Action Comics 80 Years of Superman: The Deluxe Edition #[nn]
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis deluxe hardcover celebrates Superman's 80-year legacy by collecting key stories from Action Comics #1 through the Rebirth era, featuring the Man of Steel's debut, his battles with Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Doomsday, and General Zod, as well as team-ups with Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Legion of Super-Heroes. It also includes appearances by Supergirl, Krypto, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and other iconic characters from the Superman mythos, along with behind-the-scenes material and a foreword. Published by DC in 2018, this volume serves as a comprehensive tribute to the character's evolution across eight decades of comic book history.
A landmark moment in Superman’s legacy, "The Coming of Superman" reimagines the Man of Steel’s origin with a bold new twist: Clark and Lois face the alien menace Brainiac during a rocket test, leading to a dramatic showdown where Superman rescues Metropolis and discovers a bottled Kryptonian city—later revealed to be Kandor—before sealing it in his Fortress. This 2018 Deluxe Edition, written by Otto Binder and illustrated by Al Plastino, features a stunning cover by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and a legendary lineup of artists including Joe Shuster, Curt Swan, and George Pérez, celebrating eight decades of the iconic hero.
In "null," a lone survivor from a vanished world crash-lands on Earth, their arrival marking the beginning of a new Superman—whose powers are rooted in a startling scientific truth. This one-page tale reimagines the Man of Steel with a fresh origin, grounded in cosmic mystery and unexpected physics.
In this standout tale from *Action Comics 80 Years of Superman: The Deluxe Edition*, Superman steps in to prevent an unjust execution and protect a woman from abuse—then faces a new threat when Lois Lane draws the ire of a dangerous man. As Clark Kent, he’s drawn into a web of political intrigue after being sent to investigate Senator Barrows’ push for war, leading him to confront a lobbyist with secrets worth killing for.
In "Revolution in San Monte," Clark Kent and Lois Lane are dispatched to the volatile streets of San Monte, South America, to report on a brewing conflict. When Lois is captured and accused of espionage, Superman steps in—unmasking a conspiracy where war is being fueled by arms dealers, chief among them Emil Norvell.
In the dusty frontier town of Van Ardsley, rodeo rider Greg Sanders takes up the mantle of the Vigilante after a chilling warning from the imprisoned Killer Kelly. When a blues singer named Betty Stuart reveals Kelly’s escape, Greg dons the costume and confronts the menace at a high-stakes costume ball. The story blends gritty Western tension with superhero flair, as the Vigilante must outwit a criminal who’s already played dead.
In "The Terrible Toyman!", Superman faces a twisted criminal who turns playthings into deadly weapons, using toys to pull off a string of robberies. When the Toyman takes Lois Lane hostage with poisoned dolls, Superman must track him to a hidden lair before it’s too late.
In "The Super-Duel in Space," Clark and Lois find themselves caught in a high-stakes showdown when the alien menace Brainiac hijacks an experimental rocket and begins shrinking Earth's cities for his own ends. With Metropolis already in his grasp, Superman ventures into Brainiac’s ship, discovering a bottled Kryptonian city that holds a secret far older than he imagined. As the fate of Earth hangs in the balance, one hero must decide how far he’ll go to protect the worlds he’s sworn to defend.
In a story that rekindles the legacy of Krypton, Superman encounters a mysterious rocket crash and uncovers his long-lost cousin, Supergirl. She shares the truth about Argo City’s survival and the peril her people faced from Kryptonite, revealing the journey that brought her to Earth. With care and determination, Superman helps her settle into a new life at Midvale Orphanage.
In "The Superman Super-Spectacular!", a special episode of the TV show *Our American Heroes* brings together Superman’s closest allies for a heartfelt tribute. Lois and Lana are certain Clark Kent won’t show—until he walks in, leaving them stunned. The moment takes a surprising turn when Superman personally thanks President John F. Kennedy for helping him keep his secret all along.
In a 1950s Earth-2 where Superman has vanished, Clark Kent—now a fearless reporter with no memory of his superhero past—finds himself drawn to Lois Lane, and their romance blossoms into marriage. When a mysterious threat resurfaces and Lois begins to question Clark’s true identity, she turns to the enigmatic Wizard, who holds the key to Superman’s disappearance. The story, written by a celebrated team and illustrated with period-accurate flair, explores the fragile balance between identity, love, and legacy.
In "The Boy Who Stole Superman's Cape," a young boy makes a daring move during Superman’s first real day in Metropolis, snatching the hero’s cape after he’s felled by an RPG. Meanwhile, Clark Kent settles into his new apartment and strikes up a quiet connection with his landlady, unaware of the chaos unfolding just beyond his window. When the boy faces danger from an abusive father, Superman’s timely return proves he’s more than just a symbol—he’s a presence in the city’s heart.
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↩ Reprints Action Comics [ashcan] #1 (1937), Action Comics #1 (1938), Action Comics #2 (1938), Double Action Comics #2 (1940), Action Comics #42 (1941), Action Comics #64 (1943), Action Comics #241 (1958), Action Comics #242 (1958), Action Comics #252 (1959), Action Comics #285 (1962), Action Comics #309 (1964), Action Comics #419 (1972), Action Comics #484 (1978), Action Comics #554 (1984), Action Comics #584 (1987), Action Comics #655 (1990), Action Comics #662 (1991), Action Comics #800 (2003), Action Comics #0 (2012)
Reprinted in Action Comics #1000: The Deluxe Edition #[nn] (2018), The Man of Steel by Brian Michael Bendis #[nn] (2018), The Man of Steel by Brian Michael Bendis #[nn] (2019)
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