Action Comics (1938-2011) Annual #3

Action Comics (1938-2011)

by Roger Stern (Writer), Tom Grummett (Illustrator), Denis Rodier (Illustrator)

Enjoy this great comic from DC’s digital archive!

Genres: Dc Comics

56 pages, ebook

First published July 11, 1991

About the author

Roger Stern is an American comic book author and novelist.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: In-the-weeds with every deed, it's way too step-by-step, ending great (adds needed weight), but lacking spice or pep.

*Progress update

[C. John Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in the sixties and possibly the seventies every four years it seemed someone wrote a letter to the editor of the Superman comic suggesting the Man of Steel should run for president. Of course the answer to that was always the same, Superman wasn't born on Earth, let alone in the United States so legally he couldn't run for president. However, when they did a reboot on Superman and changed his origin somewhat it suddenly became possible. It does, however, take the Supreme Court to determine where Superman was born. Superman runs for office after his friend Pete Ross, who was running for president is seriously injured in an attack. The same attack also sees the fact Clark Kent is Superman revealed to the world. I don't think it is much of a spoiler if I tell you Superman/Clark Kent runs and wins. After all we wouldn't have much of a comic if he didn't. One interesting item is that his Vice-Presidential running mate is a black congresswoman. Comics can be ahead of their time. Also the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is a woman. Nothing new for us Canadians there, but I think it still would be for the US. There is one attempt on Superman but it doesn't even get off the ground as the Secret Service quickly arrest the plotters. The rest of the book focuses on Superman's term of office. we see Clark tackle many of the problems Presidents have faced over the years and see how he deals with them. For instance he deals with the national debt quite handily. He also puts into place a method to harness renewable energy. The one thing he regrets at one point is that he hasn't found a way to put an end to the fighting in Northern Ireland.
All of this is being revealed by a being called Waverider who is able to look at possible futures for individuals. At the end of the story though Superman performs one deed that may mean this future doesn't come to be. And Waverider is a little bit surprised as that shouldn't happen
This was a very differnet story for Superman, but one that was really enjoyable. Admittedly I am a political animal in a sense so a story where Superman does run for office and then shows us what might happen should he win will of course interest me. One thing I notice is that the decisions he makes could be said to progressive ones. For instance in a speech after the technology to harness solar power is deployed he mentions that the US will no longer have need of fossil fuels, at least for power. Who knew that Superman was 'woke'. Personally I find that to be not a bad thing. If you want to see Superman in an unusual situation then this book might be for you. Happy reading

[John Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Armageddon 2001 was a brilliant means of unlocking 'what if' stories in the rigid post-Crisis continuity of the late 80s / early 90s (slightly before the earnest advent of Elseworlds). Waverider visits Superman for the second time (following Superman Annual #3) and, rather than becoming a totalitarian despot, he instead becomes legitimately elected to the highest office. Give Roger Stern such a premise, and trust him to explore it in a satisfying enough way, but put Tom Grummett's artwork to anything and it's hard for me not to be entertained.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was solid. Waverider sees a future for Superman where he becomes the President of the United States. It's kind of cool and for once, not an awful peak into the future but a hopeful one.