I actually picked it up just recently - but when it was first published in 1969, your pal Chuck was a mere 13 years old.
As the cover reveals, the issue celebrates the Superman's 30th anniversary (since his first appearance in Action Comics was launched in 1938) - which means next year he'll celebrate his 80th year in comics!
And I've been around for... well, a lot more of those years than I'd like to admit!
Like I said - old.
This is actually a pretty weak attempt by DC to gin top some interest in the Man of Steel. The issue is labeled an 80 Page Giant, and there are indeed 80 pages in the comic - if you include the ads.
Of course, for readers in the late '60s, these annuals were one of the few ways to catch up on classic stories - and they only cost a quarter.
But the stories in this issue certainly don't represent the best from the previous years. It includes yet another story of an alternate Superman, an adventure that somehow includes adult, teen and infant Supermen, an amorous Amazon (get your mind out of the gutter!), the mystery of a new uniform, and the "imaginary" adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Superman!
The stories are ok, but haven't aged as well as Superman. The art is nice, though.
So as we lumber into Supers' 80th year, we can enjoy the fact that he is, in many ways, as fresh as he was on the day he started. Wish we could all say that!
Grade: B-
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4 comments:
Those 80-Page Giants, 100 Page Super Specs, Treasury Sized Editions, King Sized Specials,and Annuals made (for my money) 1974-1983 the best best time to read/collect/enjoy comics!
Mr. Brooks, they were certainly a treat - especially since they were our only source for reprints for early stories!
Yeah, and I especially loved the 100 Page Super Specs (they were my Holy Grails). One of the first comics I bought was JLA #110, which not only introduced me to the Justice Society but was the 2nd appearance of my favorite Green Lantern, John Stewart. Good times.
DC 100 Page Super Spectacular #6 - JLA tale with a reprint of the first JLA/JSA team-up along with a previously unpublished Wildcat tale. I've been a hardcore fan of Ted Grant ever since.
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