This May, DC will wrap up the last lingering threads from Superman’s resurgent Rebirth runs before launching the character into the Bendis era. Two 48-page specials, “Action Comics Special” #1 and “Superman Special” #1, will provide Dan Jurgens and Peter Tomasi’s final say on Clark Kent and company, while also resolving outstanding character arcs and questions.
In “Action Comics Special” #1, Jurgens and artist Will Conrad will take one last crack at answering a question DC’s been toying with since “Forever Evil:” can Lex Luthor really remain a hero? With Superman’s life in his hands, Lex will face his greatest temptation: stand by and let Superman die? Or step in and save the Last Son of Krypton? On the precipice of the upcoming Super-reset, it’d be easy to imagine Lex making the easy, wrong choice. But a morally complex Luthor has proved interesting enough to supply years’ worth of stories, and it’s possible that Jurgens, and DC, aren’t done with him yet.
In “Superman Special” #1, Tomasi and collaborator Patrick Gleason (who will be sticking around into the Bendis-penned relaunch) will finally make good on Superman’s promise to the Losers’ Captain Storm, from all the way back in “Superman” #9. Once again journeying out of time to Dinosaur Island, Superman will do everything he can to get Captain Storm off the island and bring him home to the world of today. There’s no saying what other timey-wimey shenanigans Superman might get up to as he completes his rescue mission, so this epilogue might include more than DC’s currently letting on.
Each special will also contain additional stories by guest creators, including Max Landis, Francis Manapul, Mark Russel, Jill Thompson, Bryan Hitch, Ian Flynn, and Kaare Andrews. “Action Comics Special” #1 releases on May 2, and “Superman Special” #1 releases May 16. For more details, check out the press release after the jump:
OVERSIZED 48-PAGE SUPERMAN ONE-SHOTS COMING IN MAY
ACTION COMICS SPECIAL #1 and SUPERMAN SPECIAL #1 Celebrate Three Prolific Superman Storytellers, Feature Bonus Content
The creative talent of ACTION COMICS writer Dan Jurgens and the SUPERMAN team of Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi have brought legions of Superman fans story after story filled with action, humor, emotion and candor–traits that have continued to present Superman as an enduring symbol of hope, optimism, truth and justice. This May, the conclusions to their epic runs serve as the centerpieces of two special one-shot issues.
On sale May 2, the 48-page ACTION COMICS SPECIAL #1 features “The Last Will and Testament of Lex Luthor,” written by Jurgens with art by Will Conrad. Beginning with the events of REBIRTH, Superman’s greatest enemy became his most unexpected ally. Is Lex finally on the heroic path, or is he still hiding his true colors? When he finds himself in an adventure where Superman could be destroyed, what will he do? Save the Man of Steel, or witness his demise at the hands of an unimaginable enemy? This oversize special also includes stories from Max Landis and Francis Manapul (TRINITY, JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE) originally slated to appear in the DC UNIVERSE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2017 #1, and Mark Russell (THE FLINTSTONES, EXIT STAGE LEFT: THE SNAGGLEPUSS CHRONICLES) with artist Jill Thompson (WONDER WOMAN: THE TRUE AMAZON).
Available May 16, SUPERMAN SPECIAL #1 features Tomasi and Gleason’s “The Promise,” concluding a story from REBIRTH that began in issue #8, 2016’s “Escape from Dinosaur Island.” Before Superman’s world goes through some drastic changes, he has unfinished business to attend to on Dinosaur Island. Superman and the Losers’ Captain Storm take one final trip together into the abyss of tomorrow, which brings the military man out of time into the world of today. This 48-page extra-size special also features bonus stories by Mark Russell with art by Bryan Hitch and Ian Flynn with art by Kaare Andrews.
For more information on Superman or any of the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, check out the website at www.dccomics.com, or visit the official DC YouTube channel.
