Wikipedia

Supermanvol. 2

This article is about the 1987–2006 comic book series. For the original series, seeSuperman (comic book).

Supermanis an ongoingcomic bookseries featuring theDC Comicssuperheroof thesame name.The second volume of theprevious ongoingSupermantitle,the series was published fromcover datesJanuary 1987 to April 2006, and ran for 228 issues (226 monthly issues and two issues published outside the concurrent numbering). This series was launched afterJohn Byrnerevamped the Superman character in 1986 inThe Man of Steellimited series,introducing the post-Crisis on Infinite Earthsversion of the Superman character.

Superman vol. 2
Supermanvol. 2, #1 (January 1987), art byJohn Byrne.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing while in publication
GenreSuperhero
Publication dateJanuary 1987 – April 2006
No.of issues228 (#1-226 plus issues numbered0and1,000,000) and 12 Annuals
Main character(s)Superman
Creative team
Written by
List
Penciller(s)
List
Inker(s)
List

After that limited series,Action Comicsreturned to publication andSupermanvol. 2, #1 was published.[1]The originalSupermanseries (volume 1) becameThe Adventures of Supermanstarting with issue #424.[2]Supermanvol. 2 continued publishing until April 2006 at which point DC restoredThe Adventures of Supermanto its original title and canceled the secondSupermanseries.

Publication history

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Superman's more somber costume to mourn the loss of life in theImperiex War.Cover ofSupermanvol. 2, #178 (March 2002); art byEd McGuinness.

Because theDC Universewas revamped after the events ofCrisis on Infinite Earths,the previous continuity before that series (colloquially referred to as "pre-Crisis") was voided. Previously established characters were given the opportunity to be reintroduced in new ways. Reintroductions of classic villains were part of the newSupermanseries' first year, featuring the first post-Crisisappearances of characters such asMetallo[3]andMister Mxyzptlk[4]and the introduction ofSupergirl.[5]The historic engagement ofLois LaneandClark Kent[6][7]was one of the major events in the book's run. Writer/artistDan Jurgenscreated a supporting hero namedAgent Liberty[8]in issue #60 (Oct. 1991). The series participated in such crossover storylines as "Panic in the Sky".[9]The hallmark of the run was the storyline "The Death of Superman".The actual" death "story was published in this series' 75th issue,[10][11]and would be a major media and pop culture event with the issue going on to sell over three million copies.[12][13][14]

As the main series featuring the most prominent character of the DC Universe, the series crossed over with a number of different line-wide crossover stories includingZero Hour: Crisis in Time,[15]The Final Night,[16]andInfinite Crisis.[17]Superman received a new costume and new superpowers in issue #123 (May 1997).[18]

In 1999,Superman,along with the other three titles, were revamped withJeph Loebreplacing longtime writer Dan Jurgens. During Loeb's run on the series he createdImperiex,[19]introduced aBizarrocreated by theJoker[20]in the "Emperor Joker" storyline,[21]and also helped with a controversial storyline in which Superman's nemesis, supervillainLex Luthor,became thePresident of the United States.[22]Loeb's run on the series included the crossover eventOur Worlds at War,[23]which saw the destruction ofTopeka, Kansas,[24]serious damage to Clark Kent's nearby hometown ofSmallville,and Superman adopting a costume of more somber colors to mourn the heavy loss of life during the event.[25]Loeb's run ended with issue #183 (August 2002).

In 2004–2005, artistJim Lee,who had recently concluded theBatman: Hushstoryline with Loeb, provided the artwork for a Superman story by writerBrian Azzarello.[26]The story,Superman: For Tomorrow,ran for twelve issues[27][28]and was collected in anAbsolute Editionhardcover in May 2009.[29]

With the publication of issue #226 (April 2006),[30]the series was canceled as part of the company-wideInfinite Crisisevent.The Adventures of Supermanwas returned to its original title,Superman,with issue #650 the following month.[31]

Annuals

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From 1987 to 2000, twelveannualissues of the series were published. The first annual featured a post-Crisisretelling of the firstTitanostory.[32]Beginning with the second annual, the stories tied into the crossovers or themes that were running through DC's annuals that year. These were:

Collected editions

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Title Material collected Publication date ISBN
Superman: The Man of SteelVolume 2 Supermanvol. 2 #1-3;Adventures of Superman#424-426;Action Comics#584-586 November 2003 978-1401200053
Superman: The Man of SteelVolume 3 Supermanvol. 2 #4-6;Adventures of Superman#427-429;Action Comics#587-589 October 2004 978-1401202460
Superman: The Man of SteelVolume 4 Supermanvol. 2 #7-8;Adventures of Superman#430-431;Action Comics#590-591;Legion of Super-Heroesvol. 3 #37-38 September 2005 978-1401204556
Superman: The Man of SteelVolume 5 Supermanvol. 2 #9-11;Adventures of Superman#432-435;Action Comics#592-593 November 2006 978-1401209483
Superman: The Man of SteelVolume 6 Supermanvol. 2 #12,Superman Annual#1;Adventures of Superman Annual#1;Action Comics#594-595,Action Comics Annual#1;Booster Gold#23 March 2008 978-1401216795
The Death of Clark Kent Supermanvol. 2 #99-102;Superman: The Man of Steel#43-46;Action Comics#709-711; andSuperman: The Man of Tomorrow#1 May 1997 TPB978-1563893230
Our Worlds at War[N 1] Supermanvol. 2 #171-173;Action Comics#780-782;The Adventures of Superman#593-595;Impulse#77;JLA: Our Worlds at War#1;Superboy#91;Supergirl#59:Superman: The Man of Steel#115-117;Wonder Woman#172-173;World's Finest Comics:Our Worlds at War#1; andYoung Justice#36 June 2006 TPB978-1401211295
Godfall Supermanvol. 2 #202-203;Action Comics#812-813; andThe Adventures of Superman#625-626 September 2004 TPB978-1840239195
HC978-1401203764
For TomorrowVolume 1 Supermanvol. 2 #204-209 August 2005 TPB978-1401203528
HC978-1401203511
For TomorrowVolume 2 Supermanvol. 2 #210-215 August 2005 TPB978-1401204488
HC978-1401207151
  1. ^CollectsOur Worlds at War Book 1(ISBN978-1563899157) andOur Worlds at War Book 2(ISBN978-1563899164), both published in September 2002

Reception

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Martin A. Stever reviewedSupermanSpace Gamer/Fantasy GamerNo. 83.[33]Stever commented that "Byrne has made Superman human enough that we can understand and like him. Thank you John Byrne for making Supermansuperagain ".[33]

References

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  1. ^Manning, Matthew K. (2010). "1980s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.).DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 226.ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9.For the second time in his history, Superman's self-titled comic saw a first issue...a new series was introduced...written and drawn by the prolific Byrne.
  2. ^Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 226: "The original Superman title had adopted the new titleThe Adventures of Supermanbut continued the original numbering of its long and storied history ".
  3. ^Byrne, John(w), Byrne, John (p),Austin, Terry(i). "Heart of Stone"Superman,vol. 2, no. 1 (January 1987).
  4. ^Byrne, John (w), Byrne, John (p),Kesel, Karl(i). "The Name Game"Superman,vol. 2, no. 11 (November 1987).
  5. ^Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 233: "Making her debut on the final page ofSuperman#16, Supergirl sped back into her cousin's busy life thanks to writer/artist John Byrne ".
  6. ^Ordway, Jerry(w),Jurgens, Dan;Breeding, Brett;Gammill, Kerry;Swan, Curt;Ordway, Jerry; Byrne, John (p), Breeding, Brett;Janke, Dennis;Byrne, John; Ordway, Jerry (i). "Krisis of the Krimson Kryptonite, Part 4: The Human Factor"Superman,vol. 2, no. 50 (December 1990).
  7. ^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 247: "When [Clark Kent] proposed to his longtime love Lois Lane, he did so in a modest fashion...Lois accepted and comic book history was made, served up by writer/artist Jerry Ordway".
  8. ^Jurgens, Dan (w), Jurgens, Dan (p),Barreto, Eduardo(i). "Intergang --No More!"Superman,vol. 2, no. 60 (October 1991).
  9. ^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 253: "In this seven-part adventure...writers Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Roger Stern, and Louise Simonson, with artists Brett Breeding, Tom Grummett, Jon Bogdanove, and Bob McLeod assembled many of DC's favorite characters to defend the world".
  10. ^Jurgens, Dan (w), Jurgen, Dan (p), Breeding, Brett (i). "The Death of Superman, Part 7: Doomsday!"Superman,vol. 2, no. 75 (January 1993).
  11. ^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 258: "InSuperman#75...DC had killed their icon...in a dramatic finale delivered in splash images and written and drawn by artist Dan Jurgens, with finishes by Brett Breeding ".
  12. ^Daniels, Les(1995). "The Death of Superman A Hero Is Put Out of Action".DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes.New York, New York:Bulfinch Press.p. 218.ISBN0821220764.Literally millions of people who didn't usually buy comics wanted a copy ofSuperman#75, which had been shipped to comics shops on November 18, 1992 in a special bagged and sealed edition that also included a promotional poster and a black memorial armband.
  13. ^Pasko, Martin(2008).The DC Vault: A Museum-in-a-Book with Rare Collectibles from the DC Universe.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:Running Press.p. 181.ISBN978-0762432578.National media coverage resulted in skyrocketing sales, and the 'Death of Superman' storyline was treated as if it meant the end of an American institution.
  14. ^Burns, Kevin(director) (June 20, 2006).Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman(Film documentary).Warner Home Video.
  15. ^Jurgens, Dan (w), Jurgens, Dan (p),Rubinstein, Joe(i). "Home!"Superman,vol. 2, no. 93 (September 1994).
  16. ^Jurgens, Dan (w),Frenz, Ron(p), Rubinstein, Joe (i). "Sanctuary"Superman,vol. 2, no. 117 (November 1996).
  17. ^Verheiden, Mark(w),Benes, Ed(p), Benes, Mariah (i). "Stones"Superman,vol. 2, no. 223 (January 2006).
  18. ^Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 279: "InSuperman#123...Superman debuted his new blue-and-white costume with a little help from scripter Dan Jurgens and penciller Ron Frenz ".
  19. ^Loeb, Jeph(w),McKone, Mike(p), Alquiza, Marlo (i). "Say Goodbye"Superman,vol. 2, no. 153 (February 2000).
  20. ^Loeb, Jeph (w),McGuinness, Ed(p),Smith, Cam(i). "Superman Arkham Part 1: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World!"Superman,vol. 2, no. 160 (September 2000).
  21. ^Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 296: "A nine-part saga that stretched over all the Superman titles, starting inSuperman#160 with script by Jeph Loeb and art by Ed McGuinness ".
  22. ^Loeb, Jeph (w),Harris, Tony(p), Snyder, Ray (i). "Triumph Over Tragedy"Superman: Lex 2000,no. 1 (January 2001).
  23. ^Cowsill "2000s" in Dolan, p. 300: "The multipart story 'Our Worlds at War' dominated the Superman books for the August and September [2001] cover dates...The opening chapter, written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Ed McGuinness, began with Superman investigating the missing Pluto".
  24. ^Loeb, Jeph (w), McGuinness, Ed (p), Smith, Cam (i). "Death Be Not Proud"Superman,vol. 2, no. 172 (September 2001).
  25. ^Loeb, Jeph (w),Lieber, Steve(p), Lieber, Steve (i). "Every Blade of Grass"Superman,vol. 2, no. 174 (November 2001).
  26. ^Sauriol, Patrick (July 29, 2003)."Jim Lee to drawSuperman".Mania.Archivedfrom the original on October 8, 2012.RetrievedMarch 2,2012.
  27. ^Azzarello, Brian(w),Lee, Jim(p),Williams, Scott(i). "For Tomorrow, Part One"Superman,vol. 2, no. 204 (June 2004).
  28. ^Azzarello, Brian (w), Lee, Jim (p), Williams, Scott (i). "For Tomorrow, Part Twelve"Superman,vol. 2, no. 215 (May 2005).
  29. ^Azzarello, Brian; Lee, Jim (2009).Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow.Vol. 1. DC Comics. p. 328.ISBN978-1-4012-2198-0.
  30. ^Supermanvol. 2at theGrand Comics Database
  31. ^Busiek, KurtandJohns, Geoff(w),Woods, Pete(p), Woods, Pete (i). "Up, Up, and Away! Chapter one Mortal Men"Superman,no. 650 (May 2006).
  32. ^Byrne, John (w), Frenz, Ron (p), Breeding, Brett (i). "Tears for Titano!"Superman Annual,vol. 2, no. 1 (1987).
  33. ^abStever, Martin A. (October–November 1988). "The Ruler".Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer(83).World Wide Wargames:28.
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