Superman 80th Anniversary Thread

[The Joker]

As a kid, checking out all the "Zero Hour" tie-in's were a lot of fun.

This particular one was no exception.

[thecolorsblend]

I always thought the Zero Hour tie-ins were more interesting than the Zero Hour event itself.

I have a hard time buying the core conflict of the Dan Jurgens/SUPERMAN Zero Hour tie-in issue tho. Post-Crisis Superman just wouldn't be that invested in meeting Jor-El and Lara. I suppose he'd be curious about them. But it wouldn't rock his world to miss out on a chance to get to know them. In his mind, Jonathan and Martha are his parents, biology aside.

But yes, the Superboy issue is awesome. I knew basically nothing about the Pre-Crisis Superboy stuff and that issue was a great sample of it. It also did a lot to emphasize how much weaker clone Superboy is than Pre-Crisis Superboy.

[The Joker]

I always thought the Zero Hour tie-ins were more interesting than the Zero Hour event itself.

That's understandable. Absolutely. I mean, "Zero Hour" isn't perfect by any stretch, but as you stated, the tie-ins, and for me, the unique countdown of the event from 4 to 0 gave it a air of urgency that left an impression on my kid self. Honestly, at the time, I wasn't really knowledgeable about "Crisis on Infinite Earths". If at all really. So I credit "Zero Hour" to opening the doors to a more multiversial take that wasn't strictly grounded in the Post-Crisis DCU.

I have a hard time buying the core conflict of the Dan Jurgens/SUPERMAN Zero Hour tie-in issue tho. Post-Crisis Superman just wouldn't be that invested in meeting Jor-El and Lara. I suppose he'd be curious about them. But it wouldn't rock his world to miss out on a chance to get to know them. In his mind, Jonathan and Martha are his parents, biology aside.

Indeed, and this divide of Kryptonian interest was another aspect that differentiated the Pre-Crisis Superman, with that of the Post-Crisis Superman. Pre-Crisis Superman exclaiming, "Thank, Rao!" is ok, but would feel incredibly out of place with Post-Crisis Superman saying that. Especially following what Byrne and company firmly established during the MOS mini-series, and the years afterwards.

But yes, the Superboy issue is awesome. I knew basically nothing about the Pre-Crisis Superboy stuff and that issue was a great sample of it. It also did a lot to emphasize how much weaker clone Superboy is than Pre-Crisis Superboy.

Honestly, same. At the time, I was not well versed in the Pre-Crisis continuity whatsoever. So this was neat to see these two interact. The differences in power levels between Pre-Crisis and Post-Crisis Superboy's was also emphasized during the "Infinite Crisis"event. Where Superboy-Prime absolutely trounced Kon-El, and viciously tore thru the Teen Titans.

[The Joker]

FLASHBACK 1998!

Wizard Magazine surmises that a theoretical Hulk vs Doomsday fight, Doomsday would ultimately be declared the victor.

[The Joker]

FLASHBACK 1998

Wizard Magazine art contest to Redesign Supes' costume.



In context, this was the '90's, and A LOT of Superheroes received costume makeovers. Some more dramatic than others, but it was one of the many prevalent gimmicks of the era.

Given that Colors is the resident Superman guy around here, I wonder if he ever had any ideas on the matter? Given costume alterations was very much a thing at the time.

I don't remember ever really having much of an opinion on this one way or the other. I do recall thinking the Eradicator's "Reign of the Supermen" costume was pretty cool back then. Though the visor shades would have to go.

[thecolorsblend]

There was some demand back then (even among fans) to update/modernize Superman's outfit.

A big push for that was the Reign Of The Supermen storyline. Superboy (clone) and the Eradicator had their own costumes and they both looked great in their time. That encouraged fans (and the fan press, such as Wizard) to gently campaign for a new outfit for Superman.

The online fan community agreed to disagree agreeably on this subject. Some fans believed it was foolish. "Why mess with a proven classic?" The other side thought different. "His underpants are on the outside, even Batman jettisoned that! What's the argument against modernization?"

This wasn't a case of blood running through the streets at all as far as I remember. The conversations that I was privy to (or active in) were mostly levelheaded, calm affairs of point and counterpoint.

At the time, I thought a uniform that blending the red and black "Krypton Man" outfit with the conventional Superman outfit could be a winner. Perhaps a blue body suit with black accents, white piping on the arms, the Superman symbol shrunk down and positioned on the left breast with a longer, flowing cape had potential.

My rationale is that this Post-Crisis version of Superman had plenty of time to get comfortable with his Kryptonian heritage. You could craft a decent story where Superman discovers something new about Krypton that changes his perceptions of it to something maybe a little more positive.

I thought it was doable at the time.

These days, my viewpoint has shifted completely the other way. I say go classic or go home. No need to change his uniform in any substantial way.

[Silver Nemesis]

If we're talking the most nineties Superman redesign, I'd like to nominate the armoured costume the Mother Box created for him in Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey Vol 1 #3 (June 1994). This has all the marks of a nineties eXtreme Liefeldian makeover: lots of straps/belts, unnecessary pouches, shoulder pad, armour plating, etc.

It even has weapons built into it, including a sonic gun and a sword.

It looks like an action figure. In fact an action figure was produced based on it.

It doesn't get more nineties than that.

These days, my viewpoint has shifted completely the other way. I say go classic or go home. No need to change his uniform in any substantial way.

I feel that way about both Superman and Batman's costumes. Stick to the classic designs, including the trunks.

[thecolorsblend]

I always thought the Hunter/Prey action figure was interesting. Because in the comic book, one of the gold chest straps partially obscures the symbol on his chest.

Clearly, someone in the food chain decided that was no bueno. I'm assuming for branding purposes, the strap was moved down a bit to allow the chest symbol to be completely visible.

I feel that way about both Superman and Batman's costumes. Stick to the classic designs, including the trunks.

Same. And incidentally, I extend that to Dick and Jason's Robin outfits. That original Golden Age design endured for decades as a vital component of Robin's aesthetic. That original outfit should always be preserved for Dick and Jason. I always thought it showed a lot of insecurity on DC's part that they frequently show Dick and Jason wearing alternate designs.

[The Laughing Fish]

I was reading a trade paperback copy of Superman/Wonder Woman Vol. 1 from the New 52 era, and I was reminded that Clark had already quit the Daily Planet to enter a partnership with Cat Grant to run an independent news blog. I remember Clark's career change was made into a big deal at the time.

On one hand, I can see the logic behind it. Newspaper journalism isn't as strong as it used to be with the rise of digital media and Clark is disillusioned with the state of journalism itself, and how ethics are sacrificed for entertainment and opinion pieces. On the other hand, Clark and Cat's news blog, in SM/WW Vol. 1, is called Clarkcatropolis.com. I hear a URL address like that, it reminds me of gossip. It doesn't really give me confidence it's an aspiring blogsite, haha. Had it not been for the anonymous scoop of Superman and Wonder Woman as a romantic couple, the blog would've been dead.

I know it's not the deepest observation in the world, but I think it's funny that for all of Clark's ambitions of journalistic integrity, he settled for such a tacky URL name.

Well, I can't fault the New 52 for trying to do new things for Superman. Whether or not these changes are good or bad is up for debate.

[The Joker]

Vintage 1982/1983 advertisement for the Superman line of books at DC Comics. Just a few short years before "Crisis on Infinite Earths".