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Action Comics #1000 Hardcover To Include Lost Story By Superman’s Creators

Even though many enduring elements that we now associate with Superman were products of the Silver Age or the 1940's radio drama, it's important that we never forget the contributions that Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster made to comic books - and pop culture as a whole - when they created the Man of Steel for Action Comics #1 back in 1938. After all, that served as the very blueprint for the superhero genre as we know it today.

Even though many enduring elements that we now associate with Superman were products of the Silver Age or the 1940’s radio drama, it’s important that we never forget the contributions that Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster made to comic books – and pop culture as a whole – when they created the Man of Steel for Action Comics #1 back in 1938. After all, that served as the very blueprint for the superhero genre as we know it today.

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With that, one could say that the character’s 80th anniversary being celebrated by the release of the one-thousandth issue of Action is a bit too poetic. And appropriately enough, DC is complementing the periodical release of said issue with a commemorative hardcover titled Action Comics #1000: 80 Years of Superman. Suffice it to say, this is shaping up to be a must-own for any fan of Big Blue.

Understandably, many of you reading this are probably wondering what material will make up the 384-page hardcover book that’ll cost $29.99. Well, one major selling point is that it’ll contain a never before published 12-page story from Siegel and Shuster themselves titled “Too Many Heroes.” Plus, legendary artist Jim Lee will be providing a cover that honors the rich legacy of Superman (seen below).

Speaking of which, a variety of key tales spanning the publication’s 80-year history are set to be included, namely:

  • Text pieces including: an editor’s note by Paul Levitz, a tribute to ACTION COMICS by Laura Siegel Larson (daughter of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel), an introduction by Jules Feiffer, plus essays by Tom DeHaven (“It’s Superman!”), David Hajdu (“The Ten-Cent Plague”), Larry Tye (“Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero”) and Gene Luen Yang (SUPERMAN, NEW SUPER-MAN and the National Book Award finalist “American Born Chinese”)

  • “The Coming of Superman,” from ACTION COMICS #1, written by Jerry Siegel with art by Joe Shuster

  • “Revolution in San Monte,” from ACTION COMICS #2, written by Jerry Siegel with art by Joe Shuster

  • “The Terrible Toyman!,” from ACTION COMICS #64, written by Don Cameron with art by Ed Dobrotka and George Roussos, featuring the debut of Toyman

  • “The Super-Key to Fort Superman,” from ACTION COMICS #241, written by Jerry Coleman with art by Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye, featuring the first appearance of the Fortress of Solitude

  • “The Super-Duel in Space,” from ACTION COMICS #242, written by Otto Binder with art by Al Plastino, featuring the debut of Brainiac

  • “The Supergirl from Krypton!,” from ACTION COMICS #252, written by Otto Binder with art by Al Plastino, featuring the debut of Supergirl

  • “The World’s Greatest Heroine!,” from ACTION COMICS #285, written by Jerry Siegel with art by Jim Mooney

  • “The Superman Super-Spectacular!,” from ACTION COMICS #309, written by Edmond Hamilton with art by Curt Swan and George Klein, featuring an appearance by President John F. Kennedy

  • “Superman Takes a Wife,” from ACTION COMICS #484, written by Cary Bates with art by Curt Swan and Joe Giella

  • “If Superman Didn’t Exist…” from ACTION COMICS #554, written by Marv Wolfman with art by Gil Kane

  • “The Game,” a new original story written by Paul Levitz with art by Neal Adams

  • “Squatter,” from ACTION COMICS #584, written by John Byrne with art by Byrne and Dick Giordano

  • “Ma Kent’s Photo Album,” from ACTION COMICS #655, written by Roger Stern with art by Kerry Gammill and Dennis Janke

  • “Secrets in the Night,” from ACTION COMICS #662, written by Roger Stern with art by Bob McLeod

  • “A Hero’s Journey,” from ACTION COMICS #800, written by Joe Kelly with art by Pasqual Ferry, Duncan Rouleau, Lee Bermejo and others

  • “The Boy Who Stole Superman’s Cape,” from ACTION COMICS #0, written by Grant Morrison with art by Ben Oliver

  • “The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies,” from ACTION COMICS #1, written by Fred Guardineer with art by Guardineer, featuring the debut of Zatara

  • “The Origin of the Vigilante,” from ACTION COMICS #42, written by Mort Weisinger with art by Mort Meskin, featuring the debut of the Vigilante

  • “The Assassin-Express Contract!,” from ACTION COMICS #419, written by Len Wein with art by Carmine Infantino and Dick Giordano, featuring the debut of the Human Target

Action Comics #1000: 80 Years of Superman arrives in stores on April 19.