Episode #92: Action Comics Weekly!

This is the week when DC Comics is publishing the 12th and last issue of Wednesday Comics, an anthology title printed in the style of the classic full page Sunday comics section. 20 years before was, as far as I know, the first weekly comics publication by DC, Action Comics Weekly. After the 80 page Action Comics #600, the May 1988 issue, published on February 2, 1988, the title became a weekly anthology title with issue #601 (cover dated 1988, released on April 5, 1988). Each issue contained 48 pages and sold for #1.50. Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons drew the cover, which featured Superman with the other characters who would be featured in that issue. The final weekly issue would be #642, March 1989, January 24, 1989. Mike Gold edited this entire weekly run, and it would be interesting to ask him if he would ever be part of a similar project again.

How DC Comics managed to publish a week comic book, on time, was to print five short stories, of a rotating cast of characters. Each short story would be part of about a six part story arc. With a few exceptions, when one story finished another character would be featured in another 7 - 8 page 6-part story. Hal Jordan Green Lantern appeared in almost all of the issues, as well as Superman.

Superman's story was different from the others. His story was in much the same fashion as the stories in Wednesday Comics, except in a comic book size. In Action Comics Weekly Superman appeared in a two page story drawn in a three tier comic strip. Personally, this was not my favorite Superman story. In fact I did not buy all of the issues, only the ones featuring my favorite stories in ACW, Blackhawk. The issues I have are 601 - 609, 615 - 622 and 628 - 635, which contained all three Blackhawk stories. So I do not have the concluding issues of the weekly run.

The only to issues that were not in the anthology format were #635, January 1989, November 29, 1988, The Crash of '89, and the final weekly issue, #642. They were a tyle of teamup of most of the charadcters who appeared in the weekly series.

There were two Superman stories that ran in the weekly series. The first ran from #'s 601 - 638. It involved Superman rescuing someone who happened to belong to a cult that worshipped Superman as a God. There was another group who considered Superman a devil, so there was a religious war over Superman. The whole thing would be revealed in the end as an "experiment by Darkseid. Superman would stop the lord of Apokolips, but it was an unfulfilling victory, and story.

The second, which I have not read, was published in issues 639 - 641. Superman rescued a man whose store had been burned in retaliation to a terrorist attack, because of his ethnicity.

The Blackhawk stories picked up after the end of Howard Chaykin's 1988 three issue mini-series. The first ACW story, from issues 601 - 608, began with the end of WWII. Janos Prohaska, aka Blackhawk, was in Singapore, where he was hired by a blonde woman to recover some Buddhist treasure and gold in French Indochina, now Vietnam. The treasure was known to have fallen into the hands of a Chinese bandit known only as the Red Dragon.Blackhawk and his client fly into the base of the Red Dragon and discover that the Red Dragon is a red haired Chinese-Irish woman, in the Dragon Lady tradition of cartoonist Milton Caniff's comic strip Terry And The Pirates. Blackhawk discovered that his client was actually a nun, who wanted to return the Buddhist treasure to its temple. The treasure had been moved into a Catholic mission in Vietnam for safekeeping until the Japanese army took all of the treasure. They escape the Red Dragon with the Buddhist treasure and some gold. The nun let Blackhawk keep the gold while she returned the treasure to its temple to honor a promise made between members of different religions.

The second Blackhawk story was published in issues 615 - 622. The Blackhawks were hired by a man to find his pilot wife who had crashed in a cargo plane in Sumatra. He wanted to clear her name. While they were doubtful about the reliability of the story, but take the job anyway. It was revealed in the story that the woman was held on a plantation belonging to German national, who was interested in her knowledge of some valuable lost cargo in the jungle. The Blackhawks and their client were captured by this same man, and Prohaska and his client were taken to an abandoned temple near a volcano that was expected to erupt any day. Tremors cause an avalanche, which allowed the prisoners to overcome the guard and for Blackhawk to release the woman. It was revealed that the husband and wife story were bogus, and the man and woman were in fact brother and sister who were also O. S. S. agents. Their mission was to recover a Japanese "microwave generator", which had been discovered in the volcano crater and unrecoverable. The other Blackhawks were able to escape and all of them were able to fly off the island in their plane, just before the volcano erupted.. The woman was hit by gunfire as their plane made its escape. This story concluded with the Blackhawks in the air.

This conclusion of this story would appear in the first part of the third and final Blackhawk story of ACW in issues 628 -634. The woman would die in a Singapore hospital, and the Blackhawks would eventually be sent on another mission to occupied Berlin. Their mission was to escort the female head of an American pharmaceutical company to take possession of some capture vials of LSD that had been captured from a hidden Nazi splinter group. Other members shoot the female executive outside the Blackhawks' Berlin hotel, and one of their members take her place. On the flight back to the U. S. she spiked their coffee with LSD and bailed out near an island where the splinter group had a submarine. The Blackhawks shook off the effects of the LSD and landed their plane on the same island. There they killed the Nazi group and recovered the drug. At the end of the story was a caption promoting a new Blackhawk series that would begin with the March 1989 issue, published on January 31, 1989. Reviews and plot summaries will be featured at My Pull List blog at http://mypulllist.blogspot.com/ , beginning with issue #71 and posted bi-weekly thereafter.

Action Comics Weekly Checklist:

(NOTE: creator credits will be given for the first part of each story. Only changes in the creative team will be noted for future parts of the same story.)

Issue #601: Cover: Dave Gibbons featuring Superman, along with the other heroes who were featured in this issue, published on April 5, 1988.
Green Lantern: part I ... and The Pain Shall Leave My Heart (8 pgs.) writer: James C. Owsley, artist: Gil Kane, letterer: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colorist: Anthony Tollin.
Wild Dog: part I Point Of Order (8 pgs.) writer: Max Allen Collins, penciller: Terry Beatty, inker: John Nyberg, letterer: Gasper Saladino, colorist: Michelle Wolfman.
Secret Six: part I Listening To The Mockingbird (8 pgs.) writer: Martin Pasko, artist: Dan Spiegle, letterer: Carrye Spiegle, colorist: Carl Gafford.
Superman: part I Faster Than A Speeding Bullet (2 pgs.) writer: Roger Stern, penciller, Curt Swan, inker: John Beatty, letterer: Bill Oakley, colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko.
Deadman: part I Section Chief (8 pgs.) writer: Mike Baron, penciller: Dan Jurgens, inker: Tony DeZuniga, letterer: Steve Haynie, colorist: Liz Berube.
Blackhawk: partI Another Fine War (8 pgs.) writer: Mike Grell, penciller: Rick Burchett, inker: Pablo Marcos, letterer: Steve Haynie, colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko.

Issue #602: Cover: George Perez featuring the Green Lantern, published on April 12, 1988.
Green Lantern: Requiem (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Showdown (8 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Dog Gone (8 pgs.)
Superman: They Can Run But They Can't Hide (2 pgs.).
Secret Six: Look What Fell Out Of The Sky Today (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Another Fine War (8 pgs.)

Issue #603: Cover: Kyle Baker featuring Blackhawk, published on April 19, 1988.
Green Lantern Retribution (8 pgs.)
Secret Six: Spread Your Broken Wings And Learn To Fly (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Taloc's Tale (8 pgs.)
Superman: More Powerful Than A Locomotive (8pgs.) Colorist: Petra Scotese.
Wild Dog: Censored (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Another Fine War Chapter 3 (8 pgs.)

Issue #604: Cover: Klaus Janson featuring Wild Dog, published on April 26, 1988.
Green Lantern: I, The Jury inker: Donald Simpson (8pgs.)
Wild Dog: Unleashed (8pgs.)
Secret Six: Haunts Of The Very Rich (8 pgs.)
Superman: Final Escape? (2 pgs.)
Deadman: Genie In A Bottle (2 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Another Fine War Part 4 (8 pgs.)

Issue #605: Cover: pencilled by Andy Kubert and inked by Adam Kubert featuring Deadman, published on May 3, 1988.
Green Lantern: Golgotha, inkers: Donald Simpson and Dick Giordano (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Deadman Goes To Hell (8 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Sleeping Dogs Lie (8 pgs.)
Superman: Aftermath (2 pgs.)
Secret Six: If That Mockingbird Don't Sing ... (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Enter ... Red Dragon (8 pgs.)

Issue #606: Cover: penciller: Kerry Gammil, inker: John Nyberg, featuring Superman, published on May 10, 1988.
Green Lantern: The List artist: Tod Smith (8pgs.)
Secret Six: The Sins Of The Father ... (8 pgs.)
Deadman: This Is Hell (8 pgs.)
Superman: The True Believer (2 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Stop The Presses (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Another Fine War Part 6 (8 pgs.)

Issue #607: Cover: Steve Lightle featuring the Secret Six, published on May 17, 1988.
Green Lantern: Guilty artist: Tod Smith (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Escape From Hell (8 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Legionnaire's Disease (8 pgs.)
Superman: Familiar Face? (2 pgs.)
Secret Six: Gino (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Another Fine War Chapter 7 (8 pgs.)

Issue #608: Cover: Tod Smith featuring Green Lantern, published on May 24, 2009.
Green Lantern: Where The Heck Is Green Lantern? writer: Peter David, penciller: Tod Smith, inker: Danny Bulandi, letterer: Tim Harkins, colorist: Anthony Tollin. (8 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Winged Dog (8 pgs.)
Secret Six: Blind Impulse (8 pgs.)
Superman: Questions And Mysteries (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Gala Reception (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Another Fine War -- Conclusion (8 pgs.)

Issue #609: Cover: Brian J. Bolland, featuring Black Canary, published on May 31, 1988.
Black Canary: Bitter Fruit Part 1 writer: Sharon Wright, penciller: Randy DuBurke, inker: Pablo Marcos, letterer: Steve Haynie, colorist: Gene D'Angelo (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Faus Pas (8 pgs.)
Secret Six: Canned In Boston (8 pgs.)
Superman: And There Will Be A Sign (2 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Red Pencil (8 pgs.)
Green Lantern: Cutting Remarks letterer: John Costanza (8 pgs.)

Issue #610: Cover: David Lloyd featuring Deadman, published on June 7, 1988.
Green Lantern: Risky Business artist: Tod Smith, letterer: John Costanza (8 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: Kenny And The Demon writer: Paul Kupperberg, artist: Kyle Baker, letterer: John E. Workman, Jr., colorist: Petra Scotese (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Catfight (8 pgs.)
Superman: Show & Tell (2 pgs.)
Secret Six: ... Another Man's Poison (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Bitter Fruit Part 2 8 pgs.

Issue #611: Cover: Alex N. Nino, featuring Superman, published on June 14, 1988.
Green Lantern: Room Service letterer: Albert Tobias DeGuzman (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Will The Real Devil Please Stand Up? (8 pgs.)
Secret Six : Bringing Home The Bacon (8 pgs.)
Superman: ... Beyond Mortal Men (2 pgs.)
Catwoman: The Tin Roof Club writer: Mindy Newell, penciller: Barry Kitson, inker: Bruce D. Patterson, letterer: Carrie Spiegle, colorist: Adrienne Roy (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Bitter Fruits Part 3 (8 pgs.)

Issue #612: Cover: Paul Gulacy featuring the Secret Six, published on June 21, 1988.
Green Lantern: Mind Over Matter (8 pgs.)
Secret Six: Out Of The Frying Pan ... Into The Fire (8 pgs.)
Deadman: Take Us To Your Leader (8 pgs.)
Superman: Where Lurks The Evil? (8 pgs.)
Catwoman: The Tin Roof Club Part Two (7 pgs.)
Black Canary: Bitter Fruit Part 4 (8 pgs.)

Issue #613: Cover: Michael William Kaluta featuring Nightwing, published on June 28, 1988.
Green Lantern: Head Trip (8 pgs.)
Nightwing: The Chesire Contract writer: Marv Wolfman, penciller: Chuck Patton, inker: Tom Poston, letter: Albert Tobias DeGuzman, colorist: Adrienne Roy (8 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: Can't Judge A Book ... writer: Paul Kupperberg, penciller: Tom Grindberg, inker: Dennis Janke, letterer: Robert M. Pinaha, colorist: Petra Scotese (8 pgs.)
Superman: Wicked Business inker: Murphy Anderson, colorist: Petra Scotese (2 pgs.)
Catwoman: The Tin Roof Club Part 3 (7 pgs.)
Black Canary: Bitter Fruit Part 5 (8 pgs.)

Issue #614: Cover: penciller: Mile Mignola, inker: Ty Templeton, published on July 5, 1988.
Green Lantern: Bring Me A Good Man (8 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: Death God inker: Brett Breeding (8 pgs.)
Nightwing: First Blood (8 pgs.)
Superman: Death Comes Calling (2 pgs.)
Catwoman: The Tin Roof Club Part Four (7 pgs.)
Black Canary: Bitter Fruit Part Four (7 pgs.)

Issue #615: Cover: penciller: Barry Crain, inker: Rick Magyar, featuring Wild Dog, published on July 12, 1988.
Green Lantern: Freaks writer: Peter David, plot/penciller: Richard Howell, inker: Arne Starr, letterer: Todd Klein, colorist: Anthoiny Tollin (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: That Was No Lady ... writer: Martin Pasko, artist: Rick Burchett, letterer: Stevie Haynie, colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Night Patrol writer: Max Allen Collins, penciller: Terry Beatty, inker: John Nyberg, letterer: Tim Harkins, colorist: Carl Gafford (7 pgs.)
Superman: Fatal Flaw? colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko (2 pgs.)
Nightwing: Tracks Of A Killer inker: Tom Poston (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Bitter Fruit Part 7 (8 pgs.)

Issue #616: Cover: artist: Alex Toth featuring Blackhawk, published on July 19, 1988.
Green Lantern: Safe At Home letterer: Helen Vesik (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Mission Implausible (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Battle Gear (7 pgs.)
Superman: Dead Men Tell No Tales colorist: Petra Scotese (2 pgs.)
Nightwing: Counterpoint colorist: Anthony Tollin (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Bitter Fruit - Conclusion (8 pgs.)

Issue #617: Cover: artist: Dean Motter featuring Superman, published on July 16, 2009.
Green Lantern: Assault On A Green letterer: Helen Vesik (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Seems Like Old Times (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Puppy Dog Tale (7 pgs.)
Superman: Missing Person (2 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: channel Switching (8 pgs.)
Nightwing: Motives (8 pgs.)

Issue #618: Cover: penciller: Jon Bogdanove, inker: Murphy Anderson (after the iconic cover to Batman #181 by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson), published on August 2, 1988.
Green Lantern: First Encounter (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Unhappy Landing (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Lucky Night (7 pgs.)
Superman: Out On The Town (2 pgs.)
Deadman: Grave Doings writer: Mike Baron, penciller: Kelley Jones, inker: Tony DeZuniga, letterer: Alvert Tobias DeGuzman, colorist: Daniel Vozzo (8 pgs.)
Nightwing: The Chesire Contract - Conclusion (8 pgs.)

Issue #619: Cover: artist: Esteban Maroto featuring Deadman, published on August 9, 1988.
Green Lantern: Veronica letterer: Albert Tobias DeGuzman (8 pgs.)
Wild Dog: One Mass Murderer To Go penciller: Dick Rockwell (7 pgs.)
Deadman: Part 2 (8 pgs.)
Superman: Protective Shield? colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko (2 pgs.)
Secret Six: Once More Unto The Breach writer: Martin Pasko, penciller: Frank Springer, inker: Frank McLaughlin, letterer: Albert Tobias DeGuzman, colorist: Carl Gafford (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: What's A Nice Girl Like You ... ? (7 pgs.)

Issue #620 Cover: artist: Mary Wilshire featuring the Secret Six, published on August 16, 1988.
Green Lantern: Last Gasp (8 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Tailed (7 pgs.)
Secret Six: Just A Little Bug That's Going Around (8 gs.)
Superman: Too Late, The Hero (2 pgs.)
Deadman: Part 3 (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Most Guys Just Leave Her Hanging There (7pgs.)

Issue #621: Cover: artist: Joe Orlando featuring Blackhawk, published on August 23, 1988.
Green Lantern: Gremlins writer: James C. Owsley, plot/penciller: Mark D. Bright, inker: Jose F. Marzan, Jr., letterer: Albert Tobias DeGuzman, colorist: Anthony Tollin (8 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Stab In The Dark (7 pgs.)
Secret Six: Guess What We Learned In School Today? (8 pgs.)
Superman: Let The Punishment Fit The Crime (2 pgs.)
Deadman: Part 4 inkers: Tony DeZuniga, Pablo Marcos (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: It's Not The Heat, It's The Futility (7 pgs.)

Issue #622: Cover: penciller: Ron Frenz, inker: Larry Mahlstedt, featuring Green Lantern, published on August 30, 1988.
Green Lantern: The Edge Of Forever (8 pgs.)
Wild Dog: To Help A Child (7 pgs.)
Starman: We Don't Need The Super-Hero writer: Roger Stern, penciller: Tom Lyle, inker: Robert Campanella, letterer: Agustin Mas, colorist: Daniel Vozzo (7 pgs.)
Superman: Seeds Of Doubt (2 pgs.)
Secret Six: Dead Man On Campus (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: The Big Blowoff (7 pgs.)

Issue #623: Cover: artist: Brent Eric Anderson featuring Superman, published on September 6, 1988.
Green Lantern: Priest (8 pgs.)
Captain Marvel: My Week In Valhalla writer: Roy Thomas, Danette Thomas, penciller: Rick Stasi, inker: Rick Magyar, letterer: Jean Simek, colorist: Nansi Hoolahan (7 pgs.)
Deadman: Seventeen (8 pgs.)
Superman: Revelations (2 pgs.)
Secret Six Standard Allowable Deductions (8 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: The Devil Was A Baby writer: Paul Kupperberg, artist: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, letterer: Dan McKinnin, colorist: Petra Scotese (8 pgs.)

Issue #624: Cover: artist: Alan Davis featuring Black Canary, published on September 13, 1988.
Green Lantern: Faith (8 pgs.)
Captain Marvel: Aryan Acres (7 pgs.)
Secret Six: The Sound Of A Silent Heart (8 pgs.)
Superman: Pin The Tail ... (2 pgs.)
Deadman: Wildwood inker: Tony DeZuniga (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part I writer: Sharon Wright, penciller: Randy DuBurke, inker: Pablo Marcos, letterer: Steve Haynie, colorist: Gene D'Angelo (7 pgs.)

Issue #625: Cover: artist: Eduardo Baretto, featuring Deadman, published on September 20, 1988.
Green Lantern: The Law (8 pts.)
Captain Marvel: Might Makes Reich (7 pgs.)
Superman: Out Of The Frying Pan ... (2 pgs.)
Deadman: Tickle, Tickle (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 2 (7 pgs.)

Issue #626: Cover: artist: Paul Chadwick, featuring Green Lantern, published on September 27, 1988.
Green Lantern: Bethel inker: Romeo Tanghal (8 pgs.)
Captain Marvel: When Captains Clash (7 pgs.)
Secret Six: Capital Offenses (8 pgs.)
Superman: ... Into The Fire (2 pgs.)
Deadman: Finale (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 2 (7 pgs.)

Issue #627: Cover: artist: Gil Kane, featuring Nightwing, published on October 4, 1988.
Green Lantern: And Now ... Captain Atom (8 pgs.)
Secret Six: A Bird In The Hand ... (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 4 (7 pgs.)
Superman: Panic In The Sands (2 pgs.)
Nighwing/Speedy: Travels writer: Michelle Wolfman, plot: Cherie Wilkerson, artist: Tom Mandrake, letterer: John Costanza, colorist: Adrienne Roy (8 pgts.)
Nightwing/Speedy: Distractions writer: Marv Wolfman, plot: Cherie Wilkerson, artist: Tom Mandrake, letterer: JOhn Costanza, colorist: Adrienne Roy (8 pgs.)

Issue #628: Cover: artist: George Pratt, featuring Blackhawk, published on October 11, 1988.
Green Lantern: Heroes (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 5 (7 pgs.)
Nightwing/Speedy: Arrival writer: Cherie Wilkerson, plot: Marv Wolfman (8 pgs.)
Superman: Wipeout (2 pgs.)
Secret Six: Remains To Be Seen (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: ... And A Time To Gather Stones Together writer: Martin Pasko, penciller: Rick Burchett, inker: John Nyberg, letterer: Steve Haynie, colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko (7 pgs.)

Issue #629: Cover: artist: Dick Rockwell featuring the Secret Six, published on October 18, 1988.
Green Lantern: So Long Ago The Garden plot/penciller: Mark W. Bright, inker: Romeo Tanghal (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 6 (7 pgs.)
Secret Six: Beginning Of The End (8 pgs.)
Superman: Journey's End (2 pgs.)
Nightwing/Speedy: New Freinds, Old Enemies artist: Tom Mandrake, letterer: Agustin Mas (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Some Guys Can't Take No For An Answer (7 pgs.)

Issue #630: Cover: artist: John Severin, featuring Superman, published on October 25, 1988.
Green Lantern: Will (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 7 (7 pgs.)
Secret Six: ... The Mockingbird Still Singing O'er Its Grave ... letterer: Tim Harkins (8 pgs.) (The identity of Mockingbird is revealed in this story [see episode #57 featuring E. Nelson Bridwell])
Superman: The Power From Beyond 2 pgs.
Nightwing/Speedy: Attacks letterer: Agustin Mas (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Mr. Blackhawk Goes To Wahsington (7 pgs.)

Issue #631: Cover: artist: Jim Starlin, featuring The Phantom Stranger, published on November 1, 1988.
Green Lantern: De'Tente (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 8 (8 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: Cat And Mouse Part I writer: Paul Kupperberg, artist, Fred Carrillo, letterer: Albert Tobias DeGuzman, colorist: Ptetra Scotese (8 pgs.)
Superman: Point Blank (2 pgs.)
Speedy/Nightwing: Old Friends/New Enemies penciller: Vince Giarrano, inker: Tom Mandrake (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Kissoff -- That's A Russian Word, Isn't It? (7 pgs.)

Issue #632: Cover: artist: Tom Grindberg, featuring Nightwing and Speedy, published on November 8, 1988.
Green Lantern: Beyond Phobos (8 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: Cat And Mouse Chapter II (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 9 (7 pgs.)
Superman: Holy War (2 pgs.)
Nightwing/Speedy: A Time Of Changes (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Doing The Horizontal Goosestep (8 pgs.)

Issue #633: Cover: penciller: Curt Swan, inker: Murphy Anderson, featuring Blackhawk, published on November 15, 1988.
Green Lantern: Apocalypse (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part 10 (7 pgs.)
Nightwing/Speedy: Behind Closed Doors artist: Tom Mandrake (8 pgs.)
Superman: Blood And Sand (2 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: Cat And Mouse Chapter III letterer: Dan McKinnon (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Gremlins At Twelve O'Clock (7 pgs.)

Issue #634: Cover: artist: George Freeman, featuring Green Lantern, published on November 22, 1988.
Green Lantern: Total War (8 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: Cat And Mouse Chapter Four letterer: Dan McKinnon (8 pgs.)
Black Canary: Knock 'Em Dead Part II (7 pgs.)
Superman: Breathless (2 pgs.)
Nightwing/Speedy: The Circle Closes (8 pgs.)
Blackhawk: Coming Down (7 pgs.)

Issue #635: Cover: Eduardo Barreto (a crossover of most of the characters appearing in Action Comics Weekly), published on November 29, 1988.
The Crash of '88 writer: Mark Verheiden, penciller: Eduardo Baretto, inker: John Nyberg, letterer: Carrie Spiegle, colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko (29 pgs.)
Superman: Power Failure (2 pgs.)
Green Lantern: The End plot/penciller: Mark D. Bright, colorist: Julianna Ferriter and Amory Williams (8 pgs.)
(NOTE: This is the last issue of Action Comics Weekly I bought, since it was the last one with a Blackhawk story.)

Issue #636: Cover: artist: Dick Giordano, featuring Phantom Lady, Superman, Speedy, The Demon and Wild Dog, published on December 6, 1988.
Speedy: Exiles writer: Mark Verheiden, penciller: Louis Williams, inker: Frank McLaughlin, letterer: Tim Harkins, colorist: Julianna Ferriter (7 pgs.)
Demon: The Book Of Pandemonium writer: Alan Grant, penciller: Mark Pacella, inker: Bill Wray, letterer, Jon Costanza, colorist: Tatjana Wood (7 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: All That Jazz writer: Paul Kupperberg, artist: Andy Kubert, letterer: Tim Harkins, colorist: Adam Kubert (8 pgs.)
Superman: The Face And The Voice (2 pgs.)
Phantom Lady: Daddy's Girl writer: Len Strazewski, penciller: Chuck Austen, inker: Gary Martin, letterer: John Costanza, colorist: Glenn Whitmore (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Wrong Turn writer: Max Allen Collins, penciller: Terry Beatty, inker: John Nyberg, letterer: Tim Harkins, colorist: Carl Gafford (7 pgs.)

Issue #637: Cover: artist: Jerome K. Moore, featuring Speedy, published on December 13, 1988.
Speedy: Exiles Part 2 (7 pgs.)
Demon: Never Trust A Demon (7 pgs.)
Hero Hotline: First Day At Work writer: Bob Rozakis, penciller: Stephen DeStaphano, inker: Kurt Schaffenberger, letterer: Agustyn Mas, colorist: Bob Rozakis (7 pgs.)
Superman: The Power Of Darkseid (2 pgs.)
Phantom Lady: Luck Be A Lady (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Easy Money (7 pgs.)

Issue #638: Cover: penciller: Jack Kirby, inker: Terry Austin, featuring The Demon, published on December 20, 1988.
Speedy: Exiles Part III (7 pgs.)
Demon: The Road To Hell (7 pgs.)
Hero Hotline: The Razor's Edge (7 pgs.)
Superman: The Power Within (2 pgs.)
Phantom Lady: Toast Of The Capital (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Burning Down The House (7 pgs.)

Issue #639: Cover: artist: Kevin Nowlan, featuring Phantom Lady, published on January 3, 1989.
Speedy: Exiles IV (7 pgs.)
Demon: Witches (7 pgs.)
Hero Hotline: Keep Her On Ice (7 pgs.)
Superman: An Eye For An Eye (2 pgs.)
Phantom Lady: Belle Of The Ball (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Rung By Rung (7 pgs.)

Issue #640: Cover: Rick Burchett, featuring Wild Dog, published on January 10, 1989.
Speedy: Exiles V (7 pgs.)
Demon: Abandon Hope (7 pgs.)
Hero Hotline: Ready, Aim, Fire (7 pgs.)
Phantom Lady: Lady Of The House (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: 'Tween A Rock And A Hard Place (7 pgs.)

Issue #641: Cover: artist: Murphy Anderson, featuring Superman, published on January 17, 1989.
Demon: Welcome To Hell (7 pgs.)
Phantom Lady: Lady Lost (7 pgs.)
Human Target: The Pow! Zap! Wham! Contract writer: Mark Waid, penciller: Curt Swan, inker: Dick Giordano, letterer: Albert Tobias DeGuzman, colorist: Robert K. LeRose (7 pgs.)
Superman: Justice For All (2 pgs.)
Phantom Stranger: Tommy's Monster writer: Paul Kupperberg, artist: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, letterer: Tim Harkins, colorist: Petra Scotese (7 pgs.)
Wild Dog: Unfriendly Takeover (7 pgs.)

Issue #642: Cover: penciller: Ross Andru, inker: Eric Shanower, featuring Superman, Green Lantern, Deadman and Nightwing, published on January 24, 1989.
Where There's A Will ... writer: Elliot S! Maggin, artist: Gil Kane, pencillers/inkers: Steve Ditko & Art Thibert, Jim Aparo & John Nyberg, Curt Swan & Ty Templeton, Jim Mooney & Ian Akin/Brian Garvey, Carmine Infantino & Kevin Nowlan, letterer: John E. Workman, Jr., colorist: Glenn Whitmore.

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My Pull List is my spoiler free comic book review blog of the titles I read every week. It can be found at http://mypulllist.blogspot.com/ . Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmail.com .

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Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics.

Thanks for listening to the Superman Fan Podcast and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Episode #91: Happy Birthday, Mike Grell!

Mike Grell was born on September 13, 1947 in Iron Mountain, Michigan. In the podcast I incorrectly identified the state as Missouri by misreading the abbreviation MI. He was raised in Florence, Wisconsin. In reminiscing about his childhood, Grell stated that the family did not have a television set until he was eleven, so drawing was a favorite pasttime, encouraged by his artistic mother. She encouraged her children to develop their imagination. Living in a remote area developed a love for the outdoors and hunting in Mike that remains to this day. He wanted to be a lumberjack until his father got him a job working in the woods when Mike turned 16. Then he decided he wanted an indoor job like architecture. The math involoved in that trade made him to pursue an interest in commercial art instead.

When be became of draft age Mike Grell joined the Air Force, where he worked as an illustrator. While serving in Vietnam he took the Famous Artist Correspondence Cource. Grell would also attend the University of Wisconsin, and the Chicago Academy Of Fine Art while assisting Dale Messick, creator of the comic strip Brenda Starr.

Mike Grell's career at DC Comics began when he went to the New York Comic Con in 1973. there, he met DC Comics artist Irv Novick and Allen Asherman, then Joe Kubert's assistant. Both men looked at at Mike's portfolio. Irv told Grell to go to Julius Schwartz's office immediately. Unfortunately, Mike had a flight scheduled for later that day and was not able to meet with Julie then.

It was not until some undisclosed time later, after Mike Grell moved to New York City, that he finally met Julius Schwartz. Mike went to the DC Comics offices and walked into Julie's office. He said, "Good afternoon, Mr. Schwartz." Before he could say anything else Julie said, "What the hell makes you think you can draw comics?" Mike dropped his portfolio on Julie's desk and answered, "Take a look, and you tell me." Julie responded by calling fellow DC editor Joe Orlando, after he looked at the portfolio. Joe gave Mike his first comic book story, for Aquaman, As The Undersea City Sleeps, in Adventure Comics#435, the September/October 1974 issue.

This story was not his first to be published, however. Mike Grell's first published work was the first story of Superboy Starring The Legion Of Super-Heroes #202, May/June 1974, released on February 24, 1974. He was the inker on the story Lost: A Million Miles From Home, written by Cary Bates and inked by Dave Cockrum. Mike would work on Legion stories written by both Cary Bates and Jim Shooter. Grell's art for the Legion came during what some Legion fans call the "disco era", because of the costume designs by him and Dave Cockrum. Grell's first Legion story as penciller was for Superboy Starring The Legion Of Super-Heroes #203, July/August 1974 on the story Massacre By Remote Control. His last Legion story was as penciller on Superboy #235, June 1978, on the story The Legion's Super Secret.

Mike considered Dave Cockrum leaving DC Comics and the Legion his big break. Series Editor Joe Orlando had asked Mike if he minded being considered for the job of LSH artist. It was fine with him, and he was glad that he had Cockrum's Legion reference guide to keep the members and their costume designs straight (much like Curt Swan drew his own reference guide for the Legion in the 1960's). Grell has said that he considered the Legion a great entry level book because it features young heroes having exciting adventures. The hardest Legion story for Mike to draw was the death of Invisible Kid. His editor warned Grell that he would receive hate mail for the story, and he was right. The hardest character for Mike to draw was the then current Colossal Boy costume, because of all of the buckles.

Mike Grell designed two Legion characters, Tyroc and Dawnstar, both minority characters that made the Legion more ethnically mixed than it had been. Tyroc was the first African-American Legion member. The first African American character had been originally intended to be Dvron, a Science Police rookie, in Superboy #207, The Rookie Who Betrayed The Legion. Editor Murray Boltinoff had him redrawn as a caucasian because DC management were trying to be raciall sensitive, and did not want the first ethnic Legion character to be a villain. Mike left some facial features more ethnic, and some readers wrote letters complaining that Dvron was a "brother painted pink". When Tryoc was created, editors decided to have him come from an island where all of Earth's blacks lived. This was another example of DC management trying to be more relevant but showing how far behind the times they were. Grell himself thought it was very insensitive and segregationist. It was one reason he pruposefully gave Tyroc a terrible costume, in protest.

Grell created Dawnstar and her design and Paul Levitz gave her super tracking powers. Mike would do the Legion stories from Superboy #203 - 224 and #235. Another Legion character for which he drew his death story was Chemical King, in Superboy Starring The Legion Of Super-Heroes #228, June 1977.

My first Mike Grell Legion story was Superboy Starring The Legion Of Super Heroes #204, November/December 1974, during the time when DC's comics were 100 pages. A new story would be at the front of the issue and the rest of the issue would be reprints of the related title. He pencilled the story The Legion Of Super Executioners.

During this first stint at DC Comics Grell created his most famous character, Warlord. He first appeared in 1st Issue Special #8, November 1975, published on August 19, 1975. His editor was Joe Orlando. Mike wrote and drew the story, titled Land Of Fear. The main character was Travis Morgan, an Air Force fighter pilot who crash landed in the prehistoric hidden land of Skartaris. Inspirations for the story included Jules Verne's Journey To The Center Of The Earth and Edgar Rice Burrough's Pellucidar. Travis would have adventures in Skartaris garbed in only his winged helmet, wristbands, boots and breechcloth.

Mike Grell would also draw the Denny O'Neil penned stories for DC's relaunch of the Green Arrow in Green Lantern #90, August/September 1976.

He would later leave DC to, among other things, write and draw the Tarzan comic strip from 1981 - 1983. During much of the 1980's he published his own characters, which he owned, Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer. Jon Sable was a former Olympic athlete and big game hunter, now mercenary. this title wa published by First Comics. Starslayer was a space science fiction series published by Pacific Comics and then First Comics.

Grell would return to DC Comics in 1987 to put his own stamp on Green Arrow in the three issue mini-series The Longbow Hunters, published during the spring and summer of 1987. He redesigned the costume, giving it a hood instead of the Robin Hood style cap he had worn for almost all of his previous stories. Mike would then write and sometimes draw the character on a ten year run on the character's own title, from Green Arrow #8 - #80. One thing this run was known for was that, except for the title, the character was never referred to as Green Arrow in the story. Mike Grell had Oliver Queen face more real life criminals instead of super villains.

In 1988 he would write and draw the comic book adaption to the timothy Dalton James Bond movie License To Kill.

Mike would also work for Marvel Comics, writing Iron Man from issue #50, May 2002 to #64, March 2003. Grell had Tony Stark reveal his secret identity as Iron Man publicly before Robert Downey, Jr. did in the movie.

Grell would return to DC Comics, drawing a variant cover for Action Comics #861, March 2008, published on January 30, 2008. He would return to write a new Warlord series, beginning with the June 2009 issue. Issue #6 was published on September 9, 2009.

Mike Grell and his wife live in Washington State, where they reaise Friesian horses and are also members of Seatlle Knights, a touring medieval group. He is also an experienced hunter and archer.

For more information on Mike Grell:

http://www.mikegrell.com/ : Mike Grell's official web site.

http://seattleknights.com/

http://lambiek.net/artists/g/grell-mike.htm

Mike Grell art for sale:

http://www.comicartfans.com/

http://www.catskillcomics.com/

http://artworkworld.com/

Interviews with Mike Grell:

http://aquamanshrine.blogspot.com/2009/02/aquaman-shrine-interview-with-mike.html on how he got his first art job at DC Comics.

http://ismarkevaniermentallyill.blogspot.com/2009/04/mike-grell-on-vinnie-colletta-and.html
http://www.popthought.com/display_column.asp?DAID=711 , http://columns.stlcomics.com/tftlof/X/ , http://www.popthought.com/display_column.asp?DAID=710

About the Legion Of Super-Heroes:

Legion Omnicon: http://adventure247.blogspot.com/

Legion Abstract: http://legionabstract.blogspot.com/

Legion World: http://legionworld.net/

Legion Of Super-Heroes podcasts:

Legion Of Supstitute Podcasters: http://www.legionofsubstitutepodcasters.com/

Super Future Friends: http://superfuturefriends.blogspot.com/

lotsalegion Podcast: http://lotsalegion.libsyn.com/

Next Week: Action Comics Weekly!

Superman Fan Podcast is at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com/ . Send e-mail about this podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com .

My Pull List is my spoiler free comic book review blog of the titles I read every week. It can be found at http://mypulllist.blogspot.com/ . Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmail.com .
Join the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook, and follow the podcast and blogs on twitter @supermanfan.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics.

Thanks for listening to the Superman Fan Podcast and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Episode #90: Superman In Exile, Part III!

NOTE: For a complete list of the Superman titles involved in the Superman In Exile storyline, go to the Superman Fan Podcast blog entry: http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com/2009/04/superman-fan-podcast-special-blog.html .
Earlier episodes about the Superman In Exile storyline:
Episode #66: Superman In The Pocket Universe!
Episode #69: Superman Goes Gangbusters!
Episode #71: Superman In Exile: Part I!
Episode #72: Superman In Exile: Part II!

The superman titles covered in this episode are cover dated April and May 1989. The Superman titles were edited by Mike Carlin at this time.

Cover dated April 1989:

Superman #30, published on February 21, 1989.
The Adventures Of Superman #453, February 28, 1989.

Cover dated May 1989:

Superman #31, March 21, 1989.
The Adventures Of Superman #454, March 28, 1989.

Action Comics was published weekly at this time, and the Superman story in this title was not related to the Superman In Exile story.

The cover for Superman #30 was pencilled by Kerry Gammil and inked by Dennis Janke. This issue began a four part second story titled Hostile Takeover which starred Lex Luthor. The fourteen page story Alone was written by Roger Stern, pencilled by Kerry Gammil, inked by Dennis Janke, lettered by John Costanza and colored by Glenn Whitmore.
The story began with Superman on a volcanic planet. Since this world was inhospitable to human life he flew into space and engaged the teleporter. He had by this point learned how to use the device correctly, so that he did not teleport too close to a celestial body. He found a planet with a pleasant atmosphere and a huge prarie of grain.
At the Kent farm, Ma and Pa sat in bed voicing their concerns for their son, alone in deep space. Matrix (first mentioned in episode #66: Superman In The Pocket Universe) was flying around the house and overheard their conversation.
On his prarie planet Superman had built an adobe home and used his super powers to plow the fields with his bare hands. One night Superman was awoken by a huge storm, which destroyed his adobe home and flooded this prarie that Superman compared to the size of Australia. He fell asleep during the storm and woke up the next morning to a desert. He used his x-ray vision to examine the groung, to find many alternating layers of growth, flood and desert. This planet was not as friendly as he thought, so he flew into space, directly into a meteor shower. After fighting through the metors Superman flew into deep space, unaware that hes breathing apparatus had sprung a leak.

The four part story Hostile Takeover began with King Of All He Surveys, written by Roger Stern, pencilled by Dan Jurgens, inked by Dennis Janke, lettered by Albert Tobias De Guzman and colored by Glenn Whitmore, with thanks to Jerry Ordway.
Lex Luthor stared at the Metropolis skyline, once again the most powerful man in Metropolis, and empty because it was not he who had overcome the Man of Steel. Later in the day, at a LexCorp business meeting, he decided to take over S.T.A.R. Labs.

Jerry Ordway drew the cover to The Adventures Of Superman #453 and wrote and drew the story Apparitions as well. The issue was lettered by Albert Tobias De Guzman and colored by Glenn Whitmore.
The story began with Superman once again on the dead Earth of the Pocket Universe (once again listen to episode #66). As the cover illustrated, the bodies of the dead Kryptonian villains came out of the ground to get their revenge.
At the Kent farm Matrix used her shapeshifing powers to transform herself to a twin of Clark Kent, much to the shock of Ma and Pa Kent.
On the dead world Luthor and Brainiac join General Zod in his fight against Superman. It is revealed that Superman is actually on an asteroid, halucinating from a lack of air because of the leak.
In Metropolis Prof. Hamilton had finished examining Jose Delgado's Lexcorp armored suit when the helmet began to smoke. Jose ripped it off just in time before it exploded, shielding the professor with his own armored body. Hamilton began examining the suit closer to make sure, as Jose put it, that something else, like the codpiece would not blow up.
On the asteriod, Lex, Zod and Brainiac are replaced by Gangbuster, Superman and Clark Kent, Superman's split identites. He fought through the demons that hounted him and found some inner peace finally. Superman then flew into space only to pass out and be picked up by a passing spaceship.

Part two of Hostile Takeover was titled Inside Rumors, written by Roger Stern, pencilled by Dan Jurgens, inked by Dennis Janke, lettered by Albert De Guzman and colored by Glenn Whitmore, with insider: Jerry Ordway.
Rumors were rampant at the Metropolis Stock Exchange about Lex Corp buying S.T.A.R. Labs, whose stocks begin to skyrocket. Luthor was content with the progress of events, but the staff of S.T.A.R. Labs is not. Many promise to quit if Luthor buys the company. When the C.E.O. asks why, one employee replied that the C.E.O. had not worked for Luthor before. Luthor appeared at the Tokyo groundbreaking of S.T.A.R. Lab's Japan facility. He purposefully upstaged the ceremony by neighter confirming or denying the rumors about a takeover bid. Prof. Hamilton, Perry White and Morgan Edge wondered what Luthor was up to.The next day, at the Metropolis Stock Exchange, Luthor announced that he would buy S.T.A.R. Labs stock at #50.00 a share.

Superman #31 was the first new Superman issue I bought at Todd's comic store in Leesburg, Florida, when I began reading comic books consistently as an adult. The cover was drawn by Kerry Gammil and inked by Dennis Janke. Ir portrayed a giant Superman stomping through Metropolis, trampling buildings under his feet. Mr. Mxyzptlk folded down the top right corner of the page and said, "This scene probably doesn't appear in this issue ... but with me around it could!"
As Good As His Word was written by Roger Stern, plotted by Tom Robert Peyer, pencils: Parris Cullins, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: John Costanza, colored Glenn Whitmore.
A giant Mr Mxyzptlk picked up a bus, lit an dsmoked it like a cigar. He then used a remote control to pull a subway train from underground to run on the street. Luthor sent Team Luthor, his hi-tech security force to handle the threat. A member of Team Luthor rescued a pedestrian from being run over by the train, while the rest of the team dove from a plane above Mxyzptlk. He transformed the hi-tech Team Luhor armored suits into s/f planes, very painfully to the men inside. He put out the bus like a cigar on the street and walked to the LexCorp building. Luthor ordered employee Vekko to find out everything he could about Mr. Mxyzptlk. Lex Luthor was shocked to see Superman burst through the wall and melt his prosthetic hand. After kissing Juthor on top of his bald head, Superman changed into a super monkey (named Beppo?) and then into Mr. Mxyzptlk in a buckskin suit and a cowboy hat. Sitting on Luthor's back, Cowboy Mxy spurred Luthor in his side. Bored, Mxyzptlk left Luthor to have more fun. Vekko informed Luthor that everything turned back to normal after Superman bested Mxyzptlk's challenges. Finding the information useless Luthor fired Vekko. After watching a t-rex on a billboard come alive he asked, "How do you stop an honest ..." and unfire Vekko to go to work on a plan.
Mr Mxyzptlk tied two skyscrapers into a knot (which resembled the twin towers of the World Trade Center). Luthor flashed a message on a blip for Mxyzptlk to meet him at a barber shop on the corner of 4th and Sikela (the name of one of the artists of the Siegel and Shuster Cleveland studio, see episode #17). The two of them sign a contract stating that Luthor would agree to not attack Mxyzptlk during the life of the contract. Afer Mxy signed it. Luhor's chair sunk into the floor, which closed over him. The lawyers in the barber shop were actually robots, whose briefcases launched napalm bombs at Mxyzptlk. A charred Mxy popped into Luthor's office demanded to know why Luthor broke the contract. He answered simply, "I lied." After turning Vekko and Luthor into worms an infuriated Mr. Mxyzptlk returned to the 5th Dimension, and they returned to normal. A still shaken Vekko asked a smug Luthor what would happen if Mxyzptlk learned to lie from the incident?

Part III of the Hostile Takeover story was titled Poison Pill written by Jerry Ordway (pharmacist), pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Albert De Guzman, colorist Glenn Whitmore. Luthor visited Team Luthor in the hospital, whose injuries apparently didn't vanish when Mr. Mxyzptlk returned to the 5th Dimension. A WLEX reporter at the hospital credited Luthor with defeating Mxy, and stated that Lex declined comment about any planned takeover of S.T.A.R. Labs. Luthor later checked on a still intionally comatose Milton Fine Brainiac. Morgan Edge bought as many shares of S.T.A.R. Labs stock as he could, planning on making millions on Luthor. The board of S.T.A.R. Labs learned that Luthor was interested in their Rock Mountain psionics facility, and issue thousands of shares of stock to shareholders in a poison pill maneuver to stop Luthor's takeover bid.

The final issue of this episode is The Adventures Of Superman #454. The cover was drawn by Jerry Ordway. A group of aliens grabbed at Superman's uniform. His eyes began to gow red with heat vision. One of the aliens had orange rock-like skin.
Wayfarer was written and drawn by Jerry Ordway, letters: Albert De Guzman, colorinst: Glenn Whitmore. Superman was unconscious on the floor of a cell crowded by aliens from all over the galaxy. He is awoken when one alien stole his red boots. Superman discouraged the rest with his heat vision. A werewolf-like alien fought Superman until guards shackled both and hauled them out of the cell. The spaceship's destination was revealed as Warworld.
In Metropolis Amanda McCoy called Maggie Sawyer of the Metropolis SCU to inform her of the identity of the man killed in Clark Kent's apartment. Morgan Edge drove Cat Grant and her son to his mansion outside the city.
At the Kent farm, Ma discovered that Matrix was missing and she took some of Clark's things with her. Matrix, now transformed into a double of Clark, has arrived at Metropolis only to be attacked by Muggers. Bibbo, wearing a Superman's Pal t-shirt rescues Clark, who left the scene as police arrived.
The spaceship landed on a moon, where a shackled Superman was presented to Warworld's ruler, Mongul.
At the end of the issue was the caption, To Be Continued In Action Comics Annual #2, which was published at the end of the run of Action Comics Weekly, which will be the subject of episode #92 in two weeks.

The fourth and final chapter of Hostile Takeover was titled Looking For A White Knight. The opening panel looked like the front page of the Daily Planet's Busienss Section, with the creator credits cleverly put in the section' story index: writer: Roger Stern SternWriter Gets Heavy 1st-Quarter Use. Pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Dennis Janke Jurgens/Janke Bond Case Goes Before Jury. Letters: Albert De Guzman De Guzman Calligraphics Floats Trial Balloon. Colors: Glenn Whitmore Whitmore Color Patents Chromalock System. Ordster Work-O-Matic Debuts, Strong Sales Predicted.
The S.T.A.R. Labs board of directors had pulled an all-night meeting, contacting corporations around the country, looking for a white knight to buy the company out from under Luthor's grasp, to no avail. Not even Wayne Enterprises was interested. Not even selling the Rock Mountain facility to Simtech seemed to distract LexCorp. Some S.T.A.R. Labs executives met with Morgan Edge with the hope that Galaxy Broadcasting would buy them. Edge turned them down, not mentioning he expected to earn millions of dollars from Luthor after LexCorp bought the company. At an unnamed brokerage firm a broker took a call from a Mr. Eagleton, who wanted to sell his shares of S.T.A.R. Labs stock, with the proceeds deposited in his Swiss bank account. It turns out that Mr. Eagleton was a LexCorp employee, who rewarded him with a well deserved vacation to Tahiti. Later in the day a LexCorp spokesperson announced that LexCorp was not interested in buying S.T.A.R. Labs. Shares plummeted in value and Edge lost millions, but it was hard to feel sorry for him. At the end of the story it was revealed that SimTech was a dummy corporation owned by LexCorp. Lex once again peers over the Metropolis skyline, considering the affair an "invigorating exercise." He asked himself, "I wonder if I shall ever face any real challenge again?"
The Rocky Mountain Psionics facility will play a major part in a future Brainiac story.

Next week: Happy Birthday, Mike Grell!

You can join the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook.

The website for Superman Fan Podcast is http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com/ . Send e-mail about this podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com .

My Pull List is my spoiler free comic book review blog of the titles I read every week. It can be found at http://mypulllist.blogspot.com/ . Send e-mail about this blog to mypulllist@gmail.com .

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Superman Fan Podcast and, as laways, thanks to erry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Episode #89: Superman Returns In SUPERMAN #82!

Superman #82, October 1993, was published on August 24, 1993. It was the concluding issue of The Death And Return Of Superman stories. Thw whole story was reprinted in a number of collected editions, all still in print, World Without A Superman (originally published on April 14, 1993), The Return Of Superman (September 3, 1993) and The Death And Return Of Superman Omnibus (September 12, 2007). Unless otherwise noted, these stories were edited by Mike Carlin.

The saga began with the saga The Death Of Superman, which began as a prologue on the last pages of the Superman titles cover dated November 1992:
Superman: The Man Of Steel #73 (Triangle number 1992 #41)
Superman #73 (1992 #42)
The Adventures Of Superman #496 (1992 #43)
Action Comics #683 (1992 #44).
The prologue page showed the fist of an unknown figure, wrapeed in havy metal cables, pounding a metal wall. In each of the subsequent issues, the fist made progress punching through the wall.

This mysterious figure finally broke out of its unnamed underground prison in the Superman titles cover dated December 1992, beginning with Superman: The Man Of Steel #18, (1992 #45), published on October 13, 1992. Cover: pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Doomsday: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Doomsday's origin was not revealed until the mini-series Superman / Doomsday: Hunter Prey, published in 1994 and collected in 1995, but no longer in print.

Justice League America #69, October 20, 1992, edited by Brian Augustyn, cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Rick Burchett.
Down For The Count: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Rick Burchett, letters: Willie Schubert, colors: Gene D'Angelo. Doomsday ran over the Justice League.

Superman #74 (1992 #46), October 20, 1992. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding.
Countdown To Doomsday: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Doomsday finished off the Justice League.

The Adventures Of Superman #497 (1992 #47), October 27, 1992. Cover: pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood.
Under Fire: writer: Jerry Ordway, pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Doomsday began his trek for Metropolis.

Action Comics #684 (1992 #48), November 3, 1992. Cover: Art Thibert.
Doomsday Is Near: writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Jackson Guice, inks: Dennis Rodier, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Doomsday approached Metropolis.

Cover dated January 1993:

Superman: The Man Of Steel #19 (1993 #1), November 10, 1992. Cover: pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Doomsday Is Here: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Hennis Janke, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Superman's battle against Doomsday began in the outskirts of Metropolis.

Superman #75 (1993 #2), November 17, 1992. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding. The regular cover showed Superman's torn cape, like a battered flag, hanging on a stick.
Doomsday: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Superman and Doomsday kill each other, in this story that concluded on the fold-out back cover. Each page was a full page splash panel.
This issue also came out with a variant cover, sealed in a special "bleeding 'S'" bag. The variant cover was of a tombstone with the Superman "S" carved into it, with the epitaph, Here Lies Earth's Greatest Hero. Included in this variant edition was a trading card, reproducing the variant cover, promoting a set of Doomsday trading cards, stamps, Superman's obituary from the Daily Planet, written by R. Lowell Stern, a black armband with the red Superman shield embossed on it, and a fold-out poster of the DC heroes in the funeral procession, with the Death Of Superman and Funeral For A Friend issues listed on it.

Originally, the Superman creative team had planned to have Clark and Lois marry in this issue. But the creators of the ABC TV show Lois & Clark: The Adventures Of Superman wanted to have the opportunity to do it first, and have the comics tie in to create "synergy". With their planned storyline postponed, the creative team decided to do what they always joked about during these story sumits, kill Superman. For more about this story look at the special features on the DVD Superman Doomsday.
Funeral For A Friend:

Justice League America #70, November 17, 1992. Editor: Brian Michael Augustyn. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inker: Rick Burchett.
Grieving: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Rick Burchett, letters: Willie Schubert, colors: Gene D'Angelo. The Justice League pick up the pieces and prepare for Superman's funeral.

Part I: The Adventures Of Superman #498 (1993 #3) Cover: pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood.
Death Of A Legend: writer: Jerry Ordway, pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glen Whitmore. The aftermath of the Doomsday battle focused on the Superman supporting cast.

Part II: Action Comics #685 (1993 #4), Decelber 1, 1993. Cover: Jackson Guice.
Re:Actions: writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Jackson Guice, inker: Dennis Rodier, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. The DC super heroes continue preparing for Superman's funeral and try to fill his shoes.

Cover dated February 1993:

Part III: Superman: The Man Of Steel #20 (1993 #5), December 15, 1992. Cover: pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Funeral Day: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Metropolis began rebuilding and held Superman's funeral. A plaque was placed on the spot where Superman died, and he was buried under a Superman statue, an homage to Fred Ray's iconic cover on Superman #14, January/February 1942, November 7, 1941.

Part IV: Superman #76 (1993 #6), December 22, 1992. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, i: Brett Breeding.
Metropolis Mailbag II: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inker: Brett Breeding, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore. The DC super heroes continue the recently deceased Superman's tradition of answering his mail on Christmas Eve.

Part V: The Adventures Of Superman #499 (1993 #7) Cover: pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Superman's body is barely cold in his tomb before it is discovered missing.

Part VI: Supergirl In Action Comics #686 (1993 #8) Cover: artist: Jackson Guice.
Who's Buried In Superman's Tomb? writer: Jerry Ordway, pencils: Jackson Guice, inker: Dennis Rodier, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Superman's body was traced to Project Cadmus (the subject of podcast episode #34).

Cover dated March 1993:

Part VII: Superman: The Man Of Steel #21 (1993 #9), January 12, 1993. Cover: pencils: John Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Ghosts: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glen Whitmore. At the end of the issue Pa Kent suffered a heart attack.

Part VIII: Superman #77 (1993 #10), January 19, 1993. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding.
The End: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inker: Brett Breeding, letterer: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Superman's body was returned to his tomb, and Pa Kent's heart stopped in the hospital.

The Legacy Of Superman #1 (of 1), February 2, 1993. Cover: Art Adams.
- Guardian: The Guardians Of Metropolis: (11 pgs.), writer: Karl Kessel, art: Walt Simonson, letters: John E. Workman, Jr., colors: Glenn Whitmore.
- Rose & Thorn: Sister Act: (11 pages), writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Dennis Rodier, inks: Ande Park, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore.
- Gangbuster: Gangbuster Of Suicide Slum: writer: Jerry Ordway, pencils: Dennis Janke, inks: Mike Machlan, letters: John Costanza and Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn whitmore.
- Lex Luthor: Funeral Pyres: (11 pages), writer: William Messner-Loebs, pencils: Curt Swan, inks: Josef Rubinstein, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore.
- Waverider: Vanishing Point: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inker: Trevor Scott, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore.

Supergirl And Team Luthor #1 (of 1), 1993, March 9, 1993. Cover: pencils: Kerry Gammil, inks: Bob Wiacek.
- The Future Of Metropolis: (38 pages), writer: Roger Stern, pencils: June Brigman, inks: Jackson Guice and Dennis Janke, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore.
- Shelter: 11 pages), writer: Louise Simonson, artist: Dennis Rodier, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore.

Cover dated June 1993:

The Adventures Of Superman #500 (1993 #11), April 13, 1993. Cover: pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood.
Life After Death: writer: Jerry Ordway, pencils: Tom Grumett, inks: Doug Hazlewood, letters: Albert Tobias De Gusman, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Pa Kent pulled Clark back from the afterlife and then revived in the hospital.
This issue also featured four page previews of the next issues of Superman comics:
Steel: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Eradicator: writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Jackson Guice, inks: Denis Rodier.
Superboy: writer: Karl Kessel, pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood.
Cyborg: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding.

Reign Of The Supermen:

Note: The following four issues were all published on the same day, April 27, 1993.

Action Comics #687 (1993#12). Cover: pencils: Kerry Gammil, inks: Jackson Guice.
Born Again: writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Jackson Guice, inks: Denis Rodier, letter: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. The character that will come to be called the Eradicator first appeared in this issue.

Superman: The Man Of Steel #22 (1993 #13). Cover: pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Steel: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore.

Superman #78 (1993 #14). Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding.
Alive: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore. The first appearance of the Cyborg Superman.

The Adventures Of Superman #501 (1993 #15). Cover: pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Karl Kessel.
When He Was A Boy: writer: Karl Kesel, pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore. The first appearance of the new Superboy, who would become known as Connor Kent.

Cover dated July 1993:

Action Comics #688 (1993 #16), May 11, 1993. Cover: pencils: Kerry Gammil, inks: Jackson Guice.
An Eye For An Eye: writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Jackson Guice, inks: Denis Rodier, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore.

Superman: The Man Of Steel #23 (1993 #17), May 18, 1993. Cover: pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Ambush: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Bill Oakley, colors, Glenn Whitmore.

Superman #79 (1993 #17), May 25, 1993. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding.
Prove It: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore.

The Adventures Of Superman #502 (1993 #19), June 1, 1993. Cover: pencils: Tom Grummett, inks:Doug Hazlewood.
Boy Meets Girl: writer: Karl Kesel, pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood, letters: Albert De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore.

Action Comics #689 (1993 #20), June 8, 1993. Cover: pencils: Kerry Gamil, inks: Jackson Guice.
Who Is The Hero True?: writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Jackson Guice, inks: Dennis Rodier, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. At the Fortress Of Solitude a regeneration matrix cracked open to reveal a regenerated Superman. Mongul's spaceship approached Earth to attack.

Cover dated August 1993:

Superman: The Man Of Steel #24 (1993 #21), June 15, 1993. Cover: pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Ambush: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Cyborg Superman attacks the Eradicator.

Superman #80 (1993 #22), June 22, 1993. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding.
Deadly Alliance: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Coast City was destroyed by Mongul, who it is revealed served the Cyborg Superman. An engine city is built on top of the ruins. Their plan is to build another one over a destroyed Metropolis to boost Earth out of its orbit in order to create a new Warworld. Coast City's destruction would later play a part in Hal Jordan becoming Parallax.

The Adventures Of Superman #503 (1993 #23), June 29, 1993. Cover: tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood.
Line Of Fire: writer: Karl Kessel, pencils: Tom Grummett, inks, Doug Hazlewood, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore. the Eradicator returned to Antarctica to rejuvinate himself again. At the end of the issue a Kryptonian battlesuit leaves the Fortress.

Action Comics #690 (1993 #24), July 13, 2009. Cover: pencils: Kerry Gammil, inks: Jackson Guice.
Lies And Revelations: writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Jackson Guice, inks: Denis Rodier, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore.The Eradicator returned to the Fortress only to find the regenration matrix broken. It was revealed in this issue that, after failing to possess Superman's body because the Man Of Steel's spirit blocked him somehow, took the body back to the Fortress and placed inside the regeneration matrix, and was the source of his powers. Was the renewed Superman in the battlesuit?

Cover dated September 1993:

Superman: The Man Of Steel #25 (1993 #25), July 13, 1993. Cover: pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
The Return: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore. The Kryptonian battle suit arrived at Metropolis and is attacked by the Superman family of super heroes. The armored suit disgorged a figure to reveal the revived Superman. Superboy revealed that Cyborg Superman was responsible for the destruction of Coast City.

Superman #81 (1993 #26), July 20, 1993. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding.
Resurrections: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore. The black-suited Superman tried to convince Lois that he is Superman returned, by mentioning Clark's favorite movie, To Kill A Mockingbird. The Cyborg Superman was revealed as Hank Henshaw, who premiered in The Adventures Of Superman #'s 465 and 466. He would be the only surviving member of the crashed space shuttle Excaliber. When cosmic radiation ate waya his body he was able to transfer his consciousness into a body it constucted out of mechanical and electronic parts. He created another body that allowed him to explore space, where he subjugated Mongul, in return for the creation of another Warworld.

The Adventures Of Superman #504 (1993 #27), July 27, 1993. Cover: pencils: Tom Grumett, inks: Doug Hazlewood.
Assault On Engine City: writer: Karl Kessel, pencils: Tom Grummett, inks: Doug Hazlewood, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors:Glenn Whitmore. Superboy destroyed the missle that targeted Metropolis. Superman joined the fight at the Coast City Engine City.

Action Comics #691 (1993 #28), August 3, 1993. Cover: pencils: Kerry Gammil, inks: Jackson Guice.
Secret Weapon: writer: Roger Stern, pencils: Jackson Guice, inks: Denis Rodier, letters: Bill Oakley, colors: Glenn Whitmore.

Cover dated October 1993:

Superman: The Man Of Steel #26 (1993 #29), August 17, 1993. Cover: pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke.
Blast Off: writer: Louise Simonson, pencils: Jon Bogdanove, inks: Dennis Janke, letters: Albert Tobias De Guzman, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Steel disabled Engine City while Superman battles Cyborg.

Green Lantern #46 (tie-in), August 24, 1993. Cover: pencils: Mark D. Bright, inks: Romeo Tanghal.
Death City: writer: Gerard Jones, pencils: Mark D. Bright, inks: Romeo Tanghal, letters: Anthony De Guzman, colors: Anthony Tollin. Hal Jordan defeated Mongul.

Superman #82 (1993 #30), August 24, 1993. Cover: pencils: Dan Jurgens, inks: Brett Breeding.
Untitled story: writer/penciller: Dan Jurgens, inker: Brett Breeding, letters: John Costanza, colors: Glenn Whitmore. Cyborg broke open the container which held Engine City's kryptonite power core. Superman closed the chamber, protecting Steel and Supergirl from the radiation. Cyborg pulled one of the giant cables from the core to blast Eradicator and Superman. Eradicator shielded Superman with his own body, somehow converting the radiation and recharging Superman's powers. Superman punched through Cyborg's body, vibrating until Cyborg's body disintegrated. At the end of the issue Superman returned to his iconic blue, red and yellow uniform.

I recently was a guest host on Scott Gardner's Back To The Bins episode #21 on his podcast Two True Freaks! The link to the episode is: http://media.libsyn.com/media/twotruefreaks/Back_to_the_Bins_-_Episode_21.mp3 .

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