Action Comics #1000

• Title: Action Comics #1000
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Dan Jurgens, Peter J. Tomasi, Marv Wolfman, Paul Levitz, Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, Scott Snyder, Tom King, Louise Simonson, Paul Dini, Brad Meltzer, Brian Michael Bendis
• Artists: Dan Jurgens, Patrick Gleason, Curt Swan, Butch Guice, Neal Adams, Olivier Coipel, Rafael Albuquerque, Clay Mann, Jerry Ordway, José Luis García-López, John Cassady, Jim Lee

The oldest comic around sets an unprecedented milestone with its 1,000th issue. Action Comics #1000 features a collection of variant covers of Superman over the years to go with a collection of stories from various writers and artists.

The story likely to get the most publicity is the one to close-out the comic. In the only story that also features Supergirl, Jim Lee provides the art for Brian Michael Bendis’ first DC story that not only confirms Superman will no longer be going commando but also introduces a new villain who claims to have ties to the destruction of Krytpon. It’s an intriguing opening for Bendis, who has already won me over with the argument that Superman just isn’t Superman without those red shorts. Now if only we could convince Batman of the same.

Dan Jurgens offers a story of an uncomfortable Clark dealing with Superman Day while other heroes fight off an alien attack across the globe. Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason deliver a tale of Superman reliving various past eras thanks to an attack by Vandal Savage that showcases a few different looks from the hero’s past.

With Butch Guice (and never published art from the late Curt Swan), Marv Wolfman offers up a story of the Mertopolis police handling a hostage situation while Superman is halfway around the world fighting Braniac. Paul Levitz and Neal Adams give us a classic tale of Superman versus Lex Luthor, and Lex and Superman reminisce about the past in a story by Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque.

Geoff Johns and Richard Donner team-up with Olivier Coipel for a two-bit thug’s run-in with a new super-hero in town named Superman. Tom King and Clay Mann offer a look at Superman in the far future. Louise Simonson and Jerry Ordway give us five minutes in the life of reporter turned super-hero. Paul Dini and José Luis García-López take us a Superman theme park dreamed up by Mr. Mxyzptlk. And Brad Meltzer and John Cassaday give new meaning to faster than a speeding bullet.

Action Comics #1000 may lack one stand-out story, but the comic offers something for everyone with some great art by a variety of comic artists celebrating the Man of Steel’s 80 years. Must-read.

[DC, $7.99]