The Classics - Action Comics #551

   The recent addition of John Romita, Jr. to the creative team on DC's Superman comic made me think about times in the past when other superstar artists were brought in the goose the sales of Action Comics.

   In the early '80s they teamed up two classic talents - writer Marv Wolfman, who was enjoying huge success on The New Teen Titans, and the legendary Gil Kane, one of the all-time greats.

   They immediately went to work "Marvel-izing" the Man of Steel. They added conflict - in this issue, a newspaper columnist is attacking Superman's reputation like J. Jonah Jameson might have.

   The issue is also loaded with loads of action sequences, as Superman races around the world, going from one rescue to the next without letup.

   The story's ok, but the star is the artwork. With amazing layouts and sculpted anatomy, Kane overcomes the usual shabby 19080s printing process and crafts an amazing tale.

   Unfortunately, Kane's run on this title didn't last long - he traded off issues with the also-legendary Curt Swan, and eventually moved on to one challenges.

    But while it lasted, it was gold.

Grade: B+

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