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Superman: The Man of Steel (Collected Editions) #6
Superman: The Man of Steel, Vol. 6
The series collecting the 1980s origin of Superman continues in this volume collecting SUPERMAN #12, SUPERMAN ANNUAL #1, ACTION COMICS #594-595, ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN ANNUAL #1, and BOOSTER GOLD #23!
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1987
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170 people want to read
About the author
John Byrne
2,955 books359 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 14, 2019
This opens up collecting the three Superman Annuals from the year. The shining star of this collection is the opening story featuring Batman and Superman fighting a vampire. It has a rare DC appearance of Arthur Adams on art. Then Titano makes his return to post-Crisis continuity updating the story to include the horrors of animal testing. In the third annual Superman fights an alien who takes over a town in what felt like a Silver Age story. Booster Gold then crosses over with Superman before we get a tale of lost love from Lori Lemaris and Clark Kent. Finally we finish up with a Silver Banshee story that honestly could have been longer. A good group of stories in this. On to book seven.
April 3, 2012
An actually enjoyable addition to the Superman book series that has been a long time coming in getting published.
August 30, 2020
Este tomo tiene un par de muy buenas historias (el Anual con Batman y el relato de Lori Lemaris), siendo el resto medio olvidables. Sigo pensando que los números de Action Comics, con esa idea de hacerlos a dúo con otros héroes, restan valor argumental para convertirse en historias de acción normalitas.
April 24, 2016
This is the sixth volume of collecting the adventures of DC's icon Superman after his 1980's revamp at the hand of John Byrne et al.
This particular volume opens with three annuals. First out is the Action Comics Annual #1, written by Byrne and drawn by Art Adams, which tells a very good vampire story and includes a team up with the other DC icon, Batman.
Second to the plate, we have the Adventures of Superman Annual #1, co-plotted by Byrne and Ron Frenz, written by the former and pencilled by the latter. This is the story of Titano, as told by Lois Lane, and it is a tale of both action and sentiment, wonderfully pulled together and nicely illustrated by Frenz.
The third and final annual in this volume is the Superman Annual #1. Written by Jim Starlin and drawn by Dan Jurgens, it presents Superman with an alien threat, but although not a bad story nor is it showing Starlin at his best either.
The rest of the volume opens up with a two part story (originally published in Action Comics #594 and Booster Gold #23) featuring an encounter between Booster Gold and Superman (after an initial and entertaining meeting between Superman and Batman & Robin in the Action Comics issue). The first part is all Byrne whereas the closing part is all Dan Jurgens.
This action packed two parter is followed by an unusual love story in "Lost Love" from Superman #12 and the volume closes with the introduction of the Silver Banshee in "The Ghost of Superman" from Action Comics #595 (both of which are all Byrne).
All in all, some good superhero fun and really showing how strong DC's relaunch of one of their most iconic characters really was. Here's hoping there will be further volumes forthcoming.
This particular volume opens with three annuals. First out is the Action Comics Annual #1, written by Byrne and drawn by Art Adams, which tells a very good vampire story and includes a team up with the other DC icon, Batman.
Second to the plate, we have the Adventures of Superman Annual #1, co-plotted by Byrne and Ron Frenz, written by the former and pencilled by the latter. This is the story of Titano, as told by Lois Lane, and it is a tale of both action and sentiment, wonderfully pulled together and nicely illustrated by Frenz.
The third and final annual in this volume is the Superman Annual #1. Written by Jim Starlin and drawn by Dan Jurgens, it presents Superman with an alien threat, but although not a bad story nor is it showing Starlin at his best either.
The rest of the volume opens up with a two part story (originally published in Action Comics #594 and Booster Gold #23) featuring an encounter between Booster Gold and Superman (after an initial and entertaining meeting between Superman and Batman & Robin in the Action Comics issue). The first part is all Byrne whereas the closing part is all Dan Jurgens.
This action packed two parter is followed by an unusual love story in "Lost Love" from Superman #12 and the volume closes with the introduction of the Silver Banshee in "The Ghost of Superman" from Action Comics #595 (both of which are all Byrne).
All in all, some good superhero fun and really showing how strong DC's relaunch of one of their most iconic characters really was. Here's hoping there will be further volumes forthcoming.
December 7, 2021
Cry Vampire (Action Comics Annual #1). What better for the first (new) Action Comics annual than a World's Finest story? This story of Superman and Batman versus a vampire is pretty shallow but nicely themed and a good quick read. It also makes clear the unfortunate distance between the World's Finest team in the early post-Crisis years. [4/5].
Tears for Titano (Superman Annual #1). One of the strengths of the Byrne run was his reinvention of classic Superman villains, including here, Titano. The story gets a bit preachy at times and is fight heavy, but the core is about something more than just a villain. Or rather, it changes up who the villain is [4/5].
Union (AoS Annual #1). Starlin goes in for a totally new villain: an alien sociopath. The story is just OK. We get a brief moment that really defines who the Man of Steel is, and the rest is entirely forgettable [3/5].
Booster (Action #594 + BG #23). Another Booster Gold tie-in, this one a big fight whose only redeeming feature is that it highlights mogul Luthor's continued villainry [3/5].
Lori Lemaris (Superman #12). The end of Byrne's first year of the new Superman is a touching story of Lori Lemaris in the post-Crisis universe. It's a nice human piece that respects the Silver Age, but puts a modern spin on it [4/5].
Silver Banshee (Action #595). The Silver Banshee was one of the best new villains to come out of post-Crisis Superman tales, but her debut here is not her finest hour, primarily because the fake-death of Superman herein is pure Silver Age silliness [3+/5]
Tears for Titano (Superman Annual #1). One of the strengths of the Byrne run was his reinvention of classic Superman villains, including here, Titano. The story gets a bit preachy at times and is fight heavy, but the core is about something more than just a villain. Or rather, it changes up who the villain is [4/5].
Union (AoS Annual #1). Starlin goes in for a totally new villain: an alien sociopath. The story is just OK. We get a brief moment that really defines who the Man of Steel is, and the rest is entirely forgettable [3/5].
Booster (Action #594 + BG #23). Another Booster Gold tie-in, this one a big fight whose only redeeming feature is that it highlights mogul Luthor's continued villainry [3/5].
Lori Lemaris (Superman #12). The end of Byrne's first year of the new Superman is a touching story of Lori Lemaris in the post-Crisis universe. It's a nice human piece that respects the Silver Age, but puts a modern spin on it [4/5].
Silver Banshee (Action #595). The Silver Banshee was one of the best new villains to come out of post-Crisis Superman tales, but her debut here is not her finest hour, primarily because the fake-death of Superman herein is pure Silver Age silliness [3+/5]
March 27, 2018
Twenty years later, these stories still kick serious ass. I haven't re-read the three Annuals included in this trade in ten years, and I've never read the Booster Gold issue.
The two Annuals that Byrne writes (Superman and Action) are both good. "Skeeter" in Action is a little slight, but it looks great, and Titano's story from Superman Annual 1 is good except for the heavy-handed last page. Starlin and Jurgens' collaboration in Adventures of Superman Annual 1 was a terrific story - you don't get comics in which the hero asks the President of the U.S. if there are any chemical weapons plants near the site of the mysterious disappearance these days!
The two-part Booster Gold story worked well, with Booster getting to one-up Luthor. Jurgens' early Superman effort was a little stiff, and Byrne really looked a lot better. I imagine my impression of their art would be reversed if I saw pages from each today! I still find it hilarious that Byrne did the "death of Superman" in two pages in the Silver Banshee issue! The Lori Lemaris issue was my least favorite, mostly because I've always felt that she was shoehorned into Superman's past to add some needless romantic tension. She still has no real personality or reason for existence beyond being "that other Superman love interest." Good final page though, the whale singing the song of Lori's relationship with Superman.
The Lori issue also has a little cliffhanger, setting up the Millennium crossover, which should be in the next collection. Can't wait.
The two Annuals that Byrne writes (Superman and Action) are both good. "Skeeter" in Action is a little slight, but it looks great, and Titano's story from Superman Annual 1 is good except for the heavy-handed last page. Starlin and Jurgens' collaboration in Adventures of Superman Annual 1 was a terrific story - you don't get comics in which the hero asks the President of the U.S. if there are any chemical weapons plants near the site of the mysterious disappearance these days!
The two-part Booster Gold story worked well, with Booster getting to one-up Luthor. Jurgens' early Superman effort was a little stiff, and Byrne really looked a lot better. I imagine my impression of their art would be reversed if I saw pages from each today! I still find it hilarious that Byrne did the "death of Superman" in two pages in the Silver Banshee issue! The Lori Lemaris issue was my least favorite, mostly because I've always felt that she was shoehorned into Superman's past to add some needless romantic tension. She still has no real personality or reason for existence beyond being "that other Superman love interest." Good final page though, the whale singing the song of Lori's relationship with Superman.
The Lori issue also has a little cliffhanger, setting up the Millennium crossover, which should be in the next collection. Can't wait.
January 8, 2019
Another nice set of stories from the 1980's Post-Crisis era and quite the set. A team-up with Batman taking on a Louisiana vampire decades before Anna Paquin was Sookie Stackhouse. A really tragic but well-told adventure in Titano the giant monkey, first the Pre-Crisis era which I enjoyed and of course the sweetly told Superman Animated Series episode, I guess Titano does make for a great story.
An adventure in which an entity steals a town's inhabitants. A mystery in which Superman involves Batman. Booster Gold. Silver Banshee.
But without a doubt, the greatest part of this story for me was the character of Lori Lemaris. The first comic book I ever picked up was Superman #12 in a Mexico City newsstand. English being the only language I could speak at the time, I had no idea what it was about but I had come to know from just the pictures and I was hooked on Superman comics. Basically, Superman fell in love before he was Superman and it was to a beautiful Atlantean mermaid named Lori Lemaris. In many ways, I found her so much more lovely and kinder than Lois Lane and truly appreciated Clark's feelings for her. It was tragic that she had to leave him and that this story somehow was a farewell... boy would I be in for a surprise years later. Still, it was just as beautiful as I remembered, especially having read the Pre-Crisis version years later and having read this story again now. I only wish they could incorporate the character in TV/Movies.
Once again, a nice collection. B-
An adventure in which an entity steals a town's inhabitants. A mystery in which Superman involves Batman. Booster Gold. Silver Banshee.
But without a doubt, the greatest part of this story for me was the character of Lori Lemaris. The first comic book I ever picked up was Superman #12 in a Mexico City newsstand. English being the only language I could speak at the time, I had no idea what it was about but I had come to know from just the pictures and I was hooked on Superman comics. Basically, Superman fell in love before he was Superman and it was to a beautiful Atlantean mermaid named Lori Lemaris. In many ways, I found her so much more lovely and kinder than Lois Lane and truly appreciated Clark's feelings for her. It was tragic that she had to leave him and that this story somehow was a farewell... boy would I be in for a surprise years later. Still, it was just as beautiful as I remembered, especially having read the Pre-Crisis version years later and having read this story again now. I only wish they could incorporate the character in TV/Movies.
Once again, a nice collection. B-
March 26, 2020
As always, I'm a big fan of John Byrne's take on the Man of Steel. He humanizes him--making it possible for Superman to have faults and even fail--without comprising his values. One story in particular was very dark--a whole town was basically harvested by an alien and their brains (all that remained of them) telepathically forced Superman to euthanize them. I mean... wow. Add into that Titano's "rampage" that ended in his death, vampires, and even Superman nearly dying himself... and, yeah, you've got a pretty intense read. This is definitely the darkest of this series so far (with the exception of maybe the story arc where Darkseid brainwashed Superman), but despite that, the writing continues to be on-point and engaging. In short: I'm ready for the next volume!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2016
Uniformly great artwork from Byrne and a fabulous, eerie turn from Art Adams. The Lori Lemaris chapter is one of the oddest romances in all of comics (complete with a deus ex murderous sea captain) but is still undeniably affecting. Have to give it to Lex's Booster Gold-bot -- he's on the money about Superman being a Reaganite puppet. (How did that particular bit of Dark Knight Returns become canon?)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2017
These 1980s Superman comics continue to impress me. Stories that might seem silly at first glance (Superman facing off with a gigantic ape named Titano, for instance) actually posses a serious amount of gravitas. These are fun, compelling comics. What more could you want?
April 23, 2021
Gems include Ron Frenz drawing a Titano annual, Dan Jurgens drawing a Twilight Zone-esque annual, Art Adams drawing a World’s Finest v. vampires annual, Superman’s initial post-Crisis meeting with Jason Todd, & the initial post-Crisis death & return of Superman
September 15, 2013
The stories are getting more fantastical as his run continues, but I'm still enjoying the John Byrne Superman narratives.
February 9, 2016
Great Collection of stories from John Byrne's legendary run on Superman. I enjoyed all of them, especially Tears for Titano. Highly recommended for any Superman fan!!
July 16, 2017
Superman - how good it can be? Didn’t expect stories to be that interesting, but I was wrong
April 1, 2025
Great book! Probably the best volume so far.
The book has a lot of really good/emotional issues which I enjoyed. It also has plenty of action and I once again liked the simplicity of the artwork.
While I like the book, I’m realising that these volumes do not really have much in terms of an ongoing narrative. Every issue is its own story.
I particularly liked the first issue which features a vampire mystery with Batman. The following issue was about a mistreated chimpanzee, which had a lot of action and a good/sad ending. The other notable issue was about a long lost lover of Superman, which (very predictably) turned out to be mermaid. It was nice seeing Superman pine over a woman that wasn’t the annoying/moaning Lois Lane!
I’m looking forward to Volume 7.
Would definitely recommend.
The book has a lot of really good/emotional issues which I enjoyed. It also has plenty of action and I once again liked the simplicity of the artwork.
While I like the book, I’m realising that these volumes do not really have much in terms of an ongoing narrative. Every issue is its own story.
I particularly liked the first issue which features a vampire mystery with Batman. The following issue was about a mistreated chimpanzee, which had a lot of action and a good/sad ending. The other notable issue was about a long lost lover of Superman, which (very predictably) turned out to be mermaid. It was nice seeing Superman pine over a woman that wasn’t the annoying/moaning Lois Lane!
I’m looking forward to Volume 7.
Would definitely recommend.
July 23, 2025
Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 6
Clark Kent must work with the Batman and Robin when he is stuck in a case, but Booster Gold interrupts, furious that Metropolis has declared a 'Superman' day. After everything is cleared up, Superman gets to memorialize Lori Lemaris with a poet of the sea before he is apparently killed by the Silver Banshee, leaving Lois Lane bereft.
Superb action artwork and a genuinely heartfelt embracing of the key points of 'Superman' life makes Byrne's books exciting to read.
Clark Kent must work with the Batman and Robin when he is stuck in a case, but Booster Gold interrupts, furious that Metropolis has declared a 'Superman' day. After everything is cleared up, Superman gets to memorialize Lori Lemaris with a poet of the sea before he is apparently killed by the Silver Banshee, leaving Lois Lane bereft.
Superb action artwork and a genuinely heartfelt embracing of the key points of 'Superman' life makes Byrne's books exciting to read.
January 15, 2019
John Byrne is joined by fellow legends, Dan Jurgens, Jim Starlin, Art Adams, Ron Frenz, and more to put together a pretty good collection. Here we see a fun supernatural team-up with Superman and Batman, an interesting two-parter with Booster Gold, a sad introduction to Titano, and the great visual of Silver Banshee. The books were obviously dated and and goofy but the hold up fairly well. Overall, a good mix of story and art.
September 19, 2024
A lot of real tearjerkers and wild stories in here!
Several stories have a real heart to it in here, with lots of nods to old Superman characters being told in new ways, and the introduction of new characters too (primarily important is Silver Banshees first ever appearance)!
Would suggest not to miss this!
Several stories have a real heart to it in here, with lots of nods to old Superman characters being told in new ways, and the introduction of new characters too (primarily important is Silver Banshees first ever appearance)!
Would suggest not to miss this!
March 6, 2022
This volume collects the first annuals of the new Super-era and they are big challenges for the Man of Steel. He also clashes with Booster Gold and the Silver Banshee. Great comics by classic creators.
July 6, 2024
...and my marathon comes to a halt. It's been quite a journey, and a mostly enjoyable one at that. Superman No. 12 is the star of this book, a heartfelt love story with a twist, but all of the issues contained in this trade were good, solid reads.
September 19, 2022
Some cool Arthur Adams art, but all those Annuals were again more or less waste of space.
June 16, 2023
Cool, but...
These are great stories but I wish these books were organized by stories instead of by title. There are cliffhangers that are never resolved.
These are great stories but I wish these books were organized by stories instead of by title. There are cliffhangers that are never resolved.
May 5, 2025
Wild volume that has Superman face off against a wide range of foes as Byrne really settles into the run.
Superman's adventures in Metropolis continues as he takes on a giant ape, a vampire, battles a Booster Gold impersonator, faces the Silver Banshee's supernatural threat, and grapples over memories of his relationship with Lori Lemaris.
The variety of villains help to make sure that Byrne's run continues to feel fresh and exciting.
Superman's adventures in Metropolis continues as he takes on a giant ape, a vampire, battles a Booster Gold impersonator, faces the Silver Banshee's supernatural threat, and grapples over memories of his relationship with Lori Lemaris.
The variety of villains help to make sure that Byrne's run continues to feel fresh and exciting.
May 29, 2022
Skeeter. Superman and Batman versus vampires. Neat story to start this compilation. 7/10
Tears for Titano. Very sad story about a chimp who's experimented on. 10/10
The Union. Interesting story how President Reagan sends Superman to a ghost town, and the ultimate choice for the Man of Steel . Unnerving and then moral dilemma on mercy killings. 8/10
All that Glitters. Batman and Robin guest star, Booster Gold being the main... Friend or villain...? Part 1 is an intriguing take on superheroes and consequences. 6/10
Lost Love. Lovely retelling of Lori Lemaris. 10/10
The Ghost of Superman. Silver Banshee. 8/10
Overall rating for the book is a very enjoyable 8/10
Scoring: 0 bad; 1-3 poor; 4-6 average; 7-9 good; 10 excellent.
Tears for Titano. Very sad story about a chimp who's experimented on. 10/10
The Union. Interesting story how President Reagan sends Superman to a ghost town, and the ultimate choice for the Man of Steel . Unnerving and then moral dilemma on mercy killings. 8/10
All that Glitters. Batman and Robin guest star, Booster Gold being the main... Friend or villain...? Part 1 is an intriguing take on superheroes and consequences. 6/10
Lost Love. Lovely retelling of Lori Lemaris. 10/10
The Ghost of Superman. Silver Banshee. 8/10
Overall rating for the book is a very enjoyable 8/10
Scoring: 0 bad; 1-3 poor; 4-6 average; 7-9 good; 10 excellent.
August 23, 2012
I'd like to see more of these retro Superman collections. This volume had a few Batman teamups and included guests like Jason Todd, Booster Gold, Lori Lemaris and a brief cameo by Aquaman. Pretty good overall.
August 10, 2011
Not so much a fan of the annuals collected here (except for the Action Comics Annual). The art is good.
July 27, 2015
this is one of the weaker volumes from the Byrne run. I think I remember that Byrne didn't like doing annuals and half this collection is annuals. he may have been getting burned it by this point.
July 28, 2018
Fun stuff.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews