have manipulated Superman into doing, to some degree, Luthor’s bidding. Really, it’s a great first issue that I hope gets some people to again try out the adventures of the Man of Steel. Joshua Williamson is the writer and Jamal Campbell is the artist. Campbell’s storytelling is on point, and he brings a fresh, clean look to Metropolis that fits in well with the classic Superman mythos.
Yeah, I think everyone was apprehensive with all the New 52 changes, but they proved they were up to the challenge. Enjoyed that run!