Action Comics Annual #3
Action Comics Annual #3 is a structurally ambitious entry in DC's 1991 summer crossover Armageddon 2001, presenting one of the most politically audacious 'possible future' scenarios ever constructed for Superman: a timeline in which the Man of Steel becomes President of the United States. Written by Roger Stern and pencilled by Tom Grummett, the issue doubles as an early, in-context appearance of Lex Luthor II — the mysterious young heir who would not formally debut in the present-day Superman titles until months later — making it a genuine first-look at a character central to the Superman mythos through the mid-1990s. The issue also features a pre-debut cameo of Agent Liberty, a Dan Jurgens creation who would go on to appear in the post-Doomsday Justice League era. Beyond its character firsts, the story engages seriously with questions of power and corruption: Waverider watches a President Superman wrestle a rogue Guy Gardner for his power ring, then wisely surrender it rather than keep it — a quiet, character-defining moment that distinguishes this annual from the more formulaic entries in the same crossover.
In "Executive Action," Superman faces a startling vision of a future where he becomes president and leads the world toward peace—rallying heroes like Guy Gardner, who opposes his nonviolent approach, and ultimately claiming Hal Jordan’s ring after a clash. Written by Roger Stern and illustrated by Tom Grummett, with inks by Phil Rodier, Doug Hazlewood, Carlos Garzón, and Brad Vancata, this 1991 Annual explores a bold alternate path for the Man of Steel, grounded in a moment of profound choice. The cover by Dave Gibbons captures the weight of that moment with striking precision.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
The Armageddon 2001 crossover was shepherded by editor/writer Dennis O'Neil, writer Archie Goodwin, and artist Dan Jurgens, with the device of Waverider — a time-traveler who can glimpse probable futures by touching heroes — serving as the framing mechanism for all participating annuals that summer. Roger Stern, who served as senior Superman writer at DC for roughly a decade, wrote the 'Executive Action' story for this issue, with Tom Grummett on pencils and a four-person inking team of Denis Rodier, Doug Hazlewood, Carlos Garzon, and Brad Vancata; the cover was provided by Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons, lending the issue a distinctive marquee quality. The broader Armageddon 2001 event became infamously entangled in a real-world spoiler crisis when a paid telephone tip line leaked that Captain Atom was intended to be revealed as the villain Monarch; DC changed the identity to Hawk at the last minute, a decision widely criticized because earlier tie-in annuals — including this one, which features a cameo of the actual Monarch — had already set up narrative threads pointing toward the original, more coherent reveal.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Cover date: August 1991; part of the Armageddon 2001 summer crossover event, which ran through most DC annuals published between May and October of that year.
- Story title: 'Executive Action.' Waverider probes a second possible Superman future in which Clark Kent's secret identity is exposed while protecting Pete Ross during a presidential campaign, leading to Superman himself winning the 2000 U.S. election.
- Written by Roger Stern; pencilled by Tom Grummett; inked by Denis Rodier, Doug Hazlewood, Carlos Garzon, and Brad Vancata; cover art by Dave Gibbons.
- Contains what has been identified by Superman continuity writers as the first appearance — in a future-timeline context — of Lex Luthor II, who attempts to derail President Superman's legitimacy by challenging his citizenship status; the character would not formally debut in the present-day timeline until shortly after this issue.
- Also contains a pre-debut crowd-scene cameo of Agent Liberty, a Dan Jurgens character whose official first appearance came in Superman #60 (published later in 1991).
- The issue includes the Monarch character in a cameo, set against the overarching Armageddon 2001 mystery about which hero was destined to become the tyrant — a mystery whose intended resolution (Captain Atom) was spoiled by a 1-900 tip line, prompting DC to change the reveal to Hawk at the last minute.
- Features DC Universe guest appearances by Guy Gardner, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Aquaman, Metron, and Kalibak, with Superman's willpower causing Gardner's power ring to transfer to his own hand — a visually striking, widely noted story beat.
- This is the second of three Superman-family annuals tied to Armageddon 2001, the others being Superman Annual #3 and Adventures of Superman Annual #3, each depicting a distinct possible future for the character.
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Reprints
Reprinted in Superman: Cover to Cover #[nn] (2006)
Key issues in Action Comics Annual
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