Superman: Action Comics #1000 Landmark Issue

I like to think that Action Comics 1000 is not only a celebration for Superman, but also a tribute for those around him - in a collection of short stories. Some may think that Batman is a better leader than Superman, because he inspired remarkable characters (some may say leaders) such as Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Damien Wayne, even Barbara Gordon. 

Not many can be said of Superman. People surrounding Superman, in contrast, are everyday heroes - firemen, teachers, policemen, journalists, photographers and editors. Normal people like you and me. I think this is the gist of the landmark issue. That Superman is the symbol that normal people can also be heroes.

One of my favorite stories in this issue is 'The Car' by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner. Remember the green car that Superman wrecked in Action Comics' very first issue way back in 1938? This story tells you the aftermath of that event. Superman came back and had a talk with one of the gangsters from the story and reminded him to do good. Not only is this story about inspiring people, I think this also cements that Superman's 'boy scout' attitude has always been there since the 1930s (I felt like he kinda came across as a bully in the golden age comics)

Another interesting story is 'Never Ending Battle' by Peter J Tomasi and Patrick Gleason that takes readers through time on highlights of Superman over the decades. The story shows how Superman looked like over the years, including one with a weird looking 'S' on the chest from the 30s. The art at the end of the this story seems to suggest that Superman is 80 years old.

Which brings us to a story by Tom King, which basically suggests where Superman, Lois and Jon are, many years in a possible future. There are stories by Scott Snyder and Marv Wolfman too, that basically shows that Superman does good even when nobody's looking. There's another story by Paul Dini about a Superman theme park but the highlight of the book I think is a heartfelt Superman appreciation story by Dan Jurgens.