Superman vol. 2

Publication history

Because the DC Universe was revamped after the events of Crisis 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 new Superman series' first year, featuring the first post-Crisis appearances of characters such as Metallo and Mister Mxyzptlk and the introduction of Supergirl. The historic engagement of Lois Lane and Clark Kent was one of the major events in the book's run. Writer/artist Dan Jurgens created a supporting hero named Agent Liberty in issue #60 (Oct. 1991). The series participated in such crossover storylines as "Panic in the Sky". The hallmark of the run was the storyline "The Death of Superman". The actual "death" story was published in this series' 75th issue, and would be a major media and pop culture event with the issue going on to sell over three million copies.{{cite book|last= Daniels|first= Les|author-link= Les Daniels|title= DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes|chapter= The Death of Superman A Hero Is Put Out of Action|publisher= Bulfinch Press|year= 1995|location= New York, New York

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 including Zero Hour: Crisis in Time, The Final Night, and Infinite Crisis. Superman received a new costume and new superpowers in issue #123 (May 1997).

In 1999, Superman, along with the other three titles, were revamped with Jeph Loeb replacing longtime writer Dan Jurgens. During Loeb's run on the series he created Imperiex, introduced a Bizarro created by the Joker in the "Emperor Joker" storyline, and also helped with a controversial storyline in which Superman's nemesis, supervillain Lex Luthor, became the President of the United States. Loeb's run on the series included the crossover event Our Worlds at War, which saw the destruction of Topeka, Kansas, serious damage to Clark Kent's nearby hometown of Smallville, and Superman adopting a costume of more somber colors to mourn the heavy loss of life during the event. Loeb's run ended with issue #183 (August 2002).

In 2004–2005, artist Jim Lee, who had recently concluded the Batman: Hush storyline with Loeb, provided the artwork for a Superman story by writer Brian Azzarello.{{cite web |url= http://www.mania.com/jim-lee-to-draw-superman_article_39260.html|title= Jim Lee to draw Superman|first= Patrick|last= Sauriol |date= July 29, 2003

With the publication of issue #226 (April 2006), the series was canceled as part of the company-wide Infinite Crisis event. The Adventures of Superman was returned to its original title, Superman, with issue #650 the following month.

Annuals

From 1987 to 2000, twelve annual issues of the series were published. The first annual featured a post-Crisis retelling of the first Titano story. Beginning with the second annual, the stories tied into the crossovers or themes that were running through DC's annuals that year. These were:

• Annual #2 (1988) - "Private Lives"
• Annual #3 (1991) - "Armageddon 2001"
• Annual #4 (1992) - "Eclipso: The Darkness Within"
• Annual #5 (1993) - "Bloodlines: Outbreak"
• Annual #6 (1994) - "Elseworlds Annual"
• Annual #7 (1995) - "Year One"
• Annual #8 (1996) - "Legends of the Dead Earth"
• Annual #9 (1997) - "Pulp Heroes"
• Annual #10 (1998) - "Ghosts"
• Annual #11 (1999) - "JLApe: Gorilla Warfare!"
• Annual #12 (2000) - "Planet DC"

Collected editions

Reception

Martin A. Stever reviewed Superman Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer No. 83. Stever commented that "Byrne has made Superman human enough that we can understand and like him. Thank you John Byrne for making Superman super again".

References

References

1. Manning, Matthew K.. (2010). "DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle". [[Dorling Kindersley]].
2. Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 226: "The original Superman title had adopted the new title ''The Adventures of Superman'' but continued the original numbering of its long and storied history".
3. {{Cite comic. Byrne, John]]. Austin, Terry]]
4. {{Cite comic. Kesel, Karl]]
5. Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 233: "Making her debut on the final page of ''Superman'' #16, Supergirl sped back into her cousin's busy life thanks to writer/artist John Byrne".
6. (December 1990). "Superman".
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. (October 1991). "Superman".
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. {{Cite comic
11. Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 258: "In ''Superman'' #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. Pasko, Martin. (2008). "The DC Vault: A Museum-in-a-Book with Rare Collectibles from the DC Universe". [[Running Press]].
13. (June 20, 2006). "[[Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman]]". [[Warner Home Video]].
14. {{Cite comic. Rubinstein, Joe]]
15. {{Cite comic. Frenz, Ron]]
16. {{Cite comic. Verheiden, Mark]]. Benes, Ed]]
17. Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 279: "In ''Superman'' #123...Superman debuted his new blue-and-white costume with a little help from scripter Dan Jurgens and penciller Ron Frenz".
18. {{Cite comic. Loeb, Jeph]]. McKone, Mike]]
19. {{Cite comic. McGuinness, Ed]]. Smith, Cam]]
20. Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 296: "A nine-part saga that stretched over all the Superman titles, starting in ''Superman'' #160 with script by Jeph Loeb and art by Ed McGuinness".
21. {{Cite comic. Harris, Tony]]
22. 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".
23. {{Cite comic
24. {{Cite comic. Lieber, Steve]]
25. {{Cite comic. Azzarello, Brian]]. Lee, Jim]]. Williams, Scott]]
26. {{Cite comic
27. (2009). "Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow". DC Comics.
28. "''Superman'' vol. 2".
29. {{Cite comic. Busiek, Kurt]] and [[Geoff Johns. Johns, Geoff]]. Woods, Pete]]
30. (1987). "Superman Annual".
31. Stever, Martin A.. (October–November 1988). "The Ruler". [[3W (company).